TRUST ON SCREEN

Antiques As presenter of Antiques Roadshow Roadshow since 2008, Fiona has enjoyed flming at many National Trust properties over the years As BBC Antiques Roadshow celebrates its 40th anniversary, chosen to be flmed – is whisked ‘backstage’ Carolyn Boyd goes behind the scenes at Baddesley Clinton, into the house, where access is restricted to How did you fnd flming at Baddesley Clinton? the BBC crew and a privileged few. A group Today has been a classic Antiques Roadshow day. Warwickshire, to experience a valuation day of volunteers is there to provide tea and unusual because to make something so big Far left Expert Ben When I arrived this morning, people were just Photography by Megan Taylor cake for those waiting for their flming slots, is very technically challenging,’ says Steven. Wright advises Trust beginning to trickle in, the sun was shining and my and the security team takes the clock for volunteer Richard King heart rose. The peonies are just beginning to come ‘It has been in the gentleman’s family since on his clock. It’s 9am on a sunny summer’s morning and Manager Caroline De Lane Lea. ‘We have safekeeping while Richard has make-up out and the Johnson’s blue geraniums are all in 1842, after it was presented full of cider at a Top left Visitors wait in at Baddesley Clinton, a pretty 16th-century no idea what’s going to happen on the day applied. Steps are taken to Photographymake sure no by Paul Harris wedding.’ The jug’s owner, John Plumb, front of the 16th- fower. The house is a jewel; I don’t think I’ve ever moated house in Warwickshire, the – the people, the weather – so we have to damage is done to the house: no pulls out a huge scroll with a beautifully century manor house. been to a moated building that is so small. It’s atmosphere is already buzzing. On a usual problem-solve as we go along. The Trust refreshments are allowed in the Great Hall written and illustrated family tree, and Above left Experts exquisite and beautifully kept. day the volunteers and staf would just be already has a pool of volunteers and they and the make-up artists cannot use hairspray value items, with a table shows me which of his ancestors would for each category. arriving to start work. But this is no ordinary make wonderful stewards.’ in case it afects the Tudor beams and walls. What part do the volunteers play? have frst used it. ‘It’s not for sale,’ says John. Above It’s worth the day. Today, the property will host the BBC As more visitors arrive, there’s a palpable Back outside, red parasols shade the ‘It will go on down through the family.’ wait to fnd out more We couldn’t do it without them. They are all Antiques Roadshow, and more than 3,000 sense of excitement. In front of the house a experts’ tables and a 1940 Midland Red bus While it might not be as grand an about a favourite delightful, helpful and really enthusiastic. They possession. people are about to discover the history camera crew is setting up the main flming provides a vintage backdrop. People are heirloom as Baddesley Clinton itself, the jug watch the show and really enjoy it. The whole and value of their treasured possessions. station where some of the more detailed picnicking, and presenter Fiona Bruce is Top right Fiona Bruce event has a really lovely atmosphere. is a ftting representation of Antiques is interviewed by Vic Antiques Roadshow is a ftting items are recorded. Nearby, stewards in red flming and chatting to visitors. Soon, Roadshow and the Trust’s common aims – Minett from the BBC programme to be flmed here. The house sashes and boater hats direct visitors though, the sunshine gives way to darker to look after and tell the stories of items that local radio. What have been the most memorable items today? itself is a prestigious heirloom, having through the process of registering their clouds and the heavens open. The team pass from generation to generation. A woman brought along a diamond bracelet bought passed through 12 generations of one items, while experts keep a keen eye out for refocuses its eforts into distributing some in Hollywood, which she thinks might have belonged family before it came to the Trust in 1980. exceptional antiques to feature in the show. of the 5,000 rain ponchos kept in store for Carolyn Boyd is a travel writer to Rita Hayworth. Our jewellery experts have said, as Over the years the BBC has flmed at many Among the volunteers is Richard King. such an eventuality. Books, pictures and and editor. She contributes to it is, it is worth about £35,000. If the lady can prove it Trust places and with some 80 Trust He helps one day a week in Baddesley prints are moved under cover frst, to national newspapers and belonged to Rita Hayworth, it will be more than twice volunteers and staf, 64 BBC crew members Clinton’s gardens, but today he’s a visitor minimise damage. Then, the show goes on. magazines, including The Times. that. Also, a couple of women brought along a button and 34 experts in place for one or two days’ and has brought an antique clock with an Later in the afternoon, when the sun has collection which they had been bequeathed by their flming, running the event is no mean feat. Egptian logo to show the experts. ‘They returned, a gentleman brings a metre-high Antiques Roadshow is holding a mother. She was a founding member of the ‘It’s a real team efort between the venue were very enthusiastic about it from the ceramic jug to the reception desk. It’s one valuation day at Nymans, Sussex, on Button Society and collected hundreds. and us, and it starts a good six months moment we put it on the reception desk,’ of the fnal items of the day to attract the 8 June. For more on the series and valuation Some are very rare and worth hundreds of pounds before,’ says Antiques Roadshow’s Events he says. From there, Richard – like the others interest of expert Steven Moore. ‘Its size is days see .co.uk/antiquesroadshow each. You just never know what’s going to turn up.

42 nationaltrust.org.uk 43