Downton Abbey Star Helps Old School’s Fund-Raising Efforts

Downton Abbey star Jim Carter has stepped in to help his former Harrogate school’s fundraising efforts by donating a prize for a forthcoming dinner dance.

The actor, who plays Carson the Butler in the hit ITV 1 costume drama and is a former Ashville College head boy, has donated a poster signed by all the cast – including Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville – which will be auctioned off at the school’s Mistletoe Ball on Saturday, November 26.

The event, organised by the Friends of Ashville (the parent/teacher association) is being held at the Crown Hotel to raise money for the school and two local good causes – Chrissy’s Quest and Being Bel.

Friends of Ashville fundraising committee member Sara Buchan said: “Apart from having a really good night out, the aim of the ball is to raise money for the school and the two charities.

“In order to do this, we rely on the generosity of parents and local businesses to donate prizes for the auction. We are very grateful to Jim for sending us the Downton Abbey poster.

“Because the show has a huge following I’m sure this prize will be keenly fought over.”

Friends of Ashville committee member Alison Hartwell said: “In addition to raising money for Ashville we are also supporting two charities that are helping two local children, one with cerebral palsy and another who suffered from a serious spinal injury, and now has breathing and mobility problems.

“The money we raise will go to helping the pair of them lead as normal a life as possible.”

Photo Caption: Ashville College’s Downton Abbey Auction Prize. Friends of Ashville committee members Alison Hartwell (left) and Sara Buchan with the poster sent by actor Jim Carter OA.

Ashville Pupils Tracking Former Students’ Pipe-Raft Ocean Adventure

Two former Harrogate school boys – who are attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a raft constructed of plastic water pipes – are having their epic journey followed every step of the way by pupils at their old school.

David Hildred and Andrew Bainbridge, who were both pupils at Ashville College, are taking part in the An-Tiki Expedition, which will see them attempting to sail from La Gomera, in The Canaries, to the Bahamas, a journey of 2,800 miles, to raise funds for the charity WaterAid.

The pair – who were classmates at the independent school in the early 1970s and began their ‘exploring’ at the age of 11 with camping trips to the Yorkshire Dales – have kept in touch ever since, answered an advert in a national newspaper five years ago, seeking “three crew. Must be OAP. Serious adventurers only”.

It was placed by 84-year-old Anthony Smith, an adventurer, broadcaster and writer. Mr Hildred, a civil engineer and ocean yacht master – who has explored the Amazon in a dug our canoe – not only met Mr Smith, but also persuaded Mr Bainbridge, who is also an experienced seaman, to join them.

Once the raft sets sail, the journey will be closely monitored by pupils from Ashville College’s Junior School, as part of their geography studies.

Ashville Junior School Head Teacher Jonathan Dolman said: “This is truly an epic adventure, and we will be monitoring their progress every step of the way.

“What makes this even more exciting is that David and Andrew are both Old Ashvillians. Hopefully their exploits will inspire some of the current pupils to become adventurers themselves!”

The pupils are plotting the journey on a chart as well as planning to send regular emails to the crew for updates on their progress. They are also going to make a raft, based on the An-Tiki, and sail it in the school’s swimming pool.

The raft, which will be the floating home to the former Ashvillians for roughly 70 days, comprises of four main pipes, each approximately 39 feet (11.5m) long. It measures 20 feet (6m) wide.
It will be equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communications powered by solar panels.

Two wood and corrugated metal shelters will be where the crew live, cook, sleep and communicate to the outside world from.

Another key member of the team is professional balloonist, Robin Batchelor, who has flown in 36 countries.

Passengers of hot air balloons he has piloted include former American President Jimmy Carter, Prince Edward and Robert Redford. He has also made two televisions series with actor Stephen Tompkinson.

Details of the An-Tiki Expedition, its crew and aims, plus a blog, can be viewed at http://gasballoon.com/antiki/