Mayor to play a starring role in fundraising auction

Hilary Bolt at a previous auction raising funds for St James Church, Emsworth

Councillor Faith Ponsonby will act as auctioneer for the first 10 lots of the annual Emsworth Parish Auction on Saturday.

Each year hundreds of weird and wonderful items are donated to raise money for the upkeep of St James’s Church.

Hilary Bolt, who has been the main auctioneer for the past quarter of a century, said: ‘We’re delighted Cllr Ponsonby will be visiting us to bring the gavel down on the first 10 lots in the sale.

Rocky and rocking horse with Ted the bear

‘Mayors generally use a gavel to run meetings so we hope she’ll find this a bit different and great fun.’

Rocky and Ted, right, are joined this year by a wide variety of donations including militaria, jewellery, silver, pictures, furniture, vouchers for haircuts, dinners and MOT tests.

‘We’re really looking forward to the sale’, said Hilary.

‘We hope that selling all the donations brings in a good amount of money, as well as providing everyone with the usual afternoon of fun, laughter and entertainment.’

The sale takes place on Saturday, October 15 at the Parish Hall in Church Path, Emsworth.

Viewing is from 11am and the sale starts at 2pm.

Admission is £1 and children go free with an adult. There will be refreshments available throughout. As everything is donated there is no buyers’ commission.

For more information call Hilary on 07717 510294 or e-mail [email protected].