麻豆约拍

How do you find life on the road?

I spend a lot of my time on the road, visiting clients and following up leads all over the UK, carrying out professional valuations and market assessments, finding and sourcing items and collections for our vast and eclectic series of auctions. I love the buzz and excitement of the potential wonders and rarities that I could discover each day. I really enjoy meeting the interesting mix of people I visit, and of course, the wonderful great British landscape I cover on my travels.

What is your favourite part of your role?

I think my very favourite part of the role has to be the excitement and drama of sale day; being on the rostrum wielding my gavel, with bids coming in thick and fast from the crowded saleroom, from the myriad of phone bids and from the internet flashing in from around the world, especially when something takes off, climbing way over estimate, and the price keeps going up and up and up.

Why did you choose a career in antiques?

I think it chose me! In my late teens after I left sixth form college in Sussex, I decided that rather than go onto further education, I’d get out into the real world, get my hands dirty and find something interesting to earn a living at! With no set career path in mind, I approached several local businesses that looked interesting to see if they had any openings, including a theatre, radio station and among other things the local auctioneers.

I started at the auctioneers the following Monday as a porter and very quickly ‘got the bug’ for antiques and art and developed a hunger to learn about this fascinating and wonderful enigma of a business. With a combination of onsite learning, fine art courses and reading everything, I rose to senior valuer and director at that same saleroom.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t working in the antiques trade?

In my early 20’s I spent two years in the Territorial Army in an Infantry Regiment, and loved it; sadly, my fine art training ate into my time, and I had to give it up, otherwise I might have made a military career.

Ignoring a lack of talent, I think the life and experiences of an actor would also have been fun and appealing, or pop star if I could sing!

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to work in antiques?

If you want to be an auctioneer, get a foot in the door of an auction house as soon as you can, at whatever level/role you can; listen and learn from the auctioneers and experts, ask questions, read up. If you want to be a dealer, choose an area you are passionate about, specialise, develop a reputation for being knowledgeable and carrying a great stock.

How did you get involved in Bargain Hunt?

I was first involved with the 麻豆约拍 as an antiques expert with Flog it! in around 2006/2007, and then sometime later, when hosting Bargain Hunt as the auctioneer, I was asked to join them too, and I’ve loved every minute of it.

Who has been your most memorable Bargain Hunt team?

They have all been memorable in their own way… in a good way! However, I think ‘Maeve the Rave’ at Stamford stands out - a lady of advancing years with the tenacity and spirit of someone half her age, and the cheek of a teenager too (see next question).

What has been your best ever Bargain Hunt find?

It has to be filming at Stamford - I was with two wonderfully energetic elderly ladies (one being Maeve the Rave). I managed to find a pair of interesting and unusual Japanese vases that I thought had great potential. Maeve didn’t like them, the auctioneer didn’t like them, until they sold for a whopping £500 profit, then everyone liked them!

Which fairs do you particularly like shopping at when bargain hunting?

I love the big showground fairs, with rows upon rows of stalls after stalls, carrying huge eclectic stock where you can have a banter with the stall holders, find a bargain and strike a deal.

What’s the most profit / greatest loss you’ve made at auction?

The most profit was £500 on a pair of Japanese vases (see above). Greatest loss might have been on a very rustic and gruesome pig bench (for slaughtering pigs on!) that I bought as a bonus buy for a joke. During the shop I had the ladies on my team sit on it and run their hands along it before I told them what it was. They shot off it in horror, funny at the time; funnier still when it came back to haunt them at the reveal - I think it sold for around £100 less than I paid for it.

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

A good red wine, buying antiques and art that I don’t need or have room for, cream teas and a fab meal out – or ideally a day that involves all four!

How do you spend your free time?

Spending time with my kids, family and friends is important, and I love to travel around and explore the hidden gems in the UK. Our country is beautiful, diverse and steeped in history - if the weather is fine, you can’t beat it. Further afield I love France, their food, culture, wines, and exploring and antique hunting their unspoilt old towns and villages, and of course the gem that is Paris.

I also like to keep fit, with long walks along the coast where I live, treks and hikes in the hills, swimming, and am currently embarked on learning a martial art called Krav Maga.

Do you collect anything?

I am an eclectic collector! The objects I buy are like the area I specialise in ‘from Cromwell to Conrad’ and everything in between! I collect things that have good design or an interesting story. Sometimes the quality or the naive charm attract me to an item - eclectic but interesting is the theme!

Why do you think Bargain Hunt has such appeal?

I think that the fascinating and charming characters that apply for the challenge combined with the great knowledge, comradery and character of my fellow experts is a winning formula. Add to that the thrill of the auction and the opportunity to pick up useful titbits of knowledge along the way, all adds up to a recipe for success.

Why would you encourage anyone to appear on Bargain Hunt?

You will have the best fun, meet great people, visit fascinating places, make great memories and get to buy antiques with someone else’s money!