0:00:06 > 0:00:12Today, we're in the ancient city of Wells in Somerset, first granted a royal charter by King John in 1201.
0:00:12 > 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 > 0:02:04'Will discovers that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...'
0:02:04 > 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 > 0:04:42- to perhaps being carried about as a chamber stick.- Oh yeah, yeah.
0:04:42 > 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 > 0:04:56You bought them as bronze, they are. You bought them having a bit of age, I think they are late 19th century.
0:04:56 > 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 > 0:06:22Not as I know of. I've never checked what he actually did, but it's just come down through the family.
0:06:22 > 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 > 0:07:11Ash a 50 foot length. This 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 > 0:07:57- That would be nice.- And see what happens.- We'll see what happens.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02'I love old books like that and I really hope that it measures up in the sale room.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07'Will and I aren't the only ones busy valuing. Anita's got a table full.'
0:08:07 > 0:08:08Norman, welcome to Flog It!
0:08:08 > 0:08:14- and thank you very much for bringing along this little collection of objects.- My pleasure.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19- Can you tell me, where did you get them?- Well, some of the vesta cases came from my father.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21How he got hold of them, I don't know.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26The two items here were...
0:08:26 > 0:08:30My ex-wife's aunt died, they were going to throw them in the skip
0:08:30 > 0:08:33and I said no way were they going in the skip.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38The others I seem to have acquired over the years, but don't ask me where they came from, I've no idea.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- So you developed the collecting habit?- Yes.
0:08:41 > 0:08:48But recently they've just been stuck in the drawer and I feel that's a waste.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- If somebody, a collector likes them, wants them, yeah. - You're happy to pass them on?
0:08:53 > 0:08:59- I'm happy to pass them on. - Now is the time, Norman.- Yes. - Let's have a look at the collection.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03We have a mixture here of silver vesta cases.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09- And vesta cases are little boxes where we keep our matches. - That's right.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14- We have silver ones, we have white metal ones.- Yes.
0:09:14 > 0:09:20If we look at this one here, this is a fairly standard vesta box.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22We open it up, we can see our silver hallmark...
0:09:24 > 0:09:29..the hinge is good, it's in good condition, although it does need a wee bit of er...
0:09:29 > 0:09:35- TLC.- TLC. And we have this edge here, which we use for striking the match.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38My favourite is this one here.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Yes.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43There were manufactured, in Victorian times,
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- novelty vesta boxes.- Right.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51They didn't necessarily need to be fine silver ones
0:09:51 > 0:09:53and this is an example of this
0:09:53 > 0:09:56where we have Gladstone here.
0:09:56 > 0:10:02People will be interested in him even although he's not silver.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07These two items here are matchbox holders
0:10:07 > 0:10:13- and they are silver, and this one here is oriental silver.- Yes.
0:10:13 > 0:10:20- So quite a nice collection here. I feel we should put these as one lot. - Right.
0:10:20 > 0:10:26Now, the silver buyers love that, when they see lots of items together in one lot
0:10:26 > 0:10:31because they feel that they might get them for a job lot price.
0:10:31 > 0:10:37We hope that they won't go for that, we know that they won't, we will protect them with a reserve price.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41I think we want to be putting them in maybe...
0:10:42 > 0:10:45..50 to 80, 60 to 80.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Now, I know that sounds cheap for a quantity of items,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53but we've got to take into consideration
0:10:53 > 0:11:01that some of them are base metal and there are some of them which are tired and not in good condition.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05We do have ones which, with a wee clean, would look well.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10I think, maybe, if we put them in £60 to £80,
0:11:10 > 0:11:16- with a reserve of £60 firm. - Yes.- Firm.- Firm, yes.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- How do you feel about that? - Yes, that would be fine. Yes.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25- I personally think that they will go further than that. - Right, yes.- Yes, that sounds...
0:11:25 > 0:11:31- And the reserve will protect them. - That's right, yes.- Shall we go for it?- Definitely.- Definitely.- Flog it.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Let's flog it!
0:11:33 > 0:11:36'Ah, Norman's got the right idea. But before we do just that,
0:11:36 > 0:11:41'here's a quick recap of what we are taking off to auction and why we're taking it.'
0:11:41 > 0:11:45If these bronzes WERE made as chamber sticks, well, they're enough to scare anything off
0:11:45 > 0:11:50that would go bump in the night. They don't scare me, though. I like them.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54I'm putting this book into auction because I've never seen anything like it before.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59I never realised they could actually find something to work out the price of scantlings of wood
0:11:59 > 0:12:03and that's quite nice, so let's see what it does.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07These are the best examples out of a vesta collection.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11These are the ones the buyers are going to go for -
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Gladstone and this really nice silver example.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27Right, it's auction time and as you know by now, anything can happen in the sale room,
0:12:27 > 0:12:31it's not an exact science, and this is where we are putting our valuations to the test,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Tamlyn & Son in the heart of Bridgwater.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Now, I know our owners are inside right now feeling really nervous.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42It's OK for you at home - you can sit back, relax, have a cup of tea and put your feet up
0:12:42 > 0:12:49and enjoy the action, but for that lot, it's a roller coaster ride, so let's get on with the action.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51'We're in safe hands with auctioneer Claire Rawle.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56'Remember, though, when you are buying or selling at auction, you have to pay commission
0:12:56 > 0:12:58'and here it's 16% plus VAT.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01'So, let's kick things off with the bronze dragons.'
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Good luck, that's all I can say. Hopefully we'll light the sale room up.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13We've got some continental chamber sticks in the form of mythical beasts. A nice little lot.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- Yes, I like these.- A really nice lot. Why are you selling them?- I don't like them.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- What, too scary? - Yeah. Just not my thing.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25You know, if they are your thing, they're flavour of the month right now, that's for sure.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30Yeah, well, we were saying on valuation day, weren't we, on a darkly candlelit dining room
0:13:30 > 0:13:35with some oak furniture, they'd look the business. A bit Addams Family, I know where you're coming from.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- Yes, but a nice prop. - They are nice quality as well. They are crisply done.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44- We'll keep our fingers crossed anyway.- Fingers crossed.- Let's see what this lot thinks, it's packed.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Someone is going to go home with them, surely? This is it.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50A nice pair of decorative, late 19th-century,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53bronze, dragon chamber sticks.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Nice attractive items, these,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57they are showing to you at the back of the room,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00lot 250 and these I have to start straight in at £135.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Just like that. Flavour of the month.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04Do I see 140 anywhere?
0:14:04 > 0:14:09At £135, are you all done, then? It goes to my bidder at 135.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12That did light up the sale room. You have to be pleased with that.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- Brilliant.- I like it when that happens.- That's lovely.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18They must have had commission bidders on the book
0:14:18 > 0:14:20and they came in at the highest price and sold.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- Well done, you two.- Well, thank you both very much.- Good work.
0:14:24 > 0:14:30'Well that's a fair old amount. I wonder if they WILL buy any Clarice Cliff. John's book is next.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33'Fingers crossed it also does well.'
0:14:33 > 0:14:38Remember that little, leather-bound volume I found at the valuation day at Wells Cathedral,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40sort of mid-1800s and it said "to the meanest capacity"?
0:14:40 > 0:14:45Well, we're just about to put it to the test and I've been joined by John, its owner
0:14:45 > 0:14:47and hopefully for not much longer.
0:14:47 > 0:14:53- Do you think I valued this to the meanest capacity?- Yes, I should think that was about right.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56It think it's better to be that way, than be too optimistic
0:14:56 > 0:15:00as if we said it might do £80 or £100 and it struggles, then we're all a bit deflated, aren't we?
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- 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.
0:15:05 > 0:15:11- Right, here we go. Are you ready for this?- Yes.- Let's test the market. Let's find out what it's worth.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Lot 310 is this little book,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17the Practical Measurer, Or Measuring Made Easy.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19There we are, nice, little, early book this, lot 310.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23£12 to start it. At £12, do I see 15 anywhere?
0:15:23 > 0:15:25The bid is with me at 12 for the Measures etc.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29At 12 now. 15? 15, 18, 20.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31There's a bid left on the auctioneer's book.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32At 20.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36Do I see 2 anywhere? The bid's at 20. £20, it's going to be, then.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Are you all done? Selling at £20.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Well, it's gone. We had a £20 reserve, it's gone right on it.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- That's OK. - You're happy with that, aren't you?
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- Yes. Thank you very much.- I think we got our figures right, don't you?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Well, so far so good.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01Next up, I've just been joined by Norman and we have a collection of around 14 mainly vesta cases.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03You must be a bit of a collector, then, surely?
0:16:03 > 0:16:10Well, when my dad died I found some in his things and the rest just appeared.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- They gravitate towards you, that's what happens. - I don't know where they came from.
0:16:14 > 0:16:21- Hey, look, not a lot of money for 14 items, £50-£60.- They're not all silver.- No, some of them are though.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26- Not all silver and some not in the best of conditions.- OK.- But we have some interesting ones there.- OK.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- So this is a good trade lot then. - Yes.- A really good trade lot.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Let's find out what they think, they're here today with a packed room. It's very exciting.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Let's do it, shall we? Here we go.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Lot 145, little mixed lot here,
0:16:37 > 0:16:42various vesta cases, matchbox holders and a nail buffer.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Nice little mixed lot -
0:16:44 > 0:16:48oh, and this one I have to start straight in at £210.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Something pretty in there.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55£210, it is. At 210, do I see 220 anywhere?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- I thought it was a lot of lot. - £210, then.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02At 210, it looks like it's going to my bidder, then, are you all done?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- I don't believe it! - Straight in at £210.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09A wee bit conservative.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Come and buy me. - Well, it was, wasn't it, really?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16But there was something there that somebody wanted, one of those items.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21- It could have been that matchbox holder that was Chinese silver. - That's right.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- So we had one or two interesting ones there.- Yeah. Well done.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- Thank you for bringing that in... - Thank you. - ..and not throwing it away.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32Putting it in the right place at the right time. If you've got anything like that, we'd love to see it.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37You too could have a surprise in an auction room just like this.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Log on to the BBC website at...
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Follow the links, all the information will be there
0:17:43 > 0:17:47and hopefully it will be near a town not far away from you.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49'So that's it for our first visit to the sale room
0:17:49 > 0:17:53'so let's head back to the city of Wells for that tour I promised you earlier.'
0:18:04 > 0:18:09They say size doesn't matter and if you're talking about the city of Wells, it couldn't be more right.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14Wells is the smallest city in England - however, architecturally and aesthetically,
0:18:14 > 0:18:19it packs a real punch and according to the locals, it's the best kept secret in Somerset.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21So come with me and I'll show you why.
0:18:22 > 0:18:28One of the first unusual features you might spot here are two water-filled gullies
0:18:28 > 0:18:30that run down both sides of the high street.
0:18:30 > 0:18:37They look like drains but they aren't. However, they are a clue to how the city got its name.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Because of these - the wells.
0:18:41 > 0:18:47Three pools that are the source of the water that actually runs down the high street out there.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52Now, it may look tranquil on the surface but believe me, there is a lot of pressure there
0:18:52 > 0:18:58because around 40 gallons of water, on average, are produced every second.
0:18:58 > 0:19:05Now, if you work that out that's around four million gallons of water per day, which is quite incredible.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09If you look closely enough, you can actually see the bubbles coming up from the bottom.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12You can see how much pressure is down there.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24As well as being an important water source for the local community, natural springs like these
0:19:24 > 0:19:31have always been the focus of spiritual interests since, well, pre-history really.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36Stone-age flints and Roman pottery have been found all over this area
0:19:36 > 0:19:43but the earliest recorded example of a religious building to be found here, well, that's a Roman mausoleum
0:19:43 > 0:19:47and it's thought that that settlement was quite small.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50It wasn't until a Saxon king, Ine of Wessex,
0:19:50 > 0:19:56founded a minster church here back in 704 that the town really took off.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Today the wells are in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05It's a magnificent palace set in 14 acres of gardens that's been home to the bishops
0:20:05 > 0:20:08of Bath and Wells for 800 years.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14It dates from the early 13th century
0:20:14 > 0:20:18and it's the most perfect and complete surviving example of its type.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33There have been over 50 bishops of Bath and Wells over the years
0:20:33 > 0:20:37but I think there's one that has made more of an impact on the city than most.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42Back in the 15th century, Bishop Beckington was responsible for several important buildings
0:20:42 > 0:20:44and here is just one example.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49It's known as the Bishop's Eye and it really is the gateway to the Bishop's Palace.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53But I think Beckington's greatest contribution to the people of Wells
0:20:53 > 0:20:56has to be providing them with fresh water.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01He devised a mechanism, back in 1451, to get water from the wells, which is over in that direction,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05to the centre of the market place, which is just down here.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Moving on from the market place,
0:21:09 > 0:21:12this is the quaintly named Penniless Porch.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15It's where the beggars used to congregate.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20The city of Wells is a conservation miracle.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Its historic heart has been preserved almost intact since the Middle Ages
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and there are no finer examples than this.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32Vicars' Close. In 1348, Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury
0:21:32 > 0:21:35founded a college so that the Vicars Choral,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37the cathedral choir, could all live together.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43Now, initially, they lodged out there amongst the townsfolk where they could succumb to temptation,
0:21:43 > 0:21:48so in order to keep them in line, so they couldn't get up to any mischief, he built this place.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53Now, it's a street that comprises of 42 small, little houses, one up and one downs,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57and also, a communal hall where they could all eat in.
0:21:57 > 0:22:05Now, interestingly enough, this is now the only totally complete medieval street in England
0:22:05 > 0:22:11and more fascinating than that, it's the oldest continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Now, that takes some beating, doesn't it?
0:22:14 > 0:22:20And for me, well, I've never been in such a place where there is such a sense of connection to the past
0:22:20 > 0:22:24where time has just, literally, stood still.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29And it has, it really has, it's remarkable.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Not a lot has changed. Little front gardens have been added.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Not a lot - as you can see, there's not a lot of space there.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39And also the chimney stacks have been raised somewhat.
0:22:39 > 0:22:47Now, that's to take away the smoke from the winter fires so that it wouldn't ruin the choir's voices.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Isn't that fascinating?
0:22:49 > 0:22:51I just love this.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54CHORAL MUSIC
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Another addition was the Chain Gate.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59This beautiful, high-level walkway allowed the clergy to enter
0:22:59 > 0:23:04the cathedral from the Vicars' Close without getting their feet or robes wet.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13It also prevented them bumping into the less savoury residents of Wells.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26And finally, the jewel in the crown of these ancient streets and magnificent buildings
0:23:26 > 0:23:28has to be Wells Cathedral itself.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Just look at it there. It is so inspiring.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33It is an architectural delight that ticks all the boxes
0:23:33 > 0:23:40and it's the first English cathedral of its kind to be designed in the Gothic style back in 1180.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44And the magnificent west front that we're looking at now, circa 1230,
0:23:44 > 0:23:50boasts the largest gallery of medieval sculpture you will find anywhere else in the world.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54And looking at it here, with the sun shining down on that soft stone,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57those yellow ochres just grinning through in this sunlight
0:23:57 > 0:24:00really, really beckons you in. It is so inviting.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02And from the bottom here
0:24:02 > 0:24:06in the lower orders, you've got in these niches
0:24:06 > 0:24:08lots of biblical themes,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11rising up to kings and bishops, then through to an order of angels,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14and then you see the 12 apostles,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17and then right at the very top, Jesus Christ.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21That is just incredible, isn't it? It really is.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23You could just stand here for hours
0:24:23 > 0:24:25admiring such wonderful architecture.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Inside is no less spectacular.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36The scissor arches are unique,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40taking master mason William Joy ten years to build.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42They were a medieval engineering solution
0:24:42 > 0:24:46to a very real problem of sinking tower foundations.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51And there is the famous Wells Clock,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55which has what is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism
0:24:55 > 0:24:56in Britain and probably the world.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00It's still in original condition and it still works.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03The mechanism was made in about 1390
0:25:03 > 0:25:04and the clock face
0:25:04 > 0:25:08is the oldest surviving original of its kind anywhere.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15You'll also find the tombs of those influential bishops,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Beckington and Ralph,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21who made such an indelible mark on the city.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Well, I think you'll have to agree me, this is a truly remarkable city,
0:25:33 > 0:25:38extremely rich in medieval architecture, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here
0:25:38 > 0:25:45and I hope it's inspired you to come and look for yourself because it just is a great day out.
0:25:51 > 0:25:57What a marvellous day we're having at Wells Cathedral. The sun is starting to beam through
0:25:57 > 0:26:01these wonderful stained glass windows, creating a kaleidoscope of colour,
0:26:01 > 0:26:05but I had to come to this viewing gallery to look at that scissor arch.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Look at the beautiful perspective of the cathedral, looking right down the nave.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Our experts are working flat out down there.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Well, Sharon, thanks for coming along today
0:26:15 > 0:26:19and bringing what I think is actually the oldest thing I've seen today.
0:26:19 > 0:26:26- Oh. Very good.- Without taking into account the marvellous building we are in at the moment.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29But I know what it is, do you have any ideas?
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Well, I've looked up on the internet and I know it might be Whieldon ware.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36- Right. Yes.- It might be tortoiseshell ware.
0:26:37 > 0:26:43- OK.- But I don't know anything about the date or...- Right. No problem.
0:26:43 > 0:26:49Without attributing it directly to Thomas Whieldon, it is certainly what we would call Whieldon type.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54- Yes.- Thomas Whieldon, his life basically spanned the 18th century.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59He was born around 1720 and went on through the 18th century.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04Now, he was well known for experimenting with glazes
0:27:04 > 0:27:08and the magic word, tortoiseshell,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12which is spot on for describing what we have here.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- This is what we would call a tortoiseshell glaze.- Yes.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18I'm going to flip it over, because people might say,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22I've never seen a tortoiseshell with splashes of green, blue and yellow,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26but if I flip it over and we look at the back, I mean, that's great, isn't it?
0:27:26 > 0:27:29That sort of naive, tortoiseshell, experimental glaze
0:27:29 > 0:27:33really shines out on the back, which is a shame actually,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36because the back can be more interesting than the front.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39But I'll spin it back over and have a look at the front,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43because we've got this, as you say, nice sort of tortoiseshell glaze
0:27:43 > 0:27:47and the plate itself has this rather nice,
0:27:47 > 0:27:51I suppose it's almost a sort of basket weave moulding, isn't it?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Yes.- It's almost a basket weave moulding edge
0:27:54 > 0:27:56and then this sort of scalloped rim.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01- I want you to tell me now how you have come by it and why you have brought it along today.- Right.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05I've got a tea rooms, and I set it up 23 years ago
0:28:05 > 0:28:10and I was looking for some old china to put on a shelf around the top of the dresser.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12I know the sort of thing, yes.
0:28:12 > 0:28:18- And my husband's grandmother, who was 104, she had a pile of plates and she said, take these.- Yeah.
0:28:18 > 0:28:23- And this was one of them, but it was actually covered in mud.- Really?
0:28:23 > 0:28:29And water scale, because she used to keep plants on it in the conservatory.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32I think the plants might be why the glaze has flaked slightly.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36There is a bit of crazing on the glaze and water doesn't necessarily mix...
0:28:36 > 0:28:38- It was in a terrible state. - Was it?
0:28:38 > 0:28:41You've done really well to get it up to this condition.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46I would say, I'm going to avoid the 80 to 120 estimate,
0:28:46 > 0:28:49I'm going to come in a little bit under that, if that's OK with you.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52I'm going to say sort of 50 to 80.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56- How do you feel about that?- Yes, that's fine.- Is that OK?- Yes. Yes.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Now we come to the point of reserve. Would you be happy
0:28:59 > 0:29:03- to just see where it ends up? - Yes, I'm happy with that.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07- I don't really like it, so... - That's where we disagree. I like it, you don't.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10But hey, that's antiques. Everyone's got different opinions.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14This is one of my favourite occupations on valuation day,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17dipping in and out to see what is being brought along.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22I've already spotted a bit of Clarice Cliff. It wouldn't be Flog It! without Clarice,
0:29:22 > 0:29:26but in the case of emergencies, we've got a fire bucket.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36Cherie, I'm always interested to see pictures in Flog It!
0:29:36 > 0:29:39and I particularly like this little pair of dog portraits.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44Could you tell me, where did you get them?
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Well, they were bequeathed to my husband by a very dear friend
0:29:47 > 0:29:53about 30-odd years ago and we have always enjoyed looking at them
0:29:53 > 0:29:57and when they were in his cottage, we always admired them
0:29:57 > 0:30:01and they looked really superb in his little olde worlde Dorchester cottage.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05We've really enjoyed having them, looking at them,
0:30:05 > 0:30:08and a lot of people have said how well they have been painted.
0:30:08 > 0:30:13So, they've been part of your life for a considerable amount of years.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Tell me, why do you want to sell them?
0:30:15 > 0:30:19We have a modern house and it's decorated in the modern style
0:30:19 > 0:30:22and these pictures just don't fit any more
0:30:22 > 0:30:27and they have been in my secretaire drawer for about five years now.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31- It's time to pass them on.- Yes.
0:30:31 > 0:30:37They are both signed and we can see the signature in the corner here.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41- It's J A Wheeler.- Yes.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Now, I am not familiar with that artist's work,
0:30:43 > 0:30:48but I see that you have a document here with details of him.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53Can you tell me a bit about the artist?
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Well, as far as I know, he was born in Cheltenham
0:30:57 > 0:30:59and he came to live in Bath
0:30:59 > 0:31:03and I think he painted most of his work in Bath after the Army,
0:31:03 > 0:31:07he was in the Army first of all, and then he went on from there.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10He's a self-taught artist, I believe.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14These dogs are a pair of, I think they are fox-haired terriers.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18- That's right, yes. - They are very realistic.
0:31:18 > 0:31:24- They are very, very detailed and they are very well executed.- Yes.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28If they were coming to me, without research and just looking at them,
0:31:28 > 0:31:34I would probably estimate them 150 to 250.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39- OK.- Would you be happy to put them in at that price, 150 to 250?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41I should think so.
0:31:41 > 0:31:47- Will we put a reserve on them? - Oh, yes, please. Yes.- We'll put the reserve at the bottom estimate.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52- Yes.- £150.- Yes.- But they are well worth that and they may well fly.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Will you be sad to let these go?
0:31:55 > 0:32:00Yes, we will, but it's going for a good cause.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05My grandson or daughter is due in a few days
0:32:05 > 0:32:07and we have a 20-month-old grandson,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12so this will go towards their university fees.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18- Oh, that's wonderful. You're a wonderful granny.- Oh, thank you!
0:32:18 > 0:32:22'What a lovely lady, and I'm sure those dogs will find a new home.
0:32:22 > 0:32:28'Time for one more valuation, Roger's collection of shot and powder flasks.'
0:32:28 > 0:32:31OK, Roger, you've brought in this nice collection here.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- You are aware of what they were used for, aren't you?- Yes.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39- I mean, we've got powder flasks and we've got shot flasks. - Shot flasks.- Exactly.
0:32:39 > 0:32:45Powder ones usually in the copper. You would calibrate how much powder was going to go into your musket,
0:32:45 > 0:32:50into your black powder musket. And with the shot, once you'd put your powder away you would have
0:32:50 > 0:32:53to come out with your shot bag and put the shot in there as well.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Damp it down, load up, take aim and fire
0:32:56 > 0:33:01and fingers crossed, the bullet goes that way and not that way!
0:33:01 > 0:33:06- Tell me, how have you come by this? Are these things that you were buying?- No.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10- It was one of my uncles, he was a builder and he dabbled in antiques.- Yes?
0:33:10 > 0:33:14All different, nothing specific, just different things,
0:33:14 > 0:33:17but when he died, it passed to one of my brothers.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20- And when my brother died... - Passed it on to you.
0:33:20 > 0:33:25Yes. And they've been in the cupboard ever since. You know, as usual.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30- The old story. We hear it all the time. Some are going to be worth more than others.- Yes.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35I think these nicely embossed leather ones here, for example this one here,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39this is a bit up my street, coming from the racing part of the world.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44We've got what looks like a huntsman here, blowing his horn,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47and perhaps leaping over some sort of ditch or dyke,
0:33:47 > 0:33:54and down here at the bottom, which is what interested me, we've got the Hawksley & Co mark for the makers.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- Right. - Now they are a good firm of makers,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00they are sort of at the top end of the makers for this type of thing
0:34:00 > 0:34:02so that's going to help that one along.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06- This one has got the James Dixon mark on the bottom.- Right.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09Again, that's nice, and it's got sort of dead game,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12typical sort of country house still life, that sort of thing,
0:34:12 > 0:34:18because these were military as well as, shall we say, people who were huntsmen.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- Yes.- Who were shooting, or black powder shot sportsmen.- Yes.- Exactly.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27So I've been looking at these and what sort of price they've been making recently
0:34:27 > 0:34:31and you know, the market for these has narrowed somewhat, shall we say.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35- Yes.- They're not such wide appeal.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39I'm thinking £20, £30 apiece, and I'm just thinking out loud here, but what do you think?
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Shall we keep them as one lot, or split them down the middle
0:34:42 > 0:34:46and put the leather ones together and the copper ones together?
0:34:46 > 0:34:49- I'd be happy splitting them, really.- Yes, I think so.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54There is one train of thought - keep them together and there's a lot there for your money.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56- Or split them up, then you give people the option.- Yes.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Do they want to go for just the one or do they want to go for both?
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Let's live dangerously and split them so we've got four copper ones,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07four leather ones. We'll split the reserve, £100 fixed on each.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- How does that sound?- £100 reserve on each.- On each.- Yeah, right.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14So we'll be looking at 100, 150 as an estimate, fixed at 100.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17I think they should do a little bit more than that,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- but let's price them sensibly. All right?- Fair enough.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- Let's shake on it.- OK. - Well done, Roger.- Cheers.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29That's it, our experts have now made their final choice of items
0:35:29 > 0:35:31to take off to the auction room,
0:35:31 > 0:35:34so we have to say farewell to Wells Cathedral,
0:35:34 > 0:35:38this wonderful Gothic building that has embraced us all day today.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42I can't wait to come back here, but we've got to get over to the sale room,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45put some pressure on to find out exactly what it's worth.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47And here's our experts to give you a quick rundown
0:35:47 > 0:35:50of what we're taking, but more importantly, why we're taking it.
0:35:50 > 0:35:57I think this genuine 18th-century Whieldon type tortoiseshell plate could turn out to be
0:35:57 > 0:36:02good value for someone at the auction, and I think the back's the best bit.
0:36:02 > 0:36:08Mr Wheeler was not a professional artist but he certainly could paint.
0:36:08 > 0:36:15I think these little oils may give us a surprise at the auction.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19This collection of eight powder flasks, well, I really like them.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23I think they stand a good chance at auction and I'm hoping they are going to go off with a bang.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27So we're back in Bridgwater with auctioneer Claire Rawle
0:36:27 > 0:36:29and the hustle and bustle of the sale room.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Gosh, it is full, isn't it? That's a good sign.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Hopefully they are all here to buy and put their hands up to bid on our lots. Fingers crossed.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Whatever you do, don't go away, this could get really exciting.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45So let's crack on with the sale
0:36:45 > 0:36:49and keen to sell her Whieldon plate is Sharon.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- Good luck.- Thank you. - The Whieldon tortoiseshell plate.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57- It's 18th century, it's a nice lot, but I know you've added now a reserve, haven't you?- That's right.
0:36:57 > 0:36:58Our Will likes no reserves.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- Well, yes, I always try to twist a few arms.- You do, don't you?
0:37:02 > 0:37:06I think you're right in doing that. You've got to protect it. If you love it, protect it.
0:37:06 > 0:37:13- Sharon was all with me to let it go no reserve.- Were you?- Yes. My husband, he's the sensible one.- Ah!
0:37:13 > 0:37:17- We're the gamblers, he's the banker. - Hopefully we'll get that top end.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Let's find out what the bidders think,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22because at the end of the day, it is all down to them.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26- We can speculate and pontificate, but...- The proof is in the selling. - And the pudding. This is it.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31Lot 430 is this late 18th, early 19th-century Whieldon type plate
0:37:33 > 0:37:35and it's being shown to you at the back of the room
0:37:35 > 0:37:40in the cabinet there and I have to start this one away at £40. At 40.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42I have 40, do I see 42 anywhere?
0:37:42 > 0:37:46The bid is with me at 40. At 40 for the plate.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50At 40 it is then. Are you all done? Selling to my bidder at £40.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55It's gone on that reserve. You did the right thing.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58- Yes.- You did the right thing, yes, exactly.- Phew!
0:37:58 > 0:38:02Good luck with the tea room. That's all I can say. Great place.
0:38:02 > 0:38:08'That was close. Sharon didn't want to take it home, did she?'
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Going under the hammer right now, or should I say in the firing line,
0:38:11 > 0:38:15it is Roger with four powder flasks and four shot flasks,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17- split into two lots, valued by Will. - Yes.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20But since the valuation date, Roger has been keeping us on our toes
0:38:20 > 0:38:25- because you have changed the value twice.- Twice.
0:38:25 > 0:38:30- You rang the auctioneer and said, "I want a bit more money." - Yes.- So you put it up to what?- 140.
0:38:30 > 0:38:35- 140. And then you called her again in the last few days and you dropped it.- To 130.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Were you put under pressure to do that or did you have a re-think?
0:38:39 > 0:38:44No, I looked on the internet and compared the prices and then just...
0:38:44 > 0:38:48But listen, they are yours at the end of the day and you can decide what to do with them
0:38:48 > 0:38:53and it gets me out of a stink because if they don't sell, it's your fault!
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- Right. OK.- Can't be fairer than that, can we?
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Let's see if we hit the target. Here we go, this is it.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Moving on to lot 175, the first of the powder flasks.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06These are the copper ones, some by Dixon & Sons.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10There are four altogether in the lot, 175,
0:39:10 > 0:39:15and I have to start away at...£100.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16£100.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17Do I see 110 anywhere?
0:39:17 > 0:39:20110, 120, 130.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22We've sold them.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25At 130, do I see 140 anywhere?
0:39:25 > 0:39:28At £130 then, the bid is in the room. All done at 130.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32You were right, Roger. If you'd left it at 140 you'd have got 140,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34because they went on your new reserve.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37And now the next lot, the shot flasks.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41- You've been tampering with the reserves here as well. You did the same thing?- Well...
0:39:41 > 0:39:48- Tampering.- Tampering, yes. - Went up to 140.- Back down again. - Back down, 130.- 130.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- And I'm going to stick my neck out and predict a 130 hammer price here.- Yeah.
0:39:52 > 0:39:5519th-century leather shot flasks. There we are.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57There's one by Dixon & Sons in there,
0:39:57 > 0:39:59there's four altogether in the lot, 220,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02and start away, I've got £90.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04At £90, do I see 100 anywhere?
0:40:04 > 0:40:06See if we can get the same bidder going in the doorway.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Now 100. At £90, do I see 100?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- Come on.- We're struggling. - Are you all sure in the room at 90?
0:40:13 > 0:40:16No, they have to stay with me, I'm afraid.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18We got rid of half.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23The leather ones obviously weren't for him, but we didn't even get to the 100 that I said.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25So, you're in the clear, I can't even blame you. So, 50%.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28'That's auctions for you!
0:40:28 > 0:40:31'But Roger still sold half the collection for £130
0:40:31 > 0:40:34'and keeps the rest.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37'Next up, Cherie's dog paintings. She couldn't make it,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40'but before the sale, she called the auction room
0:40:40 > 0:40:43'and raised the reserve from £150 to £200.'
0:40:45 > 0:40:50I think these are a lovely pair of oils. The artist has form, and this is his subject,
0:40:50 > 0:40:56he's good on hunting, he's good on dogs, horses and so on. I like these, I think they'll do very well.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00It's a shame Cherie can't be here, but she is actually on holiday in Peru,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- so she's enjoying herself.- Lovely.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06But we won't be ringing her up, will we, to tell her that they've gone?
0:41:06 > 0:41:10She'll be trekking somewhere and won't have a signal!
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Look, good luck anyway, this is it.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18355, John Arnold Wheeler, the pair of terrier portraits.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20Nice little portraits these.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22In the back cabinet there, so lot 355,
0:41:22 > 0:41:26and I have to start these straight in at £300.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Nice. That's what I like to hear.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30- No messing about.- No messing.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34- 450. 500.- The dog lovers are here.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36520, 550, I'll take 580.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40580. Got to go 600. 620? 620.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42- Highest price of the day. - Looking for 650.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45650 on the back telephone. 680.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47700? 700.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52The Jack Russell lovers are here in force, or at least on the telephone.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55800. 800 on the back telephone.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57At £800, now 50 anywhere?
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- And there's another phone. - 850 here. 900?
0:42:01 > 0:42:04900 with Kate. At 900. Now 950?
0:42:04 > 0:42:09- 950?- That's astonishing. - He's back again.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13At 950 it is then. Are you all sure and done? At 950.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15I am very happy with that.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19I think we should get on the phone. That is an amazing result.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23That's top money for that artist. I tell you what, somebody paid a lot of money for that.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28- He was a Bath artist, so we're selling it in the right area.- Locally.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32The great thing is, all that money is going towards her grandchildren's university fees
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- so she's already building up a pot fund for that. - Isn't that wonderful?- Yes.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Thinking ahead for the future for the rest of the family.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Because it would have been their inheritance, so they're being looked after.
0:42:43 > 0:42:48- It's a good thing to do.- Yes, and it's a wonderful result. - £950. That is incredible!
0:42:53 > 0:42:57It's all over for our owners, in fact, the auction has just stopped, just like that.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00There's a buzz in the room. Some of the lucky bidders
0:43:00 > 0:43:03are now collecting their lots and going home very happy.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06And I think all our owners have gone home happy,
0:43:06 > 0:43:11especially Cherie with the two portraits of the Jack Russells, selling for a whopping £950.
0:43:11 > 0:43:18I hope you are enjoying this moment, Cherie, and I hope everybody else has enjoyed today's show.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22Join me again soon for many more surprises, but until then, from Bridgwater, it's goodbye.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:43 > 0:43:47E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk