Bid now for another batch of Yorkshire’s most exclusive Christmas presents

Today, as the first week of the auction comes to an end, 10 more lots are announced for readers to bid for some of the most exclusive presents in the region. All proceeds are going to ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity which is battling to care for soldiers and their families at a time of unprecedented need. More details and video »

Jonathan Riley, a senior partner of Grant Thornton, the Leeds-based leading business and financial advisers which is sponsoring the appeal, said: “We’ve been thrilled by the brilliant response to the auction so far. It is really positive to see the community in Yorkshire making such an effort to support the ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity and we’re delighted to be backing this fantastic cause. It’s encouraging that even in tough economic times people are so generous – fingers crossed the next four weeks of the auction are as positive as the first.”

Among the pick of this week’s lots is a specially-crafted Christmas 36-pint oak cask of Theakston’s legendary Old Peculier beer and lunch for two at the White Bear Hotel in Masham followed by a personal guided tour of the brewery with tutored tastings by managing director Simon Theakston.

The limited edition cask has been crafted by the Theakston cooper, Jonathan Manby, and is perfect for parties over the festive period, or an evening with friends.

Also on offer are two tickets to attend the British Military Tattoo at Earl’s Court in London. Set within a dazzling arena production, the show is the largest display of military theatre anywhere in the world. More than 50,000 people went to last year’s event and raised substantial funds for ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity.

For a more leisurely afternoon, readers can also bid for a champagne afternoon tea for two at Goldsborough Hall. The hall, near Harrogate, was once the family home of HRH Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles in the 1920s. Still a private house, it is now one of the region’s foremost wedding venues and its six luxury bedrooms suites have been rated five gold stars by the AA.

Winning bidders can sip champagne and eat delicious scones and sandwiches in the magnificent oak-panelled Jacobean Library in front of a roaring fire, before taking a leisurely walk around the magnificent grounds of the historic stately home.

The Yorkshire Post is also offering up a prize that money truly cannot buy – the chance to be the business editor of the paper for a day. A day in the hot seat will give the winner the chance to decide the companies the Yorkshire Post writes about and the issues the paper tackles.

Business editor Bernard Ginns said: “The opportunity is not to be missed for anyone who wants a unique insight into the business life of Britain’s strongest and most diverse region. The best part of the role is the people aspect – meeting the men and women who contribute so much to keeping Yorkshire’s £90bn economy on track. That’s why being business editor is such a privilege. It can be yours too, to the highest bidder of course.”

Another exclusive prize on offer this week is two tickets to ride the footplate on a steam locomotive on the five-mile Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, where The Railway Children was filmed in 1971. The prize includes a behind the scenes tour of the railway, and a chance to see inside the workshops.

See this week’s lots and bid now »