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HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH ?- Updated 3rd Jul 2006

The question everyone was asking as they converged on the Marquee to present their treasures to the four experts in action on Saturday.

Entertainment began the previous evening with the erection of the Marquee by the Farringdon Marquee Erection Specialists Doan Tellim & Pike. They were initially accompanied in their endeavours with a solo and duet from visiting performance artists, The Ululating Women, described by one who heard the show from an acceptable distance as "a triumph of volume over substance" . Even the local Constabulary dropped by to ascertain the source of the racket.

Despite these minor diversions the Marquee was all ready for the rush of visitors when the Valuation Day opened for business at 10:00. The Check in crew were set up to receive the visitors, suitably fortified with ample liquid refreshment (non-alcoholic in accordance with Government guidelines) as temperatures soared.

The Valuation Team of Mark Stonard, (almost in shot on the left of the picture) Mark Stacey, James Gadd & David Rees were soon in action as a variety of objects were presented for their scrutiny.

Stamp collections are one of Mark Stonard's (in shot this time) specialities and he was soon busy with a collection brought in for his evaluation.

Mark Stacey, a well known face from his regular appearances on the BBC "Flog It" programme was also kept busy with local Videographer Cecil B de Baumber on hand to record the day's events for posterity with the BBC "Video Nation" Camcorder.

Picture specialist, James Gadd, had a number of interesting items to review in various mediums although water-colours seemed to be in the majority.

David Rees occupied the western seat and was presented with a variety of objects for valuation during the day.

Refreshments were much needed and on hand in the Village Hall with Peggy among the WI team dispensing tea cakes and a much deserved clip round the ear to your reporter to keep him in order.

Also on hand to provide information for visitors was architect Jack Warshaw from Conservation Architecture and Planning with the provisional plans drawn up for the Massey's Folly Preservation Trust, which will no doubt feature in the Restoration programme to be broadcast on 28th July.

Out in the Marquee, Mark Stacey, again under the watchful eye of the camcorder, faced a tricky valuation as Vecta presented her selection for the day. While I don't know what his valuation was it was obviously satisfactory as he survived to return in the afternoon.

While numbers were a little lower than expected, which may or may not have been due to a clash of dates with some football match in a small town in Germany, most visitors, perhaps with the exception of one who discovered all three objects were fakes, went home satisfied and the experts enjoyed a day in the Hampshire Countryside.

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