Newsletter Number 9 November 2007Success so far
At the time of writing this newsletter we have now collected and have promises approaching £550,000 towards our total target of £800,000.
We have now the hard bit to do to raise the final £250,000 over the next few months, but with the support of Rosemary Dane, Mayor of Elmbridge and the nomination of Walton Firs as her charity of the year, many events are planned and recently Proctor & Gamble passed across a cheque for £25,000 to the Mayor’s charity fund which helps us enormously towards our target.
The funds from the Mayor’s charity will arrive in our account next May just in time for completion of the purchase of Walton Firs but we clearly still have some way to go, and in this newsletter we will be reporting on the activities planned over the next few months to try and raise further funds.
Grant giving Trusts
We have heard that our application for help to the Peter Harrison Foundation has been accepted and we are delighted to confirm that they are proposing to give us £25,000 to assist with the purchase of Walton Firs. Great help in securing this donation was given to the Trust and to Walton Firs by Penelope Keith and Lady Baden-Powell, for which we are most grateful.
Founder Membership for Scout Districts
We have from the beginning looked at ways in which Scout Districts could benefit from the fund raising process to preserve Walton Firs whilst ultimately enjoying some reward for their efforts.
The Founder Membership status for Scout Districts is one that can be subscribed to up until 31st December 2007 and requires a donation towards the purchase of Walton Firs of at least £20,000.
Three Districts have successfully sourced this and will enjoy a 10% discount on all future camp fees. These Districts are:
• Leatherhead
• Runnymede
• Spelthorne
We hope that a number of other Districts will be able to raise these monies by 31st December and if there are any thoughts or suggestions with which the Foundation can assist please let us know.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of Walton Firs Foundation was held at the United Reformed Church in Weybridge on the 18th September.
Other than the progress on fund raising there was little to report this year, but hopefully next year much will have happened and we will hopefully be able to organise an AGM which involves a broader base of our supporters and Friends of Walton Firs organisation.
The AGM has already been set for the 9th September 2008 in the training hut at Walton Firs, for those of you with next year’s diaries already, please put it in.
Christmas cards
We do have a potential sponsor who will print for us Christmas cards. We are too late for this year but are looking for good photos of Walton Firs in a winter cloak that we can consider using for a Christmas card to be printed next summer.
If any of you have the chance during this winter to take photos of Walton Firs in a wintry state, please send what you feel are the best to us.
Fund raising events
The fund raising events which have happened since our last newsletter in August are:
• 10th September 2007 – Elmbridge Ladies’ Luncheon Lady Baden-Powell gave an after lunch speech on Walton Firs and the Mayor’s charity of the year.
• 19th October 2007- Dinner with Michael Aspel
On Friday 19th October a dinner was held at the Hilton Hotel in Cobham with Michael Aspel in support of the Mayor of Elmbridge’s charity for this year which as we know is Walton Firs
Future Events
• 6th December 2007 – Elmbridge Annual Carol Service
On Thursday 6th December the Elmbridge Annual Carol Service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Walton on Thames, and a collection will be held for the Mayor’s Charity.
• 12th December 2007 – ROYAL VISIT TO WALTON FIRS
We are anticipating a visit by HRH the Duke of Kent KG to Walton Firs on Wednesday 12th December to thank those who have contributed so much so far to the efforts to raise money to purchase Walton Firs, and to meet members of the Service Team and those who work to organise the day to day management of the site.
We are delighted that His Royal Highness has taken the opportunity to visit Walton Firs albeit at a time of year when there will not be too many young people enjoying the site.
He should still however have the possibility of appreciating the quality of the facilities at the Activity Centre and recognising the importance of its retention for future use and enjoyment.
• 13th December 2007 - Imber Court
A football match is organised between Elmbridge and Air Products. We hope that our collection team with buckets will be there to support both sides and collect some donations.
• 15th December 2007 - Elmbridge Choir Christmas Concert - Claygate
Elmbridge Choir presents its Christmas concert at Claygate Village Hall on Saturday, December 15th at 3pm and 6pm. A donation from the proceeds will be given to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal for the Walton Firs Foundation. Refreshments are included and there will be a raffle.
Tickets for the 3pm performance are £5 for adults and £2.50 for children 2-12yrs, under 2yrs free. Tickets for the 6pm performance cost £7.50 for adults and £5 for children. Contact 01932 466275 or email shirley.round@ntlworld.com.
• 7th March 2008 – Concert at Yehudi Menuhin School
On Friday 7th March a concert has been organised at the Yehudi Menuhin School including a performance by the Weybridge Male Voice Choir. The profit from which will again be applied towards the Mayor’s charity for this year – Walton Firs.
We are anticipating some VIP presence in the audience which we hope will make the evening even more enjoyable.
• 14th, 15th, 16th March 2008 – Elmbridge Fashion Show
An Elmbridge Fashion Show will be held at the Playhouse, Walton on Thames with two shows per night at 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm, bringing together a new collection of summer fashions from the high street.
This will again be an Elmbridge charity event to support the Walton Firs Appeal and tickets will be available early in the new year.
• 17th March 2008 – Charity Golf Day
Burhill Golf Club in Walton on Thames is organising a Charity Golf Day for the Elmbridge Mayor’s charity being Walton Firs.
We have entry forms and these can be obtained through Pam Ling at the Elmbridge Council offices, telephone no. 01372 474383.
Tee off time is from 9 am to include lunch for all which commences at 3.30 pm.
This is a team event for 4 golfers at a cost of £240 for the team.
• April 2008 – Mayor’s Civic Reception
The date remains to be decided for the Mayor’s Civic Reception but this is a major event during the Mayor’s year in Elmbridge.
We have been asked to provide from within Walton Firs supporters some entertainment of approximately 10 minutes designed as a thank you to the Mayor for all of the work which will have gone into raising money towards the acquisition of Walton Firs.
Thoughts are already underway as to what we can do and further thoughts and ideas would be welcome.
• 3rd May 2008 – Elmbridge May Ball
On Saturday 3rd May the Elmbridge May Ball will be held at the Tingle Creek Suite at Sandown Park.
This is being substantially supported by Chelsea Football Club and will provide one final opportunity in the Elmbridge Mayor’s year to raise a little more money for Walton Firs.
Tickets for the event are £50 each and tables take 10.
Early bookings are now being taken for tables by Pam Ling.
• 4th July 2008 – Celebration Dinner
The option to purchase Walton Firs must be exercised by the 30th June 2008 and we are hopeful that the balance of the substantial monies still due to be raised will be in place by then.
In planning forward we are therefore anticipating a celebration dinner somewhere in Surrey on Friday 4th July to thank all of those who have contributed and perhaps also to raise a little bit more money.
Other fund raising matters to be confirmed
1. The date of the second annual Walton Firs shooting competition remains to be agreed.
Earlier this year Andrew Leigh provided a great day, much enjoyed by those who came along and we are hopeful that a similar event will be able to be staged in 2008.
2. Chelsea Football Club are generous supporters of local charities and we are hopeful of agreeing a date for a visit to Walton Firs in support of the fund raising efforts which could provide the boys camping that weekend with the chance to meet some of the names they know. More on this later.
3. Esher and Walton and Weybridge District Scouts are supporting the fund raising exercise through bag packing at Sainsbury’s and including within the bags, information on Walton Firs which will hopefully raise some more funds from the local community.
Standing orders and donations
The level of new standing orders and donations now arising continues, but our principal fund raising activities are through the events.
If anybody has the opportunity to make use of Walton Firs brochures and undertake a small fund raising activity please let us know.
Supplies of brochures can be obtained from Jan Jobling at telephone no. 01371 461421.
100 years of Scouting
Weybridge Museum will be putting on at the end of this year a display celebrating the 100 years of Scouting and some memorabilia on local groups.
We hope that the Walton Firs display board will be able to be at the museum during the time of the event at Weybridge Museum and our fundraising brochures will definitely be on display.
Press coverage
We have of course enjoyed much press coverage as a result of the visit by the King of Sweden to Walton Firs on the 1st August, and the Sandown Park Racecourse evening where sadly the Walton Firs pantomime horse did not come in first but did raise quite a bit of money towards the Mayor of Elmbridge’s charity.
Please see the home page of our website for some of the press coverage.
To subscribe
If you know of someone who would like to receive future copies of Walton Firs newsletter, please suggest to them that they register their email address on our website.
14-11-2007 - more news... |
