It is the final week of June's "Crowds" theme for the Sepia Saturday blog posts and I look back some years when, with daughter and granddaughter, we were part of the crowd attending BBC's popular programme Antiques Roadshow, filming at Floors Castle, Kelso near my home ein the Scottish Borders.
If you are
taking treasures, you need to be prepared to have a long wait as we edged
slowly towards the central point to reveal our items and receive our
tickets (free) to meet the appropriate expert.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxC1Ric9gi7k0Y328Ux2mXAkmDF3bYGWMxQx4pvTjk0R9o9Hu45k4SYoX4IIbc4U1AT_YuTJWtH4I3MPE2jFAhN6Mvtj5S-QYFV0noHjP9sCAIQcTaA0zgctiuHQZ6foKdvjNj7VT8IcJ/w400-h300/AR+Queue.jpg)
Just a small part of the long, long queue. If you were just going to view and have a browse around, you got straight through.
Showing my World War One family memorabilia to the Military expert , with granddaughter looking on.
The treasures I took:
The
presentation trowel and silver baton presented i on the occasion of laying the
foundation stones for a new church,to my great great
grandfather, John Matthews (1843-1918) in honour of his role as
choirmaster.
The inscription reads: Ladymore Wesleyan Chapel Stonelaying Ceremony. Presented to Mr. J. Matthews April 7th 1903.
It was good to get a full description of my great
grandfather's presentation items - Moroccan leather boxes, gold beading,
brass clasps, silk lining, and velvet fitments - a quality gift which
reflected the respect for my great grandfather's contribution to church life.
The
First World War Memorabilia from my mother's Danson family. My
grandfather William Danson (1885-1962) and four of his brothers fought, with two not surviving the
conflict. Below are a few of the items that are part of a much a larger
collection, that I have written about on my blog.
-
William Danson (my grandfather) who was awarded
the Military Medal for gallantry.
Below some of the many cards that William sent home to his family.
Grandad was a taciturn country man who never spoke about the war, but these cards reflected his love for his family.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMx1xDZxIN7WQ7a273OolwejNR6skX5v4OZh1PVg7XSjGUA5U80gNfDsrDK-GeA9ami8EwuyXzkXNEfy3GLqPhX3XP8t0ORxAQPOX2wmGK25wa7_-7mrhDRf-qXOfO_BjlrRuKDeSjhau/s320/WWI+flags.jpg)
It was gratifying to hear the kind
comments on the way I had presented my WW1 cards and documents, and to
hear that my grandfather's medal citation was rare, as apparently these
do not often survive.
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Despite
the time spent queuing, it was a great day in a beautiful setting, -
and even the sun came out! Everyone was so good-natured, friendly and
patient. We enjoyed seeing the experts and presenter Fiona Bruce and
the cameras in action. The organisation and logistics of the event
were impressive. What stood out for me was the time and information
that the two experts I saw gave to me and the interest they showed.
And
no - I wasn't picked to be filmed and interviewed, though we were standing
in the queue right by where Fiona Bruce was doing a piece to camera - but we never appeared on the broadcast programme!
The crowds in front of the castle.
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Postscript : I am pleased to say the programme is returning to film in the Scottish Borders next week at nearby Thirlestane Castle. We will be there with fresh famiy memorabilia. So watch this space for a further account on The Antiques Roadshow.
Copyright © 2024 Susan Donaldson. All Rights Reserved
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That's very exciting, Sue! As a long time reader of your blog I remember the stories behind your family ephemera and know how much they are treasured, but it was wonderful that you were rewarded by an expert's evaluation too. The presentation trowel is a marvelous quirky thing that must have been fun for the silversmith to make. Did it ever actually touch cement? From my experience such tools quickly succumb to the corrosive nature of mortar.
ReplyDeleteThose WWI artifacts are fascinating. The experience of participating in Antique Roadshow sounds priceless.
ReplyDeleteSusan
From Scotsue - Thank you both for your appreciative comments.
ReplyDelete