But of course I’ll never sell it…..
An iconic Mary Quant dress, a nest of novelty eggcups and a large wooden Dartington Hall sign were among the hundreds – if not thousands – of items the patient crowds brought to the verdant laws of the Great Hall for the visit on Sunday of the Antiques Roadshow.
Airport style security – bag checks and a body scan with a metal detector wand – meant the hordes who came with a picnic had to leave their penknives and bottles of claret behind. It was a strictly no booze arena (although refreshments were available inside the cordon and out). No matter. We came, we queued, we complained very politely, we smiled at the security guards and we wore our golden wristbands like we were at the Isle of Wight festival. And some of you had probably been there, too.
Totnes Pulse writer Christine Sweetman and her husband James Willis queued for an hour to get in and then another two hours or so to see their relevant specialists. Items were triaged for interest and value, but rather than wait on a trolley in a corridor, the patient ones here had a lawn to lounge on while their chance at TV fame – or at least a knowledgable appreciation – awaited.
James’ Victorian musical doll had been his grandmother’s piano playing prize while just five years old. “He was told it was a wonderful example and would have been filmed but they’d run out of slots,” Christine said.
The Roadshow is a marvel of efficiency. Filming begins early, with a dozen or more crews – camera operators, sound recordists, producers, experts, plus a drone pilot and a jib operator (for high close shots) – dotted around the private gardens and the courtyard. Most locations produce enough for two, or even three, episodes. With Dartington’s rich artistic legacy, we must surely be worth three. [I’m reliably informed that it’s three – Ed.]
Marion Brice from South Milton had been called in for 9am so her prized Mary Quant gymslip dress could be filmed and securely stored before host Fiona Bruce got a look at it. Marion explained that the dress had been a gift from a friend, Pat, who had at the age of 18 worked for Mary Quant, travelling around the world with her. Pat got the pick of outfits and luckily for Marion had given her this one, a rare example from the designer who brought the world mini skirts and hot pants.
Cost in the 60s – a guinea or two? alue today – well, that would be telling. But Marion’s not selling it…
Christine had an appraisal with silver expert Duncan Campbell for her tea set, once owned by her grandmother’s sister in law. “It was a lovely atmosphere,” she said. “Well worth the queuing.” The Roadshow has been on the BBC since 1979 and judging by the snaking line of people hoping their paintings and pottery would be chosen to star, it’s as popular as ever. By 1.30 the entrance line had still not abated. But no matter. We were among friends. And dogs. Lots of dogs.
Someone – and I’d love to know who – had lugged in a large wooden Dartington Hall sign, apparently made some 80 years ago by a visiting artist. As Fiona – very slim, very charming very at ease with first name terms – told us in her opening piece to camera with the sign as prop, there had been two. But it got reused. Early recycling.
The appeal of the Roadshow is quintessential BBC – it informs, it educates, it entertains. And for one day at Dartington, it let people make conversations with strangers, with some stranger things lurking in those carrier bags…..
