A 130-year-old pump organ will be one of the items for sale at a charity auction for Christchurch in Blenheim tonight.
The heirloom donated by Blenheim's Ian and Jenny Robertson had been in their family since Mr Robertson's grandparents bought it in the early 1880s.
The auction, which runs from 6pm to 8pm at the Blenheim Club at 92 High St, also includes jewellery and art donated by artists around the country, luxury getaways and a paella party for 20 people.
Mr Robertson said the family loaned the organ to the St Oswald's historic church on State Highway 1 at Wharanui for about a decade, but it was returned after the church was refurbished and got a new organ. His grandmother Amelia Davis went to Wharanui Primary School, which was close to the church, he said.
The organ was made by the Cornish Company in Washington, New Jersey about 1880.
Mr Robertson's grandparents were farmers in Canterbury and brought the organ with them when they came to Marlborough about 1910.
The Robertsons donated the pump organ to the auction because no-one in the family played it and it did not fit the decor of the family home. Mr Robertson said he did not know what price it would fetch tonight, but hoped it would go to a good family.
Fairhall artist Fran Maguire has donated a hand-made bowl to the auction which is one of a series of 365 to symbolise the simple habits of life we take for granted and how quickly they can be taken away. Each bowl has a date and she has donated the bowl for February 22.
Auction organiser Sophie McLernon, of Christchurch, said the venue for the auction was a point of difference because people did not usually get a chance to visit the Blenheim Club building.
Tickets to the auction cost $50 and include canapes and drinks.
To buy tickets or for further information call Sophie McLernon on 0274246880 or Kate Cameron after 5pm on 0212227858.
- The Marlborough Express SIMON WONG
A 200 year old pump organ will be on auction tonight at Blenheim Club to raise funds for Christchurch
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