Silent auction raises money for Orleans House restoration

A silent auction was successfully held in the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames at the end of November. The funds from the event will be used for the transformation of Orleans House Gallery.

Around 250 people, including David Attenborough and Lady Panufnik, attended the event, which auctioned off over 50 lots. All of the items for sale were donated by local organisations, businesses and gallery supporters.

A total of £4,335 was raised through bidding on prizes like a two-week stay at a village in the Virgin Islands and a handcrafted garden bench. 

The transformation of Orleans House will cost around £3.2 million in total, but will see the restoration of the gallery. Richmond Council and the Heritage lottery Fund are supporting the project, which will see the James Gibbs-designed Octagon Room receive a full revamp. It will also make the borough's art collection more accessible through the creation of a new study room. 

A new entrance will also be created and lift access to the upper floors provided, increasing access to the building. Plans will also see a new training room created on the upper floors, providing education, support and training for the local community.

The Richmond Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund are committed to providing the rest of the funding for the restoration so long as the stage two application is successful. Currently, another £375,000 needs to be raised in order to match the funding target.

Rachel Tranter, project director for the Orleans House transformation, said: “This was a fantastic event, bringing us one step closer to raising the funds needed to transform this well-loved local gallery.

“I would like to thank all of the people who donated to the auction and of course those who ‘dug deep’ and ‘bid high’ for each item.

“We will be organising other events in the near future to help with the fundraising efforts, including a talk about Hampton Court by Sara Burn-Edwards, a special exhibition: Richmond Views, a joint fundraiser event with Turners House Trust and a talk from Stephen Cooper about his book ‘Rugby and the Great War’.”

Donations can be made through the Orleans House Trust website.

Published 8th December, 2014

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