What will you treasure forever?
Share the story behind your most treasured possession, that may be worthless to others, but is utterly priceless to you...
10 recent entries
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.
About the competition
This competition is now closed.
Thank you to everyone who entered and voted. The winners will be announced on the site in March 2010. Please check back to see if your favourite entry has won the chance to be displayed alongside the National Trust’s most prized collections.