Clifford Cross Auctions Ltd

The late Clifford Cross, who gave his name to our firm, came from a long line of auctioneers and fruit growers and we have discovered auction advertisements and posters going back to the mid-19th century.

Clifford Cross lived in Wisbech all his life and was an innovative auctioneer and even tried dutch auctions in the 1950's. There are photographs in Wisbech museum showing a rather bemused audience sitting in front of a large clock! Clifford was renowned throughout the UK for his strawberry and produce auctions which he carried on until his death.

The company was bought by Eddie Rix and run successfully for several years until it was purchased by Richard Barnwell in 2001.

Richard Barnwell has lived and worked in Wisbech since 1977 when he came to join James Crowden as his assistant with the old firm of Ground And Co. Richard Worked for Grounds And Co until he was made redundant in 2006. He decided to move sideways and now conducts the sales that Grounds And Co used to hold as Clifford Cross Auctions Ltd.

Richard has worked in the Fens for many years and has a wide knowledge and experience of dealing with valuations for probate and Insurance purposes of Antique, Household and other effects including Farm machinery and implements.

Richard was Mayor of Wisbech in 2000 and served as a Town Councillor for 12 years. Richard was a County Councillor for Wisbech North from 2000 to 2004 and became Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire in 2004. Richard is a trustee of several Wisbech Charities and is chairman of Wisbech and Fenland museum. Richard served as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire from 2011 to 2012.

Richard is married to Beverly and has two farms in Northamptonshire where he grows Wheat, Beans, Oil Seed Rape, Oats together with two flocks of Sheep.