Posts by Harry Ball

Preserving Memories with Living Images

At Windsor Auctions, we like to promote other businesses that we believe can provide value to our clients. As such, we’re excited to introduce Claire Hughes, the founder of Living Images, a unique business dedicated to preserving family memories in beautiful, bespoke photo albums. Claire offers a personal service, perfect for families wanting to preserve treasured memories uncovered during house clearances. But, don’t take our word for it, as for this blog, we have decided to give the floor to Claire to tell you about her business:   Meet Claire Hughes and Living Images   I’m Claire Hughes, and I’m the founder of Living Images. Living Images started from a genuine desire to help people preserve their stories. Years ago, I was working as an interior photographer, capturing the charm of a lovely old family home. The couple who lived there were about to downsize after spending over 40 years in the house. As I walked around, I noticed how much life had been lived within that home, from grandchildren’s height marks on the wall to the family dog by the fireplace. The home was special to them, and they wanted to preserve it. So, I offered to photograph their home and put it in a memory book for them to take with them. This first project sparked the idea for Living Images: creating high-quality, beautifully bound memory books that do more than hold pictures; they capture a lifetime of memories in a way that is timeless, tangible, and truly personal.   A Unique Approach to Memory Preservation My work is all about crafting bespoke photo albums and memory books with a visual narrative tailored specifically to each family’s story. I offer a range of services, from consolidating multiple photo albums into one carefully curated book to creating condolence books filled with photographs, letters, and mementos that commemorate a loved one’s life. When families find themselves with stacks of photo albums or boxes of loose photographs, I help them condense and organise it all into something manageable, beautiful, and meaningful. For instance, I’ve worked with clients who have decades’ worth of old, bulky leather photo albums. We go through the albums together, selecting the best photos, and then I...

Windsor Auctions to Host Charity Auction for Eton Information Centre at Fundraising Ball

Windsor Auctions is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a charity auction as part of a fundraising ball for the Eton Information Centre, a community hub that provides an incredible range of services to both locals and visitors alike. The event, scheduled for March 2025, promises to be a night filled with fun, philanthropy, and, of course, exciting auction items. With Windsor Auctions’ head auctioneer, Harry Ballin, taking the lead, the auction is set to be a key highlight of the evening, raising vital funds for this beloved community asset.   About the Eton Information Centre   The Eton Information Centre, operated by a community interest company, serves as more than just a tourist information hub. While it does provide important information to tourists – especially in the wake of the Windsor Tourist Information Centre’s closure – it offers much more. The Centre helps promote local businesses, sells unique goods like art and antiques, and supports local artists through initiatives like “Art at 67,” where local artists can display and sell their work. The Centre’s positive impact on the local economy is undeniable. Research shows that visitors who stay overnight in the area spend more than twice as much as day visitors. By encouraging tourists to explore and stay longer in both Windsor and Eton, the Centre plays an important role in supporting local businesses, restaurants, and hotels. But beyond tourism, the Eton Information Centre also provides a quiet and welcoming space for the local community. Whether it’s a friendly chat, a warm spot during the winter, or simply a place to feel connected, the Centre is a haven for residents. The Centre’s staff and volunteers are integral to its success, with many working pro bono or for wages just above the minimum wage, driven by a passion for the community.   The Importance of Fundraising   The Centre’s continued operations are not guaranteed. Despite its importance, it faces financial challenges, much like many community initiatives. Being a community interest company does offer some advantages – it can apply for funding and hold fundraising events in a way that council-run entities cannot – but these opportunities alone are not enough to keep the Centre fully funded. One...

  At Windsor Auctions, we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Momentum Charity on their inspiring ‘Pebble Power’ initiative. This unique project brings together art, compassion, and community to support families facing the most challenging of circumstances.   What is Pebble Power? The idea behind ‘Pebble Power’ is simple yet incredibly powerful. It all started when children visiting Momentum’s holiday cabins began decorating pebbles and leaving them for others to find. The personal drawings and heartfelt messages on these pebbles became a symbol of hope and strength for children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses. Now, whenever a child is diagnosed, they are given a personalised, decorated pebble. Each pebble features the child’s name on one side and a unique design of their choice on the other. Whether it’s a superhero to give them strength, a fairy princess to inspire magic, or a favourite football team for comfort, these pebbles are carefully crafted by talented volunteers and become treasured companions throughout the child’s treatment journey. To date, over 600 pebbles have been given to children, each one a hand-held piece of art that reflects the uniqueness of each child’s journey.   A Symbol of Hope and Comfort The pebbles may be small, but they carry immense meaning. For some children, they are a source of comfort during hospital stays and treatments. Others keep them at home in their rooms or gardens as a reminder that they are not alone in their battle. The response from families has been overwhelmingly positive: “Harry was delighted with his pebble and shows it to everyone who visits.” “Eddie was very emotional and loved how beautiful it was, getting some of the things Izzy loved to perfection. We both said it’s too good to go outside because we don’t want it to fade. I think once I have taken a lovely photo, we will keep it inside for the winter and put it outside for spring.” “I’m still admiring and smiling at the pebble, it’s funny how something so beautiful can reduce you to tears in a mixture of emotions.” These personal stories show just how much these small tokens mean to...

  The auction world is constantly evolving, and while it’s impossible to predict with certainty what the future holds, it’s always exciting to consider where things might be heading. At Windsor Auctions, we’ve been paying close attention to emerging trends, and I’d like to share some of our thoughts on what we might expect in the coming years. Of course, these are just our perspectives, and the auction world can be unpredictable – but that’s what makes it fun!   A Shift Towards Experience-Led Collecting   One of the biggest trends we’re seeing is a shift towards experience-led collecting. The younger generation, unlike the post-war era where people were focused on acquiring material goods, is more interested in experiences. This shift means that many of today’s collectables reflect experiences, memories, and nostalgia. Items like sneakers, Pokémon cards, and movie memorabilia are becoming more valuable, especially as younger people with disposable income look to capture pieces of their youth. Interestingly, fashion plays a significant role here too. For example, niche fashion brands like Daily Paper release limited-edition clothing items that sell out instantly and are highly sought after in secondary markets. As this generation ages and accumulates more wealth, we expect to see these types of items become increasingly popular at auction.   The Continued Appeal of Traditional Items   While there’s a clear focus on newer collectables, we don’t believe traditional auction items like watches, jewellery, and antique furniture will lose their appeal. These items, especially those of high quality, have always been in demand due to their rarity. There’s only a limited supply of these classic pieces, and that scarcity will help sustain their value. However, the younger demographic’s interest in sustainability and repurposing could also influence traditional auctions. People may look for ways to reuse and repurpose antique furniture, for example, as part of a broader trend toward environmentally friendly living.   Emerging Markets and Sustainability   As economies grow, we expect emerging markets to take a more significant role in the auction industry. Countries with growing middle classes will likely see a surge in auction participation, particularly when it comes to sustainability. In many of these regions, there’s a cultural emphasis on making things last and...

At Windsor Auctions, we’re always on the lookout for ways to improve our marketing and showcase the unique items that pass through our doors. That’s why we’re excited to share an incredible new opportunity for local businesses in the area, courtesy of Windsor College. Thanks to a substantial government grant, Windsor College has recently invested in a new studio, designed for both Virtual Production and traditional stills and motion photography. The best part? These state-of-the-art facilities are available for use by local businesses. We recently sat down with David Linaker, the new studio manager at Windsor College, to learn more about the studio and how it can benefit businesses like ours.   A World-Class Studio Right on Our Doorstep   With a £750,000 grant from the government, Windsor College has created a Virtual Production hub that rivals some of the best in the industry. According to David, the studio is only second to Pinewood Studios in terms of capabilities. “We have a five-metre by three-metre LED screen housed within our photographic and filming studio, along with a high-end cinematography camera called a Red Raptor,” David explained. “This setup allows us to do a variety of filming techniques that we can teach our students, making it a massive bonus for Windsor College.” What makes this studio truly special is its versatility. The LED screen allows for virtual backgrounds, meaning businesses can shoot in a variety of ‘locations’ without ever leaving the studio. Whether it’s the streets of Paris, the skyline of Berlin, or the iconic landmarks of London, these backgrounds can be easily swapped out during a single day’s shoot. This not only saves time and money but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint of production, a benefit for businesses and the environment alike.   A Win-Win for Local Businesses and Students   One of the key aspects of this initiative is that it’s designed to benefit both local businesses and Windsor College students. As part of the funding criteria, the college must offer these facilities to local enterprises, providing them with access to top-tier production capabilities that they might not otherwise be able to afford. For Windsor Auctions, this means we’ll be able to have high-quality photos and videos...