Villagers open up garages for sales drive to boost charities

More than 70 groups of people from Calverley, near Leeds, opened up their garages, gardens and driveways on Saturday for the sales – disposing of new and second-hand goods to raise money for local schools and good causes.

Stalls were located throughout the village and the Calverley “spring clean” garage sale was opened by actor Jeff Hordley, known for his role as Cain Dingle in TV’s Emmerdale.

A spokeswoman for the event said: “The Calverley ‘spring clean’ garage sale is a big, charitable event which has really brought the community of Calverley together.”

Items on sale included furniture, electricals, toys, books, clothing and nursery items, as well as home-made crafts and cakes and buns. There was also entertainment for children, including a bouncy castle and a family treasure hunt, where prizes included tickets to a Leeds Rhinos game and a match day shirt signed by Leeds and Great Britain star, Jamie Peacock.

Organisers said money raised will be donated to the village primary schools, Calverley Parkside and Calverley C of E, as well as supporting a number of other local charities.