Time for tea at Bodnant’s Antiques Roadshow

Sep 25 2008 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

WHEN the Antiques Roadshow came to North Wales one lady discovered more than she hoped for about her family history.

Weeks before the BBC rolled into Bodnant Garden, Ann Bowyer, from Colwyn Bay, enjoyed a home visit from the antique experts only to find they were more interested in her grandfather’s medal collection than her 16th century furniture.

“After seeing the medal collection the people from the Antiques Roadshow asked us to arrive early on the day of filming as they wanted to interview me for the programme,” said Ann.

“Well I was absolutely overwhelmed and delighted. I was seen by expert Paul Atterbury who also interviewed me on camera.

“I never knew my grandfather, but I am slowly building up a picture of his life which all stems from his tea blending medals.”

Her grandfather was awarded about 80 medals, the most in the country. Ann is lucky enough to have eight of them in her possession dating from 1921 to 1935.

“The medals were actually not worth a great deal in the end, but Paul was quite surprised that awards for tea blending were so big back in my grandfather’s day,” says Ann.

“He told my husband and me that the medals had no great financial value as there were so many made and presented back then, but I was not interested in their monetary value as they already have a high sentimental value to me. It was just nice to hear a little bit more history about them.”

Although Ann did not get to meet the show’s new presenter Fiona Bruce, she said it was a very exciting day.

“It was very interesting to see how they put the programme together,” she says. “My husband and I have always been fans of the show. Bodnant is such a beautiful location and was ideal for the filming.”

Although the medal collection was given a low valuation Ann’s antique oak chest, which dates back to the 1640s, was valued at over £1,000.

“I won’t be parting with it any time soon though as I use it for storage and it goes very well with our other furniture at home,” she said.

“I’m not disappointed about the medals’ value as they already mean so much to me historically. I now have a little bit of family history that can be passed on to future generations.”

samantha.castle