AFTER the Ironbridge outing instead of the usual meeting in August, September attracted a packed hall to hear Mike Jackson, director of BBC collectibles programmes such as Antiques Roadshow and Flog It.

Members were treated to a behind-the-scenes account of what goes into such shows, including five days of hard work in each location for the Antiques Roadshow, and were treated to much inside information. For example, the main criterion for selection of televised items was whether an expert felt he possessed enough knowledge!

In addition, filming is never done in school holidays: children are not favoured in proximity to antiques. Favourite items in his memory, of course, were items of unsuspected high value, such as a crude-looking Toby jug worth £50,000, and an unrecorded Lowry painting worth £95,000. During his career Mike had worked with celebrities ranging from David Dimbleby to Roland Rat!

Following refreshments the other business of the evening took place, with reports on the August outing and the guided Alcester Town Walk, details of future events, and news of an invitation to free home safety checks by the new Community Fire Safety Officer, Brian Thompson.

The next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, October 3 at the village hall. Visitors are welcome.