Tim Addis writes:
'Only 4 weeks to the Midland Charity Auction on 6th December. This is held at the usual venue - Lodge Park Club, Redditch, Worcs. The webpage is online with all the usual information. Click link top left (in yellow box) - www.ta-aquaculture.co.uk
Alan had to pull out of the organisational work due to ill health but I have rallied a good number of willing auction veterans to help out on the day.
It would be a great pity to stop the auctions after all the work Alan & I put into building them up from 2000. The past 2 auctions donated a total of almost £1100 to MacMillans Cancer & the Air Ambulance alone.
The December auctions are usually well attended & lots of fish are on the rack. Generally we get through over 500 lots on the day. These are mostly killifish, livebearers with a good scattering of more unusual fish not seen in retailers.
As usual I will put on the site fish I know will be at the do but usually loads of other fish appear on the day.
We ask all those bringing fish to limit same fish lots to 3. This is for your sake as too many fish of the same kind generally means you take some back home. Also, it clogs up the auction as we have to call out each lot regardless.
With the Winter auction we appreciate the need for a speedy close to proceedings to allow some travelling-home-time in daylight.
You can apply for your auction letter & download the booking-in forms off the webpage as usual. This gives you the chance to fill out all the paperwork at home & just drop your fish boxes on the stage with the paperwork all done.
You can still book in on the day & fill out the forms then.
One change this year concerns admission. In the past we have left this to an 'honesty box' approach but last auction we monitored it & we were well off the head count to money donated so things need to change this year. We have been approached by a lot of people who attend the auctions regularly who are also not happy with this so we have introduced some changes:
Everyone booking in fish will need to buy an entry number. This is your admission fee.
Everyone bidding will need to hold up this entry number to be recognised.
If you have not paid entry you will not be able to put fish into auction or make a bid. It's only a couple of quid to good causes & all this goes into the charity pot.
This is a fund-raising auction for MacMillans Cancer & the Air Ambulance funds. We hope everyone can appreciate why we are doing this.
If you want to list the fish you are bringing on the day please let me know & I will put these on the site. Similarly, if you have odd fish or are looking for odd fish (male/female) I will put these on the site as well. You will need to give me permission to put your e-mail on the page so people can contact you to arrange an exchange on the day. This is a free noticeboard.
The raffle generally brings in over £100. If anyone can help donate some prizes we would appreciate it. The lads from Yorkshire do a great job organising this side of things.
Breakfasts - As usual full English breakfasts are available from the girls in the kitchen. It helps them to know who wants early breakfasts (I always have one). If you could let me know how many want breakfasts I will pass the numbers on.
The stand will be on as usual with brine shrimp, foods etc. Also Brian's tank stand & live foods.'
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