Lotto winner’s lockdown labour of love for church
Dennis, 89, builds huge Nativity scene
THE country’s oldest Lotto winner spent lockdown making a beautiful wooden Nativity crib for his local church in time for Christmas.
Dennis Banfield, who turns 90 this month, won £18million along with his wife Shirley and daughters Tina and Karen in 2018.
He spent some of the windfall on new tools for his workshop, and has been putting them to good use this year.
The former electrician, who retired over 30 years ago after 40 years with the South Western Electricity
Board, has made no fewer than 50 cribs for friends and family over the years.
But this is his biggest yet – 6ft long and 3ft high, with lighting to bring the scene to life and details including ladders, a hayloft and stables.
Now the masterpiece is ready to be presented to Father Malcolm Strange at the church of St Michael the Archangel in Winterbourne, near Bristol, where Shirley sings in the choir. Dennis said: “Last Christmas, Father Malcolm hinted that the old crib was sadly too small for the new Nativity figures another parishioner donated, so I decided to spring into action. It’s given me something positive to focus on. “We’ve been very lucky with our lockdown experience. I’ve spent most of my time in my workshop which I really enjoy. But it will be great when we can get back to church and Shirley can sing again.” Fr Malcolm said: “This crib is an absolute work of art and we’re thrilled to be able to put it on display in the church.” Dennis also gave a crib to Cots for Tots House, which provides free accommodation for families to stay near sick or premature babies at Bristol’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.