by OUR BUSINESS STAFF
A vast treasure trove of antiques, paintings, furniture and books recovered from the Berwickshire headquarters of the troubled Avocet empire overseen by bankrupt businessman Martin Frost is being auctioned off by agents for the liquidators of one of the failed companies.
Representatives of specialist firm Eddisons removed the valuable contents of Harcarse Hill farmhouse, the former home of Mr Frost where plans were laid for a number of ventures, including the development and production of a so-called revolutionary fuel alongside "ground-breaking" agricultural methods.
However, none of the projects produced an end result before Harcarse owners Orrdone Farms Ltd collapsed into administration. A second firm in the Avocet stable, Omega Infinite PLC was the subject of a compulsory liquidation last year, and the house contents will be sold on behalf of liquidators Begbies Traynor.
A progress report by Omega's liquidators explained: "Assets at Harcarse Hill Farm: Eddisons attended the premises owned by Orrdone Farms and recovered assets.
"As there is some ambiguity regarding the ownership of the items an arrangement has been reached with Orrdone Farms administrators that the net proceeds from the sale of the items are held jointly by solicitors to Omega Infinite PLC (in liquidation) and Orrdone Farms Ltd (in administration) and not released to either party without prior agreement or court order".
Mr Frost, who was made bankrupt by a judge in October has repeatedly claimed in letters to Avocet's hundreds of shareholders that personal family items kept at Harcarse Hill had been stolen.A report in today's Scotsman newspaper includes details of some of the more notable and usual items among more than 600 lots which will go under the hammer.
According to the newspaper: "Among the art and antiques, Mr (Paul) Cooper, [a director of Eddisons] said that the picture section was particularly exceptional and featured work from a number of Scottish artists including "six watercolours by the Berwick-born marine artist, and Royal Family favourite, Frank Watson Wood."
"Mr Cooper said the book, furniture and ceramics sections also had several priceless pieces, including items that originated from China.
"He said: "There are more than two dozen lots ranging from vases and urns to chargers, plates and decorative pots."
"The farmhouse also yielded well over 2,000 books including numerous rare and collectable volumes that are being sold individually."
He added: "The furniture ranges from George III right the way through to IKEA.
"There are some particularly fine early-19 century pieces that were bought at considerable cost from well-known Edinburgh antiques emporiums."
Mr Cooper told The Scotsman that it was an extraordinary" find. He said: "The place was quite extraordinary, absolutely rammed with stuff.
"There were so many pictures that you could hardly see the wallpaper.
"Every room was crammed with furniture, some antique, some not so antique. "On top of that, there were Oriental ceramics, books, militaria and collectables of every description, everywhere."
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