Experts value treasured antiques

Crowds of people turned up with treasured possessions and heirlooms during a special valuation day held at Kidderminster's Swan Centre.

A team of experts from the leading fine art auction house of Halls held the Antiques Roadshow-style valuation event to help raise vital cash for an appeal to help with the rebuilding work at Stourport Sports and Leisure Club.

The club was devastated by fire on December 4 last year when damage estimated at up to £1 million was caused.

The specialists set up valuation desks in the shopping centre and included Halls director Jeremy Lamond, a ceramics and toy expert, senior valuer and auctioneer Andrew Beeston, who is knowledgeable on British and European furniture, silver and works of arts, William Lacey, who values paintings and books, and Christina Trevanion, a valuer of jewellery and collectable ceramics.

Last year during a similar event people took along a rare 19th century Wedgwood majolica matchbox modelled as a fly, which sold for £2,500.

Another lucky owner, from Kidderminster, found that their 5.22 solitaire diamond ring, was worth £12,500.

This time scores of people queued up throughout yesterday to show off their heirlooms. Among them was Paul Clee, a 49-year-old worker at Tesco in Kidderminster, who took along his picture of a railway scene. He said he was "delighted" as valuer Andrew Beeston told him it was worth between £120 and £180. He said: "I bought it two years ago for £60 so I am well pleased with the valuation and have decided to keep it for a little longer."

Mrs Josephine Watkins, aged 65, of Spring Grove Crescent, took along two Victorian prints of Mozart and Beethoven, valued by William Lacy as worth about £20 to £30 each.

A charge of £1.50 was made for each item valued with proceeds going to the sports club's rebuilding fund.