A dish and the tea cup and saucer are products of our own Worcester factory. The dish, one of a pair, was produced in the 18th century and is decorated with scale blue; so called because the colour blue is laid on almost in the appearance of fish scales. The pair of dishes recently sold in my Fine Art sale for £750. The cup and saucer is also one of a pair but, interestingly, was produced in the 20th century just proving the long lasting desirability of the design. This pair sold for a perhaps more affordable £30.

* I met a fascinating man at the weekend whose life was devoted to tea and all that it entails. He was passionate about all things tea: cups, bowls, caddies, tables, pots, kettles and so on. It's a pity that the majority of us do not have the time, nor inclination perhaps, to enjoy the ceremony out of taking tea. Sadly, no longer is it the focus of the afternoon with fine bone china cups containing the best leaves from China or India, once such a valuable commodity that it was kept under lock and key in a tea caddy, to prevent the household staff from stealing it.

Today we tend to drink insipid coloured water from polystyrene cups, while on the hoof. Do any of you readers still observe and take the Great British Tea?