Memories of Douglas Number 20

And the first lot is...........................

It must have been about 1985 and our local church decided to raise money by having an auction. So the great and the good of the Parish donated their unwanted tat treasures and the day of the auction arrived. It was held in the local church hall and the auctioneer was one of the committee.

The hall was packed and the first lot was announced. Lot Number 1 a melamine milk jug and sugar bowl in turquoise blue. The auctioneer says "Who will give me 5p.". Silence. No hands shooting up, or liitle nods. He asks again- a bit more desperate now. Nothing. "Surely someone will bid 5p for this lovely set ?" So my late husband Douglas, realising that the auction had come to a dead stop before it had even started , put up his hand. Relief on the auctioneers face. He didn't bother asking for any more bids. " Sold " to the gentleman in the 2nd row!.

After that the second lot attracted a few more bids and the ball was rolling.

The goods being auctioned were a real mixture of stuff but most of it really belonged in a jumble sale. At the end of the auction I heard one lady complaining that the nice looking old clock she had bought didn't work. Hard luck she was told - " buyer beware " , " sold as seen " etc. I can't remember another auction being held - probably the first one was not the success they had hoped for.

Anyway the melamine milk jug and sugar bowl are still with me. They were never used for their correct purpose - the milk jug was always used to mix the Sunday gravy in - and still is.

****** Neil update...... no news ( is good news ? )