Monday 05-12-2022 - 18:12

Further details for Durham University Treasure Trap 40th Anniversary Banquet

What is it?

The Durham Treasure Trap banquet is a huge (slightly geeky) party!  This year it's special because it's our 40th anniversary!

At the heart of it, a banquet of delicious and authentic medieval food, cooked by our amazing historical chefs Serve It Forth. This is preceded by dancing - this year with music from local band the Scrumpy Badgers, with historical Playford dances called by Josie Adam and ceilidh dances called by the band's own callers. Medieval musicians Wulffengrimm will be playing throughout the event.

People generally dress up for the banquet in historical or themed costume - get in touch if you'd like to borrow something from our armoury.

The Banquet is the main event, but you can come for as much of the weekend as you like - on Friday night, we'll be playing board games and ordering in food. On Saturday daytime, there's an epic LARP adventure, including food, to get you in the mood for food.

Take a look at the schedule to find out more!

When and where?

The banquet itself will take place on Saturday 12 March from 5pm onward, at Moor House Adventure Centre, Rainton Gate, DH4 6QY.

We will have use of the site from Friday evening through to Sunday, including the buildings, woods and a camping field, and a full schedule of events will be taking place throughout the weekend - you're welcoming to come for the whole weekend or just the banquet.

Getting there

The site is just off the A690 on the Sunderland side of Junction 62 of the A1.

Leave the A1 at Junction 62 and take the A690 towards Sunderland. After 1.3 miles, the site entrance is on your left.

Buses 20 and 20A go to the site every 10 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays and every 20 minutes on Sundays, from Durham bus station, Gilesgate and Belmont, and also from Sunderland. Ask for "Rainton Gate". Be aware that the last bus back to Durham on Saturday night is at around 23:10, and to Sunderland 23:45.

Taxis can be ordered to the site.

Prices

Ticket prices are on the booking form, including a lower price for students and other unwaged attendees (e.g. unemployed or retired).

We also need a small number of servers on the Saturday night - these roles are free and you will get to eat - we do need them doing for the event to happen! If you'd be interested in these roles, let us know.

Accessibility

The dancing and banquet take place in a large hall with a flat floor.

Access to this floor from the car park is about 50m; from the staff car park is around 30m, this can be used for accessibility needs on request. The main access has one step, ramped access is possible via a slightly longer route which needs to be opened from the inside.

There will be music for dancing and during the meal. A room next to the main hall on the same level will be designated as a quiet room.

One bedroom is downstairs, with four bunks and an en suite toilet and shower. Attendees with accessibility needs will be prioritised for this.

The caterers will meet dietary requirements they are provided on your booking form, received at least one month before the banquet.  (Unfortunately we cannot guarantee dietary requirements for late bookings.)

Please get in touch if you have any other queries or needs.

Sleeping

There are 35 bunks available to book. There is an extra charge for bunks.

There is one accessible room (see Accessiblity section); other bunk rooms are up two flights of stairs.  All bunks are in shared rooms, assignment to rooms will be via a shared spreadsheet.

If you are able to easily afford to stay elsewhere, we'd urge you to consider it to allow bunks for those who need them most.

Plentiful camping space is also available if you want it!

Alternatively, buses and taxis are available back to Durham.

Clearup

To be able to make the event work, we expect all attendees who are able to help clear up on Sunday to the best of their ability, and to help with setup if asked on Friday and Saturday.

As with all Treasure Trap events, the banquet is run, staffed and cooked for by volunteers; a few people pay less because they work instead of enjoying the banquet itself, but clearing up at the end of the event is everyone's responsibility.

Capacity

Attendance will be limited to 120 attendees due to venue size, so we encourage you to book early!