1 week Ago By [email protected] (Katie Palmer)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info BBC One's Bargain Hunt is back on our screens, with expert Caroline Hawley sharing her wealth of knowledge.
She started her own business in 2001, which she runs with her husband, who had a very different career before stepping into the auctioneering world. John Hawley, 70, was once a professional footballer, playing as a forward for several English clubs including Leeds United, Arsenal and Bradford City. After hanging up his boots, he took on a coaching role at the Nottingham Forest Academy.
These days, John and Caroline's business is based in North Cave and Beverley in East Yorkshire. Interestingly, John began working in his father's antique shop in Beverley way back in 1966. After a 20-year hiatus from the industry, he returned in 1986 and has been dealing, auctioneering and valuing ever since.
As for Caroline, she opened her first antiques shop in South Cave in 1983 and has been immersed in the business ever since. Since 2018, Caroline's son James has joined the family business, bringing with him the latest software systems. The independent business specialises in Antiques and Fine Art auctions, buying, selling and professional valuations, reports the Express .
Caroline and John handle a variety of specialist areas such as Asian art, militaria, ornamental arts, silver and watches. If she wasn't immersed in the world of antiques, Caroline revealed that her love of fashion and globetrotting would have influenced her career choice. "If I were allowed a second choice it would be a fashion designer, living and working in Paris," she gushed.
In fact, the stylish star spends loads of her downtime in France, revealing, "I spend my free time browsing around vide-greniers and brocantes in rural Normandy or at home in Yorkshire." She also shared some of her favourite ways to unwind stating, "I also love long coastal walks with my dog and enjoy Zumba, yoga and Pilates classes when I get the chance." Her passion for vintage clothing is an essential part of her life, as she admitted: "I don't actually collect any one thing; my home has an eclectic mix of antiques, curios, memories and mementoes, oh, and multiple overladen wardrobes of vintage and other clothes including over 30 little black dresses.
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