O u t lo o k


You’d never on in


going


MARGARET WRIGHT visits the village’s I’endle Antiques Centre and discovers some amazing facts


THIS .Japanese businessman came complete with computerised translating machine for “easier”


.fill,11(H) Victorian polyphone (that's like an antique juke box, with metal records playing classical music for one old


te ■


Sabden specially to ask for Walter’s help after word of the antique centre's growing international reputation reached .Japan via a dealer there. And it was another step forward for the Aspinalls, who have transformed the once near-derelict Union Mill in


Walter and beryl Aspinnll. The customer was Mr Nakamura, who had come to


the business, and beryl, also .12, have seen trade at home and abroad steadily develop. This includes: • Australia. A L'l>,50l) cabinet made by Lamb's of Man­


Watt Street into an antiques paradise. Walter, who is 12 and has over 25 years experience in


chester in 1S70 was shipped out for a customer. Families emigrating sometimes take out hall-a-container load ol


antiques to sell Down Under. O USA. Forty-foot containers packed with antiques of all


sorts are sent every 10 days or so to one of America's .Japan. The so-lar exclusive link, recently estaldished,


largest dealers, based in Arkansas. •


City and its official agent Yugi Terramoto. • Holland, belgium sometimes France. Antiques are


now sees regular shipments from Sabden to Kumamoto


bought here and brought to Sabden, from where some are shipped abroad and others displayed in the antiques centre. • F.ngland, Scotland and Ireland. Main sources for the


Mrs Aspinall inspects a vase


have been fascinating more from a sentimental and his­ torical point of view. They include: • The antique Filol'ax — or something very similar! Dated 1S2-1. the leather-bound case has a purse at the Iront;


Some of the “finds” that have arrived at the centre


diary pages: and an annual account book. • Silver trophies from btirnley’s past which,


How of furniture, ornaments, china, pictures, jewellery and all sorts of anything old that the Aspinalls deal in. There's a network of antique dealers who help each other


out. The polyphone was found in Walsall, and there’s a “Wanted List" for customers'requests. The Aspinalls’ venture1 hasn’t all been plain sailing,


hopes, will form the basis of a Led Rose room bvgone treasures and reminders trom six local boioughs Kibble Valiev, burnley, I’endle. Hyndburn, blackburn and Kossendale — can be kept on permanent display. The trophies from the early lilOOs include: burnley


though. At present the liig problem is lack of officially-ap­ proved signposts. The former mill is somewhat oil the beaten track. So without, as yet. a single permanent sign directing visitors, people sometimes struggle to find the


place!barrv Seed, now 21, and .lason billington. 22, a son from beryl’s first marriage, have worked with Walter since leaving school and are now sell-employed, trading as dealers from the centre and still occasionally work­ ing for the Aspinalls. 'barrv is buying, re-finishing and re-selling furniture, while .lason specialises in reproduction and old pine lurni-


ture and restoration work. The Aspinalls. who have a 12-year-old son, Walter,


firm pulled out, and saw its centre tliev had dreamed of.


took a pub, the Uross Kevs in I'lilhoroe. which Lervl ran while Walter senior built up the antiques business. The couple found Union Mill, empty after a lurmture potential for the antiques


Makers of imaginative soft furnishings; pelmets, swags, tails, bed drapes etc.


Suppliers of leading makes by Anna French, Hill & Knowles, Maurice Brown, Monkwell ... and many more. Exclusive wall papers with borders and co-ordinated fabrics by Designers Guild. Osborne and Little and Brian Yales. Suppliers of suites by Duresta, designers Choice, Miss B and Tudor Furnishing. I.oose covers also supplied - complete measuring and fitting service available.


u -


402-4 BOLTON ROAD WEST - HOLCOMBE BROOK • RAMSBOTTOM • LANCASHIRE, BLO 9RY •


TELEPHONE: 0204 884911 Chris Pate with the centre’s distinctive transport i V \\


Walter where


Grammar School Old boys’ competitions in the bit) yards ol lilt):!; the bike race of lilt)!); the l!>Ki quarter mile: and a


0 rahams 1 N T K R I OKS


P la t fo rm O n e G a l le r y


The gallery offers a unique collection of original paintings from both new and established artists, with exclusive glassware, ceramics, creative jewellery and objects d'art, carefully chosen for the discerning collector. Framing service available.


j r


conversation. l ie went home several (lays later, happy to have bought a


penny a spin). Aiid it was one of the more unusual — and defini­ 1 v the most expensive — requests to he tracked down by Sahden’s I’endle Antiques Centre, run by owners


Marketing manager Albert Atkinson with a fine writing desk


If) 15 burnley Golf Club trophy. As well, several reminders of Sabden’s past have already


been given to the Aspinalls — including a number of old photographs which are on display in the cafe. It all adds up to a look back in time that fascinates.


Proof of this is the weekly flow of 500-or-so visitors, including coach parties, who look round the antiques


centre. They conic from all over the world — Canada, Cor-


many, Australia, belgium, America included — to browse through what is described as “the largest private indoor tourist attraction in the Itibble Valiev.’ Of course, the Aspinalls come across till sorts of strange


requests and circumstances. but perhaps none quite as gruesome as the time Walter


answered the plume to hear a man say: “(.an you come and look round the furniture in the house? My uncle’s just died. His other family know a bit about antiques. I don't, so I want some advice about what it’s worth." Walter set off on what seemed a normal “house call ,


arrived at the address and was shown round the house. "Oh, and there’s a really nice table in this other room.


Would volt like to see it." “Yes”, said Walter. Through Lite door he went. And stopped. Stunned. Unit.


“Who's that on the table?,” asked Walter. "It's my uncle. I told von, he just died." "Shouldn't the doctor he here, or someone?.....I’hought I’d call you first," was the reply. □


what’s Sabden!


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