Television celebrity Paul Martin had the chance to catch up with his family when he accepted an invitation to host a fundraising evening in Falmouth recently.

The star of BBC’s Flog It was at the Merchants Manor as the main attraction at an event organised by the Rotary Club of Penryn where Paul’s sister, Ann, is vice-president and soon-to-be president.

The evening began with a three course meal and continued with Paul giving a talk which was due to last 40 minutes but actually went on for over an hour, such was his reception.

Afterwards, Paul carried out some antiques’ valuations as guests had been invited to bring along items they wanted him to cast his eye over. The most valuable item of the evening was a lead model of the Queen Mother’s coronation carriage, complete with foot soldiers, brought by a Rotarian which was given an estimate of £1,000.

The evening ended with Paul mingling with the diners and posing for photographs and giving autographs.

“It was a great night,” said Ann, who was accompanied on the night by her husband, Stephen, and daughters Nicola and Sam. “Paul was so tired after it that all he wanted was a cup of tea.”

The evening raised around £650, half of which will go to Rotary charities and the rest to Project Primrose, a charity supported by Paul’s niece, Nicola, which provides much-needed funding to an orphanage in South Africa.

Falmouth Packet: