Enid Blyton fans have “lots” to look forward to next month when some of the famous children’s author’s prize possessions go under the hammer.

The Famous Five children’s writer’s daughter Gillian Baverstock has just downsized from a big house in Ben Rhydding to a “more compact” townhouse in the centre of Ilkley.

To help with the move she says she has had to bid farewell to some of her belongings including a 1930s’ walnut bureau that belonged to her Noddy-creator mother.

But she is saddest of all about an oak grandmother’s clock that she remembers striking the hour in the idyllic thatched Buckinghamshire cottage where she was born more than 70 years ago.

“It’s the dearest little clock. I’ll miss it terribly out of everything that is going to the auction. I can remember it striking the hours all day and night but I simply haven’t got the room.”

Mrs Baverstock, now in her 70s, who taught at Moorfield School in Ilkley before retiring, has not decided if she will go along to see the bidding at Hartleys Auctioneers and Valuers in the town on December 6 and 7.

All the items in the sale, which include two solid silver tea services and a portrait of Enid Blyton’s second husband surgeon Kenneth Darrel Waters will be on view for the first time on Saturday, December 2 from 9am to 12.40pm at Hartley’s Victoria Hall in Little Lane.

Viewing will also be held on Monday and Tuesday, December 4 and 5 from 9.30am to 4.30pm and on saledays.

Posted: 11|29|06 at 7:55 am. Filed under: UK News.