Salvage Hunters

In the episode, Drew and Al purchase from heritage sellers, acquiring a curved oak settle that dates to 1810 and a pair of steel tables that are a century old, respectively, both made by a Northampton blacksmith in the region.

Heritage Heroes is a programme that presents individual episodes centred on the world of historic objects and the people who preserve them. Each instalment offers viewers a glimpse into the market for antiquities, showing how items of genuine age and craftsmanship find new owners. The series adopts a straightforward, observational style, keeping the focus firmly on the artefacts themselves. In this particular episode, the narrative follows two participants, Drew and Al, as they explore the offerings of heritage sellers. Their journey takes them through a variety of stalls where traditional pieces are displayed, and the pair take the opportunity to engage directly with the dealers. The episode captures their interactions and the decisions they make while navigating the specialist market. One of the highlights of their purchase is a curved oak settle, a seating piece that dates back to 1810. The settle’s elegant sweep and historic timber illustrate the kind of furniture that has survived more than two centuries. Drew and Al are drawn to its age and design, and they decide to add it to their collection, securing a tangible link to early‑nineteenth‑century craftsmanship. The duo also acquires a set of steel tables that are over a hundred years old, originally forged by a blacksmith in Northampton. These tables exemplify the durability and skill of traditional metalworking, and their acquisition underscores the episode’s focus on preserving functional heritage objects. By taking these pieces home, Drew and Al contribute to the ongoing story of these historic items.