THE spirit of Christmas Past moves into the present as fragile baubles are put up for sale in Northallerton.

Parish church stalwart Joan Cawthorn hopes to sell these treasured family mementoes before next weekend.

She is inviting offers for a white duck-down Christmas tree and five boxes of glass baubles - still in their original boxes - which are at least 70 years old and in first-rate condition.

Any payment will go to a "baubles stall" at the All Saints' Christmas fair on Saturday, November 22, to be run by the church choir.

The tree and baubles were bought by Mrs Cawthorn's mother when the family lived in Danby Wiske.

"They were used every Christmas, but Mother would never let any of us children handle them as they were so fragile," she said. "So we used to watch her decorate the tree in awe.

"The tree is unique, but we no longer use the items. We decided now was a good time to sell them to raise money for All Saints', the church which my mother loved."

Last year, Mrs Cawthorn raised a substantial amount for All Saints' when she sold small patchwork templates made for her by the renowned Northallerton silversmith, Frank Clarkson.

She had had them since she was 12 and felt they were a prime example of Mr Clarkson's skills.

After the story was reported in the D&S Times, there was a "marvellous response" to the sale of the templates. Telephone bids came in from as far south as Berkshire and as far north as Newport-on-Tay in Fife, but they were eventually bought by a Northallerton resident.

"So at least they will stay in the town and that is a good thing," said Mrs Cawthorn, who is secretary of the Friends of All Saints' and whose husband, Barry, sings in the choir.

The baubles will be sold before the fair on November 22 in the town hall.

"People expect to get bargains at such an event and they do," she said. "But we want to get as much as we can for the items and are inviting offers. It is a blank sheet. The money we get will then go the church event as the choir's contribution."

Churchwarden Helen Davidson said: "This is a very generous gesture. The Cawthorns are so good in that they do so much to raise funds for the church and their contribution is invaluable. I hope the baubles attract a lot of interest as they must be collectors' items."

As for Mrs Cawthorn, she is already planning what to sell to raise funds next year.

"It is something special," she said. "Watch this space."

Anyone interested in the tree or baubles can call Mrs Cawthorn on 01609 775884