MY HAVEN ERIC KNOWLES

The Antiques Roadshow expert, 59, in the study of the Buckinghamshire home he shares with his wife

1 GOING, GOING, GONE

My wife Anita and I have been here for 13 years, and the study has always been my private space. But I grew up in Lancashire, and this gavel takes me back to my childhood house. It started as a laburnum tree outside my bedroom window, and when it had to come down in 2008 my father, being a frugal northerner, had a woodturner make it into useful items like bowls and candlestick holders, and he made this gavel for me.

2 TRUE COLOURS

This Burnley FC scarf was given to me as a gift by the outgoing chairman Barry Kilby when he stood down last year. Burnley are my tribal team and I’ve always wanted a retro scarf, and if you’re going to have one it may as well be cashmere with the true Burnley colours like this one. Even though I’ll always be a Burnley fan, I have to admit to going to see my local team Wycombe Wanderers whenever I can.

3 PRICELESS!

Ceramics is my area and I’m very proud of this porcelain cup, saucer and tea bowl. The cup and saucer were my first big purchase in 1971. Made in Shropshire in 1785 by Caughley, they’re decorated in Dresden flower pattern and cost £14 and 10 shillings, a fortune back then. I spent 40 years looking for a matching tea bowl and finally found one last year for £10. The collection is only worth around £160, but it’s priceless to me.

4 MY MUSICAL HERO

This Marvin Gaye LP What’s Going On reminds me of the 70s and Vietnam and everything else that was happening then. I was a semi-professional DJ back then and Marvin was producing some great music at the time. I admit I shed a tear when he died in 1984, and I haven’t done that for many people apart from my grandfather and George Formby. I don’t have a record player these days, but I still like to listen to the CD.

5 THE PENNINE WAY

I bought this book in 1969 when it first came out. It’s a fascinating read about the Pennines district where I grew up. The author Peter Wightman was a former librarian and he had the knack of transporting you back in time to people, places and whatever was happening then. It’s my little bit of Lancashire whenever I want to reminisce about the good old days. Coincidentally, the cover was designed by JD Harris, my art teacher.

6 STAR OF THE SHOW

The Roadshow has been a part of my life for over 30 years and is without question my natural habitat. It’s like being Charlie in the Chocolate Factory. And, of course, there’s the lovely Fiona Bruce, seen here with me talking Art Deco in Bridlington. Is there anyone more polished? She manages to hit just the right note with both the public and us experts every time. With Fiona, I can quite honestly say what you see is what you get.