30-05-2023
Wicor Ecofayre
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In early March we received an invitation to participate at Wicor School's Ecofayre. The Assistant Head Teacher had recently attended an open event in Petersfield where one of the stalls was run by a men's group (not sure if it was the local shed!) and thought that we could get involved in their event. Our Projects Manager Brian McCarthy made an appointment to go and see what Wicor School was all about. He came back very impressed at what he had seen. The School had a fabulous garden and horticulture section which included a woodland trail, a pond for dipping, bee hives, free range chickens and a general garden full of different vegetables and flowers.
At this point we should mention that somebody from the school did get in touch with us at the end of January offering us the use of a shed while we were having problems “relocating” and we did not take it up or even go and look at it. Well, that was our loss as this shed was huge about 20’ x 10’ and an amazing wood pile to go with it!!
We agreed to take part in the Ecofayre and support the school with a stall on May 20th and meantime Brian donated a few items we had made like bird and bug boxes and a couple of special requested items.
We arrived at 9.00am and set up our stall. We were greeted by the assistant Head Teacher who thanked us for attending and organised a drink for us. It was a fabulous, sunny day with a bit of a breeze. The crowds started to arrive just before 10,00am. And it was, without any doubt, an Ecological event supported by The Wild Life Trust, Greenpeace, The Woodland Trust, Portsmouth & District Bee Keepers, the RSPB, the Hampshire Bat Group and Y Scrapstore amongst others. Garsons Nursery had a special leaflet printed for the event offering a discount on plants and a special pale ale brewed by Bowman Ales of Horndean, produced with honey from the school, how enterprising is that!.
We sold £180 of our little treasures that the Wednesday Woodies had made, well done lads!!
With just about 30 minutes to go somebody asked if they could have one of our plinky plonks and a bug hotel. I quickly took their £15 and felt pleased with the sale. Ten minutes later Brian was asking “where's that bug hotel?” “SOLD” I shouted, but that was already sold and the customer agreed to leave it with us until the end so we could take orders OOPS! That is fine as long as everyone is told.
Guess who the customer was - the Assistant Head Teacher!! I now have detention next week after they return from half term holiday, sorry Alison. She kindly insisted that we kept her money and Brian is going to make her another one.
So all in all a great day. Well done Wicor School!!
Author: Chris Hodgson.