Festive fun and games at Winter Fair
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Festive fun and games at Winter Fair
Published
09 December 2022
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The University of East London bounced into the holiday season in style with its annual Winter Fair. It was an opportunity for students, staff and members of the Newham community to come together to celebrate the start of the festive period.
The fair, which took place on 7 December at the University’s Docklands campus, included a host of activities to enjoy such as games, a Christmas market and festive food and drink – and a free snow cone for everyone who came.
In keeping with the winter theme, visitors were encouraged to get creative, with workshops including Christmas card and wreath making, gingerbread house decorating, and even one to create and customise a Christmas jumper.
Despite a lack of snow, guests got the chance to try out winter sports, with a snowboarding simulator testing visitors’ skills and, for the less daring, the traditional winter game of curling.
Providing a festive soundscape to the event was the Insia Durani Band, a student band who rocked out Christmas classics in the special winter fair tent, encouraging visitors to get up onto the pop-up dance floor and find their party groove.
Aaron Asekomhe, a UEL Security Officer, said, “I enjoyed listening to the live music that the band was playing and was astonished to find out that the gentleman playing the drums was blind. It was an amazing experience”. The amazing drummer was Harry Sorrell, a second-year student studying Level 5 Music Performance.
MSc Engineering Management student Anu Roy, who was at the event with her fellow students, said, “Even though the climate is cold, and the snow cone is even colder, I feel really happy because I got a tasty treat for free!
“The atmosphere is lovely, and everyone is lively – I'm having fun with all my friends.”
MBA student Sujith PR said, “I love the decorations. My friends and I enjoyed the snowboarding simulator; it was very engaging. Inside the east building is very interactive and it's nice to see everyone, students and the staff, together having fun”.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Amanda Broderick, also took time to enjoy the occasion, noting that she was pleased to see the University come together in such a positive way.
“I am delighted to see so many students, staff and guests attend this year’s Winter Fair. This time of year is always a wonderful way for us to unite and to support one another. The celebration is a reminder of all we have achieved this year in pursuit of our Vision 2028 goals, and our continued commitment to making a positive impact to, and in, the communities we serve,” she said.
The season of giving also saw West Silvertown Foundation in attendance, raising money for its charity. Their mission is to work together with local people to build community and enrich lives through shared opportunities for participation, inclusion, learning, generosity and good health.
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