0:00:02 > 0:00:03The nation's favourite celebrities...
0:00:03 > 0:00:04Ooh, I like that!
0:00:04 > 0:00:06..paired up with an expert...
0:00:06 > 0:00:07We've had some fun, haven't we?
0:00:07 > 0:00:08..and a classic car.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10It feels as if it could go quite fast.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Their mission? To scour Britain for antiques.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15Fantastic!
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I'll do that in slow-mo.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Come on, boys!
0:00:21 > 0:00:22But it's no easy ride.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23Ta-da!
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Who will find a hidden gem?
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Don't sell me.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Who will take the biggest risks?
0:00:28 > 0:00:29Go away, darling.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Will anybody follow expert advice?
0:00:32 > 0:00:34I'm trying to spend money here.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35There will be worthy winners...
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Yes!
0:00:37 > 0:00:38..and valiant losers.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Put your pedal to the metal,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43this is the Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47Yeah.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52On this road trip, we're treading the boards
0:00:52 > 0:00:55with two titanic British legends of stage and screen...
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Charles Dance and Geraldine James.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01So, when did we first meet, Gerald?
0:01:02 > 0:01:08I think it was 1981...or 2.
0:01:08 > 0:01:09Blimey!
0:01:09 > 0:01:11When we started Jewel In The Crown.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14These two indeed met as glamorous young thespians,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17starring in the classic 1980s TV drama
0:01:17 > 0:01:20of the British Raj in India, The Jewel In The Crown.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- I'd been in Gandhi the year before. - You were a team leader, weren't you?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- I was boss.- I remember, "Now we're going to go down to Janpath.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30"Then we're going to go in the gardens
0:01:30 > 0:01:32"of the Imperial Hotel and have tea."
0:01:32 > 0:01:34But we were very lucky to be there for six months.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- Oh, hell, yeah.- It gave us time. We saw so much of it.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38It was a joy.
0:01:38 > 0:01:4014 hours of high-quality film.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Indeed it was.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Since then, Geraldine has hardly been off our screens
0:01:45 > 0:01:48as a leading lady in everything from star-studded drama
0:01:48 > 0:01:53to classy, period pieces, and even the odd iconic comedy role.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Today, she's still at the cutting edge,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59starring in the recent Emmy award-winning series Utopia.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Her CV is simply stacked with too many goodies to remember.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04What was that play we did?
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Over There, Over Here.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Over There?
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- Turning Over.- Turning... - SHE GIGGLES
0:02:12 > 0:02:13Turning to Charles,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17he too has played down the years with impressive range and bearing.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20He's portrayed dashing young bucks, stately patriarchs,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22and bloodcurdling villains
0:02:22 > 0:02:26with skill and relish to delight audiences everywhere.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29He's recently been lauded for his terrifying turn
0:02:29 > 0:02:33as the tyrannical Tywin Lannister in global megahit Game Of Thrones.
0:02:35 > 0:02:41Today, these two are driving a marvellous 1965 Mercedes 220.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44It was manufactured before seat belts were mandatory,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46and hence they aren't buckled up. Got it?
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- It reminds me of my wild youth. - Oh, does it?- Not having a seat belt.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Did you have a wild youth, Gerald?
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- Some would say.- You weren't thrown out of school, were you?
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- Several times. Three times. - Were you really?
0:02:59 > 0:03:03- My father refused to have me home, so they had to keep me.- No.- Yes.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Anyway...
0:03:05 > 0:03:06I say!
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Joining these two troopers on this trip
0:03:08 > 0:03:11are a pair of antiques auctioneers in full voice -
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Will Axon and Natasha Raskin.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16It's nice to meet a thesp, isn't it?
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Do you think you'll refine your accent a wee bit?
0:03:18 > 0:03:19Because I'm already doing it.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- You're already going Rada. - The warm-up.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23# La-la-la-la-la. #
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Don't give the day job up, Natasha.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29These two are piloting a 1970 Triumph TR6.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Oh, you're handling this Triumph beautifully.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- Thank you for saying so. - Beautifully!
0:03:36 > 0:03:37With £400 to spend,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40we kick off today's shopping in Tetbury, Gloucestershire,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and aim for an auction in Rayleigh in Essex.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Now, here we are in south Gloucestershire,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- off to spend some money. - Yes, indeed.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53With that in mind, it's time for celebrities to meet ex...
0:03:53 > 0:03:54Oh, Lordy!
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Will!
0:03:55 > 0:03:58What is happening? Oh, my days!
0:03:58 > 0:04:01What have you done? I was saying you were driving it so nicely.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- I don't want to touch it. - Hang on, I'm going to open it.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Oh, dear!
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Right. That's the engine.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10He's brilliant, isn't he? OK. Time for some shoe leather, I think.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12We'd better start walking.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14You lead the way. I don't have a clue how to get there.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17What time do you call this?
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Tash broke the car.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20It wasn't me. Believe me.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- It wasn't me.- Really?
0:04:22 > 0:04:24So nice to meet you.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- How do you do? - How are you?
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Nice to meet you as well.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29Now they've finally united,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32they've already decided that Geraldine will pair up with Will
0:04:32 > 0:04:34and Charles with Natasha,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37and the latter is nabbing the only remaining car.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I'm going to have to try and blag some alternative mode of transport.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- GERALDINE:- I saw a bus. - A bus will do.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- NATASHA:- Will, I feel so sorry for you. This car is lovely.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I'm sorry, Geraldine, to turf you out.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- GERALDINE:- That's all right. - See you later.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Bye. Bye.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Come on, then. We'll walk in their tracks.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00So, Charles and Natasha set sail...
0:05:00 > 0:05:03I've known Geraldine for quite some time now.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06In fact, honestly, she's one of my oldest friends.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08She's the most delightful woman.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12..while Geraldine and Will are rather stuck in port.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Seriously? A Jag?
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Yes, but we can't just get in a car.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Luckily, at the local crazy golf course,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24generous Jag owner Peter will give them a lift.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25Thanks, Peter.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30They're finally on the road.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Meanwhile, Charles and Natasha have arrived
0:05:33 > 0:05:35in the town of Tetbury and are ready to shop.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39They're heading into Top Banana Antiques Mall...
0:05:41 > 0:05:45Hoping it lives up to its name. Are you ready?
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Well, as ready as I'll ever be.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49..where dealer Julian will greet them.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51- Hello, Julian. - Aha! Nice to meet you.- And you.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Nice to meet you too.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Shall we start on the shelves where we can actually pick some stuff up
0:05:55 > 0:05:56and have a good fondle?
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Very good idea, darling.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00I'm going to get this open so you can fondle in here too, OK?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Oh, fantastic!
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I knew we'd come to the right place.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- Right. OK.- An awful lot of fondling is going on.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Hey! I say.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12First they're going to scour the place.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Ah! Natasha's found something.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Having played so many wonderful, authoritative parts,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25look what's behind you!
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Look at that hat box!
0:06:26 > 0:06:28It's wonderful. It looks wooden.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- Oh, it's tin.- Hold my glasses. - I will.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33It's pretty unusual, isn't it?
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- Let's face it.- Let's see. Is there a hat inside?
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- It would be so nice if there were. No.- There's no hat inside.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43It's a tin for a naval officer's bicorn hat,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45probably dating from the 19th century.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Charles is quite keen on naval history,
0:06:47 > 0:06:48so that's piqued his fancy.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51It's a quirky thing, isn't it?
0:06:51 > 0:06:53It is, isn't it? You're absolutely right.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55We'll come back to that.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- It's cool, isn't it? - Well spotted!
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Cool! They're off to a good start.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02But what's that Charles has spied now?
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Those silver blocks, what...?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07These are just blocks of silver, then?
0:07:07 > 0:07:09They're ingots, aren't they?
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Just blocks that have been hallmarked.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13They are quite wearable.
0:07:13 > 0:07:14But as objects...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I've never seen these things before.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20But then... Then again, I'm just an actor.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25An actor with an eye for antiques, Charles.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29It's an engraved silver ingot, hallmarked for 1977.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31On the ticket, £24.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Polished up.- Yeah.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Polished up, they're rather pretty things, aren't they?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- Don't you think? - They are rather smart.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44I'm going to talk to Julian about them.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46You do your stuff. I can't wait to see you in action.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- I'll talk to him now. - Do it. Why not?
0:07:48 > 0:07:49Oh, Julian!
0:07:49 > 0:07:51What's the best price you can do for me?
0:07:51 > 0:07:53I reckon we'll do it for £18.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55For £18?
0:07:55 > 0:07:56£18.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59I was hoping you might do it for something like 12.
0:07:59 > 0:08:0212! So, £15, we have a deal.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- He's playing hard.- Oh, cool!
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Thanks, Julian. Thank you very much. - Thank you very much, Julian.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11That's their first buy sealed.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14This has all the hallmarks of a promising day's shopping.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16NARRATOR CHUCKLES
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Meanwhile, Geraldine and Will are being ferried
0:08:19 > 0:08:21in generous bystander Peter's Jag.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24We have landed on our feet.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Peter, you're very kind to give us a lift.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28And Will's coming out as a fan
0:08:28 > 0:08:31of one of Geraldine's recently celebrated roles
0:08:31 > 0:08:34in dark conspiracy drama Utopia.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37I mean, Utopia, it was an amazing piece of television.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42I'd be interested to see how you, sort of, saw it.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45It was extraordinary. For me, it all starts from the script.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49I read that and was completely hooked by the writing.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52It was so unusual and so mysterious.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53So shocking.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55All that is great. It's really good fun.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58There's more fun back in Tetbury,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00where Charles and Natasha are still combing through
0:09:00 > 0:09:03their first shop's ample stock.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05All manner of things in here.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07But what's this Charles has alighted upon?
0:09:07 > 0:09:09It's 2016.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11It's 100 years...
0:09:11 > 0:09:14since the Battle of the Somme, 1916.
0:09:16 > 0:09:22And we are rightly being reminded of that...
0:09:22 > 0:09:24bloody, horrible battle.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26It's a scrapbook containing photographs
0:09:26 > 0:09:29of combatants in the First World War.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Charles is intrigued by it.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34However, let us see what Natasha thinks about it.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36She who must be obeyed.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38I'll say!
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- Natasha.- Charles.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42What have you got?
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Well, have a look at that.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48OK. The Great War Press Cuttings.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Yeah. Well, no, there are no cuttings in it,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52but there are these photographs.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Oh, look at these.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Hold on, are they actual...
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- They are, it looks like... - Well, they're photographs, yeah.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Whether they're photographs of photographs...
0:10:02 > 0:10:04They could well be.
0:10:04 > 0:10:05XXXI do, Charles.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07It looks as though the photographs
0:10:07 > 0:10:09might be commercially produced reprints.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13The book probably dates from the inter-war period.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15It's got £48 on it.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Indeed. Well, I think, you know, we'd have to...
0:10:19 > 0:10:21we'd have to do better than that.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22With one book set aside,
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Charles is revealing himself to be a bit of a bibliophile.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27I've no idea what this is...
0:10:29 > 0:10:33..but it looks as if it might be rather lovely.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Ooh, look at that!
0:10:36 > 0:10:40It's an illustrated copy of the epic poem Evangeline
0:10:40 > 0:10:43by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47This limited edition was published in the late 19th century.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Aesthetically, I think that's really rather beautiful.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56When I was at art school I did typography and photography,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59and...erm...
0:10:59 > 0:11:04as a piece of book design, it's really rather lovely.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07I bet this is probably an eye-watering amount.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Oh, I don't know. 40 quid...
0:11:09 > 0:11:14Again, I'm going to talk to Natasha, I'm afraid.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16She's my guiding light.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21What catches my eye is that each book plate,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25one of the really nice ones, if we get to this, by Frank Dicksee...
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Are you familiar with that name? - No, I'm not, but I hope you are.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33So proper Victorian artist, really...
0:11:33 > 0:11:38Paintings like La Belle Dame Sans Merci.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39Easy for you to say!
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Really evocative, stirring subject matter
0:11:43 > 0:11:46in a kind of Pre-Raphaelite style.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48She knows her stuff, doesn't she?
0:11:49 > 0:11:50That she does.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53But they've now assembled a large pile of items they like -
0:11:53 > 0:11:55the World War I scrapbook,
0:11:55 > 0:11:56the edition of Evangeline,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and the bicorn hat tin they saw earlier.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03So, with their heads set on a hard haggle, off they go to Julian.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Ticket price on all that is £173.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10To cut not too fine a point on it...
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Mm-hmm.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14..I'd like to leave this shop...
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- With some pennies back? - ..with that, that, that...
0:12:19 > 0:12:22..and I'd like some change from 100.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Oh, my God! Now, that is hard work.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Listen, I've been doing maths rapidly
0:12:28 > 0:12:33and re-working and shaving and chipping and re-doing and re-adding.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36I reckon 140 quid.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38How about 115 and we leave the shop?
0:12:38 > 0:12:40120 and we do a deal now.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Go on. Thank you very much, thank you.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43Phew!
0:12:43 > 0:12:47With full use of Charles's trademarked steely gaze,
0:12:47 > 0:12:48a deal is struck.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52But while they're paying up...
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Let's call it 130.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Charles, Charles...
0:12:57 > 0:12:58130, deal.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00Oh, Charles!
0:13:00 > 0:13:02I could keep lunch in there, couldn't I?
0:13:02 > 0:13:03You certainly could.
0:13:05 > 0:13:06Meanwhile, in that lovely Jag,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Geraldine and Will have travelled about 20 miles,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13and Geraldine is filling Will in on a little of her family background.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16My parents were both in the medical profession.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19They met in a hospital.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22My mum worked at Guy's during the war.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25As luck would have it, this morning, they're heading for a place
0:13:25 > 0:13:28that can shed a bit of light on the fascinating early history
0:13:28 > 0:13:30of British public medicine -
0:13:30 > 0:13:34the Mechanics' Institute of Swindon's Railway Village.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38They are indeed driving to the town of Swindon,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40where they're meeting Daniel Rose,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43chair of the Mechanics' Institute Trust.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47The Railway Village here was built in the 1840s
0:13:47 > 0:13:51to house the workforce employed in the huge Swindon workshops
0:13:51 > 0:13:53of the Great Western Railway.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55The railway was one of the grand marvels
0:13:55 > 0:13:57of the Victorian industrial age,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01designed and built by the most famous of our engineers,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Was this all Brunel's idea?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08It was Brunel's design that laid out the Railway Village
0:14:08 > 0:14:11that we see today and all of these buildings around us.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12Yeah.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15It was the GWR that brought the workforce to Swindon.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17The railway brought the people.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19That's right, and with all those people that arrived
0:14:19 > 0:14:23to work in the railway works, they needed somewhere to live.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27They needed facilities and recreational opportunities.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30The jobs created by GWR's workshops attracted people
0:14:30 > 0:14:33to this previously quiet area,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35but the cottages of the railway village
0:14:35 > 0:14:38were soon under great strain.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Hundreds and then thousands of workers descended on this area,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44but there just wasn't enough supply of housing.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47There was meant to be 300 cottages that Brunel was meant to build
0:14:47 > 0:14:50in this area. People recorded in their diaries at the time
0:14:50 > 0:14:53and started to vote with their feet the fact that
0:14:53 > 0:14:58it was a pretty dull place and wasn't a very healthy place, either.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01There was a real risk that Swindon would fail
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and it was thanks to the efforts of the workers themselves
0:15:03 > 0:15:08that saved the place and turned Swindon into a success.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12The Mechanics' Institution was formed in 1844
0:15:12 > 0:15:16for the benefit and enlightenment of those employed by the GWR.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20In the coming years, it would provide all the necessary facilities
0:15:20 > 0:15:23for New Swindon to become a thriving community.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Medical care, entertainment and education
0:15:27 > 0:15:30were all eventually provided for the workforce.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Who funded all these community endeavours?
0:15:33 > 0:15:35The workers themselves came together.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38The Great Western Railway gave them the land,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41but then they had to raise funds, so they sold shares,
0:15:41 > 0:15:44but essentially the workers themselves built and paid for
0:15:44 > 0:15:46and governed the organisation of the building.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- Did they have a theatre?- They did.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51The theatre was upstairs in the Mechanics' Institution.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53You can see it here today. It was built in 1854.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54It's a beautiful building.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59And that was really the centre of Swindon social life.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Today the building is boarded up,
0:16:01 > 0:16:03but there are proposals to redevelop it.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Over the years, even greater facilities were provided
0:16:06 > 0:16:08to the Swindon works employees.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Here, a medical fund society brought a level of health care
0:16:11 > 0:16:15that had never before been enjoyed by ordinary working people.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18So, all these little rooms, what are they?
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Are they different treatment rooms?
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Yeah, so there was a range of different therapies available
0:16:22 > 0:16:26in this building, including the swimming baths
0:16:26 > 0:16:29and the Turkish baths, but also a range of medical care.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31There was doctors, there was a dentistry
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- and there was also a range of other therapies.- All for free?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Yes, all for free because people contributed
0:16:36 > 0:16:38to the Medical Fund Society through their wages.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42These innovations at Swindon continued into the 20th century,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45and when the idea of a National Health Service was raised,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48its architects knew just where to look.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Of course, it was then in the 1940s,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55when Nye Bevan visited Swindon during the formation
0:16:55 > 0:16:56and the ideas of the NHS,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59that came here and studied the Medical Fund Society
0:16:59 > 0:17:02and took inspiration from what happened here
0:17:02 > 0:17:04as part of the blueprint that he put together
0:17:04 > 0:17:06for a National Health Service.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09So, the vision of the Mechanics' Institution
0:17:09 > 0:17:12helped to provide universal care for the whole of the country
0:17:12 > 0:17:16and this building is still caring for the people of Swindon today.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18The building is still fully operational,
0:17:18 > 0:17:19which is an amazing thing.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20There are therapists in here,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23so there are chiropractors and osteopaths and physiotherapists,
0:17:23 > 0:17:27that kind of thing, along with just people going for a swim.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Now, Charles and Natasha are motoring to the town of Cirencester
0:17:32 > 0:17:35in Gloucestershire. They're heading into Cirencester Antiques Centre,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37a very cosmopolitan choice.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Here we are - Cirencester.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Change here for Moscow, Stockholm and Paris.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Cirencester, yeah!
0:17:47 > 0:17:50OK, you ready to buy some more stuff?
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- Indeed.- OK, so am I.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55And they're straight off and browsing.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59What do you have?
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Is that a wee frame? Oh!
0:18:03 > 0:18:05It's a cute one for all the family.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07It is, isn't it?
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Oh, and look, it's actually quite theatrical
0:18:10 > 0:18:11- because it's got curtains. - It is.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12Let's see it up.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Very nice!
0:18:17 > 0:18:19And then reveal to us...
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- That's rather nice, isn't it? - It is cute.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27It probably dates from the early or mid 20th century
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and has a ticket price of £42.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Hmm, we really want it for about 15-20.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33We do, darling, we do.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Maybe even less.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37But what has Natasha spotted now?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Maybe we could beef up our lots a wee bit,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41that nice press cuttings folder,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44maybe we could add a little bit of trench art to it, perhaps.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45Yeah, yeah.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Trench art is work produced by soldiers in the First World War,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52usually items crafted from materials readily available
0:18:52 > 0:18:56on the battlefield, like these empty shell casings.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- OK.- So, they're quite naive and quite sweet and genuine.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01And also they're cheap.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03They are cheap.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- HE MOUTHS - Yeah!
0:19:05 > 0:19:07They are, at £18 the pair.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09So, they've certainly got their sights on those,
0:19:09 > 0:19:14but there's another battle coming as Will and Geraldine are here too.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15Watch out!
0:19:15 > 0:19:16Go on, after you.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19Get in!
0:19:19 > 0:19:22And look who's waiting in the wings.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- Uh-oh!- Have we been spotted?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Oh, that's a good question.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Look at him. Look, he's found something, he's found something.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Let's say hello, come on. Let's go and wind them up.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- NATASHA:- Hello!- Hello!
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- WILL:- What are you hiding? - Nothing.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- Absolutely nothing.- Are you staying upstairs, are you going downstairs?
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Yeah, we've done downstairs. Have you been...?
0:19:40 > 0:19:41We'll go downstairs, then, in that case.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42Yes.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45That's a terrible limp you've got there, sir!
0:19:45 > 0:19:47I know, it's such a shame. He's had it all day.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48He did have something behind his back.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52You two'd better stop spying on the opposition and get browsing.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- Glasses. - You like glass?- I love glass.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Hmm.- Will? - Yes?
0:19:59 > 0:20:03See, that's a very interesting pattern on that.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- Is that Torquay Ware? - Well, it must be.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08- Yeah, Torquay. - Isn't that unusual?
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I've never seen that pattern before.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13You do know your stuff, Geraldine. Impressive!
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- It's quite pretty, isn't it? - It is quite pretty. It's £8.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- It's got potential.- OK.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Shall we leave it here? Yeah, hide it behind a plate.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24You're learning quick.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25Leave it with me.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26We shall.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Devon Pottery.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Why do I keep honing in on this stuff?
0:20:31 > 0:20:32Is it just cos I know it?
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- Well, I think we've got to buy a piece of Devon pottery.- 33.- 33 quid?
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Another piece of pottery from the West Country,
0:20:38 > 0:20:42this one made in the Devon town of Dartmouth.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45This jug could be paired with a beaker to make a job lot
0:20:45 > 0:20:47from the sunny south-west.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49They're building up quite a haul, these two.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54But elsewhere, Charles and Natasha are still on the hunt.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55- What's that?- I don't know.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Is that some sort of...? Is that not for tickets on a bus?
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- It is.- Is that a conductor's ticket machine?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Give him your money, the ticket comes out,
0:21:03 > 0:21:08and I guess it goes like that and out comes your ticket.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11The ticket machine probably dates from the 1960s,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and there's £69 on the ticket.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16There's the ticket thing, look.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- Oh, look, it even comes with a spool of paper.- That goes in there.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- Ooh, I say! - Oh, that's cool.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Now, that's got my juices running, OK?
0:21:24 > 0:21:26That's what I wanted to hear.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27There's a thought.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29These two also have the little picture frame
0:21:29 > 0:21:32and the pair of trench art vases in mind.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Shopkeeper Will intends phoning the three dealers.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39First on the blower, Nicky, who owns the £42 picture frame.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44And I'd love to know what your very, very, very best price would be.
0:21:45 > 0:21:4730 quid?
0:21:49 > 0:21:50All right, that's a deal.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54All right.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Thank you very much, Nicky, thank you.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Bye.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- OK.- She must like you. She doesn't normally go that low.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Oh, how good is that?
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Next up, Neil, who owns the pair of trench art vases
0:22:05 > 0:22:08with a ticket price of £18.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10What's the very best you can do for that?
0:22:10 > 0:22:12How about half price, nine quid?
0:22:14 > 0:22:15Sorry?
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Is that Raj, did you say?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22No, you're speaking to Charles.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23Charles Dance, my name is.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26Hello!
0:22:29 > 0:22:31You're a gentleman!
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Thank you very, very much indeed, Neil.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40£9? £9.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42How good is that? Well done, Raj!
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Yes! Yes, "Is that Raj?"
0:22:45 > 0:22:46Yes.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50A case of mistaken identity notwithstanding,
0:22:50 > 0:22:51that's another winner.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56Now, what about the ticket machine, which had £69 on its own ticket?
0:22:56 > 0:22:57Can I make you an offer?
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Somewhere between 35 and 40.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05Would you, really?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08You're a gentleman. Thank you very much.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- 40.- £40, well done!
0:23:13 > 0:23:18Charles's mellifluous tones make that a phone haggling hat-trick.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21We have got quite a swag bag, Charles.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22A swag bag!
0:23:24 > 0:23:25Hear him roar!
0:23:25 > 0:23:28They've got that lot for a total of £79,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31but Geraldine and Will are still on the hunt.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36Listen to Charles Dance down there, bartering away.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37I can hear him, you know.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39I DEMAND I have this for nothing!
0:23:39 > 0:23:40I think he's enjoying himself.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43I'm enjoying myself, but I'm just feeling a little bit
0:23:43 > 0:23:47that I should have committed my cash.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49And on that note...
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- Do you like silver? - Yes, I do like silver.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54I remember, in India, all the silver jewellery.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56If we can find a bit of Indian silver,
0:23:56 > 0:23:57perhaps we could go with that.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01And dealer Brian might have just the thing to remind Geraldine
0:24:01 > 0:24:03of her Indian adventures.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07- Is that Indian?- Yes, very Indian. - Oh, yes!
0:24:07 > 0:24:13It's a little silver embossed box with a ticket price of £78.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16I've dropped the price, just like Brian's going to.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Put that to one side for us.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20- OK.- And we can always battle it out.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22That's a possibility,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25but elsewhere, there's one more exotic item.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- That's nice.- That's quite nice, that architectural carving.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30What is it?
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Mind your back. Mind your head.
0:24:33 > 0:24:34Oh, Lordy!
0:24:34 > 0:24:36It's an ornate carved lintel,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40apparently hailing from a Moroccan riad, ticketed at £110.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Please stop picking it up, you're going to hurt yourself.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Well, I'm just having a look at it.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46Yes, stop trying to lift that
0:24:46 > 0:24:50and let's see if dealer Brian can lower some prices.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- Hi.- Hi, Brian.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57First up, the West Country pottery, ticketed at £41 combined.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Your very best price.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01The very best, how about 30?
0:25:01 > 0:25:03£30 for the two?
0:25:03 > 0:25:04That's quite good, isn't it?
0:25:04 > 0:25:08- It is quite good.- It's not quite as good as 25 would be.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- That's not good, that's naughty. - That's not good for you.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12That's naughty!
0:25:12 > 0:25:16But, hang on, we had the little silver box as well
0:25:16 > 0:25:18you've got behind the counter, didn't we?
0:25:18 > 0:25:19Yeah, I kept that for you.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24- Yeah.- In the catacombs I found this one, a lovely Chinese one.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28- Oh, look out. - And it's fine work on that.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30That's a better finish, isn't it?
0:25:30 > 0:25:31Now, that I like.
0:25:31 > 0:25:37Yeah, more refined, better quality than perhaps the Indian piece.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40I like the feel of that better than that.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41- I like that. - Do we have a price on that?
0:25:41 > 0:25:44There isn't a price on it, which is slightly worrying.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47That one's 85, but I can do it for 60 for you.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53I think Brian has done us a good turn there,
0:25:53 > 0:25:58so my part of the bargaining, I'm going to say yes at £60.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Brilliant, brilliant.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03And what of the Moroccan carved lintel, priced at £110
0:26:03 > 0:26:05and owned by a dealer off-site?
0:26:05 > 0:26:08If he said it's 50 quid, I'd say we'd have it,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10but that's a big ask.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12That's a big ask, isn't it?
0:26:12 > 0:26:14£50 is a big ask, isn't it?
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Oh, wow, he's in a very good mood.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- 55.- Shall we go for it?
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Let's go for it. We've got to, really.
0:26:22 > 0:26:23Will you thank him very, very much?
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Geraldine says thank you very much.
0:26:25 > 0:26:26Brilliant, and Will.
0:26:26 > 0:26:32So, those three lots combined are now offered for £145 in total,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34but Will's got other ideas.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35So, can we say 130 for...?
0:26:35 > 0:26:37- Absolutely, yeah.- Good heavens! Thank you.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40- This man has been a godsend. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41What a deal!
0:26:41 > 0:26:44And they've got everything they need in this shop too.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Well, we'll revert to type now.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49You pay the man and I'll go and get the heavy things.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53And with that, the curtain falls on a fabulous first day
0:26:53 > 0:26:56on this road trip. Nighty-night, darlings!
0:26:59 > 0:27:03But these players are such stuff as dreams are made of.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06The morning greets them on the road and ready for more.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Did you have a good time yesterday?
0:27:08 > 0:27:10I felt like a kid in a toy shop.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I absolutely loved it. You?
0:27:13 > 0:27:14I think it was OK.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Thank God for Natasha.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Have you bought anything that might be a tiny bit risky?
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Erm...
0:27:22 > 0:27:26I think it's ALL a tiny bit risky!
0:27:26 > 0:27:28You catch on quick, Charles!
0:27:28 > 0:27:31And their devoted experts are moving too,
0:27:31 > 0:27:33and in a replacement car.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Is that a 1970 Citroen DS20 I see?
0:27:36 > 0:27:37I think it is.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Well, Will, bien fait, well done!
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Where did you come across this French beauty?
0:27:43 > 0:27:44Le Citroen!
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Tres jolie!
0:27:46 > 0:27:49So far, Charles and Natasha have amassed a whopping seven items -
0:27:49 > 0:27:53the Great War scrapbook, the bicorn hat tin,
0:27:53 > 0:27:55the volume of Evangeline,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58the silver ingot, the pair of trench art vases,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02the bus conductor's ticket machine, and the little picture frame.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03Blimey!
0:28:03 > 0:28:07They still have £191 left to spend.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11While Geraldine and Will have gathered three lots -
0:28:11 > 0:28:13the Moroccan lintel,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15the Chinese silver box,
0:28:15 > 0:28:17and the two pieces of West Country pottery.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20They still have £270 in their pockets.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Oh, they look cool, don't they?
0:28:22 > 0:28:23Look at that!
0:28:23 > 0:28:24There they are.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Good morning!
0:28:25 > 0:28:27OK, let's get this show on the road.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Don't ask.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Where exactly did you get that car, Will?
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Now, Charles is reminiscing on his time
0:28:36 > 0:28:41making the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie The Last Action Hero.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45I was sat in the make-up room with F Murray Abraham,
0:28:45 > 0:28:47who was also in the film,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50and we were having possibly a rather pompous conversation
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- about European art films, do you know?- OK.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56And Arnold came in on the back of it and he said...
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- IMPERSONATING ARNOLD:- "You know, you need the money you make in my films
0:28:59 > 0:29:01"to make your art films."
0:29:01 > 0:29:04He said, "You're absolutely right, Arnold."
0:29:04 > 0:29:07And talk has turned to Hollywood in the other car too.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10I did a film, a small bit in a film with Morgan Freeman.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12- Wow.- And I was beside myself.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- Starstruck.- I was playing his lover.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19And we had to have a love scene in a pile of hay.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21He's such a wonderful man.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Mais oui.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26This morning, these two are driving to Bath.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30They've still got a whopping £270 to spend,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32and they are strolling off to Bath Antiques.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34- Hello.- Welcome.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36How do you do? I'm Geraldine.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Niceties concluded, time for a plan.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Shall we go round together or do you want to split up?
0:29:41 > 0:29:43No, let's go round together.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- You shout if you see anything that catches your eye.- I will.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- 150?- £150, no.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54We don't know what we're looking for, do we?
0:29:54 > 0:29:56We just want something that we like.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Something to jump out at us.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00What's this big old thing?
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Will seems to have lost Geraldine, but what's he found?
0:30:08 > 0:30:09This has just caught my eye,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11really just because it's big and impressive.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15But just trying to ascertain if it's got any age to it.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Well, there's plenty of dust.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Just having a look for...
0:30:20 > 0:30:22any wear on the foot.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26It looks to have a little bit of wear, you know.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28I mean, it's a big, impressive lot.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32It's got a big, impressive ticket price too - £95.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Not signed anywhere, though, that's a shame.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Let's call in Geraldine.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- Oh, I was looking at that early on. - Were you?- Mmm.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41It's obviously got a little bit of age to it.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Has it? Because that's what I...
0:30:43 > 0:30:44I think so, because look,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47do you see how you see these natural ripples
0:30:47 > 0:30:50and then you've got these little air bubbles caught in it?
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Time to talk money with Annette. Stand by, girl.
0:30:53 > 0:30:54Ah!
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Well, I've gone from the cellar, right back upstairs.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58- Yeah?- And right back down again?
0:30:58 > 0:31:00And I've come back with this...
0:31:00 > 0:31:03what I think is a rather nice glass centre bowl.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- Yes.- It was tucked away upstairs...
0:31:06 > 0:31:08- Yeah.- ..covered in dust...
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- Yeah.- ..so it's obviously been there forever.
0:31:11 > 0:31:12It's been there a while.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Price-wise, we would really need to be buying it
0:31:15 > 0:31:18for as close to £20-£30 as we could.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19OK, I'll phone Gill.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21The vendor, Gill, isn't here today.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Fortunately, Annette has her on speed dial,
0:31:24 > 0:31:26so over to you, Geraldine.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Hello, we've had a very good look round here,
0:31:28 > 0:31:32and we're rather struck by your green glass bowl.
0:31:32 > 0:31:33What are we asking?
0:31:33 > 0:31:35- We're wondering if...- 25.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37- ..if you're prepared to accept 25. - Yeah.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41'So I would say, 28 and a half, you can have it.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- 'And I have £28.50...' - 28 and a half.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47- 28 quid.- 28 and we sorted. - I'm not faffing around with 50p.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49We're sorted on 28.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53Is that all right? Thank you, Gill.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56An incredible discount on the dusty green bowl.
0:31:56 > 0:31:57Well done, Geraldine.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59I'll do the honours and carry the piece.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02- Thank you.- Thank you. - Very nice to meet you, thanks a lot.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04- Lovely to meet you. - Thanks very much for your help.
0:32:04 > 0:32:05- And you.- Bye-bye.- Bye.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Meanwhile, Charles and Natasha are aiming
0:32:09 > 0:32:10for their first shop of the day.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14I've got you at my right hand and I don't think we can fail.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16That's the spirit!
0:32:16 > 0:32:19This morning they are driving to Warminster,
0:32:19 > 0:32:21but what are they going to find here?
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Right. The object is to spend money.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Indeed it is. They're meeting dealer Laura. Hello.
0:32:28 > 0:32:29Can I have a jelly baby?
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Absolutely, go for it.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33And with that little sweetener, they are on the hunt.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Intriguing, but who wants to buy it?
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Sorry, forgive me.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Ha! There is one thing that has made an impression.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56I haven't looked at the label, so I've no idea what this is.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57It's very interesting, isn't it?
0:32:57 > 0:33:01It's a bench that's been fashioned from a piece of farming equipment,
0:33:01 > 0:33:03with a wooden top added.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05The cast-iron base is Victorian.
0:33:05 > 0:33:081840s, circa 1840.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11I think it says 1890s, Charles. You've forgot your glasses.
0:33:11 > 0:33:12Honestly! If I believed you,
0:33:12 > 0:33:16everything would be 50 years older than it was.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18I know, Charles. The cheek.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19I like it, I love it.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- You do?- It is so cool, I think it is exactly...
0:33:22 > 0:33:24Do you like it at 349 quid?
0:33:24 > 0:33:27No, I don't. But I like its style.
0:33:27 > 0:33:28I'm not sure about...
0:33:31 > 0:33:32..the iron thing.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34The iron what, Charles?
0:33:34 > 0:33:38I have faith in the material, is what I have faith in,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40and the fact that the Victorians just cast everything in iron.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44But more importantly, do you have faith that it will sell?
0:33:44 > 0:33:46- Yes. I mean, it's a cool thing. - You do?
0:33:46 > 0:33:47Oh, for sure it would sell.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51That hefty ticket says it's owned by a dealer called Debs.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53What man or a woman is Debs, Laura?
0:33:53 > 0:33:55My mother.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58- Oh!- Oh, that's Debs! That Debs, that Debs.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02And while Laura has a confab with her mum, they search on.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Oh, it's open.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Oh, Charles!
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- When is a door not a door? - I don't know.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10- When it's A JAR.- Oh!
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Oh, the old ones are the best, Charles!
0:34:13 > 0:34:17And this pair of hallmarked silver vases have some age too.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19They're marked for 1904.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21OK, let's have a look. These are typically Edwardian.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23You have a look at that one and I'll have a look at that one.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25At 160 quid.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26Oh, 160?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29- Yeah.- OK, well...- Well, reduced!
0:34:29 > 0:34:31- Reduced.- Reduced to 160? - Reduced from 200.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35These are not rare. These are stylish.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36- So...- Sorry, what did you say?
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Hello!
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Speak up, Natasha.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43So I'd be looking for about half price,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- and I'd be looking for you to work your magic.- OK.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Laura will try to contact the dealer who owns those.
0:34:50 > 0:34:55But they've two pricy buys in mind and only £191 left.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59It turns out Laura's mum, Debs, is in fact nearby.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Very close by, but hiding, yes.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04Could she come out of hiding? Can I have a word with Mum?
0:35:04 > 0:35:07- I'm sure you can. I shall go and see if I can pull her out.- Fabulous.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10Her mum, she's heard that Charles Dance is coming
0:35:10 > 0:35:12and she's seen you playing these horrible villains,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14and you've scared her into hiding!
0:35:14 > 0:35:16No, I haven't, not at all.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19- She's out there making herself a cup of tea.- Treat it as a role.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23Lull her into a false sense of security.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25No, I shall lull her into a sense of security,
0:35:25 > 0:35:26not a false sense of security.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29- Oh, right, OK. - I'll do my damnedest, anyway.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32- Oh, there she is.- There we go.
0:35:32 > 0:35:33Oh, dear.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35He doesn't bite, Mum.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37- Hello, Debs, how are you? - I'm Debs, pleased to meet you.
0:35:37 > 0:35:38How very nice to see you.
0:35:38 > 0:35:39God, he's smooth.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44Time for a chat about that bench. Debs has priced it at £349.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46I'm being really cheeky now.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Go on, then. Try me.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49Um...
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Can I have that for 85 quid?
0:35:52 > 0:35:55You never straighten your hair, I hope, do you?
0:35:55 > 0:35:57- No.- Well, do you know, so many women do.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59I know they spend hours with straighteners
0:35:59 > 0:36:04getting the fantastic waves out of their hair, and you don't do it.
0:36:04 > 0:36:05Don't ever straighten your hair.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07- I won't.- Brilliant.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Anyway, back...
0:36:10 > 0:36:11I think that might have worked.
0:36:11 > 0:36:12He is good, isn't he?
0:36:12 > 0:36:14So, can we shake on 85 quid?
0:36:17 > 0:36:18- As it's you. - I owe you, all right?
0:36:18 > 0:36:20I had a line in Game Of Thrones -
0:36:20 > 0:36:23the Lannisters always pay their debts.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- And now...- Good luck with it.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- ..you are indebted to Debs. - I shall come back...
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Thank you, Debs! Very kind.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34But now Laura's got the dealer who owns the silver vases on the blower.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Hello, Heather, it's Charles Dance, how are you?
0:36:37 > 0:36:39'Hello, I'm very well, thank you.'
0:36:39 > 0:36:40Good. OK.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43What we're trying to do is leave this shop
0:36:43 > 0:36:45with our shopping finished.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48So I want to give you what we have remaining
0:36:48 > 0:36:51in our hot little pocket, you see?
0:36:51 > 0:36:54Am I pushing my luck to offer you 100?
0:36:54 > 0:36:56You're an absolute angel, Heather.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Thank you very, very much indeed,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03and thank you for being patient with us.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05Enjoy the rest of your day.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07'And you. Enjoy your shopping.'
0:37:07 > 0:37:08All right, my darling, thank you.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Another devastatingly charming haggle from Charles
0:37:12 > 0:37:15means they've spent all but £6 of their budget.
0:37:15 > 0:37:16Isn't that fantastic?
0:37:16 > 0:37:18May I? Thank you.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20And they're wandering onwards.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23I'm in complete awe of you, Charles Dance.
0:37:23 > 0:37:24That was amazing!
0:37:26 > 0:37:30Back in beautiful Bath, Geraldine and Will have just finished lunch.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32All right for some, eh?
0:37:32 > 0:37:35- That was delicious.- Hang on a minute, what's going on here?
0:37:35 > 0:37:37All right, lads?
0:37:37 > 0:37:39What's going on here? You don't often see one of these
0:37:39 > 0:37:41in the middle of the street. So what was the plan with this?
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Well, I was going to put it in the office.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45We've got an antique office... The antique office.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Yeah?- It's an old office, but it's packed full of antiques.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53And this works quite well in there, but unfortunately, it won't fit.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55This sounds like an opportunity.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59A 19th-century French escritoire...
0:38:01 > 0:38:03..seems to be going begging, rather.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05We're on an Antiques Road Trip
0:38:05 > 0:38:07and we are looking for things to buy.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Jeremy here has got this grand beast from a dealer nearby.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- How much was it?- 700 quid.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16But since then... Which was quite good!
0:38:16 > 0:38:17But since then, I've damaged the front...
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- Ah!- ..by the front falling open, and also,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23I think there's a little bit of live woodworm.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26What do you reckon? We could help this man out, couldn't we?
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Well, we haven't quite got anything like 700.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32We haven't got 700 quid. Would you take 230 for it?
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- Yeah, go on. Saves me packing it back in the van.- Really?- Really?
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Really?
0:38:38 > 0:38:41..French Empire stuff anyway. So, go on, then, go on. 230.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Hey!- What have we done?
0:38:44 > 0:38:46- Thank you.- I wasn't expecting that.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47- It's all right.- It's a deal.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52A most unexpected alfresco buy, or al-desko buy.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Pay the man.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Oh, look. I've actually left myself a tenner.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59- We need that for... - But I need that for this afternoon.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Check your pockets, Will, you actually have £12 left.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04- That's absolutely amazing. - Thanks for that.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06- Amazing.- That's hilarious.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08I'm not sure I just did that, did we?
0:39:08 > 0:39:10You jolly well did.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Now, whilst motoring to their next stop,
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Charles is filling Natasha in on his childhood.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17I was brought up in Plymouth.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19I was brought up by the sea.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24It's very much part of my blood, I need to be by the sea at times.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27I actually thought about joining the Navy.
0:39:27 > 0:39:32So, they are driving to the environs of the village of Ilchester
0:39:32 > 0:39:36and flying towards the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm Museum...
0:39:36 > 0:39:40- Look, they saved a space for us and everything.- Fabulous.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43..where they are meeting curator Dave Morris.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45Hello. This is Natasha.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49This enormous hangar houses an impressive collection
0:39:49 > 0:39:53of over 90 aircraft, which tell the story of the Royal Navy's adventures
0:39:53 > 0:39:55in the skies.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Although you might naturally think of our naval forces
0:39:58 > 0:40:00as being sea-bound, the Navy has, in fact,
0:40:00 > 0:40:04been developing aircraft and flying missions for more than a century,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07and Charles, for one, can't wait to find out more.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11Tell me, how and why did the Navy take to the air?
0:40:11 > 0:40:13One of the great necessities at sea
0:40:13 > 0:40:15is to be able to see over the horizon,
0:40:15 > 0:40:18so the Navy's been experimenting with tethered kites
0:40:18 > 0:40:21and tethered man-lifting balloons for many, many years
0:40:21 > 0:40:23in a bid to try and get that advantage
0:40:23 > 0:40:25of looking over the horizon.
0:40:25 > 0:40:26How many years, though?
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- From the early 1900s. - Really?
0:40:29 > 0:40:33As soon as kites and balloons are being developed enough to lift a man
0:40:33 > 0:40:34and think usefully about that,
0:40:34 > 0:40:37the Navy starts to become interested in flying.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39These early experiments with kites and balloons
0:40:39 > 0:40:43showed the Navy what advantages aerial capability could offer
0:40:43 > 0:40:46to the fleet, and in 1903, one great innovation
0:40:46 > 0:40:49blew those possibilities sky-high.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51The aeroplane comes along in 1903.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54It's the first time a man has used powered, controlled flight,
0:40:54 > 0:40:56and the Navy takes an immediate interest.
0:40:56 > 0:41:01It can move away from the ship several miles and rove around,
0:41:01 > 0:41:05pick up information, spot weather, spot landfall, use it tactically,
0:41:05 > 0:41:07even begin to think about using it for search and rescue.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12The plane behind them is a very early example of a naval aircraft.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15Did a plane like that sit on the top deck of a battleship?
0:41:15 > 0:41:18- Pretty much, yes. - Really?
0:41:18 > 0:41:20But a plane like that needs
0:41:20 > 0:41:23quite a lot of metres to take off, doesn't it?
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Exactly. And this is what they were learning fast,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29as they were beginning to look at taking aeroplanes
0:41:29 > 0:41:31and using them for the first time -
0:41:31 > 0:41:34the platforms, the structures, the takeoff platforms
0:41:34 > 0:41:36- were incredibly small.- Yeah. - Very precarious, very dangerous.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41- Yeah.- And they were relying as much on the ship steaming into wind -
0:41:41 > 0:41:43that would just about get an aircraft airborne
0:41:43 > 0:41:45in a very short distance.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47- I don't like the "just about", do you?- No.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49If I was a pilot on that plane and somebody said,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52"Well, you can just about take off..."
0:41:52 > 0:41:56- Wow.- They were learning fast that flying from ships was possible,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- but very, very dangerous.- Yeah.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02From the Navy's first hazardous forays into launching planes at sea,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05they quickly began to develop more advanced technologies.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07The experimental age is over,
0:42:07 > 0:42:11aircraft are now needed and being used, of course, for war.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13This is the beginning of World War I.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15- Right.- This is typical of one of the Sopwith aircraft
0:42:15 > 0:42:18that would have been used by the Royal Naval Air Service
0:42:18 > 0:42:19during World War I.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22And straight away, lots of things are changing.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26It's got more purpose, it's got a better engine.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28The whole design has become more compact.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32Yeah. And these floats mean that it can land and take off on water?
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- Absolutely.- So exactly how large a role did planes like this play
0:42:36 > 0:42:40- during World War I?- Enormous. It was huge.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Aircraft changed the shape of warfare as we know it.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46From World War I, you are no longer just dealing
0:42:46 > 0:42:50with foot troops and cavalry, you can now get airborne,
0:42:50 > 0:42:53fly around over the battle zone,
0:42:53 > 0:42:55look down, attack from above.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59I mean, it put a whole new dimension, literally, into warfare.
0:42:59 > 0:43:00Over the coming decades,
0:43:00 > 0:43:05the Navy's air fleet would continue to make brave leaps forward.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10One of the great sea changes came in the period following World War II,
0:43:10 > 0:43:13when they began to swap wings for rotor blades,
0:43:13 > 0:43:15developing Navy helicopters, like this one.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18Four years after the end of World War II,
0:43:18 > 0:43:21we got this as the new technology, the new helicopter age.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24- Amazing. - Am I allowed to get in there?
0:43:24 > 0:43:26- Please do.- No stress. - Get in there, soldier.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28Oh, my days!
0:43:32 > 0:43:35Oh, brilliant!
0:43:35 > 0:43:37There's not a lot of room in here.
0:43:37 > 0:43:38You look great.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40- Do I? Really?- Yeah, wonderful.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Have you got the key, please?
0:43:42 > 0:43:44Steady on, Charles.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50Meanwhile, Geraldine and Will have motored the Citroen
0:43:50 > 0:43:5340 minutes south-west to the village of Ston Easton.
0:43:53 > 0:43:55Oh, two magpies.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58- Two?- Yep.- That's a good sign. - Very good sign.
0:43:58 > 0:44:02Let's hope all is joyful as they aim for the next shop.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05The Somerset Shop And Reclamation looks interesting.
0:44:05 > 0:44:09- Oh, my days. - Oh, my word.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12- Slightly wish we had a bit more money.- Hello!
0:44:12 > 0:44:15Quite. You've only got £12 left in your kitty.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18- How do you do? I'm Will. - Hello, Will. How are you? I'm John.
0:44:18 > 0:44:19- Hello, John.- Pleased to meet you.
0:44:19 > 0:44:20You're a small lad, aren't you?
0:44:20 > 0:44:22Around 6'4", if you were wondering.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24- Hi, Geraldine. - Hello, Geraldine. John.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26Very nice to meet you, what an amazing place.
0:44:26 > 0:44:27What an amazing place you've got here!
0:44:27 > 0:44:31Well, with everything from clocks to cart wheels, statues to sinks,
0:44:31 > 0:44:33you are spoilt for choice. And what's this?
0:44:33 > 0:44:35I don't believe it.
0:44:35 > 0:44:37Look at that!
0:44:37 > 0:44:38Ring any bells?
0:44:38 > 0:44:40Yes, this one's in better nick
0:44:40 > 0:44:43than the one you picked up yesterday too.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45No regrets, though, eh?
0:44:45 > 0:44:48Look, don't even ask how much it is, because we'll only be upset.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50But that's interesting, isn't it?
0:44:53 > 0:44:54He's got a coffin!
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Well, this is the most extraordinary place I've ever been to in my life,
0:45:00 > 0:45:03and I love reclamation places.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06But I think this will need a little bit of a...sort through.
0:45:06 > 0:45:08How about a nosy outside?
0:45:08 > 0:45:11Oh, yeah. They can be quite fun.
0:45:11 > 0:45:12People use those as doorstops.
0:45:12 > 0:45:14Yeah, we've got some more of those in the showroom.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16They've spotted a cobbler's last,
0:45:16 > 0:45:19a foot-shaped tool that, when slotted inside a shoe,
0:45:19 > 0:45:22provides a stable block for when nailing on a sole.
0:45:24 > 0:45:26- So we've got those there. - And they're working,
0:45:26 > 0:45:28they put their shoe on there and...
0:45:28 > 0:45:32Yeah, that's right. Sometimes they have...
0:45:32 > 0:45:33Right, here's this one.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36I think my arm's about an inch longer from when I picked it up.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39Well, that's definitely the most interesting one.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42I was just thinking as a doorstop, something like that.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45Slightly industrial sort of look to it.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47Some of the original paint.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49So they are 12 quid each, normally.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Can we do two for 12?
0:45:51 > 0:45:53Hey, that's buy one, get one free.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55Will John BOGOF?
0:45:55 > 0:45:57Um... I think I would, yes.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59- Well, you're a fantastic person. - Tell you what,
0:45:59 > 0:46:02let's shake on it and I'm going to say thank you very much.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06How kind. That final purchase means Geraldine and Will have spent every
0:46:06 > 0:46:09single penny of their £400. Congratulations.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11- OK, there you are. - That's the last of our funds!
0:46:11 > 0:46:13- Thank you.- Thank you, John. Very nice to meet you.
0:46:13 > 0:46:15- Pleased to meet you. - An amazing place.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17- All right, grab that one.- Thank you.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19And I'll grab... Always left with the heavy stuff, aren't I?
0:46:19 > 0:46:22- Thank you, John. - But you're so good at it.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24Shopping completed, it's time for our actors
0:46:24 > 0:46:27to take a peek at what the competition's bought.
0:46:28 > 0:46:30OK, let's do it. Shall we do it, Charles?
0:46:30 > 0:46:32- Show them?- Right, you get that end. Two cloths.
0:46:32 > 0:46:33Napoleon's hat!
0:46:33 > 0:46:35That's the provenance.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39Worn by Napoleon. Just the hat tin, not the hat included.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41Well, it's all very prosaic.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43I think it's a lunchbox.
0:46:43 > 0:46:45- It's not. It's a bicorn... - WILL:- It would make a fine lunchbox.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47It would, wouldn't it? Be a good lunchbox, that.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50- Has it got anything in it? Does it open?- Unfortunately...
0:46:50 > 0:46:52It opens, but, unfortunately, there's nothing in it.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54I reckon you paid 20 quid.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56OK, times that by three!
0:46:56 > 0:46:59- Really?- Sure, why not?
0:46:59 > 0:47:00That's good.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02And, er...
0:47:02 > 0:47:04Charles, take the lead on this one, because you loved it.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07Well, this is trench art, right?
0:47:07 > 0:47:09OK. Made from old shell.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11Empty shell cases, from the trenches.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14- Yeah.- What did you...? Oh, trench art.- And the book...
0:47:14 > 0:47:16is...
0:47:16 > 0:47:19Well, it says an album of press cuttings from the First World War.
0:47:19 > 0:47:21- Yeah.- Oh.
0:47:21 > 0:47:22No cuttings, but there are these photographs.
0:47:22 > 0:47:25- From the trenches.- The First World War, from the trenches.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27- Wow.- There's a sort of interwar piece and...
0:47:27 > 0:47:28And that's a bit of trench art.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30- It's lovely. - And that kind of goes with it.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33- It does go with it. - Time for act two. Curtains up.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36- CHARLES:- God! - I wasn't expecting marquetry.
0:47:36 > 0:47:37Quite jazzy, isn't it?
0:47:37 > 0:47:39- Ooh!- Would you believe me if I told you
0:47:39 > 0:47:42we bought that off a couple of blokes in the street?
0:47:42 > 0:47:44- Literally. - No, I wouldn't believe you.
0:47:44 > 0:47:46- No, well, it's true. - You're so lucky!
0:47:46 > 0:47:49We just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53Then the little bit of export Chinese silver, snuff box.
0:47:53 > 0:47:55And knowing your luck, 50p or so?
0:47:55 > 0:47:57Not quite. It was 60 quid.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00Yeah. Well, now we're in the hands of auctioneers, so, guys...
0:48:00 > 0:48:02- We are.- Good luck, good luck!
0:48:02 > 0:48:03See you there. Good luck, Natasha.
0:48:03 > 0:48:06- Good luck.- Thank you. - May the best team win.
0:48:06 > 0:48:08- Maybe.- Do I mean that?
0:48:08 > 0:48:10- I don't know if I do.- Well done.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12What do our thespians really think?
0:48:12 > 0:48:15Time for some backstage gossip.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17I think we've got them rattled.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19- Did you see their faces when we revealed the cabinet?- Yes!
0:48:19 > 0:48:21- Yes!- They thought it was a set-up!
0:48:21 > 0:48:23Two guys in the street?
0:48:23 > 0:48:25Excuse me! They bump into Steptoe & Son,
0:48:25 > 0:48:28and they get a piece of Empire furniture!
0:48:28 > 0:48:29Thank you, and goodnight.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33After beginning back in Tetbury in Gloucestershire,
0:48:33 > 0:48:36they're now on their way to an auction in Essex
0:48:36 > 0:48:38and the town of Rayleigh.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40So, are you excited?
0:48:40 > 0:48:42I am excited.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46- Right.- I'm intrigued, a little trepidatious.
0:48:46 > 0:48:50I'm convinced that rather extraordinary piece
0:48:50 > 0:48:54of Empire furniture that you got literally off the back of a lorry...
0:48:54 > 0:48:57- Literally. - ..is going to do very well.
0:48:57 > 0:48:59Let's hope so.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01Well, here we are.
0:49:01 > 0:49:03- And here THEY are. - Here they are, indeed.
0:49:03 > 0:49:05Let battle commence.
0:49:05 > 0:49:10Charles and Natasha spent £394 picking up six lots,
0:49:10 > 0:49:14while Geraldine and Will spent all of their £400 budget -
0:49:14 > 0:49:17don't you love it? - also on six lots.
0:49:17 > 0:49:19I wonder what auctioneer Mark Stacey
0:49:19 > 0:49:23thinks of what our actors have acquired.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26The silver vase is Edwardian, very nice.
0:49:26 > 0:49:27The Chinese box, the star of the show.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30It's a fantastic box, plenty of interest.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33Time for our teams to take centre stage.
0:49:35 > 0:49:36Isn't this cool?
0:49:36 > 0:49:39Best seats in the house.
0:49:39 > 0:49:43Indeed. We're starting with Geraldine and Will.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46Is there a calling for Moroccan hardwood lintels in Essex?
0:49:46 > 0:49:50Commission bid's at 20. 22, 25 against you, sir.
0:49:50 > 0:49:5128, 30 I've got.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53Bidding. One more.
0:49:53 > 0:49:55Climbing, it's climbing.
0:49:55 > 0:49:5838, I'm out. At £38 at the far back.
0:49:58 > 0:49:59Any advances at £38?
0:49:59 > 0:50:01All done, you're all finished.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03Hammer's up at £38 and selling...
0:50:04 > 0:50:07Not quite the flying start they were hoping for.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09Listen, things can only go up.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12- I thought it was going to go for far less than that.- Did you?- Yeah.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14How about your next lot, Geraldine?
0:50:14 > 0:50:16It's your chance buy...
0:50:16 > 0:50:19the street-found secretaire.
0:50:19 > 0:50:20At 120, here with me.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22130 online. 140 is bid.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24- 140.- What did you pay?
0:50:24 > 0:50:26- 160.- Creeping, creeping...
0:50:26 > 0:50:28- Go on.- At 170 now.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30At £170.
0:50:30 > 0:50:31- You're so close.- Come on!
0:50:31 > 0:50:33180 now. Internet bidding.
0:50:33 > 0:50:35Surely someone in the room.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37Coming in, sir. 190.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39- Fresh bidder.- He can see quality.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42200 against you. 200, 210, 220.
0:50:42 > 0:50:45Back online. 230 is bid, at £230 in the room.
0:50:45 > 0:50:47At 230, 240 is bid.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49250 is bid now.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51260, 270 is bid.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53- 280.- It's creeping.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57- It's creeping. - Internet is back in at £300 now.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59One more, sir. Don't lose it.
0:50:59 > 0:51:01310 now. 310 is bid.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04310. All done, all finished at £310.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06Hammer's going down...
0:51:06 > 0:51:08First profit of the day.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11Well done, well done.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13Still cheap, though.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15- How good was that? - We made a little bit.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19Next, Charles's agricultural bench priced originally at over 300.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21At £20 now. Thank you, sir.
0:51:21 > 0:51:2422, 25, 28, 30 against you.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27Internet is coming in. £30 at the back.
0:51:27 > 0:51:2835, thank you, bid.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30At £35. 38.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32Internet bidding at £38.
0:51:32 > 0:51:3540 anywhere? £38 coming in on the phone.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37Oh, the phone. Yeah!
0:51:37 > 0:51:38Bid at £40 now.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40Against you online. 42 is bid.
0:51:40 > 0:51:4245 is bid.
0:51:42 > 0:51:4645, coming back in online.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48Thinking about it. 48 is bid.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50£50 is bid.
0:51:50 > 0:51:5350. Internet, 55, thank you. 55 is bid.
0:51:53 > 0:51:55Savvy buyer on the net.
0:51:55 > 0:51:56- Yes!- £60 is bid.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58Thank you, £60.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00One more online. 65, thank you.
0:52:00 > 0:52:0265 is bid.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04- Yes, sir.- £70 bid, thank you.
0:52:04 > 0:52:05Coming back in online.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08- All done, then.- Oh, no!
0:52:08 > 0:52:12I'll sell at 70, fair warning. Last chance then, please, at 70.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15Rotten luck, Charles.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17- Well done.- It could've been worse.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19- It could have been.- Brilliant!
0:52:19 > 0:52:22Charles could certainly do with a profit
0:52:22 > 0:52:24on his First World War photo book
0:52:24 > 0:52:27and trench art vases together as a job lot.
0:52:27 > 0:52:28At £20, advance if you wish.
0:52:28 > 0:52:302, 5, 8, 30 bid now.
0:52:30 > 0:52:32At £30. 32, 35.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34Thank you. At £35.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36- So close.- 38, 40 bid. At £40 now.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38One more, sir. At £40 now.
0:52:38 > 0:52:39All done, all finished.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41Last chance, please.
0:52:41 > 0:52:42It looks painful. At £40.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44All done, all finished.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46A profit of £1.
0:52:46 > 0:52:48Still, a profit...
0:52:48 > 0:52:49Just.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52- We're OK.- It's a loss, it's a loss.
0:52:52 > 0:52:55Next, Geraldine's two lasts.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58What can these cobble together? Oooh!
0:52:58 > 0:53:00£10 is bid. £10 now, at £10.
0:53:00 > 0:53:02Where's the 12? At £12, now.
0:53:02 > 0:53:0412 is bid. 14 now.
0:53:04 > 0:53:0614 bid. Shaking his head.
0:53:06 > 0:53:08One more. 14, 16 bid now.
0:53:08 > 0:53:09£16 now.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11Just behind at £16.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14Second row bid. Are we all done at £16?
0:53:14 > 0:53:15£16.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18Another positive return.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21- Well done.- That's a roaring profit. - Very good.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24A few more like that, Geraldine.
0:53:24 > 0:53:28Now, what can Charles's 1960s ticket machine do?
0:53:28 > 0:53:29Interest straight in at £20.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32Bid at 20. Advance if you like at 20.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35Internet, 22, 25, 28, 30 bid now.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38Come along. 32, 35, 38 is bid.
0:53:38 > 0:53:39Commission bid's at 40 now.
0:53:39 > 0:53:40At £40.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43One more. 42, 45.
0:53:43 > 0:53:44At £45 now.
0:53:44 > 0:53:4648, 50 is bid.
0:53:46 > 0:53:47And 5.
0:53:47 > 0:53:4960 is back with me.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51At £60. It's a commission bid.
0:53:51 > 0:53:53Are we all done? Are we all finished?
0:53:53 > 0:53:56At £60, last chance then, please, at 60...
0:53:56 > 0:54:00That's the ticket. A healthy profit there.
0:54:00 > 0:54:02- Bingo.- Well done.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04Not bad.
0:54:04 > 0:54:08Geraldine's job lot of West Country pottery is to go next.
0:54:08 > 0:54:09Commission bid I have at £10.
0:54:09 > 0:54:1110 is on the commission. 12 anywhere?
0:54:11 > 0:54:12It's here with me at 10.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14Any advances? It's a...
0:54:14 > 0:54:1510, 12, thank you, madam.
0:54:15 > 0:54:1614, against you.
0:54:16 > 0:54:1816 bid. £18.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20One more takes you. No.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22£18. My commission bid, then.
0:54:22 > 0:54:23All done, all finished.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26Last time then at 18 on the commission.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28Another little profit.
0:54:28 > 0:54:30- They all count.- Hey!
0:54:30 > 0:54:31Very good, very good.
0:54:33 > 0:54:34Job lot for Charles now.
0:54:34 > 0:54:36The limited edition volume of
0:54:36 > 0:54:38Evangeline and the wooden photo frame.
0:54:38 > 0:54:40Straight in at £40.
0:54:40 > 0:54:41It's here with me at £40.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43Advance if you like. It's a maiden bid at £40.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45Any advance? Coming in.
0:54:45 > 0:54:4742, 45 is against you.
0:54:48 > 0:54:5048 is bid and 50 now.
0:54:51 > 0:54:5355, 60 bid.
0:54:55 > 0:54:56At £60 on the commission, at £60.
0:54:56 > 0:54:5865 anywhere?
0:54:58 > 0:55:00Are we all done, are we all finished at £60?
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Last chance, then, please, at 60...
0:55:03 > 0:55:05He is slowly catching Geraldine.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08It's fantastic, it's in great condition.
0:55:08 > 0:55:11Next, Geraldine and Will's big green glass bowl.
0:55:11 > 0:55:13Let's get going. 30 is bid.
0:55:13 > 0:55:14Straight in at £30 bid.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16At £30. Advance if you like.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19At 30. 30, 32, 35, 38, 40,
0:55:19 > 0:55:21all online. 42, 45 now.
0:55:21 > 0:55:2245 is bid.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24Any advances at £45?
0:55:24 > 0:55:27All done? You all finished at £45?
0:55:27 > 0:55:29Hammer's going down.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31Big bit of glass.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33Biggish profit.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Well done!
0:55:35 > 0:55:38- Very good, girl. - That's all right, isn't it?
0:55:38 > 0:55:43Now, if Charles wants to get ahead, he needs his hat box to sell well.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46£20 I've got. 22 against you.
0:55:46 > 0:55:5125, 28, 30 bid, 32, 35...
0:55:51 > 0:55:52Someone has got a hat with no box.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54Seated at £35. 38, anywhere?
0:55:54 > 0:55:57All done, then. All finished at 35.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02Ouch! Hats off to you for trying, though.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04Sorry I showed it to you, Charles.
0:56:04 > 0:56:05Never mind.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08Now, only two lots to go.
0:56:08 > 0:56:09It's a battle of the silver.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13First, Charles' pair of vases and the silver ingot.
0:56:13 > 0:56:14£80 on the commission.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16It's a maiden bid. Any advances?
0:56:16 > 0:56:195, 90, 5, 100 now.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21100 bid. 110, 120.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23- Well done.- At 120 now.
0:56:23 > 0:56:24All done, then? All finished.
0:56:24 > 0:56:26Hammer's up at 120.
0:56:26 > 0:56:27Hammer's going down.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31£5 isn't to be sniffed at in this game.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33- I think that was a good price. - You did all right.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36We've come out with our heads held high from that one.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39Now our teams' last lot and the auctioneer's favourite -
0:56:39 > 0:56:43Geraldine and Will's Chinese silver box.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46Straight in at £60. 65, 70 is bid.
0:56:46 > 0:56:4875, 80 I've got.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51Against you, sir. 85, 90 is bid.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53At £90 on the commission.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56- We're going out with a bang. - Online coming in at 95.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58100, back on the commission, is with me.
0:56:58 > 0:57:01At £100. 110 is bid.
0:57:01 > 0:57:02- Creeping.- 120 I've got.
0:57:02 > 0:57:03130 now online.
0:57:03 > 0:57:05140 is back with me, commission bid.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08- Heavens above!- At 140 now.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10I don't feel completely useless any more.
0:57:10 > 0:57:11150 is now bid.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14£150. 160 I've got.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16£160 back with me.
0:57:16 > 0:57:17Behave.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19- For me.- Selling at...
0:57:19 > 0:57:21170. 170 back online.
0:57:21 > 0:57:23170. Commission bids are out.
0:57:23 > 0:57:25It's online at 170.
0:57:25 > 0:57:26- 170.- How good is that?
0:57:26 > 0:57:29All done, then? All finished at £170.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31Final time at 170...
0:57:32 > 0:57:35The big finale has brought the house down.
0:57:35 > 0:57:37- That's the way to do it. - Very, very good.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39That might have got us out of trouble.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42Excellent. I think it has got you out of trouble with a vengeance.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45I'd say that is the perfect way to end this auction.
0:57:45 > 0:57:46Shall we head out?
0:57:48 > 0:57:51Time to do the maths.
0:57:51 > 0:57:54Natasha and Charles started out with £400
0:57:54 > 0:57:56and after paying auction costs,
0:57:56 > 0:58:00they made a loss of £78.30,
0:58:00 > 0:58:03leaving them with £321.70.
0:58:05 > 0:58:07While Will and Geraldine, who also began with 400,
0:58:07 > 0:58:12made after saleroom fees a profit of £89.69.
0:58:12 > 0:58:16So with £489.54 they are today's victors,
0:58:16 > 0:58:18with all profits going to Children In Need.
0:58:20 > 0:58:23- It's been a hoot. - Oh, it's been such a pleasure.
0:58:23 > 0:58:24- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:58:24 > 0:58:28A standing ovation sees our marvellous players off. Bravo!
0:58:28 > 0:58:29Well, enjoy the sunshine.
0:58:29 > 0:58:31Thank you, it's been great.
0:58:31 > 0:58:32- Goodbye.- Thanks a lot.
0:58:32 > 0:58:34- See you soon.- Toodle-oo, you two.