Rise and Shine
by Ralph Chapman
After leaving Okehampton
at 4am on a crisp May morning, two seasoned Horse Brass collectors, well laden with
‘stock in trade’ set off for Stan Benton’s 12th Annual Meeting at Church Stretton.
This ancient border town, set like a Jewell midst the renowned “Blue Hills” is surely one of the prettiest spots in England and was a glorious setting for our special day when friends both old and new together with bright sunshine made it so enjoyable.
The Meeting commenced at 8:30am and so they came. We had specialist collectors with some striking displays of brasses including Trade Railway, Bell Brasses (coloured enamel), R.S.P.C.A and Royalty together with extensive general collections all immaculately presented, one of which covered the whole centre stage. There was much buying taking place from the many tables especially from the Cornish Merlin. The event was thoughtfully organized and well supported by a broad spectrum of members,which included four from our committee.
There were those who had just started to collect and many established collectors
some of whom had been collecting for 40-50 and 60 years all happy to see and talk Horse
Brasses with occasional banter.
The hall itself is ideally situated for the event having easy access with a small kitchen serving light refreshments and central to the town facilities together with a car park almost opposite the entrance.
On a nostalgic note I missed the two respected stalwarts who hailed from the Welsh Valleys the late Gron Williams
and
Mark Roberts but I feel sure they were with us in spirit.
If you haven’t yet been to this Mecca do try next year, you will not be disappointed.
Well done and thank you Stan – hope
to see you all again in 2019
