BBC Bargain Hunt returns to Powys with four Newtown shows
Four episodes of the iconic Bargain Hunt show were filmed in front of a packed Tower Auctions in Pool Road on Saturday (May 17).
The episodes, which will be shown from around three months' time, were presented by David Harper alongside antique experts Thomas Forrester and Kate Bliss.
Eight blue and red teams battled it out at auction to try and win the ultimate prize - a golden gavel - which is awarded for making a profit on all three items.
TV crews returned to mid Wales last week after filming the teams at the antiques fair at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells earlier this month.
Kate Bliss, who's an antiques expert based in Herefordshire, told the County Times that the showground fair is one of her favourites, which Thomas Forrester added "I love Builth Wells".
Both Kate and Thomas are the longest serving experts on the show after making their television debut when the programme first aired 25 years ago.
Thomas, who grew up on a beef farm and wanted to go into auctioneering after visiting cattle auctions with his dad, praised mid Wales' "beautiful countryside" and "fantastic" summery weather.
"I'm very much looking forward to this auction and the room is full which is quite unusual," he said.
"We'd like to thank Tower Auctions; they've been lovely and an absolute delight. They've pushed the boat out for us.'
Tower Auctions was founded 10 years ago by Cushy Numbers' John Gilligan and Ben Lloyd, who was the auctioneer on the day of filming.
'It's great for Newtown and our little auction house,' John said. 'It's been in the pipeline for a long time.
'They loved us, and they'll be using us again. It's fantastic for us and our area.'
One of the many locals inside the bidding room was Val Forsythe who's an avid Bargain Hunt fan.
"We often pop in here [Tower Auctions] so we've come to offer our support,' she said. "I hope it does well and it's good for Newtown."
A filming crew was spotted around Newtown last week including at the Textile Museum where presenter David Harper learnt more about the town's heritage and the Pryce Jones collection.
A spokesperson for Newtown Textile Museum said: 'What a great day we had filming in the museum with the BBC Bargain Hunt team!
'A thoroughly professional group of people who made the day so enjoyable.'
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