Elderly couple's household appliances still work after 50 years

They hope to show people how much better made things used to be

(SWNS)

An elderly couple are selling their household appliances that are all over 50 years old - and still functioning.

Sydney and Rachel Saunders are 83 and 81 respectively and live in Exeter, Devon.

They bought all their appliances when furnishing their house after getting married in 1956.

Incredibly, their tumble dryer, boiler, cooker and washing machine still work, but the couple have decided to have a clear out and get rid of them.

They’re hoping the appliances could go on display in a museum to show people how much better made kitchen items like these used to be.

“Things were made better in those days, they were more durable and stronger, but of course the new ones are more sophisticated,” retired accountant Mr Saunders said.

“That’s a good thing, but it means that if something goes wrong it can be quite a big job. I think a lot more care was taken in older days.”

Quite how much prices have changed has become clear too - the couple bought their washing machine for £60, the baby belling cooker for £19, the Burco tumble dryer for £52 and the boiler £15.

The Saunders aren’t particularly bothered about how much they sell the appliances for though.

“We’ve been here for 60 years and we’ve kept them for spares for years, but now we’ll never use them again and it’s time we found a good home for them,” retired carer Mrs Saunders said.

“I’m not bothered about the price, I’d like them to go to a museum or something like that so they can be preserved.”

She admitted that there is a slight problem with the washing machine though.

“We were given the washing machine when we were married – 62 years ago – and the last time it was used was 12 years ago,” Mrs Saunders said.

“As far as I know it’s still in full working order, it just leaks a bit.”