A Grand Auction of Promises was held on Friday 14th May to raise funds for Indian order members including some who would have been guiding the Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds Pilgrims in India this year.
With 31 generous and varied promises to test Jamie’s auctioneering talents, including some from outside the Sangha, it proved to be a fast-paced and fun event, as someone commented; What a great evening and result – thanks to all of you for the effort (and fun) you put into the evening.
The advanced bidding set the scene for the auction with some significant bids, and around 30 people zoomed in on the night. The event was a smooth team operation, with Mosaic comparing, Bodhivamsa explaining the situation in India, Irene rejoicing and Nick hosting.
Many of the promises were hotly contested including sailing on the river Orwell and outings in classic cars.
With all the participants remaining muted, and bidding done by physically raising a hand, the tension generated between final bidders was electric; often fuelled by a slow and deliberate hand raise, or a last-minute hand appearing on the screen.
An interval gave a break from the action; with Mike entertaining us with 4 short and varied musical pieces from the trombone, and Dayasara’s amusing poem around his connections with the No 8 bus.
As Mosaic says; ‘Due to the incredible generosity of the sangha and friends we raised over £3,600 on the night!’
The next fundraising event from the Patient Pilgrims will be an online art exhibition in August.
