Brackley 29 Bargain Hunt

CHRISTINA: When Bargain Hunt comes to town

we like to find out a little bit about it.

This week we're in Brackley, in Northamptonshire.

And I'm here to do my research.

What's this?

SHE GASPS

Wow!

I better get reading.

Let's go Bargain Hunting.

Today we're here at the Antiques Cellar,

the largest purpose-built antique centre

in the Midlands.

There are over 160 eager traders

ready and waiting to do a deal with our teams, but how will they get on?

Let's take a sneaky peek at what's coming up.

-But, I know...

-But you said 100, so...

-Sh!

-Charlie really has his work cut out with the Red team...

-Hate it.

-Oh.

-You hate it?

-Hate it.

-Is that H-A-T-E?

With a big H.

..the Blues are heading in different directions...

-Tea room.

-No, no, no.

No, tea, tea.

..and at the auction, there's tension between the Reds...

Let's all hold hands and then we'll all be all right.

Charlie.

Leave me out of that one.

..and it's kisses all round for the Blues.

But before all that, let's meet our teams.

Today we are surrounded by friends, we're a friendly bunch, aren't we?

For the Reds we have work pals, Kaz and Dave.

And for the Blues we have pals Steven and Ian. Hello, teams.

-ALL:

-Hello.

Hello. Now, Kaz, how did you two meet?

We've worked together a long time.

We work in Daventry for a manufacturing firm.

-So, you're a small team.

-Very.

And who's the boss?

Who's the boss?

At work or out of work?

Oh, it's like that, is it? Oh, my goodness.

-At work, I'm the boss.

-Right.

-For today, Kaz is the boss.

-Oh, right.

-Most of the time.

-OK.

All right, fair enough. I can relate to that.

So, when you're not at work, what do you do?

Erm, I love walking.

-I did nine Mega Marches.

-You did what?

Nine Mega Marches - it's four marathons in four days, for charity.

So, you did four marathons in four days?

-And did you run those marathons?

-No!

-Oh.

-I walked them.

-THEY LAUGH

So, David, do you manage to get a word in edgeways at work, at all?

-Very rarely.

-What's it like working with her?

-Cos you're the general manager, you're the boss.

-Yeah.

And in your spare time, I believe you're a bit of a petrolhead.

-Yeah, I am a self-confessed petrolhead.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-Oh, my goodness.

Anything with wheels, yeah.

-And is it the speed aspect that you love or is it the aesthetics?

-Both.

Both. So, it has be a fusion of the both?

-Yeah, it does, yeah.

-OK.

So, you both like to go to antiques fairs at the weekend, is that right?

-We do.

-Do you go together or with your respective partners?

-Together.

-We go together.

-You go together, brilliant.

And what is it that you look out for mainly?

Just a bargain. At the end of the day, that's all we go for.

If we don't get a bargain, we don't buy.

Ooh! Oh, team, my goodness.

Well, thank you very much. That bodes well for today, Red team.

So, let's meet our Blue team. Stephen and Ian. Hello, friends.

-BOTH:

-Hello.

-Hello. So, how did you two meet?

We met about 20 years ago

when we worked for the same insurance company.

Hm-hm.

We became good friends

and then last year I was best man at Ian's wedding.

Brilliant. So, you work in an insurance company together?

-We did.

-You did. And where do you work now?

I took voluntary redundancy

and then I started up my own gardening business.

Ian, you're still working in insurance, is that right?

I'm still working, yeah. I'm a claims manager.

-You're a claims manager, OK.

-Yeah.

-But you've had a career beforehand, haven't you?

-Yes.

-I used to be a French polisher.

-So, where did that stem from?

Where did that French polishing come from?

Well, my father used to play for Reading

back in the day, in the 1960s, and in those days...

..the money wasn't there as it is now,

so you couldn't earn a good living from it.

So, he had to have a part-time job and he done French polishing.

Brilliant, to substitute his footballing wages.

Yes. And I kind of took the skills from him.

Unfortunately, it didn't sort of pay the way to pay the mortgage,

so I had to get a job back in insurance.

Ah.

But it's not the work that brought you two together, is that right?

You met through a mutual love of football, is that right?

-That's right, yeah.

-We did, yes.

We're both mad keen Reading FC supporters.

I know nothing about football, what colour do Reading play?

-Blue.

-Blue and white hoops.

-Yeah.

Oh, is that why you're the Blue team? Ah, I like it.

OK, what are your tactics for today?

We keep changing our tactics, don't we?

-SHE LAUGHS

-From day-to-day.

So, they're fluid tactics, are they?

-I think they're sort of like wing-it tactics.

-Yeah.

-Wing-it tactics?

-Yeah, that's right.

Right, OK. So, before the games commence,

what's the vital ingredient you need, teams?

-ALL:

-Money.

-Money, exactly.

-So, in my sticky paws, £300 for you, Blues.

-Thank you.

-£300 for you, Reds.

-Thank you.

Your experts await, off you go.

So, they're all friends now

but will they be friends at the end of an hour?

We'll have to wait and see.

Before the fun begins, it's time to meet our experts.

IN FRENCH ACCENT: 'Ello, 'ello, I will say this only once.

For the Reds, it's Charlie Ross.

And making no bones about it for the Blues,

it's Catherine Southon.

Oh, Karen, Dave, this is exciting, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's so exciting, yes.

Oh, my word. What are you going to be looking for?

Something that is going to make us a lot of profit.

-An old-fashioned chair, maybe.

-An old-fashioned chair.

-What about you, Dave?

-I've got absolutely no idea.

No idea. That's really good, isn't it?

-What's on our shopping list?

-Something unusual.

-Something unusual.

-I like an eclectic mix.

-Oh, an eclectic mix.

-That's anything.

That could be anything!

Right, teams, your 60 minutes starts now.

BELL DINGS

I think we should get going, come on.

-Are you happy to shop on your own?

-Yeah.

Well, off you go then. I'm going to have a cup of tea.

Nice try, Charlie.

60 minutes sounds like such a long time.

Oh, it does, doesn't it?

The Blues are covering a lot of ground already.

Where are we going?

Oh, there's a chair.

-I love chairs.

-Don't buy it.

Tell it like it is, Charlie.

You won't make a profit on it.

-They're lovely...

-They are.

-..they're Victorian,

they're carved oak but do you know what they would make at auction?

-About 30 quid.

-Probably.

-Yeah.

-And they're £95 each.

Now, that's very much a retail price.

We'll find you a chair. I'll find you a chair.

-I hope I'll find you a chair.

-I have no idea why I like chairs.

Sit tight, Red team, you've got plenty of time left.

Meanwhile, the Blues are stepping up to the plate

and Stephen seems to know a thing or two about them.

Oh, that's Homemaker, isn't it? I know that.

-It is. There we are, he knows that.

-Yeah, there we go.

This is something that everyone would have had

-once upon a time in their home.

-Yeah.

It's so popular and so common.

-It does... It fits in with today though, doesn't it?

-It does.

It looks so funky but it's just...

-..I think something that's...

-Too basic...

-..a bit too common and a bit too...

-Yeah.

Oh, dear. The tea set falls short.

But don't look so glum, team, you've still got 55 minutes left.

-I mean, that mirror...

-Oh, the Reds have spotted something.

Very Art Deco, what period would that be?

-Well, you're the expert.

-I'm asking you the question.

-I don't know.

-Deco - 1920s, 1930s.

-OK.

-What I call the Charleston period.

-Oh, right, OK.

-Do you do the Charleston?

-Absolutely not.

-Absolutely not.

-And don't ask me cos I definitely don't.

Dave, I don't know what made me think it

but I didn't think you were the Charleston sort, really.

-Definitely.

-What a rejection. Poor Charlie.

It's asking 30.

If they took a tenner for that mirror, you would have my blessing.

That could be our joint purchase.

-I think the thing to do...

-Have a look round.

..we're very early on, we're five minutes in, it's fine.

I think we'll look at that, we'll log it.

I'd like to buy something for a bit more money,

something a bit more exotic but that's a good standby.

-Shall we move on?

-Yeah.

Something exotic and expensive, that's right up my street.

CHARLESTON MUSIC PLAYS

Somewhat less exotic is this cigarette vending machine.

What do you think, Catherine?

The thing that's against this is cigarettes.

It's a cigarette vending machine.

Had you got something a bit more interesting like chewing gum

-or something like that.

-Yeah.

-But being cigarettes, it's a bit...

It's been smoke and mirrors for our teams so far.

There's really a lot to feast your eyes on here, isn't there?

Come on, one of you needs to make a purchase soon.

Oh, hold on. Something's caught Dave's eye.

-That's quite nice.

-Oh, isn't that fun?

-Gorgeous, isn't it?

-Look at that.

I like your eyes, what have you spotted here?

Well, chocolate. Kaz likes her chocolate.

Do you know, Kath, what I think about this, and Dave,

is that this is original.

This has got to be 1930s probably.

Well, it suits you.

Would you like a chocolate?

-Look at the writing on there, it's quite faded...

-OK.

-..beautifully done.

-Yeah.

If that was a reproduction, it would be fresh.

-I've never seen one of these.

-I quite like it.

-I've never seen one of these.

-I like that.

Dave, I'm loving your work.

I'm loving your work and I'm feeling quite at home

and as if I ought to be in a cinema somewhere.

So, what's the price?

What would you pay for it?

I'd be happy with about £40.

I think it's going to be a little bit more.

I think we're talking of £50-60.

We've got a ticket price of 82.

Now, I'm not surprised at that

and it would need to be marketed properly

but I think somewhere between the two of you, you're about right.

Now, I've never seen one of these.

How much would you pay for it, as the expert?

-I'd pay 50 quid for it.

-Yeah, that's what...

Would you go as high as 50?

I would go 50 quid and I think I'd make a profit on it.

Karen doesn't look convinced, Charlie.

Perhaps chocolate isn't the way to her heart after all.

And Ian's put on his dancing shoes

to convince the Blues to invest in some headwear.

-I love it.

-£145.

Oh...

Has it got a name inside it?

-Any maker's names? It's in lovely condition.

-Yes, it has.

Oh, W Rother of Berlin.

-Ooh.

-Oh, it comes with...

I quite like that.

Have you noticed how he's completely ignoring you.

Not very subtle, Stephen.

-I'm guessing you prefer the golfing toast rack?

-I quite like that.

Not necessarily me but somebody who likes golf...

-It's a novelty.

-The only thing is...

-Oh, it's missing.

-It's damaged.

-Oh, no, we don't want that.

-Put it down.

-Another miss but 15 minutes have already gone

and you are nowhere near making a decision.

Come on, Catherine, can you kick off the spending?

So, it's a 19th-century penknife, essentially,

but it's in the form of a lady's shoe.

-Is that a lady's shoe?

-Yeah, I think it is a lady's shoe.

And I just think that's really, really lovely.

-It is nice.

-£48.

No, I like it, I must admit.

-Let's get the whole cabinet open.

-Very decisive, Ian.

Let's leave the Blues pondering on that knife

and head back to the Reds.

It looks like they're still sweet on that chocolate tray

and they've brought Debbie from the antiques centre

in to talk money.

It's got £82 on it.

-We don't like £82, Debbie.

-I thought you wouldn't.

-Do we, Debbie.

-We're going to smile really nicely.

-What do you think you'll do?

-I know that the def on it will be £60.

-OK.

But we want to win and make a profit.

Is there anything we can do, honestly?

On this there isn't, I'm afraid. That is the def.

-Right, let's have a vote on it.

-OK.

At the count of three, all those in favour of the chocolate tray,

-hand up.

-I think you've lost that one, Karen,

but with 18 minutes gone, at least you've made your first purchase.

-Well done, team.

-Thank you.

-We're having it.

I'm going to even pay for it before Karen can pull out.

I tell you what, Dave.

You and I are in for so much trouble,

-if this doesn't make a profit.

-I know.

-Can you imagine?

-Indeed, Charlie.

Back with the Blues, who are still looking at that shoe-shaped knife

and Jim from the antique centre is on hand to cut a deal.

-What does it feel like?

-That's quite nice.

-It's got nice detail on it, hasn't it?

-It's got a nice feel to it.

-Oh, it's got a...

-Is it broken?

-Is that broken there?

THEY SIGH

Don't let it get you down, Blues.

There must be something else you like in that cabinet.

-Can we have a look at the doll, as well?

-JIM:

-Yeah, certainly.

So, why did you like this doll?

I don't know, it just sort of grabbed my eye.

-It's not the sort of thing I'd...

-No, I was going to say,

it's not the sort of manly thing.

Oh, she's very delicate.

Well, it's Victorian for sure.

And then this, what looks like a blanket or a shawl,

this is actually a little needle case.

-Oh, I see.

-With needles.

-That is quite nice

because all this is original.

-How much is on her?

-Oh, I didn't see that.

-78.

-78. I mean, it's the sort of thing you don't see terribly often.

Let's find out what the best price is.

I'm not getting a lot of positives from...

But I think he's slowly coming around, isn't he?

I'm not necessarily convinced at that price.

Can Jim put a smile on Stephen's face?

-JIM:

-I've phoned the dealer

and the very best price on the doll would be £50.

-£50?

-Oh.

-It's right on the cusp, isn't it?

-Is it?

-What do you think?

-I don't think it's a huge gamble.

HE MURMURS DOUBTFULLY

-I don't know.

-Well, Ian likes it.

-Ian likes it.

-So...

-I think for £50.

If Ian would like it, let's go for that for Ian.

Yeah, go on.

Let's shake your hand.

-£50.

-First item bought.

-Thank you very much.

-JIM:

-Thank you.

Well done, chaps. Are you happy?

-DOUBTFULLY:

-Yeah.

He's not 100% happy, is he?

And two out of three ain't bad. Well done, team.

With 26 minutes gone, that's your first purchase made.

Back with the Reds,

who seem to be hiding in a dark corner of the antiques centre.

What are they up to?

I don't like cleaning, so if that's to...

I wasn't thinking of cleaning, Karen.

That was the last thing on my mind.

It's only £4.50. I'd pay full price for that.

SHE LAUGHS

-I tell you what...

-An old carpet beater.

..that would make a profit at auction.

It may seem a silly... Oh, it's so whippy.

Enough of that, you two, there's serious shopping to be done.

The Blues haven't gone very far, they're still at the same cabinet

and look what they've found - a stamp box.

I just wonder if it's in the style of Art Nouveau,

rather than actually of the period, rather than circa 1900.

Again, if you had that at an auction,

what would you describe it as?

-Of the style?

-I would probably put "of the style".

-Can I have a feel of it?

-Yeah, by all means.

Yeah. I mean, there certainly is quite a lot of wear in it

but to me it's the way that it's been cast.

I mean, can you see this, sort of, almost like pitted...

-Well, shall we leave that for...

-It's got a lovely look, though.

-£18.

-Yeah.

That's what we looked at, I must admit.

And did you both like this?

-We did both like it.

-Is this something you both...

-I love the movement in it.

-Yeah.

I think you've picked a nice piece there.

It's not going to make a lot of money...

-No.

-..but it might make £30.

And I think, if you could get maybe just a couple of pounds off 18.

-Yeah.

-What do you think?

-Sort of like 15?

-15, yeah.

-Have a word with Jim.

-Jim's your man.

-Shall we see if we can get it for 15?

-JIM:

-Yeah, the dealer will do that for 15, yes.

-Let's go for it.

-Let's go for it.

-JIM:

-I don't think you'll lose money on it.

-£15?

-£15, yeah.

Finally, some agreement.

Another deal done and you haven't had to move an inch.

If they can do the last item just as quick,

I'll be very happy because I'll be finished.

I'll be there having a coffee and it'll be bliss. Wonderful.

That may be wishful thinking, Catherine.

How are the Reds getting on?

-I quite like sticks.

-Do you like sticks?

-I do.

-I just like walking...

-That's quite a flashy stick.

I think that's probably reproduction.

It just can't be original.

No, it is. It's a reproduction one

because it's a stylish thing, look at that.

Walk down the street with that and you'd feel a right dandy.

Looking good, Rossco.

Oh, now, it's that way.

No, I'm all for going to the canteen.

-No, no, no.

-Tearoom.

-No, no, no.

-Tea, tea.

I wouldn't get too relaxed, Catherine,

you've still got more shopping to do.

We've done our hard work.

Come on then, come on.

What about a school desk?

I quite like it. Dave found this earlier but it is...

-Dave, is this another Dave purchase?

-..it is 44.

No, cos I quite like it, so it could be our joint purchase but it's £44.

Well, you could both sit at it. Wouldn't it be romantic?

SHE LAUGHS

-Yeah.

-In fact, is that similar to the desk you work at

-when you're working together?

-No.

-No.

-No, not at all.

-We're not even in the same office.

-No.

Oh, so it's a bit of a treat to see each other today?

-Oh, very.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Do you know what I would pay for that?

-A tenner.

-Yeah, probably but I'm not sure.

-If you wanted that for a tenner,

I would be right behind you.

You only have ten minutes left, Reds,

and you have two items to buy.

Whilst the Blues still have one purchase to make

and Catherine's feeling the strain.

We've got plenty of time.

Don't say that.

-There's nothing that we've got in mind.

-Nothing that's jumping out.

-No?

-No.

-Even a football, signed by Liverpool.

-Oh, my goodness, no.

-Ohh!

If it was Reading, maybe, not Liverpool.

-You are real Reading fans, aren't you?

-Yeah.

-Nothing else will do.

-No, it won't.

-We've got eight minutes.

-Yeah.

We need two more things.

-Shall we just buy a school desk?

-Do you think the school desk...

-While we've got the maestro here.

-Yeah, I think a school desk.

Can you excite us with a school desk?

Well, we've got quite a few of those school desks,

so we could do them for £10 for you.

And how about throwing in a few of the Bronnley soap crates?

Oh, that would be super, wouldn't it?

A desk and soapboxes for a tenner -

your hard haggling skills are paying off, Karen.

I'd rather buy the desk for a fiver and not have the crates.

-I think the crates are better than the desk.

-Do you?

And so does Karen, by the look of it.

While the boys argue it out, she's swooped in to do a deal.

I could do you probably,

I could get you five really good ones for the same price as the desk.

How's that for a deal?

-So, we could have five boxes...

-For £10.

-..for £10.

-Yeah.

I don't think we can quibble at that.

-That's brilliant, thank you.

-Thank you.

Karen has taken charge and done a deal on those boxes

but it's caused divisions in the team.

I'm going to say that I'm going to make more profit than your item,

than your box.

Chocolate versus soap,

-I know which I'd go with.

-Me too.

-Come on.

There's only five minutes left

and both teams have still got one more item to buy.

And Catherine is still struggling to motivate the Blues.

-Nothing else there?

-OK.

We're really, really short of time though.

I quite like the look of the fruit knife.

That's quite sweet.

-Is this mother-of-pearl?

-Mother-of-pearl, yeah.

Personally, there's nothing special about that though.

-Mostly you'll find hundreds of those here.

-Really?

-Hm.

What's the best price on that?

£20 is the best price on that fruit knife.

I don't think that's too bad.

-Well, the only...

-It's an antique, it's 1904 silver.

It is an antique but you're not going to make big money on it.

-Do you want to see anything else?

-Put this to one side?

-Just put it to one side.

-He's living life on the edge, isn't he?

-Is he always like this?

-We've got plenty of time.

No, you haven't, Blues!

Is Charlie doing any better with his team?

How about a pocket watch?

There's something but it would have to be ever so cheap.

-I think it's worth 100 quid.

-What is that?

It's a gold propelling pencil. It's nine-carat gold.

I suspect the gold content is probably £70 or £80

apart from anything else.

And it's in a case there and it's Debbie's.

-DEBBIE:

-The pencil, I could do it for 100.

Could you?

-What do you think it'll make at auction?

-£100.

100? So, we don't want to pay 100 for it then, do we?

So, we've got to barter a little bit here

-cos there's no profit in that.

-You don't know but...

But you said 100, so...

Wow, Karen certainly drives a hard bargain and it's getting to Charlie.

The Blues, meanwhile, are all over the place.

Yeah, they're definitely repro.

And Karen is back in charge again.

-70...

-You have the money.

-Flash.

-Oh, this is so hard.

-You have to work with this girl?

-I do.

60...

That's all... That's it, £80.

We'd be really chuffed at £80.

Just 30 seconds left, teams.

We are on seconds. Fruit knife, Jim.

-JIM:

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you, Jim.

-Thank you, Jim.

-I've no idea how much that was. What was that?

-£20.

-JIM:

-£20.

-Can we go 80, please.

-80, go on, then.

Yeah? Is that a deal? Oh, brilliant.

Thanks so much, thank you.

Are you happy with that, Debbie?

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

I can see that Debbie is deliriously happy with that.

COCKEREL CROWS

That's it, teams, your 60 minutes are up.

You guys really, really, really know how to cut it fine.

-That was fun.

-I thoroughly enjoyed it.

-I loved the bartering part of it.

-I wouldn't do it again.

I would love to do it again.

Let's take a closer look at what the Red team bought.

First up, Dave spotted this vintage chocolate usher's tray

and did a deal, buying it for £60.

Next up, and with just minutes to go,

Karen chose these five boxes, which cost just £10.

And with seconds to go,

the team bought this propelling pencil,

price paid - £80.

Team, it all started so well

-and then you took it right to the wire, didn't you?

-I know.

My goodness. How did you find it?

I loved every minute, to be honest.

-He was great.

-And you used every minute.

-Yeah, we did, yeah.

-It was brilliant.

-It went very quick.

-Loved it.

-So, what was your favourite item, Dave?

-Oh, the chocolate box.

-The chocolate box.

-Yeah.

-It sounds good already. What about you, Kaz?

-It has to be my wooden boxes.

-The wooden boxes.

-Which I purchased on my own.

-Right.

-Without expert help or guidance.

-Really?

OK. So, what do you think's going to make the biggest profit?

Oh, my boxes. I'm so confident.

She's got so much faith, Charlie, I love it.

She's good.

-She's very, very good.

-Is she?

And, Dave, what about you?

What do you think will bring the biggest profit at auction?

I'd like to say my chocolate box

but I think it might be the propelling pencil.

-So, how much did you spend altogether?

-We spent £150.

-£150? So, I'd like £150 of leftover lolly, please.

-There you go.

Why thank you very much. A nice round number.

Charlie Rossco. What are you going to spend it on, Charlie?

Whatever I buy, I'm going to negotiate gently.

-Hard.

-No, I'm not going to do that awful, ruthless tactic.

In fact, I'll probably give them more than the asking price.

So, while Charlie goes and pays more than is necessary

for his bonus buy, let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

Firstly, Ian chose this Edwardian doll's head needle case,

bought for £50.

Next up, Stephen got his way with this Art Nouveau stamp box,

which cost just £15.

And with seconds to go,

the team bought this Edward VII pocket fruit knife,

price paid - £20.

Guys, so relaxed. Love it, loving your style.

A little too relaxed maybe?

-No.

-No?

-No.

-You were fine.

Yeah, we were a bit relaxed, weren't we, at the end.

Only a tad.

Did you enjoy it?

-Yeah, it was great fun.

-Yeah.

-Brilliant.

Catherine, do you have any hair left whatsoever or are you...

-pulling it out?

-It was difficult.

They were too, too relaxed.

-Very laid-back.

-Hm-hm.

-CHRISTINA LAUGHS

So, what was your favourite item, Stephen?

-My favourite item was the little fruit knife.

-A fruit knife, OK.

-Brilliant. And what about you, Ian?

-I liked the little doll we got.

A little doll.

And what do you think will bring the biggest profit, Ian?

-I think the doll.

-The doll? OK, brilliant, sticking by his guns.

-Brilliant. What about you, Stephen?

-The fruit knife.

The fruit knife? OK, all right. So, how much did you spend?

-We spent a total £85.

-£85?

-The big 85, yeah.

-Brilliant.

Well, I would like £215 of leftover lolly then, please.

-Who's got the readies?

-I've got the money there.

Well done. £215? Catherine...

-I know.

-..that is a serious budget there.

-Wow-ee, look at that.

-It's a wodge, isn't it?

What's your plan with that?

Well, I'm going to make a big dent in this, I really am.

-I'm going to do you proud, boys.

-Brilliant, I like it.

Well, whilst Katherine makes her dent,

we're off somewhere rather special.

Hidden deep in the Hampshire countryside,

you'll find Laverstoke Mill.

The site straddles the River Test and over the centuries,

the rushing waters supplied constant power

to the belts and pulleys in the adjacent buildings.

The history of Laverstoke Mill

is recorded as far back as the Domesday Book.

But it was when Henry Portal took over in the 18th century

that it really made its mark.

Henry Portal was a Huguenot refugee from France.

In 1710, when he was 20,

he began working in the paper-making industry,

eventually setting up his own business.

By 1719, the Portal empire expanded

and Henry acquired the lease of Laverstoke Mill.

In December 1724,

Henry Portal was awarded the exclusive contract

with the Bank of England to provide the watermarked paper

for all of their banknotes.

It was to prove a very fruitful relationship.

To find out more, I've come to speak to Jackie Sergeant,

who manages the archive here.

So, Jackie, what do we know about Henry Portal

and his relationship with the Bank of England?

Well, it all developed actually by luck, I think,

when he became friends with a nephew

of the Governor of the Bank of England,

-who was also a Huguenot.

-Ah.

So, there was this kind of whole French connection

that was very much helping them.

But also he was producing very good quality paper,

so he was in a good position to take on the contract.

The earliest sample we have, here is from 1815.

It's made from linen, which is why it's survived so long really.

The actual watermarking is very simple.

And did they develop that watermark?

They were very heavily involved in the development of that process,

which was quite sophisticated.

They introduced shaded watermarks for the first time,

-in the 1850s, as well.

-OK.

So, this bank note's basically about 100 years later, in 1919.

-And you can see...

-Oh, look at that.

-Yeah.

You can see the denomination says it's £5 note

and the watermark is shaded, so it's much more sophisticated.

It's funny, isn't it?

It's not until something's pointed out to you do you realise

-quite how complex it is.

-Yeah.

-That is just stunning, isn't it?

And watermarks are essentially 3D paper, the way it's made

but it's been flattened down.

But if you run your hands along one of your banknotes

that has the watermark, you can feel the lumpy pumps on the paper.

So, this really was very big business to the Portals,

-wasn't it?

-Yes.

The contract was passed down from father to son

and that wasn't guaranteed in any contract or anything

but just because the government were happy with what was happening.

The Bank of England were very pleased with the notes

that were being produced, so they continued the contract.

And then obviously the Portals' business just grew and grew.

They did seem to have done a good job as a family, overall.

For more than 200 years they were doing excellent-quality paper,

exactly what the bank was needing.

By the early 1920s,

Laverstoke Mill was one of the largest handmade paper mills

in the country, making paper for much of the British Empire.

But during the second half of the 20th century,

the Portals lost orders as newly-independent countries

developed their own paper mills.

Paper making ceased here altogether in 1963.

And then for the latter part of the 20th century,

the building was home to a number of different businesses.

Then, in 2005, the site was left vacant.

This beautiful mill, which had been one of the largest

and most important paper mills in Great Britain, was left to rot.

Over the centuries, Laverstoke Mill, had operated as a corn mill,

a paper mill and even a water treatment manufacturer,

but what did the future hold?

What would be the next chapter in the history of this amazing place?

Step in a well-known maker of gin

looking for a location for a new distillery.

Will Brix is the estate manager here.

So, you could have chosen anywhere in the country, I assume.

-Mm-hmm.

-Why here?

It was just such a fascinating place.

There was this feeling and this pulse

that was just really magical.

It's got such an amazing history and we just wanted to breathe

a very modern breath into a really old building.

So, we worked with Thomas Heatherwick

reinterpreting the site.

Thomas Heatherwick,

famous for creating the Olympic cauldron at the 2012 Games,

looked at the heritage of botanical glasshouses

and created this stunning building.

The eye-catching structures hold the plants used to flavour the gin.

They're made from 893 individually-shaped glass pieces

held within more than one and a quarter kilometres

of stainless steel.

They seem to spring from the historic mill building,

a perfect blend of the old and the new.

Time now to head off to the auction.

We have travelled from Northamptonshire

all the way over to Berkshire

to be at Special Auction Services with Thomas Plant,

auctioneer extraordinaire.

-Oh, thank you, Christina.

-SHE LAUGHS

And we give you a very warm welcome here in the Royal County.

That's very kind of you, thank you very much. Right.

Now, let's start with the Red team.

-Yes.

-How delicious is this?

Oh, we love this box.

We do a lot of sort of advertising items at ephemera.

And it's just the kind of thing... It's just so rare, I think.

You know, there's been a lot of interest in it.

Now, how do you rate it? What estimate have you put on it?

-Well, we've put £50-£80 on.

-OK, all right. Well, there's £60 paid.

-Oh, I think that's going to do well.

-OK.

Well, Thomas, how are you at standing on your soapboxes?

-Well, you know, I like a soap box.

-I know you like a soapbox.

-You can have five of them...

-I know.

-..for all your different rants.

Well, I could sort of turn them over and stand on them,

they could raise me up on the rostrum.

-Well, it might help.

-We've put those in at 50 to 80.

Well, Karen thinks that this is going to deliver them

the most profit and she might be right because they only pay £10...

-Wow.

-..for all of these.

That's amazing, isn't it?

So, I think Karen might be on the money there.

Now, the third item we've got is this little sweet

nine-carat gold propelling pencil.

Now, Dave thinks that this is going to bring them the biggest profit.

How do you rate that, Thomas?

Well, we rate this quite well because it's boxed.

Yeah, how often do you get a case?

Everything which has been cased, always adds that extra 20-30%.

Yes, it's gold. It's got a lovely sardonyx shield intaglia at the top

and we put £100 on that.

So, they paid £80 for that.

It certainly could make 100, it could make a little bit more.

All in all, I think they've had a really stellar shop.

It doesn't sound like they're going to need their bonus buy

but we'll go and have a look at it anyway.

Reveal, my love.

Guys, you're looking thoroughly underwhelmed.

-I hate it.

-Oh.

-You hate it?

-I hate it.

-Is that H-A-T-E?

-With a big H.

Dave, what do you think?

-I don't like it.

-At all?

-No.

-What do you think it's worth?

15 to 20. Dave?

-Dave?

-A little bit more.

Well, you'll be thrilled to know then, both of you, that it cost 40

but I think it's worth at least £60.

-Hedging your bets there.

-Absolutely.

Well, you don't have to decide whether you're going to go with

the bonus buy now but let's see if our auctioneer

thinks that Charlie's bonus buy is going to be clocking up a profit.

So, Thomas, this is what Charlie wisely invested in

with their leftover lolly.

What do you think of that?

Well, it's pretty boring.

-Well, it is. It's just a domed mantel clock.

-Right.

We've put £50 on it.

I mean, buy me a clock new for £50, which has got age.

It's got a bit of character, it's got a bit of character.

You know, it certainly... It's an antique.

Well, Charlie invested £40 in it, so we're not a million miles away.

So, that's the Red team done, fairly buoyant over there.

Let's have a look at what the Blue team bought.

First up was this rather delightful little doll's needle case,

isn't that sweet?

It is absolutely delightful.

We do lots of doll's house furniture

and this is exactly what this is, it's a doll's house doll,

which has had this rather lovely silk needle case attached to it.

-So, you think it started life as a doll...

-Yes.

-..and somebody has loved it and cherished it...

-Yes.

..and perhaps as they've grown,

they've wanted to put their little dolly...

-Yes, that's exactly what it is.

-..to good use.

-Sweet.

-It's a sweet object and we valued it at £40-60.

-Oh, OK, £40-60. Well, £50 paid.

-Hm.

So, we might be struggling with that slightly.

So, next up, is this absolutely charming

little Art Nouveau stamp box over here, which I love.

It is delightful, isn't it? It is really delightful.

I love the sunflower here and the leaves.

-And it's such an Art Nouveau motif, the sunflower.

-It is, it is.

-And we are in the digital age but people still send letters.

-Yes.

-Now, we've put, cos we like it, £30-40 on it.

-Oh, brilliant.

Well, they'll be absolutely delighted with that. £15 paid.

-Oh, double your money.

-Exactly, perfect.

And then of course their third item

was the mother-of-pearl and silver little fruit knife there.

-Yes.

-What's your thoughts on that?

Well, it's a mother-of-pearl and silver fruit knife.

You know, it's all you can really say.

They always make between £30 and £40.

-They only paid £20 for it.

-Oh, right. Well, well done them.

Yeah, exactly.

So, all in all,

they're looking quite buoyant over here, aren't they?

They might not need their bonus buy

but let's go and have a look at it anyway.

Catherine, you were left with £215 of leftover lolly.

What did you spend it on?

-Well, I could have spent it all...

-Yeah.

-..but I didn't.

-Oh.

-I bought you that.

-Have a feel.

-It does look lovely.

What I liked about this was the shape.

I thought it's a lovely shape. It's cut glass,

nicely marked there on the silver top.

-Yeah, I like that.

-Yeah, I think it's lovely.

-You happy, boys?

-We both like it, yeah.

-You're pleased?

How much do you think it's going to make?

£50, I paid, and I predict a profit.

-I think...

-Of?

Of? Oh, they're pinning me down.

-It's going to make a £20 profit, I think.

-Oh, here we go.

-It should do.

-There we are.

Well, let's go and see if the auctioneer thinks

whether Catherine's bonus buy has the sweet smell of success.

So, Thomas, this is what Catherine wisely invested

their leftover lolly in, what do you think?

Well, it's rather good.

It's Victorian, it's quite a good shape for Victorian.

It is, isn't it? Nice bit of quality, that star-cut base.

Bit of silver on the top.

-Yeah, we like it and well done. We put £70-100.

-Oh, brilliant.

Well, £50 paid.

-Will you be taking the auction for us?

-Of course.

Brilliant, we'll be in safe hands then.

AUCTIONEER CALLS OUT BIDS

-This is exciting, isn't it?

-Yes.

-My goodness, are you nervous?

-Yes.

-A little bit.

-Are you?

-Yeah.

-Oh, my goodness.

Well, let's all hold hands

-and then we'll be

-all right. Charlie.

Leave me out of that one.

Look, your first lot is your vintage Rowntree's chocolate

cinema or theatre usher's tray, which I adored.

-It was your favourite item, darling, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-You picked it.

-Yes.

So, here it comes now, best of luck.

-AUCTIONEER:

-This is a vintage Rowntree's chocolate

cinema or theatre usher's tray.

Wooden display box, it's lovely, this lot.

An interest has it with me here at 50,

5, 60, 5, 75 with me.

-Look at that!

-75, I have.

-75 against you. 80, 5.

-Dave, you were right.

On 90, 5. Against you, internet.

-Told you.

-Thank you.

-110 with me.

-Selling twice at 120, it's all online.

-Fantastic.

-120.

-I'm really chuffed with that.

So, you're £60 up and that's your first lot done.

Second is the vintage pine soapboxes.

Start me here, £20. £20 for the soap trays.

£20, surely there must be £20.

-Must be 20. £20.

-Oh, no.

Try this at a tenner then. £10, get this going at 10.

10, I've got. Lady's bid at £10. At 10, 12.

-12 now against you.

-12, you're into a profit, guys.

-15, 15 it is.

-Oh, we're in for a profit!

15, it's a room bid against you, internet.

20 now, at 20 it is.

-You've doubled your money.

-20 twice, 22 now in front.

-25, 25.

-This is ridiculous.

One more, 28. 28 it is, at £28.

28, 30 now.

At 30. No, £30 once, 30 twice, selling in the room. £30.

£30. Guys, that is £20 profit. Well done, you.

This is the one that we're unsure about, isn't it?

Next one is your Victorian nine-carat gold propelling pencil.

It's in its fitted case.

Start me here, £80.

Somebody start me 80. 80, 80 I've got, 5, 90.

90, it is. At 90. 90, £90.

-Golden gamble.

-Fantastic!

Any advance at 90?

5, 5, 5. 100 it is, £100.

110 now, 110 online.

120, 120 it is.

At 120, 130.

It's a good-looking lot, at 130 in its case.

Selling, make no mistake.

Unbelievable, guys. £50 profit.

Three lots, three profit, I've never heard anything like it.

That's fantastic.

-You are in profit...

-We're on a winning streak.

..you are in profit by £130.

Yeah, but half that, so what do you think?

What are you going to do, guys? It is nail biting, isn't it?

-Yeah, come on.

-Yeah, we'll go for it.

-You're going to go with it?

-Yeah.

-So, officially, you're going to go with the bonus buy?

-Definitely.

-AUCTIONEER:

-Lot 6, an Edwardian oak and satinwood-strung clock,

looking rather fine here.

Start the bidding with me here at 35, 35.

35, 40 now with me at 40.

Oh, watch his face.

45 it is. 45, it's online.

It's online at £45.

Selling at 45 online.

-Oh, just one more.

-Once, online twice at 45.

Are we done?

-45.

-Fantastic. Well done.

£135 in total.

Well done, you, that was fantastic.

Now, promise me, you won't say a word to the Blues.

-No, we won't, we promise.

-We promise.

-No, we won't.

It'll be hard not to tell them though.

Stephen and Ian, my goodness, how exciting is this, hey?

-How you are feeling?

-Nervous.

-Nervous?

-Yes, very.

-Really?

Oh, don't be nervous, you'll be fine.

-And, Catherine, how are you feeling?

-Fine.

-Well done.

-I think we've got fairly good items, not bad.

-They're very good items.

-You're not so confident?

-He doesn't like the doll.

-It's that blooming doll.

If that made any money, I'd dance round the room.

-Well, it was your favourite, wasn't it, darling?

-Yes.

It was your favourite

-and the one that you predicted the most profit on.

-Yes.

And we start with that now.

-AUCTIONEER:

-Of sewing interest, an Edwardian doll's head needle case.

I can start the bidding with me here at £20.

Start me here at 20.

It's OK, it's a good starting bid. It's a good starting bid.

At £20 the needle case. 20, I have, 22.

25, 28.

Come on!

30, 5, 40.

£40, the lady's bid.

At £40, it's the lady's bid at 40.

At 40, is there any advance on £40?

-One more.

-At 40 it is once...

-A couple more bids.

-Against yours at 40.

They're wanting one more at £40.

Are we all done?

40 it is once, 40 twice. Are we done?

-£40.

-THEY GROAN

Team, that's minus £10 on that one.

-So close.

-Right, next up we've got the Art Nouveau brass stamp box.

Start me here at 15.

Start me, somebody, at 15 for the stamp box.

15, I have, £15.

-Any advance?

-40.

-40 online.

-Wow!

Fantastic! £40 bid online.

40 online it was.

Jumps at 40 online once, 40 online twice.

Can't do anything about it. Once. Twice. £40.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-£40, that's £25 profit.

Well done, you. You chose that, so well done.

So, now we've got the little fruit knife.

And I can start the bidding with me here at 25.

-28, 30 now.

-Get in!

-You're going to make a profit.

Straight in.

£30 it is. At £30.

For the lovely fruit knife here at £30.

-Any advance at 30?

-Fantastic.

It's on my book.

-Bid's on my book at 30 once...

-Go on! Go on!

-30 twice. Done then.

-£30.

-We're happy with that.

-So, £10 profit.

So, you are £25 profit, guys.

So, you're up by £25.

Now, you've got to make a decision now about your bonus buy.

-What would you like to do?

-I think we'll go for it.

A late Victorian cut-glass silver-mounted perfume bottle.

Lovely design to the actual glass itself.

And I can start the bidding here at 45.

-Ooh, close.

-Keep going in that direction, Thomas.

Oh, there's somebody bidding here.

60, I have.

-60, it's in the room.

-Keep going!

-Go on, one more.

-Any advance at 60?

-One more.

-One more.

-Scent bottle here at 60.

5 now online.

One more, madam.

-One more, madam.

-Go on, madam.

65, you've come all this way.

-70, thank you. At £70, I have.

-It worked, Catherine, well done!

At £70.

-Once at 70, twice at 70.

-Well done, boys.

Brilliant. Well done, Catherine.

Oh, and a kiss. How lucky am I?

So, you are an overall profit of £45.

-That could be a winning score, don't say a word to the Reds.

-No.

-You promise me?

-I promise.

-Unhappy faces.

-Zip.

AUCTIONEER CALLS OUT BIDS

I have to say, this is very exciting.

Both teams leaving with folding money today.

-No!

-Yeah, folding money.

But there is quite a vast gap between our folding money results.

And today's runners-up...

..are the Blue team.

GROANS AND LAUGHTER

I'm sorry, guys, you were so close as well.

You ended up plus £45.

-There we are, chaps, who wants it?

-Thank you very much.

-You keep hold of it.

-£45, so well done.

-Have you enjoyed yourself, guys?

-Yeah, it's been a great experience.

Brilliant. Well, that's the main thing.

But of course, our victorious winners today,

our mighty Red team, who did quite spectacularly.

You've got your £135 profit just there.

-Thank you.

-And, it is with the greatest of pleasure,

that I invite you to join this rather noble establishment

-of the Golden Gavellers.

-Thank you.

-There we go, Kaz, there's your Golden Gavel.

-Oh, wow.

There we go, Dave, there's your Golden Gavel, be careful.

Look at those Golden Gavels gleaming in the light.

-Have you had fun, guys?

-I have really enjoyed it.

-Yes, thank you.

-You've enjoyed yourself?

-Yeah, really enjoyed it.

-Brilliant. Charlie?

-Loved every minute of it.

LAUGHTER Glad to hear it.

Don't forget to check our website, details are on the screen now.

Or, of course, you can follow us on Twitter.

And don't forget to join us next time for some more Bargain Hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!