The annual Summer Fete at Charlotte Straker House was a resounding success, raising over £4,000 for our vital Community Respite Care Bed! The sunny afternoon was made even more special by a guest appearance from Brenda Blethyn, the renowned actress who portrays DCI Vera Stanhope in the hit ITV series “Vera.”
DCI Vera Opens the Festivities
Brenda Blethyn’s visit wasn’t just a fleeting stop. After officially opening the event with a trusty police whistle, she generously spent over an hour mingling with residents and charity stall holders, plus all the hundreds of Vera fans who made the journey to the fete to see her.
Berenice Groves, Chair of the Trustees at Charlotte Straker House, commented, “ The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Brenda and her production team generously donated her time, mingling with our residents, sharing stories, and signing autographs for her fans. Our residents were particularly thrilled to meet Brenda, especially as she took the time to chat and made sure that everyone got a great photograph. Through the success of stalls, the tea tent, and generous donations, the Summer Fete raised a remarkable amount – over £4,000! This vital sum will directly support our much-needed Community Respite Care Bed. We’re incredibly grateful to Brenda and her team, along with everyone who donated, volunteered, or simply came along to support our cause. Their generosity will make a real difference to the lives of carers in the community.”
Brenda’s Gratitude and a Superfan’s Journey
Brenda told the crowd: “We are delighted to be invited here today, with several members of the Vera team. There’s our executive producer Will, we have our cinematographer Simon, our costume designer Claire and our director Paul. And, last but not least, the person who gets us all to the set on time, our driver Gary.”
Brenda thanked those in the Tyne Valley for their “enthusiasm” and cooperation when they film Vera in the area. She said: “Working on Vera is really, really hard work so it’s so nice to suddenly get a jolly. All the opportunities you give us to come and film here with that juggernaut that is Vera, all the trucks coming along blocking up the street and all sorts, we thank you very, very much for the wonderful cooperation that you give our team.”
Brenda then brought out an old police whistle and said “I’ve brought along with me a police whistle and I’ve been dying to blow it! I will move it away from the microphone so it doesn’t burst somebody’s ears! So, at the toot of this whistle, the fete is open.”
After the event Brenda took to social media platform X to tell her many followers about her day, writing: “We enjoyed the fete at Charlotte Straker house. the residents and guests were so welcoming. What a great day. Thank you.”
Christine Bennett, a “superfan” all the way from Australia, made the special trip to meet Brenda at the Summer Fete. She said “What a wonderful afternoon we had. Just a sprinkling of rain which didn’t deter the public. Thank you so much for arranging Brenda to chat with me. I can genuinely say I have never met such a lovely, darling lady. Brenda is such a joy and we had a couple of good laughs together. Such a memorable experience for me.”
Celebrating Community Spirit
Berenice added “Brenda Blethyn’s visit added a touch of celebrity magic to an event with a true sense of community spirit. Her presence brought so many visitors and the collective effort and generosity of local businesses, volunteers, and attendees made the event a huge success and created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Brenda Blethyn for her kindness, to the incredible volunteers and community organizations who participated, the local businesses who generously donated raffle prizes, cakes, and essential supplies and to everyone who attended and supported the event. You’ve all helped make a positive difference in the lives of our residents and our community.”
