In October 2007 Kew Bridge Steam Museum will be participating in an exciting new initiative: TopLots – the first eBay auction of its kind where the UK’s museums, galleries and heritage attractions go online with unique experiences and ‘behind the scenes’ activities up for grabs!

 

Around 200 lots featuring a whole range of experiences from the UK’s extraordinarily diverse heritage sector will be available on eBay from 1 October for 1 month only. Museums large and small, historic houses and heritage properties from all regions are participating. Privileged access, exclusive experiences, and unique memories to treasure will be on offer – ideal gifts for enthusiasts with a passion for their subjects and unusual corporate events and family outings.

 

Kew Bridge Steam Museum is delighted to be taking part in TopLots. We hope that you’ll go online to support us by bidding for our own special lots:

 

A Day with a Kew Bridge Blacksmith – Ideal for novices, the winner will be introduced to the basic principles, followed by a discussion of how best to use their time, making this is truly a unique experience. A record of the day will be taken by our photographer and a CD sent to you with the photographs on it. This day will be arranged at your convenience. How involved you become will depend on your level of experience. For novices we suggest simply experimenting throughout the day under the supervision of our Blacksmiths, for the more experienced, if the Blacksmith feels they are capable, they may be able to help in making small elements of pieces of work in progress at the time.

 

The Kew Bridge Cornish Beam Experience - An exclusive chance to learn how to drive the world’s largest single beam engine, under the tuition of one of the museum’s former Chief Engineers. The day includes a free lunch, behind-the-scenes-tour and a record of the day in a CD of photographs taken by the museum’s photographer and a certificate.

 

Experience a day on London’s only Steam railway! - Spend a day with one of our railway crews, from the firing of the locomotive with an introduction to even having a go at driving yourself! A record of the day will be available in the form of a CD of photographs taken by our photographer, and you will be given a behind-the-scenes-tour to complete the day. For insurance reasons, if the winner wishes to have a go for real then this day will need to take place on a non-operational day, if they are happy to simply assist in general then it can take place on an operational day.

 

We also hope you’ll be tempted by some of the fantastic opportunities provided by other organisations. The full list of lots and details is on www.toplots.co.uk

 

Your next steps:

 

TopLots is all in a very good cause. Thanks to eBay for Charity the money generated by the bids will come straight back to us (less a small admin charge) to help with our work.

 

The TopLots heritage auction is run in partnership between eBay, the Association for Independent Museums and UK heritage fundraising specialists, Development Partners, working closely with VisitBritain and EnjoyEngland. The aim is to generate vital new funds for the participating museums, galleries and heritage properties – all not-for-profit organisations.