Salvage Hunters TV stars Drew Pritchard and sidekick John Tee paid a visit to three Cumbrian venues in their latest episode.
During the show Drew, the owner of one of the largest decorative salvage yards in the UK, was once more on the hunt for unique new pieces to stock his Conwy shop.
He paid a return visit to Yew Tree Barn in the South Lakeland village of Newton in Cartmel, to catch up with founder and owner Clive Wilson.
Clive, himself one of the UK’s leading architectural salvage experts, established his South Lakes emporium in the 1980s, last did business with Drew around 10 years ago.
Drew crossed swords with Clive this time as he attempted to secure favourable prices on a number of antiques that he’d taken a shine to, including a 1790s ebonised chinoiserie turned oil lamp base, an 1820s ripple edged gilt mirror, an ebonised upholstered footstool with turned legs, an early 19th century wrought iron stick stand complete with its original lead drip tray and a mahogany officers campaign chest.
Drew tried to bargain hard but more than met a competent match in the form of industry stalwart Clive, although Drew did succeed in securing all of the pieces he wanted.
Clive said: ‘’It may have been 10 years since Drew and I last met, but he certainly hasn’t changed one little bit, always trying to drive a hard bargain.
“The business has changed quite a bit since he was last here and it was great to catch up, chew the fat and show him around our constantly evolving and diversifying site at Yew Tree Barn.’’
During the programme, Drew and Tee also visited Phil Johnston in the Coppermines Valley, Coniston, to view the 500-year-old mine and associated heritage centre, as well as Phil’s extensive collection of salvage, secured over the last 50 years from across the local area.
Finally the duo paid a return visit to the Cumbrian Antiques Centre, Brampton, which they first visited in 2017 to see what they could discover in the 4,500sq ft 40-dealer outlet.
The show, first shown on Monday, is being aired on Quest.
