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This couple’s kitchen appliances still work 50 years after they were purchased

They don’t make ‘em like they used to.

An elderly couple’s kitchen appliances are all still in perfect working order… 50 years after they purchased them.

Sydney and Rachel Saunders, aged 83 and 81, are finally getting rid of dozens of items they bought half a century ago.

The couple, from Exeter, Devon, are selling their tumble dryer, boiler, cooker and washing machine which date back to 1956.

Sydney, a retired accountant, believes that ‘things were made better’ in those days, and Rachel wants the collection to go to a museum.

Rachel and Sydney Saunders with their appliances (Picture: SWNS)
Rachel and Sydney Saunders with their appliances (Picture: SWNS)

All of the items are in full working order, although the washing machine does have a slight leak, and are available for collection from the couple’s home.

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Included in the sale is a service washing machine, bought by the couple for just £60 in 1956 when they were first married, and Sydney readily admits: ‘That was a lot of money in those days.’

The couple's kitchen is more than 50 years old (Picture: SWNS)
The couple’s kitchen is more than 50 years old (Picture: SWNS)

They also have a Baby Belling cooker bought in 1956 for £19, a Burco tumble dryer bought in 1963 for £52 and a five-gallon boiler bought in 1959 for about £15.

The couple have kept the appliances as spares but are now selling them after a clear out.

‘Things were made better in those days, they were more durable and stronger, but of course the new ones are more sophisticated,’ said Sydney.

‘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.

It is hoped the appliances may end up in a museum (Picture: SWNS)
It is hoped the appliances may end up in a museum (Picture: SWNS)

‘We’re selling them now because over the years we have replaced them. We’ve kept them as spares for a number of years even though they have been replaced and we thought it was a good opportunity to clear the house out.’

Rachel, a retired carer, said: ‘We were given the washing machine when we were married – 62 years ago – and the last time it was used was 12 years ago.

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

The kitchen appliances have served the couple well for decades (Picture: SWNS)
The kitchen appliances have served the couple well for decades (Picture: SWNS)

‘The tumble dryer was brought around when our first daughter was born and is about 55 years old.

‘I’ve used it every week ever since up to a couple of months ago. It’s still in working order and all you have to do is put the clothes in and switch it on.

‘It’s quite simple – just place the clothes forwards and backwards and then put it through the rollers.

The couple on their wedding day in 1956 (Picture: SWNS)
The couple on their wedding day in 1956 (Picture: SWNS)

‘The last time the cooker was used was 28 years ago and it was working fine then.’

She added: ‘It would be such a shame for them just to go to landfill so we’d really like someone who is interested in them to come forward.

‘You just don’t get appliances made like that today. We don’t know what they’re worth, but the money isn’t important, we just want them to go to a good home.’