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FIGS Autumn Fair
Mr Masters sent this report:
A Fine Day for The FIGS Fair
It was Saturday, 21 September and the best weather we have had for nearly 3 weeks! We could not have wished for a better day to hold our annual, and much loved FIGS Autumn Fair. As the sun beat down and the temperature crept above 20 degrees, the FIGS committee were making their way to Invicta to prepare the Izatt Plaza for the big event. By the time the clock reached 11am, students were arriving and the fair was beginning to take shape!
This year, an exciting range of stalls, some old favourites others welcome new additions, were to be found dotted around the Izatt Plaza along with a new “café seating” area. It was lovely to feel the buzz as parents and friends sat watching students busily setting up their stalls for the “big off” at half past twelve. However, the moment the ice-cream van arrived, everyone abandoned their preparations to be the first in line to get a 99 flake!
The level of attention to detail and quality of the stalls was really impressive, and this does not happen without a lot of hard work, effort and support from form tutors and families. Stalls included the traditional: Hook-a-duck (9A), Pin the Tail on the Donkey (9I), Hoopla (9G), and Welly Wanging. But also some new ideas: Beauty Bombs (bath bombs and facemasks) from 8T, Festival Face Glitter from 8A, Penalty Shootout from 8N and Flip the Bottle from 8S.
One stall which really needs a special mention is The Chase, a complete FIGS Fair sized version of the popular TV game show. 8V definitely get the prize for the best looking stall, as the table had been purpose built in the style of the Chase board with working lights and moving parts! Special thanks must go to Isabel Nott, but particularly her Grandad who made the table entirely from scratch! It certainly was very impressive and made for a thoroughly engaging game and well worth the price for a go!
We were also very lucky and privileged to have some amazing performances from the House Bands and musical students throughout the afternoon. With the stalls and all the food, it was like being at a mini-festival! Well done to all the house bands and also our thanks to those students who stayed on to play duo and solo pieces to give us a soundtrack to our afternoon.
We were also thrilled to be introduced to David Humphrey, grandfather of a student in the school and original FIGS founder member. His son John joined FIGS this year; it was lovely to have this family connection and certainly was a special moment for the FIGS team on the day.
Before long it was half past three and time for the prize giving. All the various stalls announced their winners. And I am glad to say, many of them were still at the fair right to the very end. Of course, the news everyone was waiting for was the winner of the FIGS teddy bear raffle. That special honour went to Millie Moore in 7G, well done Millie! The top 3 student stalls this year for making the most profit were: 3rd The Chase £80.64, 2nd Beauty Bombs £101.02, 1st Glitz Glitter £106.80.
As always, there are many people to thank for all their efforts behind the scenes:
Stuart and Stephanie Moss (Joint Chair FIGS) for their tireless enthusiasm, running the hot food stall, for having a garage with every fair-necessary piece of equipment you could desire, and for organising the logistics behind the scenes. Claudie Grummett, for being such an important part of the team, but especially for getting up super-early on Saturday morning and making over 100 scones from scratch. Steve Basford, for always being ready to lend a hand, in this instance helping Mr Masters shift 20 heavy picnic tables. Mrs Owen (eLearning) who turned up to enjoy herself but pitched in and helped us out by running a stall all afternoon. John Humphrey, for continued top-up shopping and logistical support. Andrea and Charlotte, new FIGS member this year, and already highly dedicated members of the team, for some excellent ideas and letting us network your contacts to raise money for the school. Shelley Shrimpton, for making all the sweet cones and running the refreshments along with Claudie. Mr Heaton, for overseeing the musical aspect of the day and being a good sport when the students forget to take their guitars back to the music department!
Andrew and Kinga, who, despite moving house this week, showed up to lend a hand and run stalls. Last, but by no means least, Mark Bundock and family, who are in the thick of organising and running stalls at the fair every year, and, while everyone else is enjoying their evening, count up all the cash!
Thank you all, it would not work or be the same without you. We look forward to another one next year with even warmer weather!
