Post by Leanne on Aug 11, 2010 13:16:41 GMT 1
Actor Chris Simmons to open auction in aid of All Saints’ Church, Slingsby
10:12am Wednesday 11th August 2010
TELEVISION actor Chris Simmons, who played Detective Constable Mickey Webb in The Bill for many years, is to be the guest opener at an auction being held tonight (Wednesday) at the Worsley Arms, Hovingham, in aid of the multi-thousand pound appeal for All Saints’ Church, Slingsby.
The congregation of the ancient church has to raise £25,000 by March to qualify for an English Heritage grant towards the £100,000 bill for repairing the tower and other stonework.
Mrs Ann Wilkins, the organiser of the auction and a member of the congregation, said: “Chris is a member of our family and he kindly offered to come and support us.
“We have now had more than 100 lots to auction, ranging from a holiday in the Austrian Tyrol to a load of manure.”
Other highlights will be a rare bottle of a first ever 15 year-old malt whisky from the Isle of Arran which is now out of production, a pet’s portrait session, a day at Newmarket Races with a tour of the stables, a day with local high-flying trainer Lynn Lumley, a portrait session, and numerous vouchers for local hostelries.
“If we don’t get the restoration work done, the church faces having to close in two years because of its condition,” said Mrs Wilkins.
She added that, in addition to saving the church building, it is planned to create a local history centre in the church to make it more functional for the community.
“Everyone has been extremely generous,” she said.
The auction is being held in the wedding marquee which Tony Finn of the Worsley Arms has donated for the occasion. The auctioneer for the night will be Peter Illingworth. source
10:12am Wednesday 11th August 2010
TELEVISION actor Chris Simmons, who played Detective Constable Mickey Webb in The Bill for many years, is to be the guest opener at an auction being held tonight (Wednesday) at the Worsley Arms, Hovingham, in aid of the multi-thousand pound appeal for All Saints’ Church, Slingsby.
The congregation of the ancient church has to raise £25,000 by March to qualify for an English Heritage grant towards the £100,000 bill for repairing the tower and other stonework.
Mrs Ann Wilkins, the organiser of the auction and a member of the congregation, said: “Chris is a member of our family and he kindly offered to come and support us.
“We have now had more than 100 lots to auction, ranging from a holiday in the Austrian Tyrol to a load of manure.”
Other highlights will be a rare bottle of a first ever 15 year-old malt whisky from the Isle of Arran which is now out of production, a pet’s portrait session, a day at Newmarket Races with a tour of the stables, a day with local high-flying trainer Lynn Lumley, a portrait session, and numerous vouchers for local hostelries.
“If we don’t get the restoration work done, the church faces having to close in two years because of its condition,” said Mrs Wilkins.
She added that, in addition to saving the church building, it is planned to create a local history centre in the church to make it more functional for the community.
“Everyone has been extremely generous,” she said.
The auction is being held in the wedding marquee which Tony Finn of the Worsley Arms has donated for the occasion. The auctioneer for the night will be Peter Illingworth. source
I always like the cross he wore. I agree, he's doing a lot for his local area. It's nice to see.