TV antiques expert Paul Martin will be sharing his knowledge and experience with Royal Wootton Bassett residents on Monday 29 January.
Paul at work
He will host a free community valuation day at the Marsh Farm Hotel.
The day is being run in partnership with Devizes auctioneering firm [Anchor] Henry Aldridge & Son, for which Paul is Head of Valuations.
It will take place 10am to 3pm and is intended to encourage members of the public to dust off items they’ve always been curious about and bring them along to be discussed, valued and perhaps sold.
Paul would be delighted to see items such as antiques, collectables, silver, gold, militaria and jewellery.
Paul said: “I’ve got a real soft spot for Royal Wootton Bassett. It’s a lovely town and has such a strong sense of community, it always feels like a really welcoming place.
"It’s been the setting for Antiques Road Trip a few times and I’m looking forward to being back in the town.”
Paul has been a TV presenter and expert for over 20 years on programmes including the Antiques Road Trip, Flog It!, Countryfile and many others. A new series, Paul Martin’s Auction Showdown, will be on Channel 5 this year.
Paul said: "Even though I am a TV presenter and still enjoy my broadcast career, I’m an antiques man at heart and these events allow me to get back to what drives me — the people, their objects and the stories they tell.”
The day is part of a programme of valuation days being run by Paul in his role at Henry Aldridge & Son.
He added: "Wiltshire is such a great part of the country to host these kinds of days. There is so much history here and the people are really generous with their time and curiosity, so I’m sure we’ll see some fascinating items and learn lots from the stories attached to them.”
In recent years, Royal Wootton Bassett became known worldwide for its close links to RAF Lyneham and its commitment to the dignified repatriation of fallen British soldiers, and became Royal Wootton Bassett in recognition of this.
Much further back in history, 'Wodeton' was a Saxon holding as early as 681. Henry III granted to local landowner and baron, Alan Bassett, the rights to hold a market in the town, which still takes place today.
Nearby Vastern Manor made up part of the estate that was the family home of Catherine Parr (1512-1548), Henry VIII’s sixth wife.
The location of Paul Martin’s community valuation day, Marsh Farm Hotel, is a Grade II listed country house set in two acres of landscaped gardens.
Paul said: "With this kind of rich history, you never know what items might be brought to our attention.
"There are Wiltshire families who have a history in the area going back generations, so it’s entirely possible we’ll see people bringing along heirlooms that are related to the history of the place, too.
"What’s exciting about community valuation days is you never quite know what will turn up. It’s full of surprises!”
The event will be followed by others across Wiltshire, including:
The George in Mere — Wednesday 7 February, 10am to 3pm.
The REME Museum in Lyneham — Wednesday 14 February, 10am to 3pm.
Steam in Swindon — Monday 19 February, 10am to 3pm.
The Athenaeum Centre in Warminster — Tuesday 27 February, 10am to 3pm.
More information can be found at www.henryaldridge.com/valuations/valuation-days/south-west/
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