Car boot sales General Chat

I think someone should form a support group for people addicted to Car Boot Sales!

My son got himself a Cabinet at a local Antiques shop, and started going round Car Boot sales on the lookout for collectibles. I started going with him, and I fear I am getting hooked!

Got some nice little china dogs today, which apparently sell well. Trouble is, there is a Pekingese I will not part with for anything (I only paid 50 pence for him) and an extremely nice figure of a Scottie which I will have trouble handing over. Originally I thought I'd start looking out for Beswick figures, but, judging by Ebay, they are very expensive and unlikely to turn up at a Car Boot.

Thank goodness there will only be another month or so before they finish for the winter - otherwise I'd run out of space!

I wish there was such a thing here as I have a load of "stuff" that I really need to dispose of, which is far too good to just chuck out. I do not want the money, I just want to find a home for these things.

Same as I am still waiting for someone to collect new and almost new clothes for the "gmacht" - place where people with very low incomes can buy things for pennies. Not like a charity shop where things are sold to make money for whatever charity/organisation they represent.

I love car boots I buy decent stuff & resell it in James auction house or on eBay but do keep quiet a lot of rubbish stuff too x

I love car boots and love the fact of grabbing a bargain. I also do car boots to get rid of my own junk. I've picked up some great things at car boots.

@CaroleC - there is, or was, a Freecycle wotsit in town but it does not appear to be of any use. I posted details of some perfect electrical items a few years back and there was no response.

I ended up contacting the then university student who was running it, and he came and collected everything for himself and/or his fellow students.

I have no idea whether it is still ongoing or not.

Love going to car boots,though im trying hard not to buy on impulse my latest in thing is tiny ornaments i can use for my miniature gardens, got loads of cute frogs last week .

Oh you should go, if only to go dog spotting!

Today I saw a 'pack' of four Samoyeds, a beautiful big rough coated Lurcher, two Pomeranians, a Husky, several Shih Tzus, A Yorkshire Terrier, A Golden Retriever, and assorted spaniels and crossbreeds.

...and of course - how could I forget - a Jack Russell who was trying to start a fight with all the above mentioned!

Yes there is always a great variety of dogs, though i do feel for the very young/old ,getting dragged round in the baking heat .
A few months back when we were queuing up there was this woman with a very tiny yorkie pup, everyone was around it, then i noticed she was taking name and addresses apparently she had more at home and was selling them, so i reported her don't know if anything became of it though .

When i had my Ferrets and went to the Game Fairs (we raced them for charity )there was always people selling puppies from the boot of their cars or trucks.

When I used to go to Game Fairs there were always loads of terriers and lurchers being walked around on pieces of string by disreputable looking men! Can't remember seeing any puppies for sale though (luckily - otherwise I'd have been sorely tempted).

Never saw any Ferret Racing, but I do remember a Ferret Rescue selling strokes and cuddles of the Ferrets to raise money.

Many years ago dog dealers used to park their vans on the (in those days) unmade lane leading to Manchester Dogs Home. Many well intentioned people never got as far as the rescue dogs, as they were charmed by the puppies being plonked in their arms. I believe MDH did manage to get the practice stopped eventually.

.I'm trying to remember the market in London which sold all sorts of pets. Not sure if it was on Sundays only.

Club Row. Round the corner from where Father worked at the time until his office was moved to opposite St James Park and then to County Hall.

Strange how I remember these things...

Of course! Thank you - I'd have probably been awake all night trying to remember.

@Janet - how on earth did I remember that? But the second I read your post I knew it was Club Row.

I was wrong about Father's office though as it was opposite St James Park in 1953 when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh came back from their world trip following her coronation, because I remember us all standing at the window of his office watching and seeing them and the very young Prince Charles and Princess Ann in a open carriage with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh going past.

So I do not know how near his office Club row was, just that I remember him buying things from there and talking about all the puppies, kittens, birds etc there. Father's office was then transferred to County Hall [and if I see a picture of it now I would still be able to point out his office window] and I just do not remember where his office was when he used to go to Club Row to buy cheap stuff for our home.

Father was born in the East End of immigrant parents, second born but first boy of six children, three girls, three boys, and was the first boy in his school ever to get a place in what was then a grammar school - his primary school had a day off in celebration.

But his father died when Father was 16 so he had to leave school to work to support his mother and siblings, and started with the LCC which eventually became the GLC. And until he had to retire on major health grounds at age 58 he was the Head of the Welfare Department.

But yes, it was definitely Club Row but I never went there so actually have no idea where it was - but Father used to buy things there [not animals, I hasten to add] so I am not sure why I thought it was just round the corner from where he worked.

This memory of mine astounds me at times.

I think that's wonderful about the primary school having a day off in celebration of your father gaining a place at a grammar school.

Family history is fascinating. Have you been able to trace your family tree? Presumably difficult if your grandparents were immigrants.

You should write your memoirs - I bet more and more memories will come flooding back!