ACTOR Robert Hardy proved he can speak to audiences great and small when he gave an evening of poetry readings to help raise money towards the £5m needed to restore the Oxford Oratory to its former glory.
The famous actor read six poems to a crowd of about 200 when he appeared at the oratory, in Woodstock Road.
The All Creatures Great and Small star read poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins.
He is pictured with Elizabeth Barlow, of the Vox Angelica choral group, which also performed.
Parish priest Father Daniel Seward said: “It was a very enjoyable event and it was a pleasure to have a well known actor who graciously gave his time to our efforts.
“He put as much effort into this small event as he does into appearing in a major film.”
The event is expected to have raised £2,000 towards the project to restore the Victorian church and to add a chapel, small garden and library.
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