Journalist and former politician Michael Portillo helped a Devon arts centre raise funds towards the purchase of a digital cinema projector.
About 230 people attended the Afternoon Tea With Michael Portillo event at the Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington, which raised £4,689. The event also included an auction of luxury items including a bottle of whisky signed by the Prime Minister, a private helicopter flight, afternoon tea at the House of Commons and a sculpture by John Butler.
Mr Portillo was introduced by Geoffrey Cox, Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon, who said the event was an opportunity to listen to fascinating tales of life in and out of politics from "one of this country's true characters". He added: "It was without question a wonderful event, and a substantial amount of money was raised in support of this valued local arts centre. The Plough Arts Centre is a worthy local facility which survives due to the dedication and hard work of its volunteers and staff, and with almost no recourse to public funds, which I feel should be applauded."
The Plough Arts Centre stopped using its 35mm celluloid film projector this autumn and is now only showing DVDs. The projector was built in the 1950s and needed to be replaced as more and more film distributors offer movies in a digital format rather than 35mm. The centre launched a £100,000 fundraising appeal to buy a digital projector system in the summer.
Richard Wolfenden-Brown, director at the Plough Arts Centre, said: "This exciting event enabled us to take a great leap towards our fundraising target and we are very grateful to the whole community."