A sales team consisting of me, Stuart Wright and Martin and Karen Tunley attended the East Lancashire Steam Gala over the weekend of 22/23 of October.Martin and Karen who had travelled up from Tunberry Wells in Worcestershire that morning had been scheduled to sell memorabilia on the trains hauled by 71000, but unfortunately due to a number of operational problems the loco was unable to leave the Nene Valley in time to attend.
As is always the case at the ELR a strong chilling wind blew across the platform and the first job when setting up the sales stand was to secure all the exhibits.
The centrepiece of our stand is a framed signed limited edition print of the Duke and Two Duchesses at Camden Shed by the railway artist Philip Hawkins.
On display were various other items such as keyrings, pens, badges, mugs ( including some with 71000 and the Great Central Crest ) and DVDs.
We were pleased that a new fridge magnet showing 71000 on the turntable at the Nene Valley Railway was newly available for purchase.
Trade was slow but steady with ongoing requests for information as to why 71000 was not at the Gala.
The highlight of the weekend was on the Sunday when a lady rushed up to the stall, picked up a pen and shouted "I'll be back" and ran off. (Shades of Arnie, I thought, looking around nervously).
She returned after about 5 minutes looking very flushed in the face and announced in a triumphant voice, " I've got it".
"What have you got", I asked.
"Ralph McTell's autograph" she said, cradling the pen and a piece of paper in a very strange way.
Fortunately, she then paid for her pen and walked away.
For those of you who don't know, Ralph was a fairly famous folk singer in the 1970/80s and well known for a hit single "Streets of London." He had apparently been performing at the Lowry Centre in Salford on the Saturday.
Even without 71000 a good weekend was had by all and there was the added bonus that one of our pens had been in the hands of Ralph McTell. A memorable moment indeed!
If you require any further details regarding 71000 memorabilia i.e. stock availability and price, please contact David Brown on 01925 810426 or by email: browndj@ntlworld.com.
Chris Hazzleton
The Sales Team
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