Masonic Forum Home Search Members Calendar Who's On Welcome Guest ( Login | Register ) Recent PostsRecent Posts Popular TopicsPopular Topics Home » General » Knobs & Excrescences » Charity Auction/Black tie dinner venue? Charity Auction/Black tie dinner venue? Rate Topic Display Mode Topic Options Author Message Army MasonArmy Mason Posted 07/02/2010 20:39 Apprentice Group: Forum Members Last Login: 14/07/2010 00:47 Posts: 69, Visits: 244 I am organising a big event for the summer in support of Help for Heroes, a charity i have been a part of since its launch. The plan is to auction off some celebrity and sporting memorobilia as well as a black tie dinner (although this might have to change to buffet!) Does anyone know of a location that i might be able to contact that would allow me to host this event. Clearly, fundraising is the raison d'etre so i am hopning for a subsidised (free?) option. I am guessing that Gt Queen St is out of my league (always thinking high!) but if any brethren know of a location that could be a possibility, could they let me know. Dates are very flexible, August-ish would be nice but when someone is offering a kindness i am hardly going to be fussy over dates! Advice welcome either on the forum or by pm if you prefer. Let us endeavour so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry Post #18282 Mark AdamsMark Adams Posted 09/02/2010 15:26 Journeyman Group: Forum Members Last Login: 07/06/2010 10:07 Posts: 112, Visits: 320 Hi AMI think the issue you might find is that venues suitable for this type of event will also probably have their eyes on weddings, so there will be charges attached to it.You didn't say where abouts in the country you'd like to hold it? The good points about August: it's very often the Masonic 'off season', so you could do worse than trying one of the many halls around the country. Also, depending on how many people you'd like to attract, football clubs often have function rooms, so may be an option.One place that does spring to mind that would be ideal, and may be worth approaching: The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, which is the home of The Chelsea Pensioners. I have been there for functions before: they have the facilities, it's a great setting (in the mess we had dinner in, they still have the table where Nelson's coffin was rested for the masses to file past-actually, now I think back, that mess also had a black and white checkered floor), and if it's charitable and for service personnel, they may be more lenient, ££ wise. http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/Good luck-I played in a concert in Leicester Cathedral in December for HFH-incredibly moving, and with 700 people there, a sell out-I believe the organisres are doing the same this year.S and FMark Post #18338 Mike MartinMike Martin Posted 09/02/2010 19:22 Past Master Group: Administrators Last Login: Today @ 12:34 Posts: 1,334, Visits: 3,813 Of course remembering who it's in aid of I'd try picking any number of Officers' Messes around London who as it's H4H may well let you in for free. MikeThe Freemasons' Grand Charity My Mother Lodge website Join or just visit my Masonic Web RingSee my BALLS here Post #18344 M PerrottM Perrott Posted 09/02/2010 23:13 Fellow Group: Forum Members Last Login: 2 days ago @ 22:45 Posts: 291, Visits: 2,183 Hi thereFollowing on from the advice from Mike, have you tried the Victory Club? It's rooms etc have been hired out to insurance companies in the past for awards dinners and specifically for honouring ex-service men that work for them. I have no idea how much their current rates are, but here is the number 020 7723 4474. It can also provide overnight accomodation for those from out of town who are eligible. Here is the web addy: http://www.vsc.co.uk/Best of luck, it's a great idea of yours. Post #18347 Army MasonArmy Mason Posted 10/02/2010 21:30 Apprentice Group: Forum Members Last Login: 14/07/2010 00:47 Posts: 69, Visits: 244 Thank you everyone. Some fantastic ideas there and i will certainly look into those. Location wise, i was not tying myself down specifically but London would be preferred. That way i could sell tables of 10 to businesses (and lodges!) rather than individully. London allows me to contact more businesses and organisations. I was part of a group that managed to raise over 160K last year so we are going to have to work hard to get close to that again, especially in this times. A do like this though would certainly bring in a couple of pounds! Setting the date for roughly August i felt would give me time to organise and advertise properly as well as giving people time to clear their diaries. I have been very lucky with the memorobilia i have been pledged for the auction already but will hope to expandinto other areas as well. All i need now is entertainment and food and i can put my feet up. One important aspect is, of course, pricing. I am thinking 3 course meal + complimentary drink on arrival (other drinks extra). Hoping to include entertainment in that. Do you think £30 is an acceptable amount or do you think i should go higher/lower? Thank you all once again. Some of those leads have given me some superb directions that i could take this. AM Let us endeavour so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry Post #18383 bodbod Posted 11/02/2010 13:48 Fellow Group: Forum Members Last Login: 26/07/2010 00:18 Posts: 302, Visits: 566 As rough guide our Ladies night (a London lodge) at a well known Livery Hall is looking like coming out at around £85 per head. Our FB at a central London hotel is £35 per head for three course including around a half bottle of wine per headIf you can manage to get the costs to £35 per head you will be doing very well indeed.Good luck, and please do remember to come back on here and let us know more info - I'm sure between us we could fill at least one table for ya! Post #18406 lauderdalelauderdale Posted 11/02/2010 14:02 Excellent Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 04/07/2010 12:56 Posts: 2,238, Visits: 4,269 Since this is for those wounded in the recent wars would not some of the Regimental HQs and Barracks permit their premises to be used at a peppercorn hire fee, or is that not permitted by the MOD?As another suggestion LDH last October held a Dinner at the following venue.http://www.antoinettehotel.com/kingston/location.htmlI wasn't there msyelf but I am told by those who did attend that it was very enjoyable. Surbiton is quite easily reached by fast train from Waterloo and other places. Being in Outer London it is not as expensive as in the City tself. Post #18407 bodbod Posted 11/02/2010 14:56 Fellow Group: Forum Members Last Login: 26/07/2010 00:18 Posts: 302, Visits: 566 Most obvious one in the City that comes to mind is the HAChttp://www.hac.org.uk/html/corporate-private-events/ Post #18408 lauderdalelauderdale Posted 11/02/2010 20:41 Excellent Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 04/07/2010 12:56 Posts: 2,238, Visits: 4,269 The Honourable Artillery Company would be a very appropriate and beautiful venue to hold such an event but I can't help but feel that unless they gave a concessionary price to this charity then the costs would be very high.What exactly has Army Mason in mind for this fund raising function? A large Gala Night with a correspondingly high cost per person or perhaps something more akin to a Lodge Ladies Night with a wider appeal and lower cost? 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Let us endeavour so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry
I think the issue you might find is that venues suitable for this type of event will also probably have their eyes on weddings, so there will be charges attached to it.
You didn't say where abouts in the country you'd like to hold it? The good points about August: it's very often the Masonic 'off season', so you could do worse than trying one of the many halls around the country. Also, depending on how many people you'd like to attract, football clubs often have function rooms, so may be an option.
One place that does spring to mind that would be ideal, and may be worth approaching: The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, which is the home of The Chelsea Pensioners. I have been there for functions before: they have the facilities, it's a great setting (in the mess we had dinner in, they still have the table where Nelson's coffin was rested for the masses to file past-actually, now I think back, that mess also had a black and white checkered floor), and if it's charitable and for service personnel, they may be more lenient, ££ wise.
http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/
Good luck-I played in a concert in Leicester Cathedral in December for HFH-incredibly moving, and with 700 people there, a sell out-I believe the organisres are doing the same this year.
S and F
Mark
MikeThe Freemasons' Grand Charity My Mother Lodge website Join or just visit my Masonic Web RingSee my BALLS here
Following on from the advice from Mike, have you tried the Victory Club? It's rooms etc have been hired out to insurance companies in the past for awards dinners and specifically for honouring ex-service men that work for them. I have no idea how much their current rates are, but here is the number 020 7723 4474. It can also provide overnight accomodation for those from out of town who are eligible. Here is the web addy: http://www.vsc.co.uk/
Best of luck, it's a great idea of yours.
If you can manage to get the costs to £35 per head you will be doing very well indeed.
Good luck, and please do remember to come back on here and let us know more info - I'm sure between us we could fill at least one table for ya!
As another suggestion LDH last October held a Dinner at the following venue.
http://www.antoinettehotel.com/kingston/location.html
I wasn't there msyelf but I am told by those who did attend that it was very enjoyable. Surbiton is quite easily reached by fast train from Waterloo and other places. Being in Outer London it is not as expensive as in the City tself.
http://www.hac.org.uk/html/corporate-private-events/
What exactly has Army Mason in mind for this fund raising function? A large Gala Night with a correspondingly high cost per person or perhaps something more akin to a Lodge Ladies Night with a wider appeal and lower cost?
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