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WRVS Car Boot Sale, September 2008
(posted: 2008-09-24)

Spring Cleaning Fever in Autumn

Forecasts of bad weather, marginal closure and threat of non functioning toilets didn’t deter a wonderful collection of people to the WRVS Car Boot Sale in Carcavelos Market on 20th September.

This was only the second time we had used this venue, and was the first time to try an autumn sale. Would people be interested in clearing their cupboards in autumn? Had we caught the interest of those locals who had seen the banner and posters, read the websites and the newspapers, and had flyers placed on the windscreen’s of their cars?

At 9am the gate opened and the cars loaded with treasures slowly drove in, filling the isles. The numbers increased until the 11am start and the brousers and buyers could come forward. Sandwiches and home made cakes appeared from willing WRVS members for the food stall, along with items donated to the WRVS White Elephant Stall. Then in came the curious, and the friends and more helpers. One of our honorary male WRVS members guided the traffic, along with another traffic guide Ray, who was one of a number of non WRVS members, including many young people who pitched in to help their grandparents and friends. It was great to see the school kids there, earning points for their Community and Service. One group of young girls from St Dominic’s raised over 120€ to help a mother afford the childcare necessary for her to go out to work. Other people gave donations when they knew we were gathering for Casa do Sol Children’s home in Lisbon.

One smattering of rain appeared. But the weather gradually improved and we refolded our umbrellas. By the end we were looking at our sunburnt hands! An unexpected gust of wind took one of the food stall canopies totally over the other. Friends and neighbours rushed to our aid, and we dismantelled the bent framework and took down the second before it blew away too.

By one o’clock the crowds diminished as the Portuguese went home for their lunch and the estrangeiros ate the last of the sandwiches (Chocolate brownies, banana cakes and traybakes had all gone much earlier!). With one last look round everyone’s stalls, some last chatter with old and new friends we gathered up and went home. Some were able to leave leftover unwanted items to Trash and Treasure Charity shop near the Riviera Centre which opened specially for us.

Altogether there were 28 cars, less than in May but still worth all the effort.
Adding together the price of €12 for each car that was sold from, the taking from the White Elephant, sandwiches and the cakes and drinks sales we raised over €1025.
Many thanks go to all the volunteers and participants for making this another memorable day and to the Freguiseira de Carcavelos, for their courtesy and helpfulness in the dealings over the use the venue, and for repairing the toilets so fast and in time!

Many times we were asked when is the next Car Boot Sale, and there was disappointment when came the reply ‘only in May’. So perhaps we should think about it more often!