Rare stamp is raffle star

An anonymous resident sent the penny black stamp to the parish church of St James the Deacon, in Acomb Moor, to help them raise £10,000 for new lighting and electricity.

The original electrics and lighting date back to when the church was built in 1970.

They are now desperately in need of repair and the focus of the fundraising effort.

The bill totals £30,000 but £20,000 has already been saved by the church, with a further £10,000 being raised through fundraising.

Reverend Luke Tillett, vicar of St James the Deacon Church, said: “I was surprised and delighted to have received a most generous anonymous donation of a rare and genuine Penny Black Stamp which will be the star prize of the Christmas Raffle to be drawn at the Christmas Cracker Fayre.”

The Penny Black stamp was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp and featured the profile of Queen Victoria.

They date from between 1840-41 and vary in value, but can be worth well in excess of £150.

Father Luke said: “It was a real blessing to have such a fantastic start to the fundraising efforts.

“The church is also immensely grateful to local businesses and organisations who have shown their support and generously donated some excellent prizes for the raffle, which range from a term of yoga lessons and spa days, to meat and fish and chip vouchers.”

The church’s Christmas fayre takes place on Sunday, December 11, from 1pm to 3.30pm.

It will host Santa in his grotto, a range of branded stalls, face painting and a number of other family fun activities, culminating in the drawing of the raffle.

Entry to the Fayre costs just £2 for adults and raffle tickets cost 50p.

Father Luke hopes that the people of the parish and beyond will come along to support their local church, which serves the people of Woodthorpe, Acomb Park and Foxwood, along with parts of Dringhouses West and Acomb.

Future events include a Ceilidh, a curry and bingo evening.

For more information,

log on to the church’s

Facebook page.