It has been a great year so far, and it’s been fantastic to see the event industry bright and bustling with energy, enthusiasm and excitement once again.
The past few months have seen us busy with a variety of events from weddings and parties to race days and exhibitions.
On each job we work with some great venues and clients and we are proud of the strong partnerships we have established with many of them.
As we steer well into summer we are looking forward to working alongside them on another season full of events and celebrations.
We are also excited to have been able to work with several new clients this year including Dawnay Estates, and we were delighted to have been able to provide a marquee for their Charity Clay Shoot 2022.
The Charity Clay Shoot held on the stunning grounds of Wykeham Estate near Scarborough is an annual event which passed its fourth year at the end of May.
The event has raised over £100,000 collectively in its previous 3 years and has supported charities including the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and Support Dogs who provide assistance dogs for those with autism, epilepsy and disability.
It was a pleasure to be a part of such a strong and positive event.
To tell us more about the event and the total raised this year, we spoke to Hannah Wright (Property Assistant at Dawnay Estates).
What was the inspiration behind establishing the event?
The family have always been keen to support local charities and causes. With the established reputation of the Estate in the shooting world, and the rise in popularity of simulated shooting this seemed like a perfect opportunity.
Can you briefly tell us about the planning process and what is involved in the success of the event each year?
Planning for the event starts in October with months of preparation involved in organizing the event. Big ticket items such as the marquee and catering are booked months in advance. The Estate also works closely with clay pigeon host EJ Churchill to plan the route and stands to ensure we put on a fun (but suitably challenging) day for all teams.
A serious amount of admin then occurs in the months running up to May with the team in the Estate office working hard to ensure the event runs as smoothly as possible.
Do you find it attracts mainly a local crowd or do people attend from further afield and outside Yorkshire?
We find that the majority of our teams are from the local area, but we also attract teams from London and the Midlands. Many of the teams and guests having a long-standing personal or professional relationship with the estate.
We supplied a large fully decorated marquee with various furniture – how was this used during the course of the event?
We use the marquee every year for a sit down lunch for the event attendees, followed by a charity auction and prize giving.
The marquee is located in a stunning spot within the Parkland which surrounds Wykeham Abbey. This creates a lovely atmosphere on the day (especially when the sun shines!).
The marquee was used for two other functions over this year's event including one in support of St Catherine's who we have raised money for during previous clay shoots.
If anyone is interested in enquiring for next year, who should they contact for more information?
If anyone is interested in attending or sponsoring the event next year they should contact the Estates Head of Property and Sporting - James Stephenson (james.stephenson@dawnay.co.uk).
How much was raised this year and which charities will the proceeds support?
This year we have raised a grand total of £50,284.00. This will be split between two fantastic charities; The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and Ryedale Special Families.
The dedicated team at Ryedale Special Families provide support to the families of children and young people with mental health issues, additional needs, disabilities or illness. Ryedale Special Families aim to create a solid support network through knowledge sharing, arranging group activities and providing advice for families facing challenging situations. The charity (based in Malton) now provide support to over 245 families across the Ryedale area.
The GWCT are a leading UK charity conducting conservation science to enhance the British countryside for public benefit. The charity works tirelessly, using scientific research to promote game and wildlife management as an essential part of nature conservation.
Many thanks to Hannah of Dawnay Estates and a huge congratulations to the Dawnay Estates team on a wonderful achievement.
Marquees make an ideal venue or additional space for many an event. Take a look at the variety of options for Your Marquee here.