Have a butcher's at unique collection

Now Jake Pearson is opening up his memorabilia of 1,000 different pieces to members of the public to help raise funds for a good cause.

The 72-year-old from Dudley decided to start collecting the items at his home on a whim.

He said: "I woke up one morning and recalled the old cast iron range fire grate we used to have when I was a child so I decided to go out and buy one.

"I found and bought one that was originally from Himley Hall and it all started from there really."

Mr Pearson said he collects things that he remembers from his childhood that he believes will strike a chord with others.

The items are stored in a dedicated 60ft veranda and extension outside of his home with all of the items on display.

"They have similar things at the Black Country Living Museum and such but why should people pay however much a ticket costs there when they can see better items here?" Jake said.

Mr Pearson said people are welcome to view his items and if they want to they can make a donation which Mr Pearson said will go towards Russell's Hall Hospital cancer ward.

He said he is constantly on the lookout for memorabilia to add to his collection and more than anything would love to add a fairground ride as a garden decoration.

He made a similar appeal for people to come along and view his collection a few years ago when his it was smaller but he did not get the reaction he was hoping for.

"My collection has grown since I last made the appeal and I have more interesting things for people to come along and see," he added.

"I have quite a collection of bicycles now which I think are fantastic: I have an old butcher's bike, a baker's bike, a tandem bicycle in showroom condition and a penny farthing."

Although his wife is supportive of his collection to a point Jake said she mainly just 'gets on with it' as she respects his hobby.

Between them they have three children, 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mr Pearson said that he believes young children will love the collection as his own great-grandchildren often come round to see the items he has on show.

"They do like to mess around with the things so sometimes I do have to watch them with the rarer items," he said. "They do seem to enjoy the one armed bandit slot machines and will spend ages playing with them."

Although his expansive collection only started growing to the size it is now over the past few years Jake said he has always been fond of old things.

He said: "I have often collected or bought older things, I have even been through a period of owning classic cars which I loved."

Over the years he said he has owned both a classic Aston Martin and Jaguar.

One of the most curious items he has is an old writing box from a Congregational Sunday school in Brierley Hill presented to a Mr J Holmes around 1807.

Despite going to a number of Sunday schools in Brierley Hill as a child he does not recognise the school and would like some more information on the item.

He said he does not keep track of his spending as he prefers to think more of the viewing appeal and sentimental value of the items.

Although he has thought before about moving the collection from his home and setting up his own museum space, Jake said health issues have prevented him.

An ex-lorry driver, he said that he is not retired, but that his failing eyesight has made it impossible to work and difficult to do most things.

He still thinks however that people will be missing out by not going along to see his collection.

He said: "I've had people come in and they are gobsmacked and think what I have is brilliant.

"When they come in and they see all the things that I have they are so impressed and it absolutely makes my day.

"I just want people to come out and see these things so they don't go to waste and hopefully a bit of money can be raised for Russell's Hall in the process."

He said people interested in coming to see his collection at his Holly Hall home should call him on 01384 484309.