BBC antiques star at The Barlow, Edgworth to give valuations

Irita Marriott, known for her appearances on Antiques Road Trip and Bargain Hunt, will be providing free valuations at The Barlow, in Edgworth, when she arrives on Sunday, April 21.

After receiving a valuation, members of the public will also have a chance to put their items up for auction – with onlookers able to see items usually kept in people’s cupboards and drawers.

The event will take place from 11am to 4pm, with no pre-booking required.

Organiser John Marriott (no relation), who is also a trustee at The Barlow, hopes the event will help raise money for the building – with the building’s café, The Reading Room, set to remain open for punters to enjoy food and drink during the event.

Irita Marriott is an antiques expert known for her appearances on the BBC's Antiques Road Trip and Bargain Hunt (Image: Supplied)

Sign up to our newsletters to get the latest stories sent straight to your inbox.

John, who has been a trustee for two years, said: “Everybody wants to come and see Irita. There’s jewellery, pottery, anything like that, bar big tables and chairs and things, there are so many things. It’s a wealthy village, let’s put it that way.

“Irita said, when she’s done this type of thing before, that people were going to throw their item in the skip and they find out their pottery is worth a lot of money, or some old jewellery they were going to get rid of and weigh in.

“She’s there to guide them, and if they want it auctioning, she’ll auction it for them.”

Follow The Bolton News on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok.

Money raised through donations and café revenue will be reinvested into The Barlow.

Left to right: Barlow manager Jasmine Coleman, trustee John Marriott, supervisor Meg Greenhalgh (Image: John Marriott)

The 74-year-old said: “It’s an old building, we’ve paid £120,000 for a new roof. It’s all to support the building, snooker room, wedding venues, it supports all of the building – all charity donations, from Friends of the Barlow to whatever we can raise.

“Bring all your valuables and see what they’re worth! That’s all we’re doing, is helping people who maybe think it’s worthless, and if they need the money she’ll auction it for them, it’s just to support the Barlow, that’s all we want.

“We get so many walkers around from the area, going over all the area and the reservoirs, and they all pop into our café called The Reading Room, so it is very popular.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.