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Burnham fancy dress shop that provided Carnival clothing

A MUCH-LOVED fancy dress shop which has provided outfits for the Burnham Carnival for more than a decade will bow out in style with a bumper auction of all 1,500 items.

The Fancy Dress Box, which has been run by carnival committee members John Randall and wife Marlene since 2000, used to be based in Ormiston Rivers Academy before relocating to its current High Street site.

However, with the committee unable to fund

rents for a new premises, or find someone willing to put them up for free, the shop has been forced to close its doors, with an auction set to take place in early November.

John, of Station Road, said: "We have had a fancy dress shop in the town for about 14 years but we can't find premises big enough to house everything, because we've got about 1,500 pieces all together.

"My wife and I have been running it with some helpers, but now no one wants to take it on, so the decision was made by the committee to leave.

"It is just one of those things. We are still part of the carnival committee, it is not the end of that, but we have got to move on.

"We have got a lot of vintage clothing that isn't traditional fancy dress, from Beatles jackets and wedding dresses to 40s and 50s evening suits."

The shop's whole collection will be sold by auction at the premises on Saturday November 7, while all the items are also available for viewing on Saturday, October 31, and Friday, November 6.

John, president of the Burnham carnival committee and a member since 1967, added: "The carnival was established in 1909 and the fancy dress enterprise has been one of its more successful ventures.

"It is now hoped that proceeds from the auction will provide us with funds

towards future carnivals."

Alongside John and Marlene, helper Chris Devonshire has been on hand working as a volunteer in the shop.

Caroline Sarychkin, also a member of the carnival committee, added: "In this day and age, it is difficult to find somebody to let us use their premises for free.

"The carnival is all about raising money

for the local area and good causes and we can't pay out hundreds of pounds in rent. There are some fantastic pieces in there so hopefully, this way, we can raise good money and return it to the community.

"It is just a treasure trove and people really need to come along and see what is there for themselves.

"I think the overwhelming atmosphere of the day will be excitement to see all the lots and see how much they go for.

"It really gets the blood rushing, so I think it will be a fantastic event."

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