FLOG IT! PRESENTER PAUL MARTIN TO HOST VALUATION DAY IN ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT

Well-known popular TV antiques expert, Paul Martin, will be sharing his knowledge and experience with Royal Wootton Bassett residents on Monday 29th January by hosting a free community valuation day at Marsh Farm 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 10am to 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. 

“I’ve got a real soft spot for Royal Wootton Bassett,” said Paul. “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 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 by Paul in his role as Head of Valuations at Henry Aldridge & Son. 

“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.”

Royal Wootton Bassett is one of Wiltshire’s most famous market towns. In recent years this has largely been because of its close links to RAF Lyneham and the town’s commitment to the repatriation of fallen British soldiers. Historically, repatriation took place via RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, but maintenance works in 2007 meant that repatriation was moved to Wootton Bassett. Images of crowds lining the town’s streets have since become iconic and, in 2011, the town became Royal Wootton Bassett in recognition of its dedication. Its military connections have continued with Lyneham now becoming MOD Lyneham and home to the REME Museum (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers). 

Further back in its 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. And 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. 

“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 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.

The Athenaeum Centre in Warminster — Tuesday February 27, 10am to 3pm.

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