FLOG IT! PRESENTER PAUL MARTIN TO HOST VALUATION DAY IN MARLBOROUGH – WHERE HIS TV CAREER BEGAN

Well known popular TV antique expert, Paul Martin, will be sharing his knowledge and experience with Marlborough residents on Tuesday 23rd January by hosting a free community valuation day at the Castle & Ball Hotel.

The valuation day, which is being run in partnership with world renowned Devizes auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son, for which Paul is Head of Valuations, will take place between 11am – 3pm and is intended to encourage members of the public to dust off those 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 ranging from antiques, collectables, silver, gold, militaria and jewellery.

“Marlborough is very close to my heart,” Paul said. “I had my own shop here for seven years and was very happy. It was here that a BBC researcher walked in one day and she felt I’d make a tv presenter and expert around antiques. That small conversation led to a career I could not have imagined. I have a lot to thank Marlborough for!”

Paul has been a tv expert and presenter for over 20 years on programmes including Flog It!; the Antiques Road Trip, CountryFile and many more. He has a new series, Paul Martin’s Auction Showdown, going live on Channel 5 this year. 

"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 Paul in his role with Henry Aldridge & Son based in Devizes. 

“Wiltshire is such a great part of the country to host these kinds of days,” said Paul. “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.” 

Marlborough is one of Wiltshire’s most famous market towns and is home to the well-known Marlborough College, an exclusive independent boarding school as well as its iconic High Street, a regular market and many independent shops including the oldest - Merchants House. The town itself dates back to around 1037 when it was mentioned in the Domesday Book as a ‘royal demesne’ ie it was owned by the Crown.  It officially became a market town in 1204 when King John granted its Royal Charter.

Since then it’s been part of many major historical milestones including Thomas Wolsey being ordained in St Peter’s Church in 1498, a battle in 1642 when the town was sacked and burned for supporting Parliament and being against King Charles I and also a great fire in 1653 which saw much devastation. 

“With this kind of rich history, you never know what items might be brought to our attention,” says Paul. “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!”

This event will be followed by others across Wiltshire including: 

The Marsh Farm Hotel in Royal Wootton Bassett on Monday 29th January, 10am – 3pm. 

The George in Mere – Wednesday February 7, 10am to 3pm. 

The REME Museum in Lyneham – Wednesday February 14, 10am to 3pm.

STEAM in Swindon – Monday February 19, 10am to 3pm. 

Athenaeum Theatre, Warminster  - Tuesday February 27, 10am to 3pm. 

For more information on Paul’s valuation days please visit: https://www.henryaldridge.com/valuations/valuation-days/south-west/