Philip and Elizabeth Angier, both 75, have amassed their collection of hippopotamus-themed keepsakes over 55 yearsPhilip Angier from Alnwick in Northumberland who has been collecting hippo memorabilia for more than 55 years, his collection has grown to more than 1000 individual items. Now Philip has decided to sell his beloved hippos to raise money for The Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

Philip Angier from Alnwick in Northumberland who has been collecting hippo memorabilia for more than 55 years, his collection has grown to more than 1000 individual items. Now Philip has decided to sell his beloved hippos to raise money for The Northumberland Wildlife Trust.(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

A Northumberland couple who have a hippopotamus collection with more than 1,000 items are set to sell the majority of it to raise money for a good cause. Philip and Elizabeth Angier, both 75, are hosting the “hippolotafun” extravaganza in the Guest Hall at Alnwick Castle next month.

The couple have spent the best part of two years planning the two-day exhibition which has been lovingly amassed over 55 years. It all started with a Christmas present when Philip was part of the Leander Rowing Club in Henley on Thames.

He told ChronicleLive: “In my youth, I rowed for a rowing club and the mascot was a pink hippo. After we’d had a successful season, my sister had a little pink hippo made for me as a Christmas present and somebody else thought Phil likes hippos.

“It went from one, to two, to four. With Christmas and birthdays, it’s surprising how many hippos you can accumulate.

“Some are serious art but most are outrageously kitsch. We have a hippo toilet roll holder and toilet brush holder, but they’re not for sale as they lower the tone!”

Philip Angier from Alnwick in Northumberland who has been collecting hippo memorabilia for more than 55 years, his collection has grown to more than 1000 individual items. Now Philip has decided to sell his beloved hippos to raise money for The Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

Philip Angier from Alnwick in Northumberland who has been collecting hippo memorabilia for more than 55 years, his collection has grown to more than 1000 individual items. Now Philip has decided to sell his beloved hippos to raise money for The Northumberland Wildlife Trust.(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

The accumulation of hippos has meant that the couple have developed a love for the real thing too. They travelled to the Masai Mara Game Reserve to see the lumbering mammals, and Philip has been to South Africa on more occasions to see them, and says we can “always go up to Edinburgh Zoo” to get a hippo fix.

Philip continued: “We’re in tune with nature, there’s something quirky about hippos and it’s been fun building up the collection. We like wildlife, it’s a different kind of wildlife that we’re donating all the proceeds from the sale.”

Philip Angier from Alnwick in Northumberland who has been collecting hippo memorabilia for more than 55 years, his collection has grown to more than 1000 individual items. Now Philip has decided to sell his beloved hippos to raise money for The Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

Philip Angier from Alnwick in Northumberland who has been collecting hippo memorabilia for more than 55 years, his collection has grown to more than 1000 individual items. Now Philip has decided to sell his beloved hippos to raise money for The Northumberland Wildlife Trust.(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

The sale comes as the couple consider downsizing from their home in Alnwick. Philip finished: “Instead of letting them dribble out, why don’t we have a grand farewell party?

“It’s the first time my wife and I have seen all the hippos in one place at one time. Fingers crossed a good day will be had by all.”

In addition to the hippopotamus exodus, there will be a tombola and auction with items donated by businesses from across the region.

Philip Angier from Alnwick in Northumberland who has been collecting hippo memorabilia for more than 55 years, his collection has grown to more than 1000 individual items. Now Philip has decided to sell his beloved hippos to raise money for The Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

Philip Angier from Alnwick in Northumberland who has been collecting hippo memorabilia for more than 55 years, his collection has grown to more than 1000 individual items. Now Philip has decided to sell his beloved hippos to raise money for The Northumberland Wildlife Trust.(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: “Philip and Elizabeth are such an inspiration to others with their love of wildlife and passion for fundraising. They have been supporters of the Trust for over thirty years, so I am delighted that money raised at the event will be a fitting legacy to their much-loved collection.”

The hippolotafun auction takes place at the Guest Hall in Alnwick Castle on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16.

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