Planning consent for "the erection of a column at the centre of Seven Dials" was granted in spring 1985 and the project was launched on 29th July 1985 at a reception in trustee Christina Smith's restaurant. The owners of the Crown Public House on the Dials, Taylor Walker, gave much in-kind assistance through their PR company. 300 invitations to the launch of the fundraising campaign were sent out. Before the article (below) in The Times was published, we had received only 80 acceptances. The article was almost certainly instrumental in prompting over 400 people to turn up on the day: the doors of the restaurant had to be closed. The event was well covered in the media and launched the Monument Appeal. Over the next four years we received many small and touching individual donations from all over the country as well as major donations from many sources. Founder trustee Robert Noonan devised our various forms of sponsorship including the Year Donor and the Sundial and Time Plaque schemes and played an outstanding role in all our fundraising efforts.
The Times, 29th July 1985.
David Bieda & Sir John Summerson with Pillar Model on the Dials,1985 The Evening Standard.
29th July 1985, David Bieda launches the Monument Appeal.
Founder trustee, Sir Jon Summerson, with comedian and writer Dennis Norden and Mayor of Camden, Cllr Julian Fullbrook, wearing the Mayoral Chain of the Old Borough of Holborn at the Launch event.
Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Roger Bramble with Nica Burns, Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse Theatre.
Robert Harris (r), of Charles Fox Theatrical Make-up.
Covent Garden resident Joe Dennis pointing out his birthplace to Sir John Summerson.
Founder trustees Gabby Brocklebank and Janet Cole-Brooman.
Founder trustee Paul Draper (m) with Mrs Draper.
Appeal administrator Jackie Barron with Andrew Campbell.
Founder trustee Sir John Summerson viewing the exhibition - Architecture, History, Horology, made by the Royal Opera House.
Founder trustee Robert Noonan and Mervyn Warren, with trustee Paul Draper's drawing of Seven Dials.
The Trust resorted to some unusual events in their fundraising drive:
December 1986, the Barrelthon, sponsored by Taylor Walk PLC, raised £25,000 for the Monument Appeal.
Mon Plaisir Restaurant's Barrelthon Team.
Imagination team member in action during the Barrelthon.
1987, the first fundraising advertising hoardings protecting initial works.
1989, advertising hoardings.
July 1989, the giant Carlsberg lager cans hiding the Sundial Pillar the day before the unveiling raised £10,000.
October 2006, poster for Wicked Day event.
The Trust was the beneficiary of the Wicked Day event, supported by numerous local businesses.