For whom the bell tolls

With the site now sold for development, the last sale of holly and mistletoe took place this week at Tenbury Wells Market, Worcs. Auctioneer Nick Champion (selling) and Michael Evans sold plain wreaths for 2-4.20; wreaths with garlands for 3-5.20 and mixed berry wreaths for up to 6.60. Mistletoe was sold for 12-22 a bundle and holly for 6-26 a bundle. Of the Christmas trees on offer, Norway Firs made 3.80-5.80 apiece and Nordmanns 5 each. The market bell, which had announced the sales of stock for more than 100 years, was pinched by thieves the night before the sale (Brightwells).