A DOODLE on discarded beermat at a landmark Dobcross pub has given a quirky boost to a much-loved charity.
Cleaners at The Swan Inn found the beermat, which had one side peeling off to make a unique ‘canvas’ for a detailed black-and-white drawing of a country scene.
The artist has simply signed it Paul — but did not reveal his surname.
Michael Powis, who runs the award-winning hostelry with Tim Newbold, said: “It was a pretty picture so I posted it on Facebook and Twitter, saying it was a nice doodle and it had been found by our cleaners that morning.
“Before long, people were intrigued about the doodle and who the mystery artist might be.
“One person suggested auctioning it off for charity. I thought this was amusing so I wrote: ‘Who will give me 10p for it?’
“More and more bids rolled in, so I had to put a deadline on it and decided the charity that would benefit would be Oldham Mountain Rescue Team.
“The idea really caught people’s imagination and I’m pleased the pub highlighted a good cause.”
And the champion bidder, Mike Coulter from Greenfield, happily visited the pub and paid £20 for the unique auction item.
“Mountain rescue is a great organisation which does an amazing service for the community,” said Mike, managing director of the Grasscroft Property company.
“I don’t know the artist’s identity but I plan to frame the beermat and the tweaks and put them on the wall of my office.
“Who knows, the drawing could be famous one day – then I could auction it for charity again,” he quipped.
Mick Nield, leader of OMRT, said: “The beermat drawing really is a different way of raising funds. We are delighted so many people help to support us.”
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