The QUAKER Showkit

The kit is owned by Britain Yearly Meeting, as a self managing project reporting to the outreach section of Quaker Life.

Sorry, but if you are not a Friend - (a Member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain Yearly Meeting) or one of its Meetings, this kit is not for you to borrow.

If you are interested in Quakers then try the Britain Yearly Meeting Web site www.quakers.org.uk

The Showkit is based in the Midlands and is a provided as a resource for all Friends to use. Over the years there has been a demand for help with stands for use outside; at fetes, county shows, garden parties, in shopping precincts and at National events.
This kit has been put together to help Friends put on an effective 'instant' outdoor display and it provides all the basic equipment needed.
Our aim is to make it simple and complete. Unload the trailer* and assemble the contents and you have a smart stand. We aim to provide everything except 'people and paper'.
It is possible to set up everything within an hour with a team of 2 or 3 people.
You need to provide your own posters and leaflets. (There may be some posters left in the kit but you should not rely on it.)
The Showkit has been used for many different events. The most common use is for outreach stands but Northampton PM used it as a Porch to draw attention to their Meeting House when it was open on 'Heritage Open Day'. The trailer was used during 2000 for supporting a walk from Aldermaston to Faslane. One August Bank Holiday we have had equipment in 3 places at once!
If we have it, you may borrow it. Whilst we prefer to lend the whole trailer*, (it keeps everything together), any items may be borrowed on their own.
We have a mini-exhibition of A3 laminated panels. Borrowers may select from them to augment their own display material.

If you have any questions, or enquiries please contact us. The kit is available to all Friends and Meetings. It is available all the year round.
As soon as you have an exhibition date, please contact us and we will then reserve it in the diary.
There is no charge although we do appreciate a donation. We aim to be self-financing. Monies collected contribute to maintenance, replacements and purchase of new equipment. Please make cheques payable to 'The Quaker Showkit'.

It is our aim to provide everything you need for a smart stand at a show, exhibition or garden party.
All you need to provide is people and any literature or posters special to your event. These are available through the Quaker Book Shop at Friends House.

With the 'Normal' trailer based kit you get:-

• One 12ft hexagonal blue and white striped tent with two "The Quakers" head banners and blue/ white peace dove flags. Any of the side walls may removed. The tent may be pitched on grass and when closed up and securely pegged down may stand out overnight in rain and moderate wind. It can be erected on flat concrete but unless in an exceptionally sheltered place it should not be left overnight - it will blow away!
• Four "A" boards for posters
• Two 6ft x 2ft folding tables with blue tablecloths
• Four free standing display boards 2ft 6in x 4ft two of which have optional leaflet racks. (Attach your own display using 'bluetac'). These may be arranged to stand in any arrangement, singly on their own, in pairs, three in a star or square.
• A basic display of A3 sized laminated exhibition / display panels
• Four folding chairs
• Five blue/white parasols /umbrellas

...all fitting in an easily towed trailer.

We also have a 'car boot size kit'.

• 2.7m x 2.7m (9ft x 9ft square green tent). An attractive green and white tent (Gazebo). Use with, or without sides, and with any of the other equipment. That may be easier for people to pack into a car boot and be quicker to errect.

The kit is based in the Midlands and borrowers must be responsible for collecting it and returning it. It does not have to come back to us, so if adjacent borrowers can make an arrangement that is OK. We can make arrangements for you to collect it and return it at any day of the week or time of day.

If you would like to borrow it, please let us know the dates you need it and when you would like to collect and return it. It would also help us if you could tell us the sort of event you will be needing it for.

If you would like to borrow it, please contact the custodians, we will send you the address, or look in the Book of Meetings
All enquiries and bookings must be made directly with the custodians.

email: showkit@quaker.org.uk

When you contact us, please give:

• your name,
• Quaker Meeting,
• dates,
• your phone number. and
• postal address.

Looking forward to lending it to you.

Site design by Holly Leaf Design. - contact through the Showkit
February 2004