Scores of grandfather clocks to be sold at auction

A private collection of antique grandfather clocks - which have been assembled over the course of 35 years - is to go on sale.

They come from town such as Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett and Calne in Wiltshire and currently belong to Paul and Jan Succony.

The couple want to see the historic items go to a good home when they go under the hammer at RWB Auctions on 4 March.

Paul said: "I'm now well over 70 and I'm still working as a consultant in the food sector and we felt it was time to move on some clocks from the part of our collection which still need to be restored. We do have to consider the future and it's not practical for us to keep all that we have."

The couple's collection includes various clocks and clock parts. What began as a personal purchase grew into a lifelong passion for the pair.

Paul, who lives near Devizes, continued: "My wife had a vision of sitting beside a log fire, reading Thomas Hardy novels with the reassuring tick of a grandfather clock in the room. So 35 years ago I bought her a grandfather clock.

"That was the start of it. We embraced the challenge of finding clocks made by local makers and restoring them as we both love local history, and each clock has its own identity.

"Today we have well over 60 clocks and we've sold several to buyers across the globe who want to reconnect with their own history or heritage."

The collection is expected to sell for upwards of £1,000 at RWB Auctions this week.

Junior auctioneer and valuer Will Walter said: "These are interesting local pieces which will attract local collectors or those with local ties who may live overseas or who have a connection with these places."

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