Release Date 06 July 2017

TV antiques experts will be at the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) this Saturday [8 July] offering valuations for people's ‘treasure'.

Eric Knowles, Tom Keane and Paul Hayes will be identifying and valuing items brought in by members of the public between 11am and 3pm.

Community Treasures at MERL is a celebration of treasures of all kinds. Highlighting the many different values we give to ‘treasures', it has been planned in collaboration with many of The MERL's community partners to celebrate the wealth of cultural diversity in Reading and the incredible work that local organisations carry out, as well as the joint project work inspired by the vast array of treasures within the MERL collections.

Isabel Hughes, Head of Curatorial and Public Engagement at the MERL, said: "We are delighted to welcome Eric and his team of antique experts to our Community Treasures event this Saturday. This has been such a successful year for the Museum of English Rural Life, with the re-opening of the refurbished museum last autumn, and we want to celebrate this with a packed programme of rural and not so rural activities. There will be something for everyone, including a chance to see our brilliant new galleries and to enjoy tea, cake and local beers in our wonderful garden."

TV antiques expert Eric Knowles said: "My job is to find hidden treasures for people. Well, I have found one in The Museum of English Rural Life. What a find! And the good news is that we can all share it."

A full programme of entertainment, including traditional Nepalese dancing, clog dancing and performances, has been scheduled and catering includes Reading-based The Italian Food Truck, a cream tea tent and a beer tent serving local ales and cider. People are also welcome to bring picnics.

Entry to the event is free but there will be a small charge for anyone wanting to have items valued - £5 for up to three small items. Tickets for valuations can be purchased at the MERL reception on the day.

This fundraising event is organised in association with The Swan at Tetsworth, fine art auctions. All proceeds will go towards funding the MERL's public events programme.

For more information, and to book your place, please click here.