0:00:03 > 0:00:06Our Flog It! crowds are in fine fettle today
0:00:06 > 0:00:10as they assemble at our fantastic valuation day venue,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Norwich Cathedral in Norfolk -
0:00:12 > 0:00:16a county where many local families have made their mark.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Stay watching to find out more. Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Norwich Cathedral sits proudly in Norfolk,
0:00:44 > 0:00:46an area that can claim more than its fair share
0:00:46 > 0:00:49of celebrated people whose work made a difference.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Elizabeth Fry transformed prison life for women.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Robert Walpole upheld a long-lasting peace
0:00:58 > 0:01:01as Britain's first Prime Minister.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04But the cathedral boasts the grave of a particularly special person,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06the nurse Edith Cavell,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10who helped British soldiers escape during World War I.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Now, that's quite a roll call of Norfolk people.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17But first, our very own sons and daughters of Norfolk.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Look at this. Hundreds of people have turned up to the cloisters
0:01:20 > 0:01:23of Norwich Cathedral with antiques and collectibles,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and if you're happy with your valuations,
0:01:26 > 0:01:27what are you going to do?
0:01:27 > 0:01:28ALL: Flog it!
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Helping us to do that are our experts Thomas Plant,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34who's already into the bags and boxes...
0:01:34 > 0:01:36What a beautiful thing.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37That's fabulous, isn't it?
0:01:37 > 0:01:41..and Kate Bateman, who is determined to find the best objects.
0:01:41 > 0:01:42SHE CHUCKLES
0:01:42 > 0:01:46Thomas Plant hasn't been here first. That makes me happy.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49And she's definitely made her mark on this.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Play us a tune. Play us out.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54How does the Flog It! theme tune go?
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Oh, I can't remember it.
0:01:56 > 0:01:57Like this, Kate.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59FLOG IT! THEME TUNE PLAYS
0:02:01 > 0:02:02Right, let's get on with the show,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05and today there are plenty of surprises.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08They are the weirdest thing I've seen all day.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Thomas can't quite believe his good luck.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13It's the kind of thing dreams are made of.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16And nor can the owner.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17Wow. I don't know what to say.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21And I'm running away to join a family-owned circus
0:02:21 > 0:02:24that has a very special feature.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30As we get our crowds out of the cloisters and into the nave,
0:02:30 > 0:02:31time to have a quick look around
0:02:31 > 0:02:35at the people who made this cathedral what it is today.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39The monks of the Benedictine monastery who worshiped here
0:02:39 > 0:02:42for 500 years since the 12th century
0:02:42 > 0:02:44have left their mark on the architecture of the building,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46and like many places of worship,
0:02:46 > 0:02:51a host of local dignitaries are remembered here too.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Here are our very own worthy citizens of Norfolk. Look at this.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Hundreds of people have turned up, hoping
0:02:56 > 0:02:59they're one of the lucky ones to go through to the auction.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Well, it's time to find out who that first person is
0:03:02 > 0:03:04as we catch up with Thomas Plant.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07And he's done well to find his first object -
0:03:07 > 0:03:11a quite exceptional work of religious art.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13That's a very precious heirloom indeed,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and brought in by Marie Noel and Frederic.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Have you travelled across from France today
0:03:19 > 0:03:21to come to Norwich Cathedral?
0:03:21 > 0:03:22Definitely not, no.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26We've been living in Norfolk for 33 years.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27Wow.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30And this piece has travelled with you?
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Recently we took it from France
0:03:32 > 0:03:34when my mother passed away two years ago.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38It has been in the family for 200 and some 30 years.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43So, tell me the story of you owning this piece.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Yeah. There must be some history behind it. Yes. Yeah?
0:03:45 > 0:03:50Apparently, it was salvaged in 1789 from the fire
0:03:50 > 0:03:54that was started by the sans-culottes
0:03:54 > 0:03:57who were, during the French Revolution,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00they were burning all the religious artefacts.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04And my great-great-great-grandmother
0:04:04 > 0:04:06salvaged this one from the fire
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and put it in her home under mattresses
0:04:08 > 0:04:10so she wouldn't be caught.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13The sans-culottes were a political group
0:04:13 > 0:04:16who opposed the monarchy and the wealthy Catholic Church
0:04:16 > 0:04:19during the French Revolution in the 18th century.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22They destroyed any symbols of the Church they could find,
0:04:22 > 0:04:27so it's simply incredible that this object has survived.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Your great-great-great-grandmother was not in favour of this.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33No. Staunch Catholic.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Yes. Absolutely.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39And risked her life to save this crucifix. To save this, yeah.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43The sans-culottes came into her house.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45They were entering all the houses in the village
0:04:45 > 0:04:50and they were burning everything related to Christianity.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Really? Yes. So... It must have been immensely scary.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56I mean, we're talking about 200 years ago
0:04:56 > 0:04:58and a different climate altogether.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Now, looking at this object itself, there's Christ on the cross,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06feet over the other one there with the nail driven through.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Mm-hm. The arms are missing. Yeah. They've been burnt, yes.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11And the crown as well... His crown of thorns.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12..with the thorns.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15The absolute attention to detail in the face...
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Oh, the face is so... ..of the dying Christ...
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Yeah. Beautiful. It is beautiful.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22It's carved in a hardwood, probably a boxwood.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24It's a boxwood, yes.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27And then it's a gesso wash to it and then over-painted.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30The paint is in marvellous condition.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Yes, it's well-made. For what it is, it's fascinating.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Tell me, it's been passed down through the generations. Yes. Yep.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38Why are we here today?
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Why are we sitting down talking about it?
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Because my mother gave it to our son, who lives in America.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Our son has no children and he doesn't want it,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51so we want to sell it for him.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Gosh. I am particularly passionate about religious works of art.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58I think the reason why we look at religious works of art
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and look at them so highly is because every single piece
0:06:01 > 0:06:04of love and devotion has gone into making something like this.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08You can see that. Yes. The valuation is so difficult.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10I mean, if I was to put this in,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12I would suggest that as a decorative object
0:06:12 > 0:06:16you've got to start it at ?700 to ?900.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17Mm-hm.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20And then you reserve it at around 600.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25But it might make ?2,000.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27It might do. It might make more.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29With the provenance, it might help.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32But I think that's a sensible estimate.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33What do you think of that?
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Well, we are planning to make a reserve for 1,000.
0:06:36 > 0:06:391,000. Mm-hm. The reserve to start.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Yeah, the thing is, if you put it in at ?1,000,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44you might scare bidders, potential bidders, off.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45That's the difficult thing.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48If you wanted that, we'd have to go 1,000 to 1,500.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52With a fixed reserve of ?1,000.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55It's a strong valuation, but it's a lovely thing.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57It's an absolutely delightful object.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Let's go for it. Thank you, Frederic. Thank you, Marie Noel.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02It's not me, it's him! Thank you very much.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06That's a strong valuation at ?1,000 to ?1,500,
0:07:06 > 0:07:10but for an object of such personal and historic importance,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14Marie Noel and Frederic obviously want to make sure
0:07:14 > 0:07:17the price is right before they part with it.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Over to Kate, who's found something that's also been made
0:07:20 > 0:07:22with a lot of attention to detail.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Well, hello, Terrence. Hello, there.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26What do you know about this thing you've brought in?
0:07:26 > 0:07:29My wife had it left here and that's as far as we know, really.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Well, it's by a maker called William Comyns
0:07:32 > 0:07:34and he was a very prolific maker.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37He's fairly well-known for these kind of pretty silver things.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39What do you think it is?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Trinket box? Potpourri?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43I can see why you think potpourri,
0:07:43 > 0:07:44because it's got a pierced lid. Yeah.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47But I think it's more likely to be a trinket box.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Trinket box, yeah.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50You can't really put much potpourri in that.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53No, no. I think it would be bigger. But it's a gorgeous thing.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Well, you've got this pierced detail here.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57You've got... I think this is fuchsia.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I'm no botanist, but I think these are fuchsias. Yeah.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Then around the outside you've got this really sweet raised band
0:08:02 > 0:08:04of, I think, water lilies.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Again, millions of people will tell me I'm wrong,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08but they look like water lilies.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11If you have a look, we'll be able to see the hallmark.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15And this has got the maker's mark. WC for William Comyns. Yeah.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17And London hallmark for 1908... All right.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19..which just about fits in.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24William Comyns was apprentice to the Goldsmiths' Company in 1849,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26so it's fairly late in his career.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28You know, he's been working for quite a long time.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31He's reached the pinnacle of his abilities, really, by now.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33I mean, he's had all of that practice.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36And this is a really nice piece. It's pretty saleable. It is.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Any idea what you think it would be worth?
0:08:38 > 0:08:42As much as you can get for it. That's what auctioneers try and do.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43We've been told about 100, 150.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45I think that's about right, actually.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I would say maybe put a firm reserve of 80 on it. 80, yeah?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50And 100 to 150 estimate.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Yeah. And I think it will do that every day of the week.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Yeah, that'll be fine. Really easy sale for auction.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56Yeah, it's nice, isn't it?
0:08:56 > 0:08:58What will you do with the money if we sell it?
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Well, we're going on holiday to Cape Verde, so... Cape Verde?
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Yeah. Very nice. A week in the sun.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07It might not get you a ticket there, Terry,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09but it could pay for a few cocktails.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13Now, Kate's looking enamoured with her next item.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16So, Catherine, you've brought this fantastic little pendant in.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17What can you tell me about it?
0:09:17 > 0:09:21I just liked it and I bought it at the Scouts' jumble sale.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Boy Scouts! Boy Scouts' jumble sale.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24How long ago? About 30 years.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26OK, do you remember what you paid?
0:09:26 > 0:09:29About ?2.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30?2!
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Actually, that was quite a lot of money back then.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36Well, I give money cos my two sons were in the Scouts.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Oh, OK. And one son now is a Scout leader. Is he?
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I tell you what, I am a Scout leader for my son's Boy Scouts.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Are you? It's not a good uniform. Yes.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46But this thing is fabulous.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50So you've never worn it? No. Never wore it. Right. No.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53What it is, is you've got this fabulous heart
0:09:53 > 0:09:54that's made of citrine,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56so it's a type of quartz and that's below.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59And it's really smooth, so it's like cabochon, it's called.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01It's polished to really high shine.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04And then this is unmarked gold, so there's no markings,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06but it's probably going to be continental.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Maybe 15 or 18-carat gold. Yes.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10And then you've got little seed pearls here. Yes.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13So they're sort of natural freshwater pearls.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15And then you've got a little tiny emerald
0:10:15 > 0:10:18and a couple of tiny rubies all the way around the outside.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21It's gorgeous. The quality is lovely.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23I mean, for ?2 that's pretty impressive. Yes, yes.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26I never find things like that for ?2. It's intriguing.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29I mean, it's not the most fashionable of designs,
0:10:29 > 0:10:30it's quite fancy. Yes.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32And it's not going to be to everybody's taste,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35but I think it's about 1910, 1920s, something like that. Yes.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37It's quite good fun.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Any idea price-wise what you think...? No, no.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40No?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Well, I'd like to see it, if it was going to auction,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45maybe 80-120, something like that. Yes.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I mean, I think there will be collectors out there for it. Yes.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49And it's just such a gorgeous piece.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50I mean, it's really unusual.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53We'd normally put a reserve just below the low estimate.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57So if we put 80-120 estimate... Yes. ..we'd probably put a ?60 reserve.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59So it wouldn't be sold for less than that.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Would you be happy with that? Yes, I would. Oh, OK.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Well, shall we flog it? Yes, flog it.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Fingers crossed, it's going to sail away. Yes.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06Thank you very much.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11You like to bring us all sorts of surprises
0:11:11 > 0:11:15at our valuation day events, and today is no exception.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Peter's brought in a delightful object from his boyhood.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21So, tell me, is this your childhood toy?
0:11:21 > 0:11:24It is one of them, yes. One of them. Yes.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Were you a really good boy?
0:11:25 > 0:11:29Probably. Were you? I mean, you've kept it in immaculate condition.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30Tell me about it.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35I think I got it in about 1957, 1958 for a birthday, and...
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Can you remember how old you were?
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Yes, I can. Go on, tell me.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Probably about nine or ten. Nine or ten.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44And it could've been quite an expensive present then.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45It probably was, yes.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48So, the main present from Mum and Dad. Yes.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Sweet!
0:11:50 > 0:11:55What I'm amazed by is the Triumph TR2 Sports
0:11:55 > 0:11:57is in immaculate condition,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00and the box, has it been in a loft?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02It's been in a cupboard. It stayed on the shelf.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04It's survived so well.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07And I had sort of another car, similar,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09and I played with that one, but this one
0:12:09 > 0:12:11I think probably was a bit more delicate
0:12:11 > 0:12:15because, you know, the seats can sort of come out for the batteries.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18So, the seats are... This lifts out and the batteries are in there.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20That's right. And that lifts out there. Yes.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22And the steering wheel turns.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24It's got forward and reverse on it.
0:12:24 > 0:12:25And it's Victory models.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Victory Industries were started
0:12:27 > 0:12:30at the end of the Second World War by two gentlemen
0:12:30 > 0:12:34in a shed, or a boat shed, in Surrey
0:12:34 > 0:12:36and it grew into a larger business.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Tell me, what made you bring it today?
0:12:39 > 0:12:41That's what I'm interested in.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43It's been sitting on the shelf, and I thought,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46"Well, maybe time to sell it."
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Did you have children yourself? Yeah, I do. A girl. A girl. Yes.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Is it emotional for you to get rid of it
0:12:51 > 0:12:53or is that all gone? A little bit.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56No, it's slightly emotional. Yeah? Yes.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58But I think let someone else enjoy it.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Memories are a strange thing, aren't they? Yes.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02Your nostalgia or memories,
0:13:02 > 0:13:06and it's going to be sold to somebody who's going to buy it,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09who's going to be a collector who probably remembers it
0:13:09 > 0:13:12from their childhood or their father having one and they want one.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Yes. Anyway, what's it really worth?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Well, in the condition it's in,
0:13:16 > 0:13:20I think it's worth at least three figures, I have to say,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23and I would estimate this at ?100 to ?150.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25I wouldn't be surprised if it made more.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27These models are quite popular. Well done for bringing it.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31Well, it's nice that you're local.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Today I am. Yes.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35I hope that'll find a fitting owner
0:13:35 > 0:13:38who'll also love it for its sentimental value.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39Before we head off to auction,
0:13:39 > 0:13:41there is something I would like to show you.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57When we visit a cathedral like Norwich, we're used to seeing
0:13:57 > 0:14:02the sculptures and the stained glass that were expressions of the clergy.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05It's often hard in great places of worship to feel you really
0:14:05 > 0:14:08hear the voice of the people, let alone the common man.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10But they did have their say, in fact, they left their mark.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13In order to see it, you need one of these.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18As your eye passes over the walls of the cathedral,
0:14:18 > 0:14:23you'll certainly see the normal wear and tear of a 900-year-old building.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25But that's not all.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Now, if you get into all the recesses and up close
0:14:27 > 0:14:30to the stonework, something remarkable happens.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31Look, watch this.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33But you have to shine a light onto it.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35And all of a sudden,
0:14:35 > 0:14:39all of these scratches and cuts into the stone become little images.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41This is early graffiti.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46Look, this one's of a little house, and it's actually dated 1634.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49And it's all over the cathedral - it's everywhere.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52And they weren't put here by the monks,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55but by the churchgoers themselves.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58To find out more about these fascinating images,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01I've met up with archaeologist Matthew Champion
0:15:01 > 0:15:05who has looked at graffiti in churches all over Britain
0:15:05 > 0:15:09and is currently studying the ones here.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12So why are you conducting a study here?
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Basically because it's absolutely full of early inscriptions
0:15:14 > 0:15:17and no-one's ever looked at them before.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20So this is an entirely new resource,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23an entirely new corpus of medieval material that no-one's looked at.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Fresh to you. Absolutely. And what's the average age on them?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28The age of the graffiti, the earliest date we've got
0:15:28 > 0:15:29really dates back to about the 12th century,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32so near the beginning of the cathedral's building.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36And the most modern, I suppose... Well, probably about last month.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37Oh, really?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39You come across those. Absolutely. So recent.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41What was the purpose?
0:15:41 > 0:15:44In some cases it is literally about leaving their mark on the wall.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46But in other cases,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49particularly in places like Norwich Cathedral, it's a prayer.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50It's devotional.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53They are quite literally prayers made solid in stone.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59With well over 5,000 pieces of graffiti here,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01we're going to pick out a few that tell us more
0:16:01 > 0:16:03about those early churchgoers.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Oh, yes, look at that. I can see it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11It's the bow of the ship and I can see the mast and the sails.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12Absolutely. Why would someone
0:16:12 > 0:16:14scratch a sailing vessel on the wall?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17What we've got here is something that dates back to at least
0:16:17 > 0:16:20the 15th century and it's fairly typical of the
0:16:20 > 0:16:22trading vessels you would have seen coming all the way up
0:16:22 > 0:16:24the river here to Norwich.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29So I suspect that this is actually devotional in nature
0:16:29 > 0:16:32and it's probably done by one of the local merchants. Right, OK.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35And if you look down here, you follow this line all the way down.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Right at the end there. Oh, look, I can see an anchor.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Absolutely. We find this all over the place.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Originally, we thought they were just by the coasts,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44but now we're finding them many, many miles inland.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48And we're pretty convinced that a lot of these are prayers.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Whether they are a prayer for a safe voyage yet to come,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54or thanksgiving for a safe voyage already undertaken, we don't know.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Powerful stuff. Powerful stuff.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05So what place did prayer have in the life of the common man?
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Faith and prayer in the Middle Ages was absolutely crucial to the
0:17:08 > 0:17:10ordinary man in the street.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14It was a matter literally of eternal life or death.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19It was...whether to get on the wrong side of a rather cross
0:17:19 > 0:17:23and avenging God, or to keep him on his side.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26They were concerned not so much about the everyday life,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28but about their eternal destiny.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32So acts of generosity, acts of piety, the way you behaved,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35really had an influence on what was going to happen forever.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40It just wasn't seafaring families that sought
0:17:40 > 0:17:42the blessing of the church.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Even the rich local merchants came here to seek their blessing
0:17:46 > 0:17:48through their own graffiti.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Essentially, a merchant's mark
0:17:49 > 0:17:51is kind of like the logo of the Middle Ages.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54It would have been used by a medieval merchant
0:17:54 > 0:17:55as his particular symbol.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58It's branding. It is branding, absolutely.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00What we see here though is quite unusual.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03We see clusters of these all around the cathedral.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05So in this area, we've got this cluster
0:18:05 > 0:18:08of lots of different merchant marks in here.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12And they all suggest that this was an area of particular
0:18:12 > 0:18:14spiritual significance.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16This particular spot within the cathedral?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Somewhere round here, somewhere around here.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Now, during the Middle Ages, merchants and their guilds
0:18:21 > 0:18:22supported things like alters
0:18:22 > 0:18:24and their own chantry chapels, and things like that.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28So they were paying for this area of the cathedral. Yes.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31It really was a mixture of religion and the merchant classes.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Did the church mind all of this going on?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35I think the evidence we've got
0:18:35 > 0:18:39so far is that these seem to have been accepted and acceptable.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42The church could have wiped these out at any time, they didn't.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43They left them here.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46So it does rather suggest it wasn't a problem.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47Far from it.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49As this artistic impression shows,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52churches were painted in bright colours, so the graffiti
0:18:52 > 0:18:57would have stood out for all to see and even the monks were at it -
0:18:57 > 0:18:59scratching out games in the cloisters
0:18:59 > 0:19:02and doodling musical phrases for their chants.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08But the graffiti here also had a more sombre purpose.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09Evil, as a force,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13was very much a feature of life in the Middle Ages
0:19:13 > 0:19:18because ill-health, things going wrong,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23bad luck, all could be attributed to some evil force.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29We get these just about everywhere that you find Medieval
0:19:29 > 0:19:30graffiti inscriptions.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Churches all over the country, from Scotland all the way down to Dorset.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36What's it all about? It's not Celtic, is it?
0:19:36 > 0:19:41No, these are what we call witch marks or ritual protection marks.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45And they are very specifically designed to ward off evil.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47You know, the medieval church was a very different church
0:19:47 > 0:19:48from the one we know today.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Evil was all around them
0:19:50 > 0:19:54and these really are that front line in their defence against the devil.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56And that wards off devils and witches.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Devils, witches and just the evil eye.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Well, you are a graffiti detective, aren't you, really?
0:20:03 > 0:20:04It's very interesting.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06It's just the day job.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Blessing and curses were very much real things.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Tangible, almost.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16You wanted blessings, you wanted to accumulate blessings for your life,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19your prosperity, your family, your health.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22But the opposite of that of course was the curse.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25And those curses were felt to be very real
0:20:25 > 0:20:28and somebody who thought they'd been cursed would feel very,
0:20:28 > 0:20:33very upset and do all they could to counteract that.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34Look at this.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Now, this is a medieval curse.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40This relates to an old Norwich family, the Kaynffords.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42It's written upside down and back to front,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44so that tells us it's a medieval curse.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46As you can see it here, look. So we've got,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50K-A-Y-N, double F in Kaynfford, O-R-D.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Kaynfford. I mean, this family have upset somebody.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56So they've scratched it there in the wall.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58"There, that's a curse.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59"That'll teach you."
0:20:59 > 0:21:01I wonder if they got their comeuppance.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11As you look at these irregular grooves in the stonework,
0:21:11 > 0:21:16you can really feel the presence of the common man over 900 years.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22This has to be my favourite piece of graffiti in the whole cathedral.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Look at this, it was done in the 1580s.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28And it's a gentleman in his Sunday best.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Look, you can see his beard. He's got a thick beard.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33His eyes have been really quite deeply gouged into the stone.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34He's got a hat on.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36He's got a doublet here, look.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Buttons all the way down the breast front.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42And here on his thighs, you can see his hoes billowing out.
0:21:42 > 0:21:43This is wonderful.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46This is a gesture of sheer self-expression.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49This is a chap proud of his new clothes.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03And now a quick reminder of what's going off to auction.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06There are some great survivors, like this carved statue of Jesus.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It has strong provenance and is a poignant reminder
0:22:09 > 0:22:11of the destruction carried out
0:22:11 > 0:22:14during the French Revolution.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18We have Terry's mid-19th century silver trinket box,
0:22:18 > 0:22:19made by renowned silversmith
0:22:19 > 0:22:22William Comyns.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26There's Catherine's citrine pendant, bought at a Scout jumble sale.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29But will the bidders be prepared, as the motto goes,
0:22:29 > 0:22:30when it comes up for sale?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33And there's a little boy's idea
0:22:33 > 0:22:36of heaven in the 1950s toy car,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38which could triumph when it goes under the hammer.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Now we're on the road to our saleroom at Diss,
0:22:44 > 0:22:45south of Norwich,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49where the sun is out and the crowds are already viewing the lots.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52It is auction time, and anything can happen.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Today we're at TW Gaze in Diss. There's three sales going on today.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58There's rural bygones, as you can see here.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00There's a collectible sale.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02But inside, that's where the action is happening.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03That's the fine art and antiques.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Let's go inside and catch up with our owners.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Fingers crossed we hit the high numbers today.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10And don't forget, you'll be paying commission here,
0:23:10 > 0:23:14which is set at 15%, including VAT.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16And on the rostrum today we have two auctioneers,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Ed Smith and Robert Kinsella.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Time for Terry's beautiful decorated silver trinket box
0:23:22 > 0:23:25by sought-after silversmith William Comyns.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28And Terry has brought along his family.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30This is your inheritance Dad's flogging off.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33I know! I know! Yeah. It's a nice thing, though, Kate.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35It's a good maker, William Comyns. Really pretty.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38So, I think it'll go. I think 100 to 150 is a good estimate.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Confident. Yeah. Confident.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Right, we're going to put it under the hammer.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45How about that one? Here we go. First it's Robert on the rostrum.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Super little piece, this. Good run of bids here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50We're going in bottom end at 100 as a start. I'll take ten.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Straight in. 110. 120. 130. 140.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59It's ?140 then. Any advance? We'll sell at 140.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Yes. There we go. Well done, Kate. Well in estimate there.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04It was, wasn't it? Yeah. Happy?
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Wow, yeah. Good day, yeah. Brilliant. Thank you so much.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Family day out. Yeah, family. Family day.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10I'll have to take them all out now.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14And I hope they enjoy themselves.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18Next it's the utterly one-of-a-kind carving of Christ,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21rescued during the turmoil of the French Revolution
0:24:21 > 0:24:22by Frederic's ancestor.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24The history buffs should love this one.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28When you hold this, you're holding a piece of history
0:24:28 > 0:24:30and it's so tactile you don't want to put it down.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33The gesso work and the carving is second to none, isn't it?
0:24:33 > 0:24:39It's very, very good. Thomas, ?1,000 to ?1,500?
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Well, it's just amazing history. It is an amazing history.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44I personally think that's very reasonable. Yeah.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46I think it's immensely rare. Yeah.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48The story, the provenance with it,
0:24:48 > 0:24:52which Frederic and Marie Noel have given us is tremendous,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55and hopefully that transports itself to the saleroom.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Yeah. Fingers crossed it sells. Good luck.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Fingers crossed. Yeah.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04The 16th-century polychrome figure of Christ there,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07rescued by the current owner's great-great-great-grandmother
0:25:07 > 0:25:10over 220 years ago, so a very interesting piece.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Great provenance.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17We're going to start at 750. 750 we have. Is there 800?
0:25:17 > 0:25:19It's in at ?750 now.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Where's 800? Online.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25?750. The room is quiet at ?750.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30No. Not one bid on it today.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32I'm sorry about that.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Don't worry. No-one picked it up on the internet either. No. It's...
0:25:36 > 0:25:40That's just auctions for you. No, it's not a problem. OK.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42It's a family souvenir, as we explained to Thomas.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44I think it deserves to be kept.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49You certainly can't let an item like that go for too little,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51so the owners have done the right thing
0:25:51 > 0:25:54by taking it home and cherishing it.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Our third lot is a touch of its owner's boyhood -
0:25:57 > 0:26:02Peter's Triumph toy sports car, dating to the 1950s.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05My only complaint about this lot is if I had to have a Triumph,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08it would have to be dark British racing green.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Yes. That's the colour, isn't it? Not white for me. Oh, I don't know.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15That's classic '60s, though, and you've played with this,
0:26:15 > 0:26:16yet it's in mint condition.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Yes. Isn't it? Didn't play that much with it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I had two cars and this one didn't get played with as much.
0:26:22 > 0:26:23So, the other one got the bashing. It did.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Or the batteries ran out on this one a lot.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27Look, it's boxed as well.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30It's here to go and I think this is a great collectible. Good.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35And on this one, I'm starting in just below guide at ?70.
0:26:35 > 0:26:3870 I have. Who has a 5? 5. 80. 5. 90.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Phone bid. 5. 100. Yeah. 110. 120. Yeah. Racing away.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44120 on commission. 120 I have.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Is there 30? Will be selling for ?120.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Are we all done?
0:26:50 > 0:26:52?120. That's brilliantly sold. Great. Yeah.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Very good result. You're happy with that.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56There's a big smile on Peter's face.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58And hopefully it's going to a really good collector.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Yes. I'm sure. Thank you.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04I bet that's gone to someone who's always coveted that car,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06and now they own one.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Our next lot is Catherine's heart-shaped, citrine pendant,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14bought for ?2 at a Boy Scouts' jumble sale.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Semiprecious stone, isn't it, citrine? It's lovely.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20It's really pretty. I would buy this myself cos I think this is pretty.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21I know, I understand you put the value on this,
0:27:21 > 0:27:25but why is a semiprecious stone like that worth so little?
0:27:25 > 0:27:26Cos it's so beautiful.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28It's semiprecious, so there's quite a lot of it around.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29It's not an unusual rock.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31It's not like a pink diamond or something. No.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34So there's a lot of it around, but it's a beautifully crafted thing.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37It's got those tiny little inset things of pearl.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40OK, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we? Yes.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Ready? Ready for this? I promise to do my best.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45You are... You are a Boy Scout, aren't you?
0:27:45 > 0:27:47A Boy Scout leader for my boys. Boy Scout leader, yes. I am.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Yes, I should have said that, a Boy Scout leader.
0:27:50 > 0:27:51I'm not actually a Boy Scout.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Good luck, both of you, here we go.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56Lovely pretty piece this.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00And bids are in, and they'll start me top end at 120.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01I'll take 130.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03120's the bid now, is there 130?
0:28:03 > 0:28:04140.
0:28:04 > 0:28:05150, 160.
0:28:05 > 0:28:06170, 180.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08190, 200.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10220, 240.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12260, 280. 280!
0:28:12 > 0:28:13300, 320.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15?320 bid as you see it there.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19At 320 and fair warning, it will sell at 320.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Crack, the hammer's gone down.
0:28:22 > 0:28:23Lovely! ?320.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25It was a cautious estimate.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Of course it was. Yes.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Thank you. Hey, you're happy, aren't you? Yes, I am.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31And I'm happy and so's Kate.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33And that's the main thing, isn't it? Yes.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Well, there you are. The hammer has just gone down.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41That is the end of our first visit to the saleroom today.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45Now, earlier I mentioned some famous entrepreneurial families
0:28:45 > 0:28:48that brought wealth to this area, but what about entertainment?
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Well, earlier I took a trip to the seaside,
0:28:51 > 0:28:53to Great Yarmouth in fact,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55to meet a family who've made it their business
0:28:55 > 0:28:58to entertain the masses for over 100 years.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07At the turn of the 20th century,
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Great Yarmouth was a magnet for Edwardians
0:29:10 > 0:29:13seeking entertainment along the promenade.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Today, many of those venues have been replaced
0:29:16 > 0:29:21with modern versions, but there are still remnants of bygone days.
0:29:21 > 0:29:22Step away from the seafront
0:29:22 > 0:29:24and you come across something really special -
0:29:24 > 0:29:28the original hippodrome built in 1903.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30What's even more remarkable is how one family
0:29:30 > 0:29:32have brought this venue back to life,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35and I'm about to find out how they've done it.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38In the early 20th century,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41indoor circuses were known as hippodromes
0:29:41 > 0:29:43and they were very popular,
0:29:43 > 0:29:45but while most of them eventually closed,
0:29:45 > 0:29:49this one has remained open, making it one of only three
0:29:49 > 0:29:53remaining in the world that's still used as a circus.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Today, it's a traditional show with acrobats and jugglers
0:30:00 > 0:30:04who come from across the globe, but it has something almost unique
0:30:04 > 0:30:07going for it that really draws the crowds.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Now, this may look like a normal stage, but it's not,
0:30:11 > 0:30:13as I'm about to demonstrate.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Now, this is an old Edwardian gate valve,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20and behind this cladding there's a tank
0:30:20 > 0:30:23containing 20,000 gallons of water.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24And I'm about to release it.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35That water has found its way up through these slats,
0:30:35 > 0:30:36as you can see here,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39filling this original Edwardian feature,
0:30:39 > 0:30:40but there's more to come.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41Are you ready for this? Here we go.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Right, guys. Three, two, one. HE BLOWS WHISTLE
0:30:48 > 0:30:50That drops to a depth of about five feet.
0:30:50 > 0:30:51You can swim in that.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Right, let the show begin.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57HE GRUNTS
0:30:57 > 0:31:00DRUMS PLAY
0:31:02 > 0:31:04ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC PLAYS
0:31:16 > 0:31:20Like many traditional circuses, this one's a family affair.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Owner Peter Jay is at the helm,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25family members produce and choreograph the show
0:31:25 > 0:31:30and son Jack doubles as the creative director and ringmaster.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Jack, what traditionally happened in a water circus?
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Well, buildings like this were obviously far more prominent
0:31:37 > 0:31:39than they are now, although not every circus building
0:31:39 > 0:31:41had the water spectacle, so even then, in 1903,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44it was something that was quite special.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46They had people jumping in and a couple of people swimming.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Also horses running around, if you can imagine such a thing.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52One-legged men on bicycles coming off the balcony
0:31:52 > 0:31:53and diving into the pool.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56So, you know, we try and utilise it as much as we possibly can,
0:31:56 > 0:31:59but in those days it was kind of anything goes as far as the water.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01But you've introduced a modern element now.
0:32:01 > 0:32:02Yeah, absolutely.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05I mean, having the pool there is such a unique and amazing thing.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07We've tried to do with it as much as possible.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11And I know Dad has brought you in on the business,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14so you get to be involved with the performance.
0:32:14 > 0:32:15You write, you direct.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Yeah. Now I kind of have taken quite a lot on.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20I mean, I started here... I think my first job, I was eight.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22I used to spin plates as a kid before the show,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24try and sell them the sympathy vote.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Then I started playing drums. Then I got involved with the direction.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29And like you say, with these shows, I write them,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32direct them and perform in them, so it's a lot,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35but thanks to Dad, I've had a huge amount of mentorship.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38It's great. So, you get to be a kid all day long, don't you?
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Basically, yeah. I mean, that is one big tall boat, isn't it?
0:32:41 > 0:32:43Yeah, you know, sword fighting, throwing buckets of water,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46playing around in a pirate ship - it's not a bad day's work.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07All this is a far cry from the first circus
0:33:07 > 0:33:09in this very building,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12started by George Gilbert, with The Indian Boy Wonder
0:33:12 > 0:33:15and The Colibri Midgets on the bill.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18The hippodrome circus continued through the 20th century,
0:33:18 > 0:33:22but by 1978, it was up for sale.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25The man who stepped in to save it was Peter Jay,
0:33:25 > 0:33:27a former musician and entrepreneur
0:33:27 > 0:33:30whose family ran theatres in Great Yarmouth.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35What I love about sitting here is it really takes you back in time.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38I feel like I'm in Edwardian England on the seafront.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Fantastic. That's exactly what we're trying to do.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43I've been to so many theatres where they modernised it
0:33:43 > 0:33:45and they've taken all the life out of it. Yeah.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Wrong colours, they've thrown stuff away.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51The building embraces you. You get through the foyer and you see it.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53It's that wonderful red with the lovely gilt everywhere,
0:33:53 > 0:33:56and all of a sudden you go, "Yeah. I'm going to be in for a show."
0:34:02 > 0:34:05So, what made you buy the hippodrome,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07and when you did, had you any idea what you wanted to do with it?
0:34:07 > 0:34:11We hadn't. We bought it to stop it becoming a bingo hall,
0:34:11 > 0:34:13and then having bought it, we thought, "What should we do?
0:34:13 > 0:34:15"Let's have a go at this circus thing."
0:34:15 > 0:34:17It was something I'd never been into.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18In fact, I didn't really like circuses.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21As a sort of young drummer, rock background... Yeah.
0:34:21 > 0:34:22..show business, it wasn't my thing.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27And fast-forward 35 years, we're still trying to find out.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36What was left?
0:34:36 > 0:34:37Was everything left as a circus
0:34:37 > 0:34:39or did you have to go out and sort it?
0:34:39 > 0:34:41The ring was here. The seats were here.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44It was painted a sort of pale grey and a very horrible pink.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46We tried to put the atmosphere back.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49So, when did the passion for circuses sort of kick in with you?
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Obviously you're used to being on stage,
0:34:51 > 0:34:52but the circus is a little bit different.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I think the magic of the building started to work on me,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57and I thought, "What can we do in this space?"
0:34:57 > 0:34:59And then everybody was coming up and saying...
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Remember, the water spectacle hadn't been used for 25 years,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04so we restored the water spectacle back.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06And then you start getting into circus
0:35:06 > 0:35:08and seeing all the wonderful acts.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10You think, "Oh, we can do something with that.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12"We can change the music, change the lighting."
0:35:12 > 0:35:14And gradually, it takes over your life.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25It doesn't end here with performance.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29Peter is also on a mission to educate people about the circus,
0:35:29 > 0:35:32and backstage has become an incredibly eclectic,
0:35:32 > 0:35:37if chaotic, depository of all things circus related.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Every bit of available space backstage has been crammed
0:35:41 > 0:35:44full of circus memorabilia, from costumes to props,
0:35:44 > 0:35:45musical instruments.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47You name it. It's all here.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Peter has collected it over the years.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50A lot of blood, sweat and tears
0:35:50 > 0:35:53has gone into this, ladies and gentlemen,
0:35:53 > 0:35:55so roll up, roll up, the circus is in town.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58The great thing is, after the show, you can even have a tour down here.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01It puts a smile on your face and it takes you back in time.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05And there's even a home-made clown's drum kit. Just look at this.
0:36:06 > 0:36:07Go!
0:36:13 > 0:36:16There is method to all this circus madness.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Peter has stayed true to his entertainment roots,
0:36:19 > 0:36:22to the spirit of the place and to the spirit of a family
0:36:22 > 0:36:26who share a passion for this circus every step of the way.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29They've all got lumbered, really, into the family business,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31but they love it. Best way to keep it, isn't it?
0:36:31 > 0:36:33It's great. Keep it in the family. They love it.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37You have to love show business to be in it. It's a hard gig. Sure.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40But hopefully, you know, that'll carry on for the next generation.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42When Jack's kids come along they'll inherit it, work in it
0:36:42 > 0:36:44and get involved in it. Exactly.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47You know, I'll be 50 soon, so we have to start thinking
0:36:47 > 0:36:49about the future, don't we?
0:36:49 > 0:36:50Yeah. You're not supposed to laugh.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Well, as you can see, I didn't run away and join the circus.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13That's because there's more fun to be had back here
0:37:13 > 0:37:15at our valuation day at Norwich Cathedral
0:37:15 > 0:37:18where the crowds have been entertaining our experts.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22Let's now find out what our next item is.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24And there are many more family sagas to come.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Thomas looks like the cat who's got the cream with an object
0:37:28 > 0:37:31the likes of which he hardly ever gets to see.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33It was made by one of the most famous
0:37:33 > 0:37:35early 20th century family businesses -
0:37:35 > 0:37:37the Martin Brothers.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39David, David, David.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42You have brought a piece of Martin Brothers in. I have.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Do you know, it's the kind of thing dreams are made of.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Tell me, how have you come about this piece?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Charity shop.
0:37:51 > 0:37:52I don't believe you.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54It was on the shelf for about two weeks.
0:37:54 > 0:38:00I saw it, I liked it, but it was absolutely covered in nicotine.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01You couldn't see the design.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05There was no shine to it. Nothing. But I did like the fish on it. Yeah.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07And that kept drawing me to it.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10So, you went into the charity shop for two weeks looking,
0:38:10 > 0:38:11"Oh, I like the fish." Yeah.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Did you have any inclination that it might be Martin Brothers?
0:38:14 > 0:38:18No. It was on a rare day off.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20I was off sick.
0:38:20 > 0:38:21Nothing to watch on TV.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25Pressed the red button, Flog It Trade Secrets,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27and they had... I think that was you.
0:38:27 > 0:38:28That was me. Yes.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Did a little expose on Martin Brothers.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Yeah, on the Martin Brothers. I thought, "Whoa. I've got one."
0:38:34 > 0:38:36You'd already bought it by then.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39I already had it two, two and a half years.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41And how much was it when you bought it?
0:38:41 > 0:38:42?2.50.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46That's incredible.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49The Martin Brothers made a variety of pottery styles,
0:38:49 > 0:38:51but the ultimate price for the collector
0:38:51 > 0:38:54is the tobacco jar known as the Wally Bird.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57They can fetch as much as ?60,000 in auction,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59so David's vase is pretty special.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04So, you have bought a piece of Martin Brothers,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06and we call it Martin Brothers cos there were four brothers.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09This one has been designed by Edwin. He did the fish.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Now, the factory, or the art pottery,
0:39:11 > 0:39:15the studio was started in the late 19th century in the 1870s,
0:39:15 > 0:39:16and that was in London, in Southall.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20Successful and then sort of went a bit wrong.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24I think tragedy was involved. There was a fire, etc.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27And they all sort of fell out. One of them hid all the pots. Yeah.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Didn't want to sell them. Yeah.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31So, you can imagine them all imploding together.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33That's what sometimes happens. Yep. Families.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36But these four brothers, in the short time they produced,
0:39:36 > 0:39:40produced some of the most important work in London,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43in art pottery terms, which we've seen,
0:39:43 > 0:39:48and their pottery today is highly prized and highly collected.
0:39:48 > 0:39:53It's stoneware, and this is called sgraffito ware work -
0:39:53 > 0:39:58when they engrave into the body of the clay
0:39:58 > 0:40:02and then glaze it to give it this wonderful 3-D effect.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05I love the eel. He looks quite happy, this little eel.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07And this magnificent old fish here.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Now, this has been in the wars.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11There's a U-shaped crack there
0:40:11 > 0:40:13and there's a slight one coming down there.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15You can see it coming down there, the crack, can't you?
0:40:15 > 0:40:18But on the whole, it's all there. It's OK, yeah.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20It could be restored... Yeah.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24..in a professional manner, and you would never see it.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27We got the date. Yeah. We spoke about the date.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30It's September, I believe. Yes, the 9th, 1892.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33It's quite good to have that date, isn't it? Yeah.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36Why have you brought it here to sell it? You obviously liked it.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39I stuff it at the back of the TV now because I daren't have...
0:40:39 > 0:40:43My daughter brings her children around. "Ah!"
0:40:43 > 0:40:45You know, it just takes one knock, it's a piece of art gone.
0:40:45 > 0:40:46I know exactly what you mean.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48You're worried about it being broken. Broken.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50So, therefore we need to talk about value.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52With the damage...
0:40:52 > 0:40:55I mean, if it was perfect, I'd say 1,000, 1,500.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57If it was perfect. Right.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59So, cos it's damaged, you've got to half it immediately.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Yeah. And then just edge a little bit off.
0:41:02 > 0:41:07So, I think we're going to say between ?400 and ?600. Excellent.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12Yeah? So, that's sort of almost of 200% mark-up, isn't it?
0:41:12 > 0:41:13There's a worse story to it.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16I don't want to know. There was another one, was there?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19They used to do the shoebill. Yeah. The shoebill.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22I think I looked in a magazine. A tobacco jar.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25And I saw it and I thought to myself, "That's horrible.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27"Absolutely horrible."
0:41:27 > 0:41:29What, in the charity shop? The same one?
0:41:29 > 0:41:32In the same charity shop. Same time? Same time. Oh, dear.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35A Wally Bird tobacco jar. Yeah, OK.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38?20,000. And they probably sold it.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41I didn't even bother asking how much they were asking for it.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Best not to think about it.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48So, here's a tip in case you think you've found a Wally Bird
0:41:48 > 0:41:49or any other piece.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52Look out for the distinctive designs,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54a signature and a date, and whatever happens,
0:41:54 > 0:41:58if you do find one, bring it along to a "Flog It!" valuation day.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03It's hard to top that, but Kate's having a good stab at it.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Well, Lillian, you've bought us a bit of bling to "Flog It!" today.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09What have you got here?
0:42:09 > 0:42:13A gold and apple-coloured jade jewellery set
0:42:13 > 0:42:16that I inherited via my mother-in-law. Right.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18It looks absolutely beautiful
0:42:18 > 0:42:20the way it's being displayed here today,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23and it looked lovely in the box, but I've never worn it.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25You've never worn it. Do you know where it's from? Hong Kong.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27My father-in-law, he was stationed out there.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29He was in the Royal Signals. Oh, OK.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32And he had it made as a gift for my mother-in-law.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Do you ever recall her wearing it? No. No.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37I think she did the same. She had it in a box.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41Stuck it in a box and never wore it. Well, it's rather a nice thing.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44I mean, it's 18-carat gold and it's really nice detail.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46And as you say, you called it apple green, which is nice.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48I've never seen an apple quite that colour.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52I mean, it is very bright green, but it's kind of nice.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54You've got a bit of white mottling in there, almost, in the jade,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57and jade is basically a couple of silica-based materials
0:42:57 > 0:42:58that make up jade.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01It's quite daring as a piece of jewellery.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03You've got the necklace, you've got the matching bracelet,
0:43:03 > 0:43:07a ring and the earrings, so it's a whole set.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Have you ever thought about value?
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Well, insurance purposes, it was valued.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Last year it was 3,000.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Oh, my goodness. It's a good thing we're sitting down. Yeah. 3,000?
0:43:16 > 0:43:20But that's insurance value, isn't it? It's not realistic.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24Insurance value is usually several times retail value,
0:43:24 > 0:43:26because it's what it would cost you to find it and the effort
0:43:26 > 0:43:28of doing it and everything else,
0:43:28 > 0:43:30but for auction, I would've thought around ?500.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33So, ?400 to ?600, something like that.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Is that the kind of figure that you'd try and sell it for, or...?
0:43:36 > 0:43:39It's better than it sitting in the box, isn't it?
0:43:39 > 0:43:42Well, that's true. And insuring it is a cost as well.
0:43:42 > 0:43:43That's right, yes.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46Maybe a reserve of 350, just to be on the safe side,
0:43:46 > 0:43:49so if it doesn't make that, it's not sold and you would keep it.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51But you don't want to give it away. No.
0:43:51 > 0:43:52There's a certain amount of just basic gold
0:43:52 > 0:43:55and precious stones' weight there, so it is quite a fun thing.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58There are lots of people that would wear a garniture like that.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00Shall we give it a go? Yes, I'd like that.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02Let's send it to the sale and flog it.
0:44:02 > 0:44:03Thank you.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09It's always wonderful to have a spin around our valuation day
0:44:09 > 0:44:13venue to see the array of things you bring in for us.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16And Lorraine has brought me something that's right up my street.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18Well, you know that old saying,
0:44:18 > 0:44:21"Oh, he was born with a silver spoon," but do you know what?
0:44:21 > 0:44:24I'd rather be born with a sycamore one, yes, this one right here.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27The one that belongs to Lorraine and not for much longer.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29Thank you for bringing this in
0:44:29 > 0:44:31and letting me hold such a little treasure.
0:44:31 > 0:44:32Just look at this.
0:44:32 > 0:44:35And it's dated 1671.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38I think this is one of the oldest things we've got on the show today
0:44:38 > 0:44:41that we found in the Cathedral and I love it.
0:44:41 > 0:44:42Absolutely love it.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45Tell me a bit about yourself first. Are you born and bred in Norwich?
0:44:45 > 0:44:47No. No, I was brought up in Hull in Yorkshire,
0:44:47 > 0:44:50but I've been in Norwich since the early '70s.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52And what do you think of the Cathedral?
0:44:52 > 0:44:53Oh, I think it's wonderful.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55Oh, it's stunning, isn't it?
0:44:55 > 0:44:57What a backdrop for our valuation.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59I think this is an English piece
0:44:59 > 0:45:03and it's been executed by a master craftsman.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06You know it's made of sycamore, but it's charming.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10It's got some incised carving, almost architectural capital.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12Can you see that? It's a column, it's a
0:45:12 > 0:45:16strong column and there's this hand at the end grasping a Bible.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18It's definitely a christening spoon
0:45:18 > 0:45:20and the initials inscribed IB,
0:45:20 > 0:45:23I guess that's the little baby's name.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27And on the back, look...
0:45:27 > 0:45:281671.
0:45:30 > 0:45:32How did you come by this?
0:45:32 > 0:45:35My late cousin gave it to me about five or six years ago
0:45:35 > 0:45:38because he knew that I liked old things.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40What have you done with it?
0:45:40 > 0:45:42Well, although I like old things,
0:45:42 > 0:45:44I don't particularly like wooden things,
0:45:44 > 0:45:46so really it just lives in a drawer.
0:45:46 > 0:45:50So I thought it should get a wider audience.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54It's a shame about the little tiny hairline crack which is...
0:45:54 > 0:45:58If I just do this, you can see it's just a split there in the bowl.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00That's such a shame because I think that would be
0:46:00 > 0:46:03worth around ?400-?500 without any damage. Do you? Yes, I do.
0:46:03 > 0:46:07Oh. I think an easy valuation of ?200-?300
0:46:07 > 0:46:10is a bit of a come and buy me.
0:46:10 > 0:46:11But damage may hold it back.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15If we could put a reserve of ?150 on this because of that split,
0:46:15 > 0:46:17would you be happy? Yes. Yeah, that's fine.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20And I think we could in for a big surprise. Oh!
0:46:20 > 0:46:21So thank you so much.
0:46:21 > 0:46:24No, I'm just so pleased to know more about it.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27Well, I can't wait for that to go under the hammer.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36Oh, look. Little snuff shoes. They're made of mahogany.
0:46:36 > 0:46:37Right. It's a Cuban mahogany.
0:46:37 > 0:46:41It's a lovely hard, dense wood from the West Indies.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43And it would've been a little snuff shoe for a lady.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46Cos most people took snuff, a pinch of snuff.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48You know, you'd put it on the... HE SNIFFS
0:46:48 > 0:46:51Like that. It's a shame about that. It's split on the end grain.
0:46:51 > 0:46:52Oh, right. Yeah.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55That grain is quite fragile there and someone has given it a knock.
0:46:55 > 0:46:59It dates to around 1790 to 1810.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01Circa those 20 years. Right.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04A nice thing. What was the other one, then?
0:47:04 > 0:47:06I just think it's a decorative object. It's a little bit later.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09They do match, though? It's not a pair, no. It's not.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12It's not a left and a right foot. One's bigger than the other. Look.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14THEY LAUGH
0:47:14 > 0:47:16But Kate's found the real thing -
0:47:16 > 0:47:21a pair of shoes used about 100 years later in the Victorian era.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25Wendy, you brought a really bizarre pair of shoes in. Yes.
0:47:25 > 0:47:26What can you tell me about them?
0:47:26 > 0:47:29My dad's aunt wore them when she was young.
0:47:29 > 0:47:35She wore them? She wore them, and I think she was born in about 1890.
0:47:35 > 0:47:39OK. Aunt Gert, her name was, and she came from Hertfordshire.
0:47:39 > 0:47:40St Albans.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43She wore them. These are tiny. Yeah.
0:47:43 > 0:47:45I think first shoes, probably, do you think?
0:47:45 > 0:47:48I mean, that must be for a two, three-year-old. Two, yeah.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52That's ridiculous. Yeah. Now, they're a bit weird. I was looking.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54I was trying to work out which is left or right,
0:47:54 > 0:47:56and you almost can't tell... No. ..from the front.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58In fact, until about 1850,
0:47:58 > 0:48:00your shoes weren't made in a left or right at all.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02They were basically straight on the last
0:48:02 > 0:48:04and you just sort of had to wear them in a bit.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08They're just strange. I mean, they're leather top. Yeah.
0:48:08 > 0:48:09And then when you look here,
0:48:09 > 0:48:13you've got all these tiny little sort of nailed in sort of studs.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16And then on the bottom, it's like a horseshoe.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18Yeah, it is. I mean, it's absolutely bizarre.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20And what's interesting is look how worn...
0:48:20 > 0:48:22Think how hard it is to wear through metal.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26Look. This one is worn all the way through right down.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28Look how thin that is. Just on one side.
0:48:28 > 0:48:29Just there, which is...
0:48:29 > 0:48:32You can tell a lot about how that person walked, you know.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35The obviously favoured the inside of that foot.
0:48:35 > 0:48:36And I mean, it's crazy.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39It's like shodding children like you shod a horse.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42I mean, you just wear it out and replace it.
0:48:42 > 0:48:43And it's got wooden...
0:48:43 > 0:48:46It's got to be very uncomfortable. It's almost like a clog.
0:48:46 > 0:48:47Yeah.
0:48:47 > 0:48:48And then on the front
0:48:48 > 0:48:51you've got these little kind of metal buckles
0:48:51 > 0:48:54just to slip it on and off, and we're missing one here.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Yeah, my son broke that. Ben. Ben broke it.
0:48:57 > 0:48:59Ah, the finger of blame is pointed squarely at him.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01Yeah, it's Ben's fault.
0:49:01 > 0:49:03Was he playing with it? Yes, he was. Naughty. Yeah.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06And I can see, actually, you've re-glued just a little bit.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08There's a bit of glue here. Somebody has...
0:49:08 > 0:49:11Yeah, we haven't touched them. A bit of extra... Oh, I see.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14Cos it's broken off here and somebody has replaced it
0:49:14 > 0:49:16and glued it on, so a bit of repair there.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20They're great fun. I mean, impossible to value, really.
0:49:20 > 0:49:22There are shoe collectors. Yeah.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24There are lots of people out there that collect quirky footwear.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27Maybe a doll collector might be interested. Yeah, yeah.
0:49:27 > 0:49:29To put a doll in them because they are so small.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32And there's shoe museums about the history of shoes.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35I put a speculative...I mean, ?30 to ?50.
0:49:35 > 0:49:36They're really hard to value.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39Would you sell them for that price? Yes. I would, yeah. You would?
0:49:39 > 0:49:42Yes, I would. You're not going to force a small child...
0:49:42 > 0:49:43No, my mum said we could sell them.
0:49:43 > 0:49:47Well, how if we just put a ?20 reserve, 30 to 50,
0:49:47 > 0:49:49and just see what happens? See how they go.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51I mean, they are the weirdest thing I've seen all day.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54You get that prize. But they're actually quite fun. They're sweet.
0:49:54 > 0:49:55Yeah.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59There are objects whose value is so much more than monetary,
0:49:59 > 0:50:01and for me, those shoes are exactly that.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10Sadly, it's time to wave goodbye to Norwich Cathedral,
0:50:10 > 0:50:13but there's just time to show you one more family,
0:50:13 > 0:50:17only this one is slightly different from those you've heard about today.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20These webcam pictures taken earlier this month
0:50:20 > 0:50:23show two peregrine falcons on the top of the tower.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28These birds have been returning here since 2009.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31Peregrines are known to nest on cathedral towers.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33What makes these special is the Hawk and Owl Trust
0:50:33 > 0:50:35in partnership with the cathedral
0:50:35 > 0:50:38have created this wonderful ledge for them,
0:50:38 > 0:50:41this purpose-built box so they can nest.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43These towers reflect what the birds encounter
0:50:43 > 0:50:47in the wild, a nice high vantage point that's quite safe.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50And I'm told they feed off of the feral pigeons,
0:50:50 > 0:50:52so watch out, pigeons.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56And every year, as these pictures from last year show,
0:50:56 > 0:50:59their nest becomes home to their chicks.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02Now, that's what I call a real family affair.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04Now we're going back to the auction room,
0:51:04 > 0:51:07and here's a reminder of what we'll be taking with us.
0:51:07 > 0:51:11The exceptional Martin Brothers pot that deserved to be taken out
0:51:11 > 0:51:14from behind the sofa and placed in a proper collection.
0:51:14 > 0:51:18Lorraine's early christening spoon that's won my heart.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21And should win the bidders' hearts, too.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24Lillian's gold and jade jewellery set from Hong Kong
0:51:24 > 0:51:27that should have wide appeal.
0:51:27 > 0:51:28And owner Wendy's tiny shoes
0:51:28 > 0:51:32that are such a reflection of life in Victorian times.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35Let's see if they have the legs at the saleroom.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40Back to Diss now, where Ed is on the rostrum
0:51:40 > 0:51:42selling those delightful shoes.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44Well, let's hope our next lot,
0:51:44 > 0:51:46these shoes, do some walking right now.
0:51:46 > 0:51:47They belong to Wendy.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50Sadly, she can't be with us, but we do have her daughter Leanne
0:51:50 > 0:51:52and another addition to the family.
0:51:52 > 0:51:53Good to see you. Who's this?
0:51:53 > 0:51:56This is Keira. Keira. Say hello.
0:51:56 > 0:52:00Aw, how old are you? Two? Yeah. Aw, she's so shy.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02She's a bit reticent. Doesn't want to speak about antiques.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05I tell you what, these shoes should fit a two to three-year-old.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07They're about right. I have a three-year-old.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09I reckon they're a kids' size eight.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Hey, ready for this? Look, the auctioneer is over there.
0:52:12 > 0:52:13There he is.
0:52:13 > 0:52:17These are lovely. It's a pair of Victorian child's leather shoes.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20I start straight in here at ?20, I have.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23Come on. 2. 5. 8. 30.
0:52:23 > 0:52:262. 32 is in the gallery. 32 I have.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29This is good, Leanne. This is good. 35. 38. 40.
0:52:29 > 0:52:322. 45. 48.
0:52:32 > 0:52:3550. 50 back in. 5.
0:52:35 > 0:52:36One more?
0:52:36 > 0:52:3760.
0:52:37 > 0:52:385.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40No? 65 in the gallery.
0:52:40 > 0:52:4265 we have. Is there 70?
0:52:42 > 0:52:44I will sell it at ?65.
0:52:46 > 0:52:48Brilliant result. Yay! Very good.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51Mum will be happy. Yeah, she'll be pleased. ?65. Thank you.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54It's now time for the lot I've been waiting for,
0:52:54 > 0:53:00Lorraine's carved sycamore christening spoon dating to 1671.
0:53:00 > 0:53:02I love this spoon.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04It's a shame about the little crack in the bowl. Yes.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07But hopefully the collectors will overlook that.
0:53:07 > 0:53:08We need a top bidder here right now.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11And now it's Robert on the rostrum.
0:53:11 > 0:53:13I've got good interest on this one.
0:53:13 > 0:53:14I do start it at 130.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17Take 140. At 140, 150.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19160, 170. 170 bid here.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22I've lost you, back. We are at ?170 now.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24180, 190.
0:53:24 > 0:53:26200. 220. 240, I'm all out.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29There's someone in the room, there's no-one online, unfortunately. No.
0:53:29 > 0:53:31Oh, yeah, there is someone online. Oh, is there?
0:53:31 > 0:53:33Still going online at 260 bid. Is there 280?
0:53:33 > 0:53:36It's ?260 the bid online. 280 again. Still going.
0:53:36 > 0:53:38300. Come on. Come on.
0:53:38 > 0:53:39With 300 online then.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41We're still going, 340 back in then.
0:53:41 > 0:53:42Online at 340.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45Is there 60 anywhere? 360 is the bid.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47360, 380.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49400 with you. Online at ?400 then.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51We're 420 now.
0:53:51 > 0:53:52We're 420 on the spoon.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54At ?420, the bid online.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57At 420 and fair warning, it will sell at 420.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01Good result, wasn't it? Amazing. Good result.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04Damage held it back. Yeah. A lovely thing though.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06An absolute real survivor.
0:54:06 > 0:54:08A real survivor. Yeah, 1671. And thank you.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11You're welcome. Thank you for looking after it, as well.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13Thank you.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15Onto our next lot now,
0:54:15 > 0:54:20Lillian's stunning jade and gold set made in Hong Kong.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22Good luck. That's all I can say.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25I think we could be in for a surprise.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27A good one or a bad one?
0:54:27 > 0:54:29A good one.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31Hey, there's no such thing as a bad surprise, really?
0:54:31 > 0:54:34If it doesn't sell, it goes home with you. It does.
0:54:34 > 0:54:35Goes back under the bed. Good luck.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37Good luck, both of you. Ready?
0:54:37 > 0:54:39It's going under the hammer right now.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41Lovely pretty piece, this, as you see it,
0:54:41 > 0:54:43and we're going to start in at 240.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46I'll take 260. 280. 300. 320. 340 bid.
0:54:46 > 0:54:47Ooh! It's gone.
0:54:47 > 0:54:53360. 380. 400. 420. 420 bid. 420 bid. Is there 40?
0:54:53 > 0:54:56At ?420 here in front. Any advance? Fair warning.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58At 420.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01Yes. Spot-on. You were spot-on. That was a great valuation, yeah.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03420. You were very close. Good. Phew!
0:55:03 > 0:55:05?420. I know.
0:55:05 > 0:55:06I know. That's good, isn't it?
0:55:06 > 0:55:09That is very good. And it was someone in the room. Really good.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12And finally, the lot I've been waiting for,
0:55:12 > 0:55:16the one that has become more sought-after with time -
0:55:16 > 0:55:20the Martin Brothers vase dating to 1892.
0:55:20 > 0:55:21David, it's great to see you.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23This is your daughter, Jeanette. Yeah.
0:55:23 > 0:55:24Great to see you.
0:55:24 > 0:55:27And a newborn on the way soon.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30A little boy or girl? A little boy. Aw! Well, look, congratulations.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33You've got a lot of inheritance that you could be hanging on to
0:55:33 > 0:55:36and splitting up between the family here with the Martin Brothers vase.
0:55:36 > 0:55:40But you bought this for ?2.50. I did, yeah, in a charity shop.
0:55:40 > 0:55:42Did you realise it was Martin Brothers?
0:55:42 > 0:55:44Not until I saw Flog It: Trade Secrets.
0:55:44 > 0:55:45And then you saw it.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49Where they gave the scenario of their troubled past. Yes.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51Yes. Never go into business with the family.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55100% there. Yeah.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57OK, here we go. Three phones.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02Lot 241.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05It's the Martin Brothers stoneware aquatic vase.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08Start me straight in, someone, at 400. 400 bid straight in.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11Take 20 now. At 400 it is. Is there 20?
0:56:11 > 0:56:14?400 bid now. Is there 20 anywhere?
0:56:14 > 0:56:16420. 440.
0:56:18 > 0:56:22460. You're getting greedy now, look. ?2.50?
0:56:22 > 0:56:25480 the bid online. At 480 bid. Is there 500 now?
0:56:25 > 0:56:27500. Is there 550 anywhere?
0:56:27 > 0:56:28It's 550.
0:56:28 > 0:56:30600.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33650. 700.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38750.
0:56:38 > 0:56:39Ooh.
0:56:39 > 0:56:40800.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44850. 900.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46Oh, my God. I told you.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49?900 on the phone.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51As you see there, we're at ?900 now.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53Fair warning to everyone with ?900.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56Any advance? We will sell away.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58Hammer's gone down. ?900.
0:56:58 > 0:57:00Bought for ?2.50. APPLAUSE
0:57:00 > 0:57:02Yeah, that deserves a round of applause.
0:57:02 > 0:57:03?2.50.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06Well, I don't know what to say.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09I think drinks on you, don't you?
0:57:09 > 0:57:10Dinner.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13You've got another daughter here today as well, haven't you?
0:57:13 > 0:57:16She's over there. There she is, waving to us now.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19So, I think Dad is going to treat you, don't you? I think so.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22I've got to see the money first.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24Well, look, we've thoroughly enjoyed being here in Diss today.
0:57:24 > 0:57:26I hope you've enjoyed watching the show.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28I said there might be one or two big surprises,
0:57:28 > 0:57:30and luckily enough, we got one.
0:57:30 > 0:57:32Fabulous. That's what it's all about.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35Join us again soon for many more. Until then, it's goodbye.