The Antiques Roadshow descended on Leeds Castle to film a programme for the BBC to be screened later in the year. There was much activity the day before the actual show with shots both inside and outside the castle. This in spite of the odd showers that seemed to arrive at the most inopportune moments. The day of the show started well. The weather was perfect for filming and brought out the crowds, all clutching their treasures. Long queues did form both for registration and at the individual tables but everyone was in good humour and the experts did not rush with their assessments of each article. Now we just have to wait to see if we can spot ourselves in any of the film footage.
The stewards assemble.
The briefing
Queues are forming outside.
Getting ready for the onslaught
The first visitors storm the gate tower ...
... carrying their treasures.
The experts are already busy.
A queue soon forms at the ceramics table, ...
... whilst at the beginning the paintings table is not so popular.
Queues soon form to register.
Some visitors arrive with cases.
It is getting busy and the production manager, Tiggy, strides around.
The paintings table soon has a queue.
Helen tells Eve that it is nearly her turn to register.
Nic is filmed talking about Anne Boleyn’s casket.
Mike has a silver opium pipe for assessment.
Orderly queues are everywhere.
Lennox scrutinizes a chair.
The military man is not so busy.
I meet up with Bevin Boy John and his family.
John is one of the Bevin Boys who helped me with my thesis.
Fiona Bruce, the new presenter of Antiques Roadshow, arrives on the scene ...
... but most of the public does not notice.
The croquet lawn is filling up.
Eve and Joe finally get to show their treasures.
Henry Sandon inspects a jug.
A lady does not believe what Lennox tells her.
Ceramics are set out for filming.
Meanwhile a lady holds her picture for filming.
Rupert Maas smiles for the camera.
Lunch of sandwiches on the hoof ...
... but some are well prepared for a picnic.
Filming another picture
Another chair arrives for the furniture expert.
Fiona Bruce interviews some visitors.
A new item arrives.