On Saturday 11 November, Shiplake College’s Parents' Association opened up the Sports Hall to host the annual Christmas Fayre.
This year’s Christmas Fayre was a massive success, with hundreds of people coming down to the festive affair. Visitors were able to start their morning with a delicious bacon butty or turkey and cranberry roll, before perusing the various crafts, sweet treats and homemade gifts on sale. The girls of Gilson house also ran a raffle; they gave punters the chance to choose the name of a giant teddy bear. Tickets cost 50p and the name of the bear turned out to be Albert! 
Our own Haydon Stride, Alex Webster and boys of Burr House sold apple juice made from the apples grown in the orchard on site at Shiplake. The proceeds will be donated to Gap Africa, a charity which raises money for schools in Kenya. The College has supported Gap Africa since 1994 and the expedition society visits a school to offer support most years.
Business Studies teacher Mr Dave Rose sold jars of olives and sun-dried tomatoes, filled by pupils, among other delicious deli-items. Also on sale were large Kilner jars containing the ingredients for gingerbread biscuits, complete with a gingerbread man shaped cutter. Other sweet treats came from Milly’s Scones, who were selling beautiful homemade pastries, cakes and of course, scones.
The Shiplake Community Choir was also out in full force, performing such carols as Ding Dong Merrily on High and Joy to the World. Parent Annie Caldeira, who organised the event, said ‘It was a massive success. I’ve had the most amazing emails from people, thanking us for organising it! We don’t use it as a fundraising opportunity; it’s more about bringing families together and giving the College an opportunity to raise money for Gap Africa’.
Thanks from the Parents' Association go to:
- Kate Manning
- Rosie Burling
- Jessie Burrough-Haq
- Tayla Caldeira
- Sophie Welson
- Rhian Edwards
- Lulu Jobson
- Darcy Timms
- Eve Dowden
- Justin Van Vuuren
- Ben Grouhan
- Will Bailey
- Wing-Ho
- Fergus Elrington
- Haydon Stride
- Jovan Vlhahovic
- Alex John-Vallee
- Dom John-Vallee
- Matt Dalrymple
- Ben Daniel
- James Daniels
- Joe Gillian
- Joe Christie
- Sam Hargreaves
- Hannah Simmonds-Gooding
- Daisy Stuart
- Georgia Mae Fry