from the August 2009 L&DLHS Newsletter
The Great Sock Raffle'If you've got a good cause, you can raffle a old pair of socks' wrote John Steinbeck in his novel Sweet Thursday and as John Morris had the Museum as his cause, he organised a raffle. He begged clean historic and archaeological hosiery from Dr David Starkey, John Julius Norwich, Adam Hart-Davis, Phil Harding, and Tony Robinson with three further donations from Michael Aspel, John Bird and Michael Palin, Then he packaged the prizes, each autographed and authenticated.
The draw followed the Society's lecture by Penny Rainbow. Mrs Molly Lewis won first prize and since she has a great interest in Venice she chose John Julius Norwich's socks. Second prize was won by Eric Leat who donated David Starkey's red socks to Edwina Varde- who had once been David Starkey's student. Mrs Margaret Jones won third prize and planned to display Tony Robinsons socks as a talking point in her house. Michael Aspel's socks were fourth prize and the rest were returned for resale. After all John Morris's hard work, £353 was raised for our Museum and Heritage Trust.
Edwina Vardey
The first
GREAT SOCK RAFFLE
IN AID OF
Hampton Cottage, home of the Leatherhead Museum
Leatherhead Museum & Heritage Centre Trust (Charity 273798)
if you got a good cause you can raffle an old pair of socks -
John Steinbeck
Win a clean pair of old socks given by:
Michael ASPEL, presenter of the Antiques Road
Show or,
John BIRD, founder of the BIG ISSUE or,
Phil HARDING, archaeologist on TIME TEAM or,
Adam HART-DAVIS, TVs historian of technology or,
John Julius NORWICH, historian, travel writer
& TV personality or,
Tony ROBINSON, presenter of the TIME TEAM or
Dr David STARKEY, historian presenter of MONARCHY
TICKETS £1 EACH
if you got a good cause you can raffle an old pair of socks - John Steinbeck
The Trust has too little money to be sure of meeting the costs of insuring Hampton Cottage and keeping it in good repair as the home of the Leatherhead Museum in future years. These costs continue to rise and our income was in decline until we launched an appeal for £40,000 to secure our future. Generous donors have given just over £5,000 so far and have promised an income of nearly £800 a year. A grant of £2,500 from Surrey County Council has also been received. It is earmarked for the new entrance for wheelchair access.
This is a great start. This raffle supports this appeal.PRIZES TO CHOOSE FROM, first prize winner chooses first from the socks of:
Michael Aspel plus a friendly letter wishing us a healthy response to an original idea and the warning "if you decide to go for a nude calendar, please feel free not to include me" (NOTE: I explained that raffling socks is no sillier than issuing a nude calendar J Morris, promoter)
John Bird plus two compliments slips from his P A wishing us success on his behalf
Phil Harding sent his socks and signed the form exactly as he was asked to do
Adam Hart-Davis sent one red sock and one green sock both autographed by the donor. He says they were worn on the series How London was Built. He also sent a comp slip saying, "I was once reprimanded by the Navy for having improper footwear: so now I wear port and starboard socks. Happy raffling Adam"
John Julius Norwich, the first donor who gave his socks and signed the form as requested.
Tony Robinson with a card showing him in The Worst Jobs in History and the signed message inside, "Enclosed please find the trusty pair of socks I wore on Time Team for many years - Best wishes Tony Robinson"
Dr David Starkey with a signed comp slip with the words "Certified as worn!"Every pair of socks comes with a signed declaration from the donor authenticated by the Trust and sealed in a packet to guarantee authenticity.
The draw will take place at 9:00 p m at the Leatherhead Institute, High St, Leatherhead on Friday Sept 19th 2008.Tickets may be purchased from the Promoter: John Morris, 90 Church St, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8ER, cheques payable to Leatherhead Museum & Heritage Centre Trust. Please state your postal address so that we may send you your tickets.
If instead you are making a donation, please make this clear.
Registered with the Mole Valley DC under the Lotteries & Amusements Act 1976
MV327 No WK/200800386The promoter & Trustees shall have full discretion in the conduct of this raffle
page version 24 Aug 2009