Richard Taunton Sixth Form College Winter Fest

Music, gifts and games are on offer at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College’s free family Winter Fest ton November 30.The free to enter festival, at the college’s Hill Lane campus in Southampton, will showcase talented dancers and musicians from the college’s music and performing arts courses as well as a choir made of as many as 100 pupils from Hollybrook Infants, Shirley Infants and Wordsworth Primary, a duet from Oasis Academy pupils and the seasonal sounds of carols from Southampton’s Ocean Brass.The performing arts students will be showcasing extracts from their Peter Pan panto, which is running on December 4 and 5 at the college.Southampton Mayor Cllr David Shields will be among the guests enjoying the entertainment as well as 30 stalls to get Christmas shopping under way with gifts including jewellery, decorations, art, toiletries, clothing and beauty products.Many departments from the college will be running free activities and games and a raffle, with a star prize of a PlayStation 5 donated by design agency Frost Creative, will raise money for Southampton City Mission’s foodbank.This is the third year of the festival, which saw more than 700 people pour through the doors of the college. Executive Principal Andy Grant said Winter Fest is an ideal way for families to get an idea of what goes on in the college, as well as a chance for students to show off their skills. “We love inviting the community into the college and what better time to do it than Christmas?” he said. “We are looking forward to helping everyone get the season off to a great start with some festive music and food and the chance to get ahead on present buying.“I’m also delighted our raffle will be supporting the City Mission again to contribute to their wonderful work and thank Frost Creative and all of our prize donors.”Street food, including Warsash Wood Fired Pizza, vegetarian and vegan options, will be available, alongside sweet snacks, hot drinks and mince pies. There will also be performances from the Emjay and Pickup dance academies and a craft area for children.Mr Grant said: “It promises to be a great day and we are looking forward to everyone coming in and seeing the talent we have among our students – and throughout our community.”Winter Fest runs from 11am to 3pm and entry is free. There will be plenty of parking on site.