0:00:05 > 0:00:06Today, we're in a place dubbed
0:00:06 > 0:00:09the last bastion of free speech in the world.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13This place is famous as a forum for debating controversial issues.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16And no doubt, we'll have one or two good points to talk about today
0:00:16 > 0:00:18over the items we find. This is "Flog It!"
0:00:41 > 0:00:43For this programme,
0:00:43 > 0:00:45we've come to the most famous debating room
0:00:45 > 0:00:47outside of Westminster,
0:00:47 > 0:00:49the hallowed chamber of Oxford Union.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51The Union's core principle is free speech
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and it was founded at a time when universities banned students
0:00:55 > 0:00:58from talking freely about politics and religion.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Malcolm X came here to debate civil rights...
0:01:04 > 0:01:06The most cosmopolitan and progressive parts of it...
0:01:06 > 0:01:11And Teddy Kennedy arrived under a hail of protest to discuss Vietnam.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Well, let's hope our "Flog It!" audience aren't as rowdy today.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17We are literally surrounded by history here today
0:01:17 > 0:01:18at the Oxford Union.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Malcolm X made his famous speech in 1964
0:01:21 > 0:01:24when he demanded black empowerment by any means necessary.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Let's hope we find some wonderful political memorabilia.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Come on, then.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39And our experts on the campaign trail are Christina Trevanion,
0:01:39 > 0:01:41our silver-lounged jewellery expert.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Ooh!
0:01:43 > 0:01:47All that glitters. I like it.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50And our very own formidable debater Mark Stacey,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53who seems to me in need of a little light refreshment.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Oh, you've drunk it all.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Not very much fun, is it? We need a little tipple,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59being outside in this cold, don't we?
0:02:03 > 0:02:04Call to order.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07I believe this house has large queues of people all waiting
0:02:07 > 0:02:10to have their antiques valued by our experts.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15So, without further ado, let's see what Oxford has to offer.
0:02:15 > 0:02:16Coming up in today's show...
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Has Christina uncovered a famous fake?
0:02:21 > 0:02:23You think it's Serves.
0:02:23 > 0:02:24Yes. Is it not?
0:02:27 > 0:02:30While Mark gets a bit of a religious education.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33So, who was Charles Spurgeon?
0:02:33 > 0:02:35And I turn the clock back to the Cold War protests
0:02:35 > 0:02:37at Greenham Common.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Did they change history?
0:02:39 > 0:02:42NEWS REPORTER: They arrived in their thousands by coach, by car
0:02:42 > 0:02:43and even on foot.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Well, everybody's now safe and seated inside
0:02:49 > 0:02:51and our expert first out on the blocks is Christina.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Let's take a closer look at what she spotted.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57So, June, I'm assuming you're a Libran,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00because opals are the birthstone for Libras.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- No, I was born in November. - Ah! A little bit late, then?- Mm.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06I've never understood why two separate...
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- These are love tokens from past admirers...- Oh, my goodness!
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- Ages... Ages past.- Ooh!
0:03:12 > 0:03:16And they both bought me these stones at separate times,
0:03:16 > 0:03:17- which is extraordinary.- Oh, really?
0:03:17 > 0:03:21And I've never expressed a desire for opals.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22So, have you ever worn them?
0:03:22 > 0:03:26I've just tried them on and thought, "They're really not me."
0:03:26 > 0:03:29"Thanks very much, but you obviously don't know me."
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- Quite.- That's why they are past admirers.- Exactly. Exactly.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Well, a lot of people are very suspicious about opals.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Like I say, they were...
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Or they are the birthstone of Librans and traditionally,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45it said that Librans are the only ones that can wear them,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47which, frankly, is bunkum.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51They have been historically linked with bad luck due to a book
0:03:51 > 0:03:53that Walter Scott wrote
0:03:53 > 0:03:56where he had his main character wearing an opal talisman
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- and she promptly, I think, dropped down dead, sadly.- OK.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01So, they've been associated with quite bad luck
0:04:01 > 0:04:02since the 19th century.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05I think they are beautiful, and I've got quite a few opals,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08mainly because I went over to Australia and picked up...
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Cos they are the native stone of Australia.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Oh, are they? I didn't know that.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13So, I had a bit of a tourist moment
0:04:13 > 0:04:16and bought myself an opal in Australia!
0:04:16 > 0:04:17This one here...
0:04:17 > 0:04:19or this pair here is set in nine carat,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and they're obviously a pear shape
0:04:22 > 0:04:24with this little wire work surround in a...
0:04:24 > 0:04:27If we pick one up, you can see it's quite a drop.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- And it's just quite a nice effect when you turn your head.- Yes.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32They sort of almost quiver. They're quite sweet.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36And they are from, I think, about 1975, I think.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- So, with that sort of tally with the right date?- Yes.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43And then we've got this little cluster,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46which is almost quite a Tudor-y looking setting here.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Garnets in the middle
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and I think these are also stamped nine carats on the back.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54So, very, very sweet.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Difficult thing to value
0:04:56 > 0:05:00because like I say they've got this reputation and opals are...
0:05:00 > 0:05:02They're not as commercial as, say, diamonds
0:05:02 > 0:05:04or some of the other harder stones.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07If we were to put them into auction, we would put them in as one lot.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- Right.- So, we've put them together and I would probably be looking
0:05:11 > 0:05:15somewhere in the region of £80 to £120, something like that.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18And hoping to get the sort of £100 region.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- How would you feel about that? - That sounds fine.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Would we look at a reserve or not on that?
0:05:24 > 0:05:28If we could, possibly a reserve of sort of 80. How would you feel?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- That's fine.- Is that all right?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33If we put 80 firm and then the auctioneer sort of can't go
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- any lower than that.- Yes.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Well, let's hope we get some divine inspiration for our earrings,
0:05:38 > 0:05:39- shall we?- Let's hope we do.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Our next item is a rather unusual bust of a gentleman who
0:05:50 > 0:05:54preached divine inspiration every Sunday from the pulpit.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57This was a man not afraid to speak his mind -
0:05:57 > 0:06:00the Baptist Charles Spurgeon.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Mark should like this one.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04You've brought this rather interesting
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Parian ware bust into me.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Now, what can you tell us about it?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13My mother owned this all of my life.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17And I think she used to go around and, on occasions,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20heard Charles Spurgeon actually preaching.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- So, she might have met him. - At some of his meetings, yes.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- He was known as the Prince of the Preachers.- Oh, right.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28So he was very popular in his day.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- And he looks a terribly Victorian gentlemen.- Oh, absolutely, yeah.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36And being a preacher, of course, he would've felt at home here,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- in a debating chamber. - That's right.- Wouldn't he?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Similar to the gentleman across there.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- He looks very Victorian as well, doesn't he?- Yeah.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48And why have you brought it in to show to us today, David?
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Well, it's not something that we feel we need to keep any more.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53And times are hard...
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Maybe time for somebody who collects Parian ware
0:06:56 > 0:06:57- to have it.- Absolutely, yes.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01It's known as Parian ware after the Island of Paros.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02Oh, right.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Because of course, when you first see them, they look like marble.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- Yes. - And that's where they mined marble.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12And they are often fully signed.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16We know this one is by a firm called Robinson & Leadbeater,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19and I think it was designed by one of their sculptors called Acton,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22J Acton, around about 1878.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25So it is a nice, proper antique item.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Now, they used to be popular many years ago.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32The market for Parian ware is much more realistic these days.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34And it does depend on the model.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38You know, if you get one of the very big models of a glamorous
0:07:38 > 0:07:41looking young lady, who is semi-draped,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43showing a little more than she should be showing...
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- Right.- ..then it is a little bit more popular.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47This is more of an academic figure.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51This is for someone who has got a nice Victorian house who
0:07:51 > 0:07:54wants to create a sort of library or something like that.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Having said all that, I think he would sell at auction.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I think years ago,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02something like this would have made £80 to £100.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Today, we've got to be a little bit more realistic, I think.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09I'd like to put it in with an estimate of around £30 to £50.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Would you be happy with that? - Yeah, that's fine.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Would you want to put a reserve on it or would you
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- just like to see what happens? - No, I don't, because I... No.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Well, I've done enough preaching, now it's off to the auction for us,
0:08:21 > 0:08:22- isn't it?- OK.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Welcoming our next guest is Christina Trevanion,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28who's discovered a piece by a famous female potter.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Welcome, Julian and Paris.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Thank you for coming in today and for bringing this beautiful
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Charlotte Rhead vase. Which belongs to you, Julian.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40Did you inherit the piece?
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- From his nan.- From your nan, OK.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47And was she a Charlotte Rhead collector?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- She collected lots of things. - She did? Oh, brilliant.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Well, she obviously had a very, very good eye cos this is
0:08:53 > 0:08:56a particularly beautiful piece.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- Do you like it? - Nice design, nice shape.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Brilliant, it is. It is a beautiful design.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06And Charlotte Rhead really came from an entire dynasty of Rhead family
0:09:06 > 0:09:09ceramics specialists.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12And they worked for a lot of different Staffordshire companies.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16But she really is the most famous of her brothers and her sisters,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18who were also in the industry.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22If we look on the bottom - we'll have a look at its bottom here -
0:09:22 > 0:09:25it's actually got TL5 - Tube Line 5.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28And this pattern is quite a prolific pattern.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29It has got oranges and lemons
0:09:29 > 0:09:33and it is a continuous band all the way around.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36So if we keep looking, it is all over decorated.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38And collectors do love that.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41What are your valuation expectations for it?
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Because she did produce quite a lot of them, they are quite prolific.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46Four years ago,
0:09:46 > 0:09:51we saw on the computer, online, one for about £120.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53About £120,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57which would be a fairly accurate open market valuation for it.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58I was thinking, I had in my head,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00cos I've sold quite a lot of these before,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04and they've made in the region of about £80 to £120.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07So, I would be happy to put an £80 reserve on it,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10with an estimate of 80 to 120.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12How do you feel about that?
0:10:14 > 0:10:15- Fine.- Excellent. Brilliant.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Well, let's put it to auction at 80 to 120,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and hopefully, we'll get some more for you.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Thank you ever so much for bringing it in today.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- It has been a pleasure to meet you both.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Mark Stacey is faced with a menagerie.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31- Hilary.- Mark.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- You've brought in a collection of toys.- I certainly have.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I love the little seal here with
0:10:36 > 0:10:38its...balancing, the circus scene.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Oh, they're fabulous, all of them.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- And you've got a little dog and a little mouse, haven't you?- Yes.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47And the dog's tail goes round and the seal balances everything, so...
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- Now, these weren't yours, were they? - No, they belonged to my uncle.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53And he was quite well-known long ago.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55His name was HN Charles
0:10:55 > 0:10:57and he designed the very first MG.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- Did he really?- Yes, the MG car. Yeah.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- Gosh.- These were his childhood toys. - Oh, wow.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05And they were just handed to my parents.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- And my mother handed them to me, so...- Oh, gosh.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12But they've been in my loft, I'm afraid, for about 15 years.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- Gosh, well, they're fascinating, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18I mean, if you think of the sort of toys kids play with these days...
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- Yes.- ..these are quite primitive in a way, aren't they?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23They are. Very primitive. But I mean, they're...
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- I love the fact that...- They're fun.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- This one I particularly like cos you have the box for it.- It's lovely.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Yes. Bit battered, I'm afraid.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Bit battered, but it's there.- Yes. - That's the nice thing.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- This one is German.- Yes.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- And there's a Schuco one.- There's a Schuco, the mouse, I think.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- And there's another German... - Another German one.- ..dog.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43And I think, when we're selling something like this,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- it's nice to sell them as a little group lot...- Yes, I think so.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49..because there will be specialist collectors at this event...
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Yes, yes.- ..you know, who would like these...
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- Absolutely.- ..as an example of the toy.- Yes.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57I would have thought these are early 20th century - 1910, 1920...
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- Yes, about that.- Something like that.- Yes.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- I can do a seal impression, you know?- Really?
0:12:03 > 0:12:04- Would you like to see it?- Yes.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06HE YELPS REPEATEDLY
0:12:06 > 0:12:08SHE LAUGHS Very good.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Oh, dear.- Now, I must stop fooling around as we need to know a price,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- don't we?- Yes, we do, please.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- I think if we put £80 to £120 on the little group...- Yeah.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- ..with an £80 reserve.- Yes.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- So, we've protected it.- And then market the Schuco and the names.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Oh, yes. They'll put the names in.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31My cat quite likes the mouse, but I haven't let him play with it.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Quite wise, quite wise. Well, that's wonderful.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36I look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Yes, I look forward to seeing you too, Mark.- Thank you.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42And here's hoping Mark demonstrates his seal impersonation again.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43Before we head off to auction,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46there is something I would like to show you.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49I'm a bit of a rowing fan and I couldn't come here
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and not spend a day with the Oxford boat crew.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56After all, the University boat race is the oldest amateur rowing event
0:12:56 > 0:12:58in the world.
0:13:07 > 0:13:090800 hours,
0:13:09 > 0:13:10barely light,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12bitterly cold.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20The Oxford boat crew are already preparing to get on the water.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31I'm here at a chilly Westminster pier, on the Thames,
0:13:31 > 0:13:33to meet the hard core chosen few.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Those students who are competing for the chance to row
0:13:38 > 0:13:40in the most prestigious boat race in the world.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55HE TALKS THROUGH MEGAPHONE
0:13:58 > 0:14:01I watch the University boat race every year,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03so this is quite special for me
0:14:03 > 0:14:05to get a peek behind the scenes at the training.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08My father was a keen rower as a college student,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and that's where he met my mother, when she was a cox.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12And throughout my father's
0:14:12 > 0:14:15professional teaching days in the sciences,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18he always helped out in his spare time on the weekends
0:14:18 > 0:14:20and in the evenings with the Twickenham Rowing Club.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24He absolutely loved this sport and he taught me to row.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27So this is wonderful for me, revisiting the River Thames.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Gosh, they look fit, don't they?
0:14:34 > 0:14:36There's not an ounce of fat on those guys.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37HE LAUGHS
0:14:39 > 0:14:42The boat race is still proudly an amateur event,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45but what constitutes an amateur these days?
0:14:45 > 0:14:49None of the rowers are paid, but sponsorship is lucrative.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52They are at the top of their game,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54and even boast an Olympian in their ranks.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00Constantine Louloudis is competing to be part of the Oxford squad,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03but rowing in the men's eights in the London Olympics.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05You got a bronze, and what an emotional experience.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Were there tears crossing the line?
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Ah, there were, there were. I mean, they were sort of...
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- For different reasons? - Yeah, physical pain, and then,
0:15:11 > 0:15:12you know, the emotion of it.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Um, you know, we'd all invested so much,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- there was a lot of emotion running high.- Sure.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18A lot of time and effort.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20You know, you're studying, what are you studying at the moment?
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- I'm studying Classics.- So not only are you dedicated to the sport,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25but you've got to be dedicated to, obviously,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28getting the grades and putting in the time.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29Yeah, yeah, when I came back to Oxford,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32a lot of people said, "Oh, well, life must be a lot easier now."
0:15:32 > 0:15:34But, actually, the lifestyle of being a student athlete
0:15:34 > 0:15:37is a lot more stressful, trying to balance the two.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Is the training on an international level
0:15:39 > 0:15:40more physically and mentally demanding?
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Um...yes.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Yeah, it's... There's...
0:15:44 > 0:15:48there's more mileage, you've got to complete it at a higher intensity,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51you're trying to keep up with the top guys, and they set the pace.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54And, you know, they really are world-class.
0:15:54 > 0:15:55Mentally, it's...
0:15:55 > 0:15:58You get home at three or four, even on a full day,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01then you've got nothing else to do, whereas when you're at university,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04you get home and you're working, you know, into the night.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Sure, making the time up from studies.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Yeah, you don't get a moment's rest during term time.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Um, so I suppose there are two sides to it.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13On the whole, the student athlete lifestyle is pretty demanding.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT: - 'Attracts 250,000 people
0:16:15 > 0:16:17'to the banks of the Thames each meeting.'
0:16:17 > 0:16:21It's a far cry from when the boat race started in 1829,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23when Oxford challenged Cambridge
0:16:23 > 0:16:25to an impromptu rowing race in Henley.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28'The premier event in boat racing.'
0:16:28 > 0:16:32It soon became an annual event, attracting international coverage.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34'Hundreds of thousands braved the drizzle
0:16:34 > 0:16:38'to see the shells battle it out over a choppy 4.25-mile course.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41'Oxford pulls close to Cambridge at Hammersmith Bridge,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44'but that's as close as the Old Blue gets to victory.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47'The Cambridge crew, boasting an ex-Yale Man, Harold Barn,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49'at number six position, is level-headed,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53'as they battle stiff winds and the rough water.'
0:16:53 > 0:16:55The race has become ferociously competitive.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00Overall, Cambridge currently lead Oxford by 81 to 76,
0:17:00 > 0:17:01with one dead heat.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Over the years, there's been mutinies, sinkings,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09and in 2012, a protest swimmer disrupted the proceedings
0:17:09 > 0:17:11halfway through the race. It had to be restarted.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14What has changed though is the training regime.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Olympic techniques have been adopted to push these guys
0:17:17 > 0:17:19to their absolute limits.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23The tipping point came in the 1960s,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26which heralded a new approach for athletes.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30Before then, professional sportsmen often smoked, drank heavily
0:17:30 > 0:17:32and ate bad food -
0:17:32 > 0:17:34but the '60s ushered in a new era.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36Dan Topolski
0:17:36 > 0:17:41rowed in the 1967 and the 1968 boat race for Oxford,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44and went on to pioneer professional coaching techniques
0:17:44 > 0:17:45for his amateur squad.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Rowing was very much, in this country,
0:17:48 > 0:17:49was very much in the doldrums.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53You know, the Germans were way ahead of us, and almost every other nation
0:17:53 > 0:17:57was ahead of us in terms of the physical preparation of a crew.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Not having sort of, eight pints of Guinness the night beforehand.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Stuff like that, bag of chips.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04Look at footballers, you know,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- when the foreign managers came into football.- Yeah.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10You know, the training started becoming much, much more intense,
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- the diet became much more thoughtful.- Mm.
0:18:13 > 0:18:14It all changed, really.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19And the change was sort of gradual, but much more scientific.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21We made things much, much more competitive within the group.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25That moved everything along into a much more...I suppose,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27a more professional approach.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- Yes, yes.- But it was still amateur.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33So, I was making sort of changes on my sense of what it was like.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36So I had to be nutritionist, I had to be psychologist,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39I had to be all of those things.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Now, we've got specialists in all those fields.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50It takes seven months of training to whittle down the final eight
0:18:50 > 0:18:52who eventually wear the dark blue
0:18:52 > 0:18:54of Oxford on the day.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58Seven months of hard core training for one race.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Question is, how much do these students put themselves through,
0:19:01 > 0:19:06mentally and physically, for what is essentially, still, an amateur race?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10The man in charge of training and selection today is Sean Bowden,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14the Oxford coach since 1998.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16He was poached from Cambridge
0:19:16 > 0:19:20after their successful run of wins in the early '90s.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Can you talk me through some of the training you go through here?
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Yes, well, the boat race is a 17, 18-minute race,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27so there's a huge endurance component to that,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30so a lot of our training is working on that sort of physical capacity,
0:19:30 > 0:19:31that aerobic engine.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34You know, a simple thing - people would just work off heart rates
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- and say, "Well, we work at 75% of our maximum heart rate."- Mm.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39And that's a very crude way of doing this.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41And by going through a sort of blood analysis and
0:19:41 > 0:19:45a whole series of tests, we are able to hone that much more accurately.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Sure. And there's only one race, isn't there? Let's face it.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50There's a lot of training for this one race.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52What about nerves that day beforehand?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54If you weren't nervous before a big race,
0:19:54 > 0:19:55you're probably doing it wrong.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58And the trick is to make sure you've rehearsed these things.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00We go through a number of -
0:20:00 > 0:20:04I suppose you'd loosely call psychological ploys or tactics
0:20:04 > 0:20:08to bring the team together as strong as we can.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Dealing with the nerves and going, "Look, we're ready for this."
0:20:11 > 0:20:12- "And we want it."- Yes.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- Well, there's no doubt they want it. That's the easy bit.- Yeah.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22The races in the last few years
0:20:22 > 0:20:25have all been decided in the last 60 seconds.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29That's a testament to how fit these boys are.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31If you've got the right mental determination,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34when your body is screaming, "I cannot give any more,"
0:20:34 > 0:20:37your brain kicks in and takes over and makes you do it.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40And there's no better example than looking at the finish line.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43The victorious team look like they can walk on water,
0:20:43 > 0:20:44they can do it all over again.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47The defeated team are slumped in the boat,
0:20:47 > 0:20:51their bodies are lifeless and mentally, they're destroyed.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54It's clear that it's not just about the physical
0:20:54 > 0:20:58when it comes to training these days, even at amateur level.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01The mental approach is just as important.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04The adoption of these state-of-the-art training techniques
0:21:04 > 0:21:08means that the line between Olympic, professional and amateur
0:21:08 > 0:21:09is a blurred one.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14But by their own admission, the crew are striving for perfection.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16How many times do you do this?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- Twice a day.- Right.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Is he looking at each one of you individually
0:21:21 > 0:21:22and looking at your stroke and...?
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Easiest way to explain it is - rowing is never perfect.- Yeah.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28You're always trying to get that perfection.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30And each day, you're just honing it that little bit.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- You know, making those mistakes just that little bit smaller.- Sure.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Well, I'm excited!
0:21:36 > 0:21:39And I'm exhausted, as well - I wasn't doing anything!
0:21:39 > 0:21:40HE LAUGHS
0:21:43 > 0:21:47We won't find out who makes the final eight until the day.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52It's hard to think that half of those chaps won't make the cut.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Some of them here will be making history
0:21:54 > 0:21:56in the next University boat race.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58What a privilege.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Well, we've had a marvellous day here at the Oxford Union so far -
0:22:13 > 0:22:16we've seen all manner of things come through the door.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Let's hope our experts, our very own talking heads,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21are on the money with those valuations.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23It's time to put them to the test.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26We're going through to the auction room for the first time,
0:22:26 > 0:22:28and here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31We have Jean's opal love tokens from past admirers,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33which failed to impress.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38And David's rare Baptist bust, which turned Mark's head.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Or will it be the unique collection of childhood toys
0:22:43 > 0:22:45which appeal to the auction room?
0:22:45 > 0:22:47That circus seal with the original box
0:22:47 > 0:22:51will surely generate some interest.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54And not forgetting Julian's Charlotte Rhead vase.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Which one of them will triumph in the arena of the auction?
0:22:59 > 0:23:03Our sale today comes from Newbury, near Reading.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05At £1,100, make no mistake...
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Our very own auctioneer, Thomas Plant,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12has set up home on a former RAF base, Greenham Common.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16It has its own story to tell - but more of that later.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Next, it's those 20th-century toys -
0:23:18 > 0:23:21but it looks like Mark's been stood up.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Unfortunately, we do not have the owner - Hilary.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25But we do have the items,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27so let's play.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Hilary's not here, she's ill, is she?
0:23:29 > 0:23:30- No, she can't make it today. - Bless her.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33But I tell you something, there's always a buyer
0:23:33 > 0:23:34for quality wind-up toys.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- There is.- And I like the seal. - Oh, the seal's wonderful, actually.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- And it's got its original box with it, actually...- Yes, it has.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42- A bit tatty, but it... - But it's nice though,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44- it's nice to have that sort of thing.- Yes.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- I totally agree with the 80-120. - So we're confident?
0:23:46 > 0:23:47I'm confident.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Let's put it to the test, shall we? Let's hand things over to Thomas.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54NEB tin plate clockwork circus seal
0:23:54 > 0:23:57with a 1930s tin plate clockwork terrier.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Circus seal's got the box. Lovely little lot, this one.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Start the bidding with me at £40.
0:24:02 > 0:24:0340, 45.
0:24:03 > 0:24:0550, 55.
0:24:05 > 0:24:0760, 65. Go on.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09- Come on, come on.- Go on, one more.
0:24:09 > 0:24:1075. One more and it's yours.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12You can take it home today.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13- Go on.- Go on.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14Just one more.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- Please.- One.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Oh, peer pressure. We've done well.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19We've done... Poor woman.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22At £80, clockwork toys. Is there any advance at 80?
0:24:22 > 0:24:25At 80 it is, and I sell to the lady at 80.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27No regrets.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28That's good, the hand's gone down.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29Hilary will be pleased.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31We just got it away,
0:24:31 > 0:24:32thanks to us heckling
0:24:32 > 0:24:34that lady over there.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36- We made her pay an extra £5 for it. - But she's still smiling.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Then it sealed the bid. There was a reserve at £80.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Oh, I see what you did there. "Sealed" the bid.
0:24:41 > 0:24:42HE LAUGHS
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Right now are Jean's opal earrings,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48a favourite of Christina's. It's just a shame she cannot bid.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Jean, I've got my fingers crossed for you.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- Good luck.- Thank you very much. I think I need it.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55And I must say, you look fabulous. You don't need
0:24:55 > 0:24:57it. You don't need it. You've got style, lady!
0:24:57 > 0:24:59- Hasn't she?- She has.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03We're about to sell the two pairs of gold and opal earrings.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Let's hope they are all in vogue and it's not running hot and cold.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Because we need some kitchen taps, or is it bathroom taps?
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- Bathroom taps. - So, you are doing a bit of DIY?
0:25:11 > 0:25:13I am indeed. I'm looking forward to it.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- I like these, I think they've got style.- Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Opals, not everyone's cup of tea,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20so let's just hope that doesn't put too many people off
0:25:20 > 0:25:22and we get some Librans in the saleroom.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I'd like them to go to somebody who really loves them.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- Cos you don't wear them any more. - I don't. They are not really me.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31No. Do you know, I can see that. I can see that.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- Anyway, good luck. This is it. - Thank you.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Next up is lot number 90.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38This is two pairs of gold and opal earrings, the drops here.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Start me off here at £65. At 65.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45At 65, the bid is with me here at 65.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48At 65. 70. 75.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52- 80. And I'm out at 80. Lady's bid at £80.- Well, we've sold them.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- Yep, £80.- £80 against you all...
0:25:55 > 0:25:59- Jean, the hammer has gone down. We just did it, £80.- Wonderful.
0:25:59 > 0:26:00Those taps will be mine.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Yay!
0:26:03 > 0:26:07From plumbing to Parian ware, it's that bust next.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Will the Prince of Preachers fetch a princely price?
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Going under the hammer right now, we've got a Parian ware bust
0:26:13 > 0:26:15of Thomas Haddon Spurgeon, belonging to David.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19And in fact, David has brought along a book which accompanies the bust.
0:26:19 > 0:26:20That's correct.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- It tells us all about the Prince of Preachers.- Absolutely.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- As he was known. - Indeed, you are right, Paul.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Why have you decided to sell it now?
0:26:27 > 0:26:30We've got no direct connections with it any more
0:26:30 > 0:26:34and there is a Spurgeon Society that is current at the moment,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37- so somebody might be interested in moving it on to them.- Sure.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39And it is beautifully made.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41It is by a good maker, so it is very well modelled.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44- It is beautifully modelled. - No reserve, mind you.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- I know, that's dangerous. - Always a bit of a worry.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47Was that your idea or Mark's idea?
0:26:47 > 0:26:51We both agreed. Joint, wasn't it?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53- I can't be blamed for this, Paul. - No.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58Well, I'm sure Thomas will not let this go for £5.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Lot number 210, the Robinson & Leadbeater
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Parian ware bust of Charles Spurgeon,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07and I've got bids here with me starting straight in at £35.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- Great.- Wonderful.- Straight in at the top end, there you go.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12At £35, the Parian bust.
0:27:12 > 0:27:13At £35, is there any advance?
0:27:13 > 0:27:17At £35. That is my top bid at 35.
0:27:17 > 0:27:1840 if you want it.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20At £35 against you all...
0:27:20 > 0:27:21Selling then.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23That's a great result.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25You know, I wouldn't mind owning that for £35.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27I would love it for £35.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30It is a nice little thing. Especially with that book.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35I'm sure Charles Spurgeon's book has a few revelations.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38But now it is time for a real "Flog It!" favourite.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Well, going under the hammer right now,
0:27:42 > 0:27:43we've got a Charlotte Rhead jug.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45It is a great name in ceramics.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Charlotte Rhead is up there with the best.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Belonging to Julian, who is standing right next to me,
0:27:50 > 0:27:51with his interpreter, Jean.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Julian's hoping to put the money towards a trip
0:27:53 > 0:27:56to New York for his 40th birthday.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Good luck with that. Great to see you both.
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Good to see you both again.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- It's very exciting. - I like this a lot.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06And it belonged to your grandmother, didn't it, Julian?
0:28:06 > 0:28:07- Yes.- That's right.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11So, do you think we'll have her blessing to sell it today?
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Oh, yeah, I think she'll be very pleased.- Brilliant.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18I'm sure she'd be happy that I'm going to use
0:28:18 > 0:28:20the money for a holiday to New York.
0:28:20 > 0:28:21Well, look, good luck.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Let's hope we get the top end of the estimate and a little bit more.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27- Fingers crossed.- Fingers crossed.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32Here we go. Let's hand the proceedings over to Thomas Plant.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35An Art Deco pottery jug by Charlotte Rhead.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Good-looking lot, this one.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39I start the bidding with me, straight in at £85 with me.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Oh, brilliant!
0:28:41 > 0:28:42- Wow. That's good.- Fantastic.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Is there any advance at £85?
0:28:45 > 0:28:4790. 95. 100. And ten.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51- 120. 130. - It's just such a great name.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Everybody is out at 130?
0:28:52 > 0:28:57- Wow.- With me, on the book at 130. I sell, then, £130...
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- Yay!- Yes, the hammer has gone down. - Brilliant. Congratulations.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- Brilliant.- That's marvellous news. - Fantastic.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04That'll help towards the trip.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06- Yeah.- Yeah, definitely.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10I've got hands everywhere.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Last chance, then.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Free speech is a central tenet of Oxford Union,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19everyone has the right to express their opinion.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22In 1981, a group of women expressed their opinion
0:29:22 > 0:29:24in a rather dramatic way.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27This was a debate that the whole world would sit up
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and take notice of, and it happened literally right here,
0:29:30 > 0:29:34because the auction room is built on the site of Greenham Common.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46In 1981, 36 women and four babies in pushchairs
0:29:46 > 0:29:49set out from the city hall in Cardiff
0:29:49 > 0:29:53to walk to Greenham Common RAF base.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56They had one aim - to reach the American air base,
0:29:56 > 0:30:00which was situated here, on Greenham Common.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02It was a 120-mile walk, but they were determined.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04They were on a mission to protest.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08The reason being, American nuclear warheads were stored here,
0:30:08 > 0:30:09on this site -
0:30:09 > 0:30:12and behind this door lies the command centre.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23This is where the protesters were desperate to get access to,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26and they actually did make it on the base,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29when security guards mistook them for cleaners.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33But once their protest began in earnest, relations soured.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39'Despite the rain and the bitter cold, they arrived by coach,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41'by car and even on foot.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45'Their aim was to stress as powerfully as possible
0:30:45 > 0:30:48'that in their view, the cruise missile is not a deterrent,
0:30:48 > 0:30:50'it's a weapon of death.'
0:30:54 > 0:30:56In the volatile political landscape of the 1980s,
0:30:56 > 0:30:59opinions polarised over nuclear issues.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02And Greenham Common became a symbolic battleground.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Now, many people believed cruise missiles were a deterrent
0:31:05 > 0:31:08against a nuclear attack from Russia,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11while many other people believed they were a force of destruction
0:31:11 > 0:31:13in their own right.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Ordinary women felt they had no choice
0:31:17 > 0:31:19but to leave their families and homes behind.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21They came to Greenham to protest,
0:31:21 > 0:31:25as they believed Armageddon was imminent.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28We had been told we're stuck with this reality,
0:31:28 > 0:31:32where war is acceptable, war is a way of solving the world's problems.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35And that is simply not good enough.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37This is not even war what they're promising now,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39it's extermination.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Of us, of everybody.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45Every living thing.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Jean Hutchinson was one of the founding mothers of the camp.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53It was actually her family who persuaded her to take a stand.
0:31:54 > 0:32:00My son said, "It's about time that you got down there and found out,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02"and I'll do the cooking for the family."
0:32:05 > 0:32:09I arrived with a tent and put it up. So we were all in tents.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12'They'd been living in the most primitive conditions
0:32:12 > 0:32:15'outside the main gate for 15 months. Tonight, however,
0:32:15 > 0:32:19'police reinforcements have been called to Greenham.'
0:32:21 > 0:32:24The Council liked to evict us a lot.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29We had to be very close, because we had to come onto this ground
0:32:29 > 0:32:34and coordinate a nonviolent, direct action.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38'Women had gathered to form a human blockade.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40'They stood in the path of a military convoy
0:32:40 > 0:32:41'and refused to move.'
0:32:41 > 0:32:46# Whatever happened to dear old Lenny? #
0:32:46 > 0:32:50Jean soon found that the authorities adopted a zero-tolerance policy.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54Yes, we all went to prison several times, of course.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58# Whatever happened to the heroes? #
0:32:58 > 0:33:00A pattern was set up -
0:33:00 > 0:33:04nonviolent, direct action, court, prison.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09It was thought of as all part of getting rid of the cruise missiles.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15This weapon is massively destructive -
0:33:15 > 0:33:1816 times Hiroshima bomb.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26The Greenham Common women captured the interest of the media
0:33:26 > 0:33:28by chaining themselves to the perimeter fence,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32demanding an open debate with government on nuclear armament.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34They didn't think it was democratically right
0:33:34 > 0:33:37that Margaret Thatcher's government would just let the Americans
0:33:37 > 0:33:40bring their nuclear missiles into the country.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Greenham became a permanent encampment.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Jean lived here for 18 years. Conditions were primitive.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53There was no electricity, no running water -
0:33:53 > 0:33:58but by the mid-1980s, more than 1,000 women had joined her.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00'Thousands of women and small children
0:34:00 > 0:34:04'spread out around the base, joining hands to surround it completely.'
0:34:04 > 0:34:08'They believe their protestors made deployment of crews
0:34:08 > 0:34:10'too sensitive politically and too unsafe.'
0:34:15 > 0:34:18But there is another view from inside the base.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Phil DeMonte used to work for the US government
0:34:21 > 0:34:25and was based behind the wire at Greenham from 1988,
0:34:25 > 0:34:28where things looked very different.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31They used to get on the base quite regular. It was massive base.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34Cut a couple of holes through the fence, climb over the fence.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35They couldn't stop them getting on the base -
0:34:35 > 0:34:37but the secure areas, they never got into.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41I appreciate the fact that they were protesting,
0:34:41 > 0:34:44and that's one of the liberties that we do have is the right to protest.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46But when they actually started cutting down fences
0:34:46 > 0:34:49and damaging property and interfering with convoys,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52by throwing paint balls, etc, that put people's lives in danger
0:34:52 > 0:34:54and that actually cost money to the British taxpayer.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00I mean, realistically, in the event of the missiles
0:35:00 > 0:35:03actually having to be deployed on a real footing,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06I really don't think they would have got anywhere near the systems
0:35:06 > 0:35:08or the convoys or the base.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22This is a unique view inside the decontamination chamber
0:35:22 > 0:35:25which was only accessible in a state of high alert.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Scarily, survival time in the event of a nuclear attack
0:35:28 > 0:35:32outside of this chamber was just 14 seconds.
0:35:32 > 0:35:33Now, that's just 14 seconds
0:35:33 > 0:35:36to decide what to do with the rest of your life.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39So you can understand why this was an issue
0:35:39 > 0:35:41so many people had to take a stand on.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51The whole world held their breath as Reagan and Gorbachev
0:35:51 > 0:35:55sat down at the table to discuss nuclear disarmament.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00The historic INF Treaty, signed in 1987,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02effectively ended the Cold War
0:36:02 > 0:36:06and the life of the nuclear weapons stored here at Greenham.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12Now that the missiles have gone, 30 years since protests began,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15is there any common ground?
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Jean and Phil, I've brought you together here in the Peace Garden.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Can you see it from each others' point of view now?
0:36:21 > 0:36:25- I applaud what they've done 18 years standing out here.- Yeah.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28But what I cannot condone and never can condone -
0:36:28 > 0:36:31when fences were ripped down and property destroyed
0:36:31 > 0:36:34as well as interfering with military operations.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36I can't condone that.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38- Well. - HE CHUCKLES
0:36:38 > 0:36:40- We took...- What are you going to say to that, Jean?
0:36:40 > 0:36:42We took nonviolent direct action.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45The whole place is freed up
0:36:45 > 0:36:47from more than 100 weapons
0:36:47 > 0:36:51that could have - if used - killed a million people.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54And you really feel that your actions here
0:36:54 > 0:36:56had a direct result in the fall of communism?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Women on this spot
0:36:59 > 0:37:03knew that it was possible to defeat cruise missiles.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06So the cruise missiles themselves deployed in the field
0:37:06 > 0:37:08had nothing to do with the signing of the INF Treaty,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- that's what you're telling me? - You can't say that your people
0:37:11 > 0:37:13were working for multilateral disarmament and then...
0:37:13 > 0:37:16Yes, they were. You think that wasn't Ronald Reagan's stance?
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Speak softly but carry a big stick.
0:37:18 > 0:37:19He had the weapon systems ready.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21"Now do you want to sit down and talk?"
0:37:21 > 0:37:24I can see...I can see now that opinions are still divided
0:37:24 > 0:37:25and they haven't really changed
0:37:25 > 0:37:27and I don't think they will, will they, Phil?
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- We had a job to do.- You had a job to do.- And we had a job to do.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32The publicity was on this side of the fence
0:37:32 > 0:37:34but the history was made on that side of the fence.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37We can all safely say history was definitely made here.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Yes, we had the missiles destroyed.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44Well, that got quite heated.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46It just goes to show you that 30 years on,
0:37:46 > 0:37:50issues such as this can still prompt debate.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53But at the end of the day, that's what it's all about -
0:37:53 > 0:37:54freedom of speech.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57This was the reason that Oxford Union was created.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Welcome back to our valuation day venue, the Oxford Union.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15There's still a great buzz in the room
0:38:15 > 0:38:18and plenty more antiques to find to take off to auction.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22So, from the best seat in the house, the president's chair,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24it's over to the hot seat in the house, Christina's chair.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Let's go and take a closer look at what she's spotted.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33So, Joy, you've brought this beautiful box in to me today.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Tell me where it came from.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40- It came from Lord and Lady Baldwin's estate.- Right.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45He'd died and his wife lived there for a little while afterwards
0:38:45 > 0:38:46and she found the place was too big,
0:38:46 > 0:38:50so they had a massive auction which I attended.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53My parents worked for Lord and Lady Baldwin.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- When did you buy it?- 1975.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- And what did you pay for it then? - £50.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01- And you think it's Sevres?- Yes.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02Is it not?
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- I'm afraid it's not.- Oh.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09We've done a little bit of research and although the top is lovely,
0:39:09 > 0:39:10we're going to have a look at its bottom
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- because that's the bit that tells us everything, isn't it?- Of course.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15So if we turn it over here,
0:39:15 > 0:39:19we've got this lovely sort of entwined Ls mark
0:39:19 > 0:39:23- which, you're absolutely right, is a Sevres mark.- Mm.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26But there was a factory based in Paris called Samson.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27Oh, I see.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Now, Samson started in the 1830s
0:39:29 > 0:39:36and he started by producing imitation Sevres works basically.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39And he was a great imitator and a great copier.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41And he never set out to deceive anybody,
0:39:41 > 0:39:44he just made replacements for things that were broken
0:39:44 > 0:39:45- and things like that.- Mm-hm.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48But he actually became very well-known in his own right.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51- And this is a Samson box. - Well, how strange.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55I'm wondering if Lady Baldwin knew that.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- You never know. It is a difficult one to spot.- Mm.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02Especially because this is such a typical Sevres view.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03Yes, I knew that.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06This sort of Watteau-esque lovers frolicking in a French garden
0:40:06 > 0:40:09in very much the 18th-century style, is typical Sevres, isn't it,
0:40:09 > 0:40:13with this wonderful blue Mazarin ground.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16And we open it up. We've got this lovely ormolu setting
0:40:16 > 0:40:19- and inside, lovely gilt interior. - It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Very beautiful.
0:40:21 > 0:40:22And I think this is quite a late one.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25This is a late 19th-century example.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29I don't think it is the 1830 that we'd like it to be.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32And as such, really that is going to be reflected
0:40:32 > 0:40:33in the auction estimate.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Yes, I do understand that.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37But I think at auction we might be looking
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- somewhere in the region of sort of £60-£80.- Mm-hm.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43How would you feel about selling it at that sort of level?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- Um, that's difficult. - It is difficult, isn't it?
0:40:46 > 0:40:50I don't have any daughters, but I do have two lovely daughters-in-law
0:40:50 > 0:40:55and I was wondering about giving it to one and thinking,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58- I've got nothing to give to the other one that's similar.- Hmm.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00Um, now...
0:41:00 > 0:41:02I'll sell it.
0:41:02 > 0:41:03- You'll sell it.- Yes.- Are you sure?
0:41:03 > 0:41:05- Yes.- OK.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- And they'll get the money. - Good. That's a very good idea.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10- So if we put an estimate of £60-£80...- Yes.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- ..and a reserve of 60... - Yes.- ..and see how we get on.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- Yes, that's fine.- Yeah?- Mm-hm. - Brilliant.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17Well, we look forward to it.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Let's hope we can make slightly more than that for you.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Oh, never mind.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23- Thank you for bringing it in. - Thank you.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27£50 back in the early '70s was quite a lot of money.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29It just proves that you have to look closely
0:41:29 > 0:41:31when buying at local auctions.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Now it's time to leave the lively excitement of our "Flog It!" crowds
0:41:37 > 0:41:39for a bit of quiet.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41We are in the cathedral of learning after all.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46This was the original debating chamber until 1878.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48It's hard to imagine but, back then,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Oxford University was very restrictive.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53The culture was the graduates were there to be taught,
0:41:53 > 0:41:55not to think for themselves.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57And there was very little in the way of books
0:41:57 > 0:42:00other than the textbooks the college provided.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03So the students were very keen to start up their own library,
0:42:03 > 0:42:07and I think they've jolly well succeeded, don't you?
0:42:07 > 0:42:09I mean, this is just marvellous.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14From the wonders of books to the beauty of bronze,
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Mark Stacey has unearthed something Bergmann.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23What an extraordinary group of figures you've brought in.
0:42:23 > 0:42:24Have you had them a long time?
0:42:24 > 0:42:28My wife's mother said that they were bought by her father,
0:42:28 > 0:42:30so, my wife's grandfather.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32So a wee while ago?
0:42:32 > 0:42:33- Probably a long time ago.- Yes.
0:42:33 > 0:42:38I mean, the minute I saw them, I thought only of one thing.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- Yes.- That they were, of course, Austrian.
0:42:41 > 0:42:42Ah.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Cold painted bronze, which means that the painting
0:42:45 > 0:42:50and the decoration is painted on after they were actually...
0:42:50 > 0:42:51- come out of the mould.- Sure.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55And I hoped they would be by one maker...
0:42:55 > 0:42:57a chap called Franz Bergmann.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00And the answer to my question is on here.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03And we've got a little shape number here.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Then we've got a word that says "geschutzt"
0:43:05 > 0:43:08which is Austrian or German for "register".
0:43:08 > 0:43:10Can you see that little vase there?
0:43:10 > 0:43:14- Oh, yes.- With the B in the middle? - Yes.- That stands for Bergmann.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15Franz Bergmann. That's his mark.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17- Right.- And it's really nice to see.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21- So it's confirmed what I thought they would be.- Yes.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25- And they would date to around about- 1900. Yes.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29So they're going to... They're well over 100 years old.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31He specialised in this type of work
0:43:31 > 0:43:35and produced a wide range of animal figures and bird figures.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Produced a lot of Arabian-type scenes
0:43:38 > 0:43:40with Arabs drinking coffee,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43- carpet sellers, this sort of thing.- Mm.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46But these are Africans, aren't they?
0:43:46 > 0:43:49Well, we always assumed they were sort of Zulus.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52- Yeah, Zulus with their shields. - Yeah.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55There's a huge collector's market for Franz Bergmann's works
0:43:55 > 0:43:57but I've not seen a little group like this
0:43:57 > 0:44:00and I think they're absolutely charming.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03I would say, as they're damaged, put them in as a little group.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06- Yes.- And I would like to put an auction estimate on them
0:44:06 > 0:44:08of £400-£600.
0:44:08 > 0:44:09Right.
0:44:09 > 0:44:13But I think they might make a bit more on the day.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15Would you be happy to put them in at that?
0:44:15 > 0:44:18- Um, yes, I have my wife's permission.- You do?- Yes.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21You're not going to get into trouble with 'er indoors?
0:44:21 > 0:44:23- I don't think so, no. - Oh, good. I'm sure you won't.
0:44:23 > 0:44:28- We'll put a reserve of course.- Yes. - We'll put a reserve of £400 on them.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31There's two types of reserve, you can have it fixed,
0:44:31 > 0:44:34- which means that we won't sell them below 400.- Yes.
0:44:34 > 0:44:36Or you can have it discretionary,
0:44:36 > 0:44:39which gives the auctioneer 10% on the day.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43What do you think your wife would be comfortable with?
0:44:43 > 0:44:45Um, let's say fixed.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47- Shall we say fixed? - I would say fixed anyway.
0:44:47 > 0:44:51Let's say fixed because actually, I think we're going to be OK.
0:44:51 > 0:44:54And they'll go to a collector who loves these type of things.
0:44:54 > 0:44:55They've been in a box, I must confess.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57Oh, no. Oh, no, they can't live in a box.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59- They're much too nice for that. - That's right.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01I think someone who appreciates them should...
0:45:01 > 0:45:03I'm glad we've got them out of the box
0:45:03 > 0:45:05and we're going to give them a chance
0:45:05 > 0:45:07of finding a home where they're going to be loved and cherished.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10- Good.- Thanks for bringing them in, Michael.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12Here's hoping those beautiful Bergmann bronzes
0:45:12 > 0:45:15never have to be boxed up again.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19And now, our final item of the day could be the most lucrative.
0:45:19 > 0:45:23And who better to evaluate it than our very own jewellery expert
0:45:23 > 0:45:25Christina Trevanion?
0:45:25 > 0:45:27Zena, what a sparkler.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31I love it. You've brought this beautiful ring in to us today.
0:45:31 > 0:45:32It's absolutely stunning.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34Can you tell me a little bit about it?
0:45:34 > 0:45:40The original ring was given to me by an ex-boss when she retired.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43She gave me the option of a few items which I'd like to have
0:45:43 > 0:45:45as a thank you, and I chose the ring -
0:45:45 > 0:45:48- but it was set in white gold at the time.- Right.
0:45:48 > 0:45:52It was a very small ring but a square setting
0:45:52 > 0:45:55and it looked more like a ring out of a cracker.
0:45:55 > 0:45:56- Oh, right. - SHE LAUGHS
0:45:56 > 0:45:59So I had it reset in 18 carat gold.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01So you must have worked incredibly hard
0:46:01 > 0:46:04- because it's a beautiful ring and a very, very generous present.- Yes.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06Very generous present.
0:46:06 > 0:46:08- So you've had it put into quite a traditional setting really.- Yes.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11And it's very, very similar to my engagement ring.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14- I'm thinking about swapping them. - No. No, no, no, no.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16Slightly bigger than my engagement ring!
0:46:17 > 0:46:19But this is a very, very traditional setting.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22- And did you wear it when it was...? - I did, yes. I used to wear it
0:46:22 > 0:46:26- but the insurance value was rather high.- Right.- Um,
0:46:26 > 0:46:30and I put it in the safe and now I don't wear it, so...
0:46:30 > 0:46:33It's a bit ridiculous paying the insurance for it.
0:46:33 > 0:46:34It does seem that way, doesn't it?
0:46:34 > 0:46:37So let's see if we can find a mutually agreeable value
0:46:37 > 0:46:39and then perhaps you can use the money
0:46:39 > 0:46:40towards something that you will wear.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44Obviously it's a diamond ring set in, what looks to be,
0:46:44 > 0:46:50a platinum, little coronet setting and then 18 carat yellow gold hoop.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54We've got a diamond solitaire, a brilliant-cut diamond here
0:46:54 > 0:46:58and we grade diamonds on what we call the four Cs,
0:46:58 > 0:47:01so cut, clarity, colour and obviously carat weight,
0:47:01 > 0:47:05what every girl wants to know really is, how big is it?
0:47:05 > 0:47:09And in all four of those aspects it really does score quite highly.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12It's a great colour. It's a nice white colour.
0:47:12 > 0:47:15Clarity, there are a few little inclusions there.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18A lot of people quite sweetly call them birthmarks
0:47:18 > 0:47:20- because that's how the diamond would have formed.- Right.
0:47:20 > 0:47:21But this is quite clear.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25And carat weight, we've worked it out at about a carat.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27- Have you...?- Should be 1.1.
0:47:27 > 0:47:31- 1.1 carat.- Is that what they graded it at?- Yes. BOTH:- On the insurance.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33- Yes.- Which is great cos that means it's over a carat
0:47:33 > 0:47:35which really does make quite a difference
0:47:35 > 0:47:38- when you get over that one carat mark.- Yes.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42So, value-wise, at auction
0:47:42 > 0:47:44I would be quite cautious
0:47:44 > 0:47:47because of the current economic market we're in
0:47:47 > 0:47:50and maybe go somewhere in the region of sort of 1,000-1,500,
0:47:50 > 0:47:52- something like that.- Mm-hm.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55- How would you feel about that?- Yes, fine.- Is that all right?- Yes, yes.
0:47:55 > 0:47:59So if we put an auction estimate of 1,000-1,500
0:47:59 > 0:48:01and perhaps a reserve of 1,000,
0:48:01 > 0:48:03- cos I don't think it needs to go for any less than that.- No.
0:48:03 > 0:48:04- No, I wouldn't want it to.- No.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06Cos it really is rather beautiful.
0:48:06 > 0:48:08- And what would you use the money for?- For a holiday, I think.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11Cos you're quite an intrepid traveller, aren't you?
0:48:11 > 0:48:14- Yes.- Globe trotted by the sounds of it.
0:48:14 > 0:48:15THEY LAUGH
0:48:15 > 0:48:17Well, we haven't seen the Northern Lights yet,
0:48:17 > 0:48:19- so I'd like to do a cruise to the Northern Lights.- Fantastic.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21So next year is supposed to be a good year.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23It would be quite appropriate really from a sparkler
0:48:23 > 0:48:26- to sparklers in the sky. - It would, wouldn't it?- Yes!- True.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33Chris, what a fabulous pair of
0:48:33 > 0:48:35tin plate cars you've brought in.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38- They're lovely, aren't they?- Where on earth did you get them from?
0:48:38 > 0:48:40They came from my grandmother's.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42I don't know why they were there,
0:48:42 > 0:48:44because my grandmother had two girls.
0:48:44 > 0:48:47And when we were children, we never saw them.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50I never saw this until it came out of the house
0:48:50 > 0:48:53and they were going to send it to a jumble sale
0:48:53 > 0:48:55and I thought, no, that's too...
0:48:55 > 0:48:57You know, it just appealed to me.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00- I think it's charming.- And I was teaching at the time when I thought,
0:49:00 > 0:49:02well, I can use it for storytelling...
0:49:02 > 0:49:05- Oh, of course. - ..or something like that.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07So, I took it back with me.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09I'm so pleased you did,
0:49:09 > 0:49:11cos I wouldn't have had the chance of looking at them...
0:49:11 > 0:49:13- SHE LAUGHS - ..if you'd let them go to the
0:49:13 > 0:49:14charity shop.
0:49:14 > 0:49:16- They're great fun. They're very nostalgic.- Yes.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20- People of a certain age will certainly remember these.- Yes.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23- This one, I think is the earlier one.- Yes.
0:49:23 > 0:49:28Um, this one, feels instinctively to me as if it might be a 1930s one.
0:49:28 > 0:49:30- Yes, that was what I was thinking, yes.- With the colours.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33And the little boot opens up in the back, there.
0:49:33 > 0:49:38- This one, I think is much more 1950s.- Yes, I agree.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41That sort of awful, grey colour that cars used to be after the war.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43Yes, it was black or grey, wasn't it?
0:49:43 > 0:49:47Yes. It's no wonder this car is in such fabulous condition,
0:49:47 > 0:49:48because, look, it's with its box.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51- Yes.- And even that's in great condition.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54- Well.- So, you've been very good keeping it like that.
0:49:54 > 0:49:56Have you ever thought of the value?
0:49:56 > 0:49:58I have no idea what the value was.
0:49:58 > 0:50:00You haven't been on that t'internet...
0:50:00 > 0:50:03- No, no, I haven't.- ..searched around and thought, "Oh."?- No.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06In terms of value, I've sort of pondered over this.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08Cos I don't like to be thought of as cliche.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14- But I am going for the auctioneer's cliche on this, I'm afraid.- Yes.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17You know what's coming, don't you? 80 to 120.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21- That's, that's...- We'll put a reserve, of course, of £80.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23- Right.- I think they might make a bit more than that.- I hope so.
0:50:23 > 0:50:25I think they will.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28I'd like to see them making maybe 150 or so on the day.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31- That'll be great.- But I think we've got to tease those bidders in.- Yes.
0:50:31 > 0:50:34- Would you be happy with that, Chris? - Yes, that'll be fine.
0:50:34 > 0:50:35I'd rather they go to somebody
0:50:35 > 0:50:37that's going to really appreciate them than
0:50:37 > 0:50:38just sit around in my loft.
0:50:38 > 0:50:40Well, that's very sensible, actually.
0:50:40 > 0:50:44- And I think whoever does buy them is going to enjoy them.- Yes.
0:50:49 > 0:50:52Well, our experts have been working flat out here at the Oxford Union.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54You've just seen the items, you've heard what they've had to say,
0:50:54 > 0:50:57you've probably got your own opinions, but right now
0:50:57 > 0:51:00we're going across to the auction room to put them to the test.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02And here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07Will Michael's Bergmann bronze captivate the crowds?
0:51:10 > 0:51:13Or will it be Zena's diamond solitaire ring
0:51:13 > 0:51:15which sparkles in the eyes of the bidders?
0:51:21 > 0:51:23Will it be those amazing motorcars
0:51:23 > 0:51:25that fire the enthusiasm of our auction room?
0:51:28 > 0:51:30But first, it's that Sevres box.
0:51:30 > 0:51:31Joy got a shock on the valuation day
0:51:31 > 0:51:33when Christina revealed
0:51:33 > 0:51:37her antique box was actually a later reproduction.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39But can we still turn her a little profit?
0:51:43 > 0:51:46£85. 90. 95.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48100 and I'm out.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50Thomas is back in action on the rostrum.
0:51:50 > 0:51:54- Against you all.- Here's hoping he can weave his magic.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57And now, for our next item just about to go under the hammer.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00It belongs to Joy, and unfortunately, she cannot be with us
0:52:00 > 0:52:01but her little porcelain box can.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04- And it's going under the hammer. - It is, yes.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07- Big grin on your face.- Yeah. It's Samson. She thought it was Sevres.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10- So, Samson box. - Which is a copy really of...
0:52:10 > 0:52:12- They were the best in... - Of the best.- Yeah, exactly.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15And they did a lot of Meissen, Sevres reproduction wares.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17- So hopefully... Hopefully, hopefully.- Hopefully.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19- Fingers crossed.- Yeah, bless her.
0:52:19 > 0:52:23- She bought it for £50 over 30 years ago.- Thinking it was the real thing.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26- Thinking it was the real McCoy, so let's hope.- Let's hope
0:52:26 > 0:52:28we can get her money back. It's going under the hammer. Good luck.
0:52:28 > 0:52:29Here we go.
0:52:29 > 0:52:3219th-century Samson porcelain box and cover.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34There we are. With gilt metal rims.
0:52:34 > 0:52:38I can start the bidding with me here at £45 with me.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40- At £45 for the box.- 45.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43- Well. Come on, Thomas. - And 50. And 55 with me.
0:52:43 > 0:52:44At 55 against you all.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46Is there any advance at 55?
0:52:46 > 0:52:47And 60 and I'm out.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50- At 60.- Ooh, that's better. - It's in the room at 60.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52Last chance then, at £60.
0:52:52 > 0:52:57- At £60. Oh, joy! Joy for Joy. - SHE LAUGHS
0:52:57 > 0:52:58Hammer's gone down and we've sold it.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00- I hope you're "en-Joying" this moment.- Brilliant.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03- Phew, that was a relief. - Yeah, it was.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05No more Joy jokes, I promise.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08It's time to wheel out those motorcars.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11These are boys' toys, but girls can play with them too, can't they?
0:53:11 > 0:53:12Yes, we used to, I think.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15And we've got a classic 80 to 120 on.
0:53:15 > 0:53:16It's an auctioneer's classic.
0:53:16 > 0:53:1980, you've heard that many times since you've come here.
0:53:19 > 0:53:20Yes, I've heard that before.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22But in fact, it's the right estimate.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24- You know, it covers you at both ends.- Yes, it does, it does.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27- I mean, these are great fun, actually.- Yes.- They really are.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30And not so much play things today, but as collector's items.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33- Yes.- Yes, it's a nice thing to be able to pass onto somebody
0:53:33 > 0:53:35that's going to, you know, appreciate them.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37- And look after them.- Yes.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39Anyway, talking about cost and what's it worth,
0:53:39 > 0:53:40let's put it to the test, shall we?
0:53:40 > 0:53:43Let's get the top end of that 80 to 120.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45- You and your top end.- I'd like that.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49Next lot is a Victory Austin,
0:53:49 > 0:53:52a 4050 Cambridge saloon car
0:53:52 > 0:53:55with the box and the template Citroen. There we are.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58I can start the bidding with me here straight in at £65.
0:53:58 > 0:54:00With me, with me at 65.
0:54:00 > 0:54:01- Come on, come on.- Come on.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04£65. Is there any advance? 70. 75.
0:54:05 > 0:54:06Go on.
0:54:06 > 0:54:0975 with me. Madam, if you want it, it's 80.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11£80 and I am out.
0:54:11 > 0:54:12At £80 on the reserve, at 80 we sell.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15- Are we there?- We've got the reserve. - Oh, it's going up.
0:54:15 > 0:54:1685 new place.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20Gentleman's bid at £85. Against you all at 85.
0:54:20 > 0:54:21Last chance at 85.
0:54:21 > 0:54:22GAVEL BANGS
0:54:22 > 0:54:23£85.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27- It was touch and go to start with. - It was, but that's very good.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29- It found its level.- Yes. - We just got above the lower end.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32Yeah, we didn't race away, but we got there. We got there in the end.
0:54:32 > 0:54:33That's fine.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36- Are you happy?- Yes, absolutely. - Job done.
0:54:37 > 0:54:41Up next, there's a bit of a dispute in the saleroom.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43Going under the hammer right now, one of my favourite lots
0:54:43 > 0:54:45of the sale that belong to Michael who's right next to me.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48It's a group of three Bergmann cold painted bronzes.
0:54:48 > 0:54:49Masai warriors.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52And these really are flavour of the month.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54They are really nice. I don't know why you're selling them.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56I'd like to find out.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58Well, they're a bit fussy for us
0:54:58 > 0:55:01- and a bit British Empire, too. - Right, OK.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03It's all the rage right now, though.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06- Well, Bergmann is a very big name, Paul, isn't it?- Hmm.- Very big name.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08Let's find out what auctioneer Thomas thinks.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10We've got a big crowd here and hopefully
0:55:10 > 0:55:12we're going to get them away at the top end. This is it.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16345, a group of three 19th-century Viennese cold painted
0:55:16 > 0:55:18tribal figures - Bergmann style.
0:55:18 > 0:55:19There we are.
0:55:19 > 0:55:21But they're not Bergmann style, they are Bergmann.
0:55:21 > 0:55:22Start the bidding with me at £200.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25Start the bidding with me at £200 for the Masai figures.
0:55:25 > 0:55:26At 210.
0:55:26 > 0:55:30220. 230. 240. 250.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32250. 250 I have.
0:55:32 > 0:55:33With me here at 250.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36Against you all 250. 260.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39- 270. 280. 290. - This is a surprise, Paul.
0:55:39 > 0:55:41- 300.- It's a slow climb, though. We're getting there.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44340. 360. 380 with me.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46If you want it, it's 400.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49At 400 and I'm out. At 400 I have.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51At £400. It's in the room at 400.
0:55:51 > 0:55:52Make no mistake.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55And I'm selling at £400.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57- GAVEL BANGS - 400.- Well, they've gone.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00They've gone at £400, right on the lower end of the estimate.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03- Are you happy with that? - Um, not totally
0:56:03 > 0:56:05because of the "Bergmann style" description.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07- Announcement.- Yes. Yes.
0:56:07 > 0:56:11Do you feel that slightly killed it off a little bit?
0:56:11 > 0:56:13Uh, well, I don't really know.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16I think it's because some of them need a little bit of restoration
0:56:16 > 0:56:19and that does add to the cost when you're buying something, you know?
0:56:19 > 0:56:22Because you need to take it to a skilled person.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25I'm glad we fixed a firm reserve of 400 on them
0:56:25 > 0:56:27because it meant we protected them.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30It's a shame that those bronzes didn't go for more
0:56:30 > 0:56:32but Mark is right -
0:56:32 > 0:56:35they did have some damage which maybe put the collectors of.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37There's always an element of risk at auction,
0:56:37 > 0:56:40that's why we fix a reserve.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42But here we are at the last lot of the day
0:56:42 > 0:56:45and I'm keen to show Christina that I have been paying attention.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48Colour, cut, clarity, carat.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51Yes, you know what I'm talking about - Zena's sparkler.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53THEY LAUGH
0:56:53 > 0:56:55Hi, Zena, it's great to see you again.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58- Who have you brought along with you? - This is David, my husband.
0:56:58 > 0:56:59- David.- How do you do? - Pleased to meet you.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01Of course, with those four Cs,
0:57:01 > 0:57:04there is one more C to go with them, isn't there?
0:57:04 > 0:57:06Costly...Christina!
0:57:07 > 0:57:08THEY LAUGH
0:57:08 > 0:57:10- You beat me to it.- The fifth C!
0:57:10 > 0:57:13- Well, you both sparkle. The six Cs, now.- I'm seriously impressed.
0:57:13 > 0:57:15I've taught you something.
0:57:15 > 0:57:16- You have, haven't you?- Yeah. Wow.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19We're putting this to the test. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22- Good luck, everyone.- Good luck. - Here we go.
0:57:22 > 0:57:25Next lot is the diamond solitaire ring. The diamond solitaire.
0:57:25 > 0:57:261.1 carat.
0:57:26 > 0:57:27Lovely ring this one here.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29Start me here at £800.
0:57:29 > 0:57:30At 800. At 800.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33At £800, solitaire diamond. 800.
0:57:33 > 0:57:36820. 850. 880.
0:57:36 > 0:57:39900. 920.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41950. 980.
0:57:41 > 0:57:421,000 and I'm out.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44It's reached its reserve. Brilliant.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46Is there any advance at £1,000?
0:57:46 > 0:57:48At £1,000 it's in the room.
0:57:48 > 0:57:49And 1,050.
0:57:49 > 0:57:531,050. Late legs but it's there.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56And £1,100. At £1,100 are we all done?
0:57:56 > 0:57:57At £1,100, make no mistake.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00- Yes, the hammer's gone down. - Brilliant.- In estimate.
0:58:00 > 0:58:04- Well done, everyone. Well done. - Congratulations. That's fantastic.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07A few successes and a few debates at auction, hardly a surprise
0:58:07 > 0:58:09given our choice of venue - Oxford Union.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12We've had a fascinating day here.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16If you'd like to take part in the show
0:58:16 > 0:58:18and you've got unwanted antiques and collectables
0:58:18 > 0:58:21you'd like to sell, bring them along to one of our valuation days.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23Details you can pick up on our BBC website.
0:58:23 > 0:58:24If you don't have a computer,
0:58:24 > 0:58:26check the details in your local press
0:58:26 > 0:58:29and maybe we can help you to flog it.