All the fun of the fair!

Hundreds of children enjoyed all the fun of the fair at Hertsmere Borough Council's Environmental Health Christmas Fair on Friday 4 December.

Pupils from St Teresa's School watching a stick insect explore Mayor Cllr Rosemary Gilligan's arm at the council's environmental health Christmas fair

Around 500 pupils from primary schools in Borehamwood visited throughout the day to learn about noise and air pollution, food safety, healthy eating, pest and dog control and health and safety.  Council officers were also on hand to talk to children about saving energy and recycling.

Information was given in an interactive way to engage with the young people; they held stick insects and cockroaches - and then washed their hands afterwards, they shouted as loud as they could in a special booth which measured the noise in decibels and they made their own Christmas present gift tags from scrap card and a sprinkle of glitter!

Pupils also had an opportunity to have a go on a rowing machine courtesy of Hertsmere Leisure which was promoting the importance of exercise and police and fire officers were on hand to talk about anti-social behaviour and fire safety.

Ruth Green, Year 4 teacher at St. Teresa's Catholic Primary School in Brook Road, said: "I thought the interactive activities were really good and they inspired the children to find out more.  There was so much for them to do and there was a good balance of fun and learning opportunities.  The stick insects exhibit was interesting and the pupils could really get involved by holding and touching them.

"All the pupils loved it and were really engaged.  They were all given goody bags at the end which went down well and will also help remind them what they learnt on the day."

Councillor Jean Heywood, Environmental Portfolio Holder, said: "This event helps teach children about important environmental health issues in a fun way - from how to wash their hands properly to knowing how to store food safely in their fridge.

"It's always a popular event with local schools and I know officers also enjoy showcasing their work."

A special competition was also held for £100 to spend on a bike or bike equipment at Halfords.  Children had to write to Father Christmas to explain what they'd learnt at the fair and the winning entry will be picked on Friday.  Other competition prizes were donated by Willows Farm, Tesco, Costco, Reel Cinemas, Pizza Hut and Parents Paradise in Bushey.

The annual event took place at the Civic Offices in Elstree Way for the first time as the usual venue - Borehamwood Village Hall - is being redeveloped.

All primary schools in Borehamwood were invited to attend.