I was lucky enough to attend this 'higher end' charity auction last night at the Rolls Royce showrooms in Berkeley Square. I went 'suited and booted' - which was the correct decision. In truth - I was there as a guest of Cancer Research UK - to represent the Jet Harris Memorial Fund. Janet Hemingway and Audrey Knapp (who, after all, were the mainsprings behind the project's inception) were, for various reasons, unable to be there. I accepted the chance to go in their stead (to talk to anyone who might be interested about Jet, his music and the fund - allied to Cancer Research UK) - at ultra - short notice. I also used the occasion to distribute more JHMF leaflets.
As many of you know, I am very well - trained (LOL) re: promptness and punctuality. I arrived just a few minutes before the event was due to kick off and waited patiently outside. An officious (but efficient) doorman had a brief word (for that read 'vetting') with me and then ushered me inside. It seems that the people already inside were either members of the Rolls Royce staff or multi - millionaires. Anyway - one egregrious young man rushed up to me and said "Ah.....are you the client who was coming early to close the Rolls Royce Phantom deal?" I was flattered to at least briefly appear that I might be able to afford a 'roller'. Sadly, I had to quickly disabuse the earnest young man of my status!
Before long the showroom (the cars being temporarily moved out) was crammed with c. 200 or so guests. I spent the evening in the company of members of the Cancer Research fundraising team. During the course of the evening I spotted a handful of 'celebs' - but I didn't have the opportunity to speak to any of them. 'Whispering' Bob Harris, Jilly Cooper, Al Murray - who knows - there may have been others. Musical entertainment was provided by Beverly Knight and her guitarist. Not really my cup of tea - but she was very good.
Hank's 'Scotsman' strat raised the second - highest amount of the evening - going under the hammer for £3,000. The highest amount was raised by surreal artist Jerry Garcia's Gibson SG - which went for £7,500. The artist himself had flown to the UK especially for the occasion and made a moving speech before the guitar was auctioned off. It wasn't easy to take photos - but I managed to get one or two of the Jerry Garcia and Hank items - which I'm attaching.
There was a collection of exotic (& expensive) guitars on display. If anyone is interested - i'll post the pics of them. Nothing Shads - related - but I know that we have a lot of guitar buffs on this site.
Bests.....Rob
PS: My pics (file size) are too big. Once i've figured out how to edit them to make them smaller - I will post them - soon.
