IN a collaboration to give back to the community, Adrian Dickens of Circa AD Jewels teamed up with The Hamilton Hamper’s Bridget Pern to host a local fundraiser on Wednesday afternoon for the Hamilton Base Hospital’s MRI for U&I Appeal.
Mr Dickens is a Melbourne based personal jeweller with over 40 years’ experience in designing, re-inventing, repairing, buying and selling, and offers advice on contemporary, estate and antique items or collections.
Mr Dickens established Circa AD Jewels nine years ago and travels all over Australia to visit clients, including regular visits to Hamilton.
Community members were offered the opportunity to purchase tickets for afternoon tea at The Hamilton Hamper this week and to hear Mr Dickens speak on a subject close to his heart; the Royal family, their jewels, and the Queen’s platinum jewellery collection.
Specifically, Mr Dickens spoke of an art deco collection of around 60 pieces bequeathed from Dame Margaret Greville to the Queen Mother in 1942, who then passed the collection onto Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
“Dame Greville was the illegitimate daughter of William McEwan, a brewer from north of England who left his entire estate to her,” Mr Dickens said.
“Dame Greville’s bequest is a particularly beautiful collection of art deco jewellery.
“She referred to herself as a “beeress” and not a heiress (in reference to her father’s brewery), and was married to Captain Ronald Greville who was a member of the Marlborough house set and friend of the future King Edward VII.
“That’s where the connection between Dame Greville and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, was established.
“She had a phenomenal collection and left it all to The Queen Mother.
Mr Dickens said he loved Hamilton and always looked forward to coming back.
“It’s a beautiful place and I love the people of course,” he said.
Ms Pern was happy to host the function with Mr Dickens and said it was great to be able to give back to the community through a joint fundraiser for the local MRI for U&I Appeal.
“Adrian and I felt that it was a really worthy cause,” she said.
“Personally, I have had a lot of needs for the MRI machine.
“The fundraiser was a great opportunity to be able to utilise the space and invite customers in for a nice experience.”
Guests also had the opportunity to buy raffle tickets to win three smoky quartz bracelets and a matching necklace donated by Circa AD Jewels, and a cushion donated by The Hamilton Hamper.
Mr Dickens and Ms Pern plan on hosting another function at The Hamilton Hamper in the next couple of months.
“We’ll do it again but perhaps next time in the evening with drinks,” Mr Dickens said.
“Maybe next time I will talk about Jackie Onassis or Elizabeth Taylor and their fabulous jewellery collections,” Mr Dickens said.
