Record donation to silent auction

Dec 1 2009 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

GENEROUS Big County businesses and PA readers have donated a record 274 Lots to this year’s Silent Auction.

And organisers are delighted with the quality, as well as the quantity, of goods and services which appear on the Bid Board at www.perthrotary.net

If you are stuck for inspiration this Christmas, there are some great one-off gifts up for grabs.

The star of the show is a sporty BMW Mini First, in this season’s “must-have” pepper white colour scheme. Donated by our friends at Grassicks, the big-hearted Motor Mile dealer is contributing all of their profit on the sale.

Said PA Editor Alison Lowson: “A girl can dream I suppose, but I wouldn’t mind that appearing in my stocking on Christmas morning.”

Art lovers are well catered for as well, with a John Sergeant painting of the late Queen Mother inspecting Black Watch troops, just one of the impressive pieces up for auction.

Theatre-goers are also in for a treat with two tickets for Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, London, on offer. These are for Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s personally reserved seats!

Among the more unusual Lots are a handmade Doll’s House which includes all cladding, roofing and simulated stone, doors stairs, windows, the cart and all books/bookcases in the lower floor. The house even has working lights installed!

Meanwhile, a hand-carved granulite chess set and a white framed painting of a male African Bluebird, purchased from the Massai Market in Perth, are two outstanding Lots with an exotic appeal.

Added Alison Lowson: “But if you are looking for a truly wacky Christmas present, Perth FM is offering one lucky ‘Wannabe DJ’ the opportunity to guest host the ‘Golden Hour’ alongside Breakfast DJ ‘Mike In The Morning’ Arthur.”

Big County restaurateurs have also rallied to the cause with dining experiences donated by Opus One, Deans@Let’s Eat, Gloagburn Farm Shop, Jade Gardens, Jon & Fernandas, the Bein Inn, the Dalmore, the Atholl Palace, Gleneagles, Sante and Cafe Tabou ... to name but a few.

Discerning tipplers can also bid for a Connoisseur tour of Tullibardine with John Black for two. Or what about a 4.5 Gallon Polypin of Santa’s Swallie from Iveralmond Brewery, or a bottle of Chateau Latour, Pauillac, 1934?

If the great outdoors is more your idea of fun, then what about these great Lots – a signed Andy Murray shirt donated by Highland Spring; two Galileo Restaurant tickets at Perth Racecourse; a Balanced Plus Performance Curling Brush signed by the 2010 British Olympic Curling Squad; a three hour Land Yachting training for two people all equipment supplied; or a morning or afternoon’s activities at Perth Outdoor Activities for six people.

You can check out the full list of Lots in Friday’s PA or by logging onto www.perthrotary.net

The Silent Auction will conclude at 4pm on Saturday, December 5. Bids made after this time will not be considered.