A rare and unusual item will go under the hammer as the star lot in a special auction at Spreyton this Saturday. Bidders will have the opportunity to purchase a specially bottled and labelled bottle of Oloroso sherry, individually signed and hand-numbered by the late Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes. The auction is to raise money for the Den Brook Valley Action Group, which is fighting a proposal to build a wind farm near North Tawton, where Ted Hughes lived for many years. Nick Jewell, of the action group, said he had ?no idea? how much the specially labelled Laureate?s Choice sherry would raise on the night. ?This is just so rare and irreplaceable ? a real prize for any Ted Hughes enthusiast and collector ? and it is surely something to treasure for itself, not just drink at Christmas!? Maureen Thomson, chairman of the group, said organisers were ?thrilled? by the variety and quality of items donated to the silent auction, which takes place in the village hall. She said: ?Where else can you bid for three nights in a cottage in Marazion overlooking St Michael?s Mount, one minute, a top quality garden shed the next or even a pair of piglets? Brilliant!? Other lots include a flying lesson, clay pigeon shooting, riding, fishing, dancing and various meals in top restaurants around Devon ? some 60 lots in total. Entry to the auction and buffet costs £5 per ticket, which includes a bidding number. Tickets are available on the door ? the event starts at 7pm. All proceeds will be used to help pay for the legal team that the action group will field at the public inquiry into the windfarm development.
