BBC’s Homes under the Hammer star Graham Barton to conduct the town’s biggest ever charity auction

Christmas may seem a long way off - but the Light up Axminster team is already preparing to make this year’s festivities the best yet.

The group, which gave the town centre such fantastic illuminations last December, is looking at expanding into new streets this time.

But every string of lights and garland of bulbs needs funding.

And that’s why ‘Light Up Axminster’ is putting the talents of one of its key members to good use.

They have asked Graham Barton, an auctioneer for the BBC’s ‘Homes Under The Hammer’ programme, to organise the biggest Charity Auction of Goods and Promises the town has ever seen.

Graham has helped raise more than £1million conducting auctions all over the country for hundreds of charities over the years and intends to make the Axminster one, on Saturday, June 23, an unforgettable occasion and a barn-storming success.

However, what every auctioneer and indeed every auction needs is lots and lots of…LOTS!

Said Graham: “So, if you’d like to donate an auction lot, you might be thinking what sort of things can be included in a charity auction. There are no hard and fast rules but here’s a quick look into the catalogues from a few of Graham’s recent events:

Meals out, hotel stays, bottles of wine and spirits, barrels of beer, cakes, hampers (not just food, beauty products, gardening nic-nacs etc), haircuts and beauty treatments, vouchers for goods and services, holiday accommodation (home and abroad), half or full days of special skills labour (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gardening etc), sporting, leisure and musical experiences, new clothes, art and pottery, sporting memorabilia, jewellery, logs and even manure!

Added Graham: “The bottom line is that if you’d pay money for the “thing” then someone else probably would, too, and that means more light bulbs for more of the town’s streets at Christmas. Simple! “

To donate an auction lot, drop the details to auctionlots@lightupaxminster.co.uk with details, or telephone Cindy Furse (the chairman of Light Up Axminster) on 07930 800225.

Added Graham: “We look forward to receiving details of your auction lot anytime between now and the early part of June.

Every pound raised is another light bulb bought, so many thanks in advance for any lot(s) you’re able to donate.”