Wine Bluffers Raise £3,600 For Guildford Street Angels

Published on: 24 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 26 Feb, 2019

A fundraising Call My Wine Bluff-style challenge raised £3,600 for Guildford’s Street Angels, known as the “friendly patrol for the town’s night-time economy”.

Celebrity VIP panellists, from left: Bishop Jo Wells, Lady Elizabeth Toulson CBE, Paul Fenner, Dr Gisela Kreglinger, and Nic Loddenberg QC.

The evening was held at Onslow Village Hall, and was sponsored by Peasmarsh-based company The Wine Gift Centre.

As well as enjoying live jazz, and a gourmet dinner, contestants blind tasted an eclectic selection of wines, from the cellars of Taurus Wines in Bramley.

Each of the four distinguished panellists then gave differing descriptions, only one of which was true.

Team members had to guess which description was true and which was a bluff, to win points.

The winners, a team from Dunsfold, collected a sumptuous Italian food and wine hamper, a home wine tasting game and bottles of Greyfriars award-winning English sparkling wine.

The celebrity VIP panellists were: Nic Loddenberg QC, a leading criminal defence lawyer; wine expert Dr Gisela Kreglinger, from St Andrew’s University; Lady Elizabeth Toulson CBE, patron of Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy; and the Rev’d Canon Dr Jo Wells, Suffragan Bishop of Dorking.

The town chaplaincy has been running the Street Angel project for 10 years, supported by churches, businesses and individuals from the Guildford area.

The much loved Street Angels have helped 50,000 people in its first decade of operation, providing a calming presence and practical help on the town’s street between 11pm and 4am every Friday and Saturday night.

Noelle Coe, the town chaplain said: “Our town centre hides considerable problems after dark and behind closed doors, we are so encouraged when local businesses recognise the contribution of our amazing volunteers, making Guildford a safer and more caring place for those who work, rest or play here.

“I would love to hear from other generous local businesses who would like to work with us to make a difference to our local community.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the 10th anniversary “Be an Angel” appeal to support the work of the Chaplaincy should visit https://gtcc.org.uk