 |
| Marjoie was sited at The Kelham Island Museum through the summer |
Being a fellow of limited means, I didn't have a cat in hell's chance of buying my wife an elephant on Thursday night. Not a real elephant you understand but a member of the 58 strong and very delightful "Herd of Sheffield" which I have blogged about before.
I did go along to the auction. It was held in The Crucible Theatre - home to World Snooker and many excellent theatrical productions. The event was introduced by BBC sports and morning show presenter Dan Walker who is the patron of Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity. There were two auctioneers - local lass Lucy Crapper ( I swear I have not made the surname up) and Charles Hanson who makes frequent appearances on BBC antiques programmes such as "Bargain Hunt".
 |
| Peace Elephant - attracted the lowest bid |
The night was very well-organised but it took a long time to get through fifty eight lots and there was an interval in the middle. Successful bids greatly exceeded expectations. The cheapest elephant, one I rather liked, cost somebody £3500 and the most expensive one - "Marjorie" by local artist Pete McKee went for £22,000. It was named after his late mother and celebrated the hard graft of Sheffield's cohorts of industrial workers - both men and women.
Altogether the auction raised £410,600 - way beyond the target sum and enough to buy the desired Multipurpose Fluoroscopy System. The director of the children's hospital charity said, “Tonight has been an absolutely spectacular finale to the Herd of Sheffield. We really can’t thank everyone enough for their generous bids; we have been overwhelmed by the amount raised and are absolutely delighted the trail will leave a lasting legacy for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.”
When I got home I discovered that a couple who live on our street - just a few doors down bid successfully for an elephant called "Holi". He or she will be delivered in the next few days and cost them £4700. Of course, I am insanely jealous.
 |
| Marjorie at Meadowhall |
Top Photo of Marjorie.
© Copyright Graham Hogg and licensed for reuse under the "Geograph"Creative Commons Licence.
How wonderful that they raised so much money for a good cause! What an original and fun idea, too!
ReplyDeleteDid you buy a stuffed elephant for Shirley at least?
Yes. He cost me about $10. I have suggested that we call him Trump because of his trunk which is good for trumpeting.
DeleteWhen you think that the models of the Superlambanana which started off this worldwide craze (I think there were about 160) raised just over half a million £s about 8 years ago the Herd of Sheffield did pretty well.
ReplyDeleteUntil you mentioned it, I had never heard of Superlambanana but I jut went off and googled it so now I know you weren't making it up.
DeleteDidn't they do well ! So sorry that you didn't manage to buy on for Shirley, but at least you should be able to see the one your neighbour's have bought. Perhaps they'll let you borrow it from time to time?
ReplyDeleteI might kidnap it and give it a coat of spray paint. Grey would be nice - it kind of suits elephants.
DeleteA good surprise ending to your story. It sounds like it was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteIt is always nice to witness the good in human beings. We hear far too much about the bad.
DeleteI think it's a great idea selling them off .wonderful initiative
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing was planned and executed brilliantly.
DeleteFar beyond my means....but how wonderful so much was raised for a good cause. Great!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's right. Far more money than the organisers anticipated.
DeleteA wonderful way to raise funds. People probably paid money to paint them too.
ReplyDeleteIt was all so well organised with sponsorship and favours all along the way.
DeleteAt least one of them gets to live in your street. And who knows, maybe Beau and her son would not have been all that happy about having to share their space with a large newcomer.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that. Good point Ambassador.
DeleteJust over 10 years ago I went to Berlin and they had had bears all around the place. They were called Buddy Bears, and there were still a few in the city. Many of the gift shops had various sizes of replica bears, and I always regret not buying one. I think the problem was that I couldn't decide which of the gorgeous designs to purchase!
ReplyDeleteBears are very bearable in one's home Frances.
DeleteThey're the bear necessity of life, appently.
ReplyDeleteOnce I had to bear a bare bear to Bear Lake in my bare feet, maintaining my manly bearing.
DeleteWell, look at it this way -- you can visit your neighbor's elephant, and you don't have to feed it!
ReplyDeleteWe have a wooden elephant called Karl. We bought him in Goa and he was my entire cabin baggage. He eats a jumbo tin of "Never Forget" elephant food a day.
DeleteBugger. Do I get my £10 back?
ReplyDeleteBugger. Do I get my £10 back?
ReplyDelete