Schlager Star Tony Christie Goes To Rescue of British Church

By David Hillier
CSMR UK Correspondent

Tony Christie and  Mary Duff did a
pro-bono concert to save St. Peter's Church

LONDON - Shortly after I had completed my recent piece about veteran British pop singer, Tony Christie,  who is a celebrated star on the Germanic schlager circuit, I chanced upon a short, but nevertheless heartwarming, story that bears recounting. It demonstrates very clearly that, however famous Christie may have become, Tony has never forgotten the small community in which he was raised.

The same with another celebrated UK singer, Mary Duff, of whom more below.

Tony was born in the small South Yorkshire mining town of Conisbrough which is now chiefly known for its ruined medieval castle mentioned in Sir Walter Scott’s novel “Ivanhoe”. It is, however, also the site of what is believed to be the oldest building in South Yorkshire and one of the oldest churches in the whole country, the Church of St. Peter, built around 750 AD.

Twice in recent years, reflecting a situation here in England that is sadly becoming more common, thieves have stolen panels of lead from the church roof, thereby endangering the integrity of the whole ancient structure. And the cost of repairs has been estimated to run around £20,000.

Because thefts of this kind have become increasingly common, English insurance companies are no longer paying out and the church has been left to find this money itself. It has some cash in reserve but has also had to embark on a serious fundraising campaign to ensure that the repairs are completed and the ancient church is once more fully protected from the weather.

After hearing this, Tony Christie, who is still very much the town’s favourite son, readily agreed to play a one-off show at Conisbrough’s Ivanhoe Working Men’s Club in March 2011 to help raise funds for the church.

Schlager star, Tony Christie

And another internationally acclaimed, singing star, Mary Duff, also agreed to come to the aid of the church when she was approached for help.

Two residents of Conisbrough are such great fans of beautiful Irish singer, Mary Duff , that they follow her  shows all around the world. Having become personal friends of hers, they have in the last year alone seen her perform in four different countries across two continents.

These two devoted fans in Conisbrough  had previously persuaded her to put on a show there  two years before to support of the Mothers’ Union charity.

When they turned to her again for help for fundraising for the church, she brought her own show to the neighboring Ivanhoe Centre in early September of this year.

While perhaps better known for performing alongside fellow Irish star, Daniel O’Donnell, Mary Duff is also a consummate solo performer. She has an extensive repertoire which includes mainstream pop and rock, Irish Country Music, American Country and Western music and American Gospel.

In recognition of her Country & Western sound (often called the American schlager) she was invited to perform at the signature American Country and Western Event, ‘The Grand Ole Opry' in Nashville, Tennessee..

So here in the British Isles, country - schlager stars -- like Tony Christie and Mary Duff -- have not only been bringing joy to audiences with their music. But they've exhibited warm hearted kindness in channeling their musical celebrity to civic good.

Here is Mary Duff singing the American Country & Western hit, Deep Water: