Winter fair raises £7,000 for school equipment

The fair, held on November 23, was celebrating its 23rd anniversary, making it a well-known event on the town’s calendar.

Around 1,000 people attended, drawing families from nearby and further afield in the sunshine.

Vanessa Sutterlin, publicity officer for the Friends of Steyning Grammar School, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that supported this event and helped to make it such a successful day.

“Raising so much money is just the icing on the cake, and every penny of this will be used to buy some extra equipment for the school, which will ultimately benefit students for many years to come.”

A new addition this year was a big purple bouncy castle, surrounded by a massive inflatable snowman, Christmas music and bubbles floating through the air, which was a huge hit with all ages.

The main hall was busy all day, with Steyning Grammar School musicians providing entertainment throughout, along with a demonstration on stage by two working dogs from Canine Partners.

For the first time, Steyning Grammar School boarders ran a stall. Their charity committee, led by Mrs Sarah Beels, sold a vast array of goods made by boarding staff and students.

Mrs Beels said: “We raised a fantastic £502.70 for our charities, the Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice in the UK and the House of Dreams orphanage in Cochabamba Bolivia.”