A CONCERT staged in memory of a well-known village entertainer and fundraiser provided a shot-in-the-arm for the parish church.

The people of Sherburn, near Durham, rallied to the show, held as a memorial tribute to Allan Kell, a founder member, drummer and treasurer of the village’s well-known charity entertainment troupe, the Jolly Boys.

It followed the death of the 90-year-old retired miner, in late July.

The concert performance, featuring the surviving members of the 51-year-old Jolly Boys, backed by singer Liz McGowan, was staged at Sherburn Village Workingmen’s Club, on Friday, October 2.

It raised a total of £743, which will be donated to the on-going restoration appeal for St Mary the Virgin Church in the village Front Street.

Meanwhile a further event is taking place to assist the church, following the loss of the head from the cockerel weather vane on the top of the spire at St Mary’s in a recent electrical storm.

Jolly Boy and long-standing local entertainer Jim Tait is putting on the Headless Chicken show, described as a ‘fun’-draiser to help repair the weather cock, at the church, on Friday October 30, at 7pm.

Tickets, costing £5, are available, in advance, from Helen Murray, on 0191-372 0707.