To think serving alcohol at a school fayre seems off

[Mummy0b]

Just that really, it seems off to me.
Not against drinking in any way, i actually work in a bar (possibly why it seems more of a concern to me) but theres a time and a place for drinking and a school fayre doesnt seem like one of them. Ive witnessed so many happy, family occasions descend into utter chaos because of excess alcohol consumption and it seems like a school fayre would do fine without a bar.
Additionally, i know many people who struggle with alcohol addiction and i dont think they would expect to be confronted with that temptation at a school event
So AIBU to think people could go without a drink at a school fayre?

@NippyWoowoo what's your suggestion....

Sorry that's for @Pumperthepumper !

Chocolate fountain? Tat their kids have made? A raffle? An auction? Around here they go mad for the chance to be a mascot for the local football team. Bid for new rangers strip?

We had a school fair today and I'm not sure how I would have had time for drink. My activities included holding various shoes (off for bouncy castle), jackets, half eaten ice lollies, looking for bins, doing toilet runs, chatting to teachers, queueing for the bbq, balancing various burgers/hot dogs/tokens.
I was glad to get home and have a drink in peace and quiet 😁

That's all old hat, those are all stalls that have been done for years.

So replacement for the drinks tent??

Yes, because it’s a kids event.

Raises a good amount of money though

I've been to, and run, a few fairs in my time.

No-one's got out of control but all had a good time and we've raised loads! (And I don't drink!)

This. And a bottle tombola - they do a mufti day in return for a bottle for the bottle tombola. I saw it set up today (summer fair is tomorrow) - it was about 2/3 bottles of alcohol vs 1/3 bottles of fizzy pop.

@Pumperthepumper the kids don't attend on their own..... so it's a FAMILY event?

A family event then. Do the kids get to drink alcohol at the family event?

@SmartCarDriver you have the patience of a saint

@Pumperthepumper I've not allowed mine too drink, but if you have that's on you.

Mind you, I've fucking never been allowed on the bouncy castle, that my kids were allowed on.

It's almost like a family event had things that are for kids and things that are for adults.....

PMSL! It's the pimms at the school fair that does it

Like I said, it’s insidious. That’s my issue with it.

@Pumperthepumper no
Idea what you're talking about it being insidious?

It's not!

Displaying control around alcohol is not insidious, it shows that control can be done. Never seen anyone pissed at any school fair!

No, but you also won’t have seen the parents who held it together until they got home and got stuck in then, or the kids who knew alcohol was an issue in their family and were tense and distracted all day because they didn’t know if their parent would be able to control themselves around it in front of all their school pals.

🙄

I have taught in primary schools for 30 years and the purpose of the school Fayre/fair/fete (does it matter?) is twofold:-

1. To raise much needed funds for the school.


2. To celebrate the school community and have a good time (most children DO enjoy them).

What message are we giving to the next generation when alcohol is always tagged onto a celebratory event?

Swap out the word alcohol for fat and sugar laden food that will be available and are you still as outraged? No one needs a highly processed hot dog and it’s not good for you, same as having a small glass of Pimms (or whatever) isn’t. Plus all that pure sugar candy and fat drenched doughnuts. Don’t “need” it but it’s a treat.

Statistically TWO-THIRDS of the people there will be overweight and should not be eating what’s likely being provided but there will still be the stalls? People will be pre-diabetic and have other ailments that mean they really shouldn’t be eating all that yet we seem obsessed it’s a tiny amount of alcohol that is the problem. OP you’re projecting due to family trauma and your workplace.

Crikey I didn't know school fairs without a bar were a thing.
I've been to loads of school fairs and have never to my knowledge seen anyone drunk at a school fair.

........and I didn't know school fetes with a bar were a thing.
I have only been to them at 11 or 12 schools, but never come across a bar until this thread.

@Pumperthepumper thank you for the concern but I will be walking home after my Pimms.
Nothing wrong with the kids spending their £10 on tombola/bouncy castle/ice cream/face painting etc & me spending time socialising with fellow parents in the sunshine whilst all raising money for the school.
Disclaimer: Pimms is only ok in the sunshine otherwise it's a cup of tea....

But why should others change what they do based on your issues?

I’m RC, I think the most money is made in the beer tents. Never any problems that I can recall. There’s usually gambling too in the form of bingo or pull tabs.

This!!

Pimms stall at DC school fete regularly takes £2-3k (we have card machines) & we also hire slush puppie machines and charge extra for a gin or vodka slushie.

it’s basically printing money.