TRADE FAIR SUCCESS FOR BEXHILL HIGH YOUNGSTERS.

Shoppers visiting Priory Meadow last Saturday had the chance to buy some unique gifts at the Young Enterprise Trade Fair when students from three local schools, Filsham Valley School, Bexhill High School and Hastings College of Arts and Technology: the Vocational Inclusion Programme set their stalls out to sell their goods and services.

The products included handmade greetings cards, using photographs taken by students of scenes from the local area, Christmas Decorations sold in aid of Oxfam Unwrapped (Filsham Valley School); a rap CD of songs written and performed by students ( HCAT VIP) and produced locally; and a Computer Training service for (mainly) elderly and disabled people ( Bexhill High School).

The 15yr '“ 19yr aged students form their own companies, raise share capital, come up with their ideas, market and sell them locally for a profit, which is ploughed back into the Company. All this is facilitated by the Young Enterprise Area Board '“ which assists the local students within the Young Enterprise scheme. This is a National Charity which has been operating to give students an insight into running a business for over 40 years.

The local Chair of the Board, Jeremy Green said "This is the fourth year that I have been involved in this Trade Fair, and it is always a real pleasure to see the enthusiasm of the students who engage so well with the public, and show how they have developed their entrepreneurial skills."

Priory Meadow Shopping Centre provide the space for the stalls to be set up, and this year, Gill Brett, Centre Co-ordinator joined in the judging and was very impressed with the standard and professionalism of the stands as well as the students.

Local Companies around the town have sponsored the operation of the companies, for instance, Judges Postcards help with the provision of cards for Filsham Valley's company exposure, and Little London Studios helped HCAT's Back2Back record and produce the CD for sale.

The judges for the competition had a very difficult task in giving the winning title to Filsham Valley, who displayed innovation and professionalism in their stand, but HCAT and Bexhill High School were close on their heals; all companies sold record amounts of their product to the shoppers.