Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
08 August 2013 08:54
Rhinos in Kenya, where James Radford collected rare artefacts
A pensioner who has spent the past 15 years doing aid work in Africa is auctioning off his travel souvenirs to help a children's charity back in the UK.
Former furniture retailer James Radford, 78, from Penarth in South Wales, is donating all the proceeds from the sale of the rare artefacts and vintage antiques this Saturday to local charity Ty Hafan.
Cardiff auctioneer Rogers Jones Co has been assigned to sell hundreds of ethnic collectibles, including rhino models made from indigenous minerals, carved figures and masks of Maasai warriors and others from Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya.
The 350 lots also include gazelle and buffalo horns, walking sticks, a decorative carved hardwood swordstick and matching dagger, and a stringed musical instrument.
Modest estimates have been set to encourage competition from collectors and supporters of the charity, while auctioneer Ben Rogers Jones has agreed to donate his services for free so the biggest amount possible goes to the charity.
He told the Penarth Times the objects are "not the usual tourist knickknacks associated with travel souvenirs".
"They are more rare objects purchased from local craftsmen from remote villages off the usual tourist trails," he said.
Mr Radford visited Africa for the first time shortly after retiring from his shop RB Furnishing at the age of 56, joining a trip to Zimbabwe.
He never looked back and since then he has supported a number of African charities and recently raised money for a boy born without kneecaps to have an operation to help him walk.
Over-70s with a similar sense of adventure can make the most of seniors travel insurance and pick up a few souvenirs of their own.
Mr Radford said: "I would still love to go back to Africa but I am limited by my mobility now. I decided the time was right to do something here for charity. There aren't many more worthwhile than Ty Hafan."
28 September 2016
The English tourism industry is predicted to grow faster than the overall economy every year for the next decade, according to new research.
[more...]
27 September 2016
Monarch Airlines says its flights are operating as normal amid fears the firm is in financial trouble.
24 September 2016
Slim people who look physically healthy may still be at increased chance of being diagnosed with bowel cancer if they have raised insulin levels, according new research.
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.
13 September 2016
Travellers are to be charged to use fast lanes to get through passport checks in an attempt to cut queues.