Well known popular TV antique expert, Paul Martin, will be sharing his knowledge and experience with Wells residents on Wednesday 27 March by hosting a free community valuation day at The Crown Inn in Wells Market Place.

The valuation day, which is being run in partnership with world renowned Devizes auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son, for which Paul is Head of Valuations, will take place 10am to 3pm and is intended to encourage members of the public to dust off those items they've always been curious about and bring them along to be discussed, valued and perhaps sold. 

Paul would be delighted to see items ranging from antiques, collectables, silver, gold, militaria and jewellery. 

"Wells may be small but it has a big history," said Paul. "From its huge religious significance to its educational legacy and strong trading heritage, we're bound to see some great finds and I'm certain it will make for a very interesting day!"

Paul has been a television presenter and expert for over 20 years on programmes including the Antiques' Road Trip; Flog It!; CountryFile and many more. He has a new series, Paul Martin's Auction Showdown, going live on Channel 5 this year.

"Even though I am a tv presenter and still enjoy my broadcast career, I'm an antiques man at heart and these events allow me to get back to what drives me — the people, their objects and the stories they tell."

The day is part of a programme of valuation days being run by Paul in his role as Head of Valuations at Henry Aldridge & Son, based in Wiltshire.

"Somerset is such a great part of the country to host these kinds of days," said Paul. "There is so much history here and the people are really generous with their time and curiosity. Some local families go back generations so I'm sure we'll see fascinating items and learn lots from the stories attached to them."

"With the really rich and diverse history of Wells it will be so interesting to see what items will be brought to our attention", said Paul.

"We could end up being presented with some fascinating items that reveal brilliant snippets about the history of the area and the people wo have helped make it what it is today. What's exciting about community valuation days is you never quite know what will turn up. It's full of surprises!"

Paul Martin's Wells valuation day will be held at The Crown Inn in the city's Market Place. The hotel dates back to 1450 and was linked in the 17th century with William Penn, a Quaker who preached to crowds in the Market Place and who later went on to give his name to Pennsylvania in the States. During both the First and Second world wars the Crown was used to temporarily billet troops.