Everything from a tractor driving lesson with Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper to a brand-new electric Mini for a week will go under Jeremy Clarkson's hammer on Friday to raise funds for Chipping Norton's lido.

Other top lots include a gourmet tasting menu and wine for two at Whistler’s, a week in Tenby, festival tickets, a brand new mountain bike, and even tennis with Charlie Brooks, husband of media executive and former newpaper editor Rebekah Brooks.

Charlie Longsdon Racing has promised a morning on the gallops for two people and bids can be made for up to £20 of sweets or chocolates each month for a year from Mr Simms Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe.

Chipping Norton Lido trustee Claire Jarvis said: "It's a long postponed night of fevered bidding and top class entertainment to raise vital funds for the community-run pool.

"The audience is promised an unmissable event that will help the pool withstand the current energy crisis and remain open to the public."

Witney Gazette:

The pool has been run by local people as a charity since 2004 and is reliant upon the support of the public.

Its website states: "This generosity has helped us through the pandemic, but we are recovering from its impact to find we are now faced with exceptionally high and unpredictable price rises beyond our control for gas, electricity and chemicals."

The pool, which opened on Sunday April 17, are keeping ticket prices at the same level they were on closing day last year, with an added discount for frequent swimmers, but are not yet in a position to offer season tickets.

Mr Clarkson, who famously lives in Chadlington, has hosted the auction since 2007 and is a long-time supporter of the pool, which he praised in his Sunday Times column. 

He wrote: “If I want a swim I won’t go into a pond - I’ll simply pop into Chipping Norton, where there’s a lovely lido.

 

“It’s heated, so it isn’t the slightest bit refreshing, and it’s full of chlorine so there’s no turds in it.”

Mrs Jarvis said: "Please come and support your Lido at this vital fundrasing event.

"We are delighted that Jeremy Clarkson has agreed to be our auctioneer once again, and we have a brilliant range of lots this year."

The auction will be held at Chipping Norton Town Hall on Friday May 13. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost £20 which includes wine and nibbles.

Full details of the lots can be found on Instagram, Facebook at Twitter at @chippylido

Tickets and more information are available at chippylido.co.uk

Jeremy's column can be found at www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wild-swimming-means-chilblains-and-e-coli