A small school with a big heart is marking a special anniversary as the Linkwater community get ready for their 30th annual spring fair.

It began as a way to boost funds for Linkwater School and grew to become the popular event it is today, especially for plant lovers.

As the village gets set to hold its next fair on Saturday, organisers are hoping for bumper turn out.

Friends of Linkwater School Chair Maddie Cowie says holding the event takes a village, especially when it comes to growing the plants, a huge draw card.

“For 30 years, local legends Sue Boniface and Jim Stuart have volunteered countless hours hand-growing trailer loads of affordable plants for the fair.

“Alongside this is a whole lot of parent-powered Kiwi ingenuity: recycled ice-cream containers, makeshift greenhouses and plenty of good old-fashioned elbow grease.”

One of the main attractions is the monster plant stall with more than 80 vegetable and 120 flower varieties were sown this year.

 

Now retired, Linkwater School teacher Sue Boniface came up with the idea of growing seedlings with her class for the annual Spring Fair. Photo: Supplied.

Retired teacher Sue Boniface started growing the plants with her junior class at the school that first year.

“Each child was responsible for two packets of seed. They kept the plants in the classroom each night and carried them outside each morning.

“The children were delighted when they sold the lot,” she explains.

From then on, Sue and her neighbour, Jim Stuart, with help from the community, continued to grow plants for the Labour Day weekend sale.

The pair have been growing plants ever since.

 

All children at Linkwater School are involved with growing plants for the Spring Fair. Photo: Supplied.

The fair involves the whole community, with parents, past and present, the Lions Club, Rural Women, Outward Bound and numerous friends involved.

“It is the major event for this isolated community, with past pupils and residents reconnecting and people coming from all over Marlborough,” Sue says.

Planning starts early in the year and involves every family at the school, Maddie says.

Fun activities planned for Saturday include cow tag in a haystack, a claim-to-cow poo raffle, entertainment and refreshments.

“Behind the fun is a serious purpose,” Maddie explains.

“Our tiny but mighty community raises over $30,000 annually to fund support staff not covered by the Ministry of Education, helping give our tamariki the education and support they deserve.”

The Linkwater School Fair takes place on Saturday 24 October between 10am and 1pm at Linkwater School.