0:00:06 > 0:00:11Today, we're in the ancient city of Wells in Somerset, first granted a royal charter by King John in 1201.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16It's officially been a city since 1205, and what a wonderful location for us
0:00:16 > 0:00:18to unearth some unwanted antiques.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:00:45 > 0:00:49At the heart of this ancient, unspoilt market town is the cathedral,
0:00:49 > 0:00:53our magnificent valuation day venue, and later on in the programme,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57I'll be taking you on a whistle-stop tour and I can't wait.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10But first, well, I can't wait to see what's in all of these bags and boxes.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13As you can see, the locals have turned out in force today.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18We've brought them into the cloisters where it's lovely and warm because it's biting cold outside.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21But somebody today could be going home with a lot of money and it could be you
0:01:21 > 0:01:24because you've got a big smile on your face.
0:01:24 > 0:01:25We'll look inside there later.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30It's our job to find the best antiques, put them into auction and hopefully make a small fortune.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36'Two people always eager to get going are our lead experts, Anita Manning and Will Axon,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39'both highly experienced valuers and auctioneers.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43'They are guaranteed to root out interesting objects.'
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Look at that. They are a bit big for me, I reckon. That's wonderful.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51You see, Scotland invented football. Did you know that?
0:01:55 > 0:02:00'Well, before we get the ball rolling, here's what's coming up...
0:02:00 > 0:02:03'Will discovers that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...'
0:02:03 > 0:02:06- I mean, I don't really like it, so...- I know.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09That's where we disagree. I like it, you don't. That's antiques!
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Everyone's got different opinions.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14'..Anita spots the best in show...'
0:02:14 > 0:02:21- These dogs are a pair of, I think, they are fox-haired terriers? - That's right.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25'..and there's a shocker in the sale room.'
0:02:25 > 0:02:28There was something there, wasn't there?
0:02:32 > 0:02:36I think it's time we got everybody to the tables. Let's get on with the show.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48What a fabulous turnout. Everybody is seated inside. We've got our work cut out today.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53Let's get on with the valuations, and it looks like Will Axon is our first expert at the blue tablecloth.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Let's take a closer look at what he's spotted.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01'And it's two fierce looking bronze dragons brought along by Brian and Ann.'
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- Well, I hope they've got the Addams Family theme tune playing over this bit...- That's right.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11..because when I look at these, I'm thinking dark, Gothic dining room, high-backed chairs
0:03:11 > 0:03:15and perhaps, sort of, a couple of ghostly figures at the table.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- Yeah. - But are these something that are on your dining table at home?
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- I'm not trying to insinuate that you are anything like the Addams Family, of course.- No, no.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27- But are these on your dining table at home?- They were there for about a year.- OK.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- And then, Ann, you weren't keen on them, were you? - I don't like them.- Right.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37- So it was Brian who bought them, was it?- It was indeed.- Yes. - Where did you get them from, Brian?
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- A very small antique fair about 20 years ago.- OK.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46- I suppose, for want of a better word, it's a winged dragon, isn't it?- That's right, yeah. That's true.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50With a fairly decent size catch in its jaws.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- A good weight to them would suggest that perhaps they are made of bronze.- Right.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- I don't know, did you buy them as bronze at the time?- I bought them as bronze, yes. Hopefully, you know.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01I think that's right.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07I mean, you've got a bit of obvious areas here where the patination for the bronze has worn away.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11You do get that sometimes when bronze is over-cleaned or just handled.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Just holding this one now, as I am, I'm having a bit of a brainwave.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- I'm wondering whether these were actually chamber sticks.- Oh, right.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24Because what I'm thinking is, if they were originally designed as a pair,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- you'd expect them to be opposing pairs.- You would.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31So his tail is scrolled to the right, you would expect this tail to be scrolled to the left
0:04:31 > 0:04:33so they would sort of mirror each other.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38But having, sort of, naturally lifted them up like that, it kind of lends itself, the design,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- to perhaps being carried about as a chamber stick.- Oh, yeah, yeah.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45I'm not sure I'd like to go to sleep with this fellow on my bedside table though,
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- maybe when you woke up, he'd soon get you out of bed. So you bought them, right, OK.- Yeah.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55You bought them as bronze, they are. You bought them having a bit of age, I think they are late 19th century.
0:04:55 > 0:05:01- So what do we need to make to get your money back, the money you spent 20 years ago?- Yeah.
0:05:01 > 0:05:08- It was about £50.- About £50, 20 years ago. Well, the market's gone up, down, up, down since then.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12How do you feel if we sort of estimate them at £50 to £80? Are you happy with that?
0:05:12 > 0:05:17- That'd be fine, yeah. Be lovely. - Happy with that. You don't mind what I value them at, do you?
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- No, I don't mind. - You just want them out of the house. So let's put them at £50.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26- I'll fix the reserve at £50.- Right. - Cos you forked out for them, it's not like you inherited them
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- and they stand you in at nothing. - No.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32£50 fixed reserve and I think, at that, they've got to be worth it.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34And, Ann, what have you got your eye on to spend the £50 on?
0:05:34 > 0:05:39I'd like a nice piece of Deco or a little piece of Clarice Cliff.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- Ah, you notice the LITTLE piece of Clarice Cliff. How about a big bit of Clarice Cliff?!- Yes, please.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46I don't know if we'll be able to get that far,
0:05:46 > 0:05:51- but let's hope we get some money into the Art Deco/Clarice Cliff fund for you.- Oh, please.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56'Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too, Ann, and we'll find out later how you get on.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59'Next, something's caught my eye.'
0:05:59 > 0:06:01John, this is a fascinating book.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05It's leather bound, it's a little volume that, let's say,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09a site foreman would have used in the construction industry.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14- How did you come by it? - It'll be one of my grandfathers. - Was he in the building industry?
0:06:14 > 0:06:21Not as I know of. I've never checked what he actually did, but it's just come down through the family.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26It's just been in the family a long time. Incidentally, it's that size, and you know why it's that size,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30because it has been used by a site foreman or a carpenter...
0:06:30 > 0:06:35- Yes.- ..to go in the top pocket. - That's it, yes. - In the jacket, hasn't it?- Yes.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- What I love is the title. I love my wood, I'm a wood worker. - I know that.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- We've seen you on the programme. - And you brought this in for me? - Yes.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47OK, this is Measuring Made Easy To The Meanest Capacity.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- So basically this book is designed to save you money.- That's right.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53And it's absolutely fascinating.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58- I didn't think books like this existed. It's even got the prices of timber, as well, hasn't it?- Yes.
0:06:58 > 0:07:05Sawyers selling wood in London, for instance, selling oak by the length, a 50 foot length.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06Ash, a 50 foot length.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11This is really quite a nice little comprehensive guide to actually buying wood
0:07:11 > 0:07:13in its cut and felled form.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18- It looks like, here, the date it was printed. It was published in 1850. - 1850.
0:07:18 > 0:07:24And the condition is excellent, apart from the spine and obviously a little bit of use.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26So why are you selling this?
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Well, I've got a daughter and two granddaughters and they won't want it
0:07:30 > 0:07:33so it's surplus to requirements.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38- They're not going to take up carpentry, are they? - Somebody else might enjoy it.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43We're going to find a very small market for this, the minority market, the woodworkers
0:07:43 > 0:07:44and the tree lovers.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49- But I think it might have a value of around £40 to £60.- Yeah, it could do.- Are you happy with that?
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- I'd be happy with that, yes. - Can we put it into auction with a reserve of £20?- We can, yes.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- That would be nice.- And see what happens.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02'I love old books like that and I really hope that it measures up in the sale room.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06'Meanwhile, Will is valuing Pearl's Victorian silver.'
0:08:06 > 0:08:10As auctioneers, anything silver, anything jewellery,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14what we like to see is a fitted case. It's a sign of quality.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18And in the case, first I thought there could be a necklace, a diamond set, pearl or something,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22but opening it up we see there's a really nice-quality
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Victorian silver fork and spoon.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Is this something that you've gone out and bought or is this an inheritance?
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- It's more of an inheritance.- OK.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- It's come down through the family. - Right.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37If I flip this spoon over quickly,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40we can see that there are actually some initials.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42I've had a close look.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47They're invariably hard to read. They try and make them as swirly and as curly as they can,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50but I think there's an "H" in there somewhere.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Would that sort of tie in with the family history?
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- My name is Hodges, Pearl Hodges.- OK.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56It's got to be an "H," then.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00And I'm almost certain that this would have been given as a christening gift.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03So that solves that mystery a bit. That's nice.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I'm going to flip the spoon back over in its case
0:09:05 > 0:09:08and I'm just going to point out the hallmarks to you, there.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11We have the standard set of Victorian hallmarks.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13We've got Victoria's head here.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15We've got the date letter there of "G."
0:09:15 > 0:09:18And I see on the other one we've got a date letter of "F."
0:09:18 > 0:09:21So they're a year apart.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25I think it's 1881, 1882, but that doesn't detract from them.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29That doesn't mean they're a sort of matched set, you know.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33One might have been made in December, the other in January.
0:09:33 > 0:09:34Then the leopard's head,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37so they're from the London Assay Office.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Then we've got the lion here,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41that's telling us that it's silver.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46And then I think we've got the maker's mark here. "RM" over "EH."
0:09:46 > 0:09:50So I think it's Martin Hall and Company, I think they traded as.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53And the pieces themselves - I think they're beautifully decorated.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58Are they something that you like, or have you brought them because you don't like them?
0:09:58 > 0:10:03No, I like them, but it's just not been used, sat in the drawer.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05The fact that they haven't been used
0:10:05 > 0:10:08contributes to the fact that they are in pristine condition.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12This sort of lovely, foliate etching and chasing, here,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14of these sort of ferns...
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Beautiful, and not worn at all,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19because they haven't been over-cleaned.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- They've been in this case. - I haven't cleaned them.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24What's nice about these is that they are genuine.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26This is as they were made at the time.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30And, like I say, the fitted case just adds something to it.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- Silver dealers, jewellery dealers - they love a fitted case.- Mm.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38I'm going to give you a valuation now. I hope you haven't booked a round-the-world cruise...
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- Not yet!- ..on the back of this. Not yet!
0:10:42 > 0:10:48- But I see these as a sort of £40-£60 lot. I don't know how you feel about that.- That's fine.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- You're happy with that? - Yeah, yeah.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- So what do you feel about having no reserve on these?- That's good.- Yeah?
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- I don't mind. I just want them to be sold.- You just want them gone?
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Pearl, thanks for bringing them in.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Lovely name, by the way, I had to say. Beautiful name
0:11:02 > 0:11:06And a lovely piece you brought in and I look forward to selling them for you.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11'Will and I aren't the only ones busy valuing. Anita's got a table full.'
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- and thank you very much for bringing along this little collection of objects.- My pleasure.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- Can you tell me, where did you get them?- Well, some of the vesta cases came from my father.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27How he got hold of them, I don't know.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31The two items here were...
0:11:31 > 0:11:35My ex-wife's aunt died, they were going to throw them in the skip
0:11:35 > 0:11:38and I said no way were they going in the skip.
0:11:38 > 0:11:44The others I seem to have acquired over the years, but don't ask me where they came from, I've no idea.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- So you developed the collecting habit?- Yes.
0:11:47 > 0:11:54But recently they've just been stuck in the drawer and I feel that's a waste.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- If somebody, a collector likes them, wants them, yeah. - You're happy to pass them on?
0:11:59 > 0:12:05- I'm happy to pass them on. - Now is the time, Norman.- Yes. - Let's have a look at the collection.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09We have a mixture here of silver vesta cases.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- And vesta cases are little boxes where we keep our matches. - That's right.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- We have silver ones, we have white metal ones.- Yes.
0:12:19 > 0:12:25If we look at this one here, this is a fairly standard vesta box.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28We open it up, we can see our silver hallmark...
0:12:30 > 0:12:34..the hinge is good, it's in good condition, although it does need a wee bit of er...
0:12:34 > 0:12:41- TLC.- TLC. And we have this edge here, which we use for striking the match.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44My favourite is this one here.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Yes.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49There were manufactured, in Victorian times,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- novelty vesta boxes.- Right.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57They didn't necessarily need to be fine silver ones
0:12:57 > 0:12:59and this is an example of this
0:12:59 > 0:13:01where we have Gladstone here.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07People will be interested in him even although he's not silver.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13These two items here are matchbox holders
0:13:13 > 0:13:19- and they are silver, and this one here is oriental silver.- Yes.
0:13:19 > 0:13:26- So quite a nice collection here. I feel we should put these as one lot. - Right.
0:13:26 > 0:13:32Now, the silver buyers love that, when they see lots of items together in one lot
0:13:32 > 0:13:37because they feel that they might get them for a job lot price.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42We hope that they won't go for that, we know that they won't, we will protect them with a reserve price.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46I think we want to be putting them in maybe...
0:13:48 > 0:13:51..50 to 80, 60 to 80.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Now, I know that sounds cheap for a quantity of items,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58but we've got to take into consideration
0:13:58 > 0:14:06that some of them are base metal and there are some of them which are tired and not in good condition.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11We do have ones which, with a wee clean, would look well.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16I think, maybe, if we put them in £60 to £80,
0:14:16 > 0:14:22- with a reserve of £60 firm. - Yes.- Firm.- Firm, yes.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- How do you feel about that? - Yes, that would be fine. Yes.
0:14:25 > 0:14:31- I personally think that they will go further than that. - Right, yes. Yes, that sounds...
0:14:31 > 0:14:37- And the reserve will protect them. - That's right, yes.- Shall we go for it?- Definitely.- Definitely.- Flog it.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38Let's flog it!
0:14:46 > 0:14:48'It's no secret I'm an animal lover
0:14:48 > 0:14:52'and like many people I try to encourage wildlife in my garden,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54'but with over 60 million people in the UK,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56'there's increasing pressure for space.'
0:15:01 > 0:15:03In fact, here in the West Country in the last 20 years
0:15:03 > 0:15:06there's been the biggest population growth in the UK.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10So, what does that all mean? Well, it means more roads, more traffic,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14more traffic accidents, more pollution, more housing estates.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17And all this is taking away the natural habitat of the animal.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21The result, wildlife is in trouble.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28'This wildlife rescue centre helps 4,000 injured and orphaned wild animals annually.
0:15:28 > 0:15:34'It's the only one in the south-west that's open 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year round.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42'With a small team of staff and volunteers, founder Pauline Kidner
0:15:42 > 0:15:46'is the driving force behind the whole operation.'
0:15:46 > 0:15:49I bet you never have a moment to yourself, do you?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Not at this time of year, no, definitely.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- It's pretty full-on, is it, 24/7? - Yeah, it is. Once we get the badger cubs in
0:15:55 > 0:15:58we know that it's the start and it's going to be followed by
0:15:58 > 0:16:01all sorts of birds and animals right the way through to the autumn now.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06- Sleepless nights for you? Are you up every few hours at the moment? - With these we have been, yes,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10because they came in really tiny. The smallest of these was only 55 grams
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- when they came in two weeks ago. - Tiny, isn't it?
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Very, very tiny. So, yeah, it is every two to three hours.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19How old is that little badger cub?
0:16:19 > 0:16:21This little one's three weeks old now.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24How did you come by these, cos that's unusual? You don't see them
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- out of the ground till they're three months old.- That's right.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32They came from North Wales. They've had some floods up there. We think the sett got flooded.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35And Mum moved them out and put them into a steel drum
0:16:35 > 0:16:38and some people discovered them there crying.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42They did the right thing. They left them to see if Mum came back. Unfortunately she didn't.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47- There's three of them?- There's three siblings, two girls and a boy. - You've given them names?
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Yes. The two girls are Lavender and Saffron
0:16:51 > 0:16:53and the little boy here is Nutmeg.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- So named after spices, then? - That's right.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58We try and do themes each year!
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- You're going to miss him, aren't you?- Yeah! You do, but it's funny.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06- People say, "How can you bear to let them go?" The whole idea is to get them back to the wild...- Of course.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11- So the best time is to take them to their release sites and know you've done the job right.- Oh!
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- I bet there's a tear in your eye... - There is, yeah, yeah.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19- They literally have taken over your whole house. - Yeah, but it's an unusual kitchen.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21It is, isn't it? And an unusual bathroom as well.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- Having a bath and then you've got to share it with the otter! - THEY LAUGH
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- Can we have a tour and see what else you've got on-site?- Yes, certainly.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34'You need dedication and a passion for wildlife to work here.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40'It's estimated that one million animals are killed or injured on British roads each year,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43so places like this are vital and they aren't cheap to run.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45It costs £1,000 a day.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49And this is the hospital room, so where animals would come
0:17:49 > 0:17:51to be assessed in the first instance
0:17:51 > 0:17:54and then sorted out as to which pen they need to go to.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57This is lovely, actually. This is a lovely long-tailed tit
0:17:57 > 0:18:00and we actually had quite a few of those in last year
0:18:00 > 0:18:03when we had the hot weather. They're so pretty.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- Do their nests fall apart in the hot weather?- That's the only thing I can think of.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11They actually make a fantastic nest. It consists of about 3,000 feathers
0:18:11 > 0:18:14and then they strand it all together with cobweb strands.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I think in the dry weather perhaps that's what made them fall apart.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- A lot of nests dry out, don't they? - They do, yeah.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- They break up and fall apart.- So pretty.- Cor, you're tiny!
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- What's in there?- Underneath all the paper is a hedgehog.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- And we've had about 100 of these in. - What's his story?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Well, this one actually was just found out in the garden
0:18:34 > 0:18:38and we're always worried when they're underweight at this time of year.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- And, of course, that's... - Is it safe to pick him up?
0:18:41 > 0:18:43It is, but that shows you how they've got
0:18:43 > 0:18:47the one muscle that they pull right up so that they can disappear inside.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- So a little defence mechanism. - That's right.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- And then out he comes. - He looks about the right weight?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Yes, he is. He's put weight on since he's come in
0:18:55 > 0:18:58and he's had a good check-up. To be quite honest,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00when there's a query we like things to come in,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03as we can always check them and then put them back.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05But it's always the thing to remember,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09nocturnal animal out during the day, there's a problem and vice versa.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11That's always the first that you should flag up.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- If it's out at the wrong time of day...- There's a problem. Pick him up. Rescue.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- What else is in here?- Bats. We've got one actually over here.
0:19:18 > 0:19:24We're actually very lucky in Somerset that we have every single one of the 16 species in Somerset.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28People don't realise just how tiny they are.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Don't say nasty things to me.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Look at the fantastic little feet that they hang up by there.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41This is the inner ear - the tragus - that you can see there, which is sticking up,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45and the long ears that you know can pump and then come up
0:19:45 > 0:19:47really, really high when it's ready to move.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Long-eared ones have got the largest eyes, cos they use their eyes
0:19:51 > 0:19:55as part of their hunting. Most of the others rely totally on echolocation.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Yeah. Beautiful as well.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Absolutely beautiful. Look at that!
0:20:11 > 0:20:12Ssh!
0:20:12 > 0:20:13HE LAUGHS
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Now, you said you have permanent residents here, don't you?
0:20:20 > 0:20:23You've got some foxes. These are here for good?
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Yeah, they are. These are resident ones.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30Other people have reared them as pets and we just keep them here.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34It's a nice big pen for them. There's five in here with plenty of room.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- They look really healthy. Look at their coats.- They've got their winter coats. They're fabulous.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- That's Marie.- Hi, Marie!- If you want to just go in and say hello.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47We'll just stand at a distance so that we don't frighten them.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- Come on, Paul, see whether they'll take from you. - Hi, Marie. Hello.- Now, stand back.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- I like their little log cabins. - Oh, it's very posh.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- This is all Marie's efforts. - Come on, Bazzy.- Basil!
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Doesn't quite trust me yet.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07There you go.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Oh, she's trying to bury it, look. "I'll have that later."
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- She doesn't want the others to have it.- No.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19So fascinating. I think there's too many of us around
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- and we're spooking them. Pauline, thank you.- That's all right.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27I'll let you carry on feeding the foxes, because obviously they know you as well.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- Great. Thanks very much. Hope you've enjoyed...- Oh, I did. I've absolutely loved it.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- ..being at Secret World. Thank you. - Thank you.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Well, what a marvellous day I have had here. It's really put a smile on my face
0:21:43 > 0:21:46being so close to nature and it just makes you realise
0:21:46 > 0:21:49how important British wildlife is.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04We've got our first four items. Now we're taking them off to the sale.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20And this is where we are putting our valuations to the test,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Tamlyn & Son in the heart of Bridgwater.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Now, I know our owners are inside right now feeling really nervous.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28It's OK for you at home - you can sit back, relax, have a cup of tea and put your feet up
0:22:28 > 0:22:33and enjoy the action, but for that lot, it's a roller-coaster ride, so let's get on with the action.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38'We're in safe hands with auctioneer Claire Rawle.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42'Remember, though, when you are buying or selling at auction, you have to pay commission
0:22:42 > 0:22:45'and here it's 16% plus VAT.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48'So, let's kick things off with the bronze dragons.'
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Good luck, that's all I can say. Hopefully we'll light the sale room up.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59We've got some continental chamber sticks in the form of mythical beasts. A nice little lot.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Yes, I like these.- A really nice lot. Why are you selling them?- I don't like them.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- What, too scary? - Yeah. Just not my thing.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12You know, if they are your thing, they're flavour of the month right now, that's for sure.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17Yeah, well, we were saying on valuation day, weren't we, on a darkly candlelit dining room
0:23:17 > 0:23:22with some oak furniture, they'd look the business. A bit Addams Family, I know where you're coming from.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- Yes, but a nice prop. - They are nice quality as well. They are crisply done.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31- We'll keep our fingers crossed anyway.- Fingers crossed. Let's see what this lot thinks, it's packed.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Someone is going to go home with them, surely? This is it.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37A nice pair of decorative, late 19th-century,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39bronze, dragon chamber sticks.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Nice attractive items, these,
0:23:41 > 0:23:43they are showing to you at the back of the room,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46lot 250 and these I have to start straight in at £135.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Just like that. Flavour of the month.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51Do I see 140 anywhere?
0:23:51 > 0:23:56At £135, are you all done, then? It goes to my bidder at 135.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59That did light up the sale room. You have to be pleased with that.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- Brilliant.- I like it when that happens.- That's lovely.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04They must have had commission bidders on the book
0:24:04 > 0:24:07and they came in at the highest price and sold.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- Well done, you two.- Well, thank you both very much.- Good work.
0:24:10 > 0:24:17'Well that's a fair old amount. I wonder if they WILL buy any Clarice Cliff. John's book is next.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19'Fingers crossed it also does well.'
0:24:19 > 0:24:24Remember that little, leather-bound volume I found at the valuation day at Wells Cathedral,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27sort of mid-1800s and it said "to the meanest capacity"?
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Well, we're just about to put it to the test and I've been joined by John, its owner
0:24:31 > 0:24:34and hopefully for not much longer.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39- Do you think I valued this to the meanest capacity?- Yes, I should think that was about right.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43It think it's better to be that way, than be too optimistic
0:24:43 > 0:24:47as if we said it might do £80 or £100 and it struggles, then we're all a bit deflated, aren't we?
0:24:47 > 0:24:52- We are.- But I'd love it to do that, that's for sure.- It would be nice. - It would be, wouldn't it?- Yes.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57- Right, here we go. Are you ready for this?- Yes.- Let's test the market. Let's find out what it's worth.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Lot 310 is this little book,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03the Practical Measurer, Or Measuring Made Easy.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06There we are, nice, little, early book this, lot 310.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10£12 to start it. At £12, do I see 15 anywhere?
0:25:10 > 0:25:12The bid is with me at 12 for the Measures etc.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15At 12 now. 15? 15, 18, 20.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17There's a bid left on the auctioneer's book.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19At 20.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Do I see two anywhere? The bid's at 20. £20, it's going to be, then.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Are you all done? Selling at £20.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Well, it's gone. We had a £20 reserve, it's gone right on it.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- That's OK. - You're happy with that, aren't you?
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- Yes. Thank you very much.- I think we got our figures right.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43And going under the hammer right now, a silver spoon and a fork, London touchmarks.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46There is no reserve, Pearl, but I think this will fly away.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Silver's red-hot and I know Will knows what he's doing as well.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- Sometimes.- You haven't got me on a knife edge with this one.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58Oh, very good. Yeah, we agreed, didn't we? No reserve. You wanted to sell it.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Let it make what it makes. Silver's selling well
0:26:00 > 0:26:04and it's a nice, tidy lot, isn't it? In its fitted case. Sweet lot.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08All the trade are here. Let's find out what they're going to pay for it. Here we go.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12This Victorian dessert spoon and fork,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15little silver ones, in their fitted case.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20And I start them straight in at £65. At 65. Do I see 70 anywhere?
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- Pearl, we're in!- At £65. At 65.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27It's going to go to my bidder then. Are you all done in the room?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- At £65.- Maiden bid.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- Straight in, straight out. Hammer's gone down.- Thank you very much.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35- Price of silver is rocketing. Pearl, well done.- Thank you.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38What a good result.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41So far so good. Next up, I've just been joined by Norman
0:26:41 > 0:26:45and we have a collection of around 14 mainly vesta cases.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48You must be a bit of a collector, then, surely?
0:26:48 > 0:26:55Well, when my dad died I found some in his things and the rest just appeared.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59- They gravitate towards you, that's what happens. - I don't know where they came from.
0:26:59 > 0:27:06- Hey, look, not a lot of money for 14 items, £50-£60.- They're not all silver.- No, some of them are though.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11- Not all silver and some not in the best of conditions.- OK.- But we have some interesting ones there.- OK.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14- So this is a good trade lot then. - Yes.- A really good trade lot.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Let's find out what they think, they're here today with a packed room. It's very exciting.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Let's do it, shall we? Here we go.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Lot 145, little mixed lot here,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26various vesta cases, matchbox holders and a nail buffer.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Nice little mixed lot -
0:27:29 > 0:27:33oh, and this one I have to start straight in at £210.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Something pretty in there.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40£210, it is. At 210, do I see 220 anywhere?
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- I thought it was a lot of lot. - £210, then.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47At 210, it looks like it's going to my bidder, then, are you all done?
0:27:47 > 0:27:51- I don't believe it! - Straight in at £210.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54A wee bit conservative.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- Come and buy me. - Well, it was, wasn't it, really?
0:27:57 > 0:28:01But there was something there that somebody wanted, one of those items.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- It could have been that matchbox holder that was Chinese silver. - That's right.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- So we had one or two interesting ones there.- Yeah. Well done.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12- Thank you for bringing that in... - Thank you. - ..and not throwing it away.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17Putting it in the right place at the right time. If you've got anything like that, we'd love to see it.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22You too could have a surprise in an auction room just like this.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Log on to the BBC website at bbc.co.uk/flogit.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Follow the links, all the information will be there
0:28:28 > 0:28:32and hopefully it will be near a town not far away from you.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34'So that's it for our first visit to the sale room
0:28:34 > 0:28:38'so let's head back to the city of Wells for that tour I promised you earlier.'
0:28:49 > 0:28:53They say size doesn't matter and if you're talking about the city of Wells, it couldn't be more right.
0:28:53 > 0:28:59Wells is the smallest city in England - however, architecturally and aesthetically,
0:28:59 > 0:29:04it packs a real punch and according to the locals, it's the best kept secret in Somerset.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06So come with me and I'll show you why.
0:29:07 > 0:29:13One of the first unusual features you might spot here are two water-filled gullies
0:29:13 > 0:29:15that run down both sides of the High Street.
0:29:15 > 0:29:22They look like drains but they aren't. However, they are a clue to how the city got its name.
0:29:24 > 0:29:25Because of these - the wells.
0:29:25 > 0:29:32Three pools that are the source of the water that actually runs down the High Street out there.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37Now, it may look tranquil on the surface but believe me, there is a lot of pressure there
0:29:37 > 0:29:42because around 40 gallons of water, on average, are produced every second.
0:29:42 > 0:29:50Now, if you work that out that's around four million gallons of water per day, which is quite incredible.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54If you look closely enough, you can actually see the bubbles coming up from the bottom.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56You can see how much pressure is down there.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09As well as being an important water source for the local community, natural springs like these
0:30:09 > 0:30:16have always been the focus of spiritual interests since, well, pre-history really.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21Stone-age flints and Roman pottery have been found all over this area
0:30:21 > 0:30:28but the earliest recorded example of a religious building to be found here, well, that's a Roman mausoleum
0:30:28 > 0:30:31and it's thought that that settlement was quite small.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35It wasn't until a Saxon king, Ine of Wessex,
0:30:35 > 0:30:41founded a minster church here back in 704 that the town really took off.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Today the wells are in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50It's a magnificent palace set in 14 acres of gardens that's been home to the bishops
0:30:50 > 0:30:53of Bath and Wells for 800 years.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59It dates from the early 13th century
0:30:59 > 0:31:03and it's the most perfect and complete surviving example of its type.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17There have been over 50 bishops of Bath and Wells over the years
0:31:17 > 0:31:22but I think there's one that has made more of an impact on the city than most.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27Back in the 15th century, Bishop Beckington was responsible for several important buildings
0:31:27 > 0:31:29and here is just one example.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34It's known as the Bishop's Eye and it really is the gateway to the Bishop's Palace.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38But I think Beckington's greatest contribution to the people of Wells
0:31:38 > 0:31:41has to be providing them with fresh water.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46He devised a mechanism, back in 1451, to get water from the wells, which is over in that direction,
0:31:46 > 0:31:50to the centre of the market place, which is just down here.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Moving on from the market place,
0:31:53 > 0:31:57this is the quaintly named Penniless Porch.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00It's where the beggars used to congregate.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04The city of Wells is a conservation miracle.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09Its historic heart has been preserved almost intact since the Middle Ages
0:32:09 > 0:32:12and there are no finer examples than this.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17Vicars' Close. In 1348, Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury
0:32:17 > 0:32:19founded a college so that the Vicars Choral,
0:32:19 > 0:32:22the cathedral choir, could all live together.
0:32:22 > 0:32:28Now, initially, they lodged out there amongst the townsfolk where they could succumb to temptation,
0:32:28 > 0:32:33so in order to keep them in line, so they couldn't get up to any mischief, he built this place.
0:32:33 > 0:32:38Now, it's a street that comprises of 42 small, little houses, one up and one downs,
0:32:38 > 0:32:42and also, a communal hall where they could all eat in.
0:32:42 > 0:32:49Now, interestingly enough, this is now the only totally complete medieval street in England
0:32:49 > 0:32:56and more fascinating than that, it's the oldest continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Now, that takes some beating, doesn't it?
0:32:59 > 0:33:05And for me, well, I've never been in such a place where there is such a sense of connection to the past
0:33:05 > 0:33:08where time has just, literally, stood still.
0:33:08 > 0:33:14And it has, it really has, it's remarkable.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Not a lot has changed. Little front gardens have been added.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Not a lot - as you can see, there's not a lot of space there.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24And also the chimney stacks have been raised somewhat.
0:33:24 > 0:33:32Now, that's to take away the smoke from the winter fires so that it wouldn't ruin the choir's voices.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Isn't that fascinating?
0:33:34 > 0:33:35I just love this.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38CHORAL MUSIC
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Another addition was the Chain Gate.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44This beautiful, high-level walkway allowed the clergy to enter
0:33:44 > 0:33:49the cathedral from the Vicars' Close without getting their feet or robes wet.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57It also prevented them bumping into the less savoury residents of Wells.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11And finally, the jewel in the crown of these ancient streets and magnificent buildings
0:34:11 > 0:34:13has to be Wells Cathedral itself.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Just look at it there. It is so inspiring.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18It is an architectural delight that ticks all the boxes
0:34:18 > 0:34:25and it's the first English cathedral of its kind to be designed in the Gothic style back in 1180.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29And the magnificent west front that we're looking at now, circa 1230,
0:34:29 > 0:34:35boasts the largest gallery of medieval sculpture you will find anywhere else in the world.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39And looking at it here, with the sun shining down on that soft stone,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42those yellow ochres just grinning through in this sunlight
0:34:42 > 0:34:45really, really beckons you in. It is so inviting.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47And from the bottom here
0:34:47 > 0:34:50in the lower orders, you've got in these niches
0:34:50 > 0:34:53lots of biblical themes,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56rising up to kings and bishops, then through to an order of angels,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59and then you see the 12 apostles,
0:34:59 > 0:35:02and then right at the very top, Jesus Christ.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06That is just incredible, isn't it? It really is.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08You could just stand here for hours
0:35:08 > 0:35:10admiring such wonderful architecture.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Inside is no less spectacular.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20The scissor arches are unique,
0:35:20 > 0:35:24taking master mason William Joy ten years to build.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27They were a medieval engineering solution
0:35:27 > 0:35:31to a very real problem of sinking tower foundations.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36And there is the famous Wells Clock,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40which has what is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism
0:35:40 > 0:35:41in Britain and probably the world.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45It's still in original condition and it still works.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48The mechanism was made in about 1390
0:35:48 > 0:35:49and the clock face
0:35:49 > 0:35:53is the oldest surviving original of its kind anywhere.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00You'll also find the tombs of those influential bishops,
0:36:00 > 0:36:01Beckington and Ralph,
0:36:01 > 0:36:06who made such an indelible mark on the city.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Well, I think you'll have to agree with me, this is a truly remarkable city,
0:36:18 > 0:36:23extremely rich in medieval architecture, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here
0:36:23 > 0:36:29and I hope it's inspired you to come and look for yourself because it just is a great day out.
0:36:36 > 0:36:42What a marvellous day we're having at Wells Cathedral. The sun is starting to beam through
0:36:42 > 0:36:46these wonderful stained glass windows, creating a kaleidoscope of colour,
0:36:46 > 0:36:50but I had to come to this viewing gallery to look at that scissor arch.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Look at the beautiful perspective of the cathedral, looking right down the nave.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Our experts are working flat out down there.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Well, Sharon, thanks for coming along today
0:36:59 > 0:37:04and bringing what I think is actually the oldest thing I've seen today.
0:37:04 > 0:37:10- Oh. Very good.- Without taking into account the marvellous building we are in at the moment.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14But I know what it is, do you have any ideas?
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Well, I've looked up on the internet and I know it might be Whieldon ware.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22- Right. Yes.- It might be tortoiseshell ware.
0:37:22 > 0:37:28- OK.- But I don't know anything about the date or...- Right. No problem.
0:37:28 > 0:37:34Without attributing it directly to Thomas Whieldon, it is certainly what we would call Whieldon type.
0:37:34 > 0:37:39- Yes.- Thomas Whieldon, his life basically spanned the 18th century.
0:37:39 > 0:37:44He was born around 1720 and went on through the 18th century.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49Now, he was well known for experimenting with glazes
0:37:49 > 0:37:52and the magic word, tortoiseshell,
0:37:52 > 0:37:56which is spot on for describing what we have here.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00- This is what we would call a tortoiseshell glaze.- Yes.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03I'm going to flip it over, because people might say,
0:38:03 > 0:38:07I've never seen a tortoiseshell with splashes of green, blue and yellow,
0:38:07 > 0:38:11but if I flip it over and we look at the back, I mean, that's great, isn't it?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14That sort of naive, tortoiseshell, experimental glaze
0:38:14 > 0:38:18really shines out on the back, which is a shame actually,
0:38:18 > 0:38:21because the back can be more interesting than the front.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24But I'll spin it back over and have a look at the front,
0:38:24 > 0:38:28because we've got this, as you say, nice sort of tortoiseshell glaze
0:38:28 > 0:38:31and the plate itself has this rather nice,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35I suppose it's almost a sort of basket weave moulding, isn't it?
0:38:35 > 0:38:39- Yes.- It's almost a basket weave moulding edge
0:38:39 > 0:38:41and then this sort of scalloped rim.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46- I want you to tell me now how you have come by it and why you have brought it along today.- Right.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50I've got a tea rooms, and I set it up 23 years ago
0:38:50 > 0:38:55and I was looking for some old china to put on a shelf around the top.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57I know the sort of thing, yes.
0:38:57 > 0:39:03- And my husband's grandmother, who was 104, she had a pile of plates and she said, take these.- Yeah.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07- And this was one of them, but it was actually covered in mud.- Really?
0:39:07 > 0:39:14And water scale, because she used to keep plants on it in the conservatory.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17I think the plants might be why the glaze has flaked slightly.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21There is a bit of crazing on the glaze and water doesn't necessarily mix...
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- It was in a terrible state. - Was it?
0:39:23 > 0:39:26You've done really well to get it up to this condition.
0:39:26 > 0:39:31I would say, I'm going to avoid the 80 to 120 estimate,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34I'm going to come in a little bit under that, if that's OK with you.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36I'm going to say sort of 50 to 80.
0:39:36 > 0:39:41- How do you feel about that?- Yes, that's fine.- Is that OK?- Yes. Yes.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Now we come to the point of reserve. Would you be happy
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- to just see where it ends up? - Yes, I'm happy with that.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51- I don't really like it, so... - That's where we disagree. I like it, you don't.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53But hey, that's antiques.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Cherie, I'm always interested to see pictures on "Flog It!"
0:39:59 > 0:40:03and I particularly like this little pair of dog portraits.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Could you tell me, where did you get them?
0:40:07 > 0:40:11Well, they were bequeathed to my husband by a very dear friend
0:40:11 > 0:40:17about 30-odd years ago and we have always enjoyed looking at them
0:40:17 > 0:40:20and when they were in his cottage, we always admired them
0:40:20 > 0:40:25and they looked really superb in his little olde worlde Dorchester cottage.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28We've really enjoyed having them, looking at them,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32and a lot of people have said how well they have been painted.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36So, they've been part of your life for a considerable amount of years.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Tell me, why do you want to sell them?
0:40:38 > 0:40:43We have a modern house and it's decorated in the modern style
0:40:43 > 0:40:46and these pictures just don't fit any more
0:40:46 > 0:40:50and they have been in my secretaire drawer for about five years now.
0:40:50 > 0:40:55- It's time to pass them on.- Yes.
0:40:55 > 0:41:01They are both signed and we can see the signature in the corner here.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04- It's J A Wheeler.- Yes.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Now, I am not familiar with that artist's work,
0:41:07 > 0:41:11but I see that you have a document here with details of him.
0:41:11 > 0:41:17Can you tell me a bit about the artist?
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Well, as far as I know, he was born in Cheltenham
0:41:20 > 0:41:22and he came to live in Bath
0:41:22 > 0:41:26and I think he painted most of his work in Bath after the Army,
0:41:26 > 0:41:31he was in the Army first of all, and then he went on from there.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33He's a self-taught artist, I believe.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37These dogs are a pair of, I think they are fox-haired terriers.
0:41:37 > 0:41:42- That's right, yes. - They are very realistic.
0:41:42 > 0:41:47- They are very, very detailed and they are very well executed.- Yes.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52If they were coming to me, without research and just looking at them,
0:41:52 > 0:41:58I would probably estimate them 150 to 250.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03- OK.- Would you be happy to put them in at that price, 150 to 250?
0:42:03 > 0:42:04I should think so.
0:42:04 > 0:42:11- Will we put a reserve on them? - Oh, yes, please. Yes.- We'll put the reserve at the bottom estimate.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16- Yes.- £150.- Yes.- But they are well worth that and they may well fly.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Will you be sad to let these go?
0:42:19 > 0:42:24Yes, we will, but it's going for a good cause.
0:42:24 > 0:42:29My grandson or daughter is due in a few days
0:42:29 > 0:42:31and we have a 20-month-old grandson,
0:42:31 > 0:42:36so this will go towards their university fees.
0:42:36 > 0:42:42- Oh, that's wonderful. You're a wonderful granny.- Oh, thank you!
0:42:42 > 0:42:46'What a lovely lady, and I'm sure those dogs will find a new home.
0:42:46 > 0:42:52'Time for one more valuation, Roger's collection of shot and powder flasks.'
0:42:52 > 0:42:55OK, Roger, you've brought in this nice collection here.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58- You are aware of what they were used for, aren't you?- Yes.
0:42:58 > 0:43:03- I mean, we've got powder flasks and we've got shot flasks. - Shot flasks.- Exactly.
0:43:03 > 0:43:09Powder ones usually in the copper. You would calibrate how much powder was going to go into your musket,
0:43:09 > 0:43:14into your black powder musket. And with the shot, once you'd put your powder away you would have
0:43:14 > 0:43:17to come out with your shot bag and put the shot in there as well.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Damp it down, load up, take aim and fire
0:43:20 > 0:43:25and fingers crossed, the bullet goes that way and not that way!
0:43:25 > 0:43:30- Tell me, how have you come by this? Are these things that you were buying?- No.
0:43:30 > 0:43:34- It was one of my uncles, he was a builder and he dabbled in antiques.- Yes?
0:43:34 > 0:43:37All different, nothing specific, just different things,
0:43:37 > 0:43:40but when he died, it passed to one of my brothers.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44- And when my brother died... - Passed it on to you.
0:43:44 > 0:43:48Yes. And they've been in the cupboard ever since. You know, as usual.
0:43:48 > 0:43:54- The old story. We hear it all the time. Some are going to be worth more than others.- Yes.
0:43:54 > 0:43:59I think these nicely embossed leather ones here, for example this one here,
0:43:59 > 0:44:03this is a bit up my street, coming from the racing part of the world.
0:44:03 > 0:44:07We've got what looks like a huntsman here, blowing his horn,
0:44:07 > 0:44:11and perhaps leaping over some sort of ditch or dyke,
0:44:11 > 0:44:18and down here at the bottom, which is what interested me, we've got the Hawksley & Co mark for the makers.
0:44:18 > 0:44:20- Right. - Now they are a good firm of makers,
0:44:20 > 0:44:24they are sort of at the top end of the makers for this type of thing
0:44:24 > 0:44:26so that's going to help that one along.
0:44:26 > 0:44:30- This one has got the James Dixon mark on the bottom.- Right.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32Again, that's nice, and it's got sort of dead game,
0:44:32 > 0:44:36typical sort of country house still life, that sort of thing,
0:44:36 > 0:44:42because these were military as well as, shall we say, people who were huntsmen.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46- Yes.- Who were shooting, or black powder shot sportsmen.- Yes.- Exactly.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50So I've been looking at these and what sort of price they've been making recently
0:44:50 > 0:44:55and you know, the market for these has narrowed somewhat, shall we say.
0:44:55 > 0:44:58- Yes.- They're not such wide appeal.
0:44:58 > 0:45:03I'm thinking £20, £30 apiece, and I'm just thinking out loud here, but what do you think?
0:45:03 > 0:45:06Shall we keep them as one lot, or split them down the middle
0:45:06 > 0:45:10and put the leather ones together and the copper ones together?
0:45:10 > 0:45:13- I'd be happy splitting them, really.- Yes, I think so.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17There is one train of thought - keep them together and there's a lot there for your money.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20- Or split them up, then you give people the option.- Yes.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23Do they want to go for just the one or do they want to go for both?
0:45:23 > 0:45:27Let's live dangerously and split them so we've got four copper ones,
0:45:27 > 0:45:31four leather ones. We'll split the reserve, £100 fixed on each.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34- How does that sound?- £100 reserve on each.- On each.- Yeah, right.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38So we'll be looking at 100, 150 as an estimate, fixed at 100.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41I think they should do a little bit more than that,
0:45:41 > 0:45:44- but let's price them sensibly. All right?- Fair enough.
0:45:44 > 0:45:46- Let's shake on it.- OK. - Well done, Roger.- Cheers.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51This is Eve, one of our production co-ordinators. Hi, Eve.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55- Hello.- Love the hair colour today. - Thank you very much.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57Constantly changing!
0:46:02 > 0:46:05Cheryl, Dave, welcome to "Flog It!".
0:46:05 > 0:46:12And thank you so much for bringing in this interesting lot of pharmaceutical items.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14Do you collect this type of thing?
0:46:14 > 0:46:16Yeah, I do. I'm very interesting in it.
0:46:16 > 0:46:20I'm a pharmacy technician, so it's part of my profession.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22It's beginning to take over the house a bit.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24Are you fed up with it, Dave?
0:46:24 > 0:46:27Not entirely, but it is getting there.
0:46:27 > 0:46:29Why do you want to sell them?
0:46:29 > 0:46:34I've got a daughter who was a pharmacy student. She's 21 this year.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36She wants a designer handbag.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39She did say she didn't want me to sell my things,
0:46:39 > 0:46:41but I want to get her a nice designer handbag.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43We're hoping to get the handle at least.
0:46:45 > 0:46:49Oh, that's wonderful. Now, we'll look at the bottles first of all.
0:46:49 > 0:46:54They are Victorian, and these two are of particular interest
0:46:54 > 0:46:59because they are Bristol blue and people love that colour.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01And another added element
0:47:01 > 0:47:07is that we do have the names of the ingredients on the bottles,
0:47:07 > 0:47:08and people like that.
0:47:08 > 0:47:13This item, which is a piece of treen, we can see that this
0:47:13 > 0:47:18would have been the container for yet another medicine bottle.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21I find this box quite interesting.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24"Glycerine cocaine pastilles."
0:47:24 > 0:47:26That's a bit scary.
0:47:26 > 0:47:30But we must remember that cocaine was used
0:47:30 > 0:47:34for medicinal purposes in the 19th century.
0:47:34 > 0:47:40And a little set of weights for a pharmacist to weigh out the measurements of the ingredients.
0:47:40 > 0:47:41Is that the same sort of age as...?
0:47:41 > 0:47:46These are all Victorian. A little later here.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49And your box, a little later.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52But they make a marvellous group.
0:47:52 > 0:47:56Can we look at this, which I love to pieces?
0:47:56 > 0:47:59It's a little leather case.
0:47:59 > 0:48:04The name on the front, "R J Church," the name of the pharmacist.
0:48:04 > 0:48:10And if we look inside, we see this group of bottles in the fitted case.
0:48:10 > 0:48:16Now, this would have obviously been carried by the pharmacist or a doctor
0:48:16 > 0:48:20- when they were going to their patients.- How old, do you think?
0:48:20 > 0:48:25I would say that that's probably the late 19th, early 20th century.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28Tell me, where did you get these bottles, Cheryl?
0:48:28 > 0:48:33- I get them off the internet, mostly. - Do you help your wife in the search, Dave?
0:48:33 > 0:48:39Yeah, I do most of the searching on the net and we go to the odd antiques or collectors' fair.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42- You've been pulled in! - I've been coerced, yeah!
0:48:42 > 0:48:45I would put it into two lots first of all.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48I would put this as a group,
0:48:48 > 0:48:53your bottles, your weights and this pastille box
0:48:53 > 0:48:58in one lot and I would put your little case as a separate lot.
0:48:58 > 0:49:04I would put in an auction estimate of 100-200. Keep it wide.
0:49:04 > 0:49:09- That's good. - With perhaps a reserve of £80 on it.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11Again, I'm being very conservative.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14On your little bottle group,
0:49:14 > 0:49:22I would say an estimate of 80-120, with a reserve of perhaps 65.
0:49:22 > 0:49:27- Would you be happy to put it through at that?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30And let's hope you can get more than just the handle
0:49:30 > 0:49:33- for your daughter's designer bag. - Get the clasp as well!
0:49:33 > 0:49:37Let's hope we have a good result at auction.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39Here's what's going under the hammer...
0:49:43 > 0:49:46So we're back in Bridgwater with auctioneer Claire Rawle
0:49:46 > 0:49:49and the hustle and bustle of the sale room.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54Gosh, it is full, isn't it? That's a good sign.
0:49:54 > 0:49:59Hopefully they are all here to buy and put their hands up to bid on our lots. Fingers crossed.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02Whatever you do, don't go away, this could get really exciting.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05So let's crack on with the sale
0:50:05 > 0:50:08and keen to sell her Whieldon plate is Sharon.
0:50:08 > 0:50:12- Good luck.- Thank you. - The Whieldon tortoiseshell plate.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16- It's 18th century, it's a nice lot, but I know you've added now a reserve, haven't you?- That's right.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18Our Will likes no reserves.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21- Well, yes, I always try to twist a few arms.- You do, don't you?
0:50:21 > 0:50:26I think you're right in doing that. You've got to protect it. If you love it, protect it.
0:50:26 > 0:50:32- Sharon was all with me to let it go no reserve.- Were you?- Yes. My husband, he's the sensible one.- Ah!
0:50:32 > 0:50:36- We're the gamblers, he's the banker. - Hopefully we'll get that top end.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38Let's find out what the bidders think,
0:50:38 > 0:50:41because at the end of the day, it is all down to them.
0:50:41 > 0:50:46- We can speculate and pontificate, but...- The proof is in the selling. - And the pudding. This is it.
0:50:46 > 0:50:52Lot 430 is this late 18th, early 19th-century Whieldon type plate,
0:50:52 > 0:50:55and it's being shown to you at the back of the room
0:50:55 > 0:51:00in the cabinet there and I have to start this one away at £40. At 40.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02I have 40, do I see 42 anywhere?
0:51:02 > 0:51:06The bid is with me at 40. At 40 for the plate.
0:51:06 > 0:51:10At 40 it is then. Are you all done? Selling to my bidder at £40.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13It's gone on that reserve. You did the right thing.
0:51:13 > 0:51:17- Yes.- You did the right thing, yeah, exactly.- Phew!
0:51:19 > 0:51:22Good luck with the tea room. That's all I can say. Great place.
0:51:23 > 0:51:29Hoping the bidders' diagnosis will be favourable, it's the assorted pharmaceutical items.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31Cheryl and David, it's great to see you again.
0:51:31 > 0:51:34Hopefully now we can make some chemistry in the auction room.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37Well, we should be with the lot we've got,
0:51:37 > 0:51:39the pharmaceutical items. We've got two lots.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41We split it up. So we've got the group.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45There's quite a bit going on, but the first lot coming up is the little suitcase,
0:51:45 > 0:51:48the leather one, which has a lot of contents, doesn't it?
0:51:48 > 0:51:51It's a wee beauty. It's absolutely lovely. Most unusual.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Let's hope the bidders find this and fall in love with it as well.
0:51:54 > 0:51:58This is the first one to go under the hammer. Here we go.
0:51:58 > 0:52:02This late 19th, early 20th century fitted leather case
0:52:02 > 0:52:04with the pharmacy bottles.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08And I've got 55 here. At 55. Do I see 60 anywhere?
0:52:08 > 0:52:1060. Five. 70. Five.
0:52:10 > 0:52:1280 at the back of the room.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14At £80. Now five anywhere?
0:52:14 > 0:52:17At £80 it's going to be, then. Are you all sure and done?
0:52:17 > 0:52:19Selling, then, at £80.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21It's gone. Hammer's gone down.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24- First one.- 80. Yeah, yeah.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26We're looking at a reserve of £65 for this lot,
0:52:26 > 0:52:28but we would like a little bit more.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32A set of pharmaceutical weights and there's some chemist bottles.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35And I start straight in at £90. At 90.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37- Yes!- We've done it. - Do I see five anywhere?
0:52:37 > 0:52:40At £90 now. Five.
0:52:40 > 0:52:45At £90, then. It's going to go to my bidder by the look of it at £90.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49Wow! That's good, isn't it? That's very, very good.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51They liked the bottles
0:52:51 > 0:52:54- better than the little suitcase. - It's the blue glass ones.
0:52:54 > 0:52:58- Yeah. And I gather all the money is going towards a designer handbag, am I right?- You are.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00- For you?- No.- For your daughter?
0:53:00 > 0:53:03- 21st.- Oh, what a lovely present. - Pharmacy student.
0:53:03 > 0:53:07Now, depending on where you shop, that could be the handle or half a bag or a quarter...
0:53:07 > 0:53:10- Deposit.- A deposit!
0:53:10 > 0:53:12But a big chunk towards it nonetheless.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18Going under the hammer right now, or should I say in the firing line,
0:53:18 > 0:53:22it is Roger with four powder flasks and four shot flasks,
0:53:22 > 0:53:24- split into two lots, valued by Will. - Yes.
0:53:24 > 0:53:28But since the valuation date, Roger has been keeping us on our toes
0:53:28 > 0:53:33- because you have changed the value twice.- Twice.
0:53:33 > 0:53:37- You rang the auctioneer and said, "I want a bit more money." - Yes.- So you put it up to what?- 140.
0:53:37 > 0:53:43- 140. And then you called her again in the last few days and you dropped it.- To 130.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46Were you put under pressure to do that or did you have a re-think?
0:53:46 > 0:53:51No, I looked on the internet and compared the prices and then just...
0:53:51 > 0:53:55But listen, they are yours at the end of the day and you can decide what to do with them
0:53:55 > 0:54:00and it gets me out of a stink because if they don't sell, it's your fault!
0:54:00 > 0:54:03- Right. OK.- Can't be fairer than that, can we?
0:54:03 > 0:54:06Let's see if we hit the target. Here we go, this is it.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11Moving on to lot 175, the first of the powder flasks.
0:54:11 > 0:54:14These are the copper ones, some by Dixon & Sons.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17There are four altogether in the lot, 175,
0:54:17 > 0:54:22and I have to start away at...£100.
0:54:22 > 0:54:23£100.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25Do I see 110 anywhere?
0:54:25 > 0:54:27110, 120, 130.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29We've sold them.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32At 130, do I see 140 anywhere?
0:54:32 > 0:54:36At £130 then, the bid is in the room. All done at 130.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39You were right, Roger. If you'd left it at 140 you'd have got 140,
0:54:39 > 0:54:41because they went on your new reserve.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44And now the next lot, the shot flasks.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48- You've been tampering with the reserves here as well. You did the same thing?- Well...
0:54:48 > 0:54:55- Tampering.- Tampering, yes. - Went up to 140.- Back down again. - Back down, 130.- 130.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59- And I'm going to stick my neck out and predict a 130 hammer price here.- Yeah.
0:54:59 > 0:55:0219th-century leather shot flasks. There we are.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04There's one by Dixon & Sons in there,
0:55:04 > 0:55:06there's four altogether in the lot, 220,
0:55:06 > 0:55:09and start away, I've got £90.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11At £90, do I see 100 anywhere?
0:55:11 > 0:55:14See if we can get the same bidder going in the doorway.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17Now 100. At £90, do I see 100?
0:55:17 > 0:55:21- Come on.- We're struggling. - Are you all sure in the room at 90?
0:55:21 > 0:55:23No, they have to stay with me, I'm afraid.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25We got rid of half.
0:55:25 > 0:55:30The leather ones obviously weren't for him, but we didn't even get to the 100 that I said.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33So, you're in the clear, I can't even blame you. So, 50%.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35'That's auctions for you!
0:55:35 > 0:55:39'But Roger still sold half the collection for £130
0:55:39 > 0:55:41'and keeps the rest.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44'Next up, Cherie's dog paintings. She couldn't make it,
0:55:44 > 0:55:47'but before the sale, she called the auction room
0:55:47 > 0:55:51'and raised the reserve from £150 to £200.'
0:55:52 > 0:55:58I think these are a lovely pair of oils. The artist has form, and this is his subject,
0:55:58 > 0:56:03he's good on hunting, he's good on dogs, horses and so on. I like these, I think they'll do very well.
0:56:03 > 0:56:07It's a shame Cherie can't be here, but she is actually on holiday in Peru,
0:56:07 > 0:56:10- so she's enjoying herself.- Lovely.
0:56:10 > 0:56:14But we won't be ringing her up, will we, to tell her that they've gone?
0:56:14 > 0:56:17She'll be trekking somewhere and won't have a signal!
0:56:17 > 0:56:19Look, good luck anyway, this is it.
0:56:20 > 0:56:25355, John Arnold Wheeler, the pair of terrier portraits.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27Nice little portraits these.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29In the back cabinet there, so lot 355,
0:56:29 > 0:56:33and I have to start these straight in at £300.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35Nice. That's what I like to hear.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37- No messing about.- No messing.
0:56:37 > 0:56:41- 450. 500.- The dog lovers are here.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44520, 550, I'll take 580.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47580. Got to go 600. 620? 620.
0:56:47 > 0:56:50- Highest price of the day. - Looking for 650.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53650 on the back telephone. 680.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55700? 700.
0:56:55 > 0:57:00The Jack Russell lovers are here in force, or at least on the telephone.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02800. 800 on the back telephone.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04At £800, now 50 anywhere?
0:57:06 > 0:57:09- And there's another phone. - 850 here. 900?
0:57:09 > 0:57:11900 with Kate. At 900. Now 950?
0:57:11 > 0:57:16- 950?- That's astonishing. - He's back again.
0:57:16 > 0:57:21At 950 it is then. Are you all sure and done? At 950.
0:57:21 > 0:57:23I am very happy with that.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26I think we should get on the phone. That is an amazing result.
0:57:26 > 0:57:30That's top money for that artist. I tell you what, somebody paid a lot of money for that.
0:57:30 > 0:57:35- He was a Bath artist, so we're selling it in the right area.- Locally.
0:57:35 > 0:57:39The great thing is, all that money is going towards her grandchildren's university fees
0:57:39 > 0:57:43- so she's already building up a pot fund for that. - Isn't that wonderful?- Yes.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46Thinking ahead for the future for the rest of the family.
0:57:46 > 0:57:50Because it would have been their inheritance, so they're being looked after.
0:57:50 > 0:57:55- It's a good thing to do.- Yes, and it's a wonderful result. - £950. That is incredible!
0:58:00 > 0:58:04It's all over for our owners, in fact, the auction has just stopped, just like that.
0:58:04 > 0:58:06There's a buzz in the room. Some of the lucky bidders
0:58:06 > 0:58:10are now collecting their lots and going home very happy.
0:58:10 > 0:58:12And I think all our owners have gone home happy,
0:58:12 > 0:58:20especially Cherie with the two portraits of the Jack Russells, selling for a whopping £950.
0:58:20 > 0:58:24I hope you are enjoying this moment, Cherie, and I hope everybody else has enjoyed today's show.
0:58:24 > 0:58:29Join me again soon for many more surprises, but until then, from Bridgwater, it's goodbye.