Downton Abbey star hosting champagne tea in aid of historic estate (From Times Series)

Downton Abbey star hosting champagne tea in aid of Avenue House

12:20pm Sunday 14th October 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

Downton Abbey star Jim Carter is hosting a champagne tea to help bring in cash for a historic Finchley estate today.

Mr Carter, who plays the butler Carson in the hit TV show, is encouraging guests to visit Avenue House in East End Road from 3-5.30pm.

The land was bought in 1874 by Henry Charles Stephens, otherwise known as Inky Stephens, son of the inventor of the famous blue-black ink. He died in 1918, bequeathing Avenue House to the people of Finchley.

All proceeds from the champagne tea event will go towards the upkeep of the house and its grounds.

Mr Carter said: “It will hopefully be a chance for people who don’t know about Avenue House, to find out about it as well as help with the fundraising. I’m also going to be doing a question and answer session on Downton Abbey and anything else people are interesting in – it will be a bit of fun.”

Mr Carter will also auction off a Downton Abbey poster signed by all the cast from series two, and he will sign a t-shirt which is only given to cast and crew.
Tickets for the event cost £30 and can be bought by contacting Avenue House on 020 8346 7812