Pat Cutforth of the Marlborough Branch of Cancer Research UK, has raised over £300,000 for the charity. Since 1987, her annual Dolls’ House sales of a large range of dolls’ houses and all things miniature have gone from strength to strength.
In 1987 the local sale raised just £1,500, while in 2016 it was a staggering £20,772. This year’s local Dolls’ House Sale will be held on Sunday September 29, at Shaw Farm, Lockeridge from 10.30 to 2.30.
In the Shaw Farm’s stables there will be a range of dolls’ houses on sale. Pat told marlborough.news : “The Dolls’ Houses range in price from £15-£200. We don’t just have wonderful collectors’ items, we have lots of Dolls’ Houses that would be great for children. These are cheaper than Dolls’ Houses on sale in shops.”
Miniature furniture, dolls, books, china, glass, room boxes and kits to make Dolls’ Houses will be on sale in Shaw Farm’s barn. Everything that is on sale has been donated. “A great way to begin is with a room box,” says Pat.
In June this year Pat was awarded Cancer Research UK’s Flame of Hope award at a special ceremony at Merchant Taylor’s Hall in London. She was also honoured with an invitation to attend a Buckingham Palace garden party.
Pat’s interest in Dolls’ Houses began when, as a child living in Dublin, she admired the antique dolls’ house belonging to her mother’s friend. It wasn’t until after she was married that she was able to make a dolls’ house of her own out of an old cupboard. She still has it.
As well as the local Dolls’ House Sale, Pat runs a stall at Miniatura, an event held for two weekends every year at the NEC Birmingham. Again all the proceeds go to Cancer Research UK. The next Miniatura event will be in Spring 2018.
She also sells items through her website.
Pat has written a book, “Dolls Houses for Everyone”, contributed to “Dolls House World” and through her friend, Lauren Child, children’s laureate, she has appeared on “The One Show” and a BBC 4 documentary “The Private Life of a Doll’s House.”
According to Pat, “Interest in dolls’ houses and miniatures have remained constant over the years. However, with every sale I always hope to raise more.”