A cricket bat signed by members of what was arguably England's greatest Test team will be the top attraction at an event in Greasley next week.
The bat, estimated to be worth £2000, is expected to attract major bids at a charity auction arranged by Eastwood's mayor Cllr Josie Forrest.
The auction will be held in Greasley Miners' Welfare Club on Friday October 17. It will raise money for t
he Alzheimer's Society, Cllr Forrest's chosen charity during her year in office, and for Age Concern, Eastwood.
The bat marks the famous Triangular Tournament in 1912. Nine Test matches were contested by England, Australia and South Africa and the tournament was won by England.
The bat was signed by players from all three teams, including England's captain CB Fry, Jack Hobbs and Wilfred Rhodes.
The Triangular Tournament was marred by a wet summer and six of
Australia's best players were missing because of a dispute. But England had beaten their full-strength side 4-1 in the Ashes series in Australia in 1911-12 and they won four of their six tournament matches in 1912.
They next visited South Africa in 1913-14, winning four Tests and drawing the other.
England remained undefeated in 15 consecutive Tests, winning 12 of them, before the 1914-18 war intervened.
Cricket historians rate the side alongside those of 1902, 1928-29, 1932-33 and the 1950s as England's best.
The 1911-14 period ranks with the seasons which peaked in 2005, when the Ashes were won, as among the most successful in English cricket.
One of the 1912 matches - a draw between Australia and South Africa - was played at Trent Bridge.
Only three Test match tournaments have been played between more than two nations throughout the history of cricket.
In addition to the 1912 games, the Asian Test Championships of 1998-99 and 2001-02 featured India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Cllr Forrest, who is a keen cricket follower, said: "The bat was donated by a couple from Brinsley who wish to remain anonymous.
"I think it has been in the family for more than 60 years. The bat's owners have assured me that if the bid is acceptable, it will be sold."
Among the other lots to be auctioned are a signed Nottingham Forest team photograph, a Raleigh bike and tickets for a Pro 40 match at Trent Bridge next year.
There will also be a raffle, live music, karaoke and belly dancing at the event.
Cllr Mrs Forrest has thanked the prize donors who include Raleigh Cycles, Nottingham Forest Football Club, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, the Midland School of Motoring, John Harrison's Peugeot Dealership in Lowdham, Cinemascope, National Ice Centre, Denby Potteries, Brinsley Mini-Market, Armstrong Mill, the Broadway Cinema, Thorntons, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Greasley Welfare and the couple from Brinsley "who have donated the bat and prefer to remain anonymous."
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