Popular Bramfield pub’s ‘novel’ fundraising idea
The Queen’s Head at Bramfield will convert its restaurant into a full-size pop-up charity book shop for the second time to raise money for the Pear Tree Fund.
The pub will transform into a bookworm’s dream from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 March. Visitors will be able to choose from more than 3,000 pre-loved titles spanning a huge variety of genres, and will also be able to pick up good quality second-hand board games and jigsaws at the same time.
The event will take over the floor space of two thirds of the pub for three days, and is unique in its size and scale in the UK.
All of the profits from the bookshop will be donated to the Pear Tree Fund in Halesworth, which provides extra equipment and 24-hour care in the last days of life, along with emotional, physical and practical support to people with life-changing illnesses or long-term conditions.
It is the second time the Queen’s Head has held the pop-up bookshop. At last year’s event, the pub raised just over £1,200 – but is hoping to smash through that target this time around.
Kate Wood, owner of the Queen’s Head and organiser of the mammoth task, said: “We have once again been blown away by the generosity of people donating books and board games to the event. Back in October, we put out a plea on social media for people to donate – and they did not let us down! The bookshop this year will be a third larger than last year and is made up of around 30 sections, including fiction, biography, food and drink, sport, gardening, health and wellbeing and many more.
“It takes months of organisation and hard work to bring the event together, but it does help that I used to be a bookshop manager for Jarrold’s of Norwich in my younger years! It’s been an absolute pleasure to arrange it all and we really hope it raises a fantastic amount for the brilliant Pear Tree Fund, so please do come and buy a book or two.”
The Queen’s Head at Bramfield selected the Pear Tree Fund as its chosen charity around seven years ago, and has raised more than £13,500 so far through book sales, musical bingo events, race nights, fashion shows and a variety of other fun-packed activities.
Last year, the independent pub won the Muddy Stilettos award for ‘Best Destination Pub in Suffolk and Cambs’ and this year also features in the good Beer Guide for the quality of its real ale.
Juliette Weaver, community fundraiser with the Pear Tree Fund, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Queen’s Head for the fantastic support they have continued to show to our charity over many years.
“We are also delighted that the pub will also be converting their restaurant into a full-size charity second-hand bookshop for the second time. It’s a fantastic idea and a real talking point, and promises to be well worth a visit!”
The latest fundraiser takes place from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 March with the bookshop open from 12pm to 8pm each day. Earlier appointments may be available by prior arrangement with the pub.
Visitors will be welcome to sit and relax with a coffee, pint or slice of cake, with half of the profits from all cake sales also donated to the fund.
To find out more about the support offered by the Pear Tree Fund or to donate to the charity, call 01986 899655, email info@peartreefund.org or visit www.peartreefund.org