Of storage and staddle stones
Well, the February mornings are starting to get a bit lighter and while driving out to start a clearance in Midhurst it really lifted my spirits. I think I suffer from the seasonal disorder where the lack of light has an effect on me.
We cleared a lady’s property in Chichester – she was downsizing to a flat in Bognor Regis and had, in her living room, special lights that I’d never seen before. She had many books and it turned out that she just couldn’t decide which ones to keep. There were so many so we ended up taking a huge amount to a storage facility in Midhurst. I expect they are still there as it is true that if you put things in storage, out of sight, out of mind. Try to avoid putting anything into storage – you always end up paying for dead space and things that you probably no longer want or need.
I remember a family who were clearing a large family home in Petworth – they also owned a large seafront property in West Wittering and they called me for advice. The thing was the son was very much of the attitude we can’t keep everything. However, he had three older and very opinionated sisters who just could not agree – one lived in Arundel and the others lived in the USA. Many of the more valuable antiques were sold at Henry Adams auction in Chichester but, unbelievably, the sisters moved two huge furniture vans full of the contents of both houses to a new storage facility near Pulborough. It filled a small barn which was not supposed to be used for storage.
We had to transport some items to London and also to addresses in Selsey and West Wittering. It transpired that the contents of the property were stored for three years at huge cost. I was called again just to clear a vanload of things that the sisters were unable to dispose of, most of which I was able to find a home for with a homeless charity in Chichester and a lovely animal charity shop in Bognor Regis.
I know the family was wealthy but putting things into storage is often an excuse for not being able to make a decision as to how to let some of a family member’s possessions go. I do think if you are clearing a relative’s property you must be realistic and if no one in the family wants things to let them go to a charity or sell them – putting things into storage is a bad option. Only yesterday a lady contacted us saying they were clearing a family home in Emsworth and had arranged for some storage nearby in Bosham. After a very honest conversation the lady agreed that it was only a matter of them not knowing how to dispose of their late mother’s possessions. It was then agreed that we get two charities to take some of the furniture and what remains I would be able to make an allowance against the cost of the clearance.
I was at Ford Market near Arundel yesterday selling items obtained during my many house clearances. Another house clearance company from West Chiltington was selling beside me. I know him well and he is an honest good bloke. He had some fantastic old stone pots that were covered in moss and fantastic weathering – they really were very desirable. He told me they were by a large pond in a property in Storrington that he was clearing. With spring and summer just round the corner people will be starting to look at their gardens and prepare for (hopefully) a warm and pleasant summer.
Again, if you are clearing a property, gardens can often contain items that have value which can be sold or used to offset the cost of the clearance. This may range from garden furniture to good stoneware terracotta pots, statues, and all manner of outside furniture.
We did a job in January in Felpham near Bognor Regis; the garden was huge, and it contained many items of value. It was a very cold, rainy day and the clients were reluctant to venture out. However, they were pleasantly surprised when I supplied my quote as I was able to allow a substantial amount for the outside contents. As part of the clearance, we agreed to deliver a teak swing bench to a relative’s bungalow in Pagham. As luck would have it the gentleman wanted it in his front garden as it would never have fitted down the side of the property. If you are clearing a property do check the outside areas. It is often overlooked, and we often get called to clear gardens and outside areas where people have left rubbish or items of value. Fortunately, we usually get instructed by local solicitors and estate agents who give us specific instructions. If a family are clearing a relative’s property it is all so easy to overlook, say, a loft or shed at the bottom of the garden but in most circumstances these all need to be cleared for the sale of the property.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. We are happy to attend and provide a non-obligation quote and offer advice that may help to avoid problems with the sale of the property later.
The enduring allure of staddle stones
Regarding garden pots, I was in Strides Auction house in Chichester. Speaking with the saleroom manager who showed me two fantastic large cast iron urns and two huge stone mushrooms called staddle stones (originally used to lift barns and grain houses off the ground to prevent small rodents eating the grain or contents). The two cast iron urns, red in colour, had come from Easebourne near Midhurst and had sold I understand for nearly £1000 and had been bought on behalf of a client in the USA. The Americans still love our antiques as much of what is in this country is so much older than what is in America. The staddle stones we understand were bought for a substantial sum by a private client obviously with a decent sized garden.
Other good things to look out for are terracotta rhubarb enforcers – these are used to encourage growth of the plant. They are large terracotta pots with a small lid. They are used mostly these days as a decorative feature in a garden and can sell for £150-£200. I can remember being instructed by a firm of solicitors in Midhurst to clear the outbuildings in a property in Petworth. Unfortunately, before I got there, the owners had made a start and had got two rubbish skips at the property. They had thrown and broken hundreds of lovely old terracotta pots and rhubarb enforcers. I managed to salvage a few but literally hundreds of pounds were lying broken in the skip. They were a lovely couple who were moving to be near family in Chichester. However, I was able to put them in contact with a good honest dealer from Arundel who bought a great deal of the remaining pots and garden furniture. It is the old story of knowledge is power and it’s easy to be wise after the event.
I learn something new every week. I do think though if you are doing any clearance it is wise to get a local auction house or a reputable house clearance company to give you advice before you make a start. It’s not just big houses that have the most valuable things – I have found many from flats and small cottages. I always think of the two large boxes of Moorcroft boxed pottery I found in a loft in Felpham near Bognor Regis. I informed the instructing solicitor in Selsey and it was sold at auction in Billingshurst. It made a substantial sum for the clients who were more than happy, so much so I received a bonus payment on my invoice. Honesty always pays!
The sun was out today so roll on spring – can’t wait for the light mornings. Next week Howell House Clearance are in the Storrington, West Chiltington and Pulborough area clearing a property and delivering to beneficiaries in the locale. I’m looking forward to clearing a small garage in Bosham that has loads of old junk in. You never know what you may find.
If you need any advice regarding a clearance, please do not hesitate to call
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
