Val in '˜good elf' for party at Leeds stately home
Val Priest, from Halton, has been volunteering at Leeds’ Temple Newsham House for five years since attending an exhibition there by artist Grayson Perry.
Each year for the festive season, she has dressed up as an elf and, to thank her for her efforts yesterday staff and a number of volunteers at the house threw a party for her birthday.
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Hide Ad“Val has been such a reliable volunteer at Temple Newsam and has been fabulous working in worked in different capacities at the house over the years,” said Bobbie Robertson, keeper at Temple Newsam House. “She also makes the most amazing cakes that we all very much enjoy sampling! Volunteers like Val make a huge difference in helping to keep the house looking so fantastic all year round and for giving our visitors a warm welcome and great day out. Everyone at the house would like to wish Val a very happy birthday and say a big thank you for all her hard work- we can’t wait to see her back in her elf hat this Christmas!”
A regular visitor to the east Leeds estate for as long as she can remember, Val grew up in the area and takes her children and grandchildren to enjoy the house and gardens.
As well as donning her elf’s hat, ears and outfit each year to keep children entertained at Christmas, she also helps to decorate the huge 18ft Christmas tree, dresses up as a ghostly character for the house’s annual Halloween spooktacular as well as working with parents and children doing crafts during the school holidays.
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