Treasure for Treasure at cathedral

Fans of TV antiques shows will love this TV personality and auctioneer Charles Hanson is coming to Peterborough Cathedral next month to run Treasure for Treasure.

At this free event, on May 4, people are invited to bring and donate unwanted items of jewellery or small, portable antiques. Charles and fellow experts from Hansons Auctioneers will receive the items for sale at their next appropriate auction.

Hansons kindly waive their sellers’ commission so the entire hammer price can be donated to Peterborough Cathedral, or shared 50/50 between the cathedral and a parish church within the Peterborough Diocese,

chosen by the donor.

Hansons’ specialists will also offer valuations on the day, for items brought along but not for sale, in exchange for a cash donation.

Treasure for Treasure at the cathedral is something of a Royal occasion too. Lesley Smith, Curator of Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire, will be present in character as ‘Queen Elizabeth I’, entertaining visitors as she holds court, posing for photos and keeping a regal eye on the treasures donated.

Refreshments will be on sale and, for those with a head for heights, Tower Top Climbs to see the view from the top of the cathedral tower will also be offered (booking advised).

“We are so thankful to Charles Hanson and Lesley Smith for coming up with the idea of doing Treasure for Treasure here in Peterborough,” said Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough.

“It promises to be a wonderful occasion and great fun. It is lovely to have the opportunity to support parish churches in the diocese, and the cathedral itself, in such a very tangible and personal way.”

“I am excited to be visiting Peterborough Cathedral and meeting people who want to bring along items for sale in aid of such a good cause,” said Charles Hanson of Hansons Auctioneers. “Looking after treasures such as our cathedrals and parish churches is so important. It’ll be a great day out too! I shall be bringing along colleagues with expertise in various areas, so do come and say hello and bring along some fascinating objects for us to talk to you about.”

Lesley Smith added: “I have run Treasure for Treasure before at Lichfield Cathedral and I know that it can be a great help to people to give up things that might have sad memories, knowing that they will go on to support a greater treasure. I’m looking forward to being in character as Elizabeth I too. I shall be in full costume and I’d love to chat to children and adults about Tudor times.”

Lesley is at the cathedral on the previous evening to perform a costumed monologue as Mary, Queen of Scots, who was buried there following her execution in 1587. For more visit www. peterborough-cathedral. org.uk/