Bond International Software (UK) Ltd

Vera Lynn to open Courtlands Antiques Day

 
The people of Worthing and the surrounding areas are being asked to dust off their trinkets and treasures to bring them to a unique charity event in the town.

Sponsored by Bond International Software plc, the Antiques Valuation Day at the Courtlands building in Goring on Saturday, March 25 is the first event of its kind to be held in the town.

To retain the unique theme, the venue and even the transport are also highly-original. Visitors are being offered the rare chance to travel to the event at the imposing Grade-II listed Courtlands building in a vintage bus, as part of a free park-and-ride scheme.

The event offers visitors the chance to have items valued by experts from Phillips Auctioneers. All the money raised will go to the principal Mayoral charity The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home for Disabled Ex-Servicemen, Gifford House.

The event has been organised by Worthing Mayor Brian McLuskie, who wants to end his hectic year in office on a fund-raising high note. He said: 'We have never organised an event like this before so it has been a very steep learning curve for all involved, but also great fun! We are asking the people of Worthing to come out in force to support an extremely worthwhile charity.

Not only is it hoped to discover some hidden treasures through valuations, the setting has some of its own historical and architectural treasures. Courtlands, now the VK head office of recruitment software specialists Bond International Software, houses many original architectural features

The consultations will take place in the impressive Gold Room, which previous owners transported piece by piece from Place Verdome in Paris. The building itself also has a colourful past, including being used as a hospital, being visited by the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth II) and also having housed Canadian servicemen during the Second World War.

Five Phillips specialists will be available to value art and antiques on the day, each with a different area of expertise. Two of Phillips' valuers from the South East region will be available to advise on furniture, porcelain, silver, glass, works of art and clocks. Jeff Burfield is a general valuer who has lived in Worthing all his life, after getting a taste for the auction business working for a local firm of estate agents.

George Dawes is a senior regional valuer who runs the fine antiques sales in the area. The local team will be joined by three experts from Phillips' Bond Street saleroom: Flora Astor is a jewellery specialist with a broad experience of diamonds. Andre Zlattinger is a senior British and European painting specialist with a wide interest in pictures from the 18th Century to the present day, and Stuart Billington is a stamp specialist who also values postcards, cigarette cards, bank notes and bonds.

People are asked only to bring items which they can easily carry such as silver, jewellery, ceramics, glass. stamps, pictures and works of art (please do not bring coins or medals).

The park and ride scheme on a vintage bus has been generously provided by Worthing bus enthusiast Chris Pearce. It will operate between Worthing Post Office and Courtlands, making several stops en-route. See the Worthing Herald and Advertiser for full details or telephone Meg Wynn-Owen in the Mayor's office on 01903 239999. Please note that limited car parking can also be offered at Courtlands

The event runs from 10am to 4pm, and the cost of valuations is £3 for one item, £5 for two. Please note items are brought at the owner's risk and no liability can be accepted for any damage, which may occur while attending the event.

 
Previous press release

For further information contact: PR Manager Catherine Kelly at Bond International Software, Courtlands, Parklands Avenue, Goring-by-Sea - 01903 707070.
http://www.bondadapt.com/
email: ckelly@bond.co.uk