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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