It was all the fun of the fair at Chester Blue Coat CE Primary School when the Friends group hosted their annual summer fundraiser.

The fair had the theme of ‘a day at the seaside’, complete with ice cream, fish and chips, and a pirate parade. Pupils and their families, plus many neighbours from the Garden Quarter community, enjoyed a wide range of events and activities.

Alongside the traditional raffles, games and bouncy castle, visitors were able to try their hand at circus skills, archery and even go-kart driving, or could take it easy and enjoy a drink while admiring the skills on show during a gymnastics display. One of the most popular stalls was the ‘soak the teacher’ game, with headteacher Vince O’Brien gamely taking his place in the stocks and drawing a large crowd of enthusiastic wet-sponge throwers.

Friends Group co-chairs Hannah Mabbutt and Rachel Nightingale thanked all their fellow volunteers who helped make the day a success, raising more than £2,000 towards the next phase of outdoor play equipment at the new school.

Hannah said: “The day seemed a big success and it was fantastic to be able to make use of the new school field at last.”

Vince O’Brien paid tribute to all the hard work involved in organising the event and thanked volunteers, staff and families for their support.

Although, after a soaking in the stocks he said: “ I am seriously considering roaming the corridors with a wet sponge this week to get my revenge!”