45th Community Christmas Party

45 Years of Christmas Community Spirit at St Mark’s School

One, little-known, Larkhall community affair reached a significant anniversary last week as students and staff at St Mark’s School celebrated their 45th annual Community Christmas Party.

Every December the local senior citizens of Larkhall are welcomed to the school for a festive afternoon.

This year, the party was particularly special as the annual event reached its 45th year. Chairman of B&NES Council, Councillor Martin Veal, welcomed guests to St Mark’s School as he officially opened the event alongside Headteacher, Mr Barnaby Ash on Friday 5th December.

“We are delighted that Councillor Veal has agreed to join us for this momentous celebration,” said Headteacher, Barnaby Ash.

“This was my first experience of the Christmas Community Party and I am thrilled to welcome so many distinguished guests to our school for what is certain to be a very enjoyable afternoon. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to show off our school and our students at their very best.”

Since the event began in 1969, St Mark’s School has played host to, in excess of, 5,000 local elderly residents by providing refreshments, entertainment, free raffles, not to mention the obligatory ‘surprise’ visit from Father Christmas.

Everyone in the school gets involved in the event from fundraising, catering, singing and serving to table decoration, making invitations and thank you cards.

Larkhall and Fairfield Park businesses also help to make the festivities go off in style through their donations of raffle prizes and a Christmas gift for everyone attending.

Organiser of the event and Head of Year 7 at St Mark’s, Michele Hills, said, “We could not continue such a tradition for 45 years without the support of our students, staff and local business community who have been incredibly kind in their donations.”

“Once again, local businesses from Larkhall and Fairfield Park have gone out of their way to help and we would like to thank them for their generous and continued support.”

“This event is a special occasion for our school as it is an opportunity for us to work with our community, for our community,” she continues.

“Everyone gets a great deal of enjoyment from the event as they know and appreciate how important it is to our community and the local residents. Our students and staff work really hard to make sure that every element is just perfect from the wrapping of Christmas presents to the table decorations.”