Antiques experts Raj Bisram and Hetti Jago travel to Suffolk to find precious art pieces and hidden treasure

TV antiques experts Raj Bisram and Hetti Jago visited Stonham Barns Park – one of Suffolk’s premier destination venues – earlier in the year as part of the BBC programme Antiques Road Trip.

The programme featuring the celebrity duo was aired last night as part of the current series where they were competing to make the most money at auction.  The auctioneers with allure were in Suffolk to visit Aspal Antiques, Aspal Emporium and Aspal Reclaim, the three outlets jam-packed with treasure from the past.  The three outlets with all their finery engaged the pair for hours while they shared their knowledge on all antiques – while Hetti even tried out her walking ability using some wooden stilts … with some success!

Owned by two enterprising couples, Alan Knight and Henrietta Lewis – and Wendy and Alf Faulkner – Aspal Antiques has recently expanded the business with the increase in demand for antiques as a result of refurbishments, renovations and people looking to ‘treat’ themselves to something collectable that fits a passion or interest like Militaria or  Victoriana.

The owners not only sell the stock they source themselves but also offer antiques ‘collectors and traders’ the chance to rent cabinet space from them at a monthly charge to promote a wide range of antique pieces in one central space.  They have also opened a new Reclamation Yard which offers architectural reclamation pieces that are now included in feature-rich property make-overs.

Says Alan Knight, ‘It was such a fun and informative day.  We enjoyed showing Raj and Hetti Aspal Antiques, Aspal Emporium and our reclamation yard.  Both presenters were so knowledgeable and great at hunting out the bargains.  Hetti delighted everyone by having a go at walking with some stilts – and she did very well.’

‘The Antiques Road Trip is such a good watch, and we expect that this will attract a lot of interest in the run up to Christmas when people are often looking for something special and unique to work as a Christmas gift.’

‘We do like to think of our business as an antiques ‘hub’ for the area.  We have an eclectic mix of pieces which we do love showcasing to the people of Suffolk and beyond.’

For more information, visit www.stonhambarns.co.uk or call 07767 480258.