Dartmouth - opportunity knocks for Emma

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A day out in Dartmouth to experience a production of BBC One's Antiques Roadshow at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in Devon. Lynne, George, Emma and I headed for Dartmouth with Emma's marble clock that needed a couple of us to load it into the car. Due to the strict security measures at the college we had to take the Park and Ride into the base which meant getting out the stacker truck, tying the clock onto it and then heaving it onto the shuttle bus after being frisked by the security guards in the car park.

Upon arrival at the college we were directed into the queue which at this stage was over 100 metres long. However, the sun was shining and everyone in the queue was feeling good natured so the waiting wasn't too much of a problem. Eventually Emma, the clock and her entourage (ie: us) were directed to the watch and clock queue where Emma met the clock expert who, having taken quite a shine to the clock and its owner, decided to put her forward for filiming. We were then sent to the director's queue for him to make a final decision, which he did in Emma's favour. Emma was then relieved of the clock and truck and we became slightly more important people as we were directed into one of the college's reception rooms where we sank thankfully onto large leather chesterfield sofas and were given coffee and sandwiches whilst the producer and her team sorted out a time for Emma to be filmed with the clock. It was fixed for 3.00 pm and this gave us time for Lynne's picnic: a rather grand fork lunch affair with wine.

After lunch we returned to the college in time for Emma's pre-filming appointment with the make up lady. Once she had been brushed up and powdered we were led outside for the filming. As to what happened next, you'll need to look out for the Antiques Roadshow in the autumn where you will learn more about Emma and her clock.

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Photos

The first queue
Lynne, George and Emma waiting patiently in the first queue

The Picnic
There was even time for us to have a picnic before Emma was filmed

The make-up session
Emma being prepared for filming

The clock in safe hands
One of the BBC hands looks after the clock prior to filming

Getting ready to film
The clock expert and Emma get ready for filming

Looking at the inner workings
The clock expert inspects the inner workings of the grand clock after the filming has been completed

A general scene
The forecourt of the naval college was a hive of activity

Kingswear and the River Dart
A wonderful view of the river and neighbouring Kingswear fron the forecourt of the college

Comments

[Bryce]

Sounds like a really fun day. Do you have any idea when it will be shown? Love to all Bryce x x x

[Sally and John]

how exciting!!!
Hello to you all....Lynne, John, Emma and George. I'm just so looking forward to see the Antiques Road show when it hits the air here. We just love watching and I remember seeing from Dartington Hall not long after my first trip to Devon (when India was born) and I could say to John...."look, I've been there, and I remember that!!" Am I right in thinking that you actually took us to Dartmoor in 2008? Anyway...it really does look familar and thanks for the memory. Very, very wintry here right and of course we are past the shortest day and now we usually start to experience the colder weather. Must just rug and soldier on.

[Sue]

In anticipation!
This was so exciting for me to read having spent Wednesday with "Emma's entourage" and hearing background discussions about what lunch should consist of on Friday (I recall Lynne saying she wasn't into sandwiches!). We spent Thursday morning in Dartmouth and had noticed all the AR signs completely unaware of the celebrities who were to be there the next day........ Can't wait to see the outcome - maybe Emma (and possibly also her entourage) will be somewhere exotic by then - except, of course, Totnes takes some beating!! Love to you all Sue (and Richard)

[John from Totnes]

Showing on BBC
Should be shown in the Autumn or next Spring

[Alex]

The Clock has it
Wow what a great day and sounds like you all had a great time. I love the clock!

[Tracy]

well done
Looks like a fab day out,can't wait to see you on tv. Mnch love, Tracy and India xxxxxx

[Ray]

Granny would be proud...
Fame and fortune and a fabulous clock! Here's remembering our wonderful granny, Marjorie Dixon-Spain, who owned the clock amongst many other gorgeous and memorable things. You all look gorgeous. Very glam. Em scrubs up well too! Can't wait to see you on TV. Love Rachel, Jonathan, Meg & Daisy xx

[katie]

hello
Hello emma i am hopin to see you next sunday good luck i will be waving loads xxx luv katie xxxxxxx

[john]

clock dial
i saw your clock on the A.R.S and .ithink the roman numeral on your clock 11 was shown as 1X rather than X1 . DID I DREAM THAT ? please put me out of my misery .

[Emma]

Clock dial - reply
Hi John I'd never noticed, but you're right! It seems the clock has 2 '9's (IX) - very observant.