Auction Report, 18th October 2009

People, lots of people turned up for our annual autumn auction. Standing room only by noon, and they kept on coming until after one o’clock. It was one of the best-attended auctions for many years. What made this event more heartening was seeing aquarist returning to hobby and lots of new aquarist coming along to their fist event. It bodes well for the hobby if these numbers can be maintained next year.
A very good selection of fish, food and equipment was to be had in the 22 lots. Aquarist from as far a field as Bradford and Dumfries brought along their sale items. There was an excellent selection of good quality fish for sale from tetras to discus. Norman Banks kept up the pace of the auction to make sure all the lots were sold by the deadline. Alex Morrison did his normal stint as auctioneer to give Norman a break. The good-humoured banter between the two keeping the crowd happy.
Bob Henson took care of the money, later thanking the runners for their efficiency; this did not include Bede who forgot to pick up £32 for one lot. Bede made amends by acting as the tooth fairy for a little chap whose tooth came out during the day.
Prices were good, not being too high or too low. Books went for 50p to £3, while a good pair of dwarf cichlids fetched around the £3 mark. Some really good discus were up for sale; a 125mm specimen getting £5, while some well coloured Marlborough Reds got £8.
As usual, TTAA club members helped out with the tasks of the day. Not only the old hands helped, a good few of the runners were very young and they deserve a special mention for their perseverance in what turned out to be a very long day.
STAMPS would like to thank all those who travelled to the auction, and those who help out, making the day a great success.