The 18th November is our birthday, and as York’s chocolate theatre, built by the Rowntree family for the workers in their factory in 1935, we like to celebrate this date, and what better way to celebrate than with cake, chocolate and good company. 

So we’re asking our volunteers, performers and other supporters to hold a coffee morning, afternoon tea or bake sale with a chocolate theme to raise funds which will be used to improve our front of house facilities. 

You could hold an event at home for friends, family or neighbours; do something where you work or volunteer, or add it into the programme for a group you attend or during a rehearsal for your next performance. Hold your event when it suits you, around the theatre’s birthday date.

To give you some ideas we asked two people who held events last year to share what they did. 

Mary held a coffee morning at her house, inviting friends, family and neighbours she’s met while dog walking. Although no longer able to bake, she bought a selection of items for people to enjoy alongside a drink. She left a bowl for people to pop a donation of their choice in as they left. Mary says it was good fun to organise and people seemed to enjoy coming too. She’s already planning her event for this year! 

Helen chose to do a bake sale at work, as this suited better than a coffee morning style event there. She made a variety of items and asked colleagues she knew enjoyed baking if they’d make something too; making sure there were plenty of chocolate items, but also some without. Helen advertised it to colleagues in their staff newsletter. On the day she set up a table in their common room at lunchtime and lots of colleagues came and glady exchanged money for a tasty treat. Helen had theatre brochures available too so people could find more out about the theatre if they weren’t already familiar. Like Mary, Helen is planning to repeat the event this year. 

We hope you’ll consider holding an event for us this year. You can download posters to use for a bake sale or a coffee morning and see further details, including paying in money after the event.

We’ll also be holding an event at the theatre on the 18th November itself between 10am and 1pm and we’d love to see you there.

Click here to download the Fundraising Pack