Washing machine and cooker saw couple through 61-year marriage...and still work!
THEY say things were built to last in the old days. And that adage appears to be true if this incredible vintage kitchen collection is anything to go by.
Sydney and Rachel Saunders, 83 and 81, are finally getting rid of dozens of household appliances, some of which they have had for more than 60 years.
They have decided to sell their old tumble dryer, boiler, cooker and washing machine which all hark back to a different era but still work, according to the couple from Exeter.
Mr Saunders, a retired accountant, said: ‘Things were made better in those days, they were more durable and stronger, but of course the new ones are more sophisticated. That’s a good thing, but it means that if something goes wrong it can be quite a big job. I think a lot more care was taken in older days.’
The couple no longer use the retro collection, having replaced them with more upto-date appliances, but kept them as spares for a number of years before deciding on the clearout. The collection will bring back memories for many and includes a Servis washing machine bought by the couple on their marriage in September 1956 for £60, which was ‘a lot of money in those days’.
There is a Baby Belling cooker bought in 1956 for £19, a Burco tumble dryer bought in 1963 for £52 and a five-gallon boiler bought in 1959 for around £15. The couple are also saying farewell to electric irons given to them as a wedding present.
Mrs Saunders, a retired carer, said: ‘The washing machine was last used 12 years ago. As far as I know it’s still in full working order, it just leaks a bit.
‘The tumble dryer was brought around when our first daughter was born and is about 55 years old. I’ve used it every week ever since up to a couple of months ago.
‘It’s still in working order and all you have to do is put the clothes in and switch it on. It’s quite simple – just place the clothes forwards and backwards and then put it through the rollers.
‘The last time the cooker was used was 28 years ago and it was working fine then.’ Mrs Saunders hopes the collection might now end up in a museum. ‘It would be such a shame for them just to go to landfill so we’d really like someone who is interested in them to come forward,’ she said.
‘You just don’t get appliances made like that today. We don’t know what they’re worth, but the money isn’t important, we just want them to go to a good home.’