Festival fun instead of classes for children and staff

ABOUT 200 people sang, danced and played games at a festival held at a Henley school.

Badgefest, which took place at Badgemore Primary School in Hop Gardens, was organised to celebrate the talents of its children, staff and families.

Run by the member of the Friends of Badgemore School, the event featured Badgemore’s Got Talent, where pupils performed on stage, danced and told jokes.

There was also live music, a tug of war competition, a chill-out zone with crafts and face painting.

Families set up 23 tents on the school field and roasted marshmallows around a campfire before about 70 people spent the night camping out. On the Sunday morning the campers were greeted with a breakfast of baked beans and toast cooked over the fire.

Organiser Harriet Barcella, a member of the Friends group, said: “It raises money for the school and we do one very year.

“It’s all about the children really. I’m so grateful to everyone who has helped. It’s so worth it when you see the children having fun.”

Her daughter Anya, six, who attends the school said: “It is really fun. I had been asking my mum when it would be on.”

Headteacher Tim Hoskins said this was the eighth year of the event and it had grown each time. “It is so great to see the all the parents and children having fun,” he said. “What is so special about Badgemore is the community and this brings us all even closer.”

Mr Hoskins, who was one of the campers, thanked the Friends , adding: “They put in so much effort in preparing and setting it up and making sure we have a great day.”