MARCH 2026 NEWS

DCGB raises £515.96p for The Toy Project
The generosity of Doll Club members in contributing and buying from the Charity Table at our London meetings has raised an amazing £519 for The Toy Project (https://thetoyproject.co.uk/about-us/)
over the past year.
The Toy Project has been our chosen charity for 2 years and was voted at the AGM in March to remain so for 2027. There is a great article on The Toy Project by Jeni about her recent visits to Project in ‘Members Articles.

ADDITIONAL TALKS FOR 2026
We have recently booked in several new talks and outings for the coming year. They have been added to the ‘events’ pages in more details but here is a small synopsis.
MEETINGS
The House of Automata have now been booked for our Zoom meeting in October.
Michael and Maria Start have The House of Automata museum in Forres, Scotland with over 600 exhibits including over 200 finest automata. They have been leading restorers for several decades and will be sharing their knowledge and history of automata ‘live’ from their workshop.

OUTINGS
We have booked a private viewing to see the doll archive at Worthing Museum and Art Gallery in October, to coincide with the Kensington International Doll and Toy fare on the Sunday. With an additional visit to the Brighton Toy Museum in the morning.

Visit to see an outstanding collection in August
One of our dear members has offered to host up to 30 members in August. The collection holds the finest examples from English Woodens, Bru’, Huret, to modern Blythe dolls..and that’s not to mention the dollshouses. A real treat.

OTHER NEWS
TOURS and FAIRS
LA POUPEE MODEL DOLL TOUR
(open to members and non-club members)
With Samy Odin.
Samy will be running another wonderful doll tour in December, starting in Dinan, Brittany and travelling across Northern Frances to Chartres. Visiting private collections, galleries, and auctions, enjoying shopping opportunities while learning more about the exciting world of antique dolls. Plus, an in-depth seminar on La Poupée Model,
Stay in luxury hotels with private coach travel and sumptuous French cuisine.
To contact Samy for more information or to book a place email: galeriesamyodin@gmail.com or call: +33 673013051

ANTIQUE DOLLHOUSE, DOLL AND TOY FAIR AT COBHAM, SURREY
Sunday 22nd March 9.30am to 2.30pm with the opportunity of early entry at 8am. Many stalls with a wide range of Antiques and Vintage Dollhouses, Dolls and Bears. Refreshments and free parking at Cobham Village Hall, Lushington Drive, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2LU.
Future dates for 2026: Sunday 14th June & Sunday 15th November
Further information from Daniel Brookbank 07852 102613 / Email: lewisrosiecoco@outlook.com / Facebook: Antique Doll House, Doll and Toy Fairs UK/ Instagram: cobhamantiquedollhouse

A NEW ANTIQUE DOLL HOUSE, DOLL and TOY FAIR
The organisers of the well-established Cobham Doll House, Doll and Toy Fair are pleased to announce the formation of a new Fair serving the West of England. On the 12th of July 2026, they will be holding the first fair in Cheltenham. The fair will be at the Shurdington Community Centre, GL51 4TB, just south of Cheltenham and only five minutes from junction 11A of the M5 motorway.
There will be a wide selection of Antique and Vintage Doll Houses, Accessories, Dolls, Bears and Toys and a café onsite for light refreshments. The fair will open at 9.30am and close at 2.30pm with an Earlybird entry at 8am. Prices will be £3 for 9.30 entry and £5 for 8am. There is plenty of parking on-site and surrounding the hall.
Daniel Brookbank, the organiser of the Cobham fair (and the new Cheltenham one) said ‘we have had a big call out to open a fair over to the west of the country to serve the west, south-west and Wales, Cheltenham is perfectly situated to offer the opportunity for sellers and buyers to get together and find new and exciting treasures. If this first one is a success, we plan to continue them into the future. It’s really important that we get the support so please, if you love all things antique dolls and houses, come along and support us so we can make this a regular fixture.’
Further information to either visit or book a stall from: Daniel Brookbank,
07852 102613: lewisrosiecoco@outlook.com

Data Protection Policy DCGB 2024: DCGB will only use your date for DCGB business and will not share it with any other parties. The full data protection policy will be emailed on request: email: dollclubgb@yahoo.co.uk

HAPPY NEW YEAR
2025 ROUND UP FROM THE COMMITTEE
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2026

As we step into 2026, our club continues to thrive, welcoming new members who bring fresh interests and expertise. The past year has been filled with memorable events, enriching talks, and growing friendships. Here’s a look back—and a glimpse ahead at what’s to come.
Highlights from 2025
How much can you recall? Here’s a rundown to help…

  • January: Members shared their latest acquisitions.
  • February: Samy Odin introduced us to rare Paper Dolls from their collection, including the Jeu de Metamorphic (1630), Tuck, Nestle, and Belles Dames of the early 20th century.
  • March: Nick Forder presented on Collecting Dollshouses.
  • April: Alan Scott Pate shared the fascinating history of Japanese Friendship Dolls.
  • May: Carol Cameron discussed identifying the age of Early Wooden dolls.
  • June: Donelle Denery explored Kamkins and the story of artist Louise Krampes.
  • July: Kath Aitkins demonstrated the breadth of Armand Marsaille’s work beyond the iconic 390s.
  • August: Bradley Justice detailed Barbie’s fashion evolution and her roots in Japan.
  • November: Sue Niles led a thought-provoking session on what defines an Artist Doll.
  • December: Anne Coleman shared the story of her Hamleys gift—Ottenburg Henry VIII and his wives.

We ended the year with heartfelt London and Zoom Christmas parties, mixing celebration and memories from VE Day, reminding us what a very special club this is.
Special Events & Thanks

  • June: Over 20 members visited an outstanding Dollshouse collection on one of the hottest days of the year.
  • Gratitude: Sincere thanks to Leigh Gotch (C\&T), Daniel Agnew (SAS), Daniel Brookbank (Cobham fairs), and Hilary Pauley (“200 Years of Childhood” in Kensington) for their vital support, enabling our collections to flourish.

Publications & Communication

Plangon: Four issues were compiled, edited, printed, and delivered on time. All talks are covered in depth and can be revisited on our developing website. Eternal thanks to Christina for her dedication, and to Lesley for packing and sending each issue. Thanks also to C\&T and SAS auctions for their sponsorship.

Calendars: Christina curated professional photographs from members’ collections, organized printing, and distributed over 30 calendars—contributing to club happiness and funds.

Newsletter: Twelve issues were published, featuring articles from many members. Thanks to Jonny for ensuring timely delivery and maintaining this valued resource.

Facebook: There are over 52 members who used Facebook last year. The  DCGB  private facebook page continues to be a source of communication, news and ideas in an instant and visual way. Thanks go to Tracie Vallis for managing this for us all.

Trips Abroad

Chartres (March): Four days by Eurostar, a stay in a 3-star hotel, visits to a private collection with Samy Odin, the Chartres Auction, and the Chartres Doll Fair.

Amsterdam & Utrecht (November): Seven days, direct Eurostar travel, seven nights B\&B in Amsterdam, visits to collectors and museums, Utrecht Antiques Fair, and a mini doll dressing workshop. Both trips were filled with laughter and friendship.

                                                     Looking Forward to 2026

2026 is already shaping up to be another exciting year as our calendar fills and membership grows. Full details on events can always be found in the Newsletter, Plangon, and on our website.

Upcoming Activities:

Zoom Talks:

‘La Poupee Modele’ with Samy Odin

The famous Thorn Rooms at the Metropolitan Museum

American ‘Lancaster Dolls’

Dollshouse Miniature Paintings with Susan Dossiter

Two additional talks to be confirmed

Christmas Party

London Meetings:

Queen Victoria and her life through Dolls with Carol Cameron

Dolly Dialogues on Bru, Paper Dolls, and Dressing Dolls

Home-made Dolls with Jani Handley

Grecon Dolls with Zoe Handey

Christmas party

Other Events:

Club outing

Visit to a member’s collection

London and Zoom Christmas parties

Ambitions:

More short trips to fairs abroad

A public exhibition

Further development of the website

Thank you to all members, contributors, sponsors and committee for making our club vibrant and welcoming. Here’s to another year of learning, sharing, and celebrating our passion together!

February 2021

A message from Mary Milnes:

I would just like to ask you to put a BIG THANK YOU to all our lovely Club Members for all their wonderful messages , cards and phone calls during my 3 weeks in hospital – so many, I cannot reply to all just yet- but I have had so much support from you all and I do thank you.  I know Olivia phoned my daughter as well as writing to me – so much in such a busy life. And a lovely funny cheer me up from Stella and beautiful cards from so many of you, so again a BIG THANK YOU everybody and I hope to join in again when I feel stronger – or after a return trip to hospital when the various ‘Teams’ have decided on the next course of action.

          With love to you all,           Mary

PRESTIGIOUS DOLLS’ HOUSE COLLECTION BEQUEATHED TO PEMBROKESHIRE

A magnificent dolls’ house and toy collection rivalling the best on public display in Britain will be given to the people of Pembrokeshire thanks to a special lady, Val Ripley.

Val, aged 93, has generously bequeathed the private collection to Pembrokeshire County Council, which will create a new permanent gallery suite to house it at Scolton Manor, the county museum.

The collection was built up over many years by Val and her late sister Pam, who grew up in Surrey and Sussex together before moving to Newport in later years.

It was inspired by the discovery of a childhood treasure of Val’s – a dolls’ house called ‘The Gables’ which her parents gave her for Christmas 1932, when she was eight.

“I’d been hoping for a dolls’ house, and I’d been eyeing up a wonderful one in the Harrods catalogue, but it was rather big and I didn’t think I’d get it,” recalled Val.

“I couldn’t believe it on Christmas morning when I saw this huge present waiting for me to open!”

From then on, Val played with the house constantly and saved up her pocket money to furnish it with miniature items, with birthdays and Christmases bringing more tiny gifts from family members.

But in July 1939, Pam and Val’s father took a commission in the Royal Artillery and the family house was let. The dolls’ house was put into store ‘temporarily’. But eight weeks later came the onset of the Second World War and the house remained in store for the duration – and was then forgotten about.

It was only after their mother died in 1977 that Val and Pam found the dolls’ house in the attic of their parents’ home, perfectly preserved in its original storage crate.

Not only that – they also found their mother’s dolls and toys dating back more than a hundred years, and their own childhood treasures.

“Imagine unpacking those!” said Val. “It was a magical moment. And I’m afraid my sister and I were off collecting!”

Over the following years, Pam and Val built up a famous collection of dolls’ houses of every period from 1840. Each house is furnished only with items produced at that time, and offer an intriguing glimpse of family life at home.

“We deliberately collected houses from every era,” explained Val. “Individually they’re not so interesting, but together they present a complete social history from the early Victorian era onwards.”

The sisters also sourced miniature toy stables, shops, theatres, and many toys and games – including rare vintage mechanical toys.

In 2010, the sisters opened the collection to the public for the first time at ‘Ty Twt’ in Market Street, Newport.

“It’s quite funny seeing fathers coming in with their children, because you can tell they’re not particularly into dolls’ houses,” said Val. “But by the time they get to the WWI house, they are really interested and telling their children all about the things inside!”

The collection has featured twice on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and includes treasures such as a miniature dog which once belonged to Margot Fonteyn, and doll dresses given to Val from her childhood friend’s father, who happened to be Gone with the Wind star Leslie Howard.

It also features ‘St Edwards Junior School’, a charming teddy schoolroom created by the sisters when they were children, saving their pocket money to buy the tiny teddies at nine pence each.

Cllr Paul Harries of Newport, who was instrumental in bringing Val together with the Pembrokeshire Museum Service, said the collection was a ‘real treasure’.

“This is a wonderful gift for Pembrokeshire, and we are so grateful to Val and her late sister Pam,” said Paul, who is also Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Together they created a collection of national importance, and we will be honoured to display it one day at Scolton Manor. It will prove a real legacy for them.”

Cait Hilditch, Collections Officer, said they were incredibly appreciative of Val’s generosity, and that the collection was fascinating in many ways.

“There’s the social history – with its amazing attention to detail throughout – the development of play, the wartime changes, and then there’s Val herself and her personal stories,” said Catriona.

“It’s a fantastic record of the changing styles of the family home.”

The creation of a new gallery suite at Scolton Manor will be funded through a Welsh Government grant of £77,500.

Val Ripley

Pictured is Val Ripley, who built up the prestigious Ty Twt dolls’ house and toy collection with her sister Pam over many years. The sisters were frequent visitors to Newport as children – and were evacuated to the town for eight weeks at the outbreak of WWII during the period known as the ‘phoney war’.