St Richards summer fayre

Always a popular event on the college calendar, the fayre attracted large crowds who came along to enjoy the variety of stalls and attractions on offer.

The games enjoyed in the sunshine included a gladiator joust, sumo wrestling, a water balloon throwing competition and a football tournament.

Pupils and their families had been generous in ensuring that there was an abundance of quality products and prizes on offer for stalls, tombolas and raffles.

Alongside the more traditional stalls, there were also some great examples of innovation such as the "Hook a Bag," "Human Fruit Machine" and "Photoshop" stalls.

Groups of pupils were involved in running activities along with staff, families and the wider school community.

A group of Year 10 pupils ran a successful cake stall to help them raise funds for a pilgrimage to Lourdes next year. There was something on offer for everyone as the school community joined together to raise money for St. Richard's.

Many people took the opportunity to relax, catch up with friends and enjoy the glorious weather in the college grounds.

Live music was provided by the band "Frequency" with St. Richard's pupil Ashley Henson as the lead singer. Refreshments available included a Pimms bar as well as teas, coffees, ice creams, cakes and a mouth-watering barbecue. This year, the fair also provided an opportunity for a school reunion for the class of 1999.

Brenda Kent, vice-chair of the PTFA, thanked everyone from the St. Richard's community as well as the many local businesses who helped to making the fayre such a great success. She said: "Thank you to everyone for all their contributions to the Summer Fayre. There was a truly lovely sense of community spirit both in the preparations and on the day itself."

Approximately, 3,500 has been raised according to the initial counting of monies. This fantastic amount will enable the PTFA to buy items which will benefit pupils in departments and in extra-curricular activities. The money raised will also be going towards building up funds to purchase a new minibus and to support the development of a new sports hall.