Auction of promises

The hall was cosy and warm and the stage an array of exciting items from teddy bears to soap, day trips to delicious cakes all to bid for. The auction was a fundraiser for the redevelopment of the hall organised by the exceptionally hard working Sandra Longlands with of course the unfailing help and support of her husband Steve. Plus the many other unsung heroes who also worked to make this terrific event a success, including auctioneers for the evening David Lord and David Ramsbottom. One of the lots was an MP3 player and David R explained that it was only for people under 50 as he was sure that no one over that age would have any idea what it actually was. I have to agree, I mean what are they for, after all I’ve got a wireless. Groups of friends sat at tables around the hall often bidding against each other for the various lots an activity which added to the merriment. I even had the added excitement of bidding for friends who couldn’t make the sale. It was so much fun spending someone else’s money I almost got carried away. On the night the 100 lots raised close to £3,000, a great sum considering these times of austerity. At the planning stage Sandra asked me to put something in the auction. I couldn’t think what to offer and recklessly agreed to dress up as Bo-Bo the bear, a character I’d played in one of the Rose Theatre pantomimes, and entertain at a children’s party. It seemed like a good idea at the time but as the lot drew nearer I made the decision to buy it myself due to the fact that I had quite lost my nerve.