BIDDING is taking place for a slice of comedy history to raise funds for the Hollies Day Centre, which provides services for elderly people in Musselburgh.
The facility’s staunch supporter, actor James Martin, who played the character Eric in the hit TV series Still Game, has donated a signed clapperboard he received when he left the programme nearly four years ago.
The traditional production tool, used to assist in synchronising picture and sound, and to mark the scenes and takes as they are filmed, has been signed by the cast and crew members.
Mr Martin, a Musselburgh resident who will be 91 next month, said he had a “tear in his eye” when he received the clapperboard, along with a director’s chair embossed with his name, after filming his last episode of the series on March 15, 2018.
He has decided to donate the filming device to help the Hollies’ public appeal, which has been launched to help with roof repairs that will cost nearly £200,000.
Back in March 2018, Mr Martin’s character, bookie-loving pensioner Eric Jones, was found slumped over the fruit machine in The Clansman pub after Craiglang’s new undertaker, Iain Duncan Sheathing, appeared and touched him.
The episode then looked into Eric’s past, revealing that decades previously he had an affair with famous Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida.
The show was created by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, who play lead characters Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade, two Glaswegian pensioners.
Mr Martin was originally cast in the sitcom having worked with its director Michael Hines, when he played the grandfather in Barmy Aunt Boomerang, also starring Toyah Wilcox, who played a ghost.
One of the three children featured in the comedy series was Hollywood actor Richard Madden, best known for portraying Robb Stark in the smash hit HBO series Game Of Thrones and Prince Kit in Disney’s Cinderella.
Mr Martin, who is originally from Glasgow, has also appeared in the Glasgow crime series Taggart, in which he played a murderer. He has performed Shakespeare for the Royal Lyceum, as well as radio excerpts from the work of the Russian playwright Chekhov.
But he is best known for his part in Still Game, having starred in the sitcom since it started in 2002, including New Year and Christmas specials.
Mr Martin, a trustee at the High Street-based Hollies, is hoping the bids for the clapperboard will roll in to help the charity’s appeal, saying: “It is a marvellous place.”
In the past, he has auctioned off signed scripts from the series in aid of the day centre, which he visits two or three times a week.
READ MORE: Still Game star James Martin opens up about his sight loss
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to raise about £1,000 for the centre, which provides a range of services for elderly people in the community.
The centre is responsible for maintenance of the building, which is leased from East Lothian Council, and is hoping that the local authority will help out with the “extraordinary repairs”.
Liz Shannon, centre manager, said: “We are looking for the highest bidder to purchase the clapperboard. The closing date for bids is March 25, 2022. We will post bids on the Facebook page anonymously, if requested, so everyone knows where the bids stand. Please PM bids to the Hollies Facebook page.”
Musselburgh singer/songwriter Nicola Graham, a Patsy Cline tribute act, is set to perform on April 1 to raise cash for the Hollies. Tickets are now on sale at the day centre at £6 per person.
Nicola’s performance at the Hollies will take place from 7.30pm to 10pm and people are invited to “bring their own bottle” on the night. This will also be an opportunity for the successful bidder to collect the clapperboard and meet Mr Martin.
READ MORE: Actor James Martin auctions off Still Game script for The Hollies
Meanwhile, Ewan Mclay, 52, from Musselburgh, a driver at the Hollies, is undertaking a ‘virtual’ walk from John o’ Groats to Land’s End as part of the ‘End to End’ challenge – a total of 874 miles – in aid of the day centre. His walking routine is varied and includes a round of golf, walking around Musselburgh or fitting in a few extra miles when walking to work.
To donate to the Hollies appeal or Mr Mclay’s walking challenge, go to gofundme.com/f/help-we-need-somebody-help
Donations for Mr Mclay’s sponsored walk can also be handed into the day centre.
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