Wogan at Aylesbury

Sir Terry Wogan with members of the Community Centre Project Steering Group

On 2nd October 2009, told his millions of Radio 2 listeners that Aylesbury is the centre of the universe – or at least of Buckinghamshire! He was announcing his visit to Buckingham Street “doing my bit for the Methodist Community Centre Project.” That evening, following a Wogan-complimented three course meal prepared by the church’s catering team and served to a sell out audience in the newly refurbished hall, he was introduced by the church’s minister Rev. David Jenkins.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world” said Sir Terry, explaining how being in the right place at the right time had helped him in meeting the love of his life, Helen, switching careers from banking to broadcasting, obtaining his own BBC radio and TV programmes and raising half a billion pounds for Children in Need, the charity he has championed since its start in 1980.

Asked about his decision to retire from his ‘Wake up to Wogan’ breakfast show that has Europe’s highest radio audience figures, he said, “I will miss the humour. I will miss the banter when I get to the studio and the listeners’ letters and emails. But there’s a time to get off the beach before the tide comes in and I’d rather do it now whilst my audience still loves me.”

An auction of Sir Terry’s signed books and photographs and other donated items fetched over £1,000 and altogether the evening raised over £4,000. Auctioneer Steve Wright said, “It was a fantastic evening that raised money for the project. Sir Terry was a gentleman and consummate professional. He entertained and enthralled me.” Tony Noble, event organiser and Chair of the Fund-Raising Committee commented, “It was such a good evening. People came to enjoy themselves and Sir Terry gave full value and said he had really enjoyed himself. I think it fair to say that it was hard work but worth it.”

Thanking Sir Terry for his time, Project spokesman Peter Green said that the attendant publicity had helped to raise public awareness of the centre, whose bookings by community groups and charities is already up 35% since re-opening in June. Some of the new groups were helping the deaf, those with autism, Aylesbury’s homeless and those with learning difficulties. Children in Need, of which Sir Terry is now a Trustee has provided some funding for a group that have used the centre for the past 18 years, namely Aylesbury Child Contact Centre.

A cheque for Children in Need for £417.14, raised at the centre’s opening ceremony was presented to Sir Terry together with some flowers for Lady Helen, jokingly described by her husband as “the luckiest woman in Britain.” However, many of his female fans present seemed to agree with him. 

Photos: Sir Terry signs photos and books under the watchful eye of Auctioneer Steve Wright and Paula Lewis. Diners tuck into their three course meal and Sir Terry directs the photo shoot.