Ep 9. Christchurch

In the ninth episode of the 20th season of Antiques Roadshow UK, the team travels to Christchurch, a town on the south coast of England. The show provides an opportunity for locals to bring in their beloved items and have them appraised by a team of experts. The excitement at the beginning of the show is palpable as hopeful participants queue up, clutching their precious antiques waiting for their turn to step inside.

First up, the programme meets a man who inherited a fascinating egg-shaped object from his grandfather. The object is made from copper and appears to be quite ancient, from an unknown period of history, and has been handed down through the generations within the same family. The curious shape and the man's hopeful demeanour draw the attention of the experts, who delve into the object's background to unlock its history.

In keeping with the family heirloom theme, the next individual is a lady who has brought in a portrait of her great-great-grandmother. The oil painting is a beautiful and authentic representation of an individual from a bygone era and captures not only the woman's striking features but also a sense of the times in which she lived. As the experts investigate the provenance of the portrait, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary painting. This significant ancestor was well known in her time, and her life story is revealed through its detailed history.

Another highlight of the program involves a retired country doctor, showcasing an original case of surgical instruments, with some of the objects possibly dating back to the 18th century. The doctor explains that he retired some time ago and is now considering getting rid of his surgical instrument collection. The roadshow team was thrilled to receive such an unusual and unique collection and takes particular care in examining the surgeon's tools to determine the value and history of each piece - many of which whose usage hasn't been popularized for centuries.

The next meeting of the Antique Roadshow UK team occurs with a woman who has brought in four small scrolls, each housed in its separate protective case. The scrolls are almost identical in appearance, quickly identified as Fijian war clubs and probably items of significant cultural value. The show's experts explain that they were traditionally used by villagers, who would hang them from poles to create a defensive fence around their village. Much like shields, the clubs were the most critical element of defense for defenceless Fijian villagers during a tribal war and were usually hidden away when peace returned to the land.

The program takes a historical turn when entertainment proves how the past is inescapable. The team speaks to an enthusiastic man who presents a rather bizarre antique that relates to the Wellington who fought at Waterloo. This bizarre item is a wooden replica of the Duke of Wellington's nose, expertly crafted to feature precise details and made specifically to commemorate the Duke's victory at the famous battle.

In conclusion, Antiques Roadshow UK continues the trend of an excellent family programme that keeps surprising its viewers every episode. The show again proves that cherished heirlooms are not always what they may appear to be, and more often than not, the most interesting antiques have the most extraordinary history. The experts and individuals who bring in their most treasured pieces provide insight into how the past shapes our present and leave us pondering the value of the historical artifacts that are hidden all around us.