Bloke discovers 250 chamber pots while clearing out his parents’ attic

A bloke clearing out his late parents' attic got more than he bargained for when he stumbled upon a peculiar collection.

Graham Randles, 53, from Allerton, found over 250 antique chamber pots tucked away in dusty boxes. He admitted: "I had an idea they were there but it was still a bit of a surprise. These old-timey pots were used as indoor loos during the night, back when outdoor toilets were the norm."

But these pots weren't for that purpose, the Liverpool Echo reports. Instead, they served as quirky decorations for the family pub. He explained: "Dad used to go around car boot sales and auction houses buying antiques and he filled the pub with chamber pots hanging from the ceiling, all the way through the lounge of the pub to the bar."

READ MORE: UK weather maps show exactly where snow will fall today after Storm Babet chaos

For more of the latest news from around the UK, click here.

The Gardeners Arms pub was bought by Arthur and Marie Randles in 1966. Graham, their son, said: "Drinking culture at the time was massive and in Woolton there was a lot of industry. When workers use to strike in the 70s they always ended up in the pub. It was a real hub of the community. Drinking culture at the time was massive and in Woolton there was a lot of industry. When workers use to strike in the 70s they always ended up in the pub. It was a real hub of the community."

Arthur and Marie only started decorating the pub with chamber pots in the 1980s. Graham explained: "The pub was two cottages put together and it had loads of alterations in the 70s. It was popular to put antiques in pubs but I think they got a bit carried away."

"The pub was two cottages put together and it had loads of alterations in the 70s. It was popular to put antiques in pubs but I think they got a bit carried away." he continued.

The Gardeners Arms was sold in 1992 but the couple kept their collection of chamber pots. Graham believes this was because "It was out of sight and out of mind and they hoarded a bit too."

Graham's dad passed away in 2004 and when his mum died this February he started clearing out the house, and that was when he uncovered the antique collection.

• 

  UK bedbug invasion hotspots mapped as blood-suckers swarm homes and feast on residents

The chamber pots are on sale on Facebook Marketplace for £1,234. Graham is parting ways with the family collection as part of a clear out of the house. He said: "The house needs modernising the electricals haven't been done since the 1960s."

Wayne Colquhoun from Antiques Roadshow and other auctioneers have taken a look at the chamber pots but said they weren't hugely valuable. Graham believes some of the chamber pots could sell for £50 to £100.

Despite his best efforts, Graham hasn't had much luck finding a buyer on Facebook Marketplace, adding: "I had one person ask me 'will you take 300 quid for them?' and another messaged me in the early morning being abusive."

He's still hopeful that he'll find a buyer, perhaps a pub looking to spruce up their décor with these vintage chamber pots.

* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up Daily Star's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

Source: Read Full Article