ON MY DOORSTEP
I was born in Worcester and as a 13-year- old boy I used to visit the Museum of Royal Worcester, which sparked my interest in antiques. Now my office is 50 yards from the museum. Worcester is lovely; it’s known as the Faithful City, and is very historic. The Battle of Worcester [the last of the English Civil Wars] took place here in 1651, and the Malvern Hills are close by. My work is my hobby and I feel very lucky to do what I do.
Worcester’s museums
The Museum of Royal Worcester is a fantastic museum that has had a great impact on the city (museumofroyalworcester.org). There are plenty of other museums too, like the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum and the Masonic Library and Museum, which no one knows about (worcestermasonicmuseum.co.uk). For me, museums aren’t just places full of old stuff, they tell you about the character of the county.
Antiques shopping
Two favourites are M Lees & Sons (leesantiquesworcester.com) and Bygones of Worcester (bygonesofworcester.co.uk). I’ve known Mike Lees for around 45 years and Gabrielle Bullock [owner of Bygones of Worcester] for probably 30 years. There are lots of other vintage and retro shops in Worcester that are well worth a look too.
Antiques advice
My first boss said to me: ‘Let your eyes be your guide and your pocket be your judge!’ If you see something that you like, you should buy it. Too many people are driven by what an item is worth; you should buy what you love. You wouldn’t buy a piece of clothing that you didn’t like and it’s the same with antiques. Personally, I have a fondness for mid- century collectables, but my tastes change all the time.
What to look out for further afield
Locally, it’s got to be Worcester porcelain. Apart from that, Edward Elgar was a Worcestershire man, so you might find an original manuscript from the composer’s Enigma Variations!
Don’t miss… the Malvern Flea and Collectors Fair
The next one’s on 17th September (b2bevents.info) at the Three Counties Showground. I think it’s one of the best antiques markets around. There’s such variety of items there: you can spend a pound or 10,000 pounds. It’s a real occasion.
Where to go… Hartlebury Castle
Grade I-listed, 13th- century Hartlebury Castle, near Stourporton- Severn is one of those hidden gems that visitors should make a beeline for. It houses the Worcestershire County Museum too.