100th Birthday Treasure Hunt: 23 July 2022
The 6th Family Treasure Hunt in Marple Memorial Park
Following a 2 year gap Friends of the Park relaunched their Family Treasure Hunt to celebrate and commemorate 100 years since the park was dedicated to the community.
The Treasure Hunt was aimed at 3 to 11 year-olds with parents, grandparents or carers to assist as needed. The children hunted for clues and letters to reveal the two word phrase "Historical Pageant" that would open the Treasure Chest for a share of the booty. 223 programmes were handed out to an estimated 300+ children (many shared and did it together) and almost 8kg of chocolate coins were distributed to successful Treasure Hunters who returned with the answer. Almost everyone got it, so we'll have to make it harder next year!
Professional Face Painter Vix was in attendance from 10.30am until 1.30pm. She didn't stop working all that time and we saw some wonderful faces in our queue for rewards. We were also joined for the first time by Marple Youth Project, who ran a Cake Sale and Teddy Tombola to help us raise more funds. As well as contributing an amazing £172 for the park we've had excellent feedback about the young people on the stall, who were engaging, entertaining and enhanced the event considerably. So a big thank you to them from Friends of the Park!
We were again joined by Sarah and The Coffee Bean Dream team, who provided visitors to the park with refreshments. We made a late decision with Sarah to bring both of her vans and it turned out to be a good one as the water was off all day in Marple centre and most other places to get a hot drink were closed all day. As many will already know, The Coffee Bean Dream van has recently become a welcome weekend fixture in the park and Sarah and her team have already established a great relationship with park users and volunteers.
As if that wasn't enough, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and pupils from All Saints' and St. Mary's schools were in attendance too, showing off the Marple School Gardens Project near to the library and engaging with park visitors about the gardens they built and about Rewilding Stockport. This wonderful project was the idea of local resident Sarah Braide, who also worked hard with us to make this a very successful addition to the centenary celebrations enjoyed by many.
The great news is that the event raised almost £4,000 for the park!
This was a FREE EVENT but we had a collection bucket for donations to Friends of Marple Memorial Park at our stall and on the School Gardens Project stall. We were also selling tickets for a Huge Raffle with some really incredible prizes donated by local businesses (see further down the page) that tempted people into buying over 700 tickets.
Against expectations after a two-year break due to the pandemic, and the current financial climate, the 2022 Family Treasure Hunt has shattered previous records with an amazing total of £3,957 raised for the park. This was made up of £1,268 takings on the day from raffle, cake sale, face-painting and donations (including another £70 from The Coffee Bean Dream), plus £2,532 of sponsorship and £157 of income from booklets and handmade cards. Our costs were £286, mainly made up of Face Painting, which was sponsored by Hawk Green CC, and Chocolate Coins (partly sponsored by Julian Wadden). The balance of £3,671 will be added to the £10k already ring-fenced for Outdoor Exercise Equipment in the park.
So we must say a VERY BIG THANK YOU to our MEGA, Premier and Regular Sponsors who contributed £1,202, £1,150 and £180 respectively, and our fabulous Raffle Prize Donors, whose generosity helped us raise a further £705 with the raffle. Full details of all the local businesses and organisations who helped us are detailed further down the page.
Last but not least, thank you to all our volunteers who have helped to make the Treasure Hunt such a success, with special mention for our "PR Lady" Diane Jackson, who does an absolutely amazing job engaging with Marple's local businesses to raise sponsorship and raffle prizes for this brilliant family event in Marple Memorial Park.
Our Treasure Hunts have now raised a total of £11,601 for the park!
Friends of Marple Memorial Park have been helping the council to look after our fabulous local park since 2003 and the group continues to raise funds for some exciting new and future projects in the park to benefit the whole Marple community, as well as visitors to the park. The 5th Treasure Hunt in 2019 saw our running total of funds raised reach £7,644. We quietly hoped we might be able to push through the £10,000 barrier this year but, to our surprise and delight, we have smashed it thanks to the Marple Community!
Funds raised will go towards Outdoor Exercise Equipment in the park
We've tried several times in the past to bid for funding to pay for Outdoor Exercise Equipment but were unsuccessful. For a long time since then we were focused on the Skatepark Project Phase I and II and our other aspirations were placed on the back-burner. We are now focused on Outdoor Exercise Equipment as our next major project in the park.
We have already ring-fenced £10,000 of our funds towards this (much of it raised by our 50-50 Club during the pandemic) and following the success of the Treasure Hunt will be allocating more at our next meeting. We have talked to Stockport Council about a contribution but that doesn't seem to be getting anywhere fast, so Marple may have to do it all for ourselves once again. We need around £20,000 to £25,000 for a good range of suitable equipment and we this year's Treasure Hunt can has certainly given us a great boost toward these aims.
Community support for the 100th Birthday Treasure Hunt:
£300 Joint MEGA SPONSORS: Church Lane Co-op and Stockport Road Co-op
When we approached Church Lane Co-op about supporting our Treasure Hunt and explained that we are raising funds for outdoor exercise equipment in the park they suggested that instead of them donating raffle prizes we could submit an application for local funding. This was because our aims would help the Co-op's focus to deliver fairer access to community well-being. We took their advice and submitted a joint application for £150 from each of our local Co-op stores on Church Lane and at the Petrol Station on Stockport Road. Our application was supported by the store managers and was successful, resulting in a total contribution of £300 towards our Outdoor Exercise Equipment Project: https://www.coop.co.uk/
£250 MEGA SPONSOR: Nurture Nursery & Pre-school
Nurture is an under 5s Early Learning and Day-Care Centre, situated on Station Road in the centre of Marple. A browse through their photos on social media shows that they are regular users of our park and helps to explain why they have been so supportive of the Treasure Hunt too: https://www.nurturemarple.co.uk/
£50 PREMIER SPONSOR plus £100 of Gift Vouchers: Harrod's Motor Components
As well as being a Premier Sponsor, Harrod's have generously contributed 4 x £25 Gift Vouchers to spend in-store, boosting them to MEGA Sponsor! https://www.harrodscarparts.co.uk/
£130 FACE PAINTING SPONSOR: Hawk Green Cricket Club
Hawk Green Cricket Club has sponsored the full £130 towards Face Painting: https://www.hawkgreencc.com/
£112 MEGA SPONSOR: Julian Wadden Estate & Letting Agents (Marple Branch)
Local Estate Agents Julian Wadden have given huge support to the Family Treasure Hunt every year since it began in 2015. This year, as well as being a £50 Premier Sponsor, Julian Wadden has become our first MEGA Sponsor by also covering the £62 cost of the Chocolate Coins in our Treasure Chest for those who solve the puzzle: https://www.julianwadden.co.uk/
The Marple Branch has also given "help in kind" by printing posters and agreeing to be a drop-off point for raffle prizes.
£110 MEGA SPONSOR: Lawler & Company Sales & Lettings (Marple, Hazel Grove & Poynton)
We are very pleased to welcome a brand new MEGA sponsor in local estate agents Lawler & Co., the bespoke independent estate agency established in 2014 with prominent branches located in Marple, Hazel Grove and Poynton. Lawler & Co. is also a drop-off point for raffle prizes too: https://lawlerandcompany.co.uk/
£100 MEGA SPONSOR: Brian Sharples & Son, Funeral Directors
Brian Sharples & Son Funeral Directors, serving Stockport, Marple, Marple Bridge, Compstall, and all surrounding areas: https://www.briansharples.co.uk/
£100 MEGA SPONSOR: Shelby Landscapes Ltd
Marple based Shelby Landscapes do all aspects of landscaping. They can do everything from cleaning your patio / drive all the way to completely reshaping and designing your dream garden or driveway. They have years of experience with no job too large or too small: https://www.facebook.com/shelbylandscapes
PROGRAMME PRINTING MEGA SPONSOR: HB Printing & Signs
HB Printing and Signs, based in the Goyt Mill at Hawk Green, have printed our Treasure Hunt Programme FOC as their support to this year's event. The programme is a glossy A3 double-sided leaflet featuring all of this year's sponsors and containing the clues to the Treasure Hunt, so we couldn't do without it: https://www.hbprinting.co.uk/
£100 "CONNECTING COMMUNITIES IN SUMMER" AWARD
The 100th Birthday Family Treasure Hunt has been awarded £100 from Forever Manchester's Connecting Communities in Summer.
In May 2022 Forever Manchester was offering 200 awards of £100, to help community groups across Greater Manchester get together and connect with their neighbours and communities over summer. We are delighted that our application for the Treasure Hunt was successful.
£50 PREMIER SPONSORS
Barkley and Fetch: https://www.barkleyandfetch.co.uk/
Bloom Hearing Specialists: https://www.bloomhearing.co.uk/shopdetails/
Brabyns Preparatory School: https://www.brabynsprepschool.co.uk/
Bridge Computers Services: https://www.bridgecomputerservices.co.uk/
Bridgfords Estate Agents: https://www.bridgfords.co.uk/branch/estate-agents/marple
Byles of Marple, Kitchens and Bathrooms: https://byle.co.uk/
Harrod's Motor Components: https://www.harrodscarparts.co.uk/
John Oldham Plastering: https://www.plastererhighpeak.co.uk/
Jones Law Partnership: https://www.joneslawpartnership.co.uk/
Lisa Connolly - Travel Counsellors: https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/lisa.connolly/
Malcolm Shaw & Son Ltd: http://www.malcolmshawandsonltd.co.uk/
Michelle Reynolds Podiatrist: https://www.michelle-reynolds-podiatrist.co.uk/
Rhodes & Partners: https://www.rhodesandpartners.co.uk/
Ridings Opticians: http://www.ridingsopticians.co.uk/
S. Duddy Roofing Contractors & Merchants: http://www.sduddy.co.uk/
Sew-In of Marple & Buxton: https://myknittingyarnandwool.co.uk/
Stationery Supplies Marple: https://www.giraffegifts.co.uk/
The Coffee Bean Dream: https://www.thecoffeebeandream.co.uk/
The Hatters Arms Pub: https://www.robinsonsbrewery.com/pubs/hatters-arms-marple/
The Locks Marple Coffee House and Bar: http://www.thelocksmarple.co.uk/
The Springfield Hotel: https://www.springfieldhotelmarple.co.uk/
Torevell Calvert Chartered Accountants: https://torevellcalvert.co.uk/
Tumble Jacks Marple: https://www.facebook.com/TumbleJacksMarple/
£30 REGULAR SPONSORS
ACM Financial Services Ltd: http://www.acmfinancialservices.co.uk/
Little Button Bakery: https://www.littlebuttonbakery.co.uk/
Lynx Taxis: https://lynxtaxis.co.uk/
Marple & District Electrical: https://www.facebook.com/MarpleAndDistrictElectrical/
Recon Cycles: https://www.facebook.com/reconcyclesmarple/
SVC Lighting and Electrical: https://www.svclighting.co.uk/
RAFFLE PRIZE DONORS
All Things Nice (£50 voucher to spend in shop): https://www.atnmarple.com/
Archers Bakers and Confectioners (£20 voucher to spend in shop): https://www.facebook.com/ArchersBakers/
Baked by Leah (Amazing Children's Hamper): https://www.facebook.com/bakedbyleahfaith
Barkley and Fetch (£30 Gift Voucher): https://www.barkleyandfetch.co.uk/
Benji's Pet Food and Accessories (Unicorn Toy + £10 Voucher): https://www.facebook.com/Benj's
Chocolate Collective (2 x Chocolate Workshop Vouchers: value £80): https://chocolatecollective.co.uk/
Chris Shaw Photography (Framed A3 print of Brabyns Park Kingfisher): https://www.instagram.com/chrisshawphotos/
Costa Coffee Marple (Free Coffee and Cake for Two): https://simtrava.co.uk/
D & S White Butchers (Meat Voucher): https://www.facebook.com/dandswhitebutchers/
Escape Stockport (1 hour escape room game for 6 people): https://escapestockport.co.uk/
Gosling's Toymaster (Box of Lego Classic Bricks): https://www.toymaster.co.uk/
Harrod's Motor Components (4 x £25 Gift Vouchers): https://www.harrodscarparts.co.uk/
High Lane Garage (Bottle of HLG Gordon's Gin): https://www.highlanegarage.co.uk/
Hollins of Marple (Spear & Jackson Secateurs): https://www.facebook.com/Hollins-Of-Marple/
Independent Fitters, Marple (£250 discount voucher) : https://www.facebook.com/independentfitters/
Kiki's Marple (2 Free Cocktails): https://kikismarple.co.uk/
La Dolce Vita Marple (Free bottle of House Wine): https://www.ladolcevitamarple.co.uk/
Littlewoods Butchers (£20 Meat Voucher): https://littlewoodsbutchers.com/
LSA Technology (£50 voucher for IT Solutions): http://www.lsa-technology.co.uk/
Lynx Taxis (£50 worth of taxi-ride vouchers): https://lynxtaxis.co.uk/
Magpie Cottages & Spa (£50 voucher towards a stay): https://www.magpiecottages.co.uk/
Marple Golf Club (Voucher for 1 x Four Ball): https://www.marplegolfclub.co.uk/
McColl's at Rose Hill (Chocolate Bouquet plus Gift Vouchers): https://www.mccolls.co.uk/
Nitrotek Ltd (Radio Controlled Plane): https://www.nitrotek.co.uk/
North Cheshire Forestry (Top Quality Gardening Set): https://northcheshireforestry.com/
Ring o' Bells Public House (Sunday Roast Lunch for 2): https://www.robinsonsbrewery.com/pubs/ring-o-bells-marple/
Samantha Ogley: Independent Usbourne Partner (4 x Children's books): https://usborne.com/gb/partner/stories_with_sam
Samuel Oldknow Bar (2 x £20 beer tokens): https://www.samueloldknow.co.uk/
Stationery Supplies Marple (£10 voucher to spend in shop): https://www.giraffegifts.co.uk/
Stockport Nerf Centre (6 x 1 hour sessions): https://www.stockportnerf.co.uk/
Stockport Scalextric (6 x 1 hour sessions): https://www.facebook.com/Scalextricstockport/
SVC Lighting and Electrical (Outdoor Bulkhead Light): https://www.svclighting.co.uk/
The Coffee Bean Dream (£20 voucher): https://www.thecoffeebeandream.co.uk/
Tumble Jacks Marple (Free family entry + children's meals): https://www.facebook.com/TumbleJacksMarple/
Vernon Building Society (£50 John Lewis Voucher): https://www.thevernon.co.uk/
Zo & Co Marple (Milk Chocolate "Star Trophy"): https://www.facebook.com/zoandco.marple/
Support was promoted on this page, in the programme and via the following online sources:
The Marple Website Community Forum
The Marple Website Twitter Feed
The Marple Website Facebook Page
Facebook Event: 100th Birthday Family Treasure Hunt in Marple Memorial Park