Everything...even the kitchen sink! That showed up once, too, at the Warwick Clothing Mart's bi annual sale at Warwick Academy to raise funds for the school.

The Warwick Clothing Mart dates back more than 40 years when the school sold children's clothing and school uniforms.

Jane Trimingham and Pam Kempe came up with the idea in 1956 and launched it with the help of Lady Eileen Sharpe.

"They had seen it done in Connecticut and then I came in to be treasurer and a member of the committee,'' explained Lady Sharpe.

"Clothing came from anybody. We advertised that we would accept children's clothing, cleaned and ironed and then we put it on sale they way we do today.

"Gradually it was such a success that we expanded it to adult clothing. We used to make a lot of money. We went into a lot of detail and tried not to spend any money, we collected our paper bags all year and cleaners used to give us the tags.'' Added Lady Sharpe: "Advertising was the one thing we spent most of our money on. We enjoyed it very much. Certainly in those days women didn't work as they do today so we had a lot of involved mothers.

"We didn't start out at the school, we started at various other places and it was only later that we were able to go to the school. There used to be a little shop on the water at Darrell's Wharf and I think we started there and then moved into town and had it at two or three places.

"It brings back a lot of memories. We enjoyed making the money for Warwick Academy. I think the first thing we bought was outdoor tables for the children to eat their lunch on.'' The Warwick Clothing Mart isn't limited to just clothing, though the vast majority of the items on sale are men's, women's and children's clothing.

"If I still have some things -- children or grandchildren's clothing -- I send it along,'' Lady Sharpe said.

This year even a computer has been brought in by a consignor, along with such things as a bike, exercise bike, books, CDs, helmets, toys, games, hairdryers, pots, dishes, lamps and bedding.

Each item has a tag and consignment number, with the price listed. When the item is sold the consignor gets 60 per cent while 40 per cent goes to the school. Over the years funds raised from the two clothing marts a year (March for spring and summer clothing and October for winter clothes) have helped provide computers for the school along with other items.

And just about everything can be purchased during the three-day sale which begins today from noon to 8 p.m. in the school hall. Earlier this week, while the volunteers were setting up, the hall looked like a department store with racks and tables full of clothes brought in by members of the public.

"This was the first recycling thing in Bermuda, even before the barn,'' said Valerie Sofianos who has been involved with the clothing mart for about 20 years.

In total there are about 18 volunteers, including many whose children attended or still attend the school.

Those who have contributed six hours of time were able to attend the worker's sale yesterday when they got first pick of the thousands of items on sale. All the items were brought to the school last weekend, with the sorting out and hanging taking place on Monday.

Today, when the doors open there will be a line of people outside waiting to get in to hunt for a bargain.

"If they specifically come for something they will make a beeline for that item. People know the rules and how it works,'' explained Chairperson Maria Duffy who expects three busy days of intense shopping. Three cash registers will record the sales and items on Saturday will sell at half price.

"This is like setting up a department store and taking it back down,'' said Mrs. Duffy. "We have everything you would have in a department store. We even have men's and ladies changing rooms.'' "Everybody has their own consignment number, they give a brief description of what it is, the size and the price. It's a community service, we have people who consign twice a year.

The items that do not sell will be given back to the consignor next Wednesday or will go into the $2 bag sale which is scheduled for next Saturday for anything people don't want returned.

One item that is bound to sell is a security bar, similar to what would be used to lock a sliding door and still in its original package. An original price tag of $48.75 is still visible but the owner is asking just $5 for it.

Photos by Nigel Richardson Stock taking: Volunteers at the Warwick Clothing Mart, top, with some of the clothing that will be available for sale over the next three days at Warwick Academy. Maria Duffy, above, shows off some of the formal wear which will be up on sale.