0:00:02 > 0:00:06Welcome to Cash In The Attic, where we help you look for valuables around your home
0:00:06 > 0:00:10and sell them with you at auction, so you can spend the money on something very special.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Today, I'm in Buckinghamshire and I've taken a bit of a literary turn,
0:00:14 > 0:00:16because I've come to Milton's cottage.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21This was the home of that great 17th-century writer,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24right in the middle of the village of Chalfont St Giles.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29'Literary legend John Milton fled to rural Buckinghamshire from London
0:00:29 > 0:00:32'when the city was in the grip of the plague of 1665,
0:00:32 > 0:00:37'and it's in this very house that he completed his epic poem, Paradise Lost.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40'The Grade II listed 16th-century cottage
0:00:40 > 0:00:46'is now a museum to the life and achievements of one of England's greatest poets.'
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Well, obviously we hope that today it won't be so much a question
0:00:50 > 0:00:53of Paradise Lost as heavenly collectables found,
0:00:53 > 0:00:58as we nip just five minutes down the road to the neighbouring village of Chalfont St Peter.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27'Coming up on today's Cash In The Attic, our expert runs the gamut from cartoon capers...'
0:01:27 > 0:01:30They looked like Mickey Mouse with huge, weird shapes.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32'..to serious social commentary.'
0:01:32 > 0:01:35I mean, the housing market's a bit flat at the moment.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- Yes! Mobile homes are doing well though.- A roaring trade in these!
0:01:39 > 0:01:42'But when it comes to the auction, he's right on the money.'
0:01:42 > 0:01:44That's great, isn't it?
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- You didn't expect that, did you? - I didn't, no.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51'So will it be smiles or frowns when the hammer comes down?'
0:01:51 > 0:01:53£35, 205.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56I'm in a very picturesque part of Buckinghamshire and about to meet
0:01:56 > 0:01:58a very proud granny
0:01:58 > 0:02:02who wants to take her entire family on a special day out.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04'This cottage may seem small from the road,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08'but step round the back and its true size is revealed.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11'And it's just as well it's large, because
0:02:11 > 0:02:14'the owner, Linda Hawley, is a self-confessed hoarder and jumbler.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17'But one woman's treasure is another's trash,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20'and daughter Deborah, herself a mother of four,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22'has had enough of Mum's compulsive collecting.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25'She's come along today to ensure
0:02:25 > 0:02:29'that the decks are cleared for a very special family day out.'
0:02:29 > 0:02:31- Morning, Paul.- Ah, good morning.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- We've got our work cut out today. - Really?
0:02:33 > 0:02:36We've got a really lovely lady, lives in this house,
0:02:36 > 0:02:41and she's got six grandchildren and she wants to take all of them on a trip of a lifetime.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45- Right, so no pressure then today, is there?- No pressure at all on you, Paul, no.
0:02:45 > 0:02:52- And their ages range from 14 downwards, so there's quite a wide range there.- There is.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55We should be like superheroes and find some good stuff.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57So we're going to be Superman and Superwoman!
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- It sounds about right. I'll bring the headache tablets. - Yeah. Get the cape! Let's go!
0:03:02 > 0:03:03Morning, girls.
0:03:03 > 0:03:09- Hello, Angela!- Linda and Deborah, mother and daughter. You're like two peas in a pod.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Well, I'm delighted about that, but not sure that Deborah will be.
0:03:12 > 0:03:18You've got this really lovely cottage here and I can see already it's full of lots of stuff.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21So is that why you've called in Cash In The Attic?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23I really feel I need to de-clutter.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26I'm being told by the family there's too much junk.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29I don't see it as junk, but unfortunately they do.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- So what are we going to see today? - All sorts. All sorts of collections.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35My mother and I collected for years.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37I've got her bits. I've got my bits.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40I don't want any of the bits.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- I think they're genuine, precious articles.- And you think?
0:03:44 > 0:03:46They're a load of old junk.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48So what do you want to spend the money on?
0:03:48 > 0:03:54Well, really, ideally, I'd like to give the grandchildren a really splendid day out. Lots of fun.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Lots of fun things to do.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57How much will this cost?
0:03:57 > 0:04:01I think probably in the region of £400, to have a splendid day out.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- And we've got enough in the house to find that?- I hope so.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06- Right. - Hope so. There's enough rubbish.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Well, we've also got Paul. He's definitely not rubbish. Shall we go and see what he's finding?
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Yes, let's.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18'Linda wasn't exaggerating when she said the house was spilling over with antiques,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21'and, given her penchant for the miniature,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23'she's been able to squeeze in even more.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25'But large or small,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29'our man Paul Hayes is an old hand at sorting out treasure from tat.
0:04:29 > 0:04:35'And he's already taken a shine to one of Linda's possessions.'
0:04:35 > 0:04:39- Ah...!- There you are, Linda. You see, I told you he'd be hard at work already.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Yes, I've made a start already. This is a really nice example of an epergne.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45My mum has exactly the same one.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- No!- The only difference is that
0:04:47 > 0:04:50some of these trumpets are missing, I think two or three.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53It's a common fault with anything that has detachable parts -
0:04:53 > 0:04:55they get swapped about and get missed.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Some of these can be enormous.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59If you lived in a large house or in a hotel,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02they would be full of flower arrangements.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06This one's quite simple, and I think it might have been for afternoon tea.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08So what's it likely to make at auction?
0:05:08 > 0:05:12You're looking at least £30 to maybe up to about £60.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- How does that sound?- Brilliant! - Is that all right?- Yes.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Let's see what else we can find.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21'Well, let's hope that the floral epergne blossoms at auction.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23'Elsewhere in the house,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26'Deborah turns up a stash of table centrepieces.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30'100 years ago, no tea table would be complete
0:05:30 > 0:05:32'without a decorative biscuit barrel.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36'Paul puts a value of £40-£60 on this collection.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38'And in the dining room,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42I've found something that might be a breath of fresh air at auction.'
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- Linda, what an earth is this? - That's a gas mask.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51Why an earth have you got a Second World War gas mask in the house?
0:05:51 > 0:05:53When my son, Daniel, was eight,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56he was studying the Second World War at school,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58and an elderly lady who lived in our road
0:05:58 > 0:06:02gave us the gas mask for him to take into school and show the class.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03Are these things collectable?
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Well, they come in all varieties.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09The best are designed for children and looked like Mickey Mouse -
0:06:09 > 0:06:11they had these huge, weird shapes.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14And, you know, people collect that sort of thing.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17There's very much a nostalgic feel with these items.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20But the original idea goes back to the 18th century,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23it's nothing to do with the Second World War. And it was for miners,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26protecting their lungs from coal dust.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Can we put pounds to it, or not?
0:06:29 > 0:06:32I think we're talking more pence actually than pounds.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34I think maybe five or ten.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Well, I've got younger grandchildren who are going to study
0:06:38 > 0:06:39the Second World War at school,
0:06:39 > 0:06:43and I think for interest value I might be tempted to keep it.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46I might be tempted to let it go. I'll have to think about it.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- Well, the thing is to have a word with them.- Absolutely, yes.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51'Well, it's a low estimation,
0:06:51 > 0:06:55'but if Linda sends it to auction, every little helps.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58'And furthering the cause are these Toby jugs,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00'which together could add another £10.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03'Having a good root through her jewellery box, Linda thinks
0:07:03 > 0:07:07'she's found some genuine gems in between the fabulous fakes.'
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Paul, hi. Come and see what I've found in my bedroom.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Ah, let's have a look. Oh, some jewellery.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17This is my favourite thing, cos these boxes are often little treasure troves.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20We've got some things from Scotland here.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Scottish thistle.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24All costume...
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Oh, this one looks a bit better than costume.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29That's beautiful, isn't it? That one's gold.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31This is a top quality example
0:07:31 > 0:07:34because it's got a nine-carat gold mount.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38That tends to mean that the substance held within that is good quality.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40And this is a shell cameo.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42The shell ones tend to be from Italy.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Do you know if this was from Italy? - I don't know where it was from.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- Oh, right.- I found it with my mother in one of our rummages once.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- I didn't pay very much for it. - Really?- No.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54When you say "not very much", how much is that?
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Mum wouldn't have let me spend more than a couple of pounds.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Well, I think you got an absolute bargain.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03One thing with cameos is that the metal contracts and expands quicker
0:08:03 > 0:08:07than the actual cameo does, and you have to look for cracks.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- That one looks all right. - It does. There's no cracks.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12So that's a good quality example in nine-carat gold.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14But that's a nice job lot.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19If I said at least £40 upwards, how does that sound?
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- That sounds good. That's a grandchild for the day out.- Exactly.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26'In Linda's house, it doesn't matter where you look -
0:08:26 > 0:08:29'there's something interesting, or just plain quirky.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32'Paul thanks his lucky stars that he's seen
0:08:32 > 0:08:36'these terrifying characters in daylight, rather than late at night.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40'For novelty value alone they could fetch £40-£60.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45'And as he recovers his composure by finding something pretty to look at,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48'I take a moment to ask Linda about her eclectic collections.'
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Linda, you're a lady who likes things in miniature,
0:08:52 > 0:08:56but you like them on the grand scale because the house is full of them!
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- What's the fascination? - Well, my mum was a great jumbler,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and we used to go to jumble sales on a Saturday afternoon
0:09:03 > 0:09:06when I was a small child and we used to have great fun.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Deborah, you clearly have not inherited the collecting gene.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11No, I haven't, no.
0:09:11 > 0:09:18My daughter Felicity has. She's very keen on going to charity shops and bringing home dusty objects.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21But, no, not something I'm very keen on at all.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Tell me what you plan to do with the money for the grandchildren.
0:09:24 > 0:09:30Well, because of the varying age range - the 14-year-old down to a four-year-old -
0:09:30 > 0:09:34I'd like to do something quite exciting, and Granny can watch it all.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Now you've never been to an auction before, Linda.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41So are you afraid that this is going to lead to something else, Deborah?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- Big adventure, yes.- Yes.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Especially with my collectables being up for sale.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Remember, they are up for sale.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- You're not there to buy as well. - Or anybody else's collectables.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55I'll try! I'll try and be good.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00- Shall we go and see what else we CAN take to auction?- Let's do that.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02'Meanwhile, Paul has made a sterling find.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05'Valued at £30-£50, he thinks this hallmarked inkwell
0:10:05 > 0:10:09'could prove to be a reservoir of cash at auction.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12'Whilst Linda searches more jewellery,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15'Paul's found something to really write home about.'
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Ah! Deborah, whose is this writing slope?
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Well, my father bought it for my mother about 20 years ago.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- Has she ever used it? - I don't think so. I think it's just a box in the corner.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29I think these are wonderful items.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31They go back to the golden age of pen and paper
0:10:31 > 0:10:33which seems lost nowadays.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38This one's made from solid oak and it dates maybe 1880, 1900.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- But - it holds a secret.- Oh, show me.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Well, it has a secret compartment.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- Have you ever seen it?- No.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Well, hopefully this has got one. If I open the top here.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Can you see this panel here?- Yep.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53That's a false panel. If I just pull this down a second...
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- Look at that!- Impressive. - Have you had a look in there?
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- No.- It's not full of sovereigns(?)
0:10:58 > 0:11:00But that's great. These are very useful items.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04You would carry these around and have all your personal letters,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07all the things you would need while you were actually writing.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Two little inkwells, a place for your nibs
0:11:10 > 0:11:13which would have been separate at that time.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17And I think by the end of the 19th century, when more people were going on trains
0:11:17 > 0:11:21and travelling a lot more, more and more of these boxes tend to appear.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Would you use something like that now?
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I don't think I'd use it, but I think of all my mum's junk
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- that she's selling, it's something that is quite lovely.- Yeah.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- So what we've got then is a 19th-century laptop.- Yeah.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38I mean, if I said at least £50-£100, how does that sound?
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- I think that sounds fantastic. - OK.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Well, the writing's on the wall for that one. Let's keep looking.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47'We're building up quite a list of items for auction.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50'Linda's home is full of fascinating collectables,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53'and I can't resist the urge to play.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55'And, right under my nose,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58'there's this fine Victorian mahogany chest of drawers,
0:11:58 > 0:11:59'lovingly constructed.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01'It could be a sound proposition
0:12:01 > 0:12:03'at £150-£200 at auction.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09'But everywhere is Linda's fascination for the miniature.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13'Creating items for this doll's house is a labour of love,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16'and in the conservatory Paul has found a couple of models
0:12:16 > 0:12:20'that have been painstakingly constructed from matchsticks.'
0:12:20 > 0:12:22I was hoping you wouldn't find these.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23You could hardly miss 'em.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- No, no!- Look at that. I was thinking of buying a new home.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30I don't know whether to go for bricks and mortar or a mobile home.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- So who made them?- I don't know.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I was foolish enough to buy them a number of years ago in Sussex.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40I thought you were going to say you were on holiday and made one while you were doing it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43These are the sort of thing that you don't see a lot of any more.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46I hadn't seen a lot of them when I bought them.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- So where's the caravan from? - The caravan came from Arundel,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52a toy museum that was closing down.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57I wandered in and was chatting to the owner, and bought it from him
0:12:57 > 0:13:00and again back to the car. My husband looked at me -
0:13:00 > 0:13:03horrified expression on his face. "What have you got now?!"
0:13:03 > 0:13:07The variety of them... I've seen galleon ships, aeroplanes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11The value doesn't reflect the amount of hours that goes into them.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- Of course not.- But doll's houses in particular are very, very popular.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18There are a few of these examples that fetch an awful lot,
0:13:18 > 0:13:23for the simple reason lots were done by prisoners of war throughout the ages.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26You get some dating back to the 18th century that were done
0:13:26 > 0:13:28on warships, on galleon ships,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31and they're made from bits of whalebone and walrus.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35They make these wonderful big ships, and people pay thousands of pounds.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39As regard resale value, the housing market's a bit flat at the moment.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- Yes! Mobile homes are doing well though.- A roaring trade in these!
0:13:43 > 0:13:45But are you sure these are not sentimental,
0:13:45 > 0:13:47you're willing to part with them?
0:13:47 > 0:13:49It depends on what you value them at.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- Oh, right, well...- Well, that, Paul, is the 64,000 question.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- It certainly is, yes. - So come on, Paul,
0:13:55 > 0:13:57what do you reckon they're worth?
0:13:57 > 0:14:00I think you're looking at least... £30 each.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02So if I said 60-100, how does that sound?
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- That sounds pretty good.- Great.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08The news you want to hear I think is how much we're likely to make.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- You wanted to raise £400 to take all the family...?- Yes.
0:14:11 > 0:14:18Well, if we take the gas mask, it comes to £455.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22Leave the gas mask behind and it's a nice round £450.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- That would be amazing. - And it could even be more.- Yes.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28'Exactly how much we do make is in the hands of the bidders.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32'But after an eye-opening forage through Linda's home,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34'we've come away with plenty of items.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37'The first true laptop, this writing slope,
0:14:37 > 0:14:41'may still have some practical uses on top of its antique value.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44'Paul thinks it should close the lid on £50-£100.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47'And traditionally a centrepiece for a grand dinner party,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50'dressed with garlands or sweets,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52'we're hoping that the epergne
0:14:52 > 0:14:55'will top off our sale at between £30 and £60.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02'Still to come on Cash In The Attic, some items exceed expectations.'
0:15:02 > 0:15:03Oh, excellent.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05£50, that's smashing.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08'While others have us literally bouncing with joy!'
0:15:11 > 0:15:14'But will our luck hold out until the final hammer falls?'
0:15:19 > 0:15:23It's been a week or two since we were with Linda at her home in Buckinghamshire,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26but we did find lots of wonderful things
0:15:26 > 0:15:29to sell for her today here at the Chiswick Auction Rooms in west London.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33And her daughter, Deborah, could not be more delighted,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36because hopefully by the end of today's auction
0:15:36 > 0:15:40Deborah is not going to have to inherit any of her mum's family heirlooms
0:15:40 > 0:15:42and Linda will have £400
0:15:42 > 0:15:47so that she can spend a really fun day with all her grandchildren. I can't wait.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51'Of course, raising all that cash depends on a good turnout,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54'and bidders determined to take home Linda's items.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57'Luckily, the canny Chiswick crowd certainly know how to sort
0:15:57 > 0:16:00'the wheat from the chaff, as of course does our very own expert.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02'Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
0:16:02 > 0:16:05'No, it's Paul Hayes.'
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- It's Superman!- Right.- I'm not sure that quite goes with the image.
0:16:10 > 0:16:11Well, it's flower power.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- Of course!- That's it, you see. Superhero flower power.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17It's had a clean since we saw it last.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19That's a really good idea actually.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21When you're sending an item to auction
0:16:21 > 0:16:24you want it to stand out, so they've polished it up.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- It looks fantastic. - They had some really unusual items.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29We've got the doll's house
0:16:29 > 0:16:32and the gypsy caravan made out of matchsticks.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34I bet they've never seen anything like that here.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36They're an acquired taste.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40But if you worked out how many hours they must have taken to make,
0:16:40 > 0:16:44surely there must be a buyer here who would appreciate that. Let's hope so.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47I wonder if she decided to bring the gas mask.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Yes. That was very much a family item,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52and those items tend to stay in the family.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57People can get very nostalgic about them, so it will be interesting to see if she's brought it.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02Deborah will be really disappointed if she hasn't. She wants everything to go!
0:17:02 > 0:17:07- She'll be heartbroken if she hasn't brought it. - Well, let's go and find out.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10'So, Paul's feeling positive about the day,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13'and I've got high hopes that everything is going to go.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16'With the auction edging even closer,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19'I find Linda and Deborah saying goodbye to the matchstick items.'
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- Thinking of moving in?- Absolutely, in this present climate.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25It looks pretty good here.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- It looks very nice here. - It does, yes.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Deborah, you must be looking forward to today enormously.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35I've been waiting for her to pressure me to keep some special item, but not at all.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- No, she's completely failed you there.- Absolutely.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42But you have brought a slightly different chest of drawers.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46My husband got really quite upset about where to keep his pullovers.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48They wouldn't fit in the little chest of drawers,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51so I hope we get something for the different one.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54The larger chest of drawers was about £150.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59- The one you've brought along is more £30-£50.- I know.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03I'll just have to leave a couple of grandchildren at home, won't I(?)
0:18:04 > 0:18:05She didn't hear that.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07She didn't hear that!
0:18:07 > 0:18:09But the auctioneer's just taking his place,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13so shall we take ours and let's see if we can make up that extra money?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Excellent. Thank you.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19'Losing the Victorian drawers is a real disappointment.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23'And with the gas mask also failing to make it to auction
0:18:23 > 0:18:25'the pressure is really on.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29'We'll need all of our items to hit the top end of their estimates
0:18:29 > 0:18:32'if we're going to have a chance of raising £400.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36'Remember, if, like Linda, you're planning on buying or selling at auction,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38'you'll pay charges such as commission.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41'So check the details with your local auction house.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45'With the bidders ready for business, we take our places,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49'and it's not long before our first item gets its chance to shine.'
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Linda, you've put a reserve of £40 on the costume jewellery.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58Is that because you've sort of had second thoughts about it, and the nostalgic value of it?
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Absolutely, yes. I think if it's going to go for £40 then that's great,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04it's worth selling it.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09But for less than £40, I think nostalgically it's worth staying with me.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12She's worth £40. Start me £40 for it.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14£30 for it. I'm bid at £30. £30. 32.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18At £30. That's the bid up there at £30. You want 32? 35. 38. 40.
0:19:18 > 0:19:2342. 45. 48. 50. Five.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25No? At £50. 466 at £50. Are we done?
0:19:25 > 0:19:29£50. At £50. Sold. £50.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30Oh, excellent!
0:19:30 > 0:19:32£50, that's smashing.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36'Linda's delighted, and rightly so, as the jewellery sells
0:19:36 > 0:19:38'in the middle of the estimate.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39'And we're off to a great start.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42'Next up is the silver inkwell,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46'which Paul thinks should attract £30-£50.'
0:19:46 > 0:19:49I'm bid at £20. At £20. 22 now.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- So we're in at 20.- 22. 25.
0:19:51 > 0:19:5528. 30. 32. 35. 38. 40. 42.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- Yes!- No? At £40. Your bid at £40.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Who wants to give me 42 for it? £40.
0:19:59 > 0:20:0142, new bidder. 45.
0:20:01 > 0:20:0448? Thanks for the bid, at £45. Bid at £45.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08That's great, isn't it?
0:20:08 > 0:20:09£45!
0:20:09 > 0:20:12'With one bidder absolutely determined
0:20:12 > 0:20:14'to take home that inkwell,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17'it goes for just £5 under the top end of valuation.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22'If the auction continues like this, then that £400 goal should be well within our sights.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27'And it looks an even more realistic target when the Toby jugs come up.'
0:20:27 > 0:20:29And that's the money today! At £18, sold. At £18.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33'And sell for £3 over the top estimate.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36'Next up, it's the substitute chest of drawers.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39'Instead of the £150 we were hoping to get for the other chest,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43'Paul thinks £30-£40 is more realistic for this piece.'
0:20:43 > 0:20:4735 here. 38. 40. 42. 45. 48.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Thank you, Terry. I'm bid at £45. All out at £45. You've got it at 45.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54£45!
0:20:54 > 0:20:55That's great, isn't it?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57- You didn't expect that, did you?- No.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Makes two of us.- That's excellent.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01'It's happy faces all round
0:21:01 > 0:21:04'when the chest finds a buyer willing to pay £5
0:21:04 > 0:21:07'over Paul's top estimate.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10'Another much needed contribution towards the £400.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14'But we're still going to need a strong performance from the rest of Linda's lots.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19'Let's hope that our next item doesn't scare the bidders away.'
0:21:19 > 0:21:20It's the turn now of
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- those frightening figures from your loo.- Terrify the grandchildren.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26They are petrifying, aren't they?
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- 25. 28. - We've got £25 for them!- 30. 32.
0:21:29 > 0:21:3135. 38.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- Oh, wow!- 40. 42. 45. 48.
0:21:35 > 0:21:3848. 50. 55.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41At £50. Take 55. New bidder. 60.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- Five. 70.- £70!
0:21:44 > 0:21:4780. Five. 90. Five.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49At £90. Take five. £90.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53Are we done? A lot for the money. At £90, sold! £90.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55£90!
0:21:55 > 0:21:58'It's a fabulous result for the faces - snapped up
0:21:58 > 0:22:01'for more than double Paul's estimate.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03'Maybe they're not so bad after all.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07'Everything's been just about on target.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08'So, when the biscuit barrels
0:22:08 > 0:22:11'go under the hammer...'
0:22:11 > 0:22:13£30, are we done?
0:22:13 > 0:22:14You've got it. £30.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17'Selling for £10 under the estimate
0:22:17 > 0:22:20'is a touch disappointing, but not a disaster by any means.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24'Next up, the matchstick doll's house and caravan -
0:22:24 > 0:22:27'certainly the most unusual items today.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30'It's difficult to tell how the bidders will react,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33'but hopes are high that someone falls for them.'
0:22:33 > 0:22:35At £40. Take two.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38At £40, are we done? At £40. It's gone then.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42'Well, that's disappointing. £20 below Paul's valuation.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46'And it's the second item in a row not to reach the estimate.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48'The £400 target is starting to slip away.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52'So, as the silver epergne comes under the hammer,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55'we're starting to feel the pressure.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58'Paul thinks we could expect £30-£60.'
0:23:00 > 0:23:02£20 for it. £10 to go then.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- I'm bid at ten. Do you want 12? - Oh, we'd like a bit more than that.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09At £20. A bid there at £20. Take two. Give me 22. 22. 25.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- 28 there. 30 with you. 30. 32. - Oh, fighting over it.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17A new bid at £30. Take 32. Do you want 32? 32. 35. 38.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Someone on the left-hand side at 32. At 35. Are you out? At £35.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- £35.- They were coming in from all over the place.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Suddenly picked up a bit from a tenner.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31'Phew! That's £5 over the lower estimate for the epergne,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33'and more importantly,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35'it breaks the run of items selling under estimate.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39'And it's not before time, as our last lot of the day is next
0:23:39 > 0:23:42'and we're in need of something special to hit that target.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44'Could the writing slope
0:23:44 > 0:23:48'help us raise the cash for Linda's day out with the family?'
0:23:49 > 0:23:52£50 for it? Thank you. A bid at £40.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Oh, we have got 40 bid.- 42. 45.
0:23:54 > 0:23:5745. 48. 50.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58That's it.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00At £48 now. 48. Do you want 50?
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- 50 there. Thank you. 55. 60. - You've made your reserve. Good.
0:24:03 > 0:24:0760 bid. Do you want 65 over there? 65, and again a new bidder. 65. 70.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- Oh, good!- Five. 80. Five.- Well done!
0:24:10 > 0:24:1290. Five.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Late starters!
0:24:14 > 0:24:1595 back in.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19100. Fill it up. You might get it. £100. 110.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20Wow!
0:24:20 > 0:24:24£100 bid. Take 110 for it. Are you out this time? £100, all done.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25£100.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27- Yay!- How's that?
0:24:27 > 0:24:30'It's a fabulous result for the writing box,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33'selling right at the top end of the valuation.
0:24:33 > 0:24:34'Just what we were hoping for.
0:24:34 > 0:24:40'But exactly how close have we managed to get to that £400?'
0:24:41 > 0:24:44- Your target was £400, wasn't it? - I think it was, yes.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47And we left behind the chest of drawers, which was 150,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51which Paul and I actually thought was going to make a huge dent...
0:24:51 > 0:24:55- Yeah, without that chest I thought we'd have no chance. - Yeah, I did, too.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Well, even though you brought the late arrival,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02you're going to have the most fantastic day,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05because you've raised £453!
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Fantastic! That's amazing! That's really lovely.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13- So who do you think's going to have the most fun, Deborah? - Granny.- Granny.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20'Having cracked the £400 target at auction,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23'it doesn't take Linda's grandchildren long
0:25:23 > 0:25:26'to make up their minds about how they want to spend it.'
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Since the auction, the grandchildren have unanimously decided
0:25:30 > 0:25:35that they'd like to do a skydive, so here we are on this cold Sunday late afternoon.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39'But this is no normal skydiving centre.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41'Instead of leaping from a plane at 12,000ft,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43'Linda's family can experience free fall
0:25:43 > 0:25:45'without ever getting into a plane.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50'Because Bedford is home to the largest human flight chamber in the world.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54'At 26ft tall and 17ft wide,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57'and with the wind rushing past at 170mph,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00'it's a pretty hair-raising experience.'
0:26:03 > 0:26:06They're so good! Aren't they?
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Wave to them again.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- Are you going to do it again? - Yeah.- Yeah!
0:26:19 > 0:26:20They thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:26:20 > 0:26:26It was well worth selling my bits and bobs to raise the money to give them this experience in life
0:26:26 > 0:26:29and I'll have to sell a few more now so they can come again.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38Well, it looks like Linda's really got her hands full with those grandchildren,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40but I think she was having just as much fun as they were.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44If there's something that you would like to raise money for,
0:26:44 > 0:26:49and you have things at home that you'd be happy to take to auction, then get in touch.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51You'll find all our details on our website.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56And we look forward to seeing you on Cash In The Attic.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:19 > 0:27:21E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk