It’s time to raid the attic, dust off the family silver, and bring out those much-loved or overlooked treasures as the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow is rolling into Suffolk.
The ever-popular Sunday evening programme, presented by Fiona Bruce, is to film at Helmingham Hall next month – hoping to unearth the car boot bargain worth a fortune or surprise an owner with an unexpected valuation of an heirloom.
The show is marking 40 years on the nation’s TV screens and will be at Helmingham, which dates back to 1480 when the Tollemache family began building the property, on August 31.
Many of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists will be on hand at the free day out to offer free advice and valuations to visitors.
Presenter Fiona Bruce, who is marking her 10th year presenting the programme, said: “The best part of working on Antiques Roadshow is that we never know who or what is going to turn up on the day. The visitors, the objects they bring, their stories and the location all combine to make a fabulous experience that we aim to capture for the viewers.
“If you are a fan of Antiques Roadshow, curious to see behind the scenes, or just fancy a day out, I would urge you to dig out your treasures and come along – we’d love to see you!”
Executive editor, Simon Shaw said: “We are looking forward to coming to the beautiful Helmingham Hall on Thursday, August 31. It’s many years since we visited the area, so our team is excited about what finds may come to light on the day.
“Our team of experts and Fiona love nothing better than hearing people’s stories and seeing what items they bring, so we hope as many people as possible come to Helmingham Hall and enjoy what our visitors consistently tell us is a fantastic day out.
“Even after 40 years, the magic formula of surprising some lucky guests with exciting news about their treasures is still a thrill for us, the visitors and the viewers.”
Visitors are welcome to just turn up on the day, but if they have an item with a particularly unusual story attached, or perhaps an interesting collection, or large items of furniture, they can contact the show in advance via the Share Your Story link on www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow
or email: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk or write to Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR.
Highlights of the 2016 Roadshows included the discovery of a ‘lost’ masterpiece by Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema, worth £200,000-£300,000, an 18th century doll’s house of national importance worth £150,000-£200,000, and the moment the belongings of a World War Two air ace were reunited with members of his family.
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