Regent sale a fitting way to find puzzles

Rebecca Westoby, of Dunedin, walked away happy from the Regent Theatre’s Christmas ‘‘Good as New”...
Rebecca Westoby, of Dunedin, walked away happy from the Regent Theatre’s Christmas ‘‘Good as New” book and gift sale yesterday. PHOTOS: CHRISTINE O’CONNOR
It is no secret that Rebecca Westoby, of Dunedin, is a big fan of jigsaw puzzles.

Which is why she may have been seen at the Regent Theatre’s Christmas "Good as New" book and gift sale yesterday.

The best puzzles were colourful, with only a small amount of sky or water, and horizontal, so they could fit on her table at home, she said.

If it was a part of a set, that was a bonus as they were more reliable.

That was exactly what she found in the five puzzles she took home from the new version of the theatre’s 24-Hour Book Sale, which was cancelled earlier this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Westoby said her love of puzzles started at a young age as her father had one going year-round.

She visited the theatre’s sales yearly and each time donated the puzzles she had completed, usually in an exceptionally quick timeframe.

"It is a cycle."

As well as the puzzles there were plenty of other items, including games, children's toys, books, CDs and DVDs.

Book sale helpers kept the festive spirit high wearing Santa hats and playing Christmas carols.

Organiser Alison Cunningham said this year would have been the 40th annual 24-hour sale.

Despite it being cancelled, the theatre wanted to hold a sale before Christmas for families to be able to buy good quality but affordable gifts, particularly as the impacts of Covid-19 made it a tough year for many people.

Plenty of items were new, or almost new, and gifts could be gift wrapped for a gold coin donation, or stuffed into stockings volunteers had hand made, she said.

It proved popular, as a large queue formed and the theatre was packed within the first 15 minutes of opening.

The sale is on again today between 10am and 2pm.

molly.houseman@odt.co.nz

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