It’s that time of year again, so why not come for a cup of coffee, start your Christmas shopping and help a very worthy cause at the same time?

The Fair takes place on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009 from 8am till noon.

This year stalls will include:-

Captain Tortue ladies & children’s clothing, Phoenix Cards, Usbourne Books, Perfect Pantry jams & chutney, Named fleeces & hoodies, Kitty’s home interiors and decorations, jewellery by White, Giddy Goose handmade retro chic homeware , Wild Planet handmade organic soaps, candles & pampering products, Cashmere knitwear, Cake stall.

Flowers & Sparkle, the Sevenoaks florist, will also be there to take your orders for Christmas wreaths, garlands & table displays. All stalls will donate 10% of their proceeds. A raffle will be drawn at the end of the morning.

Miss Sarah Clifford, a Reception teacher at The New Beacon, has been frequently travelling to Romania for the past 11 years, to work with both children and adults, in orphanages and poverty stricken situations. In recognition, and support, of Miss Clifford’s altruistic work a group of New Beacon parents have, for the past four years, held various fundraising events.

In 2006, the first Coffee Morning raised £500 and was increased to £1,500 in 2007. Last year, our first ‘Remember Romania’ Christmas Fair, together with a summer music concert and the Open Day teddy stall, raised a staggering £6,000. Can we increase the total even further?

The funds raised last year replaced 12 cots and beds for a group of residents of the orphanage who Miss Clifford has a worked with for many years. In addition duvets, pillows, waterproof protectors, duvet sets and pyjamas were purchased for the new beds, and a new washing machine for the orphanage. Over the years, many smaller items have also been purchased to increase many individuals’ quality of life e.g. cot toys, puppets, musical instruments, CD players and CDs, sensory equipment, toys, games, bibs, beakers, wipes, nappies, cleaning products, and outings to the ice-cream shop!

Plans for funds we raise this year include purchasing and transporting some ‘sensory’ equipment over to the orphanage, and looking into the possibility of setting up an ongoing contract with an ‘incontinence company’ to provide suitable underwear for specific people living within the orphanage.

We, and many individuals in Romania, would very much appreciate if you could come along and support us on the 2nd December. Friends and family are welcome!

Thank you

The ‘Remember Romania’ Christmas Fair Team

There will be collection boxes outside the Sports Hall and in the School Office. Please remember that we cannot recycle Epson cartridges or laser cartridges.

Please read on to find out more.

The NBPA and the New Beacon Eco Committee are organising a collection of old ink jet cartridges and mobile phones which will be sold for recycling and the proceeds given to the local Family Action project in Edenbridge.

Family Action is England's leading family charity, supporting over 45,000 families every year through local projects. They tackle some of the most complex and difficult issues facing families today - including domestic abuse, mental health problems, learning disabilities and severe financial hardship. Family Action believes that families facing these difficulties should have the support they need to become stronger, happier and healthier. With the right kind of support, families can overcome their difficulties and give their children hope for a brighter future. The head office provides some funding for each project however more is always needed to provide those little extras such as toys, art and craft materials, books, Christmas parties etc. which is why they desperately need local support as well. The project in Edenbridge is very busy and despite their best efforts they can not give their families as much as they would like.

The mobile phones donated are reconditioned and sold to developing countries to help their communication structure. Those which can not be reconditioned are recycled. The inkjets received are cleaned, flushed, vacuum filled, and sold ready to be used again. Please note they accept all makes apart from Epson and Laser cartridges. Collection boxes will be placed in the Pre Prep central area, the school office and outside the sports hall.

We very much hope that the children, parents and staff will support this recycling initiative and this very deserving cause.

Many thanks

NBPA and the Eco Committee

To sell uniform via the shop please ensure the clothes are in good condition, clean and ironed. Duffel coats and blazers should be dry cleaned first.

The Shop (which is staffed entirely by volunteers) is located opposite the Headmaster’s Lawn.