Matt Legge with the giant shire horse, Harry. Picture by Peter Boam.
PICTURE GALLERY
WIGHT LIVINGFROM shire horses and Shetland ponies to market carts and funeral hearses, it was a case of everything must go when one of the Island’s biggest collections of equestrian and countryside items were auctioned last week.
Presented with the opportunity to snap up some unusual memorabilia, including a spinning wheel, cider press and a sausage maker, plus some wonderfully named hand-mincers and swingle trees, buyers travelled from all over the country to attend the sale at Brickfields Horse Country.
Dressed for the most part in flat caps, wellies and Barbour jackets, the buyers crammed into the yard and dusty outbuildings. Collectors with a keen eye for rare items and showmen looking for decorative bridles, collars and driving reins were all there.
There were plenty of Island families, too, sifting through a rustic assortment of milk churns, weather vanes, carriage lamps and sewing machines, even a suit of armour, hoping to acquire a piece of Island history.
Held as part of the closure of Brickfields as a tourist attraction — although the Binstead business will continue with its riding stables, horse breeding and equestrian events — the items were collected by the late Phil Legge over the past 30 years.
Mr Legge founded Brickfields in 1983, after moving to the Island from Herefordshire, and opened it to tourists two years later. Following his death in 2009, his son, Matt, is changing the direction of the business.
"The tourist centre was dad’s baby and it was sad to see it close last October but we just couldn’t justify it," he said.
"I think it was fitting it went with him and he would have loved a day like this. A lot of this stuff was just sitting in a shed so I’m pleased to see it go to a good home. We found some real surprises when we were sifting through everything.
"I do have mixed emotions about the whole thing. It’s the end of an era."
A star of the auction, conducted by Southern Counties Auctioneers, was shire horse Harry, believed to be the largest in the country at 19.2 hands high. He was sold for 2,050 guineas to an anonymous telephone bidder from the New Forest.
Another shire, Arthur, was bought for 2,700 guineas by Wiltshire couple Fraser Drake and Louise Tovey.
"We have always wanted a shire and have been looking for the perfect one for ages," said Miss Tovey.
"I’ve got a thoroughbred and a mini Shetland so he will live with them and we’ve got a cart for him to drive. He’ll just be spoilt, basically."
There is no doubt the shires will be missed though, especially by the girls who run the stables. Yard manager Cheryl Cundall, who has worked at Brickfields for the past four years, said it had been an emotional day.
"It’s exciting to look to the future and think about expanding the riding school but I will miss the shire horses," she said.
"They are incredible animals and Harry is a gentle giant, he’s so affectionate. The first time I rode him, when he wasn’t broken in, he was just fantastic. He didn’t put a foot wrong.
"I did have a bit of a cry earlier when I thought about him leaving."
Some of the higher-value items included a selection of old vehicles, including a pre-1832 French fire engine, complete with original leather hose and buckets, an American Rockaway and an early model Field Marshall tractor, which sold for £6,900.
A spectacular old London hearse, featured in 1966 Michael Caine film The Wrong Box and used at Mr Legge’s funeral, went for £9,000.
Steve Redfern, of Ashey-based Windmill Carriages, said he bought the hearse on behalf of a friend who wanted to be anonymous.
"He does have plans for the hearse but he’s keeping them to himself at the moment. It will stay on the Island though," said Steve, who also bought Phil’s old match ploughing harness, which he plans to use in next year’s memorial ploughing match.
One of the more unusual items was a shepherd’s hut, snapped up by David Westmore for £2,325.
"I’m going to restore it to it’s former glory," said Mr Westmore, who was born and raised on Chillerton Farm but now lives in Devon.
"It must have been built between 1890 and 1920. I used to help my father in one as a boy, so it’s a nice piece of history for me."
Matthew Bundock travelled to the auction from Norfolk, where he is head horseman at Banham Zoo.
"I was looking for items for the zoo, where we have rare breed Suffolk horses, and I bought a show harness for £500. We will use it on our horses for shows and weddings," he said.
"There are lots of unusual things here, which is always nice to see. It’s a great collection."
Mr Bundock was joined by his father, Peter, who knew the late Mr Legge from the ploughing match circuit.
"I judged Phil at the All-England Ploughing Match a few years back. He won it actually," he recalled.
"It’s a bit sad to see all Phil’s stuff being sold off but it’s great to come along to something like this and meet up with old friends."
Speaking after everyone had gone when the yard was much emptier than it had been, Matt said he was happy with the result of the auction and pleased all the horses had found a good home.
One thing he couldn’t bear to part with, though, was his dad’s old match plough.
"It’s one of my favourite items. Dad spent a lot of time leaning against the handles and no-one else wanted it as much as I did," he said.
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
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