The inaugural Christmas Gift Fayre run by The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s successfully got QE’s 2018 festive season off to an early start.
With almost 30 stalls selling an immensely diverse range of gifts to suit all budgets, the fayre offered extensive opportunities to stock up early on presents for Christmas and other forthcoming occasions. It was very well supported by School parents past and present – including many parents of the new Year 7 boys – as well as staff, alumni and neighbouring residents.
Headmaster Neil Enright said: “This was a splendid event at which we were tremendously encouraged to see our Elizabethan community and local residents come together to support each other and the School. My thanks go to everyone in the FQE whose sterling work made the fayre such a success.”
As well as some well-known national brands, there were many local businesses among the stallholders. Their wares included:
- Various types of jewellery, such as costume, chainmail and beaded
- Magic toys
- Children’s books
- Work from London artists and a wildlife photographer
- Knitwear and girls’ dresses
- Woodturning items
- Crystals and fossils
- Italian food gifts
- Skin care, beauty and pamper products
- Handmade handbags and purses.
Mulled wine and other seasonal treats were offered at the refreshments stall. For children, there was face-painting and also the opportunity to pay a visit to the Elf Grotto, where they could enjoy arts & crafts activities and write a letter to Santa.
In addition, the current QE Year 10 Young Enterprise team had a stall to raise funds for their business, where guests were invited to take part in guessing games, such as estimating the weight of a cake or the number of sweets in a jar. The team are developing an educational app as their business product.
A long-established organisation, FQE’s aims include helping new parents ensure their sons are happy and that they rapidly integrate into the School. In addition, the Friends facilitate social relationships between families, while also raising funds for the School in order to enrich the educational experience it provides.