Arts & Antiques

Discovering antiques –a stirring tale!

HoLed up at home with time on my of the major London auction houses. at the end of a long hands, I recently found myself day, just a fraction before closing time, as the liveried contemplating the Big Bang. Well, to be doormen were about to swing the heavy oak doors shut, a more precise, my Big Bang. What was the rather scruffily dressed young man strolled into the grand thing that kick-started my life in antiques? reception area. T-shirts and ripped jeans are now de rigueur It’s a question I’m often asked but have on Bond Street, not so in the ‘90s. With CHRIS YEO never been able to answer. Try as I might to identify a moment of dazzling epiphany, I could not recall any such eyebrows were raised. The young man’s enquiry was as unlikely as his appearance: would the auction house be interested in selling his aunt’s wooden spoons? He went on event. I can only conclude it must have been lurking in my to explain that he had approached all the other auctioneers in dNa. the area but – suspecting youthful high jinks – each had

For as long as I can remember the man-made things around shown him the door without further enquiry. me, be they buildings or dinner plates, have held a magnetic Unfazed and intrigued, my friend asked his aunt’s name. fascination. It was only natural that, sooner or later, antiques “elizabeth david” came the reply. The young man was would attract my attention and, true to form, I was hooked indeed the nephew of the fabled food writer and the resulting whilst still in short trousers. my enjoyment, however, has sale of the contents of her kitchen, which included her always been much more about discovery than possession. wooden spoons, became headline news.

I have always been captivated by the notion that an object The moral of the story? Have an enquiring mind. don’t be – no matter how ordinary – can put off by appearances and remember, it’s not always the be a silent witness to history, early bird that catches the worm. a tangible link with a time, person or place. You could almost say it’s meat and drink to me. Which brings me on to wooden spoons.

Back in the 1990s, a friend of mine was working at one

Lanterns light up the night sky

BLaGdoN'Sfourth lantern parade was as colourful as ever, though it had to be a socially distanced event.

This year the theme was nature and foraging and the big lanterns were made in memory of friend and parade organiser andrea Bonetti who died from cancer last summer.

The mushrooms and flowers were inspired by her wonderful vibrant pastel and charcoal drawings of nature and her family helped carry them.

The parade is organised by Blagsaey arts CIC.

Details: Facebook @blagdonlanterns

Guild support for mosaic

THeWells in mosaic team says it is delighted to have received not only a very generous donation from the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen, but also great praise for the project. When mosaic artist, Ruth ames White, was accepted as a member of the guild, guild master, Prue Biddle, was very impressed with her work – especially the skill and ambition shown in the six-metre diameter mosaic depicting the City of Wells and its history.

So impressed that she and her members decided to give their support to the project. as well as a significant financial contribution, the guild is keen to support Ruth and the team in any way they can in the future.

Prue said: “We are delighted to support the mosaic and look forward to some of our members being able to visit the studio in the not-too-distant future to see the work in progress.” members of the guild work all over the county but their gallery, in Broad Street in Wells, is where work is exhibited and sold.

Knobkerrie hits the mark

KNoBKeRRIeSat first glance look pretty harmless but they can have a lethal history being a form of club used mainly in Southern africa. Typically they have a large knob at one end and can be used for clubbing an enemy’s head!

Tribal items have always been met with strong demand at the mendip auction Rooms and a Zulu example offered in april achieved a price of £1300.

With the auction rooms now allowing viewing, there was really strong online bidding at the april antiques sale with quality once again selling. The demand for furniture has improved a little and a charming George III bureau bookcase realised £2000.

There was also keener interest for pictures with two framed old master pen and ink drawings achieving £1300, a pastel portrait of Rembrandt £850 and a modern still life by Raymond Campbell £750. a charming chaise longue or day bed by Howard & Sons was offered having been bought at another local auction house last year for £12. The owner had decided not to keep it and took it to mendip where it was recognised as “Howard & Sons” and of value. With appropriate cataloguing and promotion, it went on to achieve £1500. The auction rooms are now open for valuations and viewings and it is intended to welcome the public back for sales on may 25th. The team of valuers at the auction rooms are also out on the road undertaking free home visits.

Contact the auction rooms on 01749 840770 or email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for further assistance.

On the trail of a white rabbit

ALMOST 350 families enjoyed a fantasy trail around Holcombe, complete with larger-than-life characters from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to entertain them.

Wonderland in Holcombe was organised by the village’s Holcombe Hive team which last year held Halloween and Christmas events.

The trail – which ended with children meeting the White Rabbit in his burrow to receive Easter eggs – was raising funds for the village.

Not one caterpillar, but two offering advice! Laura Parslow (left) and Anne Hale were the first characters on the trail Planting roses – the Queen of Hearts

Full steam ahead for heritage line

PASSENGER-carrying steam trains returned to the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore for the first time since the latest Covid restrictions were eased.

Enthusiasts and families alike were delighted to take their seats once again –although the first train was delayed by 30 minutes due to a minor fault with the line’s Ivatt loco.

During lockdown, work continued to create the heritage line’s new museum in a former ticket office and waiting room. The charity – which recently received aid from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund – hopes it will be able to open the museum to visitors from Monday, May 17th.

The Ivatt loco 46447 prepares to leave the sidings for its first journey of 2021

Attention to detail inside the new museum Richard “Dick” Bellchambers at work in the engine shed on GWR Prairie loco 4555 on loan from the Dartmouth Steam Railway. Dick owns the ESR’s distinctive bright blue Lady Nan loco

Loco driver Alan Jefferies, who lives in Nunney, grabs a bite to eat on the footplate. Alan used to work on the Somerset and Dorset Railway Lynne Sharp with Barney the station dog, always on hand to greet visitors Enjoying the scenery

The importance of appointing a guardian for your children

Becominga parent is life-changing and with so much planning involved along the way, it is hardly surprising that many people do not consider drafting a Will and appointing a guardian at what is a very important stage of their lives.

Why appoint a guardian?

if there was one person in the world you would trust to bring up your child, who would it be? This is a difficult question, and one which can prevent people from finalising their Wills. making a Will and incorporating a “guardianship clause” allows you specify who you would like to bring up your child if you were not around as opposed to leaving it to the court to decide.

Should I make a Will?

A guardianship appointment only needs to be in writing and signed and dated to be valid. it can be a letter of wishes, setting out how you would like your child to be brought up. This can include a range of different things, from the kind of education you would like them to have, to sports, activities or hobbies you would like them to take part in. You can even specify which family members and friends you would like your child to be kept in touch with.

Kat King

it is a very personal letter and, although not legally binding, it can be very useful for the person responsible for bringing up your child. However it is worth thinking about including this in your Will as this also takes into account other aspects of the administration of your estate such as who your executors/trustees will be as they will be responsible for dealing with the estate funds and releasing money to the guardian.

For more information in relation to appointing a guardian or making a Will, please contact Kat King on 01749 342 323 or kat.king@mogersdrewett.com. We are here to help.