Backdrop of Slad used in Cider With Rosie film goes under the hammer

A large backdrop picturing the village of Slad featured in the theatre scene from the 1998 movie adaptation of Laurie Lee’s autobiographical novel Cider With Rosie.

All of Lee’s childhood haunts are featured on the backdrop, including The Woolpack Inn, The School, The Church and The Squire’s House.

Haymaking is taking place in the foreground, and in the distance Stroud can be seen nestled in the valley.

The backdrop was painted by Fred Gray, a scenic artist whose other movie credits include the Wallace and Gromit adventures A Matter of Loaf and Death, and The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

At a whopping 12ft wide by 9ft tall, it won’t fit on every living room wall, but auctioneers Moore Allen & Innocent are anticipating plenty of local interest when the backdrop goes under the hammer at their antique and general sale on Friday, March 14 with an estimate of £200 to £300.

From the hills of the Five Valleys to the plains of The Dakotas, an interesting collection of Native American ceremonial weaponry and art is bound to have enthusiasts whooping with delight.

The artefacts were collected by an archaeologist who spent time with the Sioux people in the 1990s.

Among the collection is a fearsome looking - yet beautifully decorated - hunting spear. Measuring over 6ft long, the spear is decorated in the traditional manner with furs, feathers and beads, and carries an estimate of £80 to £120.

A similarly-decorated stone war club, and a tomahawk, each carry an estimate of £50 to £80.

And from the Great Plains to plains sailing, a modern pond yacht of considerable proportions – precision-modelled in the style of Victorian pond yachts – has set course for bids of around £50 to £80.

Measuring five feet from bow to stern, and standing at 6ft tall on its wooden base, the yacht was manufactured by Nauticalia, the UK’s leading retailer of items of nautical interest.

For a full auction catalogue see http://www.mooreallen.co.uk