Imagine the scene....a hot summer's day finally arrives on a quiet Sunday in Oxfordshire. There is no advert in the paper...but I just 'know'that today is...**Whytham** (White-am)..the best car boot sale anywhere....and the family are bundled into the car.
We're only in the car for 15 minutes, and turning off a busy main road drive down impossibly small lanes with ridiculously attractive farms and thatched cottages dotted around. Past the 'White Horse' pub and on to the village playing fields....a scene of bliss.
In a large well-mown field (4-6 acres?) complete with cricket pitch in the middle, surrounded only by countryside, cars and vans of all sorts are starting to unload their goodies. It is only 10am, even though the start time is 2pm, but there are already several hundred buyers and sellers.
On the far side of the playing field is a beautiful arts and craft style pavillion...even the toilets are oak panelled...and the fresh rolls and mugs of tea are being prepared. The sun is strong, but there is a pleasant wind, and my son and I go one way, and my wife and daughter, the other.
There is EVERYTHING here and you can't tell if a pitch selling childrens' toys might just have one old 'goody' tucked away. You have to be quick though, and there are plenty of vilains who even try to take stuff after you've bought it.
Anyway after a glorious two hours, my haul of older items was: (just let pence=cents and pounds=dollars on the small prices)
Large Victorian green and white meat dish (no damage): 1ukp Victorian oak picture frame with moulding on each corner: 50p Mahogany and brass spirit level (20s):1ukp Rosewood and brass adjustable set square:1ukp Edwardian toffee tin:50p Victorian brass cabinet handle: 20p 1960s Poole ashtray (chip on base)10p 2 x 1930s enamelled mugs: 20p 1925 aluminium '1 Gill' measure: 10p 5 x Lace/cotton chair backs: 50p 4 x large mahogany/pine printers' trays: 7ukp each Boxed set (coloured cover) of Oaklahoma 78's (perfect condition): 5ukp
What a lovely way to have fun...it always gives me a buzz! Anyway, if you are in the UK and can find Whytham village, Oxfordshire on the first Sunday of summer months (not August!)...see you there!
Jon
PS The printers' trays are draws from large cabintes divided into small sections for storing the old metal typefaces. Mounted on the wall, they are great for exhibiting small items...thimbles..toy soldiers etc. These ones are quality as they have a brass 'rose' at the intersection of each joint.
PPS My son bought a Supernintendo set and a hand held coloured Gameboy type thingy with games all for 10ukp/$15 from a family whose sons were 'bored with them'!
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