Golden Spot Tombola 2013

The Golden Spot Tombola, now run in memory of its founder Sylvia, was a magnificent success at Saturday’s Christmas Fayre in St Mary & St Giles Church. With a bumper collection of 28 top prizes, plus some lovely individual prizes, it proved a definite draw all day for the crowds of people who came into the church to see the model railway, the children’s musical performances or have hot refreshments.

This year Kath and Nina decided that because we had such wonderful hampers generously donated by local people, that the hamper prizes would be ticketed, with the individual prizes remaining as ‘choose you own prize’. This, along with a small chocolate for those whose tickets didn’t win, were in the spirit of Sylvia’s annual review and innovation of how the Golden Spot tombola is run, she never kept it exactly the same from one year to the next. Keith made a tombola ticket box wrapped in gold paper and Kath obtained two sparkly golden top hats for the operators to wear. Some people were lucky and won hampers (one couple, who bought 3 tickets for £2 won 2 hampers!). We were delighted when Vikki, Sylvia’s daughter, won a hamper, especially as Vikki had wrapped all the foam blocks she loaned in golden paper, for the hamper staging. At the end of the day we were thrilled to discover that the Tombola had raised a staggering £606.90 for the organ fund.

Gary Holman donated a lovely photo montage of Stony Stratford which he had created and framed, featuring the ‘Best Kept Town’ sign. The organ fund team decided to raffle this gift and it proved popular, with over 90 numbers sold. The last remaining numbers will be sold at the Musical Bite Coffee morning on 7th December and the draw will take place at that event.

Dai sold some cards and organ CD’s on a separate stall and raised £97.40 for the organ fund.

During the day Russell Street School choir, St Mary & St Giles Junior school choir and hand bell ringers and Queen Eleanor Combined school choir performed in the church. St Mary & St Giles Church band also played at regular intervals throughout the day. During these times the crowds increased considerably. In the hall Hazel and her team were kept busy serving refreshments, and there were a few other stalls and the local historical society display in the church for people to browse.

I would like to thank Kath and Nina for their excellent organisation of the Golden Spot Tombola and Carol, Fiona, Dave, David, Shirley and Dai for helping during the day – it was great teamwork and a lot of fun.

This coming Saturday’s Musical Bite will feature the organ – with three organists taking a turn to play the instrument while you enjoy delicious refreshments in the church. This will be followed by a light lunch served in the hall by Jill, everyone is very welcome. Both events are for the organ fund.