Actor Duncan Preston, of Emmerdale, Dinner Ladies and Acorn Antiques fame, was at St Luke’s Eccleshill, Bradford at the weekend for their Christmas Tree festival, adding his support to the church roof appeal which has a target of up to £150,000.
(Duncan Preston, pictured left, courtesy of Bradford Telegrah and Argus)
The actor was a former member of the church’s youth club along with his brother Alan and after hearing about the roof appeal he was quick to offer his support.
Mr Preston was one of a large number of visitors last weekend who enjoyed not only the Christmas tree festival but carols sung by the church choir, organ recitals, and music from a recorder group.
He told a local newspaper, “It’s lovely to be back. The church looks bigger than I remember it and it has carpet now!”
Mr Preston’s acting career started at the church when he used to go along to its drama group.
“Little did I know then when I was in the drama group putting on my first shows where acting would lead me,” he told the Bradford telegraph and Argus newspaper. “I’ve got very fond memories of St Luke’s.
“It’s very tough at the moment, charities and appeals having to ask people for money, but it’s what they’ve got to do and I’ve no doubt that St Luke’s will do it and will get their roof.”
Over the last two years the church has re-roofed the Chancel at a cost of £50,000 and raised a further £62,000 towards the cost of re-roofing the main part of the church through pledges, donations, sales and fundraisers - but more money is still needed so the church is now reaching out to the local community for their help.
Local businesses donated money and provided some of the trees, along with other trees decorated by different members of the congregation.