David Stanley have an auction tomorrow, but I am only going as a trial to see how it might work having a small charity element, perhaps regularly. Their auctions happen every month or two: I think they have eight this year. My plan is to take tools up that will either be sold on the day, or kept by the Stanleys for the next one and put in the catalogue. It has to be very simple, and I will talk to them about delivering the tools to them etc… tomorrow if other people are going to contribute.
Obviously we'll advertise dates in the mag and through our e-Bulletin.
David Stanley have offered to waive their fee for charity sales. I think we can bring them publicity and possibly extra visitors, so there might be a benefit to them, but I want to make sure this idea is sustainable and not a trial for any party, otherwise it won't survive.
I'm also thinking that any tools and books we can't sell through the auction could be donated to Men in Sheds. There is a branch in Milton Keynes I'm visiting on Friday after the auction. Another option are Tools for Self Reliance or the other organisations that send tools to Africa.
Thanks for offering to help. I don't have space to warehouse tools before the auction, so we will have to consider other plans if other woodworkers want to donate tools. Perhaps like us they could take them to one sale to be sold in the next one, or something like that. Sorry to ramble!!!
Nick
