Pay visit to late Frankie Howerd's country house in Cross

The home of late comedian and film star Frankie Howerd was due to open to the public today to help raise funds for Weston Hospicecare.

Chris Byrne and the entertainer's elderly former partner, Dennis Heymer, live at Wavering Down House in Cross near Axbridge.

They have previously opened the grounds and the home to raise as much money as possible for local charities and a number of dignitaries have been among the visitors.

Among the major fundraisers held are open-air events in the summer months.

Today's open home and garden day will support the hospice charity based in Uphill.

Wavering Down is unchanged since Frankie's death in April 1992 and has more than 4,000 pieces of memorabilia on view.

It boasts a gallery displaying 2,000 documents including photographs, school reports and private papers.

Mr Byrne, chairman of the Frankie Howerd OBE Trust, said: "We are opening up the house and gardens in aid of Weston Hospicecare.

"You never know when you may need the care of a hospice, so we are delighted to be able to help support the charity in any way we can.

"There will be the full range of archives, paintings and memorabilia from Frankie's collection, which has been left untouched in the house since his death in 1992, for people to see as well as refreshments on the lawn.

"Visitors will also be able to take in the beautiful surroundings of Wavering Down House, which has been enjoyed by many, including June Whitefield CBE, Griff Rhys Jones, David Walliams and even Elizabeth Taylor. "

Entry is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. The house will be open from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

There will be stalls offering plants, bric-a-brac, refreshments and information on the hospice.

Sue Sweet, fundraiser at Weston Hospicecare, said: "We are very grateful to the Frankie Howerd OBE Trust for offering to host an open day in aid of Weston Hospicecare. The house and gardens are beautiful and it will be a lovely day out for all of the family.

"As the annual running costs for the hospice are in excess of £2.4 million, we are largely dependent on the generosity and support of organisations such as the Frankie Howerd OBE Trust and the communities of Somerset and North Somerset."

Every year Weston Hospicecare provides free specialist palliative care for around 600 people with cancer and other life-threatening conditions.

For more information, call the fundraising team on 01934 423960 or visit the website, www.westonhospicecare.org.uk.