A ‘very special’ auction event is taking place towards the end of July – The Travelling Auctioneers from the BBC are taking over Windsor Auctions for a day of live bidding.

The event offers a rare opportunity to watch television personalities in action while enjoying the excitement of a busy auction room.

Windsor Auctions welcomes anyone who is interested to come – whether they want to bid, browse or simply soak up the atmosphere.

The popular TV programme features a team of antiques experts and master crafters who help families turn unwanted items into winning lots.

The Travelling Auctioneers visit people’s homes to value and restore items, help families sell them, then bring hundreds of lots to a host auction house for a televised auction.

On July 28, they are taking over Windsor Auctions for a day of live bidding and antiques with programme hosts Briony ‘Bee’ Harford and JJ Chalmers.

Bee Harford works as at Bonhams and was a head auctioneer at Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers prior to this for several years.

JJ Chalmers, a restorer, is a former Royal Marine Commander and Invictus Games medallist, is a Scottish television presenter.

Fans will have the rare opportunity to see Harford work her magic, supported by Harry Ballin, founder of Windsor Auctions, and the rest of the auction house team.

Windsor Auctions is hoping for a full room – admission is free and all are welcome.

“If you’ve never been to an auction before, it’s a really good introduction,” Harry said. “You’ve got the fully fledged auction experience.”

The first TV show Windsor Auctions did was did several years ago. They are ‘old hat’ at it now, having done between 12 to 15 episodes of shows this year already.

TV auction shows have helped bring live auctions into the public consciousness, said Harry, and ‘demystify’ them.

“I think auctions used to come across as a slightly scary environment – [people thinking] if you coughed, you’d end up going home with a George III chest of drawers,” he said.

“Now I think more and more people are comfortable buying at auction. We have hundreds and hundreds of people who bid at all our sales.”

The opportunity to host the Travelling Auctioneers comes from a pre-existing relationship – STV Studios, the production company behind it, worked with Windsor Auctions for Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip.

They liked how Windsor Auctions operates and is adaptable and facilitating of the crews, said Harry

“We’re a family-run business, so we’re very welcoming and we go the extra mile,” he said.

Fans of the show will enjoy seeing popular duo Bee Harford and JJ Chalmers; as well as The Travelling Auctioneers’ iconic blue rostrum (the raised platform where the auctioneer stands during live auctions).

“[The show creators] want the public to be really involved and enjoy the experience,” said Harry.

The auction begins at 10.30am on Tuesday, July 28.

Windsor Auctions is based at 18B Vansittart Estate and is open daily from 9am to 4pm.

For further information, valuation enquiries or auction entries, contact Harry at harry@windsorauctions.co.uk