Absolutely speechless
Friday March 3, 2006 by Paul Martin
Most sincere apologies for the delay in this month’s “diary page”
It has been a very quiet month for the Flog It Roadshow. My travels have taken me to the Watford auctions; a jam packed sale room in Tring. There was so much hustle and bustle as bidders jostled for space – tensions ran high – and not surprisingly the prices ran high too! The busiest Flog It auction in history!
In total contrast the only other filming date has been a valuation day held in Cambridge. In a more sedate fashion a small enthusiastic crowd gathered on a freezing cold morning in a gorgeous city where the old meets new and not surprisingly a very eclectic mix of unwanted antiques were brought along. So we will have to see how well they do in a few weeks time at Cheffin’s auction rooms. So, as you can see there’s only been 3/4 days filming this month. There has been not much talking to camera, which is probably a good job as for the last couple of weeks I have been suffering from tooth ache…massive toothache. Let this be a lesson to you all never to ignore it. An abscess I knew about a year ago, but never got round to having properly sorted out, came back as I didn’t have the root canal done as I just kept ignoring it. The pain was so extreme, that after 2 nights without sleeping the only course of action was to have the tooth out as the antibiotics were not touching the sides. And now just to teach me a lesson I have to have another load of work done, which I’d dreading. Enough of me moaning!
Spring Fairs
Back to antiques, and it is the season for the antiques fairs. Principally Olympia Fine Art in London lead the way and many other BADA fairs are popping up all around the country to cheer you and me up with the tempting, exciting atmosphere. However, if you want to avoid the crowds and fancy retail therapy in a reassuring world of antique then take my advise and visit “The Country Seat” near Henley, Oxfordshire or “Blanchard Collective” near Marlborough Wiltshire. Both these venues are like an all year round “Olympia.”
Animals Asia
I have been asked by Animal Asia to help with some work for the charity and will be helping at a high profile auction his summer in aid of the charity. The charity is dedicated to ending the cruel practice of bear bile farming, as well as dog and cat welfare in Asia. I have to say I have been so struck by the cruelty of what is happening and the brilliant work this charity is doing to help these poor animals that I hope I can be of real help to them in anyway I can. After watching footage from the charity I was in tears!
Animals Asia was founded by Jill Robinson (MBE) in 1993 after witnessing Asiatic Black Bears incarcerated in tiny wire cages with rusting metal catheters implanted in the abdomens to extract the bile. Jill has worked tirelessly in China, negotiated with the government to bring an end to this cruel practice. They have saved many bears already, and created a rescue centre for them to live, but there are still so many to help. I’m going to do all I can. Their website is animalsasia.org if you would like to see what they do.
Through The Key Hole dates:
- 03 March BBC2 3.00pm
- 15 March BBC2
- 17 March BBC2
- 23 March BBC2
- 31 March BBC2
My website
I am currently having a new links page added to my site, so all related links can be in one place for you to access. If you feel there is one you would like to have on the page, please email me your suggestions.
Paul
