For sale: BA gown and hood - £50

Czechs in Norwich

Marie, my darling wife of 46 years, died in September 2016. She was a Czech, and a brilliant linguist and technical translator, and spoke English so well, that I never learned more than a few phrases of Czech, as she always used to do the translation when we visited her family in the Czech Republic.

Well, I went to visit my in-laws - Marie's brother and sister and their families - in the Czech Republic over Christmas, and the fact that I couldn't really talk with them (though some of them know some English) was both embarrassing and shaming, so I'd like to meet a Czech/some Czechs living in Norwich or nearby, so that I can practise Czech with them, as I try to learn some, and even have them teach me some Czech (payment terms by mutual agreement), so that the next time I go, I can have a simple conversation, and understand something of what is being said.

Oxford gown and hood.

My darling wife died of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (in simple terms, her lungs were turning to fibre, and solidifying) and I sold some of her things, including her academic gown, and used the money to make a donation to "Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis" (see http://www.actionpulmonaryfibrosis.org/) and now I'd like to do the same with my Oxford BA gown and hood.

It's 50 years this July that I graduated from Oxford, and, inexplicably, I bought my BA gown and hood, instead of hiring them - inexplicably, because at that time I had no intention of becoming a teacher (though I did later, but not in a school that wore gowns). So, I have a gown and hood - both rarely worn - that I'd like to sell. Incidentally, I sold my wife's academic gown, and sent the money to "Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis", which pleased me greatly, as I'm sure it would have pleased her.

According to Walters of Oxford (see http://www.walters-oxford.co.uk/oxford-university-bachelors-and-masters-gowns/bachelors-of-arts-b-a-acrylic-fur-hood) and acrylic fur hood of Oxford shape costs £33.32 ex vat, while a Russell cord gown ( see http://www.walters-oxford.co.uk/oxford-university-bachelors-and-masters-gowns/bachelor-of-arts-b-a) costs £166.66 ex vat or £199.98, or nearly £240, inclusive of VAT at 20%. 

Now, I'd like to make £50.00 for the two, on the basis of £15.00 for the hood and £35.00 for the gown, on the following understanding:

1) The items are used, even if only rarely, and are also not new, so I cannot expect to achieve a sum anywhere approaching £240.00

2) However, the gown is of Russell cord, and so of natural fibre (as was my wife's, something the purchaser was particularly keen on)

3) The hood, however, is trimmed with real fur; artificial fibre fur was not very common in 1968, and as a fairly unthinking young man of 23 and typical of my generation, alas, the thought never entered my head. I accept that this may mean that therefor no one will wish to purchase the hood. In that case, I'd ask £40.00 for the gown alone, as the "Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis" charity is naturally close to my heart. 

Well, there we are, and I look forward to receiving a response, or responses, in due course. And thanks to any of you who do respond.