The entire contents of a timewarp home which has remained unchanged since1940 complete with retro board games and jewellery are up for sale.
A treasure trove of more than 500 items from a bygone era are going under the hammer following the death of an eccentric brother and sister who turned their backs on mod-cons to literally live almost 80 years in the past.
Grange Farm was home to devoted siblings Jack and Audrey Newton who lived together at the large detached property all their lives.
The pair – who were both unmarried and had no children – farmed the land around the nine-bedroom house in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warks., for over 70 years.
Audrey was in her late 80s when she died in 2011 and after Jack’s death aged 90 in March this year there were no direct relatives alive to inherit their estate.
The entire contents of the deserted Queen Anne style farmhouse are now being auctioned off including a haul of antiques.
The interior of the £600,000 property has remained unchanged since the siblings moved in with their parents during the 1940s.
Intriguing items inside include a war time amputation kit, an old-style television as well as musical sheets and instruments from the 1920s.
Other historic items include an organ and old-fashioned style film cameras and binoculars.
A packed games room with ‘match darts’ and a jigsaw puzzle made by the now defunct board game company Waddingtons are also up for sale.
Amongst the jewellery collection are expensive cufflinks from Cobleys and Carters in London and kitchen items ranging from 1930s china sets to 1960s cocktail glasses are being auctioned.
All of the fittings and fixtures are also being auctioned separately including the original cupboards, beds, sinks and kitchen utensils.
There is even a quantity of nine carat gold and costume jewellery included amongst the lots being sold off.
The farmhouse itself, which will be completely empty after the weekend, will then be placed on the open market later this year.
Pat Ruck, who has been helping the executor’s of the Newton’s will organise the auction, said: “The house contents have not been touched since their late parent’s time.
“It’s a time-warp of interesting items, curiosities, and even war memorabilia.
“Although they never married, they had an interesting life.
“It is really the end of a bygone era.”
Neighbour Shane Morris, 58, who moved in to look after the siblings towards the end of their lives, added: “It is an old person’s house but they never threw anything away.
“Even before recycling came in they were very conscientious people and kept everything.
“Jack was in the RAF during the war and he was a master of all trades, he did a lot.
“They had cattle and pigs and as they got older they sold the animals off but still farmed the land.
“They were very private people but they were very nice and caring to their friends and they stuck by you.”
“They were like parents to me and my wife and we might bid on a few of the items to keep as mementoes.”
Auctioneers Howkins and Harrison are holding an open day at the house 25 June before the auction takes place at the property on 27 June.
They previously sold off all the farm machinery in a separate auction which included a staggering 800 lots last weekend.
Auctioneer Stuart Long said: “I’ve been doing this for nearly 40 yeas and it’s the most interesting one I have ever seen.
“The siblings only lived in one or two rooms of the house so we have laid all the items out how we think they look best in every room.
“There is an interesting musical collection and a lot of the things in the sale were found in the attic and had been put away 30 years ago.
“There will be a lot of curiosity and interest in the auction.”
The house has also played host to actors who were performing at the Belgrade Theatre in nearby Coventry, because of Audrey’s interest in music.
Phantom of the Opera and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em star Michael Crawford even stayed at the farm with the Newtons during the 1960s.
On their online catalogue, Howkins and Harrison describe the sale as a “unique auction of the entire contents of a Queen Anne farmhouse.”
The blurb states: “The sale is on the instructions of the executors of the late Mr Jack Newton.
“Jack moved to Grange Farm in the 1940s along with his late parents and sister Audrey.
“The farmhouse at Grange Farm is a large detached Queen Anne style farm house which contains many interesting items of antique furniture, musical instruments, ceramics, jewellery and curiosities.
“Grange Farm will be placed on the open market later this summer.”
