Whether an object of great sentimental value or of historical interest, we asked readers to share any treasures they had unearthed while clearing out their home with us. Here is a selection of the best of them.
‘At the age of 35, to discover for the first time photos and correspondence from Cuba which indicated a whole new side to our family was quite a shock’
Whenever Paul Keith’s father was questioned about his parentage, he never discussed it in detail. Paul knew he had been brought up by a grandmother, and his father had moved to Cuba, but other details were sketchy. It was only after his father’s death in 1995 he came across boxes of old photographs and letters tucked away. “When my father died, responsibility fell on my shoulders to sort through his possessions. This image along with others were present, along with several letters listing seven persons all of would be aunts and uncles.”
Armed with the information he discovered, Paul headed to Cuba one year after his father’s death to try and trace his family members. “Those two weeks were a surreal, unique experience. Getting around wasn’t easy, especially with time constraints. I thought it best to try and find the one aunt whose address was in the city. After a lot of asking around I eventually located both the right building in Central Havana and her.” Having a conversation with his aunt Gertrude brought back memories of his own father. “What really shocked me was discovering this mature lady, who was born on the island and had never once left its shores, spoke perfect English in a way if I closed my eyes and changed the pitch it could have been my father speaking.’
Having visited Cuba on several occasions since, Paul has yet to trace down any more family members, but is still interested in pursuing his Cuban heritage in the future. “Nobody had prior knowledge of these relatives or the existence of the correspondence. If my mother did, and they were married for 45 years, she never in a lifetime let on.”
‘A real moment in football history and for only £7. 1997 was a cheaper time for football fans everywhere’
Matt Allen still vividly remembers the moment Brighton and Hove Albion were saved from football league extinction 18 years ago. Finding his ticket again after so long brought the memories flooding back. “I attended the game with a good friend of mine and his Dad who was our driver for the long trip there. We had been well adrift at the bottom of the table that year and a late surge meant that we caught Hereford up and bizarrely had to play them in a decider on the final game of the season. I remember clearly Albion coming from 1-0 down to equalise and that point was enough to secure survival at the cost of our hosts that day.”
The club is certainly enjoying better days at present, and Matt still follows them keenly, although he admits the nerves aren’t as jangling as they were that day in May at Edgar Street. “I go to the Albion as often as I can however nothing quite lives up to that day in 1997!”
‘A fascinating insight into history’
Alejandro Sol came across this copy of The Daily Graphic from 1898 after his father passed away in 2007. A close friend and colleague of his father had given the item to him because of the article about the Dreyfus affair. “My family is Jewish, although always secular and ‘non-practicing’ and my father was keenly aware of the history of the Jewish people, and the Dreyfus affair in Paris is considered a pivotal moment in European anti-Semitism and was a cause célèbre at the time. A truly fascinating case that galvanised people in the late 19th Century and can be seen as being one of the reasons why, and how, Zionism came about as a concept. The direct consequence being the founding of the state of Israel, with all that that implies for the region and the turmoil that has existed ever since.” Alejandro is now determined to make sure the copy will be enjoyed by other people interested in the historical event. “It’s a fascinating insight into history and ultimately we are looking at donating it to the Jewish Museum of London.”
‘Even in Subbuteo, England never win anything’
As a boy growing up in Kent in the late 70s and early 80s, James Hardcastle was in the very thick of the Subbuteo craze. This Brazil team from the 1966 World Cup was discovered by chance at Barretts in Canterbury. “When I was about 10 years old, the local sports and games shop in Canterbury, Barretts, had a bin with a pile of old Subbuteo from their stock room. At the time, these were ‘old style’ teams and were not as flash and did not have recent kits and colours, so they didn’t get used as much, and were not ‘cool’ at school.”
Despite living abroad for the last 20 years James has kept his Subbuteo hobby intact, with a few rarities in his collection. “Apart from the old 50p World Cup 1966 teams that came from the clear-out sale, I have a complete set of the 1982 World Cup teams, all hand-painted by local workers in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and every single iteration of Subbuteo Brentford teams from the 1950s to today.” And James reveals that a game of Subbuteo is still not far away from a table whenever the weather dictates it. “I play sometimes with my son, and have the pitch and teams stored for rainy days. Even in Subbuteo, England never win anything.”
‘My first Glastonbury experience is still my fondest’
On re-discovering his original 20 pence Glastonbury programme from the 1981 festival, Shane Quentin recalls what he still considers to be his favourite festival experience. “I got a lift down on the back of my mate’s moped, which took all day to get there from Milton Keynes, especially as it broke down twice.” Having eventually got to Glastonbury in one piece, there were plenty of highlights Shane still remembers fondly. “I had been to festivals before, but Glastonbury was by far the most eye opening experience. The sun shone on over 16,000 people and the vibes were good. Despite alcohol induced falls and arguments on stage, the stand out acts were definitely New Order, Ginger Baker and Roy Harper. Happy memories!”
These stories were sent in to GuardianWitness. You can see more or share your own by clicking here
