Pippa brings the gavel down on the first lot

Pippa started the proceedings off by agreeing to be the auctioneer for the first lot. This was one of a limited edition of 50 sculptures by Sophie Ryder, cast especially for the Mary Hare appeal. This lot included a signed sketch by the artist and certificate of authenticity. 

There were 29 lots in all and the total raised on the evening was £30,000. Dreweatts agreed to waive all the usual fees for the evening and the guests really threw themselves into proceedings.

Lots included work by world renowned figurative artist Jonathan Yeo, bronzes by Mark Coreth and Hamish Mackie and an oil painting by British singer/songwriter David Gray.

“Hearts” was a collaborative piece produced by the children

Lots 28 and 29 were produced by the Mary Hare School pupils themselves. ‘Hearts’ was a collaborative piece produced by the children at the Primary School.

"I am not sure I would want to start a new career as an auctioneer" said Pippa after the event, "but it was a lot of fun.  The guests and bidders present entered into the spirit of the occasion and I am so pleased with the contribution we have made towards the Mary Hare Primary School Appeal".

Will Richards, Deputy Chairman of Dreweatts and auctioneer at the event said: "We were thrilled to host such a successful evening for Mary Hare School. We were very grateful that so many well regarded artists donated so generously to the auction. This and the good will of all the bidders resulted in a very enjoyable evening and some important funds raised for the new Mary Hare Primary School."

Peter Gale, Principal at Mary Hare School commented: "Seeing the pupils from the Primary School acting as porters and holding up the beautiful works of art at our auction last night filled me with pride. And seeing the artists who supported the event and all those who came to bid reminded me that there is so much support in the community for the work we do. I just want to say thank you to all of them - and Dreweatts auctioneers - for helping us to raise another significant contribution to our Primary School Appeal."

Following on from this, we will be holding a Charity Valuation Day on Saturday 5 October at Mill Hall (the current site of the Mary Hare Primary School). Bring along your paintings, jewellery, watches, silver, clocks, European and Asian ceramics and works of art and antiques for valuation and expert insight from TV's Jonathan Pratt and Cristian Beadman and other Dreweatts' specialists. We will also have auction highlights on view from our autumn auction calendar.

Date: Saturday 5 October | 10am - 3pm

Venue: Mill Hall, Pigeons Farm Road, Newbury, Berks RG19 8XA

A new vision for Mary Hare Primary School

Mary Hare is currently raising funds to build a new, national Primary School for deaf children in the UK. We need to raise £3 million towards this project, with the balance coming from the sale of the old school building that currently houses the Primary School.

For further information about the Mary Hare Primary Appeal please go to: www.maryhare.org.uk/primaryappeal