ONE of North-East's oldest car boot sales is gearing up to welcome people back this Sunday.

The car boot sale at Blaydon Rugby Club first welcomed traders and the public as a one-off fundraising event in 1988, with admission fees going back into the club. 

At this point, the club had been around for 100 years. 

Although there are isolated references to matches in the 1880s, the founding of the club is said to be 1888 as that is when records begin.

The successful one-off car boot quickly gained momentum, returning as a monthly, biweekly and then finally a weekly event.

Today, it runs every Sunday and Wednesday at Blaydon Rugby Football Club, on Hexham Road. 

Jim Huxley, 83, was one of the car boot sale's first organisers. He was part of the rugby club's committee until two years ago and played an important role at Blaydon for some 55 years. 

He said: "It's great to see it still going."

Thanks to the now nationally-known sale, Blaydon has been able to stabilise and plan its financial future. 

But the early morning car boot sale had a humble, albeit successful, start.

The Northern Echo: A close up of a market stall. Stock picture.A close up of a market stall. Stock picture.

Mr Huxley said: "Another organisation had a fundraiser for themselves and they had nine cars turn up. 

"I thought we could do better, so advertisements went up. I put them everywhere, including places I probably shouldn't have. 

"30 people turned up and we charged a fiver each for them to park their cars and vans.

"There were a lot of spectators and we knew we should do it regularly. We said, we have to do that again."

The Blaydon Rugby Club organisers decided to host it once a month before a parent and teacher organisation in the area took inspiration and began their own.

The two groups hosted car boot sales on alternating weeks, each twice a month.

"We decided we needed to go full time to keep in business," the 83-year-old added.

For the first five years, Mr Huxley believes they the only car boot sale in the area.

However, it is not known whether Blaydon or Sedgefield car boot sale was actually the first in the North-East.

Mr Huxley added: "Sedgefield could have been first. They are 27 miles apart, that is a long way."

In Blaydon's heyday, Mr Huxley said people would come from around the region, queuing up to get a trading spot from 2am in the morning.

Today, the Sunday event still starts at 5am for both buyers and sellers.

Its popularity also saw organisers launch a Wednesday car boot, which opens at 9am. 

"I think they have been successful because it's something for people to do, somewhere to go, on a Sunday morning," Mr Huxley said.

"Some people make a business of it, selling at ours in the morning and then heading to Seaham in the afternoon.

"Car boot sales are just little places for people to find knick-knacks."

Mr Huxley reminisces about his days starting early, grabbing a bacon sandwich and cup of tea at one of the event's vendors.

But car boot sales are about more than picking up a bargain or selling your old stuff, they are one of the weekend's pleasures and a vital source of income for Blaydon.

"Every car boot sale makes us a better club," Mr Huxley said, while praising the rugby club's treasurer who looks after its finances.

Through the years, the event has been run by volunteers from the club, usually players, ex-players and family.

After a delayed start due to the coronavirus pandemic, Blaydon is welcoming people back this weekend, Sunday, April 18, with the first boot sale of the season. Doors open at 5am. 

The Wednesday event is set to kick off on May 5.