Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
IT looks like Ealing Animals Fair is having a baby.
Planning stages are in their infancy but a supporter of the Fair is intending to organise a similar event of their own, in a different area.
Although, in no way, do I put myself forward as an expert in event planning, I have organised the Fair for many years and thought it could be useful to share a few insights into what I’ve learnt along the way. These insights can be transferred to events in aid of other causes.
Firstly, you have to book a suitable venue. If you want to organise an event of a reasonable size – (but not so big, you have to book Olympia), it can be difficult to find a venue that ticks all the boxes.
We’ve held the Fair at both Ealing Town Hall and Hanwell Methodist Church. Variables to consider include location, public transport, hiring cost, size, parking. It’s important to book the venue early so you get the date you want. You also need to book early any items such as trestle tables you need to hire.
Advertising the event is crucial. I tend to use as many methods as possible. Obviously a website and the use of social media are vital but not everyone has access to these. Other means of advertising include newspaper adverts, leaflets in shops, libraries and door to door deliveries but some of these methods can be labour intensive.
It’s important to obey the law so we need to remember, for example, that fly posting is illegal and the relevance of new laws such as Natasha’s Law regarding allergies and food labelling.
Reliable helpers are essential. One of the key lessons I’ve learnt is that, on the day, although it’s essential to ensure the important things are running to plan, you have to let go and trust your helpers to do a good job. They don’t want you breathing down their neck supervising every small detail.
Other aspects I find important are always aiming as high as you can. Invite the well-known speakers, make sure someone knows how to work the audio-visual equipment, don’t get too annoyed if stallholders pull out at the last moment and don’t just judge the event on the money made. It’s also about making contacts and raising the profile of your cause. If you want to change laws, invite your MPs.
And also, broaden your appeal by including different elements such as, in our case, music, creative writing and poetry.