EVERYTHING from the family silver to grandmother’s dolls can emerge from the attic when South Cumbria hosts an antiques valuation day.

In 1990 the experts came to Ulverston Coronation Hall in search of valuables for a charity event which had been organised by the town’s Rotary Club.

The Mail, on October 16, noted: “Fine art auctioneers Phillips of Manchester were presiding over an array that included an Edwardian dressing case, Royal Doulton china and a Clarice Cliff 1930s vase.

“Taken in for further examination was an interesting oil painting of a game of cricket being played with a curved bat and only two stumps.”

Visiting expert David Docktree said his visits to South Cumbria and the Lake District often resulted in unexpected finds.

He said: “People retire here, which is significant, because they often bring a lifetime’s acquisitions with them.”

Barrow’s Abbey House Hotel was the venue in 1993 when a valuation day by auctioneers Tennants helped raise cash for the Macmillan Cancer Relief Fund.

The biggest item to arrive was a vintage Alvis car which was parked outside the hotel’s main entrance.

The Mail, on January 21, noted: “One of the main finds was a mid-Victorian oil painting from a local farmhouse.

“Painted by Richard Amsdell, it was said to be worth up to £1,800.

“Other items brought in included an 1850 Neopolitan mandolin from Peter Giles, of Barrow.

“He bought it for £15, restored it and was pleased to hear it was worth between £150 and £200.”

In 1994 a Coronation Hall valuation day in Ulverston brought out the crowds.

The Mail, on October 3, noted: “Star items included an ivory Samurai warrior valued at £1,000 to £1,500, a large Victorian Monteith bowl valued between £1,200 and £2,000 and a pair of paintings of Victorian flowers by artist Thomas Collins worth £1,200 to £1,500.”

Expert Adam Schoon, from Tennants auctioneers, said: “It’s like Christmas every day,

“The quality of items is beyond our wildest dreams.”