Popular BBC presenter makes special visit to Dorset

Paul Martin who has presented the iconic BBC1 show Flog It! for more than 20 years visited Maiden Castle Care Home in Dorchester to speak with residents about his career in antiques, sign books and value items.

Residents were thrilled by the stars visit, including Nancy.

She said: “He was really lovely and liked looking at my husband’s collectibles. I got his autograph.”

All events on the day led by Paul were free for the public to attend, with donations going to the care home’s chosen charity, Weldmar Hospicecare, which provides care to people with life-limiting illnesses in Dorset.

Eden Fraser from Weldmar Hospicecare's Fundraising team said: “Thank you so much to the team at Maiden Castle House for their continuing support of Weldmar, which they do in memory of their beloved colleague Elaine Stockley.

Thanks also to Paul Martin for generously giving his time on what was a wonderful day. The money raised by our local community ensures that we can provide care and dignity to more people like Elaine and her loved ones, who are treading the difficult path of living with a life limiting illness."

Antiques expert, Paul Martin, chats to Paul, who lives at Maiden Castle House care home (Image: Care South)

Residents, their families and friends, and other members of the public all congregated in the ground floor lounge of the care home to hear Paul, who is now Head of Valuations at Henry Aldridge and Son Ltd, talk about his life-long love of antiques.

The celebrity antique dealer also signed copies of his books, and then, alongside his colleague, Marc Eidlestein, provided valuations of items which the residents’ families and members of the public had brought in, including a pair of decorative urns, gold jewellery, silver boxes, paintings and ceramics.

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Norman, a Maiden Castle House resident, showed Paul Martin a ceramic whistle that he has had since he was a child. He said: “Paul was genuinely interested in my whistle, and I found his talk very funny and interesting.”

Antiques expert, Paul Martin, pictured with the Maiden Castle House care home team (Image: Care South)

Ashley Smith, Home Manager at Maiden Castle House, added: “The residents had a fantastic time meeting Paul Martin.  It was lovely to see them enjoying a chat with him and being able to talk about their shared interest."