BBC presenter Fiona Bruce had a go on a 'brilliant' Raleigh Chopper as Antiques Roadshow rolled into the grounds of Wollaton Hall. Filming got underway on Tuesday (June 7) for the 45th series of the BBC One favourite.
Ms Bruce, who was busy talking to visitors about their items, made time to try out a Chopper, which were all the range in the 1970s. The bikes, manufactured by the well-known Nottingham company, came to define an era.
With a unique design, they are fondly remembered by children who grew up in the period when the Choppers were extremely popular. Ms Bruce said crews were "telling the story of Raleigh".
Read more: Nottingham's Choppers were the youth craze of the 70s
When asked if the Choppers reminded her of being young, she replied "no as I never had one as a kid". However, she described the bikes as "brilliant" and "very fancy".
Simon Rhodes brought three Raleigh Choppers to the event. The 53-year-old, who went with sister Caroline Rhodes, brother Michael Rhodes, niece Amy Rhodes and friend Stuart Melgram, came from Bradford and went with the sole purpose of seeing other collectors with historic bikes.
Speaking of the history behind the Raleigh bikes, landscaper Simon said: "I had one as a kid, that is how I ended up starting to collect them five years ago. They were really iconic from the 70s, even in the 80s as well. I do not really ride them. Today really that is the only time I have ever ridden them. I do not really bring them out."
Simon has had a red Chopper about eight years and paid around £900 for it. He also brought his yellow and silver Choppers to the event. The Chopper Ms Bruce is pictured with belongs to Mark Davis, the partner Caroline Rhodes, which is thought to be worth thousands.
The popularity of the Choppers revitalised Raleigh, the sales of the company having been hit by the unstoppable rise of the private car. Even now, a rusty old wreck of a Chopper can sell for hundreds of pounds at auction.
More than 2,000 free tickets were allocated for the event, where many visitors lined up to speak to leading antiques and fine art specialists, who were offering free advice and valuations. Hundreds of items had been brought to the event in Wollaton, from paintings and glassware to furniture and jewellery.
Simon Harrison, owner of Danish Homestore in Derby Road, brought a 1949 Chiefton chair with him designed by Finnjuhl, which he estimates is worth about £35,000. He said: "I bought it from a friend who's a chair collector, he bought it and had it for many years."
Although some people might be nervous about sitting in an expensive antique chair, Mr Harrison said: "They're not museum pieces, you're supposed to use them." Many visitors could be seen carefully bringing their items into the grounds, and many others came along to watch the filming and enjoy the sunny weather.
Robert Murphy, series editor of The Antiques Roadshow, said: "I think it was about 10 years since we were last in Nottingham. It's nice to do a place that is in the heart of the community like this." Other items that were brought to the event included a large display of local lace, as well as a set of three jugs that were given as a wedding gift in 1979 to a couple in Lowdham.
