Stephen and Sandie Clark (and friends) at the Hatherleigh Market

A J Pyle and Sons were advertising an auction of Sporting Memorabilia at their auction rooms in Hatherleigh and I took good friends Stephen and Sandie Clark along for fun and to share the experience. Hatherleigh is a lovely old market town in a very agricultural part of Devon and has its own charm and character. On market days a whole host of stalls and outlets spring up throughout the extensive area of undercover sheds and has a buzz of eclectic characters buying, selling, gossiping and mooching about bargain hunting.

We firstly went to the Auction House by the Bridge Inn………having registered and got a purchase ‘Number’ and Lot Listing catalogue for £1.50 we then squeezed through the keen early ranks of bidding locals well over 30 mins after kick-off – the young and cheerful auctioneer was already on lot 70 something and seemingly selling yet another fishing reel……………there were then another 100 odd reels to go followed by what looked like about 200 fishing rods, then nets, waders, priests, and assorted tackle in the first 2 rows of assorted lots…………..then there were 2 more for shooting paraphernalia and then racks of guns and bayonets and swords attaining lots between 300 and 700 before finally various rows of assorted junk all with a loose sense of belonging to the theme ‘Sporting Memorabilia’………….I say loosely because the only item that took my fancy was an old metal railway sign depicting an interesting threat along the lines of “Anyone caught leaving this gate open…(or words to that effect)……………is liable to a fine not exceeding 40 shillings” !!

Realising that some 700+ lots would take all day at 100 lots per hour and this sign was lot 600 odd I left a bid (not expecting to be successful as I’m sure others will also have a use for this sign!!) and we then took a leisurely stroll through the town browsing in an artists shop, buying goods and foods various in the food market and taking in the atmosphere of the other main auction rooms selling local brick-a-brack before falling into The George Inn for a couple of pints of Spitfire and a prawn baguette by an enormous open fire…………..and then drove home. A fun day albeit without any ‘Bargains’ this time round!! I love Hatherleigh and will return for a brace of Duck at their Christmas Game Auction shortly!!

In the first season of opening the business (between 15 Jul 06 and end of Mar 07) I met an eclectic mix of tourists and travellers many of whom were foreign and found me by simply passing by and seeing the roadside notice boards. Guests are always warmly welcomed with an offer of tea either in the house, by the log fire in winter or anywhere in the sunshine and gardens in the summer. If guests have booked in advance they would have been offered an opportunity to request a complementary Cream Tea 4 and or a glass of wine to break the ice and allow them to unwind after their journey.

Many guests are happy to walk to The Royal Oak in the village for sups…….it has a simple yet traditional pub menu with good ale and involves a lovely short walk across a few fields to get there. On return from which ever pub, guests are offered a variety of beverages before they turn in and many’s the occasion when I’ve offered a dram on the house and shared a night cap with those happy to accept – everyone is astonished the next day when they realise it’s not been added to their bill!!

I had one guest last Summer who asked if I was open at Christmas – the result was that he and his wider family of 8 in number all staying for 4 nights across the Christmas festivities on a self catering basis. They loved the decorated house with Christmas tree and log fire and freedom to do their own thing and left the house spotless on departure. I’d certainly offer the same again to another family in future.

At New Year I had 2 couples book in each for 2 nights and both independently asked where I’d recommend them to dine on New Year’s Eve? Well I ended up inviting them to dine with me on that magic night, and instead of having to pay for sups I asked each couple to bring a course for 8 people and the wines to accompany that course…! It turned out to be a fantastic success and Clive and Mary Ann my Best Man and his wife produced the starter (Smoked Salmon with a dry white), I produced the main course (venison with a fine claret) and the 2 sets of guests produced the pud with a Desert wine and a cheese board with 2 fine Ports. Great fun was had by all and at Midnight we cracked a couple of fizz bottles and saw the New Year in in high spirits (literally!!).

Ian Corner

Orchard Barn