Arts & Antiques

Wells Cathedral in photos

AMATEUR photographer, Rose Atkinson from Easton, has been awarded the Associateship (ARPS) of the Royal Photographic Society, after two years working on her project depicting Wells Cathedral.

The assessors said Rose’s work showed a strong sense of place, humanity and sensitive presentation. Rose has been an avid photographer for many years and is a member of Mid-Somerset Camera Club.

A gallery of contemporary craft

Open Tues - Sat 10.00 - 16.00

Signs of spring at guild

Perfect for ewe

A FLOCK of sheep and lambs has arrived at the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen gallery in Wells – thanks to guest maker of the month in February, Liz Mangle, with her wonderful “Ewenique” furniture featuring irresistible benches and footstools with characterful faces and fleecy seats.

Liz started carving out her career more than 30 years ago with an apprenticeship in making rocking horses. One thing led to another and now she specialises in this furry furniture which is proving so popular.

The materials have integrity – locally sourced lime wood, British sheepskin and the occasional hand wrought cast iron curly horn. Liz also makes bespoke sheep to order, personalising items or using rare breeds’ fleece.

As well as a great place to rest feet or posterior, these companionable cuddly creatures are known to be confided in but maintain a discreet silence. Liz’s customers love their sheep!

Golden start to the year at Clevedon Salerooms

CLEVEDONSalerooms began the New Year in fine style on January 5th. The first threeweekly Interiors sale of 2023 had been promoted online throughout the festive period and many strong prices were in evidence. Chief amongst these were three rather different kinds of “gold”. Aynsley “Harvest Gold” is an enduringly popular pattern of dinner and tea ware and a large consignment arrived courtesy of an online valuation. Competing online and commission bidders pushed the price to an impressive £1,100 (LOT 342).

Gold of a purer form came in the form of a 1980 double sovereign. Standard years generally sell in the £550-650 region at auction, but this particular vintage proved more sought after as the resulting £880 demonstrates.

Finally, a large gold nugget weighing some 25 grams was offered. Although it drew three strong commission bids, all were left disappointed as it sold online for £820 (LOT 24). The Watch section followed the jewellery and again proved popular with

£780 securing a 1944 WW2 military pilot’s Omega wristwatch and one bid less (£750) a more modern Omega Prestige watch. Although in today’s hi-tech world it is tempting to regard postcards, stamps and books as redundant, it was reassuring to see strong bidding for all of these categories at the auction. A good collection of mint stamps exceeded expectations to sell With for over £2,700 across five lots with a top price of £780. A large CHRIS YEO collection of postcards was split into 11 lots and achieved a multiple-estimate £2,800 with a top price of £720. A consignment of Agatha Christie books also proved somewhat of a thriller as they sold for £650. Overall the sale performed at exactly a third over expectations despite the challenging economic climate, which can be seen as a very strong result to kick-start the year. The spring Specialist sale is also already building nicely, with further entries invited until early February. Consignments to date include a superb six-cylinder Nicole Freres musical box on original table stand (£4,000-6,000), an L. S. Lowry print “Britain at Play” (£2,000-3,000) and a diamond spray brooch (£2,0003,000).

Chris Yeo is a valuer at Clevedon Salerooms and regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow Please visit the website www.clevedonsalerooms.com for more details

A full roster of auctions for the year ahead

THIS year kicked off with a successful Select Interiors auction offering a curated selection of pictures, furniture, silver, ceramics and more. Interest was high in prints and paintings, furniture and silver with some strong results on the day.

Looking forward, we have the Classic Car auction on Saturday, March 11th, Jewellery and Watches on Wednesday, March 22nd and Automobilia on Thursday, April 13th.

Classic Car auctions continue to thrive with marquee viewings which are consistently well received both by buyers and local enthusiasts who revel in an opportunity to view the cars next to the Cheese & Grain in Frome.

Head of Motoring, Nick Wells, is actively sourcing classics to entice buyers for his March 11th auction. All the major marques will be represented such as Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Jaguar and more. He is also working on the forthcoming Automobilia auction. Mascots, signs, posters and motoring accessories are always popular and have a strong following at auction. Contact Nick to find out more about selling classic cars and automobilia at auction on 07920 500091.

Jewellery and Watches on March 22nd promises to be another showstopper. Susan Rumfitt, Head of Jewellery, commented: “Our December Fine Jewellery and Watches auction was a great success and we are looking forward to our next Fine auction in March.

“We have a beautiful collection of jewellery already consigned ranging from Georgian to Contemporary pieces, including a superb suite of aquamarine jewellery, a carved emerald ring and a beautiful diamond collar. We would be delighted to hear from you if you have any jewellery or watches that you would like to be included in our auction.”

A good starting point to selling items by auction is to attend a valuation day, details below. If the February dates don’t work for you, give us a call to arrange a convenient appointment time on 01373 462257.

MONDAY 6 AND TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY Meet our specialists, many of whom are well known faces on BBC Antiques Roadshow, to have your items appraised and receive a free auction estimate. Appointments available at the Auction Salerooms in Frome or at your home. Contact us to book: 01373 462257 enquiries@doreandrees.com Jewellery – Susan Rumfitt • Watches – Richard Price Silver – Duncan Campbell • Pictures – Graham Snow Motoring – Nick Wells • Asian Art – Lee Young Interiors – Guy Tayler

Silver and jewellery sales continue to do well at Killens

ATthe Mendip Auction Rooms, in spite of the current economic difficulties, sales are still seeing strong support with good demand seen from within the room and over the internet.

Silver and jewellery attracts buyers from across the country and the bimonthly sales staged by Killens are becoming a firm fixture in the auction calendar. At their recent sales, a good entry attracted additional interest.

A very attractive Edwardian aquamarine, pearl and diamond pendant/necklace achieved £2800 with many rings selling for between £500 and £2000 with a diamond nine stone cluster ring selling for £1600. Gold charm bracelets are always popular and recent sales have been at levels of between £1000 and £1500.

At Killens, their expert valuers value silver, gold and jewellery almost on a daily basis and it is possible to call in to the auction rooms for a valuation on a drop-in basis – no appointment is needed. If you are looking to sell, they can explain the selling process.

Killens are staging an increased number of online timed auctions with specialist sections. One sale is scheduled monthly in addition to the regular sales staged at the auction rooms. In February, a sale of Optical, Audio and Telecommunications items is being staged between February 16th and 26th so do go online and have a look.

Are you looking to sell items? Valuations can be undertaken on a drop-in basis at the auction rooms between 10am and 3pm each weekday. Alternatively, valuers are able to conduct free home visits. They can also arrange house clearances and undertake probate valuations.

Contact the team at Killens on 01749 840770 or email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for further assistance

Day trips inspires memories

Enjoying lunch during the trip

RETIRED miners, partners and widows enjoyed a coach trip to Axbridge and Brent Knoll organised by the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust.

Some miners were meeting up for the first time for more than 40 years, including Don Bull who worked at Braysdon Colliery; the trust says he is probably one of the few miners still alive who worked there as the mine closed at the end of the 1950s. The next trip is in May to Weymouth with a cream tea on the way home.

Any ex-Somerset Coalfields employees who would like to take part should contact the trust on 01761 471350 to register your address

Wildlife challenge

SOMERSETWildlife Trust has launched its new Challenge Events Calendar for 2023 — which, for the first time, includes the action-packed Mud Master challenge!

The events give the public the chance to try something new or push themselves to new limits, while raising funds for the trust.

There are so many events to choose from and lots of free charity places available! The events include: March 26th The Big Cheese: a 15-mile, off-road, hilly run through their Mendip Nature Reserves. April 2nd Mud Master: a 5k, 10k, or the ultimate 20k muddy obstacle course in Weston-super-Mare. May 21st The Somerset 100: a 35 mile, 100k, or 100 mile road cycle on the Somerset Levels. June 24th The Exmoor Perambulation: a 15 or 30 mile, selfnavigated, circular walk through Exmoor National Park. June 24th Ultra Marathon: run the 30 mile ultra marathon distance of the Exmoor Perambulation. June 25th Man vs. Moor: Exmoor’s toughest challenge! 5k, 10k, or the ultimate 10 mile run, swim, and tunnel through remote parts of Exmoor. September 23rd Abseil for Wildlife: 130ft drop.

Details: https://www.somersetwildlife.org/supportus/fundraise-us/challenge-yourself

Restoration reveals stunning artwork

The chancel

THE restoration project at St Laurence Church in East Harptree has revealed this stunning medieval artwork hidden under years of paint.

The £800,000 Project Newton, named after the memorial in the church porch, has been a huge undertaking and it’s hoped the church will reopen in March.

So far work to the tower and hunky punks (stone carvings) and other

The restored sundial stonework and roof work is complete as is work to the stained glass and wall paintings. The church bells are due to be reinstalled this month, as well as a new glass door into the nave. Inside, new interpretation areas are taking shape involving the village school and Bristol Museum.

There’s a new path and wall at the entrance to the churchyard and a new external door on the south porch. East Harptree Environment Group have been planting and installing bird and bat boxes.

The project has not been without its problems, particularly the discovery of medieval graves and skeletons outside the south porch.

A spokesman said: “The engagement and support of our local community has been fantastic. The church is in a so much better state. We hope the next major works on the church will not be needed for another 100 years.”

The overall project is due to complete in 2025.