A COLLECTION of vintage dolls and dolls houses, forming the Rose Cottage Exhibition in Parkend, goes to auction next Monday (December 7).

The collection, lovingly built up over years, includes dolls dating back to 1890 and houses from the 1940s.

Owners, Mary and Rev Ivor Davies, say it's going to be difficult to say goodbye to the collection, but one passion is replacing another as they move into painting.

"It is the end of an era," says Mary. "I can't pretend it won't be a bit of a wrench. It is still quite a passion for us – it does become a real passion and anyone who is into doll collection will tell you the same."

The collection started as a private hobby, but opening the Rose Cottage Exhibition to the public was almost accidental.

"The gardens were open for a bring and buy sale for the various charities we support," recalls Mary. "Just as a last thought we wondered if people would like to see the dolls houses we had upstairs. It went a storm – there was a non-stop stream. It was amazing how people enthused, so we thought 'let's have an exhibition'."

The couple converted a garden studio into an exhibition space, painting a backdrop mural and filling it with dolls and painstakingly refurbished houses sourced from auctions, sales and small ads from around the country.

"Some of our oldest dolls came from a newspaper ad. This very timid little voice came on the phone saying 'do you want a doll to buy?' Three Polish sisters who had come over to this country in the 1930s and were downsizing from a big house in London to somewhere smaller in Weston-super-Mare. They wanted their dolls to go to a good home and to people who would get pleasure from them. They are German dolls, some wearing their original clothes and with original human hair."

The exhibition, opened in 2004, does not charge for entry but asks for donations to charity. Over five years it has raised thousands of pounds for animal charities such as IFAW and WSPA, but also for children in developing countries like Sri Lanka, with the help of Lydbrook Church and ladies from Cinderford.

"I do feel good about what we have achieved," says Mary, who is also a Reiki master/teacher. "The dolls and the houses have raised a lot of money for some very good causes."

•The auction of Rose Cottage's dolls and dolls houses take place at Mews Auction House, behind the library in Mitcheldean. Viewing from 11am. Auction 6pm. As well as dolls there will be a range of collectors' radios, stamps, trains and dyecast toys. Information contact Dorothy Heywood of Monmouth on 01600 713796.