Medieval May fête
Melyni Bronson, chair, Friends of Glapthorn Lower School
(FOGS), Oundle, Peterborough (49 pupils):
'Our medieval fete was the culmination of a term-long,
school-wide curriculum project on Castles. The event began with
school children doing traditional Maypole dancing, which was
followed by a homemade trebuchet competition,which entailed
homemade catapults flinging tennis balls as far as possible!
Throughout the fête (2-5pm on Saturday 18 May), we had a variety of
medieval and traditional fête activities, including:
- Local archery club offered 'have a go' sessions (after covering
costs, they shared their profits)
- Court jester who conducted three 20-minute shows and wandered
the crowds in between
- Medieval marketplace with a selection of vendors who were
housed in traditional medieval tents
- Free swordfighting sessions with former fencing champion,
Fraser Stephen-Smith
- Castle-themed bouncy castle
- Medieval arts and crafts area - damsel hats and knights'
shields
- Plus all the usual: hair plaiting, face painting, balloon
modelling, temporary tattoos, bake sale, raffle, tombola, used book
sale, BBQ, bar, etc.
The medieval fête attracted about 500 attendees. We spent about
£500 and made over £1,500 profit. The fête was a great success
(attracting roughly twice as many attendees as the previous year).
We put this down to having a strong and interesting theme, running
an effective marketing campaign - What's On, Facebook, tweeting
local organisations and asking them to retweet, flyers in every
village shop, community notice board and preschool within a ten
mile radius, and signs on the main road. We also have a very strong
school community and a supportive and empowering head
teacher.'
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