DUNBAR Community Council has stepped in to pay the fee required to hire out the Bleachingfield Centre for Dunbar Primary School’s summer fair.

Organisers of the fair, which takes place on Saturday, were forced to move it to the Bleachingfield after East Lothian Council said it could not support weekend events at primary schools due to staff shortages.

Dunbar Primary School Parent Council said hiring out the centre would cost just under £300 – but now the community council has stepped in to pay the bill.

READ MORE: Parent council unhappy at charges for new summer fair venue

Alasdair Swan, the group’s treasurer, said: “We always want to be supportive of the work parents put into raising money for the school.

“Particularly this year, with the council unable to support the school opening at weekends, we wanted to step in and offer our support.

“Some people might say that with the money made at the fair, the parent council could pay the bill – and they could.

“But, ultimately, that money is being raised for the school and having to pay the fee out of it is not what the money is for. We hope this grant helps.”

Helen Schoen, co-organiser of the fair, said: “It has been heartening to have so many people express support for Dunbar Primary School fair amid the hurdles we faced this year.

“I was delighted Dunbar Community Council offered to consider a grant application to cover East Lothian Council’s last-minute charges.

“This means money raised at the fair which would have been diverted to cover this bill can now be spent on teaching and learning resources.”

BeGreen Dunbar has also supported the fair this year with a £2,200 grant.

Helen added: “[BeGreen Dunbar’s] ongoing generosity allows us to hire a climbing wall and instructor for the event, and give children the opportunity to try this sport at a relatively low cost on their doorstep.

“It also means we can run many 20p stalls offering a few hours of fun without too much expense.

“This feels particularly important at a time when inflation is affecting everyone’s budgets.

“I would like to thank these organisations, the local businesses who have donated prizes and all those who have given up their time to help create a fun fair.”

Helen said that, while she had been frustrated by the situation with the council, she was grateful for its help in ensuring the Bleachingfield was safe to host the fair.

She said: “While there were many frustrations dealing with East Lothian Council about their ban on using primary school premises for fairs this year, I have now been able to meet with a council representative who could assist with some of the outstanding issues with the new venue.

“I do hope fundraising activities at weekends can return to primary school sites by the end of the academic year, as I believe it is important to bring the school community together in different ways, fostering great relationships between pupils, teachers, families and the wider town.”

Funds from the fair will help pay for resources to support the teaching of science, maths, engineering and technology.

The fair takes place on Saturday from 1pm to 3pm.