Written by Ruth Davison, Fundraising and Marketing volunteer
Our Pub quiz night fundraiser was a fantastic evening of fun, facts and friendly competition. Outside, the night was unusually mild and calm, the roads filled with the glow of car headlights as people made their way home (or anywhere they could — traffic, eh?). Inside the Museum’s Enid Porter Room, however, things could not have been more different. The room was full, and a lively buzz of competitive spirit filled in the air as the teams put their knowledge to the test all in support of the Museum. Every penny raised from the evening went towards helping to keep the Museum open and preserving the stories of Cambridge and its people.
The event was organised by the museum’s new Fundraising Volunteer team, of which I’m a member, and marks what we hope will be the first of many initiatives designed not only to raise funds but also help this much-loved local institution grow and strengthen its community of visitors, volunteers and friends – and perhaps even make some new ones along the way!
The night was full of laughter and lively debate. Memorable moments included a spirited discussion over whether you could get a point for calling Brian May a physicist rather than an astrophysicist (only in Cambridge!) ; and our Quiz Master, Carlotta’s, delightfully succinct answer to the response when asked to name the three Catherines married to Henry the VIII: ‘Catherine, Catherine and Catherine’.There was also the collective groan at the (slightly trick) question, “France shares its longest land border with which other country?” — the answer being “Brazil,” via French Guiana, a department of France.
A special mention also has to go the team featuring the museum’s own Engagement and Learning Officer, Alex Horn, who delivered perhaps my favourite overheard comedic answer of the night:
Question: Guess the famous book by its opening line: ‘The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation’
Actual answer: The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Overheard comedy answer: Watership Down on Ice.
As the answers were read out the room groaned with ‘Ooohs’ and ‘Aaahhs’ reminiscent of crowds at fireworks from the night before. On a more serious note, what really made the night special for me was seeing so many people come together to support the museum. In total, we raised a wonderful £519.50 which will contribute directly to the continued running of the Museum and the conservation of its collection, so from the bottom of our hearts we wanted to say the biggest thank you for coming and supporting The Museum of Cambridge!
As previously mentioned, the night was organised by our volunteer fundraising group who worked tirelessly to make sure the night was a success. We also have to thank the generosity and support of the local businesses who donated prizes and refreshments: Tradizioni, My Persian Kitchen, The Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cambridge Juice Company and Bishop Nick Brewery. We are proud to have your support and delighted to collaborate with such wonderful local partners.
So what’s next? Our volunteer group is already planning its next fundraising event — details will be announced soon! In the meantime, I’m sure you will have noticed a hint of festive cheer in the air. That’s right – Christmas is just around the corner, and the Museum is very excited about the plans for the festive period. From the 8th November until the 5th January, the museum will travel back in time for a 1920s Christmas, where visitors can wander through beautifully decorated rooms and discover a fresh interpretation of the traditions of the Roaring Twenties. Discover more about our 1920s Christmas Experience via our website.
And if you simply can’t wait for your next dose of history, why not visit the museum’s events page and explore lots of exciting opportunities to learn more about the history of Cambridge and its people.
To sum up, on behalf of myself, the fundraising group and The Museum of Cambridge, may we say thank you once more for the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who joined us for our Pub Quiz. Together we not only shared a great night out but also raised vital funds to help keep the Museum’s stories alive for generations to come. We truly couldn’t have done it without you.
If you were unable to attend but would still like to contribute — or would simply like to give a little more — there are plenty of ways to do so. Whether it’s adopting an object or making a donation, every contribution goes straight to making an impact.
