AS TOLD TO: HELEN PINE
m i , i n c r x Events
‘Our laser light show lit up the community’
The sky was ablaze with the colours of the rainbow, and every neck in the school grounds craned upwards. Even better, the only sounds were the oohs and aahs of the children, utterly enchanted by the display. As a new committee we had been
keen to come up with some innovative new ideas for fundraising, and the idea for a frework display had been put forward. But as a rural school, we also knew that the loud bangs caused by such a display would be controversial, could upset local horses and dogs, and frighten some of the younger children, not to mention leaving debris scattered in felds. So, when someone suggested a laser display, it seemed like it could be the perfect alternative.
We found a supplier we liked. Lasers
were cheaper than freworks but still a pricey option at £1,800. One of our main aims was to bring the school and local community together, so we went ahead, pricing the event to cover costs. Any proft would be a bonus. We set our ticket limit at 500 to comply
with licensing laws and space limitations and advertised the event as low-noise and family-friendly. It sold out! We made a small proft on ticket sales alone. No matter how much planning and
hard work your dedicated team does, there’s always something you can’t control – just before the gates opened, there was a hailstorm and, ironically, the loudest thunder that would have drowned out any freworks!
We sold burgers and hot dogs, ran
a tuck shop, Krispy Kreme doughnut stand and a bar. We made around £1,000 proft from the stalls, which we were delighted with. Everyone loved the display – the
children, their families and people from the local villages. We played music on the ground and everyone danced. I’d recommend holding a light show
– a modern, clean alternative to freworks and just as exciting. This year, we’re planning something similar with some extra additions – ambient glow or fre performers and a silent disco to appeal to the older children. Ellie Torkington, PTA chair, The Coombes CE Primary School, Reading (456 pupils)
pta.co.uk AUTUMN 2023 35
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