Fundraisers auction off props from BBC series Detectorists to pay for new Framlingham community hall
In an effort to raise money for a new community hall in Framlingham, fundraisers have auctioned off items featured in hit TV drama Detectorists, which was filmed in the town.
While the award-winning series was set in Essex, much of filming took place in Framlingham, particularly in the town’s community hall, St Michael’s Rooms, where Danebury Metal Detecting Club could be seen holding their monthly meetings.
With St Michael’s now demolished, organisers are trying to raise £140,000 to pay for its replacement, which is currently under construction.
To do so, they decided to sell off items from the hall that featured in the filming, with the auction attracting wild interest from across the globe from fans of the much-loved BBC show.
“The metal detecting club used that room for their meetings – most episodes had a scene there,” said John Brassey, from the Castle Community Rooms’ fundraising group.
“At the time, it was great for the town and it brought fans here.
“As one of our fundraisers had a friendship with a local auctioneers, they said they would arrange the auction online to help us raise some of the money we needed.
“We started off with things in the hall, such as the chairs in the club and the fire escape signs.
“As the news got out, fans of the show started to pick up on it.”
The event attracted donations from across the world, with a pair of paintings of Detectorists star and writer Mackenzie Crook sent over from America.
Crook himself even helped out, sending dozens of tickets of authenticity, which accompanied every lot.
He also signed a copy of metal detectorist magazine The Searcher, in which he appears on the front cover, which fetched £250.
Two tours of the picturesque Suffolk town also sold for £920.
In total, around 100 lots sold at the online auction, raising £9,400, which will go towards the shortfall for the new community hall in Church Street.
Organisers are hoping that the construction of the hall will be completed by November this year, with it open for use the following month.
Detectorists ran for three seasons on BBC 4, starring Crook alongside Harry Potter and Doctor Who star Toby Jones.
It followed the lives of metal detectorists Andy and Lance in the fictional small town of Danebury in northern Essex.
Having become something of a cult favourite among viewers on both sides of the Atlantic, the drama series also picked up a Bafta award at the 2015 British Academy Television Awards for Television Scripted Comedy.