Antiques Roadshow to visit Bodnant Garden

Aug 14 2008 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

TIME to dust off your best china, dig out any old relics from the attic and check out that faded watercolour hanging over the fireplace.

The ever-popular Sunday evening programme Antiques Roadshow visits the Conwy Valley next month.

The show, a firm favourite among collectors and telly addicts, will be filming for its 31st series in the grounds of Bodnant Gardens at Tal-y-Cafn on Thursday, September 11.

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 bring along their family heirlooms, household treasures and car boot bargains for inspection by the experts.

This year the Roadshow team has a new presenter in the shape of Fiona Bruce.

Fiona said: “Presenting Antiques Roadshow is 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 each object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating. Everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the ‘what’s it worth?’ moment.

“Antiques Roadshow isn’t just about antiques ... it’s history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one.”

Series editor Simon Shaw said the team are all looking forward to visiting Bodnant Gardens. He said: “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.”

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 also be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue.

samantha.castle