Episode 19 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

-The nation's favourite celebrities...

-Oh!

-Just want to touch bass.

-..paired up with an expert.

-Boo!

-..and a classic car.

-No hands!

Their mission? To scour Britain for antiques.

My office, now!

The aim? To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no easy ride.

-CREAKING

-Oh!

Who will find a hidden gem?

-I like that.

-Who will take the biggest risk?

This could end in disaster.

-Will anybody follow expert advice?

-But I love this!

Why would you buy something you're not going to use?

There will be worthy winners, and valiant losers.

No, I don't want to shake hands.

Put your pedal to the metal.

Let me get out of first gear.

This is the Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

SIREN BLARES

Call the cops!

On today's show, we have a pair of leading ladies from the

frothy world of stage and screen.

It's the rather lovely Roberta Taylor and Trudie Goodwin.

HORN BEEPS

I think you've got more of an eye than I have, actually, for things,

especially Deco kind of stuff.

If you're trying to be nice to me so that you can win...

-Yeah, yeah, of course.

-That's, you know...

-It's not going to wash.

-I'm actually trying to get the audience on my side.

Yeah, and we haven't even started yet!

The girls are firm friends, though, and met on the set of

the long-running television drama, The Bill. Hence all these sirens.

Roberta as Inspector Gina Gold and Trudie as Sergeant June Ackland.

-'Allo, 'allo!

-Well, they all seem very pleased to see you.

That's because they think I'm a pushover.

Trudie notched up an incredible total of 24 years on The Bill,

and has also had a role in Emmerdale.

Amongst the many roles Roberta has played,

she's also appeared as Irene Raymond in BBC soap, EastEnders.

Oh, sorry!

I want to live, darling.

I know!

With £400 each to spend, will this road trip

see some friendly rivalry between these old pals?

And, of course, Trudie, in the end, I will win, because...

..I've always been your boss, and you've always had...

Yes, you have, I still think of you as my boss!

You've always had to do as you're told!

-So...

-Yes, ma'am.

So I want you to collect

some really expensive rubbish.

Cor blimey!

Tut-tut!

Today's experts are the delightfully dashing James Braxton and Paul Laidlaw.

-What a combo!

-But you're about to have your collar felt, aren't you, Paul, by...

-I know, I know, I know.

-..a couple of lady coppers.

They'll suss you out, mate.

Yeah, you watch it, you two.

The fellas have the racy red 1971 Jaguar XJ6.

Bit spongy, this, Paul.

I'm in second gear, and I'm unsure whether we've got first,

third or fourth!

So, it's...

Are you sure it's not an automatic?

It could be.

Over to the rather snazzy 1968 Citroen DS21.

I'm very much looking forward to it.

I hope I'm not going to clam up, that's the only thing.

I might, in the face of an expert...

-No, come on.

-No, probably not, no.

-When have you ever listened to an expert?

-Well, that's true.

Don't worry, they will be putty in your hands, girls.

Our adventures begin in the city of Glasgow,

venturing over to the west coast of Scotland,

zooming around Lanarkshire,

heading north to Callander in Stirlingshire,

before trudging south for an auction in Killinghall in Yorkshire.

Gosh, where are they?

-Come on.

-I think I'm going to slide off here!

-Are you all right?

-That would be rather embarrassing.

-I'm sliding this way...

-You've probably got some synthetic element

-in those trousers.

-How very dare you, sir!

-It's slipping.

-Cheeky beggar!

Oh, look at that Jag! Hello!

Take my driving gloves off.

Hello, James. Very nice to meet you.

Some First World War binoculars will be on my list.

Hello, nice to meet you.

Roberta's pairing up with the beardy Laidlaw,

and Trudie with the suave sophisticate that is James Braxton.

Right, time to hit the road, you lot.

All aboard. On we go, Parker.

Anyone for a dance? Let's begin with Trudie and James.

I've wanted to drive one of these since I was first in Paris

when I was about seven, I think.

-Lovely.

-We got a taxi and, of course, they were all like this,

they were all this car.

And I remember sitting in the back and going, "This is so luxurious!"

It's so cool, isn't it?

It is very luxurious.

Yes, yes.

It's like being cocooned by a baseball glove!

That's one way of putting it!

I feel I should call you ma'am.

Can I ham this up?

I think, if we're going to be a winning team, you should call me Rob.

-Rob, OK.

-I rob, you win.

I think we can see who the boss is going to be!

Back to Trudie and James.

They're travelling to the area of Broomielaw in Glasgow.

Do you know it?

I don't.

You want to find your inner Genghis.

My inner Genghis?

I'm going to find my inner Genghis.

Find your inner Genghis.

-Because I've got to bargain, haven't I?

-Or even a light Herod.

Even a light Herod.

Because I have got to be quite a hard bargainer, haven't I?

You've got to be tough.

Glasgow City Antiques is their first stop for a rootle.

Here we are. Look at this. Wowser, wowser!

It's a warehouse, practically.

It's a warehouse.

It's light industrial.

-Well driven.

-OK.

Oh! Very comfy car.

It looks like a huge place!

It is. Come on. Let's get in.

-Let's get involved.

-I'm quite nervous now!

No, rubbish!

Come on, Trudie, nothing to fear when you have James by your side.

Wow.

With the speciality of antique furniture,

this huge shop has over 20 dealers selling their wares.

Nice suit, nice chairs.

I do quite like these chairs.

That's a big pot.

So much, isn't there?

Oh, look at those big lamps.

They've all been sold.

Look! A police bike!

-No, really?!

-Oh, look at that.

That's very good. You were always station-bound, weren't you?

Or did you go out on motorbikes?

No, no, no, out on foot a lot, and then out in the cars,

but not on motorbikes.

No, no, no. But that is amazing.

That looks like a kid's...

-It is sweet, isn't it?

-It's a kid's toy, isn't it?

350.

We'll leave them to PURSUE their enquiries.

What about Roberta and Paul?

You and Trudie, on the other hand,

openly competitive?

Or is that not part of it?

-How is she going to play this game?

-It was never part of it, until we started this this morning.

She's basically...

..the most honest woman I know, but I think she'll get impish.

Hmm... Back to the impish Trudie.

Found anything yet?

Ohh!

That's quite nice.

That's very nice, isn't it?

It has a sort of American Deco look about it, doesn't it?

It looks like it's from an American hotel, or something.

-It's got reassuring weight.

-Wow.

I think we should...

-Oh, maybe put something on the table.

-Put something on the table.

Here we are. Oh, very kind. Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Dealer John.

Stand by.

-I quite like that.

-That is a great shape, isn't it?

-I like that.

Let me fondle the tag.

-How much is it?

-180.

-We could get down on that, couldn't we?

-Yeah.

I think that's very smart.

Do you know, I like that, because I think that's very Glaswegian.

It's a fabulous weight. Have you felt the weight of it, Trudie?

Go on. Come on, Sarge, put your muscle into it!

-Oh, blimey!

-Come on, come on.

That is seriously heavy!

You might get a bunch of fives if you keep calling Trudie Sarge!

She might not like it.

-WHISPERS:

-What would you pay for that?

Well, it's 180.

You want to be at 90 first.

-Do you really think?

-Yeah.

Inner Genghis! Inner Genghis.

Come on, Sarge. Do you mind being called Sergeant?

No. I'm very used to it!

At the moment, this is priced at 180.

So, what can you do us on that?

I've taken 10%, I could take 20 off it.

-No, we're not interested in ten, John.

-Seeing as it's you, I could take 40 off it.

No, we've got to go a lot less than that.

Oh, get you, Trudie!

What would you peel out from your wallet?

I would peel out £100, just like that.

-Just like that.

-John has to check the best price with the dealer of the lantern.

Cross your fingers, you know.

It's not, you know, it's not terribly old.

But what I like, I like this sort of chinoiserie look.

-I do.

-There's a lot going on there, stylistically.

-Yeah.

-Here he is.

-John.

-Yeah.

-I've got some good news for you, and some bad news.

Oh, dear, OK. It's not for sale?

No. You can get it for £100, but he's got to pay it.

I've got to pay it? Do you accept cash, John?

Yes, I certainly do.

-Well done.

-£100...

Is that a pony? I don't know, I can't remember what it is.

Anyway, there you are.

-It's a tonne.

-A tonne.

Yeah, well done, James.

That's one down, and the heavy gilt metal lantern for £100.

-Get the boot in, James.

-Oh, snug as a bug.

-Great!

-Snug as a bug in there.

Now, where are Roberta and Paul?

So here we have Glasgow on the horizon.

I fell in love with the city because my first job was up here.

And that was back in the '70s,

when Roberta was playing at a theatre in South Glasgow.

We're returning to the heart of Roberta's acting roots with a trip

to the Gorbals on the south bank of the River Clyde.

Our doyen of the stage and screen began her illustrious career right here

at the world-famous Citizens Theatre over 40 years ago.

Standing for over 140 years,

not only is there a rich history of dramatic excellence,

but the Citizens is the second-oldest operational theatre in the UK.

Hello!

-Lovely to see you.

-Dom, this is Paul.

-Hi, Paul, I'm Dominic Hill,

I'm the artistic director of the Citz.

-Pleased to meet you.

-Come with me and I'll show you around.

Now, Dom, I've been involved with this theatre since 1976.

Why and how was it built here?

The theatre was built... I mean, it opened in 1878,

and it was part of a huge wave of new theatres being built in Glasgow.

I think there was something like 20 built over about ten years at the

time. You know, and I guess there was no telly,

and it was the sort of major form of entertainment.

So this theatre was built here in the Gorbals for the local people,

and I guess it meant people didn't have to go across the river.

And it's always been at the heart of its community,

and I think that's one of the things that makes it really special, is that this is a

theatre for the Gorbals, for the people in the south of Glasgow.

The 19th-century Gorbals audience loved this spectacular entertainment

right on their doorstep.

However, there were a few hiccups.

In the early days, there were quite a lot of mishaps.

And there's a famous story about an elephant because, at the time,

they had animals and things like that in the show.

An elephant got loose,

and evidently got tangled up in some of the ropes and caused a riot in

the theatre, and the theatre was actually closed down because of that.

Originally His Majesty's Theatre, then Royal Princess's.

But in the mid-1940s, a new identity beckoned once more.

And when did it become the Citizens Theatre?

A man called James Bridie, who was a renowned playwright,

he had a company on the other side of the river,

and he was looking for a home for his company,

and he was offered the Royal Princess's Theatre.

So he moved his company and he moved in,

and he renamed the theatre the Citizens Theatre,

and he had a kind of manifesto that he wanted to create a theatre that

was for the citizens of Glasgow, and that's how it got its name.

And certainly that ethos is something that we still try to stick to today.

For over 70 years, the Citizens has been renowned

for its daring and provocative productions.

We did all sorts of things. It was a great laugh.

My very first job here, I was in knickers, bra, suspenders,

tights and balloons, and a cigarette which I popped all the time,

and I sobbed for days because I was so frightened.

I don't blame you!

Many a sparkling talent has appeared on the stage here,

from the likes of Sean Bean and Pierce Brosnan...

..to Glenda Jackson and Rupert Everett.

Now, let's get a closer look at the particularly unique stage.

Daft question. We're running downhill.

Is this part of this particular production?

No, this is the rake of the stage.

So this theatre has got, I think, the steepest rake in the UK,

which can be really challenging, particularly if you've got furniture on wheels and things like that.

But what it's brilliant for is for allowing the audience to see the

actors. So, you know, even when an actor walks upstage,

they're always in view.

So it's actually a very simple but

kind of brilliant architectural device.

I don't know much about architecture, but I never,

ever get terrified on this stage.

I get rightly nervous, which you're supposed to,

but there's something about, maybe it's the colour, the shape,

-or whatever.

-Certainly not a first for Rob today,

but this in every regard a first for me,

and it has been an absolute joy and a privilege.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Since 1945, the Citizens has been one of

Scotland's flagship producing theatres,

with a distinguished history of presenting both contemporary classics and

edgy Scottish drama.

This place is immensely significant in the history of British theatre.

Meanwhile, Trudie and James are back on the road.

I'm beginning to feel that competitive urge rising in me.

-Excellent!

-And Roberta and Paul are putting their foot down, too.

I so want a blue flashing light that we can just do that.

-So we get there before them?

-Yeah!

Our competitive pairs are travelling to the seaside resort of Largs in

North Ayrshire.

Visitors usually stroll along the Victorian prom

with a nice ice cream, but not today.

Prepare yourselves. We're sharing a shop, Narducci Antiques.

Stand by.

They're not here yet. We're first, we're first, we're first!

I hope you were within the speed limit, ma'am.

This is our manor now, Rob.

Here we are!

Please...

Before madam arrives!

All we survey, it's ours!

-Come on!

-I'm first!

Gosh, they're not competitive, are they?

What a place.

Lovely to see you, Roberta. How are you?

Oh, look. It's old friends of the Road Trip, Franco and Jock!

-It's a pleasure to have you through the door.

-It's a pleasure to walk through the door.

-Thank you for that.

-You win the prize.

Do you get that, do you get the antique smell in here?

I do. Beeswax, beeswax, beeswax, money, money, money.

So, if you forgive me,

I'm on the hunt.

Now, Paul's the companion every celebrity needs.

-Chill.

-Yeah.

Zen, antique Zen.

-Antique Zen!

-And just browse, scan, get the radar running and,

"Oh, I like the look of that, let's have a look-see."

But we've got all the time in the world.

We've not. It shuts in 15 minutes!

That's quite funny, actually!

Let's get down to business.

-When was the last time you saw a clock that looked like that? What's that made out of?

-I love it.

-Do you think that was always a clock?

-No. I think it was a propeller.

You're good! It's a propeller box.

And that's going to date to, more likely than not, the First World War.

Now, that could be horsepower,

the power of the engine that was appropriate to this propeller.

An interesting find, and certainly unique.

But it's not just a salvaged propeller, is it, Paul?

Let Roberta in on the secret.

There's another aspect to this.

The timepiece itself, it's highly likely that's an aircraft clock,

-isn't it?

-Oh, how brilliant.

You're brilliant.

It's priced at £240.

You're on, Roberta! Prepare yourself, Jock.

I'd be frightened to spend more than 80 quid on it.

-Gulp!

-How about, my thought would be 85.

For you, I'll buy that clock for 85.

Oh, for me? Not for the auction?

We've just bought something, haven't we?

Indeed you have. Jock is being super generous,

with an exceptionally kind discount.

£85 for the propeller clock.

Now, what of the others?

They're here already!

-I know. Let's box them in!

-Right, OK.

-Let's box them in!

Yeah! Could you get any closer, Sarge?

Oh, quick!

Go on, I'll get my antennae out.

Crikey!

I think you've found a friend here.

He could follow you around.

Shop pooch Bobby's helping them sniff out a possible.

This Chinese folding hardwood table comes with two lotus-shaped brass trays.

That is a nice bit of brass, isn't it? That's...

-Is it brass?

-Never mind the quality, feel the weight.

-Feel the weight, madam.

-You could just melt that down and you'd be all

-right, wouldn't you?

-You could, you could.

-I do quite like that.

Gin and tonics on us.

-Yeah, OK.

-Sorry...

Oh, hello!

Fancy meeting you here!

-We've already bought that.

-You've already bought that? That's a lie!

-They haven't.

-That is a fib!

So their ears were burning.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Just realising what they've missed.

Never mind them. Let's get Franco over.

Franco!

How long have you had that for then, Franco?

Days and days and weeks and weeks and months and months...

They're too close!

That comes off here, and that comes off there.

I hope he says it's £500.

-Feel the weight of that.

-Feel the weight of that!

Ooh!

Reassuring quality. We can think about that.

-I think we could definitely think about that.

-Do you think we should think?

There's nothing to think about that broken brass thing, buy it!

-Hey, we're being heckled.

-Ignore them.

-Sarge, go on, get tough with them!

-Yes!

-Move on.

-Keep it quiet in there!

-Enough!

-Enough.

Blooming heck, you lot.

-How much?

-It's got £80 on it.

-Yeah.

-60 quid?

50?

Give me your hand, give me your hand!

What happened there?

He was too quick on that.

I've made a terrible mistake.

That could have been 30!

Oh, don't!

Well, it's done now. £50 for the Chinese folding table.

Right, what's next for Roberta and Paul?

This is going to be 1920-1930,

and it is an office cabinet with a camber front,

and it's a security measure.

So, you keep your office filing in here,

your confidential papers or the letter-headed paper or whatever.

-Do you like this?

-I like that front,

and this is great in this day and age for undies and socks and...

-Yeah.

-..things.

-I thought you were going to say scripts!

No. And it's a handsome bedside table with a lamp on it.

It's really elegant.

Can I say, at the moment, never been more desirable.

Really popular.

Hence, £300 price tag.

Jock, you are very much needed.

What would you give me for it?

-80 quid.

-No, I couldn't do it for that.

Small steps. 85?

-100.

-We could end up getting 80 for it.

-85, what do you reckon?

-I'd go to 85, but that's it, cos we've got tomorrow.

-Any chance?

-85.

-Yes!

-Thank you very much.

My goodness, yet another incredible discount.

Well done, Roberta!

A total of £170 on the unusual World War I propeller clock,

and the oak stationery cabinet.

Back to Trudie and James.

You want colour, you want precious metals.

Yes.

And you want it cheap.

And you want it cheap!

-These are pretty.

-They're pretty, aren't they?

-These spoons are pretty.

Yeah. Who are they made by, then?

-Shall we have a look?

-I don't know, have a look.

Why that one, Trudie?

I love these colours. This is enamel, presumably.

Yeah, that's enamel.

And then that's probably silver, silver gilt,

so with the gold plating over the top.

-And they're made...

-They're pretty, aren't they?

-..in Oslo, Norway.

-Ah.

-Very trendy.

-Very trendy.

They're made by Norwegian silversmiths David Andersen,

although it was David's son, Arthur, who introduced enamelling to the

family firm. The company has always kept pace with changing trends,

and these Art Nouveau spoons are very pretty.

-I rather like those.

-It's rather nice, isn't it?

Well, I think that's rather nice.

Nice markings, nice to get an original box.

They're priced at £80.

Now, where's Franco?

So, how much would we be talking, for that?

55 to you?

What are you up to?

Caught red-handed, James!

30?

30!

That's a killer blow, isn't it?

£40, how's that, will that do?

35?

Don't look at me, Franco, they're not mine!

-Yeah!

-Go on!

-Cripes, Trudie.

-That's a very good purchase.

£35 for the set of David Andersen spoons and 50 for the Chinese

-folding table.

-Trudie's got the money here.

Thank you, thank you very much.

So that's 90.

-Was that 90?

-I think.

90. I'll give you a fiver change.

-Thank you very much.

-There's one there. There you go.

-There we are.

-A wee Scottish fiver for you.

-Magic!

-It's a Scottish one.

-OK, fine.

-It will bring you luck.

-Will it?

-That's very good.

Let's hope so. Right, gang,

go and get some shuteye before we do it all again tomorrow. Nighty-night!

Morning, all! Our lady coppers are on patrol once more, slowly.

-Oh, my goodness.

-It's a cow.

It's all right. Thought you were safe, eh?

I know I could do without big bullocks by the size of the road.

SHE LAUGHS

-It's the countryside, Roberta!

-I know, but you're...

Yeah. Look at that shot. Now, what about the likely lads?

I think one might say Sarge is the dealer's friend.

HE LAUGHS

Very good! Do you know what? Rob, the antithesis thereof.

Really, is she tough?

She'll walk from a deal.

-Really?

-Yeah.

She is one tough cookie.

-Come on!

-I'm first.

Yesterday, our darlings of stage and screen entered the antiques arena

with plenty of spirited determination.

Trudie and James bought a gilt metal lantern,

a folding Chinese table, and a set of Scandinavian spoons,

leaving them £215.

Roberta and Paul dug into their bag of money,

buying the World War I propeller clock and the oak stationery cabinet,

leaving them with just a smidge more.

They have £230 to spend today.

And it looks like our celebrities have been left waiting.

-That's not good.

-Oh, at last!

-What time do you call this?

-Yes!

-Eh?

-Well, hello.

-So you had an extra ten minutes in bed, in comparison to us!

We've had to drive through bullocks and sheep!

-Yes!

-Really?

-Rob's terrified of anything on four legs.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Jolly lucky we've reared onto two, isn't it?

Blimey, James!

-Come on.

-Right, let's go, then.

Right, off you pop, you lot.

Are you happy? Are you off?

A bike might be an idea right now, actually.

-Why?

-You hear that?

You hear that?

-Is nothing happening? Come on.

-Exactly.

We'll give you a push, come on.

WE'LL give you a...? ! I think you might give him a push!

You're dressed for it, come on!

-Come on.

-You don't drive?

-ROBERTA:

-I don't drive at all.

Handbrake off, handbrake off.

Off you go, James!

Right. A bit harder.

Does this happen very often on this show?!

BOTH: Yes!

Sheer Braxton muscle.

-And they're off!

-How's your resting heart rate?

I think it needs resting, it needs rest!

Take care of your old ticker, Jim!

Now, let's hop in with Roberta and Paul.

Of all the characters you've played,

are there any that you look back really fondly on,

or you're most proud of?

I suppose it has to be playing Amanda in Private Lives at the Citizens,

because we had only ten days to rehearse it,

the theatre didn't have any money, so two of the directors played the

men in it, so it was a cheap wage bill, and it got wonderful reviews,

even the London reviews, and it packed theatre out, and it was funny to do.

Whilst over in the stylish French motor...

Find the inner Genghis.

The inner Genghis!

SHE LAUGHS

I think my inner Genghis yesterday became my inner Mary Poppins, I wasn't quite...

Oh, blimey. Moving swiftly on.

Trudie and James have arrived in the area of Newhouse in

North Lanarkshire.

Greenside Antique Centre is their next shopping destination.

Right, here we are.

-Come on, James!

-It's all in the wrong place!

-Come on!

Dealer Alan has already thought of something that might tempt our Sarge.

-Now...

-Ah! Ah!

-Now, wouldn't that suit you?

-A police hat and a truncheon.

-Handcuffs, too.

-Yeah. Does that slightly predate The Bill?

-Slightly.

-Yeah, that's World War II.

Yes, it does, I'm not that old!

You cheeky blighter, James!

Can I have a look at it?

-Can we have a look at it?

-Course. I'll get the key for you.

Get the key for us.

Oh, I like that.

This style of helmet was invented in 1915 by John Brodie

for use in World War I.

It was designed to minimise injury from shell splinters and shrapnel.

-Now...

-Look at that.

-There we are.

-God, why do I keep finding things that are heavy?

-I know.

-That's... Feel that.

-Feel the weight.

-Wow!

-It is heavy, isn't it?

That could almost repel a direct hit.

-Couldn't it?

-Yes.

If you were wearing that all day, you'd about it, wouldn't you?

Just...

What do you think? What do you think?

Well, all right, Sarge.

Just ignore him, Trudie.

Now, what about Roberta and Paul?

This isn't as easy as we'd like it to be, is it?

If it was, we'd all be rich.

No, no. It is easier in one way, cos it's so much fun.

And I don't have to learn any lines.

You certainly don't.

We're heading to the area of Balfron Station,

just south of Aberfoyle in Stirlingshire.

Country Homes Antiques, owned by Andrew,

is next on Roberta and Paul's hit list.

At last, shopping, shopping, shopping.

Please let it be good, please let it be good, please let it be good.

HE LAUGHS

-Please let them be nice.

-You've said your prayers to the antique gods?

-Yes.

This family business was first opened in 1985.

Let's see what we can sniff out in here.

OK.

So many fantastic things here.

What's Roberta found down here?

That yellow plate.

Can you tell me about this?

Is that going to turn out to be Scottish?

Victorian, by the looks of things. Let's see. Let's have a look.

Any clues... So...

-Pretty colours, aren't they?

-Earthenware.

Scottish pottery ashet.

This period, which is late 19th century, is charming.

What does it say to you?

-Summer.

-Yeah.

Bright, cheery, breezy.

Auld Heather Ware, Scotland.

Do you know what, I suspect it's slightly younger than I had thought.

-Really?

-Yeah. Yeah, it could be early 20th century.

-That's a good, honest thing, isn't it?

-Mmm.

And it's priced at £68.

Auld Heather Ware was produced by Methvens,

a pottery once based in Kirkcaldy, in Fife.

And busy bee Roberta has found something else!

-No stopping her.

-Is this...

..lovely or boring?

Cos I've seen this on the show, things like this.

Do you hate it? I can tell by your face you hate it.

I expected more from you.

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

Tell me, why, why, why, why?

Well, in the kind of '80s,

you could get things like this quite cheaply.

-Portobello Road.

-OK.

It's unpriced, but on the list.

-What else?

-I just love the colour of this.

-But I don't know what it is.

-Neither do I.

Good. I've caught you out!

She's good. Of course he knows what it is.

Out of Northwest Europe in this modernist era, your Art Nouveau,

your Arts and Crafts, because this is certainly Arts and Crafts, is

-looking to the medieval era for inspiration.

-Oh!

You get revival in these bodies, these glazes, and forms.

And it's priced at £48.

Whilst those two mount up the potentials...

-James.

-..let's swing back to Trudie and James,

30 miles away in north Lanarkshire.

What's that? What an earth have you found there?

It's a spirit level.

-That is a rather splendid spirit level, I would say.

-Can we have a look at that?

-Alan?

-OK.

At the double, please.

Sarge wants to look in the cabinet.

-Sorry.

-I was looking, no, at...

..the spirit level. My dad used to have some beautiful tools.

-There we are.

-And, oh...

-What does it feel like?

-That feels like...

Ooh, it's lovely, it's all smooth and very...

Again, it's a heavy object!

If it's heavy, it's ours.

Ah, yes. The Braxton weight test.

Whatever you say, chief.

It's priced at £75.

What it is, we've got rosewood.

-Rosewood.

-Rosewood.

Terribly...

Lovely. Just a really nice, tropical hardwood.

And then this is...

..party and contra party, it's a form of marquetry,

so you've got brass as the subject and the surround being the wood.

So you have got two forms of marquetry.

Party and contra party?

-Exactly.

-I have never heard of that.

Level with me. Does it work?

-So, it just needs...

-There it goes.

You just need... What a long bubble!

-That work?

-Yes.

-You just need to...

-You're slightly out, Alan.

-You are slightly out.

Rebuild it, immediately.

-It's not level!

-Isn't that lovely?

-I just, it's just a nice thing.

-I think it's the smartest spirit

-level I've ever seen.

-Yeah, me too.

Alan, what could you do on that?

No clues, don't look at the ticket.

-Come on.

-Well, for you...

-What could you do?

-35?

-35.

-Give you a chance at the auction.

That would give us a hell of a chance.

-Oh.

-30?

-Oh, the pause.

I noticed the pause.

-30?

-Well...

-Sarge.

-OK. I don't think...

Do we think that's all right?

Shake the man's hand immediately.

£30, you're done.

Sarge, good, good buy.

This is heavy, I could hit you over the head with this.

Yeah. I might then need a helmet.

Ah! Shall we look at the helmet?

Shall we look at the helmet?

If you want.

Come on. Have you got your key?

-I've still got it in the pocket, there.

-Good thinking, Alan.

Remember, that helmet is priced at £75. Stand by.

It's lovely, isn't it?

-It is.

-I like that.

35? Do that for you?

I think this might be quite difficult to shift.

-Do you? Really?

-In Harrogate.

Harrogate. They're law-abiding citizens there, aren't they?

Yes. 25.

-You never know, it could be handy.

-25.

MEN GASP

Well... 28?

Get you something on it.

-25.

-You're a very hard woman!

-OK, 25.

-Aww!

-Well done.

-Are you happy with that?

-It's a deal.

Well done.

Thank you very much, Alan.

Alan, well done.

-I might have to kiss you.

-No, no!

Well, there you are.

-Look at that.

-Police helmet, and I think those...

I think... I am pleased with those, you know.

-Winners.

-I'm pleased with those.

-Winners.

Blooming heck, Trudie, that was good going.

A total of £55 on the World War II helmet

and the rosewood spirit level.

£5 change for you.

-Aw!

-Oh, thank you. And a receipt.

-Isn't that lovely?

-Thank you very much, Alan.

-That's great.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-You're welcome.

-Right, OK.

-We can carry these.

-Can I take the helmet, Sarge?

Yes, you dare say Sarge, though...

-All right, Sarge.

-Oh, you...

-Right.

-All right.

-Right!

-That's it! Lovely to meet you.

-Take care, bye.

Now, has Roberta rooted out any more potentials over in Newhouse?

This tray...

What is it apart from a tray?

I mean, its design, how is it done?

OK. I suspect you're looking at pyrography.

-What?

-Is that an illness?

It was murder, Inspector.

BOTH LAUGH

That was a bit Taggart there. How does that crossover work?

-That worked, yes.

-Pyrography - poker work.

Is that '30s?

You're right for period.

I think 1930s. It is a tea tray.

Those wooden elements there, not bamboo, faux bamboo.

These are turned in the socket.

And you get your soldering iron, your poker or whatever,

and you get it hot and you just scorch the pattern.

Prepare yourself, Andrew.

-Here they come.

-Hello.

-Hi there.

-Hello, I'm Roberta.

-Hi, Roberta.

-Lovely to meet you.

-Paul, pleased to meet you.

-Hi, Paul.

-We love your...

-Thank you very much.

-..emporium, your tent.

-Now, that's the schmoozing over...

-Uh-huh.

-We have had a good mooch around...

Sure have. And as a reminder,

Roberta likes the look of the Scottish earthenware serving dish,

the arts and crafts vase,

the pewter tea set,

and the poker-worked tea tray.

£100 for the lot.

-Jeez!

-Doesn't muck about, does she?!

THEY LAUGH

Where did that come from?!

Cor blimey, Roberta.

If you don't ask, you don't get, I suppose.

I think we're struggling at that.

I'll give you the pewter set.

I mean, it is a nice set.

I'll give it to you for 60.

That's too much.

-Still too much?

-I reckon that is 30, £40 at auction.

105.

-But purely because I love them.

-Put it there.

HE LAUGHS

You! Lethal!

-Done all right, hasn't she? Done all right!

-I'm hugging you.

Yeah, well done.

Congratulations, Roberta.

£25 for the Scottish earthenware serving dish,

£20 on the Arts and Crafts three handle vase,

and the combo lot of the Arts and Crafts pewter tea service and the

poker-worked tray for £60,

totalling £105.

That is what you call a deal.

-Come on. Come on, come on.

-Is this a getaway?

-Yes!

-I did pay, didn't I?

-Yes!

Meanwhile, Trudie and James have hot-footed it

to the north Lanarkshire town of Kilsyth.

As our celebrities and experts road trip around the country,

dry stone walls are a very familiar sight.

They survive as the oldest relic of our farming heritage.

Trudie is a bit of an outdoors gal, and, as a special treat,

she's come to learn the little-known story of the stones that helped

build rural Britain.

The man in the know is the chairman of the West of Scotland

Dry Walling Association,

John New.

John. Hello! Trudie.

Very nice to meet you. I'm so looking forward to this.

-James.

-Hello, John.

There are over 180,000 miles of dry stone walls in the UK.

Construction of these walls without the use of mortar or cement is a

skill passed down through generations.

Do you know, it's not just a craft, but an art?

Walling will go back over 1,000 years in this country.

-Really?

-It's been here for as long as there's been stones.

Way back, 1,000 years ago,

the fields weren't really a defined item.

It was more protection for livestock.

So we see it all over Britain, the proliferation of walling.

It really came to its peak in that kind of period.

The 18th-century enclosure law created legal property rights to

land that was previously considered common.

Between the 17th and 20th centuries,

6.8 million acres of land were enclosed within Britain.

Dry stone walling was the quickest and most efficient process to form

-boundaries.

-The stone was there.

It had been cleared by farmers for years and generations to the side of

the fields, when they were ploughing.

So the stone was probably there at the edges of the fields,

and the next practical, logical step would be to then create walls.

I suppose you could also move the walls around, if you were suddenly

given another bit of land, or...

Well, that's right. They tended to, as they divided the land

and land was passed on from farmers...

..down...divided between their sons,

then all they had to do was divide a field with another wall.

Walls are predominantly found in north and western Britain,

and vary in style and colour due to the natural stone supply of each

region. A good waller can build four to six yards a day.

Today, fewer walls are being built

and it's more a case of maintenance.

But the skill required is the same.

So here we have a classic gap in a wall.

If you leave it as it is,

it'll just deteriorate further and eventually the whole wall will

collapse. So it requires rebuilding from this point upwards.

You see the stone is always worked in the way...

-Yes.

-..towards the centre, longways in, and that gives it the strength.

The hearting is in the centre here.

-It would fit in...

-Oh, yes.

-Look at that.

-Yes.

-See, like that, there?

-That is perfect.

-Oh, I see, I see.

-You see?

-That holds that together.

-Yes.

-Stops it rocking.

Then, what would you then put to fill in that bit?

-Well, that's where the skill comes in.

-Oh, that is where...

-Where you have to...

-Yes.

-You start to look round at your stone pile and...

Stand back, John.

HE LAUGHS

Yeah, right, James.

So that's a better-looking candidate.

Oh, that's better, sorry.

Oh, very good. That's perfect.

-You could get a job with me, Trudie.

-Look at that!

Yeah. Not so sure about old James!

Oh, the clunk.

-The clunk!

-That's the technical term, of course.

So, you need to have it round that way, actually, James.

-Hark at you!

-Do try and concentrate.

-Hark at you!

-He's not so good at that.

It's like an adult jigsaw puzzle, isn't it?

-If you say so.

-I could happily spend all day doing that.

Thank you ever so much.

It's been a pleasure having you, Trudie.

-Delightful to meet you.

-Really lovely, John.

-Thank you very much.

-Yeah.

-Really lovely.

-Thank you.

-I think you have an aptitude for this.

-Do you think?

Dry stone walls offer not just protection for livestock,

they are works of art, and a living history.

Look at that shot.

Meanwhile, Roberta and Paul have

motored their way to the town of

Callander, in Stirling.

I am no actor.

Er, um, sorry, I think you are, and that's why you get such good bargains!

HE LAUGHS

Our pair have £125 left in their bag of cash.

Ta-da!

Could be tricky...

HE LAUGHS

Look at that for precision work!

Perfection, Paul.

This is the last chance for this pair of lovelies to shop.

What goodies can they find in here?

-Hello.

-Hello, how are you?

-I'm Roberta.

-Hello, Roberta.

How are you doing? I'm Paul.

-Hello, Paul.

-You are?

-George.

-Good to see you.

-Hello, George.

-Good to see you.

You could be on a roll, you see.

-They're sort of the same idea, aren't they?

-Yeah, they're all relatives.

Now, what's this?

What do you make of that?

-What does that say?

-About a railway?

HE LAUGHS

It is heavy enough to be part of a railway locomotive.

It says London.

I know what that is now.

If I turn it up that way, are you getting any clues?

Because that's the right way up, and it's only half of it.

-A bottle?

-It's a bottle mould.

-Oh, how funny.

-So this is one half of a two-piece mould.

-Right.

-And either mechanically...

..or, I don't know, for all I know, by mouth,

a bubble of glass is blown into the mould. Let it set, cool down,

open up the mould, there you go.

And that's for London.

That'll be London gin, won't it?

-Yes.

-The other half of that square section bottle said gin.

It's not priced.

Let's get dealer George in, to talk cash.

How about £30?

It doesn't sound dear.

But at the same time, how do you put a value on that?

15 quid or nothing.

-15 quid?

-That is categorical, that.

It is, isn't it?

-Known fact.

-How about making it £17?

Only £2, but it makes me feel good.

-What about £16.50?

-How about £16.50?

-That'll do.

-You're not arguing over 50 pences.

-£16.50?

-Sorry?

-Did you say yes to £16...?

-I said £16.50, yeah.

-There you are.

-Done.

-We're not going to argue over 50p, OK?

-Thank you very much.

Well done, Roberta. That's a shake.

-I'll give you...

-20.

-..your note.

And 3.50 change.

-Thank you very much, George.

-Thank you.

That Roberta is one heck of a negotiator.

And that concludes the buying for this trip.

Shopping complete, time to reunite and have a nosy at one another's buys.

-I love this bit.

-Lovely weather, and lovely shopping, wasn't it?

It was, we had a lovely afternoon.

Well, ours was lovelier.

-Yes.

-And BETTER weather.

Oh, was it? Rubbish, can't be!

-ROBERTA:

-And we shopped for longer and bigger and better.

And spent more money!

-Oooh!

-Ready, steady...

-And...

-Reveal. There we are.

-OK.

O-o-o-oh!

Right.

-Right.

-Well, this has to be seen like that.

-You had to have that.

-Yeah.

I thought I sort of had to have that.

It fits beautifully, doesn't it?

-Go on.

-It does fit me quite well.

-Look at that.

-See?

-Dad's Army in one.

Yeah.

-World War II.

-World War II.

-Very good.

-What do you think?

I think that was a great buy.

Are the coffee spoons enamelled?

-Yeah.

-Enamelled on?

-Enamel, silver gilt.

Stirling. 925.

Yeah, very good.

-They look...

-Quite pretty, aren't they?

They really look lovely.

They are beyond quite pretty.

Roberta and Paul's turn now.

Go on, reveal all.

-OK. One, two, three...

-Valuable items.

Ooh!

-Oh, my word.

-Oh, nice!

-Ooh!

-Ta-da!

-Yes.

-You could furnish a bedsit here.

ALL LAUGH

-What's the radiator?

-Indeed.

-Radiator?

What on earth do you think this...

-I will give you a clue.

-"London".

Oh, gin. Gin bottle mould.

-London gin!

-Oh, London gin mould.

And then that's a clock.

Yeah. A clock made from...

-An aeroplane.

-Yeah.

PAUL LAUGHS

Made from a propeller thing.

-Yes.

-Ah, yes!

That was like Give Us A Clue!

-We'll see you...

-We'll see you at the auction.

Showdown, at the auction.

At the auction. Come on, come on.

Come on, quick.

Come on, you lot, spill the beans.

If you could have only one of their lots, to swap,

what would you take?

-The helmet.

-I think I'd swap the

cabinet for the blooming brass table.

-Would you?

-Yeah.

Well, I'll tell you what, I think it could be close.

Yeah, I think so. Come on.

-Let's mull it over.

-Yes.

-We'll be all right.

-Yeah.

We'll take it. Come on.

Auction time beckons.

We're off to the village of Killinghall in Harrogate.

Go on, where are these lovely ladies?

I expect a dramatic entrance.

If I'm honest, I would like to probably do better than you.

Thompson's auctioneers is the location for our auction showdown.

And I'm just going to say, "The kettle's on, Sarge.

"OK? Kettle's on."

You'd better watch it, Braxton.

There they are. Very good.

Oh, quick...

-Here we are. Go on.

-Get it on.

Gather your lady.

How are you doing, Rob?

Good morning, Sarge.

How are you? How are you?

How are you?

Just get in the door, you lot.

Roberta and Paul spent £291.50 on six lots -

Roberta proving to be one savvy negotiator.

Excuse me, sir. Excuse me.

Trudie and James spent £240 exactly on five auction lots.

Trudie certainly wasn't afraid to name her price.

15. 18.

Lawrence Peat is the man in command of the rostrum.

What does he think of our roadtrippers' wares?

The spirit level's quite nice.

I's quite decorative. Again, it's something you can still use.

I've taken a couple of phone calls already on that,

so there's a bit of interest in that.

The stationery cabinet's going to do better than anything

else in here. I think it's probably the nicest thing that's come in, so...

And, again, there's already a fair bit of interest in it.

Well, that sounds promising.

This sale is also open to internet bidders, and it's a busy saleroom.

Time for our stars to take their seats. Stand by.

First up, it's Roberta's weighty London gin bottle mould.

140 is a Gordon's London gin bottle mould.

It is good. It is a good item.

We didn't think we'd find anything else, but he was still rummaging.

-72.

-70, do I see 72?

Are we all done on commission at £70?

-Oh.

-Ah!

-How much did you pay for that?

-£16.50.

-Oh!

Are you enjoying it any more now? How are you feeling now?

A standing start, Roberta.

Well done. Next, it's Trudie with the Chinese folding table -

the buy she kind of regrets.

Start me off at £10 for it.

Ten. Ten, we have.

-12 anywhere?

-Great.

In at £10. 12. 15? 18?

No? £15 with the lady.

-JAMES:

-£15. How much did we pay for it?

-A lot more than that.

-Sell at 15.

-A lot more than that.

-50?

-We're gutted, we're gutted for them!

There's no justice.

Hey, it's not that bad, Trudie.

We've seen a lot worse, believe me!

See, look! They're smiling.

That's just...

Roberta, you are next with the rather smart oak stationery cabinet.

Got to go straight in at £80, 90 now.

-Well done.

-With me at 80. Do I see... 90, we have. 100 anywhere?

100, 110. 120. 130, 140. 150, 160.

150 at the back.

At £150.

I shall sell at £150.

Are we all done?

That's very good.

Indeed it is. Excellent start, Roberta.

-I'm just going to go.

-No, no, no!

Come on, Trudie. It's your beautiful set of Scandinavian spoons next.

Got to go straight in at £50.

55 anywhere?

-Profit, profit, you see?

-50, do I see?

55 we have.

Lady's bid at 55.

-60 anywhere?

-Come on. Come on, 60.

-I shall sell at 55...

60, sorry.

65. And 70.

No? 65 with the lady seated.

Are we all done at £65?

That's all right, Sarge. 30 quid...

-..in the old pocket.

-30 quid.

Splendid. But I think you're heading for a bop on the nose, James.

We've almost recovered.

We've almost recovered our loss.

Onwards. It's Roberta's beloved three-handled vase next.

Commission starts with me on this one at £12.

15 anywhere?

-With me at 12.

-Tough start.

18 anywhere?

20. 22, 25?

No, £22 seated.

-Are we all done?

-Get out of here!

-£22.

Another profit.

It's worth £1,000.

THEY LAUGH

Hey, not quite!

Plenty more lots to go, though, Roberta.

Trudie's rosewood spirit level is next out of the trap.

Commission starts with me on this one at £35.49.

-In profit.

-With me at 35.

Do I see 40?

Are we all done? On commission at £35.

-Keep going.

-No!

-40 we have, 45 anywhere?

-I knew.

-I know about spirit levels!

At £40. 69.

What a lovely item.

It really is. At least there's a bit of profit there, though.

-A bit of commission eroding profit?

-No, no. We're still on top.

Eight quid. Two quid, in the bin.

It's not enough, though, is it, James?

Have faith, Trudie.

Roberta's turn next with the Scottish earthenware serving dish.

Start me off at ten.

Ten we have. 15.

Yeah, 20.

No? £15 seated.

20. 25. £20

behind you, sir. Do you want to go 25?

And 30. No?

£25 with the gentleman seated.

Are we all done? I shall sell for £25.

I think we did fine.

Dear, oh, dear. Someone's not happy.

That's worth £100.

Easily, Roberta!

Now, Trudie, it's your turn.

Your World War II police helmet is up.

A bit of interest in here. I've got to go in at 25, 28 now.

-With me at 25.

-In profit.

28, are we all done?

On commission. 28 we have.

30 anywhere? Gentlemen's bid at £28.

Are we all done at 28?

Just a slither of a profit.

That is a real shame.

What a tremendous buy for one lucky collector.

I don't believe that!

-What's happening?!

-Roberta's World War I propeller clock is next.

A lot of commission on here and I've got to go straight in at £70,

75 anywhere?

With me at 70. Do I see 75? We have.

At 80 anywhere?

What's happening here, Trudie, Sarge?

70. Go on, get up and arrest them.

Are we all done at 75?

-I think we are.

-We've lost money on it.

-Have you? Oh, no, really?

-75.

Oh, what a shame!

-Really!

-Play nicely, you two.

Commiserations, Roberta.

All I'm going to say is thank God it wasn't mine, he found that.

All Paul's fault.

Trudie's gilt metal lantern next.

Start me off at £50.

Nobody at 50.

30, then.

20. 20 we have.

-25 anywhere?

-Ooh, the shame!

Gentleman's bid at £20.

Are we really done at £20?

25 and 30.

Hands everywhere. Hands everywhere.

And 40. 45. £40

standing at the back of the room.

Are we all done at £40?

Ooh!