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Original poster

Trunk found in new house!

245 replies

WBWIFE · 02/06/2019 22:48

So we have found a trunk in the loft of our new house..

Its addressed to someone to a boys school that was open in the 1940-1960s.

I'm so intrigued, its bigger than the loft hatch so think we will need to cut it out of the hatch before plastering.

Ideas what to do with it? Use for decorative purposes? I've saw some turned into coffee tables! Or I may use it for toy storage, I love it!

Trunk found in new house!
Trunk found in new house!
OP posts:
Original poster
WBWIFE · 03/06/2019 14:39

@usernameuser yawnnnnnn.. we tried to open it on Wednesday, I was asking for advice what to use it as, not how to open it - thanks though.

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 03/06/2019 14:46

This reply has been deleted

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usernameuser · 03/06/2019 14:48

But you can't use it as anything because you can't get it out of your tiny teeny loft hatch 🤔

Reaah · 03/06/2019 14:55

I would clean it up and use it for spare bedding or spare towels.

Would not risk it getting broken, by being used as a toy box.

Thistledew · 03/06/2019 14:58

To answer your actual question, OP, this is what I have done with a perhaps similar sized trunk.

I bought the vintage legs from eBay and just screwed them on to the base. It's reasonably sturdy- probably wouldn't be too good for small children to repeatedly climb on, but it doubles as a storage trunk and a coffee table.

Trunk found in new house!
NarcissistMum · 03/06/2019 14:58

I would use it as a coffee table. Can you get some extra thick safety glass to top it off?

Toddlerteaplease · 03/06/2019 15:01

Probably a body in it. Been watching to much Poirot

Original poster
WBWIFE · 03/06/2019 15:12

@usernameuser moving the loft hatch into another room as it isnt usable, we are fully renovating the whole house so everything is currently stripped out and were just taking wallpaper off awaiting plastering, so bigger hatch means we can get it out.

@HennyPennyHorror I simply must be a troll when I've posted photos and everything!

@Toddlerteaplease I first said that as the woman who used to own it had a full size shrine in her garden to her dead husband, bench under a tree with a cross as tall as me and fake flowers!

OP posts:
PinkOboe · 03/06/2019 15:13

It almost certainly contains a fossilized currant cake, fetid old rugger boots and a 60 year old wank sick

Original poster
WBWIFE · 03/06/2019 15:14

@PinkOboe I dont think theres anything in it! It would have to be very light whatever is inside as it doesnt make any noise when you pick it up

OP posts:
Soola · 03/06/2019 15:15

Are you not even going to try and trace the person to see if they are still alive or a member of their family who might like to have the trunk as a memento?

Toddlerteaplease · 03/06/2019 15:15

Ooh OP, you don't live In Nottingham do you, I used to know someone who had their husband buried in the back garden!

Original poster
WBWIFE · 03/06/2019 15:32

@Soola yes as above I have been in contact with knapp house who was previously the boys school and they are having a reunion and are touch with some of the hiys, they said they will ask around to find out who mr b perrott is!

OP posts:
Original poster
WBWIFE · 03/06/2019 15:33

@Toddlerteaplease no I'm in Bristol but now I want to know about your story! What how and when?!

I've attached a photo of where her shrine was. She left the bench very thoughtful of her.. not!

Trunk found in new house!
OP posts:
PostNotInHaste · 03/06/2019 15:48

If you use the free bmd site to search, it’s possible to work out a likely owner.

Original poster
WBWIFE · 03/06/2019 16:13

@PostNotInHaste I have tried, I'm not having much success theres a lot of b perrotts in Bristol. I've typed the school in but no lists of names.

Hopefully knapp lodge will get back to me with an update. My registration with land registry should come through soon so I was hoping to find the name on there.

OP posts:
Hecateh · 03/06/2019 16:22

I;ve got a trunk from the 50s that used to belong to my aunt.
I have just had built a new house in my garden so I have put some of the plans for the house, some information and current memorabilia and it is now sealed under the floor.

I wonder if Mumsnet will still be around when someone finds it in 50/100 years Grin

PostNotInHaste · 03/06/2019 16:37

I have a possible but don’t want to put up here so will PM you if that’s ok .

HollowTalk · 03/06/2019 16:44

For crying out loud, PostNotInHaste!

PostNotInHaste · 03/06/2019 16:48

Really but if i’m right he is still alive and traceable on Facebook so don’t feel right putting it on here and I may well be totally wrong.

PostNotInHaste · 03/06/2019 16:52

Meant to say really sorry!

Jamai · 03/06/2019 16:58

What makes you think it's him?

steppemum · 03/06/2019 17:09

Shock that a mn might know the B perrott!!!

I am constantly amazed at what a small world it is

PostNotInHaste · 03/06/2019 17:16

I don’t know him !!!!

If you take the all the info from the thread and work through it logically using the free Genealogy resources available online then it comes up with a potential person . I could be way off target though.

Littlechocola · 03/06/2019 17:28

I love the trunk and the shrine. Exciting!
For the trunk I think coffee table?