Fundraising

PAYING FOR THE FAIR

It will come as no surprise to learn that it costs an ever-increasing amount of money to organise and run a successful Ferry Fair, even when thereis a set-back such as last year’s Saturday when constant torrential rain caused the event to be cut short.  Once all the bills and expenses were met, last year’s Fair cost almost £25,000.

Paying for the Fair is obviously therefore a major challenge for the committee and the volunteers from the community who regularly help with and organise fundraising events and activities all the year round.  The contribution from these volunteers cannot be underestimated and the committee is very grateful for all the support received from the community, including local businesses who are under increasing pressure from all sections of the voluntary sector and it is to their credit that they continue to support the Fair.

A fine example of this support was a donation of a supply of good quality items from the Orocco Pier which have been and will be used as raffle prizes at quiz nights and other events.  The Orocco Pier also provided one of the star prizes for the auction at this year’s Jim Liddell Memorial Dinner.  Quiz nights, organised and presented by Allan Chapman with help from John Nicol, are a good contributor to funds and of course the Memorial Dinner is a major benefactor.  Many other businesses help in their own way and their help is acknowledged by the committee.

Our main sponsor again this year is Neilsons Solicitors and Estate Agents who have been sponsoring the Fair since they began operations here in Queensferry some years ago.

The very popular Bookshop is another major earner, last year a grand total of over £2600 was donated by generous book lovers.  This is also a prime example of the work done by volunteers:  there is a team of individuals who happily give up their time to ensure the shop is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  We are grateful to the management and staff at the Rosebery Hall who allow the use of the premises and who assist in many ways.

The Grand Ferry Fair raffle is another major fundraiser which always guarantees an excellent selection of prizes and this year is no exception.  The star prize is a weekend for two in Paris, for the second prize once again courtesy of Sir Jack Stewart-Clark you can win an overnight stay for two in the luxurious Boathouse at Dundas Castle and a champagne dinner in Queensferry’s Boathouse restaurant thanks to owner Paul Steward.  There is also a prize of £200 to spend at Tesco.  Raffle tickets will be on sale right up to just before the draw on Ferry Fair Saturday.  The committee is indebted to all the individuals and businesses who provide the prizes and of course to you, the people of the Ferry for buying the tickets.

The foregoing hopefully has given a taste of all the effort which goes in to making sure we can pay for the Fair:  there are many individuals, organisations and businesses without whose contributions a successful Fair simply wouldn’t happen and the committee cannot thank them enough for their continuing support.

David M. Steel

Secretary

Ferry Fair Festival Committee

The Ferry Fair Book Shop

One of the most successful and longest standing of the Ferry Fair fundraising activities is the second-hand bookshop, currently based in the small shop in the Rosebery Hall next to the clock tower.  The bookshop, which began life following a suggestion by the late Jim Liddell, was originally an outdoor stall located at the top of the Boathouse Steps, has moved around the Ferry over the years until finally coming to rest in what we hope will be its permanent home.  The committee is very grateful to the Community education staff at the Rosebery Hall for providing the premises and for all their support.

The sale of second-hand books, records, videos, CDs etc, all of which are donated by members of the public, has generated many thousands of pounds for the Ferry Fair, in 2007 alone a staggering total of £2600 was raised.

The shop is manned by volunteers and opens on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays operating from March till November with a short break in August.  Without these willing and enthusiastic volunteers this popular venture would not happen:  the committee acknowledges this with grateful thanks to all involved. Donations of books and other appropriate material can be handed in to the shop or arrangements can be made for collection.

For further information about the Bookshop click here

The Collecting Cans

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The Quiz Nights

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The Grand Prize Draw

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The Jim Liddell Memorial Dinner

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