Treasure is rescued by hairdresser (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Treasure is rescued by hairdresser

2:32pm Thursday 23rd November 2006 in News

A QUICK thinking Tewkesbury hairdresser has stopped a treasure being lost to the town.

Michelle Daunter was so upset when she heard that a 14ft Jacobean table, which had stood in the foyer of the Royal Hop Pole Hotel for as long as anyone could remember, was being sold at auction, she sprang into action.

It was one of about 100 items from the hotel being sold to clear the place ready for its restoration.

Michelle contacted the new owners, the J.D. Wetherspoon pub chain, and told them in no uncertain terms that the table was a part of Tewkesbury's history and should remain in the town.

She even said local legend suggests that it originally came from Tewkesbury Abbey, and as a goodwill gesture they should donate it back there.

Much to her surprise on the day before the auction she got a call saying they had decided to withdraw the table from the sale.

They have asked the local historical society to investigate its origins, and if it is proved to have come from the Abbey they will give it back - otherwise it will be found a home somewhere within the building.

Michelle said: "I am so pleased, I did not think for a minute that they would go with it."

The 14ft-long dark oak table dates back to about 1660. It is covered in names and initials that have been carved into it over the centuries, and is valued at between £10,000 and £20,000.

The plaque, describing the hotel's fictional link with Mr Pickwick, has also been found and will be put back outside of the hotel once the restoration work is complete.

Meanwhile, representatives from the J.D. Wetherspoon pub chain will be visiting Tewkesbury on December 4 and talking to members of the Tewkesbury Forward group about the kind of establishment they are setting up in the town.