It’s not too late to have your antiques valued

There were some exciting finds that day. A gold watch and chatelaine found in the back of a cupboard was worth £9,000, a carriage clock which belonged to the chief physician to Queen Victoria was valued at £12,000 and a drawing of the owner as a little girl by Rex Whistler was worth nearly £15,000. So it’s not surprising that the team are looking forward to their return visit to Hillsborough Castle, on Thursday, June 26 in the hope that similar treasures will turn up.

The Whistler painting would have been brought in on the Roadshow’s furniture round. Back in the office the team are compiling a folder containing letters and emails from people in the area with furniture and large items too big to carry to the show.

Items in the past have included paintings, large pots, bedsteads and even a military cannon. The weekend before the show two of the team will arrive in the area with the folder and visit as many of the people who have contacted the show as possible.

Some of these people will have their items transported to the Roadshow by the team and a few lucky ones may end up being filmed on the day.

It’s not too late to contact the Roadshow if you do have any large items that you would like valued.

Among the team of experts at Hillsborough Castle on the day will be Paul Atterbury, Bunny Campione, Eric Knowles and Judith Miller. Along with the other members of the team they will be on hand to offer free valuations and advice to visitors. The doors are open from 9.30am until 4.30pm and entry to the event is free.

Send details and photographs of the objects to Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to [email protected]. It may be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue. Details should reach the office by Friday June 20.

There is no parking at Hillsborough Castle and parking in Hillsborough itself is restricted. Park and Ride will be available from The Maze Long Kesh – follow the AA signage to Gate 1 on Halftown Road which is north of the A1 between Lisburn and Hillsborough. The Park and Ride will be operation from 8am until 7.30pm.

No dogs are allowed in the grounds apart from guide dogs and any firearms brought to the Roadshow must have a Firearms certificate.