MORE than 400 Farnham residents made Hale Fest 2017 a “special day” for the local community, raising more than £2,300 for Hale School.

Held at Hale School on Upper Hale Road, the event saw children of all ages participating in a range of popular games and activities, including marble madness, splat the rat, an Angry Birds catapult, table quidditch with golden snitches, hook-a-duck, inflatable-pig throwing, face-painting, tombolas and prizes raffles.

Attendees also enjoyed soaking up a line-up of Hale School pupils and staff, including deputy headteacher Ann Wheeler and site and premises manager Stewart Clark, at the dreaded wet sponge stocks.

Music was provided by local performers including Tim Visser and Jim Roberts, while home-made cakes, burgers and paella were among the culinary treats on offer.

Organised by Hale School’s PTA, Hale Fest 2017 raised £2,373 for Hale School. This money will now fund a cultural experience for the school’s year two and year six pupils.

Previous cultural experiences funded by the PTA have included a trip for year two pupils to see Mary Poppins at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, and a trip for year six pupils to see The Lion King in London’s West End.

Lucy Capeling, chairperson of the PTA, said: “Hale Fest 2017 was such a good day. The sun was out, we had a great turn-out and everyone seemed to really enjoy the event.

“We hold Hale Fest not only for the children to have a great time and make some fun memories, but also to raise vital funds for Hale School. The success of this year’s event means that another generation of Hale Children will be off to the West End soon!

“A massive thank-you to everyone who came along and to the small army of volunteers who worked so hard to make it such a special day.”