Few fundraisers bring in the pennies like the chance to throw a wet sponge at the headteacher. Our classic medieval style stocks have a variety of uses, and they are a natural fit for school fetes. They can be supplied complete with a bucket and sponges, so all you need to provide is a good-humoured volunteer and a queue of children with very good aim. It is a simple, traditional stall that always gets a crowd watching.

Sponge the head and raise some money

Charge a small amount for each sponge, or sell three for a slightly lower price, and let the queue do the rest. Volunteers can swap over every ten or fifteen minutes, which keeps things fresh and gives the crowd a new target. Choose people the children know: the headteacher, a popular teaching assistant, the local vicar or the chair of the PTA. A bit of friendly banter on a microphone helps too, if you have a PA system on site.

Our page on village fete planning in Campton explains how to lay out a field, and schools can read our PTA questions and answers from Henlow.

Keeping it good-natured

Stocks should always be a bit of fun, with willing volunteers only. Use soft, wet sponges and nothing else, and set a throwing line a sensible distance away. Young children can stand closer, and everyone should throw underarm if the volunteer prefers. Have a towel and a change of clothes ready, and an adult should stay beside the stocks at all times to look after the person in them. Let them out as soon as they ask.

Stalls that work well alongside

A row of traditional games gives any fair a proper old-fashioned feel. Our Splat The Rat is easy for volunteers to run, as is the classic Ball In The Bucket. You will find plenty more stalls in the rest of our fete games range. Add a bouncy castle for younger children, such as one of our children's bouncy castles, and a long course from the fun runs range for those with energy to spare.

Events beyond the school fete

• Medieval and history days: a good prop for a themed school day or a village celebration.
• Work fundraisers: offer up the boss for a good cause, and see our corporate event hire range for more.
• End of term celebrations: a cheerful treat, as in our guide to school year parties in Bolnhurst.
• Stag parties and birthdays: a funny photo for the album, and a laugh for the guests.

Finding the right spot for the stocks

The stocks are suitable outdoors on grass or artificial grass, and indoors on a hard surface. They are best kept outside if sponges are involved, of course, unless the hall has a very understanding caretaker. Pick a flat, firm spot with a clear space in front for the queue.

We deliver to villages north of Bedford and throughout the region, and every town is listed on our delivery areas page. To see if the stocks are free on your date, check availability online or call 01525 455765.