Magnus Magnusson items auctioned off for charity

Magnus Magnusson in 2005. Picture: Cate Gillon

Various books, paintings and personal belongings went under the hammer at Milngavie Town Hall on Saturday.

A healthy number of local people turned up, some of whom were familiar with Magnusson who lived in the area before dying of pancreatic cancer in 2007.

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Among the items was a cut-glass replica of the Mastermind chair, which went for £170.

The proceeds went to The Balmore Trust, a fair trade charity supported by Magnusson.

“It went very well, we sold tons of his books,” said the trust chairman John Riches.

“There were a lot of Icelandic books and Scottish books. It was an amazingly wide collection, there was a lot of poetry, history, reference works, and quite a lot of his own books too that he had written.

“Mamie and Magnus were part of the community and very supportive of our work.

“We are honoured to be given the chance to raise funds for the trust in such a special way.”

Magnusson was born in Iceland but lived in Scotland for most of his life.

He is most fondly remembered for his 25 year run as presenter of the much loved TV quiz show Mastermind, where he coined the catchphrase “I’ve started so I’ll finish”.

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