What will you treasure forever?

Oil Painting of a Vase of Sweet Peas by Henry Doubleday

Added by Ilona de Souza

Located under Photos & pictures

Story behind the treasure: This picture was a gift from a friend, Henry Doubleday, given to me when he moved from Kent to Worcester. Henry was an artist and also an HMI for schools. He died in 1999 at the age of 100 years and 3 months. He had many interesting tales to relate as he was around when the first buses and cars were invented. He told me his father started public libraries in this country. An amazing man with a great sense of humour.

Uncle George Money Box

Added by Stella Fryer

Located under Memorabilia

Story behind the treasure: "Uncle George" belonged to my grandmother and we always thought he looked like her bachelor brother who visited her every Sunday. He was of American origin and was patented there on June 8 1875. He is well loved and played with by generations of children who were fascinated when he nodded his head in thanks for the penny which he dropped into his waistcoat pocket.

Casquet Lighthouse

Added by Sheila Freeman

Located under Photos & pictures

Story behind the treasure: My treasure was my Grandmother’s – a painting of the Casquet Lighthouse, 6 miles off Alderney in the Channel Islands, and home to her great grandfather, lighthouse keeper for nearly 20 years, and his family. The untutored painting accurately shows details of vessels around the rock, and was probably by his son in about 1850. It is now on my wall. It reminds me of how his daughter, my great great grandmother, visited Alderney and said it had many people and was “very busy”, a tale illustrated on 1991 postage stamps. She was glad to return to the Casquet Rock!

Great War Pocket Bible

Added by Michael Turnock

Located under Books

Story behind the treasure: Thankfully Grandad had survived the Great War, 'Victory Ahead, God Bless you and bring you home safely home again, the Lord is thy keeper' was the message in the pocket bible given to him on embarkation at Southampton back in November 1915. It had taken 3 terrible years in coming but he was now safely through. Nevertheless many of his 18th Middlesex Pioneer pals were sadly lost. Along with his medals I still have this treasured pocked bible, I never spoke to Grandad about the war so these items make me closer and so proud of him.

The Thornhill Bakery

Added by Sally Garner

Located under Photos & pictures

Story behind the treasure: My most treasured possession is a timeworn painting depicting my great-great-grandparents’ bakery and grocer’s shop which they built in Derby in the 1850s. It includes my great-great-grandmother in the doorway and her eldest son (my great–grandfather) bringing home milk. The shop’s wares are visible in the window and the family name is painted proudly above the door. The painting has passed through five generations - its fortunes waxing and waning with the passage of time; having been first hung with pride; then lost in Halifax; hit by darts; stored in a roll - and finally hung with pride again.

My teddy bear

Added by Mrs O. Worsdall

Located under Toys, games & sports

Story behind the treasure: My most treasured possession is my Teddy. Over the years he has made me very happy and been my lucky mascot. We had many adventures together one of which was rather special. In 1939 I became an evacuee (and teddy) We were sent to sleepy Hardforth for eight months and then Canada. The journey was exciting and frightening, especially when we were attacked by U-Boats. I grabbed my lifebelt, coat, shoes and teddy, raced to the lifeboat station and waited. Fortunetly it all ended well. He now sits on my bed as a reminder of a wonderful life together.

American Memories - book by John Kendall

Added by Helen Warhurst

Located under Books

Story behind the treasure: One of 3 books written by my Great Great Great Grandfather, and the only one remaining. I've researched our family tree and found John Kendall to be an amazing person - he was so successful in business and contributed so much to the community he lived in - a true inspiration!

Doll's House Doll

Added by Miriam Patrick

Located under Toys, games & sports

Story behind the treasure: I found my doll on a shelf in my Grandma’s coal place. I was allowed to keep her, but when I eventually left home, she stayed behind. I did not see her again until I was clearing my parents’ house year later. By then, only the china head remained. At a Dolls’ Hospital I learned that this was the head of a Victorian doll’s house doll. I bought calico, a pattern and tiny replacement hands and feet so I could remake her. I dressed her in clothes made from my mother’s handkerchiefs. Restoring her became an act of mourning and remembering.

carved wooden ball

Added by Reginald Hill

Located under Memorabilia

Story behind the treasure: In 1903 my 20 year old grandfather, a cabinet maker and wood carver emigrated to America to make his fortune. His parents gave him his return fare, his lifeline if all else failed. To secure this precious money he used his cabinet making skills to produce a tennis ball sized wooden ball covered in concentric circular grooves to conceal a secret compartment to hide the half sovereigns. Amazingly, apart from some lobing, the secret compartment is still almost invisible to the casual observer 106 years later. Photograph attached shows this unique and fascinating family heirloom.

Gary the Bear

Added by Maria Mate

Located under Toys, games & sports

Story behind the treasure: I’m Gary the Bear. I used to belong to Lester, late secretary of Cowley Chess Club (Oxford). My present owner, Lester’s admirer and friend chose me for her best lady’s prize at a Cowley Chess Tournament in 2009. Lester and I went to many tournaments with the juniors. Although I couldn’t always watch the games, I would observe the analysis afterwards. My contributions won me several rosettes given as prizes at the UK Chess Challenge, which Lester would pin on me after the events. My full name is Gary Ward after world champion Garry Kasparov and British Grandmaster Chris Ward.