HE HAS toured some of the world’s biggest stadiums presenting football matches on TV but Adrian Chiles was given a smaller stage when he presented a fundraising auction.

The ITV presenter turned out at the 200-seater Chipping Norton Theatre to front the fundraising event, celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Mr Chiles, who this summer presented the World Cup final from Brazil’s 78,000-seater Maracana stadium, said: “I was enchanted by the theatre and happy to help them raise funds.”

About 100 people bought £5 tickets for the auction, which raised more than £10,000 for building maintenance, future theatre productions and community projects.

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There were almost 70 auction lots, including a day on a film set with Sir Ben Kingsley, a private tour of Cotswold Wildlife Park and a round of golf at The Wychwood Golf Club.

Winning guests also picked up tickets for a vintage sports car race meeting at Silvestone and a day hunting with the Heythrop Hunt.

Fundraiser Helen Datson sought out Mr Chiles because he has family connections at Kingham Hill School and he agreed to present the auction alongside professional auctioneer Sam Butler.

It was one of a series of events held this year to mark the milestone, including a panto performed after just 48 hours’ preparation, a 1970s disco and a treasure hunt.

Ms Datson said: “Adrian was great – he got everyone warmed up and added a bit of a buzz to it. It was a really lovely evening.

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The crowd at the Theatre, Chipping Norton, during the fundraising event

“It’s been a special year and fun doing these events. We’re very lucky to have this facility here so it’s a milestone to celebrate it.”

Theatre director John Terry said: “We started a 40-year anniversary fund to secure the financial future of the theatre.

“We’ve suffered like a lot of arts venues with cuts from local authorities so making an income with only 200 seats remains a huge challenge.

“We thought we would use the opportunity of our birthday to try put something in place so we can be a bit more stable and get us through the next 40 years.”

Mr Terry said Mr Chiles was not the first big name to appear on the theatre’s stage. Comedians Michael McIntyre and Lee Evans are among those who have performed in recent years.

He added: “We tend to attract big names because it’s such a beautiful theatre and people like to perform here.”


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