Ludlow Assembly Rooms in anonymous gift of £50,000

An anonymous donor has gifted £50,000 to help to secure the future of the cash-strapped Ludlow Assembly Rooms, it was revealed today.

The surprise gift will be added to £30,000 raised through donations and bids at a gala charity auction evening on Saturday, held in aid of the struggling arts venue.

Paula Redway, director of the Assembly Rooms, revealed the auction total had triggered a £70,000 grant from Advantage West Midlands, which the funding body had promised to pay if The Henley Event could collect more than £25,000.

This means the venue has raised £150,000 as a direct result of the gala at Henley Hall, near Ludlow.

Ms Redway said: "I want to thank all involved for making The Henley Event such a remarkable evening.

"It was a great success in raising so much on the night which enables us to access residual funds from Advantage West Midlands for capital improvements."

Assembly Rooms bosses will use the money to help fund new lights, a digital projector, a refurbished catering area and box office and new hiring rooms.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, who helped to promote the event, said: "It was a very special evening, beautifully organised by the Lumsden family and their committee.

"Thanks to the hard work of the Assembly Rooms team themselves and the remarkable generosity of guests, including sponsors, donors and those who bid for auction items, a truly significant sum of £150,000 has been secured."

Organiser Susanne Lumsden said: "I would like to give special thanks to all those who so generously supported the event."

Guests included Algernon Heber-Percy, the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire.