Episode 11 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antiques experts,

-with £200 each...

-I love that.

..a classic car and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

-Yippee!

-Have I just done a terrible thing?

The aim to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Am I going to flip a coin?

So will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

I can't believe it, we're rubbish!

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

On this road trip,

we have the scintillating Catherine Southon

and David Harper. They have £200 to spend

and a seat in this 1983 Mini convertible.

-Oh...hello!

-Ha-hey!

-Well, I've got to say, Catherine, this is my dream come true.

-Really?!

-Yes!

-I'd like to say it was mine, but it's not!

-Oh, thank you very much(!)

-No, no, I didn't mean you!

Ah, Catherine has taken against the chosen mode of transport.

But the brown, I mean, look brown carpet, brown, brown!

I'm hoping something might happen to it, and then we might change it.

Oh, you are awful!

By the end of the trip, you'll be loving this car

and wanting to take it home, that's my prediction.

But don't be fooled by the banter these guys mean business!

# Get ready, cos here I come

# I'm on my way... #

David Harper is an antique expert

whose many years of experience have left him full of wisdom.

A good bit of advice

is you should never really listen to your own advice.

Catherine Southon is a maritime expert and auctioneer,

with an old-fashioned approach to communication.

David, you have not got

a chance.

This trip starts in Eccleston in Lancashire

and makes a 350-mile journey through Wales and the Forest of Dean

to Seaton on England's south coast.

Catherine and David begin in Eccleston,

heading for the first auction of the week in Liverpool.

-I'm very positive!

-Well, I'm very excited.

I'm positive and excited, too.

The first stop of this trip is in Eccleston.

David and Catherine are both starting in the same shop,

the labyrinthine collection of corridors and collectables

that is Bygone Times.

This looks interesting!

There's a lot of ground to cover here, David.

-I'll see you later, good luck!

-Good luck!

And for David, opportunity knocks.

You see, bizarrely, I'm drawn to that.

Now, I know it's probably no more than ten years old,

but it's got that design look that really works.

-Touch wood.

-In fact, it's not wood...actually.

It's a resin... It should be cheaper.

David has met owner Glen and is on the verge

of capturing a corner of the fake-wood resin market.

She's Romanesque, Greekesque, she's classical.

-She's fibreglass.

-She's very special.

And she's certainly not cheap.

-I did want 250 for her.

-Ouch!

-Hmm.

Ouch...

80?

No, sorry, no, not 80.

100, and that really is...end of.

Half the budget on your first item? Be careful...

It's got to be 100.

-I'm going to have 100.

-£100.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-OK.

-Absolute...delight.

Steady! That's David on his way,

and it looks like Catherine has found an actual antique.

Georgian writing slope.

It looks like it's oak.

So we would have had...probably little glass inkwells on the top.

Open it up...

A drawer below for your pens,

and you would have kept all your stationery in here.

It's fairly reasonably priced, £55. If I could get it for 20...

Be careful how you pick it up or that drawer will oh! fall out.

Oops!

David's found another item, ticket price £38.50.

It takes you back to a time of glamour,

and at the same time as wearing your smoking jacket,

I've got one, you would wear...your smoking cap.

Now, that, I'm sure you'll agree, looks absolutely fantastic,

particularly on me.

Mmm, modesty becomes you.

This cap is also being sold by our new friend Glen.

-Now, what do you think about this?

-It's beautiful.

Datewise, what... take a guess, what do you think?

Oh, I don't know, 1920s, maybe earlier.

I think exactly that. What's the best trade for me?

22?

20?

-20 for you.

-Marvellous.

-OK.

-Thank you very much indeed.

Excuse me, sir...

Catherine has finally found the owner of the writing slope

and is trying to get the £55 asking price down.

-I really wouldn't want to go above 20.

-Way down!

-HE CHUCKLES

-20!

-Don't be shocked!

Go to 30?

If you do 22, you've got a deal.

-22.

-22.

-OK.

-Have you got some change?

-Erm...I haven't at the moment, no.

-Oh, we can call it 20, then, if you want.

-For your cheek?

-What?!

No, well, I just thought, if you haven't got change of 20...

-We'll do 20.

-Oh... Loving this!

-Love it.

-Loving this, wonderful!

-No problem.

It took her a while to get warmed up, but now she's hot for the task.

Amazing. I do like a bit of kitchenalia.

A little kitchenette.

Can you imagine having one of these?

I'm just imagining...

No, not getting anything.

Anyway, do carry on!

With these Bakelite handles, it's just wonderful.

£160 they want for this. They'll probably sell it, as well.

I feel like the hostess with the mostess! How lovely!

Right, I'm going to go and find the owner.

And this is what it's all about,

the chance to look someone in the eye and drive a hard bargain.

-Hello!

-I've got Heather on the phone.

It's her item you're interested in if you want to speak...

Oh, it's Heather, Heather, right. Hello, Heather.

She's hoping to get it for half the asking price of £160.

OK, so you'd be happy for £80?

Thank you, Heather, thank you very much. Thank you, bye-bye!

I've just spent £80 on a kitchen cupboard.

Yes, you have, and the dial-a-deal is done,

Catherine is worried that she hasn't made enough progress, though.

Page turner.

Now, this is what you call pokerwork, decorative woodwork

that was done in the Victorian era, and this one's dated 1895.

These little patterns were actually decorated with hot pokers.

How much is on this? £18.

I'm rather tempted at that.

Catherine is on the phone again,

trying to strike a deal with the owner.

Hello, Andrew!

So, erm...we're happy on £10, yeah?

Thank you very much, bye-bye.

That crisp tenner takes Catherine's spending up to £110.

-Splendid work!

-Lovely!

-Thank you.

Doing well here today, aren't I?

Thank you very much indeed, thank you.

While Catherine has been busy shopping,

David has driven the 32 miles north from Eccleston to Blackpool.

You have to love this man's boyish enthusiasm.

Oh, my gosh, there it is.

There's the big Blackpool Tower.

Like it!

MUSIC: "With My Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock" by George Formby

# Every year when summer comes round

# Off to the sea I go

# I don't care if I do spend a pound... #

In Victorian times,

workers with new-found leisure time and money in their pockets

would flock to Blackpool for their annual holiday.

David has come to find out

about one of the ways they spent their hard-earned cash.

Oh, yes, here we are, Victorian Old Penny Arcade.

-Are you Martin?

-Hello there, David, yeah, nice to meet you.

My gosh, I'm loving that outfit, that is fantastic.

I'm running a period arcade, I like to dress the part.

It creates the atmosphere.

Would you like to wear this bowler hat to bring you into character?

I would love to wear the bowler hat.

What's it all about? It's fascinating.

Yeah, what I'm trying to recreate is just a brief period of history.

The first coin-operated arcade machine dates from 1882,

and arcades dedicated to them started appearing around that time.

Not everyone welcomed these developments,

and some of these amusements were seen as downright scandalous.

I'd like to introduce you to our oldest machine.

1897, a Mutoscope.

-This one?

-Mutoscope.

-Oh, interesting, What The Butler...

I thought it was always What the Butler Did See.

Yes, a variation on a theme.

-One handle and you should be away, the penny should drop.

-Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I've got a bit of film.

-Yeah, there's a few...

-Oh, hello!

-This is What The Butler DIDN'T See.

-Mmm.

-I wouldn't mind seeing what he DID see.

-Exactly.

-Wow!

Actually, that is...in all seriousness, incredibly clever.

In 1897, that would have been absolutely...shocking.

If you saw a lady's ankle, you had to go and see the doctor.

Yeah, exactly, yeah.

He'd send you to bed with some quiet pills for a few days.

It's Martin Brown's job to keep these ageing machines working.

There are over 200 of them,

claimed to be the largest collection in the world.

They were so popular, because they were things of beauty.

-What's all this about?

-A nice little bit of fun,

two firemen race up the ladder, see which is the fittest.

-Brilliant, brilliant! I'm up for that!

-Drop your coin.

-Ready?

-Yeah.

-Go!

-Yes!

-Oh, there you go!

-Marvellous, that was brilliant!

-MARTIN CHUCKLES

-I love that.

Oh, yes! Yes!

Look at that!

Most people that come in are absolutely amazed,

and they always thank me and smile,

some even hug me, and some of the women kiss me

-and say, "Oh, you've brought back so many memories."

-Isn't that lovely?

"Thank you so much." That's what makes the job worthwhile.

-That's fantastic, and you've made my day, genuinely.

-Good.

Before he leaves, there's one machine that David can't resist.

-The fortune-teller.

-She's a good fortune-teller?

-Oh, the best!

-Really?

-Without a doubt.

But what can she tell David about his chances on Road Trip success?

Smoothing her face there.

-Oh, OK.

-Yes, well...

"You are not easily misled and are shrewd to deal with.

-"You're apt to be too secretive about little things."

-Ah...

That's actually very interesting.

Shrewd and secretive, eh? A Road Trip natural, then.

-Cheers, Martin.

-Bye.

-Bye.

While David has fun in Blackpool,

Catherine is making her own way to the next shop.

This isn't much of a road trip, I'm doing most of this on foot.

Well, it is only across the road, love.

Now, that's nice.

Victorian...chimneypiece.

You could put this in your garden.

You could have all your plants flowing out of the top.

You could have them coming out of these vents.

Antico is a different type of shop to the one opposite...

Catherine's found owner Darren to chat to about the chimney pot.

It's got quite a lot going for it, actually, hasn't it? It's a nice one.

Yes, it is, yeah.

Apart from the chip.

Quite a big chip, actually.

-Yeah, well, that's expected on something that age.

-Right.

-How much is on it?

-£60.

I'd need to do a bit less than that.

55, then.

£50?

-It's got to be 55.

-Come on, 50.

-No, it's...

-What's five between friends?

They've reached a stalemate,

so Catherine tries an unconventional approach.

45?

But that's less than her last offer.

You've just offered me 50!

-Go on, I'll sell you it for £50.

-£50?

Deal.

-Thanks a lot!

-Bye!

-Wish me luck!

-I will.

If I ever get there it's a long walk to Liverpool.

Where's that David Harper with the car when you really need him?

Catherine has found David and our duo are back together

and intent on making mischief, as usual.

They're leaving Blackpool now and heading south to Liverpool,

a city about which our pair

obviously have a deep cultural understanding.

-Did you ever used to watch The Liver Birds?

-Yes, I did.

SHE LA-LA'S THEME SONG

MUSIC: "THE LIVER BIRDS" TV SHOW THEME SONG

-That's what Liverpool's all about.

-It really is.

-Well, and The Beatles.

Oh, yeah, The Beatles. You probably should mention them.

David and Catherine head for the Edge Hill area

and Catherine's first shop of the day.

-This could be...

-Oh-ho!

-..very interesting.

-Bye!

-Arrivederci.

-Mwah!

-Ciao!

Catherine is hoping to spend her last £40

in the Tunnel Furniture Company,

but to start with, it all seems a bit much.

Just so much furniture, all piled on top of one another.

I'm exhausted, even looking at this.

Some people love this type of shop,

where you've really got to have a good rummage and look.

I think I like people to just bring me items.

Your wish is shop owner Paul's command.

-What about that one?

-What is it?

-It's a shell.

-Oh, that's pretty!

Oh, I like that. There's a lot of work gone into that, isn't there?

-How old do you think it is?

-1880-1890.

-Do you really think so?

-Yep.

-Oh, I like that. How much do you want for it?

I'll take £40 for that one.

-I'd be interested, at 20.

-Couldn't do it for 20.

-Why couldn't you?

Cos it cost more than that.

What about 25, then?

-I'll take 25 for it.

-Right.

Let me think on that.

Can you hold that for me? I do like that.

To be continued.

They're quite interesting. Ah.

Oh, OK, we've got some framed...prints here

of the America's Cup winners.

The very famous yacht race.

So, what are there? Six.

Six, in total. £90 for them.

That seems an awful lot of money, to me.

Be nice if you could get these remounted and reframed, but really,

I'd only want to spend about £20 on them. He's not going to go...

Is that a fly?

CLATTERING

Ooh, gosh.

Oh, no, I've lost my bracelet!

Oh, no. I was getting so excited about those prints,

my bracelet's come off!

Better find it quick, before somebody buys it.

Paul!

Why did it..? Where did it go?

I wonder if that's round the other side?

No chance of ever finding that again!

I really liked that bracelet.

God... Filthy.

I'm heartbroken.

Then it just...

Oh, there it is!

Golf club.

Let's use this.

I think I'd have gone for a nine iron.

Yay! Success!

We have...the bracelet.

And I am...filthy.

That is disgusting.

Right...

Now, where are we? Catherine loves the shell

and quite likes the prints. Is there a deal to be done?

£20 for those and £20 for the shell.

-That's £40.

-Yeah, that's OK.

-Is that all right?

-Yep. Fine.

That's Catherine's shopping all done and £200 spent.

-Bye!

-Thanks for your time. Bye-bye.

Across town, David is trying

a risky strategy.

He's taking his remaining £80 to the chic and upmarket Holt's Arcade.

He's hoping shop owner

Wayne Colquhoun can help him find a bargain.

-How are you?

-Very nice to see you.

I'll have a little look around...

OK, I can safely say

this is the first time I've ever handled a Jaeger barometer.

Erm...now because of the brand,

you know it's quality.

Is it £30?

That's £65.

-Would you let me have it at 35?

-Call it £40 and it's yours.

£40. Done. Thank you very much. OK.

Next, Wayne shows David something not to be sniffed at.

Is this how you go..? Is that what you do, Wayne?

-That's what you do.

-There you go.

-Are they new, then?

-I made them.

-You didn't?!

-Yeah.

-There's me little signature on.

-Wow!

People love them, cos they finally find a place for your glasses.

And it's a bit of art.

But is it worth the £15 asking price?

Who NOSE?!

Let's see what else we can do.

Nice and cheap and chancy.

-Cigars?

-Cigar cutter... with a hunting theme.

-Oh.

Now, that is very interesting,

because it falls into a couple of camps, doesn't it?

The cigar smoker or cheroot... That spring isn't working very well.

But I think, more importantly, it falls into this camp -

-the shooter, the fisher, the...

-It's another camp, as well -

people who like animals, and dogs.

That's three camps...and counting. It's like a Scout jamboree in here.

-Is that 15 quid?

-It's not £15.

-It's got a broken spring.

-So, it's not 15? Are you trying to tell me it's not £15?

-£40.

-Oh. 20, then?

-It's got to be £40.

-I can't, it's impossible.

I tell you what I could do. £40 and I'll throw in

the Salvador Dali-esque glasses holder.

Do it for 30, including your Dali-esque thingummyjig mabobbers.

That leaves me with a tenner to go and buy one more object.

-Done.

-Good man. Thank you very much, indeed.

David continues his nosy around Liverpool.

Will he be able to spend his last tenner here?

Hmm.

Is there anything here that David can afford?

-This is a teapot stand.

-Yes.

-That's painted in Mandarin palette.

It has been sitting there for a while.

-It was made around 1770, 1780.

-Absolutely.

-It's been in two.

If it was in perfect condition,

-it would sell for about 200 quid these days.

-Yeah.

The palette is gorgeous. You've almost got the Japanese Imari palette colours in there,

with the oranges. You're right, it's definitely Chinese.

That is absolutely, totally and utterly delicious.

Apart from the huge, big crack.

I love it, Trevor, it's beautiful. It's right up my street.

If you can't actually make a profit in auction, I'd be totally shocked.

OK, it's exactly why I'm in this business, Trevor.

If you'll take my £10 note for that, I'd be delighted to give it to you.

-I'll be glad to, that is fine.

-Thank you very much, indeed.

Very much, indeed.

-I have had a lovely time, what about you? LIVERPOOL ACCENT:

-It's been great.

So, with the shopping all over, here's a quick reminder of how they've splashed the cash.

David Harper has spent every penny of his £200 on six auction lots.

Catherine Southon has also spent every penny of her £200

on six lovely lots.

Yes, of course I have - blown the lot!

Yay!

Now, what do you think of each other's buys?

He had a couple of nice bits, especially the cigar cutter,

but I wouldn't say there was anything outstanding.

The '50s kitchen cabinet

could absolutely bomb and cost her the Earth, bizarrely.

But it could also fly.

David and Catherine are staying in Liverpool to sell their items.

Just popping down the road to Cato Crane and Co, as you do.

Come on then, our lass.

-Our lass.

-Are you ready?

And whoops! David and Catherine have both had breakages.

The good news is, the items are insured and the auctioneers

valuation guarantees a minimum payout of £25 for David's dish

and £80 for Catherine's cupboard. That's a relief.

Right. Let's get down to business -

auctioneer John Cato is wielding the gavel.

-You're up first.

-Yeah.

It's David's cigar cutter, which should appeal to many camps.

-OK, what's it worth? 20 is bid.

-20.

£20 is bid. 25. £30 is bid. 30, 35, 40.

42 with you? I'm going to squeeze you a bit. Any further bids?

Any more? One more.

Come on, sir. I'm working hard for you.

44 is bid. Sold at £44.

So the doggy cigar cutter retrieves a nice little profit.

-Nice, it's a start.

-Not as much as it should have done.

-No.

Next David's eyeglass holder. Will someone have a nose for a bargain?

A fun thing, ladies and gentlemen. What's it worth? £100?

-It must be that.

-CATHERINE SNIGGERS

Come on, give me 20 if you like. £5 is bid. Five, six anywhere?

Gentleman at the back, £6? £6 is bid.

£7 here, eight anywhere else?

Is that the best we can do, £7?

-Eight at the back, thank you.

-Yes!

-Nine again here. Ten at the back.

-Yes.

-12, 13, 14, 15...

Go on!

15 with us.

£16.

The nose began to run there. David's comedy item makes a pretty profit.

-Let's move on to your broken teapot stand.

-Shall we? Shall we?

Yes, the one that's now in three pieces.

-Nevertheless, I need £20 to start it off. £20 is bid.

-Yes!

22, 24...

You know a good restorer, don't you? 24. 26.

£26...

I'm going to sell at £26 now.

All done at 26. Thank you.

That beats the insurance estimate

and David more than doubles his money.

-You are really cooking on gas.

-I'm on a roll.

-You're doing well.

The first of Catherine's items now.

Will the pokerwork page turner turn heads?

£10 is bid. Ten, come on.

I'm selling at £10. Gentleman at the back, £10. 12, 14.

£14 is bid now.

-All done at £14. The best we can do.

-Come on.

-It's being sold. £14.

Let's turn the page on the page turner and move on, eh?

It's not a loss.

-No.

-It's not a loss.

-It would have been nice to make 20 or so.

-I know, I know.

Now will Catherine's seashell sell?

£10. Ten is bid.

Ten, 15, 15 is bid. 20, sir. 20.

22, 24 and I'm selling at £24.

23? 23, sir - you, come on. 23, one more.

23 is bid. 23 is bid.

24, I'll take. Is that the best we can do, 23? 24.

Young lady in the centre, 24. 25.

25 is bid. 26, madam.

-He's trying.

-26, 27?

£26 then, in the centre.

That's OK, you're in profit.

Great! She sells the seashell.

It's £6 profit.

-It's not a great profit, but it's a profit, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Next, Catherine's prints of the America's Cup yachts.

Ideal for a quick sale, I'd say.

We'll start it at £20.

Oh, that's a bargain.

Who's in at 20, thank you. £20. 20, 30.

£30 is bid. 30, is that the best we can do?

-No, come on. They're worth more than that.

-Yes.

40, a new bidder. £45 is bid.

-All done, then, £45.

-Don't let me down.

All done at £45 now.

Well, well, Catherine more than doubles her money here.

The best profit of the day, well done. Catherine, be happy.

-That's profit.

-I am happy at that.

David wants big profits on the Greek goddess.

Is that just naked greed?

I really honestly, do not know which way it's going to go.

It's one of those objects that has a chance to go

-because nobody truly can value it, nobody.

-No.

Give me 30 to start you off. £30.

30 is bid, I've got to have 40.

50. It's got to be this.

60, 70, 80, 90, 100.

And ten, it'll sell.

I could do 105, then.

-I could do 105.

-There's someone else in!

Another gentleman's come in on the bidding. 110 right in front of you.

115. 120. 125.

130. 135, sir.

-£135 is your bid, sir.

-Come on.

£130. Is there any further bid in the room?

£130 and we sell now. All done!

Sold at 130, thank you.

I can't believe that. Well, hats off to you, David.

David looks pleased with that and I think SHE is, secretly.

Now it's time for Catherine's Georgian writing slope.

£20 is bid for it, right away. 25 is bid.

25, 30. 30, 35. It's got to go.

At £35. 40, everybody wants it. £42 is bid.

-Come on.

-All done, £42.

-44, a new bidder.

-Oh!

-Fresh blood.

-Away it goes. £45.

46? £45, then. Selling now at £45. We're all done and finished.

45, sir, thank you very much indeed.

Oh, that's quite nice.

There you go, that's one real antique.

A proper antique and a proper profit. Well done.

Catherine has to start making money if she's going to catch up David.

It's the damaged kitchen cabinet next.

£40. 40, 50. 50, 60.

60, £60 only.

Come on, it's worth a lot more than that.

60? £60 is bid. All done?

That's £20 less than she paid

but the insurance valuation takes it up to 80

so Catherine breaks even.

It's just a shame because I would have loved it to take off.

Now Catherine's chimney has to go through the roof

if she's going to catch David.

20. 20 is bid. 20, 30, thank you.

40? £40 is bid.

-Come on.

-50?

50, 60 is bid now. £60.

Selling at £60. All done and finished?

£60.

There you are, smoke but no fire.

That's OK.

-OK, it's your barometer next.

-My barometer.

Now the pressure is mounting.

£20, somebody? £20 is bid.

20. 25, 30. 30.

£30, is that the best we can do? £30.

-£40.

-0h!

-He's got style.

-A bid of £40.

-Come on!

A bid of 40 there. Any more, anywhere. Anybody?

-Yes.

-42, the lady.

44, sir.

46, it's nice. 46? Where do you get another one?

All you need is a strap for your wrist, it's no problem. 48, sir.

-Good man.

-50.

-Oh!

48 with you, sir. Thank you so much.

£48!

So the barometer slowly rises to an £8 profit.

Gosh, it's like drawing teeth.

And, finally, David needs to sell his hat to keep ahead.

Am I the only person on the planet that sees this thing

as being an object of beauty?

Yeah, I think you are.

Ten is bid. Ten.

12, thank you. 14, 16, 18,

-20. Come on, £21?

-Yes!

-£21.

-Come on.

Are you bidding 22? Are you bidding? 23?

-£22.

-A man of style.

THEY APPLAUD

The smoking cap smoulders slowly to a £2 profit.

I'll have a kiss.

-Oh, well done.

-Thank you.

-Amazing.

-Good start.

So, no huge profits today, but a steady start.

Catherine began with £200.

After auction costs, she has taken that total to £221.40.

David did a little better. After auction costs he turned his £200

into £234.52, making him today's winner.

-I think that was success all round, actually.

-Brilliant.

We both made money, I just pipped you by the skin of my teeth.

We both made... What are you doing, woman?

-Winner drives, winner drives, David, get in.

-Crikey, she's wild, this one.

Right.

-I actually really like this car now.

-I am so pleased.

It's the second leg of our trip in a 1983 bronze Mini,

with Catherine Southon and David Harper.

Now, just to remind ourselves,

our trip started in Eccleston, in Lancashire

and heads south for about 350 miles

through Wales and the West Country

to Seaton on the south coast of England.

But on this leg, we begin at Ruthin, in North Wales,

and head for an auction at Bridgnorth in Shropshire.

-Ruthin, I think.

-Ruthin.

-Ruthin as in "griffin".

-Griffin?

-Griffin.

This is a fine old town, packed with many historic buildings.

-Picture House Antiques!

-Doesn't that look good?

-Yeah!

-Oh, no!

He looks like he's going to give me a big discount.

All right, all right! No need to rush!

Let me get in first.

So far David has £234.52,

and with Maureen as his guide,

he already has his eye on something.

-Royal Crown Derby always makes so much money, doesn't it?

-It does.

-Imari pattern - it's the one, isn't it?

-It is.

The original Imari takes its name from the Japanese port it was exported from.

But British manufacturers have been successfully imitating it for over 200 years.

This...

Crown Derby Imari makes more money than the original Japanese Imari.

-Yeah.

-It's a mad world.

-Are you going to have this as well?

-She's hard this one, isn't she?

I have to be.

The ticket price is £50 on those.

-£30 for the pair.

-35 and you can have them.

-£30, Maureen. Say yes.

-35.

-Please!

-No.

-I'll spin a coin.

-It's got to be 35.

-Spin a coin.

Oh, dear!

OK, I'll spin it, you call. So if you lose, it's £30.

-If you win, it's 35. Ready?

-All right.

-Call.

-Heads.

-It's tails.

-Tails. Maureen, thank you so much.

Oh, Maureen! But at least we have a buy!

Great stuff!

Now, Catherine has £221.41 to spend and seems really keen on something.

See, this is lovely. Beautifully carved book stand.

Black Forest. Bavarian.

But it's £150!

What's the German for "very best price"?

-This is nice, Andy.

-Black Forest.

-Too expensive.

-What I can do for you...

-Yes.

-One price and one price only.

-Oh!

95 quid.

-That really is a bit too much for me.

-Right, 80 quid and that is it.

-Let me have a look at it.

-Yes. Here we go.

-And it's perfect, would you say?

-Almost.

If you can say 70, I'll shake your hand and go for it.

Go on, then! You're breaking my heart.

Oh, I don't want to break your heart.

She's got herself a good price there.

But now it's David's turn with Andy.

Looks like he's already found something.

This thing. The little desk set there.

Oh, it's an inkwell.

David gives his best shot.

-Have a look, my friend.

-Thank you very much indeed.

That's an interesting thing, isn't it?

-It's just tin. It's not a great quality thing, but it's...

-It's unusual!

-It's unusual.

-What's it got on it?

-38, I think.

-38?

£15.

There you go, 15 quid. It's yours.

Catherine has unfinished business.

I always promised myself I would never buy this stuff again - WMF.

Wurttembergen metallwaren...

WMF is a German company that, at the start of the 20th century,

was the world's largest producer of household metalware in the Art Nouveau style,

or Jugendstil, as they call it in Germany.

-How much can you do on that then, Andy?

-What's on there? 35 on it.

28 is the def.

-Right, I'm buying it.

-You're buying it?

-I am.

-Thank you very much, madam.

-Give me as much change as you possibly can.

It will still be 28 quid!

Let's stay with Catherine as she travels to her next shop.

Broom! Broom-broom-broom! Whoo-hoo!

Catherine is making her way north from Ruthin to Denbigh.

The town takes its name from the Welsh for "little fortress"

and, for hundreds of years, Denbeigh was fiercely contested between the Welsh and the English.

Although things have, thankfully, calmed down quite a bit since then.

Right. Here we are.

Let's see what deals can be done.

Catherine has owner Paul in tow to grab some goodies.

Good grief!

Ah, wildlife!

Oh, my...!

Usually found in the country.

Really nasty!

Suit yourself!

-Am I a difficult customer?

-Erm...?

Don't answer that, Paul.

-Oh, not that cribbage board!

-Oh, do you not like it, no?

Who plays cribbage?!

These are unusual.

Crown green bowls, presented in the Victorian period

with silver mounts on.

-Are they Lignum, do you think?

-Yeah.

-Lignum vitae.

It's a hard wood.

-How much can you do those for?

-The ticket price on them is 70.

What would you like to pay for 'em,

taking into account the price I gave?

£30.

-60?

-Oh!

30!

£40 and they're yours.

-You've got a broken buckle, look. You're struggling with it.

-No, no!

There's nothing wrong with that. It's a nervous disposition!

Hmm, she doesn't seem completely bowled over.

-Okey-doke.

-I didn't mean to hold them there!

It just sort of happened. There we are!

I'm going to go. I'm very embarrassed.

(Flustered now!)

That's more like it!

Paul suggests something rather rustic.

There you go. There's a good, original tractor seat. Three days ago, that come in.

-Lovely! How old is that?

-Probably pre-1920s.

Now you see, I could imagine that on somebody's wall.

If you cleaned that all up and put that on a wall,

that would actually look quite nice. I mean, look at all this!

-Really intricate, isn't it?

-Yeah, yeah.

-What's that name? Victor?

-Victor, quite a rare tractor, of its day.

I'm not sure that Paul's a bona fide tractor expert!

So what could you do that for?

45 on the ticket price. I'll let you have it for 35.

Can you do a better deal on it?

The very best on that would be 30 on that one.

Mm.

Meanwhile, back in the woods...

This is not REALLY what I was looking for.

They are rather nice. There's got to be a profit in those, hasn't there?

Especially if I can try and get them down for 25. Where's he gone?

-I've made a decision.

-OK.

-So can we do 25 on this?

-Yeah?

-Carry on.

-Carry on. And what about 25 for the seat?

-No, I can't do that.

But I will go 55 on the two.

-I'm taking a gamble! I don't know anything about them.

-It's not a gamble, I promise you.

-Oh, go on! Make me happy. £50 for the two.

-£50. Shake this time.

Oh, what can Paul do?

Thank you. The champion!

We'll see! She's aiming to win though, by any means.

There we are.

David and Catherine are still keeping the wheels moving

in their 1983 bronze Mini convertible.

They're motoring south, to Wrexham.

The tallest building in the town and one of the seven wonders of Wales

is the 16th-century Church of St Giles.

-Look at that!

-That is beautiful!

But as well as a gothic masterpiece,

lucky Wrexhamites can also lay claim to an Acorn Antiques.

-This is me!

-Have a great, great time!

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Marvellous!

-I hope you have fun, too.

-I will, don't you worry.

-See you later!

Hi! I'm Catherine. Hello. I'm Catherine Southon.

Hello, Catherine, and welcome to Acorn Antiques.

-Have you got a Mrs Overall?

-That's me!

-Ooh!

-I'm afraid!

You don't look like Mrs Overall! You're much more glamorous.

No, not THAT Acorn Antiques, of course!

Plenty of choice though. It just requires a little focus.

I'm still thinking about the whole rustic idea.

I do love kitchenalia.

I love, absolutely love, these butter stands.

And look at that one with the cow on!

But that is really expensive - £90!

Nobody is going to give me £90 for that.

Ah, well! At least she's enjoying herself.

I wonder what's become of David?

Mm, good job you brought the Mini!

This place looks intriguing though.

-Hello.

-Hello. I'm David.

-Oh, I'm Tess Gittins.

Now what they REALLY specialise in here are oil lamps

and it looks like David's already spotted something.

-This is the base to an oil lamp?

-Yes, that's right, yes.

-It's quite a nice one with the tennis on it.

-It is quite unusual.

-You restore oil lamps?

-Yes, we do.

-Can you restore that one for me?

I'd have to ask my husband about that.

How much would it cost to make a lamp using that?

We've got a lamp over here.

-So, basically, you're suggesting I can have that top half...

-Yes.

-..and put that base on?

-Yes.

So David's wasted little time in getting Ainsley to make him a lamp.

Has Catherine found anything yet?

-I like this little rocking chair.

-That would give a good price.

-It's lovely. What's on it?

-What has he got on it? He's got £80 on that.

I don't want to spend any more than 40 on it.

-I doubt he'd sell it for that.

-He might do. Depends what sort of a day he's having.

-He might! I'll go and ask him for you.

-Thank you very much.

While Lynn heads off to talk to Roy, how's the lamp coming along?

-How's it going, Ainsley?

-Unfortunately, can't use that with the old base.

-Right.

-What I can do is put it back on to the original base,

-which is very, very like it.

-I don't want that base!

I want THAT base. That's the thing I want.

-I think he wants that base!

-I want that base!

Mm, thought so!

-Unfortunately, it won't go on.

-Have you got another one that might go on?

-No.

-No.

Yet, after more looking around, Ainsley thinks he might have one at home.

-Can we have a look at it?

-I can certainly go and get it for you.

-Would you mind terribly?

I just like this base. Can you think about the price?

How about if I said 40, yeah? Deal done. Just get it. I'll have it.

-I think it's worth a bit more than that.

-45 and we're done.

What do you think, Tess?

-Make your mind up.

-Come on, Tess!

-We're antiques dealers!

-Yes, go and get the lamp.

-We'll take it from there.

So David makes a deal. Sight unseen.

-If you say it's a nice thing, I'll have it.

-It's very pretty.

To make a deal, sight unseen, he must really value that base.

Size is important then, Tess, isn't it?

So Ainsley's off. I wonder if Catherine will want the legs changed on that chair now?

-His very, very best price...

-Mm.

..is £55.

And that's his very, very best.

I don't think I'd make any money on that, so...

-He really wouldn't go any more than 55?

-No.

No, definitely not, no.

OK.

Thank you very much indeed, Lynn. Thank you for all your help. Catch you later.

Ooh, that's a bit disappointing!

Oh, dear! Much more of this and Catherine will have quite a lot of money left over.

Ah, Ainsley's got it, but will it fit?

-..I think.

-Yeah, keep going. That's it.

Please fit, Ainsley. Please fit.

-It does fit.

-Right.

-Isn't it a lovely colour?

-Oh!

-Beautiful, isn't it?

-Ooh! I've got a pair of trousers the same colour.

Well, that's certainly ruined the moment for me.

My gosh!

That is drop-dead gorgeous.

For £45 as well!

45.

Well done, David!

Thank you.

Now has Catherine gone off her rocker? Not quite.

She's offered £50 and Lynn's made one more call.

-Now then, let's have a chat. Have you had another...?

-I have.

Now he didn't want to go to 50.

-He didn't. But I told him that you really had fallen in love with it.

-Oh!

-And I do think that makes a difference.

-It does!

-And so he says he will take 50.

-Yes!

That's brilliant. Thank you so much! You're an absolute star.

So she still has £23.40 left.

Catherine and David are back on the road and are driving

into the country from Wrexham to Overton.

-I think it might be here...

-Are you sure?!

Just keep on going past the pigs, on the left.

-Oh, look at the pigs!

-Oh, aren't they gorgeous?

-Aren't they lovely?

-How much have you got left?

-A lot.

-See you later!

-Good luck!

-Hello there.

-Hello. How are you?

-What's your name?

-Gary.

-Gary. I'm David.

-Nice to see you, Gary.

Now, it's just as well that David likes furniture

because there's plenty of it here!

Some of it very nice indeed.

I've got 144.52.

Whatever's in that pocket. And I want to give it all to you.

Gary's giving little away,

especially not this £250 Pembroke table.

-So what's that, 1840?

-Mm.

Lovely base. Solid mahogany.

Should have a drawer this end. Does it? One drawer.

-There you go. Do you want to give me an idea?

-It owes me 120.

-Right.

-Let me bear that in mind.

-Yeah.

From £250 to £120! Ha! David's honesty might be paying off here.

-They're very popular at the moment - the trunks.

-Yes, trunks are good.

-Any labels on it?

-I don't think there is, to be honest.

Cos when you see these old shipping labels, they're great talking points.

Something like that just oozes its history.

"If I could tell stories."

That's early 20th century. Out of interest...

..would 144.52 buy both of those items,

-the Pembroke table and...

-Not on that, no.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

That was a bold move. The ticket price on the trunk alone is 200.

I would give you everything in my pocket right now

for those two objects.

I couldn't do the two of those for that money, but...

Cindy, come in and help him. Please.

Come on, Cindy.

All I would ask is take my money, clear some space, guys.

David's really waving that cash around now.

If I had one penny more, I'd give it to you.

Mm.

-Are you sure though?

-Count it! Here!

-That's all I've got. That should be 140...

-20, 40, 60...

80, 100...

Let Gary get his hands on it.

-140...

-Four.

-Four...

..52p is the bid.

-Sure there's no more?

-That's it! That's it! I'm absolutely wiped out.

-Here, look! Nothing more.

-What about the other one?

-Oh!

-A bit of old paper. You can have that.

-Go on, then!

-Good man! Thank you...

Well, that little sum went a VERY long way.

Meanwhile, Catherine's crossed the border into England,

travelling from Overton to Melverley

to visit a church which has survived disaster twice.

-Hello, Catherine!

-Hi! Hello!

-Welcome to Melverley Church.

-You must be Lynn.

-Come and have a look.

-I can't wait. What a treat!

There's been a church here on the edge of the river, and the Welsh border,

for about 1,000 years, but the present building dates back to 1406.

-That is beautiful. Isn't it lovely?

-There's not a nail or screw in this building. It's all pegged together.

-Really?

-Yep.

Gosh, you can see! They're literally all pegged.

It's quite incredible.

A rare example of wattle and daub construction,

St Peter's is possibly one of the oldest timber-framed churches in Britain.

It was rebuilt after the original was burned to the ground

during the Owain Glyndwr Welsh uprising in 1401.

And all that remains of that church is the font.

So it's been here for about 1,000 years.

My goodness!

Isn't that amazing?

We still do baptisms in that Saxon font.

Incredibly, the villagers managed to rally round

and rebuilt their church in just five years

and it's been in almost continual use ever since.

I'm fascinated by the structure of it. How was this put together?

It was built like this because they knew how to build barns, didn't they?

Much of the furniture in the church is Jacobean, including the altar and the fine, carved pulpit.

Isn't it lovely! All the little flowers here.

Dating from slightly later is the church's other great treasure,

its chained Bible.

People were beginning to learn to read.

And to save them borrowing it, and not returning it,

it was chained. It meant they had to come to church to read it.

I'm quite surprised that you don't keep this protected in any way.

You don't touch it with any gloves. I mean, it's your pride and joy here.

But the church is open every day to everybody.

It's our special thing and we want everybody to see it.

Do you know, we have bats in this church?

And, at night, they would come and they mess everywhere.

They've never messed on this Bible.

She says pointing to a tiny bit! LAUGHTER

Just over 20 years ago, the people of Melverley had to fight

to save their church for a second time,

when the River Vymwy flooded its banks.

And it looked as if the church had moved.

And when they came to anchor it, there was no foundation,

so the whole building had to be raised in the air

and it had to have new foundations.

And the building was raised on car jacks.

It was horrendous.

Faced with the bill for £250,000, this little village of about 50 houses,

set up about fundraising and, astonishingly, managed the feat in just two years.

-Everybody got involved, whether they came to church or not.

-That's wonderful.

-They were all there.

This building just grabs your imagination.

I was going to say, it was worth saving.

That was wonderful. Looks like Catherine enjoyed herself.

Now, let's remind ourselves of how they've been spending their money.

Catherine began with £221.40

and she spent £198 on five auction lots.

David started out with £234.52

and he splashed it all on five lots.

What do our antiques buddies think of each other's treasures?

I think the item that doesn't do anything for me are the bowls.

I see them almost every day of my life.

This time round, it could be me that wins!

After starting out in Ruthin in North Wales,

this leg of our trip concludes with

an auction in Bridgnorth in Shropshire. Did you know that

Bridgnorth was the birthplace of Francis Moore,

the creator of Old Moore's Almanac, back in 1657?

I wonder if the current edition has anything about our pair's

prospects at the local auction rooms.

-Let's go.

-This is it.

-This is where I edge forwards...

-Is it?

-You're only an inch away, missus.

-Breathe in that country air, David.

They seem to sell just about everything at Nock Deighton,

including all kinds of livestock.

Today, though, I'm assured it's antiques and collectables only.

Auctioneer Mark Stafford will begin proceedings today.

Almost ready. Is it me or is it a bit warm in here?

-I am getting a bit hot.

-Oh!

First up, Catherine's bit of Black Forest

You're on, you're on, missus! Good luck. It's a beautiful object.

20. 22.

25. 27.

-£30.

-Go on!

-32.

-Come on!

-35.

-A long way to go.

-37.

40. 42.

45. 47.

50. 55.

60. 65.

-65 bid.

-Ooh, come on!

At 65 then. All done at 65?

Ooh!

CATHERINE LAUGHS

65.

A £5 loss, but more after commission.

Bad luck! But, actually, well bought because it's a beautiful thing.

Now for that inkwell. Will David's polishing pay off?

10. £10. I'm bid 10. 12.

14. 16. 18.

-Yes, baby! Come on!

-£18 the bid!

£18 the bid at the back. At 18. Now 20. 20 bid.

£20 now. 22. At 22 bid.

22 at the back. At 22 now.

-Go on!

-I'm trying! 22 at the back. 22 now. All done?

-At 22.

-Oooh!

Seven quid!

Yes, a small profit.

Still jealous?

Next, David's Crown Derby. Will it drive Bridgnorth wild?

10 bid. At 10. 12. 14. 16.

-18.

-Oooh!

-18 bid. 20.

-Come on!

-£20 the bid.

At £20 the bid. £20 and 2. 22. At 4.

6. 8. 28. 30.

-£30. I got 2. 35.

-I'm in profit! Do you know what a profit is?

At 35. 35 bid.

At 35 bid. You've paid for the dish. You're doing well. At 35.

-35 in the middle.

-No!

-Are you all done? You sure?

-Yes!

-At 35.

-No!

-We're sure! Hammer down!

-No!

-You sure?

-No!

-At 35.

-Oh!

Well, at least David's got excited.

I'm into profit, missus.

Catherine's shiny dish next.

WMF. How do you say it? Go on, impress us all.

-Wurttembergen metallwaren fabrik.

-Oh, God! You are amazing!

10 bid. £10 the bid. At £10. At £10. I've got 12.

14. 16. 18.

-20. 22.

-Come on!

-22 bid.

-It should be much more.

-It should be like, 50 quid!

-50 or 60 quid.

-At 22 now.

24. 24 bid.

24 bid. Right there at 24. 26.

28. 28 bid.

At 28. All done? At 28.

Oh! Another loss, after commission.

Bad luck, genuinely bad luck.

It looked the part, didn't it?

Never mind, Catherine, let's go bowling.

-10.

-Cor blimey!

-£10 I'm bid. 12.

-Don't panic.

-14. 16.

18. 18 bid.

-£18. I've got 20.

-20.

-22.

-Come on!

-22 bid. At 5. 25 bid.

27. 27 bid.

27 bid. At 27. At 30. £30 the bid.

At 2. 32 bid. 35 this side.

-35 now.

-Come on!

-35 bid. At £35!

Great! Her first profit today.

-Ten quid profit on all of that.

-It's profit! My God!

So will David's little treasure light up the room?

-50.

-Oh!

-50. 50 bid.

At £50, the bid. 52.

-Yes!

-55. 55 bid.

-Come on!

-At 55 now.

57. 57. 60.

-£60 now.

-Come on.

-At £60 the bid. 2. At 62.

65. 65 bid. At 65 now.

67. 67. 70.

-£70 the bid.

-Yes! Come on!

At £70. You all done? 70 at the back!

And that's a blinking oil lamp!

A decent profit, but he'd hoped for much more.

It could have made 150, 200. It could have done.

OK, let's rock!

-20 bid. 22.

-It'll go. It'll go.

-27.

£30. 30 bid. £30 the bid.

£30 I've got. 32. 35. 37. 37.

40. £40 I've got. At £40. 42.

-45.

-Come on!

-45.

45 bid. At 45 bid.

47. 47 bid. 47 now. Still cheap. 50.

£50 the bid. 52. 55.

55 bid. At £55!

-How cheap is that?

-Oh, Catherine!

-I'm just so annoyed!

-Catherine!

Just as well she bought it for £50.

It's just absolutely hopeless.

Nobody's raising their hands, David!

Don't worry. You've got your tractor seat next!

Yep, the ultimate rustic buy.

-There's a little money spider, Catherine.

-Where, where?

-Floating down from the ceiling.

-That's good luck.

-Share him?

-No!

No! He's mine!

Those two need all the help they can get.

-30 quid.

-No, sir!

-A tenner then?

-Oh, yeah.

-10 then.

-At £10.

-Tenner?!

-10. 10 bid.

£10! For a tractor seat with "Victor" on it?!

18. 20.

-22. 24. 26.

-Come on!

26 bid. At 26. Now 8. 28 bid. At 28 now.

28! Any more on 28? Come on, hurry it up.

-Come on, money spider!

-30. 32. 32 bid. At 32 now.

-At 32.

-Oh, come on!

-35 bid!

35.

Ooh!

A small return on the investment Catherine, erm, ploughed in!

Ten quid. Don't...

Now it's David's trunk. Bought with pirate gold.

Could it turn into a treasure chest?

-30.

-Oh!

-That's what I thought. 30 bid.

At £30. At £30.

-35.

-Come on!

-£40. £40 the bid.

45. 45 the bid. At 45 bid.

45. I'll take 2½, if you like! 47½.

-47½!

-50 bid!

52.50! 55! 55, anybody? All done?

-At £55...

-No!

Sorry, shipmate! That's an even bigger loss after commission,

but how will David's other bit of booty do?

-£100 to start me!

-Go on!

Come on then. It's down to you. Where you like. 50 quid, surely.

50. 50 bid. At £50 now.

55 bid. At 55 bid.

60 bid. At £60. 5. 65 bid.

At £70. At £70 and gone.

At £70, the bid. £70 at the back. At £70 now.

-At £70 the bid.

-Oooh!

-No, no, on!

-Are all done?

75. 80. £80 the bid. £80.

80 now. £80 the bid.

85. 85. 85.

85 bid. 85. 90. £90 now.

-95. 95. £100.

-Yes!

How come? It was finishing a moment ago at £70!

£100. Walking away at 100. All done? Quite sure? £100.

Well done!.

That is very, very good.

Phew! That table means David wins today, but it was close.

I think I might have just pipped it.

If you did, this time it's not an inch, it's a millimetre.

Catherine began with £221.40

and, after paying auction costs, she made a loss - poor girl -

of £19.24,

leaving £202.16 in her purse.

David, on the other hand, started out with £234.52

and, after auction costs, he lost £3.28.

So he still has a narrow lead,

with £231.24.

-Right, come on, you!

-Well, David Harper...

All I can say is...

-Congratulations! Well done!

-Thank you very much.

I only lost a few quid.

Didn't I do well? But now it's all to play for.

We've got to go and take some big risks.

Whoo-hoo!