anglo saxon
bolney grail
cheap cider and ale
fancy dress
grail chest
medieval
medieval barbecue
morris dancers
My Fundraising Quest is Imminent... Does Anybody Have Any Further Ideas?
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
July 27, 2008 10:30am CST
As many of you will know, I do quite a bit of fundraising for our local hospital and such. Last year, I staged a treasure hunt, calling it The Quest For The Bolney Grail, I aquired a pewter goblet, adorned it with purple, stick-on-jewels and made a box for it. Everybody enjoyed it so much that they asked me to carry it over and hold it each year.
This year, I had a couple volunteer to map out a route and some clues, as long as I did the paperwork and all the advertising etc. So that in hand, I tried to think of ways of improving the Quest. I purchased a very old looking wooden box in which to put the Grail, and five reproduction Alfred the Great coins. Being that last year's Quest was in the Saxon theme, I decideded on Saxon/Medieval, as that's where the roots of our village lie. I arranged with the publican for a Medieval barbecue in the evening, and I'm in the process of obtaining a barrel of cider and a barrel of ale from a local farm. I thought it would be nice to make it a fancy dress do, or at least for those serving on the bar, at the barbecue and those organising, so that the Grail could be presented to either a Saxon or Medieval King, on return. I'm also trying to arrange for some unusual Morris Dancers but they haven't been back in touch yet, and a folk group wouldn't go amiss, could I find one cheaply enough.
I want to make the event as attractive as possible, obviously. The landlord said I can sell the cider and ale in the garden at a cheap price, with profits to the charity, which I thought was very kind of him. So, what I was wondering was... does anybody have any other ideas that might make this event more attractive? There's limited room in the pub garden, unfortunately, as the workmen are still putting the drainage in behind the pub. I guess some colourful bunting would be good... anything else? I'd appreciate some ideas on this. Thank you.
3 people like this
13 responses
@1grnthmb (2055)
• United States
28 Jul 08
I think you have some wonderful ideas and it is so good for you to do this. I know around here we are always being hit up by kids collect for their schools or school programs and we always try to contribute when we can, They often sell candy and that seems to be a big seller.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Jul 08
Thank you. I'm thinking of small pieces of candy around a kids' course, and perhaps one of those big jars of assorted candies for their prize. Guess I'm gonna have to hit on some local traders, huh? 
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend.1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Sep 08
My dear, sweet friend. I'm so sorry I haven't answered this before but I've been away for almost two months, trying to sort out my life. Things are good now, but the Quest was a flop this year owing partly to the pub landlord messing with my plans and partly, to the weather. So, next year, I have decided to splash out on a Seax-Fest, with all sorts of things Saxon going on. I am currently looking for sponsors and yes, your ideas, particularly the jester will be included.
Thank you for your support as always, my friend and Brightest Blessings. xx
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
11 Oct 08
Not a problem my dear. I'm way behind and have stopped worrying about it...
. I'm sorry things didn't work out but ...onward and upward, eh? . You've had a lot of turmoil in your life lately and I'm really pleased that things are all but resolved. I'm so glad your young granddaughter is safely at home again...
. I'm sorry things didn't work out but ...onward and upward, eh? . You've had a lot of turmoil in your life lately and I'm really pleased that things are all but resolved. I'm so glad your young granddaughter is safely at home again...1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
27 Jul 08
A good idea! Don't laugh, but you must be psychic! There has always been a set of stocks down the pub, but they've rotted over time, plus the dust cart drove into them one time, and they're about fifteen inches off the ground now! Still, we have a local carpenter right opposite the pub! A word in his ear might suffice!
Brightest Blessings my friend and thank you for your suggestion. xxx
@raydene (9871)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi Doll
Have a 60/70's party at your pub.
Have everyone dress hippy and charge for face paintings
Have it during the day so kids can be included.
Set up a tie dye station with dyes and white t-shirts
to be sold. If you ask local business they will donate the ts.
Play the 60/70 music. Have kissing booth and other game booths.
Ask for donations of food and baked good to be resold. Maybe a dime a dip..
xoxoxoxoxo
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
4 Aug 08
The pub have already done that one, my friend. Because the village stems back to Medieval times, and the first part of the church was built by Saxons, as a chapel, and also the "Grail" aspect, I thought it would be fitting to go further back in time, to Saxon/Medieval era.
Thanks for your suggestions though... maybe that will be a good idea for another time. We'd never keep the kids out of the kissing booths!!! lol.
Brightest Blessings, my dear friend. xxx
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Darkwing sounds great. How about putting up a royal thrown so people can take photos with the King or even having a queen. Having a crown so they could have their photos taken sitting on the thrown with the crown on their head. Then get a digital camera and a printer and sell the photos for so much. That may be able to make some profits. You could give out some type of trinkets like beads for the ladies or plastic swards for the men who have their photos taken. I know you want it dressed up but I think the crowd would love a bit of fun.
I hope this helps.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Jul 08
Oh WOW!!! That's a good idea, my friend. I wouldn't really know where to start, but I intended to have a resident king. I know this really tall, big guy, with fitting facial hair, greying a little, who would make a wonderful Saxon King! Now all I have to do is find somebody with a big, throne like chair, that I can pad out with velvet or something. Brilliant idea!
Brightest Blessings, my dear friend, and thank you so much for your contribution. xx
2 people like this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
30 Jul 08
I hope you can pull it off and it helps bring in some money for you.
1 person likes this
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
27 Jul 08
OH WOW!!!! I want to live where you live!! How about putting stocks on the village green with your local dignitaries taking hits with wet sponges (it wouldn't be politically correct to waste food now would it!)?? Or having a 'serf'aution (instead of a slave auction). Maybe people could design (or research) their own coat of arms and make items bearing them either as a competition or selling the items as a fund raiser. Horse and cart rides? You could have a 'strolling minstrel' contest since all these X-factor things seem to be so popular.... maybe, 'who-can-make-the-most-attractive-outfit-from-a-bit-of-sackcloth???'... a 'serf' versus 'nobleman' football match/tug-of-war etc in full costume .... a soothsayer (instead of the fortune-teller that we used to have at our village fetes)
I'm sure it will be a fantastic day whatever you do!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
27 Jul 08
Wow... you have some great ideas there, my friend. Thank you so much. I'm going to try to put some of those into practice. The main problem is time, as the Quest itself is in cars and will probably take three to four hours. Nevertheless, we could start earlier in the day, and get everybody into the right frame of mind, not to mention grabbing extra interest.
Thank you, thank you! Brightest Blessings, my friend.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
27 Jul 08
not sure but does think they are called broad sword the big heavy 2 side sword that ya really need 2 hands to swing?
Can they stag a battle like this with them would there be enough room?
I was always facinated of how they could fight with such heavy swords . Or am I in the wrong period of time!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Jul 08
My close friend, here, used to fight reinactment battles. He belonged to a group, who just might stage a mock battle for me if I ask, and they're not already booked. That would be quite fun, my friend.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution. xxx
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
28 Jul 08
Maybe you can do a Robin Hood type of theme, have some of the villagers dress as Robin Hood and his merry men, and some as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Guy whatever his name is, and King John and the Normans, try to get the type of food they had then, have archery contests. Anyway I saw the movie. Or maybe if there is a local outlaw hero that lived long ago, you can substitute him. I do not know the history of the village, so I am a loss of any ideas
It also looks close to the sea, and you could try a pirate theme, complete with jolly roger, wenches, etc. and someone with a peg leg, etc.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Jul 08
Yes, a nice theme, my friend which does actually tie in with Saxon times but is way out of our area. It might be a consideration for next year, but I've already decided on Saxons and Medieval for this year. Thank you for that. The pirate them was also used earlier this month, for the Village Day, so I can't really repeart that, but they're sound ideas you have, and give me a lot of ideas. Thank you for your contribution, my friend.
Brightest Blessings for a Great Day. xx
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
27 Jul 08
It sounds like a great idea! How about getting local merchants to donate gifts and their could be a drawing for the gifts done at the dinner.
I will keep thinking about it!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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27 Jul 08
Yes, I had thought about approaching some of the local merchants and businessmen to donate gifts, but to use as prizes for certain competitions rather than a drawing. I guess if we had a surplus though, a draw could ensue.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend. x
@littleowl (7157)
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27 Jul 08
Hi Darkwing I thought of some bunting but you beat me to it you seem to have everything under control really I don't have any other ideas but am sure it will be good with what you have already bright blessings littleowl
you seem to have everything under control really I don't have any other ideas but am sure it will be good with what you have already bright blessings littleowl1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Jul 08
I had a suggestion of a soothsayer, which I quite like, and thought I might borrow my sister's gazebo and put bunting around under the roof part and maybe a small pennant in the top... I think that would look quite authentic.
Brightest Blessing and thank you for your contribution, my dear friend. xx
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
27 Jul 08
Hi DarkWing,
Your are doing a brilliant job of the event, it sound really fun for all,no I can't think of anything, you probabley have a saxon Lord and Lady to present the holy grail athe end. Have fun and keep us up to date.
Bright Blessings
Tamara
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
27 Jul 08
I have yet to decide on a Saxon Lord and Lady, but if in doubt, I will have to get to it myself! lol. Volunteers are not always easy to come by, but time to start putting feelers out, methinks. lol.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend. xx
@MaeTsuen (257)
• Philippines
28 Jul 08
wow you have great ideas there. you have a unique idea in think its great no need for additonal stuf... that's for me. but for the purpose of additional ideas maybe some detours will do to add more excitement in the game =) just like the amazing race =)
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Jul 08
That's a good idea... detours in the way of additional points for the Quest. I like that! It should keep them from getting bored, never knowing what's going to crop up next to benefit their quest.
Thank you for your contribution my friend, and Brightest Blessings.
1 person likes this
