0:00:03 > 0:00:05- It's the nation's favourite antiques experts...- What a job!
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- ..With £200 each... - You with me?- ..a classic car...
0:00:07 > 0:00:11- Buckle up.- ..And a goal, to scour Britain for antiques.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14- Ooh, sorry!- Ha-ha!
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 > 0:00:23- there'll be worthy winners... - Yes!- ..and valiant losers.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Have a good trip.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31This is the Antiques Road Trip!
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Yeah!
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Today, we are all over Avalon, and Arthurian legend.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Look, that's Glastonbury Tor.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- Where?- Over there, south-south-west. - HE CHUCKLES
0:00:46 > 0:00:49It's quite an unusual thing, isn't it?
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Certainly is, isn't it? But then,
0:00:51 > 0:00:53there is very little that's usual about Charlie Ross,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- or his good friend, James Braxton. - See what I mean?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- You'll need a map!- I've got a map. - Can you read a map?
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Of course I can read a map, I did geography A-level, for goodness' sake!
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- Did you pass?- Of course I did. - You didn't!- Yeah, with a D.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Ha-ha! Our two auctioneers and their little red Alfa have somehow found their
0:01:11 > 0:01:13way to the Somerset levels.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Historic part of the world - and quite remote.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Perhaps they followed the ley lines,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21they do say the place is thick with them, music, too,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24because Glastonbury is known the world over for what Charlie would
0:01:24 > 0:01:26call a pop festival.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28What are the Rolling Stones, are they pop or rock?
0:01:28 > 0:01:33- They're rock, aren't they? - I would have called them a pop group, you see, in my day.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Have you seen your mother, baby, standing in the shadows?
0:01:37 > 0:01:40No, but my old man's a dustman. Hoo-hoo!
0:01:40 > 0:01:43It's the third time this pair have tripped together.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- I'm very excited.- Are you? What, really excited?- Very excited!
0:01:46 > 0:01:50And as we approach auction number four, with successes...
0:01:50 > 0:01:52200, I'm bid - the room bids 200.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56..and shellacking on both sides, an American term, I'm told.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- Erm, that's not good, is it? - They remain nip and tuck.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- It means tight. - We're still within 10%, aren't we?
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- I know.- I'm still trailing, though. - Only just!
0:02:06 > 0:02:10James has thus far managed to transform his starting £200
0:02:10 > 0:02:14into £299.52, bravo!
0:02:15 > 0:02:19While Charlie, who also began with £200, has acquired a little more,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22and currently has £328 exactly.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26So, Charlie, your empathy with rock and pop,
0:02:26 > 0:02:31will you be using the ley lines, in your antique buying?
0:02:31 > 0:02:34- Probably not. - I think we might have guessed that.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38After kicking off from Chart Sutton in Kent,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42Charlie and James motored mostly around the South East,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45then they moseyed up towards the Midlands before heading both South
0:02:45 > 0:02:49and West. They will eventually make Dorset their destination with a
0:02:49 > 0:02:52D-Day in Dorchester. Today's endeavours will wind up at
0:02:52 > 0:02:57an auction in Frome, but we start out, of course, in Glastonbury.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00SOUTH WEST ACCENT: And there 'er be!
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Also famous for its ruined abbey,
0:03:02 > 0:03:07where the monks used to allege that they found the bones of King Arthur.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11So, who knows what treasures can be unearthed in their first shop?
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- You do like joint shops.- I quite enjoyed joint shops with you,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19because you're not sort of thrusting and competitive and hiding around the corner.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22They're a bit like an old married couple now, aren't they?
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Welcome to Glastonbury Reclamation.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- COUGHING Oh, dear.- Ah, fabulous.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- You need a gentleman's gentleman. - He's already got one.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It's all heavy, it's heavy.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- It is heavy. Heavy and rusty. - Ideal for Serrell, though!
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Hello!- Ah!- Hello, James. - James, Simon.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- Good to meet you.- Hello, James. He's James, you're James!
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- Lordy.- I think James had better not go with James.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- I'll go with James. - That's very confusing. Will you be my personal shopper?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- I can be your man.- Well done. Tape measure...
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- Excellent.- I'm armed! - Cheerio, chaps.- Bye!
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Nice place, this, they've got all sorts here.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Look at those! Those are scaffolding boards with a vengeance, aren't they?
0:04:01 > 0:04:03Those have been popular, yeah. Table tops.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Table tops! Those are great!
0:04:05 > 0:04:07What are they, sort of two inches or something?
0:04:07 > 0:04:09I'm metric, so we say 65 mil, I think.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13He's much better off with a guide.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- This is a cheese press. - Oh, fabulous!
0:04:16 > 0:04:20So, Cheddar, just down the road, you would have had a cheese mould full of curds,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23which would have been placed underneath this screw section here.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- And then this would have been tightened to... - And this comes down?
0:04:26 > 0:04:28..condense the cheese and press it.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31That's lovely Victorian craftsmanship.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34There's no need for all this decoration whatsoever.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- Is it all dairy farming around here? - A huge chunk of it is, yeah.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- And you sold it.- Yes, we did. Got a good price, I think we got about 1,500.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- Too rich for me! - Hard cheese, old boy. Ha!
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Meanwhile, Charlie is flying solo, but reclamation is hardly his game.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Aye, aye.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54What about that!
0:04:54 > 0:04:58A pulpit! Could you conduct an auction on that!
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I think it's marvellous!
0:05:01 > 0:05:04With wonderful turnings, good panelling...
0:05:04 > 0:05:06And it's only £375.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11I haven't got £375 but I think if I still had an auction room,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I would buy that.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- James, what about this?- Yes! - Wouldn't it make a fantastic auctioneer's rostrum?
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Either that, or a DJ's booth.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Like they have at those pop festivals, Charlie.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Is there much leeway in the price at all, or is it...?
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- There's a...yeah, there's a bit. - Crikey, is he serious?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- How is James faring?- Ah! Look.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Hands off that bike, I've got to get home this evening.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Oh, right! That's very good, isn't it?
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- What about that, though? - The bird cage?- Yes. It's got a nice weight to it.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44No door, though, decorative but hardly practical, the bird has flown.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Yeah, nice piece, I had my eye on it myself, actually.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Oh!
0:05:48 > 0:05:51I think it is brass, it would shine up nicely, wouldn't it?
0:05:51 > 0:05:54I personally I wouldn't clean it up too much, just leave that patina.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58As long as you can tell it is brass, that's good enough, as far as I'm concerned.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- That's enough.- Really nice. What could that be?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03We've got 65 on that one. But I could do you a bit on that, actually.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Shall we say £50 on that one?
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- What about 40? - That's squeezing me a bit too hard.
0:06:08 > 0:06:1045 and it's yours.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- 45 - I'll have it.- OK. - Thank you very much indeed, Simon.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15No problem, a pleasure.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- Erm, there's one other item, if we could just leave that...- OK.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21So, with one deal in hand, he's got his eye on this altar rail.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25It is thin work, isn't it? I think I'd need to lose a couple of pounds.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27You could always buy another painting for a big loss...
0:06:27 > 0:06:32There's one item I think needs rescuing in this reclamation.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37- You like this, don't you? - Sometimes, a little rail, like a screen, is a notional divine.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- Yes.- You know, you can make a little private table in a pub.- Yeah.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46- It's not too heavy, either, is it? - No - and it's got that return, so structurally, it's fine,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- just needs a jolly good sand, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- A light sand, perhaps. - Light sand my foot!
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- What have we got, 95 on it? - A very reasonable 95.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- Could that be even more reasonable? - Go on, try me.- Could it be 50?
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Oh...
0:07:01 > 0:07:04I's been there a while. 60 quid and it's yours.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Thank you very much indeed, Simon, really kind.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11We are removing £105 from that wad,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14for the rail and the brass bird cage.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16I'll send my man for this.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- Thanks a lot, Simon.- No worries. - So, the big lad departs.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22What about Charlie, still keen on that pulpit?
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Got this out of the corner of my eye, I wondered what on earth it was,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29when I first saw it I thought it was a tennis post,
0:07:29 > 0:07:30then I realised it did something.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34It is a cart jack, as in a four-wheeled cart,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37this would go under the axle so you can change the wheel.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Great! It's just a bit of history, isn't it?
0:07:39 > 0:07:43It's probably not mass produced, probably home-made, local blacksmith.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Yeah. How much is it? £38.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47I think we might be past the pulpit.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51What are those bricks? They don't look like ordinary building bricks.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53A, they are a different size.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56This is a bath brick, made in Bridgwater, just down the road,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59you would break a bit of, mix it with water,
0:07:59 > 0:08:03turn it into an abrasive paste, and use it like modern Brasso was used.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- For cleaning.- Good grief! It's a bar of soap, really, in a way, but more abrasive, obviously.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- But for polishing items, I suppose. - Yes!- Yeah.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Patented in 1824,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17these Bridgwater bricks were sold throughout the British Empire.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20And we bought about 500 off of one bloke,
0:08:20 > 0:08:25who...his garage was actually built out of them!
0:08:25 > 0:08:27We clean them up and just sell them as souvenirs.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31And I think they are made from the silt of the slow part of a river where
0:08:31 > 0:08:34it goes around the bend, where the silt is incredibly fine and settled,
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- so that is the silt make to use these.- That is really, really interesting!
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- And they are priced individually? - £3.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- Have you ever seen one at auction? - Never seen one at auction,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- no, I doubt anyone has seen one at auction.- Could be a world first!
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- It could be. - But what about the jack?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I'm pretty keen on that, I make no bones about it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55I mean, I want to pay about 20 quid for it...
0:08:55 > 0:08:57But I don't know whether that's possible.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- How about £25?- I've got a final really cheeky counter-offer here.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- If I bought your Jack...- Yeah?
0:09:05 > 0:09:07..could I have a brick?
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- You could indeed. - That is the most extraordinary buy-one-get-one-free offer...
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- That's today's special offer. Well, we'll call that a pound. - Yeah.- And that's £24.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18I think that's fab, that's very kind of you.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21So, with the brick thrown in, it's time to pack the trunk.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Perfect fit. Oh!
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Ha-ha! Oh, dear!
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Meanwhile, James has come here,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32to one Britain's most beautiful cathedrals,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35close to the Mendip Hills in the city of Wells
0:09:35 > 0:09:38to learn some of the architectural secrets in this amazing building
0:09:38 > 0:09:42from historian, Elsa van der Zee.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- Hello, James. - Hello, I'm Elsa.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49This is a very small door for such a large building, isn't it?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I suppose it is but it's a great deal bigger inside.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- Do come in.- Thank you.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57CHOIR SINGS
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Construction began in the 12th century,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02and took over 200 years to complete.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05It was the first cathedral in England and perhaps the world to be
0:10:05 > 0:10:08built entirely in the Gothic style.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11One of the most striking features are the so-called scissor arches,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15added at the end, to serve a very practical purpose.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18In the second phase of the building,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21they heightened the tower ten times higher than the original,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24and on top of that they put a spire, covered in lead...
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- OK! - HE LAUGHS
0:10:26 > 0:10:29..and because we're on limestone, lots of underground water...
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- OK.- ..and the pillars started to bed into the ground.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36So, great cracks appeared in the tower structure.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41And that is the final solution of quite a number
0:10:41 > 0:10:42of internal buttressing they tried.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46The arches were the work of the master mason of the time,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48William Joy. Whilst they are not unique,
0:10:48 > 0:10:52they are the largest and strongest of any still in existence.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58This is William Joy's legacy, and an icon now of the whole building.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02That is amazing, what became of William Joy?
0:11:02 > 0:11:07Well, we don't totally know, his name just disappears from all the records,
0:11:07 > 0:11:12and we think he died in 1348, when these were just finished,
0:11:12 > 0:11:17the year of the plague, and Wells lost about 50% of its population.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21So we assume, since he is never heard of again,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23that he was one of the victims.
0:11:23 > 0:11:30- Oh!- But I like to think that he died knowing he had saved his beloved building.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Just off the central knave,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35is another of the cathedral's treasures, the astronomical clock,
0:11:35 > 0:11:39which was still being wound by hand up until 2010.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44And it is one of the oldest surviving mechanical clocks,
0:11:44 > 0:11:49and certainly the oldest we think with its original medieval clock face.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54It depicts the universe, in the way they thought about it at the time.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58The little brown knob in the centre is us, is the Earth.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- And the sun, the moon and the stars all rotate around the Earth.- How lovely!
0:12:02 > 0:12:04You've also got a quarter jack, up there.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06His job is to bang the quarter hours with his heels...
0:12:06 > 0:12:11- And the hours with the bell. - Yes, as well as the quarters.- Wow!
0:12:11 > 0:12:16So he'll go ding-dong four times on the hour, and hit the hammer.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20But Wells is also renowned for its collection of
0:12:20 > 0:12:23medieval stained glass, this window, at the east end of the choir,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26was installed at the Cathedral's completion
0:12:26 > 0:12:29and remains its crowning glory.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- It survived...- Yeah. - ..the Reformation, the Civil War,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35and then, neglect, for a couple of centuries.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- Yeah, yeah.- And then, of course, the two world wars.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44And in the Second World War, they took the whole window out to preserve it.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48It's amazing, it's very bright and bejewelled, what does it depict?
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Well, it's called a Jesse window,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55because Jesse was the founder of Christ's family.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58And he is right down the bottom. So, he's the trunk of the family tree.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05And out of him are all these branches that are wound round all the figures.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- You have the Virgin and Child... - Yeah.- ..Christ crucified...- Right.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13..and the cross is actually growing out of the main vine branch.
0:13:13 > 0:13:19And then right in the apex, is a white bird, to represent the Holy Spirit.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21It really is splendid. Elsa, thank you.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23It's been a great pleasure, James.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26And I will look out for those scissor arches.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Oh, well, you won't find them anywhere as good as here, you know.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31That's him told, then.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35But while James has been cloistered in Wells...
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Ha! Charlie has been out on the levels.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Go on, level with us, Charlie.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43It's quite nice to be ahead of James at the moment but only by what you
0:13:43 > 0:13:48would call in voting terms a "canvas". There's no clear water.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Well, let's hope he doesn't catch a crab,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53in the market town of Shepton Mallet.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Noted for its brewing, including cider, of course,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00but also champagne perry and what is claimed to be the first lager ever
0:14:00 > 0:14:03produced in England, and that Charlie, he is no lout.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- You must be Pauline. - I am indeed!
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- Pauline, lovely to meet you. I'm Charlie.- Lovely to meet you.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- I'm going to have a good look round. - Yes, please do!- Thank you very much.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Good job too, Parkways seems an impressive place,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16especially for furniture.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19You will probably hear me talking to myself, Pauline, but it's just the way I am.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Don't worry, it's just what she would expect, Charlie.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Look at this, does that bring back memories?
0:14:25 > 0:14:29The twin of the table that I had in the last auction.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32This is probably even nicer than mine.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33Resist the temptation.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38He has still got quite a bit of cash you know, £303, to be precise.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- These are quite fun. - Yes, they are nice.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42A couple of brass jugs.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Look at that, that's about as Art Nouveau as a decoration can get.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Solid brass. You would expect it to be solid brass, wouldn't you, really?
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Old-fashioned antiques, but aren't they pleasant?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- They are, they are a very nice shape, I think.- They ARE a nice shape.- Mm.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00And I suspect there were three, once upon a time, wouldn't you?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- I would imagine there was three, yes.- Or even four.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05D'you know the best thing about these, Pauline?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08There's no price on them, so they're free.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10THEY LAUGH
0:15:10 > 0:15:13She jests, of course, actually, £75 for those two.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- The search goes on. - Is that for skimming?
0:15:16 > 0:15:18I would think so, yes.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Skimming off the top of milk, possibly?
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- Somebody might tell me otherwise. - Somerset lager, perhaps?
0:15:25 > 0:15:29It's a modest £24 - and rather nice.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32So, Pauline has copper, brass and silver.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Nice pair of Adam style candlesticks.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Yes, they are, I thought they were rather attractive.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- They are attractive. Are they silver?- Yes, they are.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44SOUTH WEST ACCENT: Birmingham, 1908. Definitely worth thinking about.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Over the years they have had a bit of a go at those, haven't they?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Yes. It's a shame, the other one is perfect, actually.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- Less and less people have these, of course.- It's dreadful, isn't it? - They don't want to clean them!
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- I know!- And more and more people eat in the kitchen now and
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- you wouldn't put them in the kitchen.- No.- You'd put them in your
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- dining room.- Exactly.- Our dining room gets used at Easter and Christmas time.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- Same here.- You must come for Christmas!
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- Bring your candlesticks with you. - Dear, oh, dear.- You and me, bottle of wine.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- That would be lovely. - Blimey.- Delightful.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- I'm getting quite excited. - Calm yourself down, take a shower.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19£180, for the pair, remember.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22If I tickled you with an offer on those, you'd probably show me the door.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26I can do a little bit better on them because it has got a dent in one.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Loin-girding time, everyone.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Can you take £80 for your candlesticks?
0:16:31 > 0:16:33I'm afraid I can't.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- You can't.- I can take 100 for them, if that's any help to you.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38What a teaser you are!
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Is there any chance you could do them for £90?
0:16:41 > 0:16:43How about 95?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Ah, Pauline! Oh! It's like an arrow through the heart!
0:16:47 > 0:16:50What about the skimmer? If we put that in with it?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Oh! You're a good dealer, aren't you?
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Skimmers are very collectable.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Cor, she's good.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- Ha! How dare you! - Very collectable.- Yes.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- If you give me 105...- Yes. - ..you can have the candlesticks and the skimmer.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- Ooh, ho-ho-ho!- There you go, there's a bargain for you.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Oh, ho-ho, Pauline, you've got yourself a deal.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Well done.- Thank you.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- Well, that was fun, wasn't it? - Look, I've two vulgar notes for you.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Ooh, lovely.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Time to go and find his good friend.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22We are ending up very near Minehead this evening.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- I've packed my trunks.- You haven't? - I have!- Well I haven't.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- My green ones.- Do you think Minehead is ready for my skinny-dipping?
0:17:29 > 0:17:32I think skinny-dipping is to be encouraged.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34THEY LAUGH
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Well! What they do in their own time, I suppose...
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Nighty night.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Next day, apparently...
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- First time we've had weather like this.- I know.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- Really is pouring, isn't it? - I think the sea is down there but I can't see it.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Yesterday the sun shone while Charlie made hay,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57picking up silver candlesticks, a skimming spoon,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00a cart jack,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- a bath brick...- Have you ever seen one at auction?
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- I doubt anyone has ever seen one at auction.- It could be a world first! - It could be.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09..leaving him with just under £200 in his wallet.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Whereas James reclaimed a brass bird cage and an altar rail, as you do.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Light sand my foot!
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Which means he has about the same sum for anything he might spot today
0:18:20 > 0:18:25and he's just got to drop Charlie off before heading to his shop.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27- I can see the sea!- No!
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Yes. We've got to go down about 4,000 feet before we get to the sea.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- I know.- How are the brakes on the Alpha?
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Good question. Later they'll be heading east for an auction in Frome,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39but our first stop today is beside the Bristol "Chanel", at Minehead.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46The ever popular tourist spot which might have inspired a hymn.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Is that the purple-headed mountain
0:18:48 > 0:18:52from "All Things Bright and Beautiful"?
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Just what James will be looking for, I'm sure,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57although he may wish to append weighty...
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Ooh, out of the cold. James.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- I'm Derek. Pleased to meet you. - Hello, Derek.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Well, this looks rather fun. - Yeah! Plenty of miscellaneous articles.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08They don't call this place Paraphernalia for nothing.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Although, maybe not another one of those, James.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Here's a rather fun thing, it is a novelty item, it is a matchbook cover.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21So years ago, every hotel, restaurant, would have these in a dish.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24They would be free things that people would collect and take away
0:19:24 > 0:19:27with them. And it was a very cheap form of advertising.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29What's this? Greyhound buses...
0:19:29 > 0:19:31So, America's famous form of transport.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35This is chromium plated, which would suggest the 1930s,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38but most likely to be the 1950s.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43But, brought alive by the fact that we have a map of the British Isles,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46and we have London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Dublin.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Poor old Edinburgh! I'll put that back.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Let's leave him rummaging and catch up with his chum.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Not him! Hoo-hoo!
0:19:55 > 0:19:57A few miles along the coast in Watchet,
0:19:57 > 0:20:01the harbour here was once a bit of a smugglers' haunt.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03What did I say? Ha!
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- Shop! Ah. - Nice to meet you again.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07- It's Simon isn't it? - That's right, yes.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- How are you?- Very good thank you. - Yeah, aren't we all?
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Interested in anything maritime?
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Car badges.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Oh, well...- Aren't they fun!
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Look, Wimbledon Speedway - Dons you see.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Middlesex County Automobile Club - that's rather splendid.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Look at that wonderful old car, that's an Edwardian car.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- Where did you find those? - Screwed to a wall of a garage.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32They're a bargain, they're £65.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37£65? There's only five of them. I should want 65 of them for 65 quid.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38Cheeky monkey.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- They're quite collectible. - Well, they've got age!
0:20:40 > 0:20:43In fact, they never stay here very long.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- How long have you had these? - I got them on Monday.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48I'm all for taking a gamble, you know me.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- That's what it's about. That's what it's about.- Life is a gamble.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Yeah, if it was all certainty, we wouldn't bother getting up, would we?
0:20:54 > 0:20:57I suppose we wouldn't!
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Let alone come to work! - Crikey. Deep thinkers around here.
0:21:00 > 0:21:0365 quid.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Crumbs, Bunter.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Anything else catch his eye?
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Good grief, Simon, an elephant chair.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11Yeah, it's free today.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16- Free?- If you can pick it up with one hand, or two hands above your head.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Gosh, that's some heffalump, right down to the wooden tusks.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22I can't even get it off the ground, let alone above my head!
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Like the sword in the stone... - Hello, sir, how are you?
0:21:25 > 0:21:28I bet he didn't expect to see that in the window!
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- Pass him a truss. - Well, you'll 50% discount on it.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35You put a lot of effort into that.
0:21:35 > 0:21:3950% of 175, £87.50.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- How far is Froome? - It's a long way to carry it.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45He's got the cash, almost £200 left.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Where was it made, any ideas?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51I would say Africa. It's got very big ears.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Car badges, elephant. I'm going to keep looking round.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- OK.- There's definitely a chance with one of those two.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Meanwhile, back in Minehead, what's James up to?
0:22:03 > 0:22:05This is rather splendid.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07So we've got a...silver-plated here, turn it round...
0:22:09 > 0:22:13On the back here, we've got James Dixon and Sons.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18Big, big makers, Birmingham, Sheffield, making sort of table wares, cutlery.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21This is a bread board.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25A rather smart bread board in a silver plated dish.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Bread boards are made from sycamore,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31and sycamore wood has anti-bacterial properties.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Do you know, he's right! The name derives from the ancient Greek meaning
0:22:35 > 0:22:37fig mulberry.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Nice weight. Probably given on the occasion of a wedding or something,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46and this has lain in somebody's sideboard and never been used.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48There isn't a single cut mark on it.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Probably just before the Second World War or just after,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54so it's got some age. It's at least 60 years old.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58What a nice wide collar, perfect for a wedding inscription.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00It's got £18 on it.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- Let's see how much we can get this for.- Time to talk to the shopkeeper.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Derek. I have found an item I like.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Something of weight and merit.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Every antique shop is full of the unwanted gift, isn't it?
0:23:13 > 0:23:15I'm afraid you're right, yes.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- It's lovely, isn't it? And such a bargain!- Don't go that far!
0:23:18 > 0:23:21What can you do with this mighty bread board?
0:23:21 > 0:23:24I think as it's you, James, we can do it for £10.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- Good job - mind-reader! Give me your hand.- Chop-chop.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- There's a tenner, very kind. - Thank you very much.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34So, with James having made one modest purchase...
0:23:37 > 0:23:39..is Charlie any closer in Watchet, we wonder?
0:23:39 > 0:23:43There's the car badges of course, and don't forget the heffalump.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Oh, no...
0:23:46 > 0:23:49There's a bit of the moulding missing.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54This is a mirror that is Edwardian that purports to be Georgian.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57It's not in the best of condition.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59You'd have to buy it for next to nothing, really.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04Well, ticket price is £45, let's see what Simon says, poor chap.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06There is an old mirror - it's not that old,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Edwardian mirror on the floor over there, is that yours?
0:24:09 > 0:24:12No... I was going to offer you a tenner for it, but it's not much good.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14How much is on it?
0:24:14 > 0:24:18- 45 quid.- Oh...- It's all bashed and there's a bit off it.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22- And it's knackered round the bottom. - It sounds like its owner!
0:24:22 > 0:24:25HE LAUGHS
0:24:25 > 0:24:29So, while Simon calls the mirror man, Charlie takes another peek.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32It's your lucky day, £10, it's yours.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- Ha! Really?- Yeah, you've caught him in a very generous mood.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- Did he get cross?- No.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Not exactly spend, spend, spend today, is it?
0:24:41 > 0:24:45What's the best on the old elephant seat?
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- 80.- 80? - Yeah.- Not much per ounce, is it?
0:24:48 > 0:24:50No!
0:24:50 > 0:24:54- And your car badges? - £50 for those...
0:24:54 > 0:24:58And I will throw in some cleaner.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01You're all heart, you are. It's carpet cleaner!
0:25:01 > 0:25:03It's multipurpose.
0:25:03 > 0:25:09I will buy your car badges, on condition that you take the cleaner back.
0:25:09 > 0:25:15- Thank you.- So, dead droll, £60 spent in total for mirror and badges.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Nearly forgot them.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Braxton.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Ha-ha! So, oblivious to his friend's final purchases,
0:25:28 > 0:25:33James has now left the coast and is gearing up for his last push.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39I need to find an item I can buy cheaply, and sell for a lot of money.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Well, it's not exactly a novel approach, is it?
0:25:41 > 0:25:44We've been at this lark for years.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47The great thing about Somerset is it's a big agricultural county.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50We've got cider, we've got cheese, we've got lots of dairy.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55Well, Dulverton is near the Devon border, so all the above may apply.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59There may be milking stools, another cheese press perhaps,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02but will he find it at Acorn Antiques?
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- Hello, James.- Hello, there. - This is very cosy, isn't it?
0:26:06 > 0:26:09- What a lovely cushion.- We like cosy.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Oh...
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- Very good.- Listen to that, you might not get up again.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Never mind, the shop's contents will get him going.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22- Get ahead, eh?- You wouldn't want him leaping at you.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Lovely weight. Crisp casting and crisp finishing.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Don't forget, he's still got almost £190 left to spend.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32This is quite nice. What've we got? £75 on it.
0:26:32 > 0:26:38It's got a nice ebonised stand, nicely gilded brass, a bit of wear.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Often these were made of plaster and then they're papered over,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46as the countries changed ownership or borders they might reissue new
0:26:46 > 0:26:50papers, so you would buy new papers for a ten inch globe and you'd just
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- stick them over. - Judging by a few of those names, it could be pre-war but which war?
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- It's a possibility. - Warmed up now.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Here's a big lump of brass.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Ooh. Well, that's passed the Braxton weight test.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Quite. Probably dairy as well.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I like this, we've got a copper band here and a copper band at the base.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Very unusual, isn't it?
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Nice shape. Nice shouldered body.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16I'm going to ask Peter. I haven't a clue about that.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Peter, can you illuminate me, what is this mighty beast?
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- I think it's a milk churn. - Would it be zinc coated inside?
0:27:24 > 0:27:26It does look as though it might be a bit zinced.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- It's not English, is it?- French.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31You'd have to be a big heavy farmer to lift that,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34wouldn't you, eh?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I'm quite interested in that, what have you got on it, Peter?
0:27:37 > 0:27:41- 85.- 85. I get terribly enthusiastic about big things like this.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45But the only problem is to find another enthusiast.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- Let alone two of them. - I like the globe as well. They're beautiful objects, aren't they?
0:27:49 > 0:27:53- Yes, lovely. - They add tone to the home.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56If I said to you, Peter, £100 for the two?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- OK.- Thank you very much indeed, Peter.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Really kind. Thank you.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04So a nice round figure seals the deal.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Off we hop.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Looks rather pleased with himself, doesn't he? Quite right.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Meanwhile, Charlie's about to get his feet wet down by the sea at
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Porlock Bay, where he's come to get close
0:28:21 > 0:28:23to a local delicacy and Roger Hall.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29- Charlie. Welcome to Porlock. - Thank you very much. As I arrived, the sun came out.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31- Can't beat that.- Absolutely,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34just getting the wellies on to harvest those oysters.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- That's right. - Roger belongs to a group of volunteers who recently revived
0:28:38 > 0:28:42oyster farming at Porlock after a gap of over a century.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Here's an example of an oyster shell.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47We buy them in where they're seed oysters,
0:28:47 > 0:28:51- about the size of your little finger now...- Right.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55and the oysters that we grow here take about three years to get to restaurant size.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Some say the bigger the oyster the better the taste.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01And some say, no, you want the really sweet small ones.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- What's the answer?- I think the answer is probably neither of those.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- Ah!- I think it depends on the water in which they're grown,
0:29:07 > 0:29:11because a little oyster like that will get through five litres of sea
0:29:11 > 0:29:15water a day. So its flavour is going to be determined by the flavour of
0:29:15 > 0:29:18the sea water. A river estuary would be a completely different taste to
0:29:18 > 0:29:21open water in the Bristol Channel.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23So when did the history of oysters start here?
0:29:23 > 0:29:25Originally it was back in the 1800s,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28because there is a huge tidal flow here,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32so the harbours are dry and empty for half the day,
0:29:32 > 0:29:34and then they fill up with water.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Porlock's highly nutritious produce was soon in great demand.
0:29:37 > 0:29:43We are told that, by the 1850s, they were pulling out 1,200 oysters a day.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Then in 1874, a railway line was opened up in Minehead,
0:29:47 > 0:29:49which gave direct access to London.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53Oysters pulled out of the water a few feet from where we are standing...
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- Yeah.- ..were on London restaurant tables the same day.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01Unfortunately, smacks from the east coast ports soon arrived,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04and began dredging, so that by the turn of the century,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07the oyster beds around here had been exhausted.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09But now, they're back!
0:30:09 > 0:30:11This whole area here is called Oyster Perch,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14and as you look around, you will see stone walls,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16which we believe, in medieval times,
0:30:16 > 0:30:18were a bit higher, and these were used as fish pens.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22When they started harvesting oysters in the 1800s,
0:30:22 > 0:30:24they would bring them in and hold them here before they sent them on
0:30:24 > 0:30:28- to market.- Right.- So it's rather nice that we're building on the old
0:30:28 > 0:30:30heritage. So, in a sack like this,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33you'd have about 5,000 to 10,000 little baby sea oysters.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35What?!
0:30:35 > 0:30:38And then, as they grow, you split one bag into two bags into four
0:30:38 > 0:30:40bags, until you get to restaurant size,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43when there would be about 250 oysters in a bag.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47- Gosh!- These trestles are capable of holding about 80,000 restaurant size
0:30:47 > 0:30:51- oysters.- 80,000 oysters! Marvellous. That would keep me going for the rest of my life.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54And we've actually got three quarters of a million oysters in the
0:30:54 > 0:30:58- pipeline.- Well, in that case, there might be a one or two spare.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00The art of extracting them is called shucking.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Look at this, I've got to shuck around the edge here.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Here I go, I'm shucking.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Oh! Look at the size of the oyster!
0:31:09 > 0:31:13This is as fresh as it gets!
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Here we go.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23- Oh, my goodness me! - Is it good?- I think it is!
0:31:23 > 0:31:26What's more, I think James might feel much the same way.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Hello, hello, on cue.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Well, their shopping's done, so why not?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- The gourmand emerges. - Mr Braxton.- Ah, look at this.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37Have I a treat for you!
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- What are you bearing? - Fruits of the sea.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- Fruits de mer. - Shucks, they do look nice.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- Have you ever shucked?- Yeah, once.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47- Have you...?- Lost a finger!
0:31:47 > 0:31:50There's six in one dish, and seven in the other.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52- OK.- I'd like to give you the seven.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Charlie, I prefer my oysters with shalotts, lemon, and Tabasco.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Do you know? I read your mind.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00- HE CLICKS FINGERS - Not a problem.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02- Who's this angel?! - THEY LAUGH
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Thank you. Marvellous.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- Madam, un autre? - No, not un autre, you're driving.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10- Cheers.- Ah, well, clear head for the auction, eh, James?
0:32:10 > 0:32:13I think it's the best road trip I've ever had.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Oh, come away with you!
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- Come on, we've got to get going, Charlie.- One more sip.- No.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21As I'm not drinking, no more sipping.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24CHARLIE LAUGHS
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Off for some shut eye.
0:32:28 > 0:32:34Morning. This is Cheap Street, one of medieval Frome's prettiest byways.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Leads straight to the saleroom, by the way.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Hello, here's our pair of pilgrims.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42What time does the auction start?
0:32:42 > 0:32:44That's oyster power for you!
0:32:44 > 0:32:47After stopping their tour back in Glastonbury,
0:32:47 > 0:32:51Charlie and James' Somerset stretch concludes at Frome,
0:32:51 > 0:32:55where there's been an auctioneer's in Vicarage Street since 1868.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59Welcome to the Gothic surrounds of Dore & Rees.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Charlie, come and look at this. Look... Admire the hog.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- It's not one of your lots, is it? - No.- I bet you wish...
0:33:05 > 0:33:09I would have bought that. If I had seen and that, I would have bought it.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14- One more bid.- James parted with £215 for his five auction lots...
0:33:16 > 0:33:18Well, that's passed the Braxton weight test.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22while Charlie spent a little bit less, £190, on his five lots.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26I'm getting quite excited.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29So, how did they rate each other's purchases?
0:33:29 > 0:33:33- Any pearls?- Charlie reliably informs me that this is a cart jack.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36It's a novel item, it's totally intact.
0:33:36 > 0:33:37This is heavy. For under £30...
0:33:38 > 0:33:41..I think it's another bargain to Charlie Ross.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46I see before me... a very tatty globe.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48But actually, I rather like it.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52I think looking at the brass work and the base, this has got some age,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55and I think he might do all right.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57Now, we all know there is no such thing as poor copper.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01Copper is good, and it's the most lovely colour, the most lovely feel,
0:34:01 > 0:34:04and a lovely weight to it.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06And I understand Charlie bought that for absolutely nothing,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10and he paid even less for this bath brick.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13This is a charming bird cage.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15If it were cleaned up, it would look absolutely magnificent,
0:34:15 > 0:34:19because under all this grime is brass.
0:34:19 > 0:34:20It's a shame it hasn't got a door.
0:34:20 > 0:34:26Do you think all the potential profit will fly out of the cage?
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Fly by night, more like.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30I wonder what the guy in charge thinks,
0:34:30 > 0:34:31as in auctioneer Guy Taylor.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33I personally like the silver candlesticks.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35I just think they are a very elegant shape.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39I always like them with the oval bases, and I think they will do well.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Brass churn's a really nice thing. Like the copper banding to it.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46The fact that it's still got the lid with it makes it a very desirable item.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Really like the brick made with Bridgwater mud.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51One of those things, got no idea what it will make.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53It will either crash and burn, or two people will love it,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56and it will go on and do well.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Almost ready. Time for bums on seats.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- I've got a...- What?- .. feeling this is going to be hard work.
0:35:02 > 0:35:03- You've got a twinge?- I have.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07Gentlemen of your age often have twinges.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10Very true. I'm not sure anyone can predict, though,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12how his copper skimmer and bath brick will fare.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- 12 I'm bid.- Oh, 12, well done.
0:35:15 > 0:35:1714, I have a bid.
0:35:17 > 0:35:1916, 18.
0:35:19 > 0:35:20- 18!- 20 now?
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- This is riches indeed! - £18?
0:35:23 > 0:35:25All done at £18.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30- Well done, Charlie.- Lunch is on me. Lunch is on you, excellent!
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Lots of nice places in Frome, of course.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Well, my main course is going to be £18, my starter will be £9...
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Perhaps they can go Dutch! James' altar rail is next.
0:35:41 > 0:35:4420 I'm bid here, 22 now, if you want it in the room.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Go on. Go on, money.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49It's going to be sold on its maiden bid at the desk at £20...
0:35:49 > 0:35:5122 I have.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- 24. 26 now.- Oh!- Oh.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56It's going to be sold at £24 on the desk.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Selling at £24...
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Blessed are these losses...
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Because they will make the meek stronger.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Good to see him taking it so well.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Not everybody's cup of tea, I know I'm a bit of a rail freak.
0:36:10 > 0:36:15Charlie's cart jack is also a teensy-weensy bit niche.
0:36:15 > 0:36:1912, I have. 14, 16, 18.
0:36:19 > 0:36:2420. 22. 24. 26 now?
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- 26, your...- It cost 24!
0:36:26 > 0:36:27All done at 24?
0:36:29 > 0:36:31Right result!
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- That's a right result. - Yeah, quite a relief, too.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36The energy in the room is palpable.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39It is. It's electric, isn't it?
0:36:39 > 0:36:42- It is electric.- Anticipation. Have you seen people run through the door?
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Has the bird cage come up yet?
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Enough scoffing! James' open-plan bird cage next.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51£10 I'm bid on the desk now.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- Pieces of eight, pieces of eight. - 12 I have. 14 now?
0:36:55 > 0:36:57- 14.- Here it goes.
0:36:57 > 0:36:5816? 16.
0:36:58 > 0:37:0018... 20...
0:37:00 > 0:37:0318, oh, we're going along, aren't we?
0:37:03 > 0:37:0522? All done at 20?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Oh, no!
0:37:07 > 0:37:09More muck than brass.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12- What can we do? - Easy come, easy go, Charlie.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Absolutely. You've done with your losses, now my turn.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20Yes, it's Charlie's biggest buy, the silver candlesticks.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23- Tell me what you think they'll make. - I think they'll hover.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27£80.
0:37:27 > 0:37:2965.
0:37:29 > 0:37:3255 here on the desk.
0:37:32 > 0:37:3460 now if you want them in the room.
0:37:34 > 0:37:3760, 65, 70...
0:37:37 > 0:37:4075, 80, 85...
0:37:40 > 0:37:4390, fresh place.
0:37:43 > 0:37:4695, 100, 105, 110...
0:37:49 > 0:37:52115... 120...
0:37:52 > 0:37:55125. 130 now? 130.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57135?
0:37:57 > 0:37:59James!
0:37:59 > 0:38:02- You get the £2. - All right, put it down, now!
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- 155? 160.- You're right!- 165.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- That's very good, Charlie.- 170 now?
0:38:07 > 0:38:10The bid is with me on the desk at £165.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Are we all done? At 165...
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- Well done.- £165!
0:38:17 > 0:38:20It looks as if it might be his day today.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- He's careering ahead. - I feel a tear coming on!
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Might James' globe turn the tide, we wonder?
0:38:28 > 0:38:31If you have a globe in your house, people are going to think, oh,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34- we are in the presence of brains here.- Yes.
0:38:34 > 0:38:3735 on the way on that one.
0:38:37 > 0:38:38- Well done!- 40 now if you want it.
0:38:38 > 0:38:4140 on a hand.
0:38:41 > 0:38:4245, 50...
0:38:42 > 0:38:44- 55, 60...- Come on!
0:38:44 > 0:38:4765, 70...
0:38:47 > 0:38:4875, 80...
0:38:48 > 0:38:5185, 90...
0:38:51 > 0:38:53- 95.- Yes, Braxton!- 100...
0:38:53 > 0:38:56105, I have.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01- 110. 115.- This is fantastic.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04120 now? The bid is with me on the desk at £115.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06- 115!- 115...
0:39:06 > 0:39:09All done at 115?
0:39:09 > 0:39:11- I wasn't expecting that! - That is a thumper.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Yes, he's right back on track now.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16There's no middle ground with Braxton, is there?
0:39:16 > 0:39:18- No. It's a mixed bag.- Mm.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21As are Charlie's car badges. Could be interesting, these.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Do you ever instantly regret a purchase?
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Ten on the way here. 12 now if you want them.
0:39:28 > 0:39:3012, I have. 14 now?
0:39:31 > 0:39:3314, 16...
0:39:33 > 0:39:35- 18.- Stop!
0:39:35 > 0:39:3620, 22 now?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Bid's in the far corner at £20.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- Put it down, sir.- All done at 20?
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Oh, no.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46- Oh, no!- Like the man said, mixed bag.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51I don't like taking any pleasure in a friend's losses.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54- 50!- But In this particular instance...
0:39:56 > 0:39:59James could catch up further with his brass churn.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- We're in Somerset. Cider!- Scrumpy!
0:40:02 > 0:40:04- Get a few pints in that one! - Couple of gallons!
0:40:04 > 0:40:08- SOUTH WEST ACCENT:- That would make you quite relaxed, wouldn't it?
0:40:08 > 0:40:10It would make me all squiffy!
0:40:10 > 0:40:12That would make you forget your thumping losses.
0:40:12 > 0:40:1535 on the way on that one.
0:40:15 > 0:40:1840 now, if you want it. 40 I have. 45?
0:40:18 > 0:40:20- You've got a bid of 40! - 50, fresh place.
0:40:20 > 0:40:2255, 60...
0:40:22 > 0:40:2565, 70...
0:40:25 > 0:40:28- Braxton!- 75, 80, 85...
0:40:28 > 0:40:3190 now?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33The bid is with me on the desk at £85.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36- £85!- Are we all done at 85?
0:40:37 > 0:40:39- James Braxton!- That's better.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44Well, he did predict that agricultural would do well in Frome.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47I'm very pleased with that. 85, I'm back in the room now.
0:40:47 > 0:40:48You are, you are right there.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Time for Charlie's tatty old mirror now.
0:40:51 > 0:40:5510 I'm bid on the desk. 12 now, if you want it, in the room.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57The bid is with me at £10.
0:40:57 > 0:41:0012 if you want it in the room.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- What?- It's going to be sold at £10 on its maiden bid.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05- Oh, no!- All done at £10?
0:41:05 > 0:41:0712, I'm bid.
0:41:07 > 0:41:0914? 16 now?
0:41:09 > 0:41:12The bid is with me at £14.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14All done at 14?
0:41:14 > 0:41:16- That's a profit! - That's a profit!- See?
0:41:16 > 0:41:18With age comes wisdom.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20Yeah. Not always.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22So much for his twinges.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25HE SNEEZES
0:41:25 > 0:41:26Excuse me.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- That answers... - That's how Black Death was spread.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Actually, I think that was rats.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Better stick with sycamore, like James' breadboard.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Do you know? I only buy antibacterial items.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42It's got to be either sycamore or copper,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45that's all I'm interested in.
0:41:45 > 0:41:4710 on the way on that one.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48- 12 now if you want it. - Go on!
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Well done, madam. Well done, madam.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Steady. It's 14!
0:41:54 > 0:41:5616? 18 now?
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Lovely, unused. - The bid is in the room at £16.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02All done at 16?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Do you think I've gone into uncharted territory?
0:42:05 > 0:42:07- 300?- I don't know. I think you're right on the cusp.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09- On the boundary.- On the cusp.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13I'm not giving it away just yet, but they remain neck and neck.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15- Follow me.- Follow me.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19You heard the man. Still barely a sheet of Bronco between them.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24James started out with £299.52.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28And after auction costs, he made a loss of £1.80.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32So he now has £297.72.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39While Charlie, who began with £328 exactly,
0:42:39 > 0:42:43made, after costs, a profit of £7.62,
0:42:43 > 0:42:48so he's still our leader with £335.62.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- Oh!- Pffft!- Well done, well done. - That was...- Was that very close?
0:42:53 > 0:42:55..a very close run thing.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58I think I may have just sneaked ahead half a smidgen.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02Half a smidgen, well done.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05Next on the Antiques Road Trip, slugs.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08- Well, snails...- Escargot won the Grand National once.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10- That's quite an achievement for a snail.- For a snail!
0:43:10 > 0:43:12Puppy dog tails...
0:43:12 > 0:43:14Never underestimate the power of cute.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18- Other nursery rhymes are available. - Oh, yes, there's the pig!
0:43:18 > 0:43:21# Stole a pig and away he run! #
0:43:21 > 0:43:24We'll find out exactly what these boys are made of.