CHAIRMAN Brian Idoine welcomed 76 members and 37 visitors to the meeting, wishing everyone a happy new year.

After reminding the audience of the safety regulations, he gave the fol - lowing notices: In order not to overlap with the Brownies leaving the premises, in future doors would not be open to the History Society until 7.05pm.

Referring to Graham Fisher’s book about the Portland Vase, a post - script was now available from Marilyn – at no extra charge. Stan Hill’s book – Wordsley Past and Present – was available to society members at £8 a copy.

All proceeds for Mary Stevens Hospice.

Brian then welcomed Mark Hannam whose talk was entitled Life behind the Auctioneer’s Gavel.

These included free weekly valua - tion sessions, specialist sales such as fine arts, collectables, weapons, coins and stamps, music, movies and memorabilia, and ‘mantiques’ (being items with special appeal to men: cameras, coins, football pro - grammes and so on).

Other contributory factors would be the willingness of staff to get out and about to make valuations on site, helpfulness towards TV antiques shows’ producers and con - tinuous attention to the reputation of the company.

The intrigue and entertainment for the audience lay in Mark’s many stories of discoveries, where disre - garded, mis-identified lots – lead statues, Chinese ceramics, cameras, Bibles – had eventually realised many, many times their original estimates. Unfortunately there were no such delights among the items brought in by members and guests, but it was fascinating to watch Mark working ‘live’ with such a mis - cellaneous collection. Following the talk, Brian thanked Mark for a fasci - nating insight into the work of the auctioneer, and the audience echoed his words in their applause. At the February 13 meeting, Melvyn Thompson will give a talk entitled Woven in Kidderminster describing the history and development of the carpet industry in Kidderminster, showing samples, pictures and arte - facts.

The talk will take place at 7.30pm in the Community Centre, Wordsley Green.

Visitors welcome and new members at a cost of £2 including refresh - ments.