TV’s Charles: We will rebuild special church
CELEBRITY AUCTIONEER KICKS OFF FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN,
CHARLES Hanson is lending his support to a determined community’s effort to see a Derbyshire church destroyed by fire rise from its ashes.
Auctioneer and TV personality Charles, a regular on BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, was devastated when Mackworth’s All Saints’ Church, a Grade-I listed building, went up in flames on December 3, leaving it in ruins. The following day a boy aged 17 from Derby was arrested on suspicion of arson in relation to the incident.
Now Charles has joined forces with other members of the parish and community to ensure Mackworth church stands tall again.
He has vowed to help raise funds to rebuild it – and has organised a special event to highlight its plight this weekend.
On Saturday, from 4pm-5.30pm, Charles plans to illuminate the church for a live online broadcast featuring music and carols.
Hansons Auctioneers’ social media and live broadcasting platforms will livestream the Shine A Light candlelit concert.
Charles hopes, with the backing of the church, a major art installation fundraiser could be arranged for 2021.
He has also arranged a JustGiving page and bank account for donations.
Meanwhile, people across the country have been reaching out to help after Charles shared his despair on social media.
In an emotive post as the blaze took hold, Charles tweeted alongside a picture of the burning building: “My church in Mackworth, Derbyshire, tonight. I married here, loved ones are buried here, and a church so rich in history over 700 years brought joy to many.
“It witnessed so much, survived so much until this. I hope not a cruel act of arson. Pray for Mackworth church tonight. Gutted.” Charles said: “I feel very, very sad. I have to do something.
This church dates back to the 1340s. It’s mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086. It’s been a place of salvation for centuries and welcomed all faiths, all religions. It’s survived world wars and was standing when the Black Death took hold in 1346. It must be rebuilt and I’ll work night and day to make that happen.
“Let it be a beacon of light for mankind again – and a beacon of hope for us all just before Christmas.
“A church is a sacred place. Members of my family are buried at All Saints and that will be the case for many other Derbyshire families. It means so much to so many. I want people to get behind the campaign to help this church rise from the ashes.
“The walls are still standing, some parts have survived including a statue of the Madonna and child, and the spire is intact. We can’t leave it mortally wounded.
“It’s been at the heart of our community for hundreds of years. Its peaceful presence has offered solace, comfort and joy to thousands when they needed it most.
“Its celebrated marriages, including my own in July 2010, and christenings. My six-year-old daughter Matilda and son Fred, four, were christened there.
“It’s also offered a solemn and calm place to grieve at times of loss. My grandad, Allsop Smith, a Mackworth pig farmer, was laid to rest at All Saints at the age of 99 in 2018, and my uncle Tom Bond played the organ there for 70 years. It deserves a second chance and I’m determined to play my part in giving it one.
“We had hoped to invite members of the public to this weekend’s carol service but, due to Covid-19, cannot do so. A small number of invited guests will attend to celebrate the church’s life and keep eep its plight in the public eye. Let’s light ht up Mackworth M k th with our determination to bring this church back to life and replenish its fire-ravaged interior.
“Having survived 700 years and given us peace and sanctuary, the church deserves our commitment.
“We all know 2020 has been a testing time for us all but, rather than ending the year on a sad note, let’s do something wonderful.
“This church needs you to stand tall to allow it to stand tall again.
“Let’s celebrate what it will be again, a place of worship and a community venue for people to mark major life events and meet with friends and family.
“Next year I hope, with church and parish approval, to deliver a public art display in Mackworth and Markeaton featuring sculptures of children through eight centuries to demon
It deserves a second chance and I’m determined to play my part in giving it one.
Charles Hanson
strate str the church’s place in history.
“There’s so much we can do. I was co contacted by a lady on Twitter who sa said her church, St Brandon’s in Brance cepeth, near Durham City, met a simila ilar fate in 1998 but was rebuilt. If D Durham can do it so can Derby.
“A target for the amount needed for Al All Saints’ Rebuilding Our Mission Pr Project has not yet been set. More in information will be provided in due co course. The four walls, with restoratio tion, will stay standing.
“We hope to some degree the lost ric rich interior of Derbyshire Blue John an and Chellaston alabaster will be re reinstated.
“A decorative altar rail, wonderful le lectern and pulpit have been lost. I sin sincerely hope in time we can enrich th the interior again and the church can i invite local craftsman and artisans – anyone who feels they can help – to assist in restoring All Saints’. We want it to play its part in history for the next 700 years.”
The Shine A Light musical carol service can be watched on Saturday, via www.hansonslive.co.uk or on Facebook: @HansonsAuctioneersUK
Donations to All Saints Church Restoration Fund can be made by sending payments through bank transfer to account number 70691668, sort code 30-92-59. Cheques to PCC Mackworth, All Saints’ Church, can be sent to: All Saints’ Church Appeal, care of Charles Hanson, Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire DE65 6LS. Donations can be made via www. gofundme. com/ all- saintsmackworth-mission-rebuild.
Email charles@hansonsauctioneers. co.uk. to help the campaign.