Nominate Monopoly VIP to get hands on first game!

THE Stratford-upon-Avon Herald is offering readers the chance to become a true Stratford VIP — Very Important Player — and the first person to get their hands on the new town Monopoly board game BEFORE it hits the shelves!

Earlier this year readers got behind a Herald campaign to win the rights to the town-themed board by registering more votes than its four rival towns also vying for the special honour.

And, as a way of saying thank you, game designers are giving away 11 copies of the game.

But the first copy will be extra special — and one of the very first to roll off the press — when it is presented to a reader during a photo shoot the day before it appears in the shops, on October 13th.

The board, which is going on sale throughout the world, is the perfect celebration of the Bard’s most famous town, and just in time for Christmas. So we are inviting readers to nominate someone they believe is a true Stratfordian to win this prize.

They do not necessarily need to have lived in the Stratford area all their life, but may have worked hard in the interests of the town or have a special connection to it.

Perhaps they are someone who has dedicated their time to volunteering, or whose efforts have had a positive impact on local people, or maybe it’s someone who regularly goes that extra mile to make a difference in their community.

If you know someone who fits the bill and deserves to be our Very Important Player all you have to do is explain in no more than 100 words why they deserve to win and send, along with both yours and their contact details, to: Monopoly VIP, Stratford Herald, 17 Rother Street, Stratford, CV37 6NB, or you can e-mail us at: news@stratford-herald.com with MONOPOLY VIP in the subject field.

Nominations must be received by 5pm on Monday, 10th October, and the winner must be available to attend a photo shoot at the Herald office at 3pm on Wednesday, 12th October.

Natasha Rebuck, from Winning Moves UK, makers of the board under license from Hasbro, says: “The popularity of the board has taken us very much by surprise. Demand from retailers has been enormous. At this rate, come Christmas Eve, the only ones left could well be those on Santa’s sleigh.”

In all, around 30 Monopoly squares will take on a Stratford-upon-Avon flavour and feel — and the Chance and Community Chest playing cards are heavily customised too.

Herald editor, Amanda Chalmers, said: “The Herald and its readers played a huge part in securing the board game for Stratford and we’re delighted to be able to give something back in the week of the game’s much-anticipated launch.

“For those who want to get hold of their own free copy of the game, look out for a competition in our 13th October edition of the Herald.”