ANN Sammons opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests.

The speaker was Michael Barrett from Toogood and May, a family-run firm of auctioneers based in Shipton Bellinger.

Michael explained the advantages of selling through an auction house and what happens on the day of the auction. He had brought along a selection of items common in many homes and explained how they were valued. He described how to clean (or not, in some cases) valuable treasures and how the box the item came in may add to the value. Some members had brought along items for Michael to value and were given some background on age and origin. Those attending were certainly a lot wiser at the end of the afternoon and many felt confident that an auction house was the way to go if they had articles to sell.

There were birthday flowers for Elsie, Christine, Jo and Jan and Astrid brought some home-made cakes.

Ann announced that the August meeting would be held in the evening and would include a supper.

A jumble sale will be held on Saturday, September 27.

The next meeting at the village hall will be Wednesday, July 9 at 2.15pm, when the guest speaker will be a representative from Beverley’s Creative Cakes.

New members are always welcome.