Downton Abbey star helps raise thousands of pounds for historic estate (From Times Series)

Downton Abbey star helps raise thousands of pounds for historic Finchley estate

11:32am Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

Downton Abbey star Jim Carter held a champagne tea to raise thousands of pounds for a historic Finchley estate yesterday.

Mr Carter entertained 80 guests at Avenue House in East End Road as he answered questions about the hit TV show in which he plays the butler Carson.

David Baker is a member of the Avenue House Friends Group which helps raise cash for the upkeep of the estate.

Mr Baker said: “It was a very successful event and Mr Carter had loads of entertaining stories about Downton Abbey.

"He explained that one of the reasons for the success of Downton Abbey worldwide was the attention to historical detail. They have an adviser on hand to guide them on points of etiquette. For example during a dinner party a lady would first talk to the person on her left and then, at a given point in the meal, to the person on her right."

Mr Carter also auctioned a Downton Abbey poster signed by all the cast from series two and his wife, actress Imelda Staunton, helped out by baking homemade cakes and serving teas at the event which brough in more than £2,000 for the estate.

Mr Baker added: “The money raised is going to be particularly important to support the maintenance of the grounds."

In particular the cash will be used to for new signage to better publicise Avenue House to people living in Barnet as well as visitors. 

Avenue House was originally 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.