TRELOAR’S annual Christmas fayre presented a treasure trove of delights for visitors in search of quirky festive gifts and unusual stocking fillers, with everything from gingerbread houses and jars of local honey to knitted hats, jewellery and handcrafted decorations on sale.

Students ran 16 of the 37 stalls, the most in the fayre’s history, and some school classes ran tombolas and raffle draws while others sold decorations, gifts, sweets and biscuits that they had made themselves.

The college technology team’s fun photo booth had a steady stream of customers, as it does every year. Some people posed for solo festive photos with Santa while those who came in groups with family or friends made full use of the funny hats and glittery props on offer. Everyone who visited the booth went away with a beautiful printed memento of the occasion.

The fayre, thanks to the support of parents, students along with their families and friends, raised more than £1,350 for music therapy for Treloar’s students.

Music therapy is an important element of the emotional support that Treloar’s offers to students and positively affects their ability to concentrate in class, to learn and to achieve.

It also adds a further dimension to Treloar’s counselling service by offering an extra route for students to access support, especially if they are unable to engage in verbal therapy.

Therapy sessions are carried out weekly with individuals or in a small group facilitated by a fully trained therapist. Treloar’s currently has 10 students who have one-to-one music therapy sessions. In addition, there are six school classes that have music therapy for one lesson a week and around 40 young people benefit from these sessions.

In the college, Treloar’s is looking to expand provision to include two class groups. To continue to provide this vital service to its students Treloar’s must raise £30,000 per year and the money raised at the fayre will pay for 38 of these important music therapy sessions.