Lots of tantalising items in this category – and many more in Thrills and Chills
To find out how to bid, click here then scroll down to ‘How it works’
Lot B1: Isle of Wight holiday
Treat yourself and your family or friends to a week’s stay in this top notch holiday home in Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, just ten minutes’ walk from the beach. But you don’t need to stroll there for a dip as it comes with its own heated and gated swimming pool (available from May to September), in a large garden which also boasts a grass tennis court (playable June to August, subject to weather), swings and table tennis set. Sleeping up to 10 in five bedrooms and with five bath/shower rooms, it has everything you’d expect from a top-class rental property, including a fully equipped kitchen and laundry room, smart TV with Sky and lots of parking, with shops, pubs and restaurants close by.
As one visitor this summer put it: “Fantastic property in every way. Complete holiday experience in a wonderfully homely house, every effort made to ensure that you have all you need for comfort and functionality. Unforgettable, thank you!”
For more details, see classic.co.uk/holiday-cottage/desc-4474.html
Subject to availability outside the May half-term and summer school holidays (when its full market price for a week is nearly £4,000). Any groups of under 25s must be accompanied by at least one of their parents.
Reserve:: £1,750
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B2: A Clive McBain original
Graffham artist Clive McBain was a finalist in this year’s internationally renowned David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year competition.
He has painted a number of canvases of fingerposts from around the neighbourhood. Several of them have been turned into full sized, limited edition prints. One, pointing the way to Graffham Village Shop, has been made into a greetings card – available from our neighbourhood store. Clive has been featured with them on ITV’s Meridien news magazine and countless other media outlets.
This one, an original in acrylics will, he says, be his very last. The picture itself, with Clive’s signature in the bottom right, measures 675 mm square. It comes mounted and framed in white, making a total of some 289mm squared. A truly unique portrait of Graffham to brighten any wall. Which could be yours.
Value: £2,500 if sold privately but sensible offers considered although the painting does have a reserve price.
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B3: White Horse meal for two
Our historic White Horse has undergone a complete refurbishment this summer and lured as its new Chef de Cuisine Grant Jones, who has years of experience at one of Britain’s most highly rated restaurants, Mayfair’s Le Gavorche.
They are kindly offering a voucher for a meal for two to sample their latest menu, with a bottle of wine included, to be taken during midweek in the early months of the year.
Value:: Delicious
Current leading bid and bidder: £100, by Anon
Lot B4: A painting of your pet, garden, home…
Commission renowned Graffham watercolour artist Sue Hill – former Art Director for Nova, Cosmopolitan and You magazines – to create a painting of your pet, garden, home, favourite view or whatever.
Value: The hammer has fallen on this lot when it has previously been offered at between £100 and £275 – could you be a lucky bidder this year?!
Current leading bid and bidder: £200, by Denise Clay
Lot B5: ‘Ritz’-style garden tea party
Treat your family or friends (a group of up to six in total) to a “Ritz”-style afternoon tea in a beautiful Graffham garden, complete with wildflower meadow.
A glass of fizz on arrival, followed by a delicious selection of sandwiches, scones, cakes and other delights – all home-made by Sally Blunt, using only the very best available ingredients – with, of course, a pot of tea, all served using vintage china.
If you don’t want to take a full group of six for this treat, then bid for as few as two if you don’t mind joining with others.
Reserve:: £40 a person
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B6: Sunday lunch at Three Moles
Our award-winning Three Moles pub has earned itself a reputation for serving some of the best Sunday roasts in West Sussex. Tuck in your napkin and loosen your belt for a three-course spectacular feast for two, with a bottle of house wine
Value: £75
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B7: Tea in a Romany caravan
Hidden in a gem of a Graffham garden is this Romany caravan beautifully restored by Philip Trower – yours to relish for a few hours for yourself with up to three friends or family members for a special occasion, with a delicious tea included.
Value: Priceless, but it fetched £100 when last offered a few years ago
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B8: A gift of good natural health for your horse or dog
An assessment and treatment for your animal friend.
Treatment can be beneficial for relief of existing pain, to help maintain healthy joints, muscles and tendons and the assessment of poor function, which may lead to injury or discomfort in the future. Horses have an essential need for ongoing flexibility and good performance.
Yard visits for horses (local only please). Dogs can be seen at Anna’s garden chalet in Graffham.
May require veterinary consent.
To find out more, see annashawcross.co.uk/animal-osteopathy
Value: £50 to £70.
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B9: Seaford’s West Side Story – for four
Four tickets for West Side Story, with its music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim for a story based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and set in mid-1950s New York – the next musical mounted by Seaford College, which has a reputation for staging near-professional productions. Pick a date between 13-16 March.
Value: Lit up in lights!
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B10: Vintage port
A bottle of Smith Woodhouse 2003 vintage port, carefully preserved in a diligently tended Graffham cellar. Perfect on its own or accompanying your Christmas Stilton
Value: £60.
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B11: Weekend’s use of log splitter
Make light work of your felled timber, prepping it for stacking for your wood burner, borrowed from Stuart Lewis.
Note: If more than one bid is received at the “winning” level, Stuart has kindly offered to give a weekend’s use of the log splitter to EACH “winning” bidder.
Value: Buckets of sweat and burst blisters (£50 when offered a year ago)
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B12: Foresters Arms meal voucher
The Foresters Arms has been at the centre of Graffham life since way back when. The team there are kindly offering a voucher for £75 to spend in the pub on food with drinks – more than enough for a main course for two with a bottle of wine, or to treat yourselves to one of its immensely popular tapas, steak or other special nights.
Value: £75.
Current leading bid and bidder: £55, by Michael Hlavaty
Lot B13: Haircut and blow dry
A haircut and blowdry by hair and make-up artist Dawn Quinn, in the comfort of your own home. A number of Graffham ladies won’t let anyone else touch their hair!
Value: £65
Current leading bid and bidder: £??, by ???
Lot B14: A crate of Langham’s best
Twelve 500ml (near enough a pint) bottles of best bitter ale brewed just across the A272 at Lodsworth by the nearest brewer to Graffham, Langham’s. Described as “a classic dry bitter, tawny in colour with balanced malt flavours, delivering with robust bite, a hint of blackcurrant and bitterness with oomph!” ABV 4.5%.
Value: £34.50
Current leading bid and bidder: £25, by Michael Hlavaty
