Friends of WHS
Advent Fayre 2007

ADVENT FAYRE 2007

On Saturday 8^th December, WHS played host to the 2007 Advent Fayre – not quite an annual event yet, but certainly a pretty regular calendar fixture that the children anticipate enthusiastically and where parents can enjoy checking out the shopping opportunities and supporting our charitable aims.

Colourful French Cafe

This year the Fayre opened to a joyful medley of Christmas tunes from the WHS Brass Group, as well as traditional carols from Cantoris in the Hall. Dear old Father Christmas who had, sadly, been beaten to the opening ceremony by the children was still able to manage a welcoming round of cheerful “ho-hos” before retiring to his magnificent new grotto where he greeted over a hundred eager young visitors during the course of the morning.

Despite some truly terrible weather the children proved completely immune to the elements as they charged from one activity to another for three hours. Another splendid crop of fun and games was laid on by the wonderful Form Reps whose commitment and enthusiasm we all salute. Images of industrious children carefully making angels and Christmas decorations sat alongside those swinging golf clubs, bashing rats, lobbing bean bags into holes and hurling balls at tin cans, buckets and skittles. Brave dads stood outside, soaked to the skin, defending goal whilst ducking the flying wellies chucked by children with green hair and freshly painted nails. Dozens of hanging donuts were chewed off their string and the chocolate and sweetie jar tombolas ensured no local dentists will be out of work any time soon. Card sharps were trained on “Higher or Lower”, “Lucky Diamond” and “Take your Pick” whilst the new Joke Shop and Children’s Prezzie Stall attracted hordes who were treated to magic tricks by Sheridan Coldstream whilst they browsed. The SchoolCraft stall sold lots of lovely things made by the children of Winchester House at their weekly SchoolCraft activity. Alongside them, a glowing array of homemade cakes and biscuits disappeared rapidly into shopping bags and hungry tummies.

You cannot be serious!!

Last year’s Advent Fayre found “Maria”, but this year the battle was for that most prized honour among beauty queens – the title of “Miss WHS 2007”. Described by a future newspaper editor as “completely and totally wicked”, the audience rolled in the aisles as a selection of schoolmasters paraded their personal qualities before the judges. Congratulations to Miss “Ed Frost” and Miss “Devlin Elliott” who share the crown.

The wet weather kept everyone busy in our favourite coffee shop, Café Olé Olé, where delicious French fare was cheerfully served (in French) by Year 7 children dressed as French waiters and waitresses. The new takeaway service was a great hit and our sincere thanks to Anne White, Carole Sweetnam and their team for running the show.

The newly ordered supply of WHS umbrellas, intended as a talisman against bad weather, failed in that duty, but the cheery team under the arch sold them all instead – a well-hedged bet. The excellent raffle prizes on offer this year also proved a great success for which we thank the generous donors, and the hall and marquee presented a great panoply of wares brought in by our cast of stallholders.

The Pre-Prep Christmas Card Competition was kindly judged with great care by the Head Boy and Head Girl who awarded prizes in each age group. The overall winner, Alex Li, will have his picture on the cover of the programme for the next Advent Fayre.

Despite the dreadful weather the Fayre was, once again, a great success. It raised over £6,000 which will go to support both the school and this year’s charity, BYHP, a local project supporting young people who become homeless through no fault of their own.