Arts & Antiques

Anniversary lunch

CoMpToNDando art Group celebrated their 17th anniversary with a ploughman’s lunch at the Compton inn. The group meets each week in the village hall and many of its original members still attend.

Leader of the group, sonia priest said: “although Covid was difficult and the group could not meet, we are all now enjoying such gatherings again with workshops and demos given by Mary shaw, a local artist who comes along once a month.”

Village’s lockdown legacy

Kelly shows off the quilt with the help of neighbour Alfie Lott

This impressive wall hanging will be a permanent reminder of lockdown 2020 in Chewton Mendip. While people were trapped at home, Kelly harris walked around the village delivering squares of material, inviting people to make up their own designs.

Nearly 50 people responded and Kelly has now finished the marathon task of stitching all the squares together. she hopes to put it on display at venues around the village and perhaps further afield.

Prize winner

RebeCCaWarwick won first prize with this pastel at Nunney and District Flower show, which dates back to 1884. Cash prizes were awarded for the winner of the numerous categories along with over 30 trophies.

Perfect marriage of art, craft and design

WheNi tell people i work in antiques the question i’m invariably asked is “What do you collect?” and the answer is absolutely nothing. although i’ve lived and breathed antiques since childhood the idea of amassing a collection of any one thing or group of things has never held any appeal. With one exception, that is. about 20 years ago, on a saturday morning mooch around an antiques market, i came across something that stopped me in my tracks. it was a glass vase from the 1950s, a sleek number in rich shades of blue and turquoise. it was love at first sight and, of course, i bought it. about a month later i bought another piece of glass, shortly followed by another and another – you get the picture.

For the next few years, i hoovered up every piece of studio glass i could find. it was a labour of love and an obsession which bordered on an addiction. put a piece of studio glass in front of me and i would find it near impossible to “just say no”. i won’t be too hard on my younger self. There is, after all, something undeniably seductive about mid-century art glass: a perfect marriage of art, craft and design.

Following on from its 1950s heyday, studio glass is once again riding the crest of a wave of popularity. Richly

coloured and beautifully made, fine quality glass introduces just the right note of luxury, colour and sophistication into any interior. if you’ve never thought of having glass on display, think again: the allure With of light playing on coloured glass can CHRIS YEO be just as compelling as a strikingly painted canvas. That said, some people remain a little nervous about living with glass: “it’ll get knocked over and smashed!” Truth is, most glass is more robust than you think and, so long as you’re not flinging it against the wall, it’s no less durable than pottery. When it comes to display, less is always more, give each piece space to breathe. You’ll find your art glass a source of inspiration as well as beauty.

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 bumper first year under leadership of Lee Young

WhaT a first year the new team at Dore & Rees in Frome has enjoyed with the introduction of specialist auctions and online bidding under new leadership. Faces well known from Antiques Roadshow at a charity valuation day during Frome Festival Lee Young, Managing Director and head of asian art, said: “it has exceeded all our expectations. Much of our success is down to the introduction of specialist auctions offering high quality lots across multiple online bidding platforms.

“our growing team of experts bring high-grade knowledge and experience to our clients, so building a sound footing of friendly advice coupled with competitive commercial terms. all wrapped up in fresh visual presentation through our website and social media channels enabling Dore & Rees to reach a global market.”

There have been many highlights; to name a few – a Rare huanghuali six post bed topped the auction results table for asian art, selling for £182,000 in November 2021; a 1923 RollsRoyce silver-Ghost piccadilly Roadster hit a high note in the Classic Car auction of 18 June, selling for £255,000 and an archaeological-Revival Gold and Micro-mosaic Theatrical Mask brooch by Castellani topped the bill selling for £80,600 in the Jewellery, Watches and objects of Vertu auction on 6 July. it’s worth noting that a UK record price for a 1965 sunbeam Tiger prototype (aF203) roadster was also achieved in the June 18th Classic Car auction, selling for £79,520.

The team is now looking forward to an exciting programme of auctions in the months ahead, including: August 24th: select interiors including furniture, pictures, ceramics and more. inviting entries until august 4th. head of sale: Guy Tayler September 21st: Curious and Collectable including automobilia. inviting entries until end august. head of sale: Marc allum October 8th: Classic Cars. inviting entries until mid-september. head of sale: Nick Wells November 7th: Fine asian art. inviting entries until end september. head of sale: Lee Young December 6th: Fine Jewellery. inviting entries until end october. head of sale: susan Rumfit

If you are interested in selling items at auction, or just finding out the value of your items, contact the team at enquiries@doreandrees.com (01373 462257)

Famous furniture names proving popular

MoDeRNDesign, interiors & Collectables sales are regularly held at Killen’s Mendip auction Rooms and are proving extremely popular.

Well-known furniture names going under the hammer include ercol, G-plan, Ladderax and more, with an appetite amongst buyers also for modern design ceramics, glass, lighting and decorative items.

The auction is held bi-monthly, every third Tuesday, with consignments arriving every week. our experts are available inhouse Monday to Thursday from 10am to 3pm for valuations and advice – no appointment necessary. They are also happy to visit customers at home for larger collections. The next sale will be held on august 23rd. in addition to Modern Design, Killens Mendip auction Rooms also holds regular successful auctions of fine art, militaria, silver, jewellery and sporting items as well as collectables. our experts look forward to welcoming you.

Please contact us via email: enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk or telephone: 01749 840770 for further information on consigning or buying or visit our website www.mendipauctionrooms.co.uk

Centenary celebrations –two years late!

MEMBERS of Chewton Mendip WI finally sat down to a celebration tea to mark 100 years since it was launched.

Covid meant the original party had to be postponed for a further year, but 30 past and present members were able to gather at the Charlton House Hotel in Shepton Mallet.

The WI first started in the UK in 1915 and four years later Chewton Mendip WI was formed by Lady Waldegrave. Like all WIs it helps provide friendships and support to people and organisations in the local community. One of the branch’s recent projects was to donate more than 700 heart-shaped cushions for the oncology units in Bristol and Bath.

Past joint presidents Jennie Goode (left) and Carol Curtis (right) were presented with flowers as a thank you for their work by Liz Rugman (second left) and Kath Brandon-Salmon, the current president Chewton Mendip WI members were joined at the celebration by officers from the county federation

Raising a glass to 100 years of Chewton Mendip WI

New signs Community fridge scheme seeks volunteers

SHEPTON Mallet has new wayfinding signs as part of the town council's plans for investment in the area. Council chair, Matt Harrison, (pictured) said: “The new wayfinding signs are part of our continuing efforts to showcase the many aspects of the town, its industrial heritage, cultural vibrancy, and community-focused economy, which make Shepton Mallet so special.” SHEPTON Mallet’s community fridge is due to be installed in mid-August and organisers are seeking more volunteers to join them. The shed to house the fridge is currently being built by Shepton’s Men’s Shed and will be installed by the side of the Haskins retail centre. Volunteers will help with food collections – from Tesco across the road from Haskins –The shed under construction checking the shed, opening and closing.

One of the organisers said: “It’s a really exciting addition to Shepton Mallet’s community spirit and we are very grateful for the generous donations by contributors and the space from Haskins.”

The fridge will be available as soon as the shed is installed. It will be opened formally on Saturday, September 10th at midday. To volunteer to help, scan the QR code