Talking FreELY & Happy Cafe Ely 'Auction of Promises' an event not to be missed!

On October the 13th Talking FreELY and The Happy Cafe welcome you to an ‘Auction of Promises’ at the newly refurbished Ely Tigers Rugby Club.

The Auctioneer will be Mr David Palmer from ‘Flog It, Bargain Hunt and Cash in the Attic’. Supper is included in your ticket purchase and there will be live music from The Barstool Angels.

Here is the list of lots up for auction, find something you like and book your ticket early before they sell out!!!
There is also an exclusive lot from Spotted in Ely worth £600: A company can have a FEATURED listing (appear on front page of the Business Directory Website https://business.spottedinely.com) and be listed in up to 5 categories along with 1 hour of my time to help set it up for ONE YEAR!! Plus………………………

LIST OF LOTS

1. A celebration pork pie
2. A gentleman’s haircut
3. A nail gel polish
4. An aromatherapy massage
5. Two hours of domestic cleaning
6. Cream tea for two
7. Oven-ready local game birds
8. A well-being package, including a salt lamp and hot-stone massage
9. 5 day passes from a ladies’ gym
10. A Sunday lunch meal for two
11. A watercolour of your house
12. A set of hand-carved wooden bowls
13. A framed and signed print by local pet artist Amy Spittle
14. A calligraphy commission
15. A sound-healing session for 4 people
16. An acupuncture consultation and appointment
17. A small leather handbag and handmade necklace
18. Half a day of tree surgery or hedge-cutting
19. A personal consultation to re-plan, or plan, your garden
20. Dinner and an overnight stay at The Poets House
21. A taxi voucher to the value of £150
22. A four-ball golf voucher
23. 2 tickets to watch Cambridge City Rugby Club
24. A private wine-tasting experience with a trained sommelier
25. A week in a much-loved holiday home in Norfolk
26. A family photography session including a free 10″x8″ portrait
27. A check of the electrical appliances in your home
28. A voucher for a ladies cut and blow-dry and a manicure
29. A voucher for your car’s MOT
30. Two vouchers, each for 5 yoga classes
31. A voucher for dog-training classes
32. A voucher for a day’s beginner cake-decorating course
33. A voucher for a Christmas wreath or a hand-tied bouquet
34. A voucher for dog-kennelling and a hamper of dog goodies
35. A bottle of House of Commons whisky signed by The Prime Minister

PROMISES IN DETAIL

Lot 1
A celebration 10″ pork pie from our local award-winning pork butchers, Edis. This was freshly baked especially for us on their premises last night and will easily keep for a week in the fridge – given half the chance!
Lot 2
A voucher for a gentleman’s haircut. Donated by Jim Dandy Barber, Ely.
Lot 3
A gel polish (with added glitter if required) using professional products from a member of the Guild of Nail Technicians. Emma Jamie is a home-based nail technician who loves glitter and sparkles! Donated by Beautiful Top to Toe.
Lot 4
A voucher for a half hour aromatherapy massage. Donated by Beauty Treatments by Joanne Louise, Soham.
Lot 5
Need a New Year clean? Spring Clean? Had a party and can’t face the aftermath? All cleaning products will be provided by fully insured, CRB checked professionals. Let them bring the shine back to your home! Donated by Woodstock Cleaning and Maintenance.
Lot 6
A full cream tea – your choice of tea/ coffee with scones, cream and jam and cake at The Old Fire Engine House, Ely. This is a restaurant and art gallery in an attractive Georgian House with a walled garden. Afternoon tea here is a real treat. Donated by Ann Jarman.
Lot 7
A brace of oven-ready Norfolk partridge or pheasant, expertly prepared for you to cook at home for a special meal. They will be fresh, so can be frozen for the festive period if you wish and recipe suggestions can also be provided. Donated by Niall Pearcey.
Lot 8
A salt lamp and voucher for a 30 minute hot-stone massage. A Himalayan Salt Lamp has therapeutic benefits for your health and wellbeing. Salt lamps have an incredible power to remove pollen, dust, cigarette smoke and other contaminants from your home, therefore reducing the effects of allergy and asthma symptoms. They can also help you to sleep better, improve mood and concentration and, at this time of year, help relieve
the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. In addition, this offer includes a 30 minute hot stone massage voucher – a wonderful wellbeing package! Donated by PositivELY Treated, Ely.
Lot 9
Two 5 day passes from énergie fitness for women. The club is a fitness and weight loss circuit designed for the wellbeing of women in an informal, friendly and non-intimidating atmosphere. It is warm, welcoming and sociable – a great place to exercise whilst having fun and meeting new people. Why not go along with a friend? Donated by énergie fitness for women, Buttermarket, Ely.
Lot 10
A 2 course Sunday lunch for two people from the popular Kings Arms pub, St. Mary’s Street, Ely.
Lot 11
Mrs Wendy Ramsell has kindly offered to create a small watercolour painting of your house which could either be framed or turned into unique cards for special messages.
Lot 12
3 hand-turned wooden bowls which are beautifully made. The largest of the bowls is 16cm in diameter and the smallest is 12cm. They make a lovely set. Donated by Geoff Broad.
Lot 13
A signed a framed print by renowned local pet artist, Amy Spittle. Amy uses a combination of archival inks and digital media to create her unique brand of art. She creates custom pet portraits, dog portraits, dog art, prints and gifts. This is a signed, mounted and framed print of a wonderful British bulldog, perfect for an owner of the breed, a dog lover, or for a patriotic touch to your home! Donated by Amy Spittle.
Lot 14
Your choice of a short poem or text, expertly styled and written by an excellent local calligrapher. Marian is a member of CLAS where she exhibits her work annually in the British Library and last year she was invited to present some of her work at the prestigious ‘In the beginning was the word’ exhibition in Ely Cathedral. Donated by Marian Rushton.
Lot 15
Tibetan singing bowls help to induce a state of relaxation. When something is not right in a particular area of the body, our vibrations are not in harmony. A sound healing session can help to bring that back into balance, creating a feeling of peace and increased energy. Donated by Sally Talbot, The Yoga Hut, Redmere.
Lot 16
A 45 minute acupuncture appointment, suitable for new or existing patients. Traditionally, acupuncture is used in the treatment of a wide range of health issues including pain and musculoskeletal injuries, or for the promotion of general wellbeing. For existing patients, the voucher is valid for payment of any appointment in the next 12 months. For new patients, the voucher can be exchanged for an initial consultation and treatment within the next 12months. Donated by Sigrist Acupuncture.
Lot 17
A small gold leather handbag and an individual, handmade necklace by a highly talented and creative jewellery designer. Donated by The Queen’s Shoes, Ely and Myrtleberry Designs.
Lot 18
Half a day of tree surgery or hedge-cutting. An expert service from fully qualified and insured tree surgeons. Their clients range from private individuals to landlords, small companies and large organisations. You are assured of a highly professional service. Donated by AC Tree and Garden Care, Ely.
Lot 19
A personal consultation (one hour) offering to plan or re-plan your garden. Whether your garden needs a ‘make-over’ or a full landscaping project, experience and understanding are guaranteed to help you achieve the garden you have always wanted. Donated by Affordable Landscapes, Little Downham, Ely.
Lot 20
Dinner, bed and breakfast for two people at The Poets House, Ely. Set in stately townhouses, this award-winning hotel offers stylish rooms and a high-end restaurant. This is, without doubt, a most generous donation from one of the most prestigious hotels in the region. Why not treat yourselves, or make an outstanding gift this Christmas for special family members or friends?
Lot 21
A taxi voucher to the value of £150 This can be redeemed for a return trip to Stansted, one way to Heathrow, or a number of nights out locally – the choice is yours. Donated by Noble Cars.
Lot 22
A four-ball golf voucher. Ely City Golf Club prides itself on being one of the friendliest and most welcoming clubs in the region. This beautiful 18 hole course winds its way through the the trees challenging every aspect of your game whilst being highly enjoyable. Get together with some friends and have a great game here!
Lot 23
Two tickets to watch Cambridge City Rugby Club play in a National division 1 match at their Grantchester Road ground, lunch included.
Lot 24
A very special private wine-tasting experience with a trained sommelier, to be arranged at a mutually convenient date. Donated by Mr Gary Griffiths.
Lot 25
A week in a much-loved Norfolk holiday home, located between Fakenham and Wells-next-the-sea, sleeping 6 and including pets.
Lot 26
A family photography session, including a 10″x8″ portrait. Whether you prefer a classic or contemporary style, you will be expertly guided by the photographer throughout the session to capture the best images of you and your family. A separate viewing appointment will be arranged after your studio session to select your favourite image. Donated by Dion Gallichan.
Lot 27
An electrical check of your property by a fully qualified and experienced electrician. Donated by Steve Ellis of SE Electrical Services.
Lot 28
A voucher for a ladies’ cut and blow dry at The Salon, a beautifully styled place within the grounds of the award-winning Poets House Hotel, plus a manicure from the resident beauty therapist at Atrium Fitness. Donated by Simon Taylor at The Salon and Lucy Parr at The Atrium Club, Ely
Lot 29
A voucher for your car’s MOT Donated by Mereside Motors, Soham
Lot 30
The Yoga Studio (Ely) is a peaceful and inspiring environment in which to explore or deepen yoga practice. Classes are available for all levels of experience, including beginners. Donated by Mark Stevens
Lot 31
A voucher for a training course from Developing Dogs, Wilburton Fun, kind and effective dog-training classes, workshops and seminars, behaviour advice and holiday cottages, owned and managed by Sian Ryan, expert trainer with BBC2 show Me and My Dog.
Donated by Sian – contact Developing Dogs direct to arrange your course.
Lot 32
A voucher for a basic one-day cake decorating course, 10am-4pm, including lunch. Suitable for beginners and on a Saturday to be arranged. Expert and friendly tuition from a team which is well respected locally and who are invited to exhibit at top-end Wedding Fairs with their innovative designs.Donated by Yellow Butterfly Cake Designs, Ely.
Lot 33
A voucher for a Christmas wreath or hand-tied bouquet. This owner-managed florists has undergone extensive refurbishment within the last year. They offer a highly personalised and creative service and a handmade wreath or arrangement would be a very special addition to your home this Christmas. Donated by Thyme on St Mary’s.
Lot 34
A voucher for four days of dog kennelling for up to 2 dogs from Nesslands in Burwell and a package of dog goodies from Isle of Pets.
FINALLY………..
Lot 35
A bottle of House of Commons whisky signed by the Rt. Hon. Theresa May, Prime Minister. With thanks to Lucy Frazer, QC, MP.
For more information visit: Talking FreELY and Happy Cafe Ely.

Acknowledgements:
Talking FreELY and Happy Cafe Ely would like to thank the following for their support and help, without which the Auction would not have been possible:
The auctioneer, Mr David Palmer
Ely Tigers Rugby Club for the use of their premises
Burrows Bookshop for acting as the Box Office
The Fish House, Ely
All of the local businesses and individuals who have been so generous with their donated items and, of course, all those who have given so kindly to the Auction.
Conduct of Auction
1. We do hope you will be able to come along and make your bids at what promises to be a fun evening.
2. If you are not able to attend but wish to make a pre-bid, you can do so by ringing Kathryn (01353 669093) or Nina (01353 663402) or by using the form at the end of this catalogue. In all cases be sure to leave your maximum bid and contact details. All prebids will close at noon on the day of the auction.
3. Bidding will be by raising your numbered piece of paper so the auctioneer can see it.
4. On a successful bid, you will be asked to sign acknowledging purchase and the amount of the bid. Payment can be made by cash or cheque to ‘Talking FreELY’.
5. Some lots will be available at the time of the auction and others will need to be by arrangement, in which case successful bidders will be given the contact details of the donor.
6. All proceeds will be divided equally between Talking FreELY and Happy Cafe Ely. They will ensure that mental health stigma can continue to be addressed for the people of Ely and the surrounding areas and enable the running of future events and courses for both organisations.