Summer Fair
The weather couldn’t have been more fitting for a traditional summer fair. The cloudless skies and sunshine brought families out in the droves to join in the fun of the fair, and to make this year’s one of the most successful fairs ever. The Friends had put a wonderful array of stalls, activities, old fashioned fairground rides and Chair of the Friends Susan Edwards would like to thank the whole committee and everyone else who helped out for making it such a special day. Particular thanks go to Joanne Brooks who ran the inaugural Cundall Crufts, to Paul and Lucy Evans who provided the fairground rides (to Jack and Tom Hill for their quick thinking and tractor driving skills in retrieving the fairground cavalcade from the bottom of what turned out to be a steeper slope than anticipated!) and to David and Kate Lister for providing the meats for the BBQ. Well done too to Daisy Hynd and Zoe Austin for winning the sweetie jar, and to Tilly Ruddy for correctly name Lester the teddy bear!
The AstroTurf Appeal Mega Marathon
With bleary eyes, and a barely risen sun the first two teams took to the hockey pitch at 5am for what would be the first match of a truly incredible twelve hour hockey marathon. The day would see over 200 players – mums, dads, pupils and ex-pupils– in a mind boggling array of kit, take to one of the three pitches to do their bit for Mrs Walkland’s fundraising marathon. The Old Farts v Quadreceps displayed as much sartorial innovation as they did sporting skill. Tom Dale baked in a wet suit, Grayson Maguire squeezed himself into a netball strip, and James Gordon protected himself in full cricket gear including helmet! Mr Bourne Arton played in full batman garb and Mr Turner in a rather fetching tutu! At the opposite end of the age groups Mega Men (Form 1 boys), Golden Girls (Form 1 girls) and Golden Girls (mums and Pre-Prep staff) all played each other, with the Form 1s giving the mums a run for their money and showing how fit the children are compared to their parents! What was particularly great to see was so many spectators and supporters throughout the day, and so many novice players who really rose to the occasion. So far the Office has received over £11,000 of sponsorship money from the day. You can see the current overall total on our JustGiving page (click here).
Sir Thomas and Richard step out in support of the Astroturf Appeal
Volunteer gap year teacher Richard Ingilby joined his father to help raise money for the Cundall Astroturf appeal on Sunday, when both completed the 26.2 mile Nidderdale Marathon Walk. The walk, from Pateley Bridge to Angram Reservoir and back, follows the Nidderdale Way climbs 2,000 feet across the moors on both sides of the valley, and the combination of steep hills, rough stone tracks and one of the hottest days of the year proved made it an exceptionally tough challenge. Sir Thomas and Richard were amongst the few to complete the course – a lot of people didn’t make it due to the heat and exhaustion. ‘We pushed ourselves pretty hard, particularly given the conditions. The highlight was when we sat down on a bench below Middlesmoor church to grab a quick bite to eat: the church bells broke out in a joyous peal behind us. We wondered if they were celebrating the fact that we were still upright!’ said Sir Thomas. The last hour was a real test of stamina and both were exhausted when they reached the finishing line, having completed the walk in an excellent time of nine hours, with just one 15 minute rest for lunch. ‘It was a huge effort but we have so far raised £475 for the Astroturf appeal’, said Sir Thomas. ‘My thanks go to all those who supported us, and gave us the incentive to keep walking. If anyone else wants to back us they can do so onwww.justgiving.com/sir-thomas-ingilby2.’