Latest News Archive - March 2002  

     Auction Action at Blackfyne Community School, Consett
     After 4 generous glasses of 13% Aussie wine plus a weird drink more orange than a Sainsbury's carrier bag, I could just about remember having a great night out at the Braes of Derwent Promise Auction, when I got home at midnight and tripped over the cat, clutching a old book and a promise of a day's hunting for two with the Tynedale.

OK, Blackfyne Community School isn't quite Sotherby's, but the organisers worked very hard to make it special with beautifully set tables, nicely printed menus and lovely food. The energetic auctioneer created a very exciting atmosphere as he rattled through the lots of unusual and valuable stuff donated by very generous supporters.
      Whipped in to a frenzy of competition by the fast-talking auctioneer, the star prize of two First class return railway tickets for anytime anyplace anywhere on GNER, made £155, the highest bid of the evening. So let's hope the leaves stay off the line on your special day out. The foxy cocktail waitresses weren't up for auction but the next best thing was two exquisite dumb waiters in the shape of a fox and a hound painstaking crafted by multi talented Gordon Minto which made £60 and £68 respectively. Gordon's gorgeous hunting-scene-on-a- chimney-pot was too expensive for me at £110 but if you were disappointed too, don't worry he'll make them to order, on request.

All in all it looks like we made over £3,000 of badly-needed cash to keep the hunt in funds. So a big big thank you to everyone who attended, contributed and helped out on the evening.

Next stop is the Pavilion at Iveston on 17 April. Tickets from Russell Ross. If the last do there is anything to go by it should be excellent value for money. Hope to see you all there!

Stan Lee

The meet at Healey on Saturday 16th March. Featured on ITV & C4 National news ! (the C4 News article includes a video which features part of the Healey meet)