Antique enthusiasts had the chance to grab a bargain and raise funds for a worthy cause.
Setting out on a treasure trail around the Beccles Antiques Street Market earlier this month, two teams embarked on Bargain Hunt-style challenge as they looked to make a profit for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.
The two teams – who wore the EACH colours of orange and purple – headed around the popular market in the style of the hit BBC One antiques show for their very own Beccles Bargain Hunt.
Backed by Durrants auction rooms manager Mark Whistler and house clearance co-ordinator Anna Paulding – who mentored the two teams – a cash float was provided by the street market organisers, and matched by Durrants, for the teams to purchase items from the stalls.
With all proceeds being donated to EACH, as Durrants sold the items free of charge, the popular auction salerooms in Beccles were a hive of activity last Friday – as ten items went under the hammer.
Prior to the latest antiques and fine art with jewellery and silver sale, the antiques bought during the Bargain Hunt bonanza were auctioned off.
Mr Whistler said that the team members were “all brilliant” and the Beccles Bargain Hunt was a success.
“Both teams had £100 to spend and they both did incredibly well,” he said.
With a member of each team and the two mentors nervously awaiting the results as each item went under the gavel of auctioneer Richard Prentice, the first five lots were Mark Whistler’s orange team and then it was the turn of Anna Paulding’s purple team.
Mr Whistler said: “There was a friendly rivalry between Anna and I, and I am pleased to say my team won. Anna’s team made £192 and my team made £215 – so it was very, very close.”
But with the children’s hospices being the real winners, Mr Whistler said: “The total was £407 raised for EACH – it was a really good result. To buy something at the fair and come away with a profit in auction was great. Some of the items did extremely well. It was just great fun – a great day raising money for a fantastic cause, at the Beccles Antiques Street Market, which is just brilliant for the town.”
? On June 25, Durrants will be launching a new venture, as sporting and antique guns of distinction are sold along with taxidermy items at the auction rooms in Beccles.
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