Award winning school group plans winter fair and Christmas single

A SCHOOL support group which has just scooped a national award is now planning a magical winter fair, featuring its own charity Christmas single.

The Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA) at Durham Gilesgate Primary School,
Durham City, is holding its second annual Winter Fair on Saturday 29 th November, and
preparations have been boosted by the group being named ‘New PTFA of the Year 2025’.

The Winter Fair, which is open to all, will feature an enchanted Christmas Tree display, face
painting, crafts, games, competitions, refreshments, gift shopping, Santa in his Grotto, and
more.

The event follows a successful first Winter Fair held last year, when the PTFA had was newly
launched, and the School was celebrating its 60 th anniversary.

This year, PTFA leaders hope it will be bigger still, and more local residents, businesses, and other organisations will join in the fun.
One new attraction will be the debut of an original charity Christmas single, written by a PTFA
member for his daughter. Father and singer-songwriter Will Milton has written a wintry pop-rock
ballad, named ‘We All Love Christmas Day’, to raise money for the PTFA. The song will have its
debut performance at the fair, accompanied by the School’s sing-signing choir performing in
British Sign Language.
The song is being released on Friday 21 November. From that date, it will be available to buy on
Bandcamp for £3 or a higher donation. It will also be available on iTunes and other outlets, and
at the Winter Fair.

The Fair follows the news that the PTFA picked up the Best New PTFA prize from Parentkind, a
group that supports PTFAs across the country.
Jenny Lawshaw, Chair of the PTFA, said: “To be named New PTFA of the Year was a huge
surprise, credit to our wonderful volunteers and supporters, and a huge feather in our cap: for a
small state primary school in North East England to beat off all competition from across the
country makes us tremendously proud.
“It gives us even more reason to celebrate with a spectacular Winter Fair, and we hope many
from our local community will join us for the day.”
The Winter Fair runs from 2pm to 4.30pm. Entry is free and booking is not required.
The PTFA works to bring families together, promote a sense of community, and raise money for
the School. Since its foundation last year, it has run its first Winter Fair, an Iftar meal, Summer

Fun Day, after-school clubs, and more. For more information, email: gilesgateptfa@gmail.com
or find Gilesgate Primary PTFA on Facebook.