Miniatures created by Eve Dawnay to be sold

The models, which were made about 50 years ago, depict scenes ranging from Tudor to Victorian times in fascinating detail and were all carefully handmade by local woman Eve Dawnay.

Miss Dawnay died in December 2010, and her estate made the models available for public view at All Saints' Church in West Heslerton for the first time last year.

A second exhibition is being held this August, however when it closes, they will all be moved to Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn and later sold with the money raised being donated to the church.

Miss Dawnay grew up at West Heslerton Hall, before attending university in Oxford. She graduated with a BA in French in 1948 and then worked in Paris and London before returning to Yorkshire on the death of her father.

Philip Richardson, from the Benefice of Buckrose Carrs, said that since last year's exhibition more information had come to light about the unique collection of dioramas - a term which was first used to describe a 19th-century mobile theatre device, and more recently, a three-dimensional fullsize or miniature model.

"We found a scrapbook and now know she started making model figures in the early 1950s with her first showing in her flat for friends and family in 1956," he added.

"She subsequently held exhibitions in London and Yorkshire, two of which were opened by actresses Joyce Grenfell and Margaret Rutherford."

Mr Richardson said some of these older figures which had not been part of the original exhibition at the church, had since been found and were now on display.

"People have been coming from around the country to see the exhibition. The word spread via local and social media last summer and this has brought craft groups, miniaturists, costume and design hobbyists to visit us," he added.

"One retired West End stage designer interrupted her UK holiday from Spain to come to West Heslerton to see what we had found and was very impressed. Needlework professionals have been amazed at the fine stitching - 40 stitches per inch - in the many tapestries and carpets which she has embroidered."

Mr Richardson said the real impact was going into the church and just seeing the shear volume of material that one woman has made.

"This type of collection appears to be unique in the world in as much as one person made everything, it is so accurate in time and detail and waste card, string, glue, paper clips and drawing pins hold everything together," he added.

" Whereas there are famous collections of dolls houses both locally and in America these have been made by skilled paid craftsmen for the Lady of the house or the wife of a furniture magnet during the depression and they don't have the figures. It is the figures that bring this whole exhibition alive."

Mr Richardson said unfortunately the exhibition could not remain in the church and during the past winter months he had tried to find a place that would take the 45 boxed illuminated scenes - without success.

"There had been some initial interest from the Ryedale Folk Museum and, despite visitors saying how wonderful they are and that they should stay local, the time has now come to find a safe home for them either in small groups or individually," he added.

"Four will be retained in the Dawnay Arms in West Heslerton so that local people and visitors will have a memory of what an enormous talent Eve Dawnay had. As one visitor, who had been a professional needleworker, said to me last week - "This lady must have been a genius to do all this work in her lifetime"

The exhibition is open to the public at All Saints' Church, West Heslerton, over the Bank Holiday weekend Saturday, 23 to Monday, August 25, 10am to 4pm.

Entrance is free but a donation towards the work of the church will be appreciated.

For more information visit www.buckrosecarrs.org.uk