18th March 2010

BRIDPORT: Auction ensures Bridport Museum stays free to visit

By Tom Glover

BIDDERS in Bridport ensured the town’s museum will stay fee-free again this year after smashing targets at a pledge auction.

Around £2,000 was needed for the South Street collection to continue its free entrance policy for the forthcoming season.

But after a night of, at times, fierce bidding, around £2,600 was raised from over 50 lots which were donated by local individuals and firms.

Curator Alice Martin said the end figure for the Friday night event actually topped £3,500 after several cash donations totalling a further £900.

Denhay Farms, Fowler Industrial Estate and an anonymous benefactor contributed £300 each to sponsor fee-free months.

Ms Martin said: “It was such a great night. We had about 100 people turn up which was brilliant.

“We’re overjoyed with the wonderful support local businesses have given us – without them it would not have been possible. And it was great to see so many friends, supporters and volunteers turning up on the evening.

“It may have been hard on the cheque book but they have at least guaranteed the museum will stay free.”

Auctioneer Jim Rowe of estate agents Symonds & Sampson said it had been a pleasure for him to raise money for such a good cause.

He said: “We got off to a great start with a £100 voucher for Mark Hix’s restaurant being sold for £110.

“And we had many other great bids including a week’s long holiday let in Chamonix went for £300 and a flight over Dorset for £100.

“In total we got a magnificent £2,661 from all the bids – which all went.”

Other popular bids were a bread-making course at Leakers for £110; a portrait by internationally renowned photographer George Wright for £102, a week’s holiday at a cottage in Cornwall for £220 and dolphin watching for two for £32.

The museum on South Street will open for a preview on March 26th and open to the public on the 29th.

BRIDPORT: Auction ensures Bridport Museum stays free to visit

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