A HOARD of historic artefacts charting domestic and rural life from bygone days will go under the hammer today.More than 100 lots, varying from unusual agricultural tools to giant First World War shell cases, are up for sale at Reeman Dansie Auction House at Severalls Business Park, Colchester.

A HOARD of historic artefacts charting domestic and rural life from bygone days will go under the hammer today.

More than 100 lots, varying from unusual agricultural tools to giant First World War shell cases, are up for sale at Reeman Dansie Auction House at Severalls Business Park, Colchester.

The collection has been put up for sale by Derek Tripp after the closure of the Granary Museum in Flatford.

The historic village was made famous around the world by the paintings of John Constable and has become a place of pilgrimage for tourists and art lovers.

Auctioneer James Grinter said: “He (Derek) took years amassing this collection - going round auction houses.

“There are all sorts of really unusual items - spades for peat digging, a box full of old soap and a well-top for pulling up a bucket.”

Since the collection was closed nearly two years ago, former curator Mr Tripp has managed to find new homes for many of the items, often through sales on website eBay.

Now the remaining items are going into the specialist collectors' auction, which will be held at the auction house on Wyncolls Eoad.

Among the fascinating anthology of artefacts are three rare Victorian washing machines, a multitude of early light bulbs and an enormous set of bellows, used in an old blacksmiths' forge.

Also up for sale is an original Victorian ball and chain, used to keep prisoners under control, a “daisy bodger” and a lot of five seed-dibbers.

Double-headed saws, old horse nose bags, early sewing machines and more than 100 irons, ranging from early metal irons to gas powered irons from the 20th Century, are all available to prospective buyers.

Mr Tripp said he and wife Margeryhad found it hard to let go of the items, which he had spent decades of his life collecting.

He said: “I've always been a collector and a hoarder. I think when they go up for auction I'll go somewhere else.

“It's the most interesting thing my wife and I have done in our lives. As you buy things you learn all about them - everything has got a story. It's a very sad time for us.”

For more information about the sale, visit www.reemans.com.