0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's the nation's favourite antiques experts...
0:00:04 > 0:00:05GONG ECHOES
0:00:05 > 0:00:06That's cracking!
0:00:06 > 0:00:07- ..with £200 each... - Wonderful.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11..a classic car, and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13That's exactly what I'm talking about!
0:00:13 > 0:00:14I'm all over a-shiver.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16The aim? To make the biggest profit at auction.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18But it's no mean feat.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20- No-brainer.- Going, going, gone.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25So, will it be the high road to glory?
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Push!
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Or the slow road to disaster? HE GRUNTS
0:00:28 > 0:00:30How awfully, awfully nice.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31This is Antiques Road Trip.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Yeah!
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Well, ho-ho! It's a brand-new Road Trip
0:00:40 > 0:00:41for two fine antiques experts,
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Catherine Southon and Philip Serrell.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46You're looking very glamorous today.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48- Am I?- Yeah.- Why are you being so nice to me?
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- Because I love you and I haven't seen you for so long.- Aww!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Isn't he sweet?
0:00:54 > 0:00:57When she's not road tripping, Catherine's a veteran auctioneer.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58Mountains of cash.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Auctioneer Philip is also no stranger to the Antiques Road Trip.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05I do like lumps of stone.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Lovely. Each of our experts have £200 in their pocket.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13But, to make a profit at auction, they'll have to spend it tactically.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14I wouldn't buy any sort of
0:01:14 > 0:01:17too high-price risky items, I don't think.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- OK.- But, erm... - More safe? Play it safe.- Well...
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- Is that what you're saying? - You can't...
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- Are you giving me top tips? - Catherine, you can't play it safe.
0:01:25 > 0:01:26They're gliding around the country
0:01:26 > 0:01:31in this very French left-hand drive 1970s Citroen DS 20.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- I have a beret.- Yeah.- I could put a nice little beret on you.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- We should be going, "Hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw!"- Ah-ha!
0:01:36 > 0:01:37THEY CHUCKLE IN FRENCH ACCENTS
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- Oh, c'est bon! - CATHERINE MIMICS FRENCH
0:01:39 > 0:01:41We have gone from Birmingham to France in two seconds.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- FRENCH ACCENT:- I am with the great Catherine. Ha, ha, ha.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46IN FRENCH ACCENT: Haw-haw-haw!
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Famed for its smooth ride...
0:01:48 > 0:01:49It's an absolute doddle.
0:01:49 > 0:01:50Ah, told you so.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- It is.- What's this bit? - That's the gear lever.
0:01:53 > 0:01:54Well done.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57This pair's road trip kicks off in Coleshill in Warwickshire,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59meanders around the Midlands,
0:01:59 > 0:02:00before heading due south
0:02:00 > 0:02:02to the tip of Cornwall.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Then, nips briefly into South Wales and finishes up
0:02:04 > 0:02:07for an auction in Wells, Somerset.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Today, our experts are in Coleshill
0:02:09 > 0:02:10and they'll end up at auction
0:02:10 > 0:02:13in Salisbury, Wiltshire - lovely.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15If you were a car...
0:02:15 > 0:02:16Yeah, I would not be a Citroen.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Would you be something sleek and classic,
0:02:19 > 0:02:20or would you be an old banger?
0:02:20 > 0:02:22I'd probably be an old banger, wouldn't I?
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- I think you probably would, actually.- That's not very nice.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28The Warwickshire market town of Coleshill
0:02:28 > 0:02:31was first settled during the Iron Age.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34It's home to the parish church of St Peter and St Paul,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36one of the finest in the county.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Catherine's first stop is here -
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Remember When?
0:02:40 > 0:02:41But, hang on. What this?
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Whoa!
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Am I in the right place?
0:02:45 > 0:02:46You certainly are. Most definitely.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48- Catherine - you are...? - Pleased to meet you.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50I'm Kim, welcome to Remember When?
0:02:50 > 0:02:55- This is...different from the norm. - It is. Antiques is my profession.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58The wool is my hobby. And we decided to combine the two.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Well, I'm going to give this a go, then, the antiques.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03But if I don't find anything, I'm going to come back
0:03:03 > 0:03:05and I'm going to buy lots of chunky wool.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- Yes, that's fine.- And knit myself a blanket to wear in the car.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Oh, look at the wool. This is fabulous!
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Come on, Catherine. You're here for antiques.
0:03:13 > 0:03:14I'm going to restrain.
0:03:14 > 0:03:15- I'm going to look at the antiques. - OK.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Good job. Meanwhile, Philip has made his way
0:03:18 > 0:03:21to the Moseley area of Birmingham, the childhood home
0:03:21 > 0:03:24of Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28His first opportunity to shop is here, The Moseley Emporium,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30run by a nice chap called Maurice.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Maurice, how are you?
0:03:32 > 0:03:33I'm fine, thank you. How are you?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- Yeah, really lovely to be here. - Yeah.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- I'm looking for something very, very specific.- OK.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42What I'm looking for is a really large...profit.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43LAUGHTER
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- Aren't we all? - That's what I'm looking for.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- I sort of, kind of, know what I want.- Yep.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49I'll leave you to it then.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52You have a wander and I'm here, if you need me.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54I like your flags.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56You've got some more here. All your flags for sale?
0:03:56 > 0:03:58The flags are all part of the decor.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59That'll be a no, then.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Yeah, irreplaceable, aren't they, really?
0:04:01 > 0:04:03And they cover bad patches up.
0:04:03 > 0:04:04# You ain't nothing but a hound dog! #
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- MIMICS ELVIS PRESLEY: - Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Hey, a little less conversation, Philip!
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Get back to the job in hand.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I tell you what, that F Plan diet's a winner, innit?
0:04:14 > 0:04:16What's the food like then, mate?
0:04:16 > 0:04:17- He doesn't say much, does he?- No.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19How much is he, Maurice? I like him.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20Again, what have you done?
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Oh, no.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24You've picked the piece that's a part of the shop.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Bad luck, Philip. But what's in here, then?
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Now that is just ridiculous, isn't it? Utterly ridiculous.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31What's up, Philip?
0:04:31 > 0:04:33It come out of a garage, I would imagine.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- Out of a factory, yes. - Out of a factory.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38And it had tools and all the rest of it in it.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43And now this piece of 1950s industrial metalware...
0:04:43 > 0:04:44Bang-on, yeah.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47..is now worth more than a Victorian mahogany chest of drawers.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- Absolutely.- The world's gone mad.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52That's a cool thing, but I'm not sure it would be sensible
0:04:52 > 0:04:54to buy that here and take it to a country auction.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55HE BANGS METAL
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- That wants to go to London, doesn't it?- You're the expert, Phil.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- What did you just call me? - An expert.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Don't you start using that sort of language, Maurice.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- What I want to ask you, Maurice... - Yep?
0:05:04 > 0:05:05- ..these stoneware barrels... - Yep.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08..I'm thinking that they're probably part of the shop?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- LAUGHING:- No, you're lucky. - No, really?!
0:05:10 > 0:05:12You've actually picked something that I can sell you.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- How much are they? - Well, that one's 35
0:05:15 > 0:05:16and the top one's 25.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- That's 35, is it? - Yeah.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22OK, so there's a possibility there, isn't there?
0:05:22 > 0:05:23We'll keep it as a possibility.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26What we need to do is convert possibilities into probabilities.
0:05:26 > 0:05:27Absolutely.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Back in Coleshill, Catherine's finally found the antiques.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Toys, lots of toys.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Yes, that is my speciality, toys.
0:05:35 > 0:05:36Especially dolls and teddies.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39And do you knit them little cardigans and things?
0:05:39 > 0:05:40I have been known to.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Oh! Little matching woolly hats!
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Oh, that's nice.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45BLEATING
0:05:45 > 0:05:47That sounds like a sheep or a cow.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50That does not sound like a teddy bear,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52which is what it's supposed to sound like.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53That's not a good sound.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55"Meeeh!"
0:05:56 > 0:05:58I'm going to have that in my head all day long now.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Mm, she's easily distracted at times.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- I do like your little ladies' RAF compact.- Yes.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08And then I also spotted, down there, another compact.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Right, OK, the large one.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Compacts are collectable.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15It's nice to have that RAF emblem on it, which is super.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Ticket price, 18 smackers.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- Oh, it's made by Stratton.- Mm.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- It's a common name.- Yes, it is. - As you know.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25It's ones that you find all day long.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27OK, that is a possibility, along with that one.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- May I have a look at that one? - You certainly can.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Kim's priced the second compact at £36.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36"Vogue". You've put "vogue". Why? Is it actually stamped...?
0:06:36 > 0:06:37It is marked.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40What have you put this out as, '40s?
0:06:40 > 0:06:44I think it's 1948. I've actually done some research on it.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Cos it is in remarkably good condition for being...
0:06:47 > 0:06:49It's in a very good condition.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51..'40s, isn't it? May I put these two aside.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- You certainly can.- I don't know if you would perhaps do a little...
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- ..something on those?- Oh... - We won't talk money yet.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I'm sure we can do something. I'm sure we can.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Kim, you and I are going to get on very well.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05I'm also looking at these.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06The amber beads, yep.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- The thing is, you've got to be so careful with amber...- Yes.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12..as to whether it really is amber.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- There's so many different ways that you can tell.- Of course.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Some people say get a basin of water,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19drop them in, they will sink.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22And then if you put salt in, or something, they will float.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25But I often find the only way to really tell
0:07:25 > 0:07:29is to get a pin and just touch it.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31And if bits start coming off, then it is amber.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Careful, all breakages must be paid for.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Ooh, you've got a pin? - I have a pin.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- Let me see. You don't mind me doing this?- No. Of course not.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- You have to check, cos otherwise I could be doing...- I know.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44So, if we just prick that into there
0:07:44 > 0:07:47and you can see, instantly, it fragments.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51I think we can safely say that they are amber.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54But, as you know, they're not the most collectable colour.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56It's more that butterscotch that is more desirable.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58And I think, also,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01they do look a little bit...slightly worse for wear.
0:08:01 > 0:08:0565, you've got quite a lot on that, though, haven't you?
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- OK. Can I put those to one side as well?- Yes, you can.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- I'm going to give you the whole shop to hold in a minute.- It's all right.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14This is good, for me. I've only been in the shop a few minutes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15I've picked out three things.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17You're so decisive, Catherine!
0:08:17 > 0:08:18Over in Moseley, though,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Philip's still taken by the stoneware barrels.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22NORTHERN ACCENT: Ooh, he does love a barrel!
0:08:22 > 0:08:26See, what you really want is buy one...get one free.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27That's the ideal deal here.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29BOGOF.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Maurice is too canny for that.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34So, what I want to look for...is I just want to see
0:08:34 > 0:08:35if there's any cracks in it.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37This is salt-glazed stoneware.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41And I quite like this.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45This is going to date to about...1880, 1900.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Just a little bit before my time.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Just a tad.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52This would have been a spirit barrel in a pub or something like that.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57You see this often with little upholstered tops put on here.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59It converts them into a stool.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03I think it would dress or decorate an old kitchen, that type of thing.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06It's a bit old-school, but I quite like it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- I like that one barrel upstairs, the big one.- OK.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11That was the 35 quidder.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I'll be truthful with you, it's been here a while.
0:09:14 > 0:09:1825 was... £20, that's it, finished. End of deal.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I always said you were one of the finest blokes, Maurice.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Haven't I always about? I've always said that.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25Oh, yes. Flattery gets you everywhere.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27£20 seals Phil's first deal.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- Go on, I'll have the big one. - You've actually made me cry.
0:09:30 > 0:09:31Oh, God, Maurice! Don't start!
0:09:31 > 0:09:33- Right, let's see if we can find something else.- OK.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35I'd better pay... Shall I pay you for that first?
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- If you want to.- Hold on, mate.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39You might forget, you see?
0:09:39 > 0:09:40Maurice has got the measure of you.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Thank you.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45One deal done, but Maurice knows Philip likes a bit of rust
0:09:45 > 0:09:48and there's a potential sale to be had in his workshop.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Maurice, is that one of those, like what we saw upstairs?
0:09:51 > 0:09:53It is, but it's in the unfinished state.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54PHIL BANGS METAL
0:09:54 > 0:09:56It turns into a lovely piece of furniture
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- in the end, though, doesn't it, really?- Yeah.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01If you want to spend a day-and-a-half putting it right.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04So, I'm guessing that most of your value in these is labour?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Absolutely. A lot of labour goes into it.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- A lot of labour. - And people don't realise that.
0:10:09 > 0:10:10So, if there's no labour gone into it,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- that could be really cheap. - Ooh, you naughty boy!
0:10:13 > 0:10:15LAUGHTER
0:10:15 > 0:10:18For me, as it stands, it's 20 quid.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20METAL CLANGS
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- Ooh, 20 quid, you're making me cry. - Yeah.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24That will be the finish for me as well.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27I tell you what, you can take it away for 20 quid.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- You're a star. Thank you very much indeed, Maurice.- And you.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31There you are. Let me give you some money.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- You can give me more, if you like. - No, no, no.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35I think that's just lovely.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37The thing is...
0:10:39 > 0:10:43..is Salisbury ready...for a rusting tin cabinet?
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Oh-ho-ho! We'll soon find out!
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- You take care, thanks very much. - Please call again.- Bye-bye.
0:10:47 > 0:10:48See you again, bye.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Down the road in Coleshill,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Catherine is still looking through Kim's cabinets.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58I didn't know whether you might be interested
0:10:58 > 0:11:01in the miniature dominoes set in the little mahogany box?
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Do you know what? I did see that.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Is it bone or is it ivory?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07I believe it's bone.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08- Right, OK.- I don't think it's ivory.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- May I have a little quick look? - You can.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12Ticket price, £32.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- These are complete, aren't they? - Yes, they are.- OK.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17- They're impossible to get out. - KIM LAUGHS
0:11:17 > 0:11:20You need the little tiny fingers to go with it.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23If they're bone, you normally get these lots of little flecks,
0:11:23 > 0:11:24- so you can see...- Mm-hm.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26But I'm not sure that they are bone, you know.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28I think they might be ivory.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Today, the trade in ivory is illegal.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35However, items can be bought and sold as long as they predate 1947.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39These dominoes were made sometime in the early 1900s.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41I thought maybe the price was a little bit high for what they are.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- I know that sounds mean.- Mm-hm.
0:11:43 > 0:11:44But I thought, "Mm, maybe not."
0:11:46 > 0:11:48And I'm...I was just not sure.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51But you're kind of convincing me.
0:11:51 > 0:11:52You're good at this.
0:11:52 > 0:11:53KIM LAUGHS
0:11:53 > 0:11:55You're obviously a very good saleswoman.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56I do try. I do try.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- Can we have a little...chatette about these pieces?- Yes.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05I thought what I might do is perhaps buy those compacts
0:12:05 > 0:12:07and put those together as one lot.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08Now, you've...
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Oh, dear, we've lost the tag. What a shame!
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Kim's not going to fall for that old chestnut.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16We've got £18 for that one
0:12:16 > 0:12:17and 36 for that.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20So, what could you do on those, Kim? What do you think?
0:12:20 > 0:12:2245?
0:12:22 > 0:12:25In an ideal world, I'd like to tuck it a little bit under 40.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Right, OK. 38.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- OK, 38.- If that helps you.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31And the dominoes set?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Erm, that's a nice piece.
0:12:33 > 0:12:3525.
0:12:35 > 0:12:3725 on those, OK.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39And what about the amber?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42See, I think I'd like to go quite low on those.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Only because of their condition. - How low is low?
0:12:44 > 0:12:46How low is low? Erm...
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Well, you tell me. What do you think?
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- All right, OK. - What do you think is reasonable?
0:12:51 > 0:12:5240.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54I don't have a problem with those.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56That's the only thing I would prefer...
0:12:57 > 0:12:59If you can't do it, don't worry.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01What about 35?
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Yeah, I think we'll give a go on those, shall we?- OK, yeah.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07And I have no idea what that's added up to.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08It is...
0:13:08 > 0:13:09£98.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11God, you're good at this.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- Thank you very much. Thank you. - You're very welcome.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Kind Kim has agreed to a £53 discount,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19giving Catherine her first three lots for auction.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Can I go and have a look at your knitting now?
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- You can.- Can I have a look at all the wool?
0:13:23 > 0:13:25I've been dying to do that!
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- Forget the antiques, let's go and look at the wool.- OK.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Let's leave the lady in the hat
0:13:30 > 0:13:32and find out where the fella in the scarf has got to.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33LAUGHTER
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Philip is on his way to the centre of Birmingham
0:13:39 > 0:13:41to find out how a local had a big hand
0:13:41 > 0:13:44in the development of lawn tennis.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- You must be Bob. - Good morning, Phil.- Good to see you.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- Good to see you. Would you like to come in?- I'd love to. Yes, please.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52At the library of Birmingham,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55local historian Bob Holland has been piecing together
0:13:55 > 0:13:58the story of Harry Gem, who lived and worked in the city
0:13:58 > 0:14:00during the 19th century.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03He was born in 1819
0:14:03 > 0:14:04and Harry was a great sportsman.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06He was a swimmer, he was a runner,
0:14:06 > 0:14:08he played cricket, he was a rider,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11he played racquets down in the centre of Birmingham.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- He was a sportsman?- Very much so.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15When he was the secretary of the racquets club,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18down in Bath Street in Birmingham,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20he'd met a Spanish guy called Augurio Perera
0:14:20 > 0:14:22who lived in Edgbaston,
0:14:22 > 0:14:23who was also a great racquets player.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26This meeting would prove instrumental
0:14:26 > 0:14:28in the development of a new game.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31The two of them got their heads together and they were looking
0:14:31 > 0:14:34at the idea of inventing a game which they could play outside.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38The advent of India rubber allowed balls to bounce on grass
0:14:38 > 0:14:39for the first time.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41And the Victorian obsession with croquet meant
0:14:41 > 0:14:44there was no shortage of lawns to use as courts.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46The two friends started to develop their new game.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49This particular book here, in the Birmingham Library,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52is what's known as the Gem Scrapbook.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Basically, it's interesting items through Gem's life.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00And this particular page is open at his rules of lawn tennis.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03When did they first appear in public?
0:15:03 > 0:15:07This particular set of rules appeared in November 1874
0:15:07 > 0:15:08in Field Magazine.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- Is that Gem's court? - That's Gem's court, yes.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12The net looks a lot bigger.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15It is, actually. It's four feet high
0:15:15 > 0:15:17from side to side.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19The modern net is only three feet.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Whereabouts was this court first set up?
0:15:22 > 0:15:24This was in the garden of Perera's house,
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- in Ampton Road, Edgbaston. - Where is that?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28It's just yonder there, about a mile-and-a-half.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- A mile-and-a-half that way? - Absolutely.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- Literally as the crow flies. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34So, is that court still there, or...?
0:15:34 > 0:15:35It has a garden at the back of it,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38but the area of grass where they'd have laid out their court
0:15:38 > 0:15:40is still there.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42I don't suppose we could...?
0:15:42 > 0:15:43We can, most certainly.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45I know the owners, so we can go over and have a game.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47PHIL MUMBLES
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Bob, this is clearly a really special piece of grass.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55It is, indeed. This is the spiritual home of lawn tennis,
0:15:55 > 0:15:59where two gentlemen took up two racquets and devised a game,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02which is very similar to the modern game of lawn tennis.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05When the All England Croquet Club started playing tennis,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08they adopted rectangular courts, similar to Gem's.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12The Croquet Club then became the All England Lawn Tennis Club
0:16:12 > 0:16:15and the rest, as they say, is history.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Chris Elks shares Bob's passion for early racket sport.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Chris, this is your collection?
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Yes, it is. Part of it.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- You've almost got a history of the racket here.- That's right.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Out of all these rackets, the thing I love
0:16:28 > 0:16:30is that racket on the end,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32because that's just a work of art, isn't it?
0:16:32 > 0:16:36All of the other rackets were played with by men, essentially.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Of course, ladies bring a special aspect to tennis, don't they?
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- Yeah, absolutely.- No self-respecting male would pick up that racket
0:16:44 > 0:16:45to choose to play with.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47I love this. Is this some sort of cleaner or washer, or something?
0:16:47 > 0:16:49This is a ball cleaner.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Balls were more difficult to make than rackets.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- As you can see, this is an old tennis ball.- Yeah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57You would keep them clean by placing it like this
0:16:57 > 0:17:00and then giving a quick turn and scrub.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Now it's time for a knock-about.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05But, when it comes to sport, ex-PE teacher Philip
0:17:05 > 0:17:08has got a really competitive streak.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11I think I've got an advantage here, cos what Bob doesn't realise is
0:17:11 > 0:17:15that I've stuffed him up with some old racket and I've got a new one.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17So, hopefully, I'm going to win it.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Oh, hi, Bob. All right?
0:17:19 > 0:17:20Yes, fine. I've got some balls.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Oh, excellent stuff.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Right, off we go then. Ha-ha-ha!
0:17:33 > 0:17:34This isn't working out too well, really, is it?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36LAUGHTER
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- Less of this spin stuff. - LAUGHTER
0:17:39 > 0:17:41It looks like Philip is channelling
0:17:41 > 0:17:43the spirit of Harry Gem for this game.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- BOTH:- Oh! - Get in there!
0:17:46 > 0:17:47- There we go, Bob. Excellent stuff. - BOB PANTS
0:17:47 > 0:17:49But I've got to go and buy antiques.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- Thank you very, much indeed. - Not at all.- Thank you.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54It's been absolutely fantastic and, I have to say, as courts go,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56that's a real GEM.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Thank you very much. - BOB LAUGHS
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Meanwhile, Catherine has travelled
0:18:00 > 0:18:02to the Warwickshire village of Middleton.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05It's the home of the Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09which boasts over 100 different species of birds.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Catherine's second shop today
0:18:11 > 0:18:15is in Meadowview Antiques and she has £102 left to spend.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- Ooh, hello.- Hi, Catherine.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- Who might you be? - I'm Mike.- Hello, Mike.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24You've got a lot of stuff in here.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Have you got any space in here?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Only the ceiling.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31This is absolutely rammed, isn't it?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34What I like is that everything looks very different.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36We don't buy the run-of-the-mill things.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37You don't buy run-of-the-mill.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40We are very choosy in what we have in the shop.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42She's impressive, old Marilyn there.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Yep, that came from up north.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46It's 1957, The Seven Year Itch.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- And what is it? - It's...it's fibreglass with...
0:18:51 > 0:18:53a concrete bottom.
0:18:53 > 0:18:54Ooh.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57You used to have them in the foyers of the cinemas.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- £2,000.- Yes.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Well, if you could come down to 100, I'll have it.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Cheeky! MIKE LAUGHS
0:19:03 > 0:19:05I'm worried that I may not have enough money left,
0:19:05 > 0:19:06cos I've already bought a few of things.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10I'm sure Mike has something hidden away that is within your budget.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- OK, I shall be back. - No problem.- Thanks, Mike.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14Ooh!
0:19:14 > 0:19:15(Up her knickers.)
0:19:15 > 0:19:16Looking up her skirt.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Leave Marilyn alone.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19Saucy.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Look at this! This is the most...
0:19:24 > 0:19:27..gorgeous, gorgeous thing.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28Look at that. I love it!
0:19:29 > 0:19:34I just remember my mum having exactly the same vacuum cleaner.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36That is just the best.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41It would make no money at auction, but that's just...fantastic.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Look at that.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Blimey. It must be some sort of advertising thing.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49I do like to come in somewhere like this,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51where you haven't got run-of-the-mill.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Like a box of matches, an oversized box of matches
0:19:53 > 0:19:56and a vacuum cleaner for a child.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Mike?- Yes.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Can I ask you about this tennis racket?
0:20:00 > 0:20:02I love this.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Harrods themselves used to have so many tickets for Wimbledon,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09which they used to give to their best customers.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10Best clients, right?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12They used to make up a bag
0:20:12 > 0:20:14and give them one of those tennis rackets as well.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16So we're talking what...?
0:20:16 > 0:20:18We're talking the '60s, '70s?
0:20:18 > 0:20:20I would say '70s. '70s. Yeah.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Yeah, probably looks more '70s, doesn't it?
0:20:22 > 0:20:23And it's in immaculate condition.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25It's in lovely condition, isn't it?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Does this come with anything else?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- Does that come with a free Wimbledon ticket for me?- It...
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- MIKE LAUGHS - Does it?- It could do.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32And strawberries and cream!
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Mike, what could this be?
0:20:34 > 0:20:37We've got 58 on it, but...
0:20:37 > 0:20:38I'll do it for 30.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Can you do 25 on it?
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Go on, I'll let you have it for 25.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- Can you?- Yeah.- I really like that.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48And do you know what will be even better?
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Seeing the look on Phil's face when I turn up with this.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55He is going to be so jealous.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58I think Phillip's probably had enough of tennis for one day.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Right, I want to spend more. What do I want to buy?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Well, this golden mother-of-pearl magnifier
0:21:03 > 0:21:05with a bulls-eye lens looks nice..
0:21:05 > 0:21:08It's very strong glass. You can read the hallmarks on it.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10I'll give you a ring, so you can see for yourself.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Sometimes they are not particularly good, are they?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14No, they're not very powerful.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16So, you should get pretty good magnification.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Yep, you can read that perfectly.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21You've got 65 on this. What...?
0:21:21 > 0:21:22I can do you for 40.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Would you? Do you think I've got a chance with that at 40?
0:21:26 > 0:21:28I would say you've definitely got a chance,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31because you've got to ask yourself, where would you buy another one?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Where have you seen another one?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35I mean, you see magnifiers all the time.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36But not like that.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- But A, not as miniature, like that. - No.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41And B, not with such a beautiful handle. And...
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Why am I telling you all this,
0:21:43 > 0:21:44because the price is going to go up again.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- LAUGHTER - This would be my fifth item.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49I'm kind of really steaming along today
0:21:49 > 0:21:51and buying lots of items.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54I'm just thinking whether I should...step back a bit.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58That should make a lot more than £40 in auction.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- Go on, then. - You're going to go for that?
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- I am, I'm going to shake your hand. - OK.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- That's a very soft shake.- Yes. - Let's have a real manly shake.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08So, how much is it that I owe you, my friend?
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Only 65.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12"Only 65", he says.
0:22:12 > 0:22:1460, 80.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16There is your change.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Thank you. Thank you.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- Wonderful, thank you very much. - Yes, thank you.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21Well, Catherine's been busy.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24She's bought five items to end the day's shopping.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27For now, it's time to say night-night.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29So, night-night.
0:22:31 > 0:22:32Morning, all.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Ha! Catherine's in the driving seat today, so watch out.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38There's some sort of petrol-y smell going on around here.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- It's just fine. - Are you sure?
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- This feels like I should be going into third now.- Well, go on, then.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Up and away from you... Up.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Phil, put it in third for me!
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Foot on the clutch.- Oh, yeah, I forgot about the clutch.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- That's why it wasn't... - The armrest has come off in my arm.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Lordy... Let's have a catch-up on the shopping so far.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01Catherine has been busy.
0:23:01 > 0:23:07She's got five lots - the magnifier, the amber beads, the mini dominoes,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09the pair of compacts and the mini tennis racket,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12leaving her £37 to spend today.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Does it come with a free Wimbledon ticket for me?
0:23:15 > 0:23:17As for Philip, he bought a stoneware barrel
0:23:17 > 0:23:19and an industrial steel cabinet...
0:23:19 > 0:23:23- That could be really cheap. - Oh, you naughty boy!
0:23:23 > 0:23:26..leaving him £165 to spend if his nerves can hold out.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28You know when people talk about those near-death experiences...
0:23:28 > 0:23:32- Yes.- ..when can just see the end of their life looming before them?
0:23:32 > 0:23:36I never thought it would take the form a Citroen.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Today, our two experts are starting off in the village of Wootton Wawen,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41located in the county of Warwickshire.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48The most famous landmark around here is the cast-iron aqueduct that
0:23:48 > 0:23:50carries the Stratford-upon-Avon canal across the village.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Stopping, stopped.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Oh, that's a relief.- Oh, yes.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57First stop of the day is at the aptly named Antiques Shop.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00And with a moniker like that, I've high hopes for Philip.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- Good luck.- Reverse. - All right!- Reverse.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Hello.- Hello? - Hi. How are you? Phil.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- Hi, there.- Good to see you.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12And you. This is Phil, my business partner.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Phil, how are you doing? Good to see you.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- What can we do for you today? - Well, you can find me something
0:24:16 > 0:24:19that's got a profit in it, that's what you can do.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21This is interesting. I'll tell you what it's for.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24You put that on a piece of flesh, or skin, and you press that,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28which is now perished, and when it expands,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31it sucks the skin up if you've got some sort of
0:24:31 > 0:24:34nasty carbuncle or something.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36I think that's designed to get it off.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Not a pretty sight.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Let's just leave that out - that might be a possibility.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Let's go and have a look outside.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45See, that's ideal. That's a nice thing.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- A butter churn, isn't it? - Yeah, a butter churn.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49A lot of these were made in Chippenham, in Wiltshire.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- Were they really?- Yes, very often you'd lose the stand.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55220.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57- I do like this. - It's really quite ornate, isn't it?
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Put your back into it, Philip.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Yeah, it's a good-looking thing, but for me to make a profit,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04I'm going to have to bid you really, really low on that.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08- We're not shy. - Well, I'm looking at 60 quid.
0:25:08 > 0:25:09How shy are you now?
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- We're quite embarrassed. - I'm not!
0:25:12 > 0:25:17We'll leave Philip negotiating. I wonder what Catherine's up to.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20I have got all the time in the world,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22cos I've got five rather nice objects.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24She's headed into Stratford-upon-Avon,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Shakespeare's old stomping ground.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28She's tamed the Citroen, look!
0:25:28 > 0:25:30When there's no traffic,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32it's actually quite lovely.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36I want to show Phil how it's done.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Driving any type of car...
0:25:39 > 0:25:44I shall show him how to drive a Citroen and drive it well.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Tres bon. Catherine has £37 left to spend here
0:25:47 > 0:25:50in Henley Street Antiques Centre.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55So, let's just get things straight. I don't really need to buy anything.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Don't speak too soon.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Oh, no, this is cool.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Deal of the month.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04This is fantastic! £95. How much have I got left?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06I just said £37.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Maybe I'd just buy...just one.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09One drum.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12SHE PLAYS DRUM
0:26:12 > 0:26:13That is fantastic.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Right, I'm going to walk away cos I can't buy it.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18"Philip Serrell was here.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19"With all best wishes."
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Did he seriously write on this wall?
0:26:21 > 0:26:24That's terrible! What a vandal!
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Graffiti from a previous road trip - the scamp.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29It seems like Catherine's all shopped out.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31- You never know though. - I think I'm probably going
0:26:31 > 0:26:33to quit and call it a day.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Well, I suppose if you can't beat him...
0:26:37 > 0:26:41Back in Wootton Wawen, Philip's been browsing the cabinets.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43- What's he found? - I used to love that book as a kid.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46I used to read it for hours and hours and hours.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50"Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing." I like that.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Look at this. His son was Peter.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Peter used to go fishing with Mr Crabtree.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I love that. I absolutely love that.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I need to have a ruminate here,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01because I really like your butter churn.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02It's what you can do it for.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05And just for old memories for me, I like Mr Crabtree.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Yes. 80 would do the two for you.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11So you're saying Mr Crabtree and that at 80 squid?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13- Yeah.- You have been very, very generous to me
0:27:13 > 0:27:15and I'm very appreciative of that.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Yeah, go on, £80 the two. You have been very, very kind to me
0:27:18 > 0:27:22and this is really sad, but I'm more excited about this.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Philip pays £75 for the butter churn and £5 for the book.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Great discounts. - Two, four, six, eight.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31You've been really kind. Thank you very, very much.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33- No problem.- Lovely to see you.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Catherine, meanwhile, has finished shopping,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42so she's headed to Redditch to hear a little local history.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Incredibly, by the late 1800s,
0:27:44 > 0:27:4790% of the world's needles were being made in the town.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Catherine is visiting the Forge Mill Needle Museum
0:27:51 > 0:27:53and meeting curator Jo-Ann Gloger.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57- Hello, Jo-Ann, lovely to meet you. - Thank you.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Where are we here? What are these buildings all about?
0:27:59 > 0:28:03This is the only remaining water-powered needle scouring mill
0:28:03 > 0:28:05left in the entire world.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Victorian Redditch was located close to manufacturers that
0:28:08 > 0:28:12needed a constant supply of needles to help them make their products.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15You've got a fantastic leather industry over at Walsall,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Kidderminster for carpets - very famous -
0:28:19 > 0:28:23and then you have the gloving trade over at Worcester.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25You've got Nottingham for lace.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27So you've got all these industrial markets,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30plus the domestic demand as well.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34In 1859, the Redditch needle makers really hit the jackpot
0:28:34 > 0:28:36when the railway came to town.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40It meant that a lot of people could set up in business
0:28:40 > 0:28:45in the Redditch area and by 1869,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48we've got recorded 117 companies, big and small,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51in the Redditch area, which is amazing.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53At the height of needle making in Redditch,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57the town was producing 100 million needles every week.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01All needles start their life as large coils of wire.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03You can see how thick it is. Just feel that. Yeah?
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Now from here, it has to be drawn down.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08That's making it thinner and longer.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Look at that. Look at the difference from there to there.
0:29:11 > 0:29:17From here it gets cut and then the pointer will then point the wires.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20The pointers used grindstones to sharpen the ends of the needles,
0:29:20 > 0:29:21but it was not without risks.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25It was a very, very dangerous job.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27I mean, their life expectancy
0:29:27 > 0:29:31wasn't much beyond the age of about 30, 35.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36He's breathing in a lethal mixture of dust from the grindstone
0:29:36 > 0:29:37and metal dust from the wire,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39so it's all going down into his lungs
0:29:39 > 0:29:43and within two or three years, he'll be coughing up blood.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45It was pretty horrible.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47If they knew these kind of conditions,
0:29:47 > 0:29:48why did they do it?
0:29:48 > 0:29:52For the money. They were very, very well paid,
0:29:52 > 0:29:54because they knew it was such a dangerous job,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57they were earning two and three guineas per week,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00which, in Victorian times, was a great deal of money.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02So how many needles could he point a day?
0:30:02 > 0:30:06Something like 10,000 needles per hour.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- Per hour?!- Wow.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- What's next? - Right. Putting the eyes in.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Have you ever wondered how they put eyes in needles?
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Well, I must admit, I haven't laid awake at night wondering about that,
0:30:16 > 0:30:18but now you come to mention it...
0:30:18 > 0:30:24You can see we have a punch here and it's got some impressions
0:30:24 > 0:30:27of where the eyes are going to be made.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29So the kick stamper, as his name was,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32he would actually put the wire like that.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35It comes down and...
0:30:36 > 0:30:40..he's going to make the impression of where the eyes are going to go.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- So he's put his foot in a peddle...? - He's put his foot in a stirrup
0:30:43 > 0:30:47and he's letting the hammer come down
0:30:47 > 0:30:48and he's making the impression.
0:30:48 > 0:30:5050 kick stamps per minute on a 30lb drop hammer.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- That's amazing. - There were over 30 separate stages,
0:30:53 > 0:30:57including being heated in ovens, dipped in oil and left to dry.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59The end of the process was to clean and polish the needles,
0:30:59 > 0:31:01known as scouring.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05As you can see, the needles up to this stage were very, very dirty.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- Just look at that. - How did they get cleaned?
0:31:08 > 0:31:12You would then put them into a long trough
0:31:12 > 0:31:17with some sacking in it, with some powdered stone and some soft soap.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19You would then put the set of needles
0:31:19 > 0:31:25into the scouring beds and then the scouring beds press on top of it
0:31:25 > 0:31:29and it's rubbed and rolled and the emery takes the grime away.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31How long does that process take?
0:31:31 > 0:31:35- Round about eight hours. - Eight hours?- Yeah.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Then, all that was left to do was to sift the needles out.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Ready?
0:31:43 > 0:31:46No, hopeless.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49By the middle of the 20th century, the industry was in steep decline
0:31:49 > 0:31:51due to cheap imports and falling demand,
0:31:51 > 0:31:55but Redditch will always be synonymous with needle making.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Meanwhile, Philip has made his way
0:32:03 > 0:32:04to Fladbury in Worcestershire.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07He's visiting his final shop,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09which is run by an old business chum.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- Mr Humphries, how are you? - Mr Serrell, I'm very well.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15All I would say to you is, I know you come to my sales regularly,
0:32:15 > 0:32:17I do not want to buy anything that I've sold you,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19cos that would be really embarrassing.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21You've got a lot of stock, haven't you?
0:32:21 > 0:32:24I tell you what, Phil, I like to keep it well stocked,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26but I turn it over well, as well.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- Is that dear? - It depends what you call dear.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33- Well, I can tell you how much money I've got.- Go on, then.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- I've got 80 quid left. - That's dear, then.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38- Is it? That out of my range? - Yeah.- OK.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40Oh, I like those, as well.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42They're weathering nicely, aren't they?
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- I know how they feel. - You and me both, Philip.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48Ticketed at £275, they're still out of Philip's budget.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Is Ian feeling kind?
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- You might be able to buy those, actually.- Really?
0:32:53 > 0:32:55They're basically a pair of concrete dogs, aren't they?
0:32:55 > 0:32:58- Greyhounds, aren't they? - They're not going to win many races.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- But they're so heavy. - Are they hollow?- No, they're solid.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05- And they're concrete, aren't they? - Yes.- Oh, Lord above!
0:33:07 > 0:33:10- These might be 30, 40 years old. - I think so.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12And those might be a possibility?
0:33:12 > 0:33:13- Might be.- Might be.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- I just really like them. - They are quite nice.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- The other reason why I like them is cos I had a lurcher.- Oh, really?
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Who was the absolute love of my life.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Myrtle the lurcher.- Oh, bless. - I loved her to bits.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Can we get one outside?
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Do you mind? Look at that, there's a quick rupture.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34It's a poor job that won't stand a good foreman.
0:33:34 > 0:33:35(I'm the foreman.)
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Try telling Catherine that.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- He's nice, isn't he? - You've got to buy it now.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Down, boy. They come as a pair.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45They're just weathering down nicely.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47They're going to go one way now, aren't they?
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Yeah, they're going to go south, that's where they're going to go.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52They're going to go down to Salisbury. You're a star.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54- Fantastic. Good man. - I'd better pay you, my friend.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57That last buy has Philip all spent up.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Sit down, Rover!
0:33:59 > 0:34:02I'm just trying to train them. Just trying to train them. Sit!
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Good dog, good dog.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06And the dogs are added to Philip's other buys -
0:34:06 > 0:34:08the stoneware barrel, a steel cabinet,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10a butter churner and a book on fishing.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14He spent £200 on the nail.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18Catherine spent £163 on some amber beads,
0:34:18 > 0:34:20a miniature tennis racket,
0:34:20 > 0:34:21a gold magnifier,
0:34:21 > 0:34:25a miniature set of dominoes and a pair of compacts.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26So, what do they make of each other's buys?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29I think Catherine's done a really, really good job.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33I just love that little tennis racket she's bought.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38I knew Phil Serrell would buy a butter churn.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41But for me, the real jewel in the crown are those beads.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Amber. I think they could be a three-figure lot
0:34:43 > 0:34:45and she's paid next to nothing for them.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48The rusty shelves, £20.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I would walk straight past them a million times.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53£200, all in.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Oh, dear.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57After setting off from Coleshill,
0:34:57 > 0:35:01our experts are now headed for auction in the city of Salisbury.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Do you know what I think my cheapest buy was?
0:35:03 > 0:35:06- Oh, that shelf... - I bought a rusting tin thing.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Why did you buy that?
0:35:08 > 0:35:11I think that's bang-on trend. You are looking at me now.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13- Bang-on trend?! - I am bang-on trend.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17I am up there with the kids. You've got no vision, Catherine.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19No vision at all. It worries me about you sometimes.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Welcome to the Netherhampton Salerooms.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24It's looking busy.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26What does auctioneer Ian Souter make of our lot?
0:35:26 > 0:35:28My favourite is definitely the butter churn.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Love it, always loved them.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32If I had a house big enough to put one in, I'd have one.
0:35:32 > 0:35:33Don't know what I'd do with it.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37The mini dominoes - very cute, very good size.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39I think one or two people spotted them earlier,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41so hopefully they'll do well.
0:35:41 > 0:35:42They say like attracts like,
0:35:42 > 0:35:44so the little pretty things are Catherine's
0:35:44 > 0:35:46and the larger more ugly things are Phil's.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- Probably enough said. - I think so, Ian.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51We've got a full house, so quiet, please.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Are you excited? Our very first auction, isn't it?
0:35:53 > 0:35:55I know, but look how many people are here.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58- It's rammed, isn't it? - Absolutely heaving.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01First up is Philip's fishing book.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- Why did you buy that? - It's part of my childhood.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Is it? Oh, so it's really old.
0:36:06 > 0:36:07Right, who's got 50 or 60?
0:36:07 > 0:36:1030 or 40 or 20? Who wants it?
0:36:10 > 0:36:11Fiver, thank you. £5.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13£6. £8. £10. £12.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15- They all want it! - 15. 18.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17They all remember it from their childhood.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Happy days, isn't it? Happy days.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- They went fishing with me.- At £20.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24- They all took the bait, didn't they? - They did.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28A bittersweet result, as Philip says goodbye to Mr Crabtree for a profit.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32And, actually, do you know what, that wasn't bang-on trend, was it?
0:36:33 > 0:36:37Next up, Catherine's amber beads.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38OK, so we've got 30, 40.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Who got 20? £10?
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Some lovely beads. A tenner. £10?
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Someone say something. Fiver. Five I have. £5.
0:36:45 > 0:36:46£6. £8.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47£10. £12.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49- £15.- A long way to go.
0:36:49 > 0:36:5115 on my left, 15 I have.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52No. These need to be about 60.
0:36:52 > 0:36:5718, £20. 22. 25.
0:36:57 > 0:36:5925. Over here at 25.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01- No, more.- Don't go shy. 25.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04- Amber. Real amber.- £25.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Bad luck, first loss of the day.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09But there's plenty of time to make it up.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11- I don't know that much about amber, do I?- No.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Next up, Philip's stoneware barrel.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- Here to be sold, 30 or 40. - He's picking it up.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19- What a man.- Nobody want it?
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Five bid. £5. £6.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23£8. £10. £12.
0:37:23 > 0:37:2615, 18, £20.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29- Don't mind been nice to you. - £20, £20.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Anybody else? 20. Being sold this, then, at £20.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Phil's going to be drowning his sorrows.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38That's a loss after auction fees are deducted.
0:37:38 > 0:37:39You said you knew this auction.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Yeah, I didn't say I was any good at it, though, did I?
0:37:42 > 0:37:45It's Catherine's miniature dominoes set next.
0:37:45 > 0:37:4850 or 60? 40 or 30?
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Who wants them? 20. I've got 20.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54Thank you, you like them. £20. £20 I have. £20, £20, £20.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57He looks like a man who plays dominant dominoes, doesn't he?
0:37:57 > 0:38:0122, 22, 22...
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- Anybody else?- Come on!- At £22.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Another loss. Bad luck, Catherine.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- They were lovely. They were lovely. - It's not my night tonight.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13And your compacts are up next.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18Ten I have, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25...
0:38:18 > 0:38:20- Come on.- With me, 28.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22£30. £30 in the hat.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- Don't stop at 30. Come on.- 32.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26What a shame. At 32.
0:38:26 > 0:38:2932 I have. 35. That's the spirit. 35.
0:38:29 > 0:38:3238. 38.
0:38:32 > 0:38:37Last chance to stop. 38. 38. Being sold this time, then, at £38.
0:38:37 > 0:38:38Ooh!
0:38:38 > 0:38:42So near yet so far!
0:38:42 > 0:38:45A run of bad luck, Catherine. They were nice, too.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48What's next, though? Oh! Bang-on trend.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- Oh, is it your rust? - What do you mean, rust?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Philip's little cabinet is next.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Various interest. Going to start the bidding at £10.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58£10 I have. £10, £10, £10 with me.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01£10. £12. 15. 18. £20 with me.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04He's got a commission on that.
0:39:04 > 0:39:0522. 25. 25 with me.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07At 25. 28. 30.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11- What?!- 32. 35. 38. £40. - Bang-on trend, you see.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15- How did you do that?- At £42.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Look at that, get in. Dip your bread.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20Blimey, he's just doubled his money.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24Next, can Catherine's miniature magnifier be as successful?
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- 50 or 40.- Come on.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27Who's got 30?
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Who's got 20? Tenner if we have to.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31- Can I put my hand up?- No.- Can I bid?
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- Come on, it's nine-carat gold. - Can I big?
0:39:34 > 0:39:3822. 25. 28. £30.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- £30 I have.- It's cheap! - I know it's cheap.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- Come on.- 32, 35, 38.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45£40. At £40.
0:39:45 > 0:39:4742. 45.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- Yes!- 48. £50.
0:39:50 > 0:39:5255. 60. 60 in the back, £60.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Keep going, it's nine-carat.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Anyone else? Being sold this time at £60.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- Yours, sir. Thank you.- Yes!
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- I love you!- Hey, steady!
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Hoo-hoo-hoo! Well done, Catherine. A nice profit.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Philip's butter churn is next to go under the gavel.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12What would people do with that now, though?
0:40:12 > 0:40:16Shove it in the garden. Shove it in the big farmhouse kitchen.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Churn butter with it. I don't know.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21OK, I've got various interest. I'm going to go straight in at £50.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23- He's got interest.- 60.
0:40:23 > 0:40:2665. 70. 75. 80.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Oh, Phil. You've walked it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:3385. 90. 95. 100.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35- Philip!- 100 with me. 100.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37105. 110.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Bid last if you want it, sir. 110. 115.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41120.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- That's amazing.- I'm quite pleased with that, I must admit.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47125. 130. 135.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51He's still bidding, that man by the door.
0:40:51 > 0:40:52At 135, last chance.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55He had a big commission bid on that.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57At £135.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59£135.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01That's all right, isn't it?
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Philip's on a roll.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Can Catherine serve up a profit with her last lot?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08£50, somebody. 50 or 40.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10- 30, 20.- Come on.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- 25.- Who wants it? We've got ten. Thank you, ten I have.
0:41:12 > 0:41:13£10, £10, £10. £12.
0:41:13 > 0:41:1815. 18. 18 final time. £18. £18 I have. 18.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- 18. Who else wants it? 18? - No!- Don't let it miss you at 18.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Last chance. Being sold at £20, thank you.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26At £20. £20.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29On my right, 20. Being sold this time, then, at £20.
0:41:29 > 0:41:30£20?!
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- Not a lot of money. - How did that happen?
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Is that game, set and match to Philip, then?
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Or will his dogs let him down?
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Two vintage life-size stone greyhounds.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Could Rocket hold them up, please? Hold them up, Rocket!
0:41:45 > 0:41:47He'll be sold whether Rocket holds them up or not.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Right, who's got £100? 70 or 80?
0:41:49 > 0:41:5450 or 40. £30. 35, 40. 45, 50.
0:41:54 > 0:41:5855, 60. 65. 65 on my left.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- 70. 75.- You'll be fine.- 80.
0:42:01 > 0:42:0685. 90. 95. 100.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08100 at the back. At £100. I have 100.
0:42:08 > 0:42:09- That's amazing.- Last chance, 100.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Anybody else want to join in?
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Being sold this time, then, at £100.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15After commission, it's breaking even.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17Should have held them higher, Rocket.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19LAUGHTER
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Well, that last lot made a profit, but where does that leave us?
0:42:22 > 0:42:24Right, so we need to do some sums, don't we?
0:42:24 > 0:42:27You've got loads of cash. That's all I know.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28Come on, then.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Catherine started with £200.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33After paying auction costs,
0:42:33 > 0:42:37she made a loss of £27.70,
0:42:37 > 0:42:40leaving her £172.30 to carry forward.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Phil started with £200.
0:42:42 > 0:42:48After paying all fees, he made a profit of £59.94.
0:42:48 > 0:42:53Well done! Leaving him £259.94 to spend next time.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55You are a bit of a star, Phil,
0:42:55 > 0:42:57and I have to take my hat off to you.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Where's the next auction? Salisbury?
0:42:59 > 0:43:01No, we're in Salisbury.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Cheerio, chaps.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Next time on the Antiques Road Trip...
0:43:06 > 0:43:10- Are we in Hampshire?- Yeah. - ..Philip plays rough...
0:43:10 > 0:43:11Look at that.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15- Instant discount with that. - ..and Catherine's in heaven.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17I am the queen of rust.