This year’s Village Weekend in June was a great success. The organising committee met in early September to review the event and start putting plans in place for next year.
We asked the village community for feedback via a survey and people highlighted the things they enjoyed the most, such as:
* “the village community coming together”
* “the family feel and welcoming atmosphere”
* “the screens and music brought the event to life”
* “the range of activities throughout the weekend”
* “relaxing with friends, listening to Glastonbury, with great food and drink”.
Overall, people were supportive and enthusiastic. We are grateful to everyone who came and all the volunteers who made it possible. Suggestions for improvement next year included
* “more food vans”
* “bigger selection of alcohol and sugar free drinks at the bar”
* “more children’s experiences on the Fun Day”
* “perhaps some traditional games”
In 2024, the event covered its costs, resulting in a small surplus which will be invested in the 2025 event. This year, we were able to hire big screens thanks to contributions from a variety of local businesses – we are very grateful for our wonderful sponsors! The Parish Council paid for the hire of the marquee. Without these contributions, we wouldn’t have covered our costs. So, to run a similar event (with a marquee, big screens, deck chairs, entertainment, security etc) in 2025, we’ll need to seek sponsorship again and potentially look at ways of increasing income. All ideas welcome!
Looking ahead: Stapleford Weekend 26-29 June 2025
We’re now starting planning for 2025. Put the dates in your diary!
We’ve already had contact with several people who have volunteered to help with either the planning or by running the event itself next June, which is great news. But we’re always open to having more volunteers to make 2025 even bigger and better. What’s really nice is having representation from the wide variety of people who live in Stapleford – all ages and all backgrounds welcome.
We are holding a Stapleford Weekend Volunteer meeting on Thursday 10th October at 8pm in the Pavilion. Come along and talk to the committee to see if there’s a role for you.
* Can you help with planning? Come to monthly meetings, take on a specific task and report back. Communications, finance, planning bar operations, organising suppliers, local groups, delivering leaflets, health and safety, contacting volunteers – you name it, we need it.
* Can you help during the weekend itself? Volunteer for a specific task or shift, from car park stewards, litter picking, bar work or café helpers, setting up deckchairs or tidying the marquee. Again, we’d love some help during the week of 26-29th June
* Would you like to hold an event in the marquee? Are you a local group, sports team, film, theatre or dance group who might like to use the marquee during the week itself? Most of
the cost of the weekend is the set up of marquee and screens, so if we can get more use of it for local groups, that gives value to the community and potentially helps cover our costs. Please email staplefordweekend@gmail.com by 7th October to discuss.
Village Weekend Quiz – Winter Edition! Save the date – Friday 29th November 2024
To help us raise funds for next year’s event, we’re hoping to put on a quiz in the Pavilion. We’ve got some bottles left from the summer event, as well as planning to do some mulled wine and we’re organising some delicious catered food. More details available soon! It will have a Christmas theme, but all your favourite things about the summer quiz will be there – Jon West the quizmaster extraordinaire, creative team names, friendly village rivalry (looking at you Thick Edge and Turtle Recall) and a fun atmosphere. More details and tickets available from mid October, via the website www.staplefordweekend.com.
Thanks for all your support – hope to see you soon! Stapleford Weekend Organising Committee staplefordweekend@gmail.com
