Massive Manchester Branch Auction

[Peter B]

Following the announcement that the Northants/Oxford Branch Auction has been cancelled, Manchester Branch can announce that their auction will definitely go ahead.

Date: Saturday May 1st 2010
Venue: St Thomas More Church Hall (Manchester Branch Meeting Hall)
Kirkway (off Mainway), Alkrington, Middleton, Manchester M24 1PP
Time: 1pm - doors open at 12 noon to allow viewing, which is highly
recommended. There will be refreshments available between 12 & 1.

All information available from me (send PM) or via the Manchester Web site at manchestercactus.co.uk where the pictures of over 100 of the plants available can be viewed. Alternatively you can go directly to the web site of the auction at http://manchesterbranchauction.webs.com/

This collection is a mature one that belonged to a long time collector who sadly passed away recently. The collection is housed in a 30x12 greenhouse to give you an idea of the size.

Catalogues showing the same pictures as on the web site will be available shortly. It is planned to auction all suitable plants singly, makes lots of 4/6 plants from the smaller offerings and sell at prices around 50p/£1 any plants considered unsuitable for auction.

Peter B Manchester Branch

[Chris L]

I went with Peter and other Manchester Branch members to photograph the plants. It was a privilege to be able to see and photograph so many outstanding plants.

Even if you are not able or planning to go to the auction then I can thoroughly recommend you have a look at the photos - here are some to whet your appetite. There are about 120 pictures (not plants - there's more of them!).

{Please refer to website in first post}

[Cactus Jack]

Some great plants listed , would love to get there .

[Tina]

Hi Stephen
Must admit I have been oggling them, I bet Vic has been checking out the Fero's.
It always worries me when I start wanting spiney plants

[Vic]

One thing I don't need are more Feros Tina, got too many as it is;)

Certainly some nice plants there, though with the ever increasing cost of fuel doubt I'll be going!

[Chris L]

A few more pictures.

{Please refer to website in first post}

[iann]

It's Copiapoa time

[ChrisR]

What would make it even more interesting to those of us who won't be attending, is a list of prices realised.

[Joy G]

I did go and have a look and there are some real beauties in there arent there

my thoughts go out to the family of the member who passed away.

It makes me sad to think that a collection like that is being spilt up when a member passes away all the hours they spent on nurturing those plants. But on the other hand we become custodians of their legacy. I have one or two cacti that are very old and I would not part with them for anything. One is about 90.

[Peter B]

We are nearly there now. I went and viewed the plants again today and they seem to have more than survived the winter problems. Many of them are either budding up or in flower.

I task and a half, Chris, considering the numbers of plants involved. The one thing I am sure of is that anyone going will be in for bargain time as I expect plants to be bought at a good price under their real value if sold in a nursery. There won't be many chances like this to add to the collection, or replace those winter losses. You might be kicking yourself if you decide not to come.

Peter B Manchester Branch