0:00:04 > 0:00:08We've got an exciting show for you today from the Dorset coastline,
0:00:08 > 0:00:10as I get special access to go out with this lot,
0:00:10 > 0:00:14the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16I found out more about the history of these volunteers,
0:00:16 > 0:00:18and the vital role they play,
0:00:18 > 0:00:22in this bewitching, but sometimes dangerous, coastline.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Thomas Hardy said of the Dorset coastline,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56"The atmosphere below is languorous and so tinged with azure,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00"that what artists call the middle distance partakes of that hue."
0:01:00 > 0:01:02But this idyllic place of land
0:01:02 > 0:01:07and sea can transform from tranquil to tumultuous in an instant.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15We've travelled five miles from the English Channel to our valuation
0:01:15 > 0:01:19day venue, Lulworth Castle, where the water has followed us!
0:01:22 > 0:01:24And we'll be taking a look at the landscape
0:01:24 > 0:01:27and what it's like to live here later on in the programme.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30But right now, hundreds of people have turned up to Lulworth Castle.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32It is raining outside, so we brought them inside.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35But it hasn't dampened their spirits, because here they are,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38look, laden with antiques and collectables to show our experts.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40If they get a great valuation and you like it,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42- what are you going to do? - ALL: FLOG IT!
0:01:42 > 0:01:45And our experts are eager to share their knowledge,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49but some items have stumped even wise old Mark Stacey.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Well, I've never seen one of those.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Wow, what on Earth is that?
0:01:54 > 0:01:56It could be a rare find.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58And fountain of all knowledge David Fletcher
0:01:58 > 0:02:01has also got some mysteries to solve.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Some of them are modern, some of them are old.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07But the question is, are they silver, do you think?
0:02:07 > 0:02:10And that's the joy of antiques.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13But, luckily, they have spotted what this is.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- Well, I just found a little cherub. - Is that a he or she?
0:02:16 > 0:02:18I don't know, it's very cherubic.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20I think it could be you in your youth, David.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22When I was cherubic.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25If you say so, David.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28And on today's show, David's got some surprises up his sleeve.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30You look surprised?
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- I'm staggered!- Good.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35And Mark's got some of his own little friends...
0:02:37 > 0:02:39And they've all got rather sort of cheeky faces, haven't they?
0:02:39 > 0:02:43But which will be the biggest surprise when they go under the hammer?
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Lulworth Castle and its estate is set in around 12,000 acres of land.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00It incorporates farms, villages and even five miles of coastline.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Later on in the programme I'll be giving a grand view of some of
0:03:03 > 0:03:07that land but right now, it's time to get on with our first valuation.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10And Mark's got a classic on his table,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13but first, he's getting the important stuff out of the way.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- Shirley, how lovely to meet you. - It's nice to meet you.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21I gather, a little birdie tells me, you had a birthday last week.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- Yes, I did. - Are you going to share it with us?
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I don't know whether I should.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Whisper it to me.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- 80.- 80 years young?
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- Yes.- Well, you're looking remarkably well on it.- Thank you.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And thank you for braving the weather
0:03:37 > 0:03:40and the temperature today to bring us in a "Flog It!" favourite.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Yes, it is, isn't it?
0:03:42 > 0:03:44A piece of CC - Clarice Cliff.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- Yes.- Now, where's the teapot?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- Got no idea...no idea at all. - You've never had the teapot?
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- No.- Because it is what we call a little bachelor set.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58So this would have been for a single person to have...
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- Wouldn't have got much out of that. - You wouldn't,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- but the teapot would have given you probably one cup of tea.- Mm.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06There would have been a cup, as well, if you wanted it,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08in this pattern. But it's so typical, I mean,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11you see this, and there's only one designer you can think of, isn't it?
0:04:11 > 0:04:15- Yes, that's right. - Where did you get it from?
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- It was my mother-in-law's. - And you inherited it?
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- Yes.- And do you like it?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Yes, I think it's quite nice.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- But it's very collectable for people who like the Art Deco movement.- Yes.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30We're looking at the jazz age, the mid-1920s, you know,
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- everything is changing.- Mm. - Modern art is coming in, and you
0:04:34 > 0:04:39get these fantastic modern shapes being produced by Clarice Cliff.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42And then, very brightly, some people say gaudily decorated,
0:04:42 > 0:04:43but I think they're lovely.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47I think those bright enamels are really rather exciting to look at.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Yes, I like them. What is that design?
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- It's just known as Orange Tree. - Right.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Strangely enough, I think it might be because the trees are orange.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02But we have got a full mark underneath.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03Now, sometimes we'll see,
0:05:03 > 0:05:08or more often we'll see the word "Bizarre by Clarice Cliff."
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- This is "Fantasque"...- Mm.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13..which is another range that Clarice Cliff produced.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16And this one is fully marked on both pieces.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- And how old? - I would have said mid-'20s.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Sort of, 1925 to 1930.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24So they're right, bang on,
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- for the period for the collectors of this type of thing.- Right.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Now, money, how much is an old cream jug and sugar bowl worth?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- Got no idea.- £50?
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Bit more.- Bit more? £60.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38No, come on.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Bit more.- Don't play around with me. - Don't play around with you.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- You've got to get straight to the chase, don't you?- Yes.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- Well, I think we should put 100 to 150 on them.- Right.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- With £100 reserve.- Yes.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- Would you be happy with that?- Yes.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53And what we hope for is somebody's got the teapot out there
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- and wants to match the sets up. - Yeah, could be.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- And they might bid a bit more.- Mm.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- It's not bad for an old cream jug and sugar bowl, is it?- No.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- Shall we let a collector have them? - Yes.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Lovely, well, we'll have a cup of tea to celebrate after,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07but not in a Clarice Cliff teapot.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- No, all right. - See you at the auction.- You will.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17I'll put the kettle on, in the hope that Mark's valuation is
0:06:17 > 0:06:21spot-on and will earn him a cup of tea with Shirley.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23And David's found something that's really pleased him,
0:06:23 > 0:06:27an unusual collection we rarely see on Flog It!
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Beverley, thank you for braving the foul weather
0:06:31 > 0:06:33and joining us here today.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Now, you've brought with you a collection of handwritten envelopes,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39and I can only really describe
0:06:39 > 0:06:45the collection as postal history, for want of a better word.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Erm, is this a subject you're interested in?
0:06:47 > 0:06:50No, we came by these albums...
0:06:50 > 0:06:53My husband used to work in a large house
0:06:53 > 0:06:58in Wareham, and when the owners died, about 15 years ago,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02there was a house sale, and these were in a job lot
0:07:02 > 0:07:04right at the end of the auction.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06The box went for about £5.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09My husband immediately was really taken by them,
0:07:09 > 0:07:10he's much more into history,
0:07:10 > 0:07:15and he said they were a fascinating account of life in the 1830s.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Yeah, what interests me most of all about these letters is that
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- none of them have stamps, as such.- Mm-hm.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Now, the postage stamp didn't come into being until the late 1830s...
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- OK.- ..and from that time onwards,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- the person who sent the letter paid to send it.- Yes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- Up until this date, the recipient paid.- OK.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40And none of these bear what we think of today as being conventional postage stamps.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- But they all have post office franks on them.- That's right.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49But what also fascinates me is that many of them bear the name,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52beneath the address, of a member of the nobility.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54William Gladstone, in this instance.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Marlborough, in this instance.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Well, when my husband started investigating,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01it seemed that a lot of the envelopes
0:08:01 > 0:08:04were addressed to the Baker family...
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Right.- ..and that Mr Baker was a solicitor,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10and these were letters of correspondence that he received,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14that possibly were then given to his daughters, who cut them out
0:08:14 > 0:08:18and, somehow, they then managed to get the signatures
0:08:18 > 0:08:22of the people who had been in correspondence with their father.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24So this would seem to suggest that the recipients of
0:08:24 > 0:08:28these letters, at some stage, brought them back to the originator.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- Exactly, yes.- I can't prove that. - No, and I can't.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33And neither can you.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35I mean, what I find is so fascinating about this,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39this is the sort of case which we are faced with all the time, really.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- Erm, the whole issue raises more questions than I can provide answers.- I know, yes.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- It deserves a week's research, a fortnight's research.- Really?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- But sadly I haven't got that time. - No.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54What I'm going to do in a moment is put a provisional value on them for you...
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- OK.- ..and suggest that the auctioneers very kindly do some homework for us.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Now, if I came up with a figure of £600-£800,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05as a collection...
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- You look surprised?- I'm staggered! - Good. Well...
0:09:08 > 0:09:10I'm totally staggered.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- I HOPE I'm in the right sort of area there.- Really?
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Now, if for any reason they think I've overvalued them dramatically,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- or even undervalued them, they will get back to us.- Yes.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24But for the time being, we'll stick with that. We'll keep you posted...
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Thank you.- No pun intended.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29..and I'll see you at the auction.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32How exciting! Well, I'm overwhelmed, thank you.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Good, thank you, and I'm really looking forward to the day.
0:09:35 > 0:09:36Good, yes, fascinating.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Let's see if the auctioneer can shed more light on these stamps later.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Now, Mark's found a set of objects on which is etched the monarch
0:09:45 > 0:09:49who would have ruled over British Guiana when it was still a colony.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- Hello, Barbara.- Hello.- And this is? - Hannah, my daughter.- Your daughter.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- Moral support?- Yes, indeed, yeah. Much needed.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01She wants to know how much they're worth!
0:10:01 > 0:10:05She's got her shopping trip planned already, from the faces, haven't you?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07New shoes or something like that?
0:10:08 > 0:10:12You've brought in some typical gold bullion coins.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15We've got two full sovereigns and two half sovereigns.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16Where do they come from, Barbara?
0:10:16 > 0:10:21They actually belong to my husband who, erm...they were passed to him from his father.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Other than that, I don't know any more about them, really.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Well, it was a standard coin, of course, in Britain.
0:10:27 > 0:10:34These are all from the reign of King George V, so he reigned from 1910-1935.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36You can get variations.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40You can get...some of them are minted in odd mints,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42like Sydney or Perth in Australia,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45and some reigns are rarer than others, you know,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47if you had a George III or George IV...
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Other than that, the price is determined, really,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52by the gold bullion price.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58At today's prices, we'd be looking at somewhere around the £400-£500 mark...
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- Right.- ..for the four coins.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06So that's what we would put them in at, with a reserve of around £400.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- Right.- It should comfortably do something like that.- Right, OK.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- Would you be happy with that? - Yes, that's fine, yeah.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Well, Hannah's smiling. Look, Hannah's quite happy.- I know.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20You haven't sort of thought of keeping them? Because some people keep them as investments.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Well, they've just been sitting with a few other coins, that we found out
0:11:23 > 0:11:27aren't worth very much, so, really, they're not doing anything at all
0:11:27 > 0:11:31and I could buy a new dress with the money!
0:11:31 > 0:11:33So you're actually going to turn it into a practical use?
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Erm, I've got plans to. I don't know what he's thinking.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38Ah, well I'm glad you've got plans for it.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Well, let's hope, really, that the gold price rises dramatically before the auction,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- then we'll all be in for a surprise, won't we?- That would be lovely, we'll look forward to that.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- We'll look forward to meeting you again.- Thank you, that's really kind.- You're welcome.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Let's hope Barbara's husband is planning a shopping spree
0:11:54 > 0:11:55if these sell well at auction!
0:11:59 > 0:12:02The ever-changing landscape, here, shifting through wind
0:12:02 > 0:12:05and weather, has inspired artists for generations.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Writers like Thomas Hardy to Victorian landscape painter
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Frederick White have all been passionate about the area,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15and one man who is in love with it is artist Colin Willey.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Thank you for coming in, Colin, and bringing in some of your work.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21I instantly recognise it as Lulworth Cove.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24What inspires you about the Cove?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Erm, it's just such a beautiful place.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Every time I come back it looks different.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34The sea changes colour, and wearing away the rocks,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37and if you look at it from different levels, you know,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39you can see the shape of the cove changing.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43If you're low down, you're going to get a very thin cove,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46then you can view it from quite high up and you'll see the full cove.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48And you sell your works to the rich and the famous,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51you've exhibited at the Royal Academy,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54is it always Lulworth Cove, or is it something different?
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Erm, no, I paint all over Dorset.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59I've got probably about five or six favourite places
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I like to go back to again and again,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Lulworth Cove being one of them,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06and, you know, you always find something new,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09you see something different that you haven't seen before.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11That's always really exciting, when you do that.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Subject matter for a lifetime, really.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- Yeah, well, carry on enjoying it, won't you, because your work is fabulous.- Oh, thank you.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22For our next item, we're travelling from the dramatic coastline of Dorset
0:13:22 > 0:13:26to the more tranquil setting of a European city that's famously waterlogged,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28and David's brimming with good advice.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- Hello, Marianne.- Hello. - Thank you for coming along today.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Now, do you have any Italian blood in your family?
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- No.- No.- No, not that I know of. - Not that you know of.
0:13:40 > 0:13:47Erm, I ask because this wonderful picture frame is Italian.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Oh.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- You didn't know that? - No, I didn't.- No, OK.
0:13:50 > 0:13:57I think this could have been made in Venice in about 1880.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Really? - The end of the 19th century.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05The print it contains dates from that period as well,
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- so the frame and the image are contemporary with each other.- Yes.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13What I like about frames like this is they can tell us so much about
0:14:13 > 0:14:15decorative styles.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18This is in the Rococo style.
0:14:18 > 0:14:24Now, the Rococo style is characterised by C scrolls and S scrolls,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- shell motifs like this.- Mm-hm.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31- It first came to England in the middle of the 19th century from France.- Yeah.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Today, it's not everyone's cup of tea.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Do you like it?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38I like it, but I wouldn't have it hanging on my wall, I'm afraid.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Besides, it would pull the wall down, I think.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44"I like it but I wouldn't have it hanging on my wall!"
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Do you know, I'm inclined to agree with you, really.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50For many people it's a bit overblown, really, a bit florid.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54What I particularly like about it, and this is important,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57is that it's gilt wood, rather than gilt plaster.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Now, fortunately, there is a little bit of damage.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- I say fortunately because it enables us to prove that fact.- Yes, yeah.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09You can see quite clearly the ground wood.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- Now, the gilding is gold leaf. - Really?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15So it's important, as far as its value is concerned, that it
0:15:15 > 0:15:18should be gilt wood, as I say, and not gilt plaster,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- and that's typical of what we would expect to find.- Yes.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- I have got a pair.- You've got a pair to it?- Yes, yeah.- That's great.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- That makes a big difference.- Yes.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- A pair is always worth three times as much as one.- One.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35That's a fact, which sometimes throws us valuers, but it's true.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40I think, erm, what will happen to this is that whoever buys it
0:15:40 > 0:15:44will take out the print, throw it away, throw the glass away,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- and put a mirror plate in there. Convert it into a mirror.- Yeah.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52- The image inside, the print, is worth absolutely nothing.- Nothing.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54And, just imagine, this would look magnificent on a mantelpiece
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- above a big fireplace in a Victorian house.- Yeah.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59It would look absolutely superb.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03We need to think a bit about what its pair are worth.
0:16:03 > 0:16:09I would like to estimate them £100-£150, with a reserve of £100.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Erm, not your cup of tea, perhaps not my cup of tea,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16but there will be plenty of people out there who would like to own this,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19even more, they'll want to own a pair, so I think we'll do all right.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- OK, thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Before we head off to auction,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26there's something I'd like to show you...
0:16:38 > 0:16:40And what a family album it is.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Up there, that's Sir Humphrey Weld,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46self-made man and esteemed London official,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49followed by Humphrey II, his grandson,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53who acquired the Lulworth estate in 1641.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56The castle became the family seat,
0:16:56 > 0:17:01a grand statement of the family's status - or so it seemed.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06After Henry VIII's Reformation of the English Church,
0:17:06 > 0:17:11when he broke away from Rome, things became tough for Catholics.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15It was illegal for them to practise and the punishments were severe.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19They faced heavy taxation and lost public office.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Anti-Catholic feeling was high, and any blatant show of faith
0:17:25 > 0:17:28could lead to persecution or even worse, death.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Now, there was just one problem for the Welds - they were Catholics.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37In other words, they were flouting the new religious laws.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39It was to prove a dangerous position to take.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Humphrey lost his official positions,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47and the financial repercussions left him bankrupt.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51It was to be a familiar story for generations to come.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Despite these impositions,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56the committed Weld family continued to worship secretly
0:17:56 > 0:17:59in their own home, something that was fraught with danger,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02and over there is a reminder of what was at stake.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08This is known as recusant silver, the word "recusant" referring to
0:18:08 > 0:18:13Roman Catholics who refused to attend an Anglican service.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Now, this is a chalice, a chalice with a difference.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18It's a portable chalice, and I can show you why,
0:18:18 > 0:18:22because it actually splits into three separate parts.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25I can unscrew the bowl here, reason being,
0:18:25 > 0:18:30this could be hidden inside a priest's cassock,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33quite secretly, and then, once he felt safe enough,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35it could be assembled
0:18:35 > 0:18:37and then filled with wine.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Interestingly enough, on an item of silver of this quality,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45you'd expect to see an assay mark and maker's initials,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47but there's absolutely nothing.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I'd imagine the silversmith refused to identify himself
0:18:50 > 0:18:53by stamping his initials in this,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55through fear of being persecuted.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58And there you are, look at that, a remarkable survivor
0:18:58 > 0:19:01and a wonderful piece of history.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03GREGORIAN CHANT PLAYS
0:19:03 > 0:19:08With Catholicism outlawed, the Weld family lay low for 100 years,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12but by the late 1700s, there was a softening of feeling towards
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Catholics, and George III brought an easing of sanctions.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22King George III visited the Weld family on several occasions,
0:19:22 > 0:19:24whilst en route to Weymouth,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28and on one particular visit, he gave the family his agreement
0:19:28 > 0:19:33that they could build a mausoleum and furnish it as they pleased.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35This is what they came up with. In other words,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38it was a tacit acknowledgement by the King that they could
0:19:38 > 0:19:41use this as a place of worship.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46And what an amazing place it is,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49a fine Palladian-style chapel,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52perfectly symmetrical, complete with an altar
0:19:52 > 0:19:56from one of the finest Russian architects of the time.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00In 1789, George III visited the completed chapel.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02The Welds finally had the approval
0:20:02 > 0:20:05they had been seeking for so long.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Just two years later,
0:20:07 > 0:20:11an act was passed to allow Catholics to worship freely,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15making this the first freestanding Roman Catholic chapel in England
0:20:15 > 0:20:18since the Reformation.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21It might have seemed like a new beginning for the Welds.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26By 1929, 140 years later,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29the castle was the home of Herbert Weld,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33and decked out in the latest interior designs of the day.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36He was facing the same financial struggle that many
0:20:36 > 0:20:40owners of grand country estates encountered shortly after
0:20:40 > 0:20:44the First World War, but things were to get a whole lot worse.
0:20:46 > 0:20:52At 9:30 on the 29th of August, the alarm was raised, as fire broke out,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56probably caused by faulty wiring, and rapidly spread.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00This amazing footage, caught at the time, shows the force of the fire
0:21:00 > 0:21:04as it rampaged quickly through the building.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Different fire crews from the surrounding area rushed to
0:21:07 > 0:21:10get here, and at first, they had the fire under control,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13but they weren't the only ones on the scene.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Now, look at this, this is just one of many newspaper articles
0:21:18 > 0:21:22printed at the time about the fire, and inside, it says
0:21:22 > 0:21:25men from the Tank Corps School at Lulworth,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Roman Catholic priests, girl guides, farm labourers
0:21:28 > 0:21:31and even schoolchildren helped with the salvage.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34And soon, quickly, the lawns of the castle became strewn with
0:21:34 > 0:21:38valuable pieces of furniture, pictures and books.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39And Herbert Weld, looking on,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41must have felt a slight sense of relief,
0:21:41 > 0:21:45knowing that his place, and its contents, were about to be saved.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49But things took a turn for the worse.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52The height of the castle made it hard to access.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56The towers acted like chimneys, drawing the fire upwards,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and fatally, the water supply ran out.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04For 50 years, the castle remained a ruined shell,
0:22:04 > 0:22:09until, in 1983, the Welds proved their staying power yet again,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12joining forces with English Heritage,
0:22:12 > 0:22:14to make the castle safe.
0:22:14 > 0:22:15But what became of the contents?
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Well, most of the recovered pieces were lost, due, really,
0:22:19 > 0:22:24to a poorly drafted will, but the family are buying back works of art.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26There's one piece I'd like to show you.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30I'm absolutely in love with this. It's the original 17th-century door
0:22:30 > 0:22:33to the original 17th-century hunting lodge.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35And here we are, look.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37And I like the way it's been hung to the wall,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40so you can actually move it around like this.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42It almost becomes a piece of sculpture,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46but it's incredibly tactile, and it is full of history.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Just think of the people who'd have walked through this door
0:22:50 > 0:22:53throughout its lifetime. And here it is, look,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55it's a wonderful symbol of the Weld family's survival
0:22:55 > 0:22:59through religious persecution and crisis,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02and I'm sure, as one door closes for them, many more will open.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14And now a quick reminder of what's going off to auction...
0:23:14 > 0:23:17We've got Beverley's unusual early postal franks,
0:23:17 > 0:23:21but will they be rare enough to send the bids through the roof?
0:23:21 > 0:23:24There are the gold sovereigns belonging to Barbara's husband,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28which she'd like to swap for a dress.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31We have Shirley's lovely duo of Clarice Cliff
0:23:31 > 0:23:34in search of a teapot-owning collector.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36And Marianne's pair of Rococo frames,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40which David and she agreed would make a more appealing mirror.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42But what will the bidders think?
0:23:43 > 0:23:4830 miles away is the small but perfectly formed town of Sherborne,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50named by the Saxons "Scir Burne",
0:23:50 > 0:23:53because of the clear stream running past.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Sitting next to pastures and rich lands, it appealed to settlers
0:23:57 > 0:23:59from the Romans to the Saxons,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02who liked it so much they built a magnificent abbey.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05You can still see what's known as the Monks' Conduit,
0:24:05 > 0:24:11in other words, their very own, but not entirely private, watering hole.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Well, no wonder the auctioneers, Charterhouse, settled here too,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19which is where our objects are just about to go under the hammer.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21And on the rostrum today is auctioneer Richard Brummel.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Selling at £280.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Just a quick reminder, if you're buying or selling at auction,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30there is commission to pay. It varies from saleroom to saleroom.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Here, today, at Charterhouse, it's 15% plus VAT.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38So factor that in to the hammer price, but also deduct that from
0:24:38 > 0:24:42the hammer price if you're selling something, because it does add up.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46First, it's time for those typical gold sovereigns,
0:24:46 > 0:24:51owned by Barbara's husband. But, sadly, Barbara can't be here today.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54But we do have our expert, Mr Mark Stacey...
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- Thank you, Paul.- ..and you've valued plenty of sovereigns in your lifetime, haven't you?
0:24:58 > 0:25:02- Well, we do see a lot of them. - It's sort of standard fodder in the auction room.- It is, it is.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05And the price, obviously, is reflected in the current bullion prices.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- Exactly.- So we've put, I think, a relatively safe £400-£500 for the four.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Which means they're going to sell, even if they go to scrap...
0:25:11 > 0:25:15- Exactly.- ..because whoever buys them at, let's say, £500-£400
0:25:15 > 0:25:17has got to pay commission, which is 15% plus VAT.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20If you add that to £500-£400, they will still sell
0:25:20 > 0:25:24- because they're tucked slightly under the bullion price.- We hope.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Anyway, let's put these gold sovereigns to the test. Here we go.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31And two half sovereigns, here. A lot of bids here.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34I'm straight in at 350, 380, 400, 420, 450.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36At 450, 480.
0:25:36 > 0:25:42At 480 now. At £480. I sell it at £480. Your last chance.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Selling far away at 480, it sells at 480.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- Yes! Straight in. - £480, top of the estimate.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50£480, in and out.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- There's nothing more you can say, really.- No. Job done.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57And we hope that should at least buy Barbara a dress or two.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01In a moment, Beverley's curious envelopes with those early form of stamps on them,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04that David really prized, are going under the hammer.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08But first, Richard has something to say about the HIGH valuation.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12We've reduced the valuation of £600 down to £100,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15because now we've had a chance to have a good look at them,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17we can see that actually we've only got half the story.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20We've just got the front of the envelopes,
0:26:20 > 0:26:21the backs have all been cut off.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25In addition to that, they've also been stuck down just in the corners,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29so, as a result, they're worth a lot less than half a full envelope.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33That's a shame, but Beverley's stoical about it.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- Now, you're happy still if you can get £100-£150.- Yes, absolutely.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39OK. Let's put it to the test, it's going under the hammer now.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Straight in here at £50, I have bid now at £50 with me,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46at £90 I have now, at 90.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49£100 is bid, on the internet.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52It's an internet bid, at £100 I have bid, at £100.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54And 10, 120, competition. Someone else coming in here.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58At 120 now, 120. At 120, 130.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01At 130, 140. At £140.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Interesting little collection here. At £140 I sell.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Last chance, fair warning, 140.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Hammer's gone down, £140.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11- Yeah, well, he knew, didn't he? - He did, yeah.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13He's had a bit more time to do research.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15You do get put on the spot at the valuation.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18I must say, I'm indebted to the auctioneer for doing the research.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21It's just what we hoped he would do, and he's very kindly done that.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- We got the right valuation in the end, and we sold them.- Absolutely.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26And my embarrassment has turned to glee!
0:27:28 > 0:27:30David, I wouldn't have done any better.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32It's so hard to put a value on something like that.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34It was really difficult, yes. No, I accept that.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- But we've had fun, haven't we? - We've had a lot of fun, yeah.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42It happens to the best of us, and proves the point, rare doesn't always mean valuable.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Now, how will David fare with his next valuation?
0:27:46 > 0:27:49The pair of Italian pictures, brought in by Marianne
0:27:49 > 0:27:53and friend Liz are about to go under the hammer.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56I know they're yours, aren't they? I know you're best friends, but look, just there, look.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58You're in the right place!
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Hopefully, by the time we finish this chat, the hammer will go down
0:28:02 > 0:28:06and someone will come along and go, "Yep, I'm having those, taking them home."
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- You like these frames, don't you? - I think the frames are amazing.
0:28:09 > 0:28:10They're Italian.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12- I think there'll be enough people here who will.- Yes.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Hope so.- And I think they'll make great mirrors. Good luck!
0:28:15 > 0:28:16- OK, thank you. - Good luck, here we go!
0:28:16 > 0:28:18They're going under the hammer now.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20And I'm straight in there at £70, I have bid now.
0:28:20 > 0:28:2370, 80, 90, 100, and 10.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25- 120, 130.- Go on!
0:28:25 > 0:28:29- 140.- At £140, front right, £140 bid now.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32150, 160, 170,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35180, 190, 200.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38At £200 I have, still seated in the very front row, at £200 I have.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42Fair warning, I sell the pair. Selling at 200.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- Yes! That's a good result. - Thank you.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47- £100 each, isn't it? - Yeah, lovely, thank you.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50It's a pleasure. I'm not always confident with my valuations,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52- but I knew they'd do all right. - Yeah.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54- It's a decorator's piece.- Yeah.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57David, you're vindicated - a great price!
0:28:57 > 0:29:01And those will surely end up on one satisfied customer's wall.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05170, David's bid at £170, 170.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07We love a bit of Clarice Cliff on the show,
0:29:07 > 0:29:11but will this piece live up to its reputation?
0:29:11 > 0:29:12We've got a bachelor set.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14- Well, not quite, have we? - No teapot, I'm afraid.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- No teapot.- Just the cream jug and sugar bowl, but a great pattern.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19- Mm-hm.- A really strong pattern.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23Why did you decide to bring it in to sell?
0:29:23 > 0:29:25Fed up with it, now?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Like everyone else, you know, you have things for a long time
0:29:28 > 0:29:30and then you just decide to get rid of them.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32I'm hoping this'll do at least 100.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34- You never know, someone might have the teapot...- Lovely, if...
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- It makes the set up.- Yeah.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38- Good for a dealer. - Yes, it's a good trade lot.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Let's find out what the bidders think
0:29:40 > 0:29:42and hand the proceedings over to our auctioneer Richard.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44The lovely little Clarice Cliff
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Orange Trees and House patterned milk jug
0:29:46 > 0:29:48with a matching sugar bowl as well, and I've got a lot of bids here.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- I'm straight in here at £200.- Oh...
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- Someone's got the teapot! - At 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56At £300, I have now.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58At £300 I have bid now, at 300.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00At 300, 320, 340.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03At £340, I have bid now. At 340.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05340. Didn't take long to get there.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- No, it didn't, did it?- No.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Last chance, fair warning, I sell it at £340, at 340.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13And that hammer's gone down. That was exciting, Shirley.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- That was a good sale.- It was, wasn't it?- Yeah, happy with that?- I am.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20I think you could go shopping with that. Buy something for yourself.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22- Don't you?- I don't know about that.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25I'll think about that on the way home.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Go ahead, Shirley, treat yourself!
0:30:27 > 0:30:30And now you and Mark can enjoy that nice cup of tea he promised.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Talk to anyone around here that lives near or on the sea, and makes their living from it,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39and they'll tell you they have a healthy respect for it.
0:30:39 > 0:30:40Well, respect is one thing,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43but what about the volunteers who put their lives at risk,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46day in and day out, saving people like you and me
0:30:46 > 0:30:50that get caught out by the waves when we're swimming or sailing?
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Well, I went along to one of the oldest lifeboat
0:30:52 > 0:30:55stations along this coastline, in Lyme Regis,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58to find out more about the volunteers, their history,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01and what it's like to spend a day with them.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Well, I'm on the seafront here in Lyme Regis on a lovely sunny day
0:31:19 > 0:31:21with the iconic Cobb just behind me there
0:31:21 > 0:31:25in the distance to meet the men and women who provide
0:31:25 > 0:31:30the totally voluntary service for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
0:31:30 > 0:31:33and I'm told my day starts right here,
0:31:33 > 0:31:36outside this water sports shop, to meet a young chap called Murray.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39- Hi, Murray!- Hi, Paul, all right?
0:31:39 > 0:31:43Murray has been volunteering with the RNLI for over two years.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46This is the day job, I guess, so that's quite convenient really
0:31:46 > 0:31:48because the lifeboat station's just over there
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- so you don't have that far to go. - About a two minute run.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55Well, I'm going to spend the day with you so can I follow you around and you show me the ropes?
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Yeah, sure, come on down, I'll show you.- Should we lock up first?
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- Nah, we'll let somebody else bother about that.- OK.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05As a seafaring nation we've always been at the mercy of the waves.
0:32:05 > 0:32:11So back in 1824 the charity the RNLI was created by philanthropist
0:32:11 > 0:32:17Sir William Hillary to save the lives of those who got caught out by the sea.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Right from those early days, the men and women manning the boats
0:32:20 > 0:32:25volunteered their time and the same is still true today,
0:32:25 > 0:32:30since its formation, saving more than 140,000 lives.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33The Lyme Regis station is amongst the oldest,
0:32:33 > 0:32:37with 40 volunteers ready to drop everything when they get the call.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42Joining Murray and I is Colin Jones, who has been doing this for 40 years.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47What was life like back then, 40 years ago, Colin?
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Erm, we had a very, very small station.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54We didn't have drysuits, we had, basically, a pair of waders
0:32:54 > 0:32:57and it would fill up with water and you were, basically,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- soaking wet in the middle of the winter with the snow.- And that's no good, is it?- No.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03And also, because we used to push the boat into the water,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06we probably couldn't speak for the first ten minutes.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10In 1979, Colin put his local knowledge to the test
0:33:10 > 0:33:13when he helped rescue a family who were on a small yacht,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16the White Kitten, that was in severe trouble.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20It was pretty rough.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Strange for that time of year, I had to move out to sea.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27We were going in towards rocks so I sailed it out to seawards
0:33:27 > 0:33:32for several miles and then set a course and brought it in.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36They were firing white parachute flares off the end of the Cobb
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- to guide me in.- Wow.- To give you an idea of the conditions,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42as we came in to the harbour the rudder just snapped off.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- So we were very, very lucky. - That is some story.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47How do you feel when you hear a story like that?
0:33:47 > 0:33:50I think at the moment, when you're in the moment,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52you do what you need to do.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55But to think what Colin went through with the kit that he's got,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57we've got it a lot easier.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59The boats have come a long way since White Kitten, so it's
0:33:59 > 0:34:03pretty inspiring to hear what he went through, that's for sure.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Colin and his crew received the RNLI's bronze medal
0:34:06 > 0:34:10for that rescue and Colin's in good company.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Since the lifeboats were launched here, the tally of medals is
0:34:13 > 0:34:18one gold, six silver and three bronze for saving dozens of lives.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21You've both put your lives at risk, day in and day out when
0:34:21 > 0:34:25you get the call, and I know you've seen some difficult situations.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- Why do you do it? - I've been by the sea all my life.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30You get to respect the sea
0:34:30 > 0:34:35and people sometimes underestimate its ability to catch you out
0:34:35 > 0:34:37and that's why, in a sense,
0:34:37 > 0:34:40because we work by the sea, we're willing to go and help them out.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Yeah. And what was your calling?
0:34:43 > 0:34:46I windsurf and surf a lot and, erm, I kind of thought,
0:34:46 > 0:34:50"Well, I expect somebody else to come and help me out when I'm in difficulties
0:34:50 > 0:34:54- "and therefore I should put my hand up and do my part as well."- Yeah.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58And these volunteers certainly do that.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01Over the course of one year across Britain
0:35:01 > 0:35:06they went out on an average of 23 launches a day, rescuing 23 people
0:35:06 > 0:35:11every day and the scenarios they might have to face are limitless.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Surfers in trouble, people cut off from the tide
0:35:14 > 0:35:17and boats which have capsized amongst them.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20And they wouldn't be able to do that without a lot of hard work
0:35:20 > 0:35:25behind the scenes. Crucial to their operations is practice.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29Here at Lyme the volunteers have to put in over 200 hours of training
0:35:29 > 0:35:32before they become full seagoing crew,
0:35:32 > 0:35:36learning boat skills, communications and navigation.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Well, I've been invited on an exercise
0:35:39 > 0:35:42and the scenario is somebody has gone overboard, we don't know
0:35:42 > 0:35:46the full extent, we haven't got a lot of information but we're getting kitted out.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48This is a bear suit, this stops you from, sort of,
0:35:48 > 0:35:52sweating like mad and getting too cold.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54And then you've got to put these drysuits on.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- There is a sense of urgency, isn't there, guys?- Yeah.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Let's face it, because speed is of the essence.
0:36:05 > 0:36:06OK, go!
0:36:08 > 0:36:12We have to get our skates on to try and launch within seven minutes
0:36:12 > 0:36:16of our call-out, which would be the optimum response in a real rescue.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20Now, that's going some. Gosh, it feels really real now.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Today, helmsman Elliott Herbert commands the rescue.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28On land, he's with the town council.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31At sea, he's been volunteering for 14 years.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39All right, guys, we've been launched now, erm,
0:36:39 > 0:36:43for a man overboard off a yacht approximately four miles off.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46It's important everyone on board takes a role in the operation
0:36:46 > 0:36:49and so I've been given my job for the day.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53Once we get into the vicinity, Paul, I want you to keep a good lookout, OK?
0:36:53 > 0:36:54OK.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00- OK, guys, hold it on.- Right, here we go.- Hold it off.
0:37:00 > 0:37:05- Elliott, wow, look at the speed of this!- Here we go.- Whoa!
0:37:05 > 0:37:09An amateur like me wouldn't be able to go out on a real call-out,
0:37:09 > 0:37:12known as a shout, but I've been given special permission
0:37:12 > 0:37:14to see what volunteering involves.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18Now, this really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22For the purpose of this practice,
0:37:22 > 0:37:26one of the RNLI volunteers is acting as a sailor who has
0:37:26 > 0:37:29gone overboard his yacht, with a flare to alert rescuers.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Retrieving him will test the speed and the efficiency of their
0:37:33 > 0:37:38rescue operation and it teaches new volunteers about the drill.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42How long would you expect to survive the conditions like this?
0:37:42 > 0:37:45With the correct equipment you've got a couple of hours.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Without the correct equipment you've got minutes.- Minutes. - Absolutely, minutes.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53So it's vital, really, that you guys can get there as quick as possible.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56The 40 volunteers at Lyme are in good company.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00There are 235 lifeboat stations nationwide
0:38:00 > 0:38:05and an incredible 5,600 volunteering year round and I'm honoured
0:38:05 > 0:38:09to be joining their company today to be shown how it's done.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11OK, guys, so we're coming into territory now.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15This is his last known position and, Paul, like I said, keep your eyes peeled now.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Eyes peeled.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Today, for this practice the weather is fine,
0:38:20 > 0:38:25but imagine doing an actual rescue in storms or freezing-cold conditions.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29There he is, look, there on the port side!
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- Murray, Paul, do you want to get up the front, here?- Yup.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- All right, guys, go on in neutral.- OK.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Right the way down the boat, Paul. That's it. Are you all right, buddy?
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Are you all right?
0:38:45 > 0:38:49Ah, well done. Well done.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54- Well, we'll get you back to harbour now and we'll get you a cup of tea. Get you warmed up.- Grab a seat.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57I know this was just a practice run but these guys do this
0:38:57 > 0:39:01day in and day out for real, saving the lives of people like you and me.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04They are the real heroes.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14We're back at our valuation day venue, Lulworth Castle,
0:39:14 > 0:39:18and Mark Stacey has found a whole crowd of new friends.
0:39:20 > 0:39:26Joan One and Joan Two. I don't think I've ever had two Joans. I have now.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29You've brought this lovely selection of Chinese items in.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- Are they yours, Joan?- They're mine, yes.- And what did you use them for?
0:39:32 > 0:39:37For dinner parties. Yes. I didn't always use the 12. Mainly 8.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42- But they were always used. - As names?- Yes, place names.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45- And you've had some lovely dinner parties, have you? - Oh, yes, yes, we used to.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46I'm too old now to have them
0:39:46 > 0:39:50but people don't have dinner parties any more, do they?
0:39:50 > 0:39:54- Well, not so formal.- No.- Much more informal these days, aren't we?
0:39:54 > 0:39:56You know. Now, where did you get them from?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59- I got them from Hong Kong, they belonged to my mother-in-law.- Right.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01I lived there, we all lived together,
0:40:01 > 0:40:05and when she died, of course, we took them over.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07- And when was that, roughly? - In the '60s.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10I don't think they would have been made a lot before that, actually,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13because they're simply marked underneath -
0:40:13 > 0:40:16sterling, Hong Kong - and there's a little maker's mark, which
0:40:16 > 0:40:18we haven't been able to find.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21I think they probably date to the, sort of, 1940s.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- Yes, well, that's right, yes. - That sort of period.- That's right.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28- And they're rather charming. Do you like them, Joan Two? - I think they're very charming.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Now, well, if we have a little look at this figure,
0:40:30 > 0:40:34I mean, you can see that they're all really modelled as
0:40:34 > 0:40:40little Chinese characters in different agricultural and fishing pursuits.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45This one happens to be holding two large forks, I suppose tilling the ground.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- And they've all got rather, sort of, cheeky faces, haven't they?- Mmm.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51And they're rather fun, a little bit of decoration.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54I think they would have been made for people
0:40:54 > 0:40:56who were ex-pats of visiting...
0:40:56 > 0:41:01- Yes...- the colonies then to take back with them as little
0:41:01 > 0:41:03souvenirs and gifts.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Erm, I could certainly see them on my table if I was entertaining.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10- I think they'd make everybody laugh and it would get conversation going. - Yes, oh, absolutely.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Because people would say, "Oh, what have you got?"
0:41:12 > 0:41:15And they could say, "Well, I've got somebody carrying milk,"
0:41:15 > 0:41:17or whatever it is, do you know what I mean?
0:41:17 > 0:41:18It's rather fun.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20Have you seen them before? Because I haven't.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23- Yes, we have seen them. - You have seen them?
0:41:23 > 0:41:25The Chinese were really good at producing these little
0:41:25 > 0:41:28novelty items and normally they're a little bit older,
0:41:28 > 0:41:30they go back to the end of the 19th century
0:41:30 > 0:41:33or the beginning of the 20th century.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- But it's lovely that you've got a set of 12.- Mmm.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38What do you think they're worth, Joan One?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Well, I'd like to think they're worth £100 or £200.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45I'd like to think, but they probably won't be, but they're so lovely!
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Do you know, you're quite right.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52I'm going to be a little bit meaner than that but only a little bit
0:41:52 > 0:41:55because I think we've got to try and encourage the bidding to go on.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Right, yes.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58So I'm going to fall back on
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- an old auctioneer's cliche estimate...- Mm-hm...
0:42:01 > 0:42:07- which is 80 to 120.- Right.- And fix in the reserve at £80.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Because I think that will give them a chance
0:42:09 > 0:42:12because at that sort of price maybe you'll find somebody will be
0:42:12 > 0:42:17- bidding a bit too enthusiastically...- Yes.- ..and we might get 120, 140 or something.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- Right.- Would you be happy with that? - Yes, I'd be quite happy.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23And hopefully we can find a new home for them.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27I'd love to put my name on them but I can't, unfortunately, because I'm not allowed to buy them.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30But I look forward to seeing you both at the auction.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32- Yes, I look forward to coming.- See you soon.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Well, as they say, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind
0:42:36 > 0:42:42and with that valuation, I hope we'll lure in the bidders for such charming pieces.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Now, from whimsy to full-blown childhood fantasy.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Terry and Pamela, thank you for coming today.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55- It's hardly open-car weather out there, is it, really?- Certainly not.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57But you've brought a coupe, or an open car,
0:42:57 > 0:43:01with you and, of course, it's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
0:43:01 > 0:43:02I remember it very well.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06So, Terry, are you a collector of Corgi toys?
0:43:06 > 0:43:10I used to be, yes, yes, until I moved house and I had to...
0:43:10 > 0:43:13I got rid of them all because we were downsizing to a flat.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17- OK, right. - Because I had a big house.- Right.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21- My brother gave me this one.- Oh, OK. So that was part of his collection?
0:43:21 > 0:43:22- Yes.- Right, I see.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24So you bought these, your brother and you,
0:43:24 > 0:43:27- as adults rather than as boys? - Yes, yes.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29Which explains why it's in such good condition.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32I bought Dinky toys and Corgi toys when I was a boy,
0:43:32 > 0:43:37a bit before this one was made, I hasten to add, and played with them all.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40- So they all got smashed and I think most boys did, didn't they, really? - Yes, they did.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43So it's wonderful to see one in such good condition as this,
0:43:43 > 0:43:46and in its original box.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49- With the price on.- With the price. 22/6, yeah.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53Yes, that's £1... 2/6...
0:43:53 > 0:43:56I can't remember, 12½ pence, isn't it?
0:43:56 > 0:43:58So it was £1, 12½ pence.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01It doesn't matter because it's worth an enormous amount more
0:44:01 > 0:44:04than that now. So you're just thinning your collection out a bit?
0:44:04 > 0:44:06It helps the old-age pension, I would say.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12And you were happy to see the collection weeded out, Pam, were you?
0:44:12 > 0:44:16- Yes.- Yes.- It was a whole roomful. - A whole roomful, right, OK.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19I see from the book you've brought along, not the original,
0:44:19 > 0:44:22the book itself was written by Ian Fleming, wasn't it?
0:44:22 > 0:44:25- I don't know.- Was it? - Yeah, the James Bond man.- Oh, right!
0:44:25 > 0:44:28So this was a bit of a departure, really, from his usual,
0:44:28 > 0:44:32sort of, genre. And I see that the film starred Dick Van Dyke,
0:44:32 > 0:44:37who I just about remember, and Benny Hill, the late, lamented Benny Hill.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40- Mm-hm.- Yes.- So what a cast that was. Anyway, I'm digressing, really.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42We need to think obviously about what it's worth.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44Erm, it will help your pension a bit
0:44:44 > 0:44:48- but it's not going to send you off on a world cruise, I'm afraid.- No, no, we realise that.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50Erm, but you expected that.
0:44:50 > 0:44:55I would suggest an estimate of about 80 to 120, if that's OK.
0:44:55 > 0:45:00- Can we have a reserve?- I think a reserve of £80 will be OK.- Yes, OK.
0:45:00 > 0:45:04- Yes. And let's hope that we have a pleasant surprise. OK?- Yes.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07- So you're both in agreement? - Yes.- Good.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09- OK. - If I get £100 I'll buy you a drink.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13Oh, I look forward to that, OK! Mine's a pint.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15The collectors ought to be out in force for that Corgi toy
0:45:15 > 0:45:18in pristine condition,
0:45:18 > 0:45:23especially if they enjoy a trip down memory lane, like David and I.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28Mark loves a trip down memory lane but on this occasion
0:45:28 > 0:45:33he doesn't go quite as far back as the object he's examining.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35And very interesting it is, too.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38Liz, Carol, nice to see you.
0:45:38 > 0:45:42Where did this charming Snaffles print come from?
0:45:42 > 0:45:45It came from our father's home and, really,
0:45:45 > 0:45:49- we didn't know much about it at all, did we? No.- Well, he is quite well known.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52This is a print, of course, that's the first thing to make clear,
0:45:52 > 0:45:56this is a print but it is signed in pencil at the bottom
0:45:56 > 0:46:00and Charles Johnson Payne is the artist but he's known as Snaffles.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03And he produced a wide range of illustrations for magazines
0:46:03 > 0:46:05and periodicals at the time,
0:46:05 > 0:46:08from the early part of the 20th century onwards.
0:46:08 > 0:46:13And mostly we see lots of hunting scenes and lots of rural life.
0:46:13 > 0:46:15This is quite a humorous one.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18Obviously we've got a hard-working famer there,
0:46:18 > 0:46:21in his fields. It's just obviously harvest time, you know,
0:46:21 > 0:46:22you've got everything going on.
0:46:22 > 0:46:27And here are the bombers going over, obviously to do their duty,
0:46:27 > 0:46:31as it were, and he's shouting after them, erm,
0:46:31 > 0:46:35an expression of support with a naughty little word crossed off there.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38We don't know what the word is, it's been censored.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41Not on this occasion, I have to add, by the BBC.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44- This was on the original print. - Of course. Yes, yes.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46We haven't tried to cover any rude words ourselves.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48So we don't know what that is.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51But it's full of that wartime patriotic spirit.
0:46:51 > 0:46:52And they are quite collectable.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56Did you know anything about the artist before you found it?
0:46:56 > 0:46:57We have, sort of...
0:46:57 > 0:47:01It was my son, who's in the Army, and he seemed to know the name.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05He said, "I think he did some war paintings."
0:47:05 > 0:47:11And so he had a quick look and found a few of his paintings. And that's all we know, really.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15Well, he is a very well-known, a very famous artist in that period.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17He died in the 1970s, I think.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20And these are quite collectable, these prints, now.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23It's in the original frame, it looks in good condition
0:47:23 > 0:47:26but this has got a good, good feel about it.
0:47:26 > 0:47:30They do come up for auction quite regularly so we can gauge the price.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34They're normally estimated at around £300 to £500.
0:47:34 > 0:47:39Something like that. So I think that would be a sensible estimate and reserve to put on them.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42Maybe put the reserve at 300.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44Yup. Are we going to go for it?
0:47:44 > 0:47:46- Three?- Yeah, OK.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49There's a lot of discussion going on here.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51But it's sensible to do it now before the auction.
0:47:51 > 0:47:55I was going to say that, yes. Well, we've got another sister,
0:47:55 > 0:47:57so we've got to do the right thing.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01- I think we are, I think we should get over the £300.- If we're lucky.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03- Shall we go for three?- Yup.
0:48:03 > 0:48:06Three at fixed so we won't go a penny below 300.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10- If you're happy we'll meet again. - Right, OK, thank you.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12Some sunny day at an auction house.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14Yes, you will,
0:48:14 > 0:48:17and hopefully with a nice big sale of this wonderful Snaffles print.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29As the current owners of Lulworth Castle,
0:48:29 > 0:48:32Wilfrid and Sally Weld, sadly can't be here,
0:48:32 > 0:48:34they've asked their gardener Matt
0:48:34 > 0:48:38to bring along a piece that survived their turbulent family history.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40- Hi.- What have you got on your lap?
0:48:40 > 0:48:44Well, this is a leather-covered tabernacle.
0:48:44 > 0:48:48It was originally in a private chapel of Hanwell Castle,
0:48:48 > 0:48:50owned by George Berkeley,
0:48:50 > 0:48:55who later went on to marry the owner of the estate here,
0:48:55 > 0:48:58Wilfrid Weld's aunt Joan.
0:48:58 > 0:49:04And when George sadly passed away, Aunt Joan sold Hanwell Castle.
0:49:04 > 0:49:08- Right.- And consequently, this came down here
0:49:08 > 0:49:10and it's been here ever since.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12So, what are they hoping to do with this?
0:49:12 > 0:49:15Do they want to sell it or do they want a valuation, or what?
0:49:15 > 0:49:18They want it to go somewhere where it's going to be appreciated
0:49:18 > 0:49:20and, yeah, they want to sell it.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23I mean, looking at it, you can tell by the grain straight away,
0:49:23 > 0:49:24it's a pine carcass.
0:49:24 > 0:49:26There's nothing wrong with that,
0:49:26 > 0:49:28but it hasn't been built by a cabinet-maker.
0:49:28 > 0:49:30It is crude. It's rather elementary.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33It's been put together by somebody that's, let's say,
0:49:33 > 0:49:37good with their hands, a DIY person, not a professional cabinet-maker.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39That is the sad thing about it.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42- And it's late 19th-century. - Ah, right.
0:49:42 > 0:49:46Hasn't got a great deal of age, but interestingly enough, the person
0:49:46 > 0:49:49who has done the torque leather-work is a professional leather-worker.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52Yeah, Mr Weld seems to think it might have
0:49:52 > 0:49:54originated from Spain or Italy.
0:49:54 > 0:49:56Now, that was going to be my next assumption.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59- It's not English, it is continental. - Right.
0:49:59 > 0:50:03And being a tabernacle box, you would straight away say,
0:50:03 > 0:50:07- yes, Spain or Italy...- Uh-huh. - ..for the Roman Catholic Church.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10But I do love the trailing grapevine, and fruit.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14- I love that foliate work. I mean, it puts a smile on my face.- Good.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17And-and-and, I think if I like it, somebody else is going to like it.
0:50:17 > 0:50:23- I think, if we put it into auction with a value of £100-£150.- Oh, OK.
0:50:23 > 0:50:25Fixed reserve at £100, I think you'll...
0:50:25 > 0:50:27I think that's possibly more than they were expecting.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30Well, then, that's good, we're singing from the same hymn sheet.
0:50:30 > 0:50:31- That's OK, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33Whatever happens, we'll get it away,
0:50:33 > 0:50:36but it won't be enough to get you a new sit-on lawnmower.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39OK...that's OK.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43It's hard to say goodbye to this place,
0:50:43 > 0:50:46especially surrounded by pastoral fields and jagged rocks,
0:50:46 > 0:50:49but goodbye it has to be as we're going over to the
0:50:49 > 0:50:52auction room for the very last time. Anything can happen, and here's a
0:50:52 > 0:50:55quick re-cap of the items we're taking with us.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58The delightful 1940s Chinese name-place holders
0:50:58 > 0:51:02brought in by the two Joans are set at a price to sell.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07Will this sleek as a thoroughbred Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
0:51:07 > 0:51:09turn everyone's heads at auction?
0:51:10 > 0:51:12There's the religious tabernacle
0:51:12 > 0:51:15that's been in the Weld family for generations.
0:51:17 > 0:51:22And hopefully the three sisters will get their fixed price of £300
0:51:22 > 0:51:26and much more for the Snaffles classic.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29First, it's time for the Weld family Italianate tabernacle,
0:51:29 > 0:51:32brought along today by Mr Weld.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35We had a fantastic valuation day.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37- Good, good, I'm very pleased. - It was just the best.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40- So sorry to have missed it... - Well, we had a big turnout, anyway.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44..but I had to take my wife to France for her birthday.
0:51:44 > 0:51:46It was expensive, yes.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49Obviously, you can remember this little leather-covered box,
0:51:49 > 0:51:51- can't you?- Yes, it was left to me by my aunt,
0:51:51 > 0:51:55who was 20 years older than my father, and was also my godmother.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57And did you use the cupboard at all?
0:51:57 > 0:52:00Oh, not really, no. My wife was...
0:52:00 > 0:52:01she kept her gin in it, but...
0:52:01 > 0:52:04A gin cupboard, I like that!
0:52:05 > 0:52:08Well, look, it's...for me it's like an item of folk art, you know?
0:52:08 > 0:52:11It's got everything going for it, let's see if we can find a buyer,
0:52:11 > 0:52:13right here, right now. It's going under the hammer.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15- Good luck.- Thank you.- Here we are.
0:52:15 > 0:52:16Little cabinet here,
0:52:16 > 0:52:17and I'm straight in at 50,
0:52:17 > 0:52:1960, 70, 80, 90.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21At £90, I have, now.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24- He's out on the book, come on, come on.- £90, at 90.
0:52:24 > 0:52:25Last chance, fair warning.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28The bid is with me at 90, at 90...
0:52:28 > 0:52:30Not quite there, it's a couple of pounds short.
0:52:30 > 0:52:32- Yeah.- So, it didn't reach the reserve, so we've protected it.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34So, it's going home,
0:52:34 > 0:52:35or you can have a chat to the auctioneer
0:52:35 > 0:52:37and re-enter it into another sale if you want to.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39- Yeah, I'll probably do that, yeah.- OK.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42And Mr Weld agreed to sell that after all,
0:52:42 > 0:52:45with the proceeds going to a good local cause.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49And now it's those name-place holders
0:52:49 > 0:52:54with those lovely Chinese characters which would grace any table.
0:52:54 > 0:52:59- Belonging to Joan and...Joan as well!- Yes.- The Joans are here.
0:52:59 > 0:53:00- A right pair.- They are.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04I know you're related but you're also really good friends, aren't you?
0:53:04 > 0:53:06Oh, yeah, absolutely, oh, yeah, certainly.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09Well, we're going to find out what the bidders think in this
0:53:09 > 0:53:11packed saleroom right now. This is where it gets exciting.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14Anything could happen. Yeah. We could get that top end.
0:53:14 > 0:53:15Or you could be taking them home.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18If you take them home, you're going to throw a dinner party
0:53:18 > 0:53:19and invite Mark and myself.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21Oh! If they don't go, I'll take them home.
0:53:21 > 0:53:23And I'm straight in at £50, is bid on that, £50,
0:53:23 > 0:53:27here with me at £50 I have. With me the main bid at 50, 60, 70,
0:53:27 > 0:53:2880, £80.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31Seated at £80 I have now. At £80 I have an away, now.
0:53:31 > 0:53:33Seat 80, 90 on the internet,
0:53:33 > 0:53:35100 is bid. At £100, thank you, 100.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38- At £100...- On the internet!- ..110 on the internet.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42At 110 internet bid gets it, £110 I have bid at 110,
0:53:42 > 0:53:45- selling online at 110... - GAVEL BANGS
0:53:45 > 0:53:48- 110.- £110 sold online.- Much better. That's actually quite good.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51- Well, it was nearly the top end, wasn't it?- Yes, yes, that's fine.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54We're happy, Joan's happy, what a big smile! Happy, Joan?
0:53:54 > 0:53:57- Yes, very well done.- Absolutely, yes.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59And we are too with a solid sale there.
0:53:59 > 0:54:03Now, can we beat that with the truly scrumptious Corgi toy
0:54:03 > 0:54:05so many children enjoyed, like me.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10One of my favourite lots going under the hammer right now,
0:54:10 > 0:54:13purely because I had this toy Corgi car when I was a young lad as well.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16It's the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang one. It belongs to Terry and Pamela.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19- Terry's not here today, Pamela, is he?- No, he isn't.
0:54:19 > 0:54:20He's left you in charge. OK.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24Well, you're in safe hands, we have David here. I had this car.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27Do you know, the first thing I did when my mum bought it for me?
0:54:27 > 0:54:30- Rip the box apart, threw the box away and played with the toy.- Of course, yes.
0:54:30 > 0:54:34- Do not throw the boxes away, keep the boxes.- Absolutely.- Well,
0:54:34 > 0:54:37let's find out what the bidders think, shall we? It's here to go.
0:54:37 > 0:54:38It's going under the hammer now.
0:54:38 > 0:54:42Pretty Chitty Chitty Bang Bang model here and along with the book...
0:54:42 > 0:54:43You almost want to sing it, don't you?
0:54:43 > 0:54:45..and we're straight in here at £50 I have bid now.
0:54:45 > 0:54:4950, 60, 70 and at 80. Room bid at £80 I have, right at the back.
0:54:49 > 0:54:5380, 90, 100. At £100, 110.
0:54:53 > 0:54:58120, 130, 130 the front row, the very front row at £130 I have.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01You're out at the back, the internet outselling,
0:55:01 > 0:55:03- front row at 130... - GAVEL BANGS
0:55:03 > 0:55:06- Well!- That's good, that is more than they're making at the moment...
0:55:06 > 0:55:09- Really?- ..so I'm pleased with that.- Yeah, I'm really pleased.
0:55:09 > 0:55:10Good, excellent.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13Another good sale and over David's estimate,
0:55:13 > 0:55:17it's finally time for the print by famed illustrator Snaffles
0:55:17 > 0:55:21owned by the three sisters who've all made it along today.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24- Well, look, good luck all of you. - Thank you!
0:55:24 > 0:55:28And I'm sure you're going to have a little bit of a celebration
0:55:28 > 0:55:31- later on.- Oh, yes!- We've got the champagne ready.- Have you?
0:55:31 > 0:55:33Right, here we go, it's going under the hammer now.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36I've got a lot of bids here. I'm straight in here at £200, it's bid.
0:55:36 > 0:55:40At 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300...
0:55:40 > 0:55:45- We're going to go at 300.- ..320, 350, 380, 400, 420, 450. At 450.
0:55:45 > 0:55:52- 480, 500...- We've got the reserve price.- ..550, 580, 600, and 20...
0:55:52 > 0:55:54- It's climbing! This is the beauty of an auction, isn't it?- ..650.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58- This is where it gets exciting... - 700, you're out, madam.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01The internet is out, on the telephone, selling here at £700.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04- Your last chance, selling at 700... - GAVEL BANGS
0:56:04 > 0:56:07- Brilliant!- £700!- Excellent! - That's a good result.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09- That's a great result, isn't it?- Yeah!
0:56:09 > 0:56:11Well that's a lot of money that you can celebrate with.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13There is commission to pay, it's 15% plus VAT,
0:56:13 > 0:56:16we all have to pay that but, look, go out and enjoy yourselves, won't you?
0:56:16 > 0:56:19- We will!- Thank you!- And take care, thank you so much for coming in.
0:56:19 > 0:56:20- Thank you!- Thanks very much.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23And that's what we like, a runaway sale!
0:56:23 > 0:56:26Fantastic and plenty for the three sisters to share.
0:56:26 > 0:56:30- It's in the room and I sell, selling at 300... - GAVEL BANGS
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Everyone has gone home happy and that's what it's all about.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36See you next time for more fun in the auction room.