Countdown to Barnstaple’s Really Big Quiz 2017! Event to raise thousands for Mayor’s charity

Simpkins Edwards, the Barnstaple-based chartered accountancy firm, is calling on the brightest brains of North Devon to pull together teams of friends and colleagues to enter its 8th annual Really Big Quiz. 

Taking place at the Barnstaple Hotel on Wednesday 15th November from 6.45pm, the annual Really Big Quiz brings the region’s brightest professional brains together to compete for the coveted title of Barnstaple’s and North Devon’s brainiest group or business. 

The event raises vital funds for the Mayor of Barnstaple’s chosen charities, which this year include Clarity, The North Devon Cancer and Wellbeing Appeal, and ChemoHero.  Having raised more than £20,000 over the past seven years, Simpkins Edwards is hoping for a record-breaking evening that could push the total raised past £24,000. Last year, the event raised £3,360.

33 eager teams of eggheads have already signed up leaving just 5 spaces for this fun-filled annual event.

As last year, the redoubtable raconteur, James Morrish from Kivells, will be on hand to auction off items, announce the winners of the raffle, encourage guests to play the ever-popular game of heads and tails, and provide plenty of laughs along the way.  It is hoped that this year’s event will surpass the all-time record of £3,635 raised in 2013, just £275 more than last year’s total.

So far, auction lots and prizes include: 25 tickets for fairground rides at Barnstaple Fair 2018; VIP tickets for two to attend the Barnstaple Fair Proclamation Ceremony in the Guildhall followed by luncheon at the Barnstaple Hotel; a bespoke item of jewelry donated by James Bishop Jewellery; a Dartintgon Glass whisky decanter and two whisky glasses, engraved with Barnstaple crest; a large landscape painting by local artist John Bargent; a Fire 7 Amazon 16gb blue and Fire 7 Kid-Proof Case.  Many more items have been kindly donated and further generous items are welcome.

The winners of the quiz will receive the Really Big Quiz trophy and champagne; there are also prizes for second and third places.  Last year, 38 teams competed in the event with Sounds Sorted Productions emerging victorious on the night.

“The Really Big Quiz is a hugely entertaining evening that raises thousands of pounds for good causes and local charities,” said Jilly Watson, partner at Simpkins Edwards.  “It’s great fun and puts the best brains in Barnstaple and beyond to the test.  If you haven’t participated before, we’d encourage you to enter as soon as possible as spaces are filling up quickly. It’s a highlight of the business calendar.”

Cllr Julie Hunt, Mayor of Barnstaple, commented: “Each year the business community in and around Barnstaple comes together for the annual Really Big Quiz, which helps to raise valuable funds for local causes.  This year, we have a host of fabulous auction items that have been kindly donated and we are hopeful that these, together with the raffle and money raised from the quiz, will swell the amount raised for the Mayor’s charities to record levels.  It’s good fun, a fantastic team building event and great way to meet members of the local business community.”

To register a team, visit www.simpkinsedwards.co.uk to download an entry form (https://www.simpkinsedwards.co.uk/info/really-big-quiz).  The entry fee is £50 per team and each team can have up to five members.  The fee includes a light buffet and a licenced bar is available (although not included in the entry fee). Doors open at 6.45pm, ready for the quiz to begin at 7.15pm.