As a child, it meant the world to Alex Double to be welcomed into the Appleby School fold, and she has fond memories of the annual spring fair. That connection has continued into the next generation, prompting her to become the major sponsor of Saturday’s country fair.
Amid the hay bales, tractor rides and even hobby horse races, it’s the community that drives the fair – the same community that supported Alex in her early days as a pupil and now her daughter, 10-year-old Charlotte Paddon.
“The school had a massive impact on me when I came here, because I came from a remote area and it was a great transition which I will always remember.”
Charlotte, who has ADHD, moved to the school after experiencing some challenges elsewhere, and Alex says she has had the same positive experience.
“The school lets kids be kids. They’ve taken the time to get to know Charlotte’s needs and she knows all the teachers here. They’ve taken the time to make her feel a part of the Appleby family. And they’ve welcomed me too.”
So, this weekend, Alex and her husband Lance, through their business Solar Electric Technology – Esolar – are giving back to the school as the major sponsor of the fair.
Other past pupils, such as Scott McCashin of McCashin’s Brewery, are also returning to their old school grounds, donating products for their fair. Alex says school fairs simply don’t happen without that community support.
“The fair is heavily reliant on parents helping at the fair itself and doing things like making jam and supplying bales of hay. To be able to give them a contribution to enable them to put on a really cool day is pretty cool.
“It’s a fair where generations of families come along.”
Alongside the food stalls and live music, the fair has its usual favourites, including local veges, plants, homemade jam, cakes and second-hand goods. For the kids, there are bouncy castles, the big dig and lucky bags, as well as farm animals, which Alex says are a traditional part of the country fair.
This year, her 15-year-old son Lucas Macdonald also has a music slot, playing guitar alongside singer Zeana Meij.
The fair runs from 10am and 2pm on Saturday at Appleby School.
