Will Farmer

Will Farmer, Antiques Roadshow ceramics specialist and director of Fieldings Auctioneers Ltd, discusses his early collections, the women who inspired him, and an exciting film cameo

- JANET GLEESON

Not many five-year-olds have a passion for antiques but, thanks to his mother and grandmother, Will Farmer’s fascination was ignited at an early age and has never been extinguished. The two energetic ladies were both avid antiques enthusiasts and toured local auction rooms and antiques shops every weekend. ‘My mother loved Georgian furniture, Victorian animal paintings, barometers, and she had an amazing collection of Mauchline and tartanware. Writing slopes and workboxes were other passions – there were pyramids of them all over the house. Meanwhile, my grandmother collected beer steins and lidded tankards,’ he recalls. The family lived near Bakewell, Derbyshire, and their antiqueshunting trips radiated out to encompass Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby and the Peaks. ‘I thought this was a lot more fun than sitting at home with my grandad, so I piled into the car with them and off we’d go.’