Full Steam ahead for Antiques Roadshow (From Swindon Advertiser)

Full Steam ahead for Antiques Roadshow

11:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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BBC’S Antiques Roadshow will be filming the first programme of its 33rd series at the Steam museum on April 22.

This will be presenter Fiona Bruce’s third year with the roadshow and she says: “Presenting the Antiques Roadshow is, for me, one of those rare and very lucky coincidences in television when you get to work on a show that you already love to watch.

“Exploring the human story behind every object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating. And everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the ‘what’s it worth?’ moment. The AR isn’t just about antiques – it’s history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one.”

The doors open at 9.30am and close at 4.30pm and entry to the show is free.

Some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists will be on hand to offer free advice and valuations to visitors, who are invited to raid their attics and bring along their family heirlooms, household treasures and car boot bargains for inspection by the experts.

The hit songwriter and dedicated railway enthusiast Pete Waterman, a regular visitor to Steam, will also be making an appearance at the show.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the roadshow in action and can’t wait to see what train-related items turn up on the day.”

The last series, watched by an average of more than six-and-a-half million viewers, included some intriguing objects such as a Second World War horse’s gas mask and a gallantry medal awarded to a pigeon.

It also had some great stories such as the bracelet found in the street which had belonged to Queen Victoria, a collection of 1930s posters bought for 50p in the 1970s and now worth over £30,000 and of course the first £100,000 plate seen on the Roadshow.

People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects to: Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk. It may be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue.

Series editor Simon Shaw said: “The team are all looking forward to visiting Swindon Steam museum.

“It’s always exciting to see what will come to light on the day. We regularly see between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors on the day. Despite the high turnout everyone will get to see an expert.”

More information can be found at: www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/beonashow/ The Antiques Roadshow last came to Swindon in October 1985, when it was filmed at the Oasis leisure centre. Hugh Scully was the show’s presenter at the time.