Izzie Balmer is known for her regular appearances on the ‘Antiques Road Trip’ and ‘Bargain Hunt’, as one of the BBC’s best-known antiques experts.

Izzie, along with the team, will be sharing their passion and knowledge of all things antiques and collectables with anyone who would like to have their items assessed for saleability at auction.

Izzie tells us that the best part of her job as an auctioneer is finding unexpected treasures: “People regularly bring in a box of what they think is costume jewellery and I end up finding amazing items, sometimes by well-known designers that end up selling for hundreds and even thousands of pounds!”

The Valuation Day takes place between 10am and 3pm and any items the auction team wish to sell will be packed up there and then.

The Church will be asking £2 per item / lot or £10 for six items / lots as an ‘entry fee’ and any funds raised will be going towards the organ refurbishment project, to keep it ready for another ‘thirty years of service’!

The Church is aiming to complete the just over £30,000 appeal for the organ refurbishment this year.

The refurbishment will involve the organ builders - Harrison and Harrison - taking out nearly four hundred pipes to access the wind chest which needs re-covering. The pipes will then be checked and cleaned before replacing them.

The refurbishment will also include the installation of a new wind pump within the main Church building and an access gantry to the rear of the organ. This will hopefully lead to the blocking up of some unwanted drafts and heat-leak gaps when the colder weather comes round; saving on fuel costs.

Fundraising began in 2017 but was mostly put on hold during Covid. Currently the Church is also running a Grand Draw (to be drawn on 1st January, 2023, after the morning service), to help reach the final total - with kind and generous prizes donated by local businesses.

We hope everyone will be able to find ‘that piece of missing treasure’, have it valued at minimal cost and enjoy an informative experience.