NEWSLETTER 9 Spring 2002

With Spring unseasonably advanced we can look back on 2001 and record considerable progress on the many activities of the Embroidery project.

The achievement of charitable status in mid-February last year was a real milestone and gave us fresh impetus. The remainder of the first six months was directed almost exclusively to organising the July visit of Her Majesty the Queen whilst maintaining the activities of the workshop. However, as was recorded in our Autumn newsletter, Her Majesty's visit could not have been more successful or enjoyable.

In retrospect the hundreds and hundreds of letters that had to be sent out, the meetings that had to be convened and the innumerable phone calls necessary about this or that detail seemed to have been completed relatively smoothly, but at the time they did require enormous stamina and perseverance.

Once out of the way however the Committee were able to address our fund raising programme with renewed vigour and this led to considerable success by the year's end. The award of Capital Partnership funding for the new building by our Local Authority provided a welcome boost to those efforts, as did the opening of Monksbridge garden in September by Alan and Della Pascoe, the Lower Sunbury Business Community Barn Dance, and the Revue entitled "Stitching Up the Bank" at the Riverside Arts Centre, all of which were more fully reported on in our Autumn 2001 newsletter.

In 2001 the workshop experienced its busiest year ever and welcomed 4205 visitors between January and December. That attendance figure doubled that for the previous year, which was also double that for 1999. This means that in the three years in which the workshop has been open, at least 7215 people have visited. The true picture may well show a still higher number as not everyone signs the visitors' book. In addition it does not include all those who visited outside events, so the number of people who saw the embroidery during 2001 was vastly greater. This year-on-year growth indicates how important the fund raising programme is, as until we reach the total building cost target we cannot get it built or occupied. As visitors continue to come from all over the country and the world without any national advertising or other exposure, we feel confident that the Walled Garden Centre will continue to draw a wide range of visitors and ensure its success.

The workshop continues to open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10a.m. and 4p.m. as well as other occasions to meet special requests, and for other times to cater for those who cannot attend during working hours. Visitors are always welcomed by Pam Judd, Pauline Tregidgo or Carole Tompkins who are always supported by fellow embroiderers, over 30 of whom have given their time in this way during 2001. Without their help the project could not work, and our thanks go to them for their unstinting support.

These same volunteers continue to give talks about the embroidery. 29 were given in 2001, 8 within the workshop and 21 at venues in Sunbury, Shepperton, Hanworth, Staines, Hampton, Walton, Ashford, Hersham, Feltham, Richmond, Chertsey and Weybridge. The talks they give with photographic slides are outstanding, and they invariably sell our cards and other merchandise.

The sales in the workshop continue to contribute to our fund raising drive, the video of the Queen's visit was well subscribed and copies are still available for those wishing to re-live the day. The mugs have proved a worthwhile addition and sell well alongside our cards, jigsaws, activity books and other items. Having decided not to� prepare a 2002 calendar, we received so many requests in the run up to Christmas that we hope to design one for the next year and have it ready in good time so that people can sent them overseas as Christmas presents.

The wonderful Treasure Hunt based on the embroidery and devised by Tim Walters which ran from June of last year was concluded at the end of January 2002. There were fifty tricky clues and all the entries received scored extremely well, although none quite got all the clues. The first prize of £500 was shared by Tina Batey and Nick Pollard as the joint top scorers. There were six other runners up each receiving an embroidery mug. All entrants commented on how thoroughly they enjoyed taking part.

An answer sheet is available at the workshop for 50p. Also a number of copies of the Treasure Hunt booklet are still available at the reduced price of £1.50.

This is an intriguing historic document, and although there is no longer a prize at the end of the struggle the cleverness of the clues coupled with the search for answers make for great family entertainment.

Fund raising got off to a good start on 1st March at the Sunbury Cricket Club when the fund raising committee held a 'Dream Auction'. During the evening donated items and services were expertly auctioned by Paul Watts and Gerry Cook, and when all the proceeds were added up for the evening they amounted to over £3,500.00. Everyone enjoyed a thoroughly good evening. We are grateful to all those who donated the most amazing range of items, and thank them for their generosity. We also thank the large band of supporters who displayed items, recorded bids, administered the sales details, sold our merchandising and prepared and served food.

The next big fund raising occasion will take place on the 4th May at the Riverside Arts Centre when Committee member Gerry Cook will present a "Soul and Blues Night" starting at 8p.m. His band was conceived in the pit of the Riverside Arts Centre during a Youth Theatre production in the early 90's. It has appeared all over London and South East England, and the band boasts three female vocalists backed by six instrumentalists. They play music ideal to dance to from the 70's and 80's, so if you fancy taking to the floor, please come along and support what should be a fun evening. The Bar will be open and food will be served. You can book your tickets either from the workshop or on 01932 787370.

We have happily accepted a request from the Shepperton and the Shepperton Aurora Rotary Clubs to attend Spelthorne's Charity Awareness Day which they have organised for Saturday 18th May in Shepperton Village Hall. 25 local charities are expected to have stalls and be able to explain their activities to the public between 10a.m. and 4p.m. Understandably our embroiderers are anxious about moving the embroidery for fear of the possible damage that could occur, however it was felt we should do so in view of the importance to the community of the many charities involved. Moving the embroidery is always a huge effort - every item has to be removed from its stand, 'bubble wrapped' for protection, transported and set up with the utmost care, and of course, at the end of the day the process has to be repeated in reverse. However we understand that 3,500 homes in Shepperton will be advised of the event and hopefully therefore many people will come and see the embroidery who perhaps have not previously seen it - and that can only be good for fund raising.

Later on, again at the Riverside Arts Centre on 4th October we will be welcoming The Reverend Simon Lane and William Godfree who will present an evening of comic songs from Noel Coward to Victoria Wood. Simon Lane is Vicar of The Good Shepherd Church, Hounslow West, but grew up in Sunbury as the son of local resident Commander Lane, who for many years was in charge of the ball boys at Wimbledon. These two performers have appeared as a duo for many years, and their well-honed routine ensures a theatrical evening, full of fun and song. Ticket details will be available later in the year.

On the 25th October, at the Sunbury Cricket Club, Norman Willis, the ex TUC General Secretary offers an evening of humorous reflection on his life in the Trade Union movement. In addition to his Union activities Norman has for many years been an embroiderer, and had hoped to execute one of our logo panels, but was prevented from doing so by his many commitments. Happily his wife was able to do so and completed the Staines Natural History Society logo.

Those who have attended one of his previous talks confirm that he brings to his reminiscences great humour and a witty style of presentation. Norman has been a great supporter of the embroidery, so please support his efforts in aid of the building fund by coming along. Again, booking details to be released later.

On the 5th April we will welcome the Mayor of Spelthorne, Cllr. Vic Drinkwater to the workshop as part of the Spelthorne Civic Day. He will be accompanied by other Surrey Mayors and Chairmen, and they will also visit the Riverside Arts Centre. They will split into two groups to visit the two venues in the same period and change over (in the Mayor's words) "… at half time." The Mayor and his wife Pat have been great supporters of our project from the outset, and we are very pleased to be able to receive him and his party on this important civic day.

Considering how busy the project was last year arranging the visit of Her Majesty the Queen, we are thrilled that the first year of fund raising specifically for the building was so successful. One Autumn newsletter expressed the hope that we might have reached a total of £100,000 by Christmas. Whilst we did not quite achieve that target, by the end of March we will have done so, and this marks a significant milestone. Considering that Lower Sunbury has two other worthy causes each endeavouring to fund their projects, namely the Riverside Arts Centre 'Bank Project', and the St. Mary's Church Building Fund, the support we received from our community last year was outstanding, and helped the fund raisers to maintain their enthusiasm and push ahead on all fronts. In the near future we hope to publicise regular updates on our fund raising progress within the workshop and possibly elsewhere so everyone can see how close we are to reaching our target.

The workshop raises meaningful amounts of income every month, not only by its sale of cards, mugs, videos, jigsaws, umbrellas, colouring books and the Treasure Hunt booklet, but by receiving donations, encouraging visitors to support the 'Sponsor a Square Scheme' and by attracting donations for the talks they give. As our goods continue to sell so well we do not intend preparing any new items for the time being, other than the mid-year production of the 2003 calendar. To maintain our workshop income please continue to bring your British and overseas visitors to see the embroidery, and make everyone aware of where we are and encourage them to visit too.

We continue to seek help from National Corporations and Charitable Trusts, and need to do so in view of our lack of qualification for Lottery funding. In seeking such help a positive contact with a particular person within the organisation is vital and can short-circuit matters. If you work within a major company or know someone who is in a position to help, we appeal to you to open matters up with them on our behalf, or if you can supply the appropriate information we will do so ourselves. If you are able to make an approach but would like our assistance, please let us know. At the time of writing this newsletter we have a number of approaches still undetermined and will carry on month by month increasingly seeking other potential sponsors.

As far as local firms are concerned we would like to involve as many of our local employers as possible, as it is local commerce with local residents who comprise our community. Knowing that many of our local firms are small to medium in size and are unlikely to be able to make major contributions to our building fund, we would find any modest help they could give of great help. So, again if you work for a local firm and could raise the subject with the MD or the Finance Director, such an approach might meet with greater success than one could by us.

IN CONCLUSION

When writing or contacting all manner of people and organisations we always refer to the community nature of this project, indeed, in preparing our Charity Trust Deed this aspect was considered central to our registration. But charity status greatly increases the legal duties of the Trustees and makes the workload even more intense . We would welcome help and ideas from anyone with a little time and enthusiasm to spare. If you think you could help or have any ideas about possible avenues of fund raising please contact the workshop on 01932 788101.

There are many occasions when we would like to spread news and information quickly to all those interested in the embroidery project, therefore a computer database for this purpose would be invaluable. If you would like to be included please let the workshop have your details. If we could include those supporters who have an E-mail address that would be particularly helpful, and if you would like this to be added to the list please send your details to gerrycook@sunburyembroidery.co.uk

Many thanks.�

During this year a number of embroideries will be raffled to raise funds for the new building. These depict items from the Village Panel and are carried out by the embroiderers who undertook the original work. They are beautiful and highly collectible items and well worth a strip of raffle tickets.

The Christmas Raffle was for ‘St Mary’s Church’ by Pam Judd and this was won by Sylvia James of Sunbury.

The raffle just drawn on 21st March was for the ‘Reeds’ by Joya Childs and this was won by an overjoyed winner from Oxshot, Mrs Mary Fellowes, who has also bought the first strip of tickets for the next raffle.

The current raffle is for ‘The Three Fishes’ by Wendy Wood and tickets for this are on sale both at the workshop and at The Three Fishes (one of the oldest buildings in Sunbury) where a facsimile of the embroidery is on display. The draw for this will be at the end of May.

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