Barbara's Beach Sells at Auction
April 2011
Symonds & Sampson's Auction on Friday 15th April in Sherborne was another very well supported event with standing room only.
Auctioneer Mark Lewis said "We had the BBC News present together with regional newspapers which helped to create an exciting atmosphere. Strong competition for all of the Lots that sold ensured an 80% success rate with a sale total of £2.4 million.
Of note were two Lots of land at Portesham near Weymouth selling for £7,900 per acre, stables with land at Gillingham selling for £139,000.
A lovely cottage in West Stafford sold for £182,000 and a redevelopment site at Thruxton sold for £210,000.
An imposing Grade II Listed farmhouse at Rodden, Weymouth, sold for £465,000, whilst a Manor House just down the road at Langton Herring sold for £850,000.
A property subject to a regulated protected tenancy near Dorchester sold for £212,000 and an industrial unit in Yeovil for £75,000.
The star of the show, however, was a stretch of sandy beach at Castle Cove near Weymouth. There had been huge national and international interest following many media reports, and Chris Evans and East Enders actress Barbara Windsor discussed the beach with Mark Lewis, the Auctioneer on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
Overlooking the site of the 2012 Olympic sailing events and with a licensed kiosk and planning permission for 8 beach huts, the property with a guide price of £70,000 sold for £86,000.
The extraordinary story was that the lady was watching the BBC News earlier in the day saw the beach being featured and then came along to the auction and bought it.
Symonds & Sampson have 40 Lots in their May auctions, and further details can be received from Mark Lewis on 01258 473766.
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