College sets out its stall
Derwen College in Gobowen near Oswestry will hold its annual fete on May 31.
Students at the specialist college for those with learning disabilities will perform their Come Fly with Us summer show during the afternoon and there will also be a reunion for those who have studied at Derwen.
Stalls and sideshows of a traditional fete are expected to be a big attraction as will be the artwork ceramics and gifts produced by the students.
Visitors can get involved in creative arts and enjoy a train ride, treasure hunt and refreshments ranging from afternoon tea and strawberries and cream to a barbecue.
They can try their hand at cupcake decorating and badge making and pop into the retail outlets at the college.
Held during local schools’ half-term holidays, the fete has a new location for 2018 and will take place in the college’s popular shopping and leisure area. The event has been moved to the public zones offering more opportunity to visit
the Orangery Restaurant, Garden Café and Derwen Garden Centre. It also give visitors the chance to see changes to the Garden Centre which now encompasses the college’s popular farm shop, creating a one-stop shopping experience.
One of the organisers, Laura Griffiths, said she was pleased with the new fete location and expected to see even more visitors at the popular day out than previous years.
She said: “In previous years, the fete has been centred around the main college site. We hope that being situated in the busy shopping and leisure area will be more convenient and tempt more families to join in the fun. As well as all the stalls, games and activities of the fete, there’s easy parking and shopping and eating opportunities in our Garden Centre, Orangery Restaurant and Garden Cafe.”
The Orangery Restaurant will be open for special fete day afternoon teas. Priced at £7.95 these can be booked by emailing bookings@derwen.ac.uk or by telephone at 01691 661234.
Derwen College principal Meryl Green said: “The Summer Fete is always a lovely day out, whatever the weather, and this year we hope it’ll be busier than ever. The fete is a great opportunity for visitors to discover the leisure facilities we have on offer at Derwen College while enjoying some fabulous entertainment and stalls. It’s a wonderful way to help raise funds for DC Charity and take us another step closer towards our £60,000 annual fundraising target.”
