Andy Drozdziak
Monty Python star, comedian and writer Sir Michael Palin and his son, Will Palin, are offering to show one lucky person and up to three guests around Sheerness Dockyard Church in Kent.
The 19th Century Grade II* Listed church on the Isle of Sheppey was gutted by a devastating fire in 2001 but has been completely restored. Will Palin oversaw the restoration of the church, so the lucky winner will be able to hear first-hand about this project during the tour and over lunch with them both afterwards.
This prize is one more than 50 being offered to help church heritage charity, the National Churches Trust, to raise funds to help keep churches across the UK open and in good repair. The ‘Going, Going, Saved!’ online auction opens on Friday 7th June and will run until 5pm on Friday 28th June. People can bid online at any point during this time at www.nationalchurchestrust.org/auction
Sir Michael Palin, who has been Vice President of the National Churches Trust for many years, called the nation’s churches ‘an archive of hopes, dreams, fears, skills, talent and troubles which should surely be available to as many people as possible.’
He said: “There must be a recognition that the local church still means something to the community. A recognition that English churches remain an enormously valuable part of our national heritage.
“For my part, I feel very strongly that if the idea of a community is to mean anything at all, then we must value the churches that are at their centre. They are a precious expression of our past. And it is the duty of our present generation to deliver them intact for the future.”
Other prizes include joining TV host of Pointless Alexander Armstrong in the Classic FM studio as he presents his radio show, and a private tour and lunch with Outnumbered and Mock the Week star Hugh Dennis around St Bart’s church, London’s oldest church. There will also be a chance to win a tour of Sheffield Cathedrals and lunch with Songs of Praise presenter Richard Taylor, and a private tour of the Houses of Parliament with Lord Chartres GCVO.
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “It is great to see so many people want to donate their time and prizes to help support us in our work to keep churches open and in good repair so that their communities can use and enjoy them.”
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