WATCH: Top TV show wants Occupation items and their stories

Saturday 06 April 2019

Producers of one of the BBC’s most popular television programmes want to hear from islanders with World War II or Occupation relics that have interesting stories attached to them.

The Antiques Roadshow are planning two special programmes to mark the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. The first programme will predominantly be about 1939 and the run-up to the British evacuation from Dunkirk. The second programme will be focusing on 1940.

That means they are keen to hear stories and find objects from the German Occupation of the Channel Islands.

The Channel Islands are unique in that they were the only British soil the Germans occupied during World War II. The soldiers arrived on 30 June 1940, and the islands were not officially liberated until May 9 1945, a day after the war ended in Europe.

The Channel Islands Occupation Society say the producers have contacted them and want ‘individuals with extraordinary stories to tell about their family’s experience, something unusual or jaw dropping’. The owner would need to be prepared to travel to the UK to be filmed at an upcoming roadshow later in the summer.’

Pictured: Producers are keen to hear from Channel Islanders with Occupation items and interesting stories to tell. (BBC)

The Antiques Roadshow has been on BBC TV since 1977 and is now in its 41 season - that’s almost 800 programmes. Presenter Fiona Bruce and her team of experts travel the length and breadth of the country and invite people to bring along antiques to the ‘roadshow’ and, if possible, explain the stories behind them.

Often the owners know very little about the items they have brought along and the team do their best to fill in the gaps. For viewers, though, one of the most interesting parts of the programme is when the team reveal to owners how much their items are truly worth.

It’s claimed the most valuable item ever brought along was an original 1990s model of sculptor Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North. Art expert Philip Mould told the astounded owners - Gateshead Council - that is was worth £1million.

Pictured: Antiques Roadshow, which is presented by Fiona Bruce, is now in its 41 season. (Milligan/PA)

On a similar programme commemorating the end of the First World War that aired earlier this year, the producers also invited the public to bring along relevant items. On that occasion the experts didn’t attempt to value the items. It’s not clear if it’ll be the same this time.

Anyone who thinks they might have an object of interest with a story to tell are asked to contact the programme’s producers.