0:00:05 > 0:00:08There's nothing like a stroll by the sea,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11feeling the breeze in your hair and the sun on your face.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14That's why millions of us visit the seaside each year.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17But today, this lot are here for a totally different reason
0:00:17 > 0:00:20because "Flog It!" is in Weston-super-Mare!
0:00:20 > 0:00:21PEOPLE CHEER
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Our venue today is the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare,
0:00:46 > 0:00:50which has been a fixture in the town for more than a century,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53providing entertainment and memories for countless visitors
0:00:53 > 0:00:55and holiday-makers alike.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00Originally built in 1904 as a promenading pier for the Edwardians,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03it's drawn the crowds with musical interludes from the bandstand
0:01:03 > 0:01:06and a whole range of entertainments in the theatre.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08But today, it's a modern pleasure pier
0:01:08 > 0:01:13offering crowd-pulling attractions from dodgems to penny machines.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18In short, all the fun of a seaside pier under one roof.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22And it's a big roof because that pavilion can hold 400 million
0:01:22 > 0:01:24of these - sticks of rock.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- There you go. Don't eat it all at once.- Thank you!
0:01:26 > 0:01:29And here's another statistic for you - hundreds of people have
0:01:29 > 0:01:32turned up today laden with bags and boxes here to see our experts
0:01:32 > 0:01:34hoping to get a great valuation.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37And if you're happy with your valuation, what are you going to do?
0:01:37 > 0:01:38ALL: Flog it!
0:01:40 > 0:01:44On the valuations tables today, it's Jonathan Pratt.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Does that work? Doesn't really...
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Harry Potter! Thank you very much.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52But will he have the magic touch, like fellow expert, Thomas Plant?
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Look at that. Isn't that beautiful?
0:01:55 > 0:01:58But he's got his eye on another Thomas find.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01I can imagine going to my London club...
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- I guess you are a member of a London club.- No, I'm not!
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- At least he's getting it back out of his pocket.- Yes.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- He'd have been off down the pier! - I like it so much.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15But before Thomas makes off with all the goodies,
0:02:15 > 0:02:16let's get the show under way.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20And as the crowd take to their seats for our main event,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24here's a quick preview of what's coming up on today's show.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27And we've got some real treats.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30That in itself is a nice little saleable object as well.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- You are a risk taker, Simon. - Yes.- Brilliant.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36But which one will run away at auction?
0:02:36 > 0:02:39It's gone real quiet here.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- On the phone as well.- Yes.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- Hold my hand, I'm shaking. - This is really good.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48And later on in the programme, I'll be going back in time
0:02:48 > 0:02:52when I find out about the history of the great British seaside holiday.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Piers have traditionally been about entertainment
0:03:05 > 0:03:07and this one is no exception.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Where there was once a theatre and a bandstand, well,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12that's been replaced with stomach-dropping rides,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15a ghost train and penny slot machines. All the fun of the fair.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17But there's no time for playing around today.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19We have got some serious work to do.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22We've got to find some fine art and antiques and send them off to auction.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24So, let's catch up with Thomas Plant.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- Bridget...- Yes.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Thanks very much for coming to "Flog It!" today.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30And you've brought something which I have to say,
0:03:30 > 0:03:35I love this type of stuff. I absolutely drool over it.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37If I see it, I have to buy it.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Tell me, how did you come by it?
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I bought it in a car-boot sale about two years ago
0:03:42 > 0:03:43and it cost £10.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46If I was at that car-boot sale, it would have been mine.
0:03:46 > 0:03:53This is a mother-of-pearl and olive-wood diorama
0:03:53 > 0:03:54- of the Last Supper.- Yes.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57It's got on here - Jerusalem.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- So, these were made in the Holy Land...- Right.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05..either Palestine or Israel. It depends on the date.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- But these are pilgrim pieces.- Right. - So, did you know any of this?
0:04:09 > 0:04:11No, I've never seen one before ever.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14So, that's what attracted me to it.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Really? Did you haggle?
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- I think it was 12 and I knocked him down to ten.- To ten.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Right, OK. And where's it been?
0:04:23 > 0:04:25In my house on a desk.
0:04:25 > 0:04:26OK.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31So, the scene is, as you know, is the Last Supper.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34There's Jesus and his disciples.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38And I love the fact on the back we've got the olive wood here,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40which is quite a hard wood and takes a great polish.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43And I think this is probably 1920s.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- Oh, right.- Yes.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48With these items, I know they're made for pilgrims
0:04:48 > 0:04:50which is a tourist market.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55You go there on the Grand Tour, you visit Jerusalem, beautiful city.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58And this is something you'd buy to take back to remind yourself
0:04:58 > 0:05:01of your trip.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03So, right, estimate, Bridget.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- I love it and I think it's worth £40-£60.- Right.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Now, I know you paid £10 for it. I don't want to give it away.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- But I think we'll reserve it at 30. - Right.- Are you happy with that?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- Yes, I'm happy.- Will you come to the auction?- Yes.- Brilliant.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- Now, although I love it, I won't be buying it.- Oh, right.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22I'm not allowed to bid on anything.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27So, it is delightful but it's beyond my reach this time!
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Never mind, Thomas, at least you got to admire it.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Now, what treasure is hiding inside Chris and Nesta's box?
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- I've got a hydrometer set here that belonged to my father.- Yes.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44He was a science teacher. I don't know whether he used it or not.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- Was he a chemistry teacher? - He was a chemistry teacher, yes.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- OK.- He actually taught me, as a matter of fact, as well.- Oh, really?
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Did you follow suit then and become a chemist?
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- I became a science teacher as well, yes.- A local teacher?
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Yes, I did 25 years here in Weston-super-Mare,
0:06:01 > 0:06:02Worle Comprehensive.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- What's your surname? - Cudlip.- So, Mr Cudlip?
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- They used to call me Cuddles. - Cuddles!
0:06:08 > 0:06:11There's going to be a whole host of people at home now,
0:06:11 > 0:06:13"I remember Cuddles!"
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- Probably, yes. - So, did you meet through school?
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- Yes, we met through school. I used to teach there as well.- Fantastic.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23We ended up on duty on a Friday together and the rest is history.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- The rest is history. - You're local celebrities. I love it.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28That's a lovely story.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- And so, he might well have used this?- He might well have.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34But the age of it, I think, is much earlier than that.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35- It's in the 19th century.- Really?
0:06:35 > 0:06:39And the box itself, lovely mahogany box with a brass plaque
0:06:39 > 0:06:41in the top there which explains what it is.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43It's a Sikes hydrometer.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46And, erm, it's a scientific instrument that would have
0:06:46 > 0:06:49been used for weights and measures.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52The London distillers and brewers needed a way to measure
0:06:52 > 0:06:55the alcoholic content of spirits and beers
0:06:55 > 0:06:57so they can work out what to tax it.
0:06:57 > 0:07:03Erm, in 1802 they had a competition to make a more accurate instrument.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05I didn't know that.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10It was a Bartholomew Sikes, of the name, that won the competition.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- His name's on there? - His name's on there.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15So, just the box alone gives you a sense of the history of it.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18There we are. I love all this.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20I love this silk interior and the way that it ages.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24You just can't fake a piece of silk like that. It's really difficult.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26And so, you've got the float and these little weights.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29And obviously you test it in the glass jar.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31But there's an absence here of an object.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33Obviously, a thermometer would have sat in that spot.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Unfortunately, it's got broken over the years. I don't know when.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39I imagine by the time they'd actually thought
0:07:39 > 0:07:42about replacing it, there might have been an improved model
0:07:42 > 0:07:45and things had moved on, and it just became a collector's item.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Well, let's get to the crunch then and talk about value.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Complete sells. It needs to be complete to get the very best money.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54I think it's a nice object. I think it's got a nice history around it.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- My feeling is, it's probably worth between £30-£50. OK?- Right.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- That'll be fine, yes.- Brilliant.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03OK, so if we put it in a sale, I would suggest, perhaps,
0:08:03 > 0:08:05a reserve, if we say around the £25 mark.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08That sort of... what we call discretion as auctioneers.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10It gives us a little bit of leeway,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13it gives a little chance to encourage the bidding
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and hopefully, push it through the top of the estimate.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- That'll be fine.- Brilliant. Thank you for bringing it along. - Thank you.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28While our experts are hard at work, I'm going to have a little play.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Ever since I was a lad that high, my dad brought me on the dodgems.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35And do you know what? As an adult, I still can't resist them.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37All the fun of the fair!
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Thomas may not have time to enjoy the rides
0:08:42 > 0:08:46but he's found something to bring a smile to his face.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- Steve.- Hi, Thomas.- Hi.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52You've brought along a collection of miscellaneous items in bone,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55and ivory and vegetable ivory.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Tell me, what's the story behind them?
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Well, I got this out of an old friend of mine who passed.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06I basically had to buy the contents of his house
0:09:06 > 0:09:09to keep my word to him about letting some of his friends
0:09:09 > 0:09:12have some of the pieces. And this was in a box.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16So, you're a man of your word and you sort of looked after the family?
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- Well, that's what I've tried to do. - Well done you.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22There's a real mixture of items. Let's just quickly go through it.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- OK.- These two items here are ivory. - OK.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28They are 19th century, they are pre-'47.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- These are OK to sell.- OK.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- All of these items here are made out of animal bone.- Right.- Bone.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Probably cow bone, something like that.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43Now, this little number here is not made out of any animal substance.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- But it's from nature.- Nature.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It's vegetable ivory.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- Vegetable ivory?- Which is nut.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- Oh, OK.- Coquilla nut, to be precise. - Never heard of it.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56- Well, a nut you find in the tropics.- OK!
0:09:56 > 0:09:58It's very good for sewing-related items.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- So, you'd put your needles in there. - It's a needle case?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Yes, a needle case.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Now, you've got something on here which I've
0:10:07 > 0:10:10wanted to see for some time.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13It's a little telescope there.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Telescope?- Yes. If I pick this up...
0:10:16 > 0:10:18..and I look in it through here.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22It's got something on it and it's called a stanhope.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28And that means it's a lens with a really miniature picture on.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32You bring it up to your eye and it fills your eye, the picture,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35and in it is a naughty scene!
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- A photograph of a naughty scene, Steve.- OK!
0:10:38 > 0:10:41I thought it was a top off something else.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42No, no, it's a naughty scene.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46But that, even on its own, is worth £30-£40.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- It's extraordinary, isn't it? - It's amazing. I'm tempted to look.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52THEY LAUGH
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Have a look.- I've got to now, haven't I?
0:10:59 > 0:11:01HE CHUCKLES
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- Yes, I don't think we'll describe what's going on.- No!
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- OK, where do you think this is from? - I don't know.- OK.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10You've got these wonderful frogs and animals.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13You've got a mole and we've got a frog.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17And it's a sort of, it's a shoe horn, it's your bog-standard
0:11:17 > 0:11:20shoe horn for putting on your lovely leather shoes.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22But it's got more to it.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24It's Japanese.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27It's Meiji period. So, it's from 1860 to 1900.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30It's called shibayama,
0:11:32 > 0:11:37which is the work of ivory with inlaid mother of pearl, lacquer.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39It's a beautiful thing.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41That's the thing that caught my eye.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44The attention of detail, it's amazing.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47So, I see this, with all the different aspects,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49at £150-£200.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- Wow.- I'd reserve it at £100.- OK. - Gives it a fighting chance.- Yeah.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Tell me, are you going to make the auction?
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- Unfortunately, I can't. Going on holiday.- Somewhere nice, I hope?
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- To Kos.- Oh, lovely. In the Greek islands.- A bit of sunshine.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Oh, you'll have a great time.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Hopefully, when you return, we might have some happy news for you.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- That would be nice.- Will you be sending a representative?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16I'm hoping my daughter will come down.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- It'll be a pleasure to meet your daughter.- Lovely.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- We'll look after these anyway. - Thank you.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24As Thomas mentioned, the two ivory pieces were made
0:12:24 > 0:12:27well before the 1947 regulations
0:12:27 > 0:12:32that govern the sale of animal products, so they are legal to sell.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34That is absolutely wonderful.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- Thank you for bringing it in. - Thank you, it's a pleasure.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41It's a sword stick concealed in a walking cane, which brings us nicely
0:12:41 > 0:12:43to the cut and thrust of the saleroom.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46We're off to auction for the first time today
0:12:46 > 0:12:48and we're going to put our experts' valuations to the test.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53Here's a quick recap of everything that's going under the hammer.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Will these naughty but nice ivory, bone and nut pieces
0:12:56 > 0:12:58find favour with the bidders?
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Bridget picked up this 1920s diorama at a car-boot sale
0:13:02 > 0:13:05just because she liked it.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08But will she be smiling when it goes under the hammer?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11And it's the bidders who'll be the measure of success for this
0:13:11 > 0:13:13scientific collectable.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16We're heading a short distance up the road to Clevedon
0:13:16 > 0:13:18for today's auction.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21The seaside town is mentioned in the Domesday Book
0:13:21 > 0:13:25but didn't develop into a resort until the Victorian era.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Let's hope our items attract bidders at the Clevedon Salerooms
0:13:29 > 0:13:33where auctioneer Marc Burridge is on the rostrum.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35And remember there's always commission to pay.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40It varies from room to room, but here today it's 15% plus VAT.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43And selling at £60 then.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46And now it's time for our first lot.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49Going under the hammer right now, we have a small collection of ivory items.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52They're all pre-1947, they're legal to sell.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55There's a little stanhope, a naughty one Thomas tells me.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Unfortunately, Steve cannot be with is,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00he's on holiday in Greece right now. But his daughter Diane is here.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- You look great.- Thank you. - It's Diane, isn't it?- It is.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Look at you, all in blue and Thomas has got blue trousers on.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- Petrol blue.- Petrol blue. Is this the new colour?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Do you love fine art and antiques? - I do, yes.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13It's a really good lot because you've got sewing-related items.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17You've got shoe putter-on-ers, you've got apple corers, loads of different things.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22- And different materials from ivory to vegetable ivory.- Fingers crossed. OK, let's put it to the test.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26We've got an interesting collection here. Japanese ivory shoe horn.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28£100 to start.
0:14:28 > 0:14:3070 here. 80.
0:14:30 > 0:14:3180 now, 80.
0:14:31 > 0:14:3380 then, 90. 100.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36100. At £90. 100.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38There. Ten here. 20.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Against you. 120?
0:14:40 > 0:14:44It's with me. I'm selling at £110 then.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Just gone. 110. Hammer's gone down.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- Did it. I think Dad will be pleased. - Yes.- And he'll be pleased.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- I was worried for a moment it wasn't going.- Yes, so did I, actually.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- Well, no, I think that market has changed because of the...- Ivory.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- The ivory, the feeling behind it, and it has dropped in value.- Yes.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07But they have sold and I'm sure Steve will be delighted.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Let's hope Chris and Nesta's hydrometer does as well,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13or maybe even little better.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- It's great to see you.- Thank you. - Good to see you.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20- I've been told you can see Weston pier from your house.- We can.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- Is that right?- Yes.- And we can see the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- Gosh. On a clear day. - On a clear day.- On a clear day.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30I think we're finding a new home for this.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- It's just the thermometer that's missing.- Yes. That's a shame.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- It is a shame but it's nice thing. - Nice thing - the sort of collectable people like.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39It's nice and small, there's the academic interest.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42There's plenty of people out there who'll buy it.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45It's a good fun thing and we've seen them on the show before and they sell.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47So, fingers crossed this one will as well. Here we go.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Miniature Sikes hydrometer. I have interest on the book here.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Starting at £30. I'm bid 35.
0:15:55 > 0:15:5735. 35. 35?
0:15:57 > 0:15:5935. And 40. And five.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01And 50. And five.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03And 60. And five?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Against you at the back of the room. It's with me at £60.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08No five, five, five? Anyone else?
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Selling, make no mistake there, on the £60.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Sold it, £60. Hammer's gone down. That's a good result.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- Above the top estimate, wasn't it? - Yeah. Well done, Jonathan.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- Thank you.- Good valuing skills there, I think.- Yes. Definitely!
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Well done, Jonathan, you were spot on the money there.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Now, can Thomas match that or did he let his love for dioramas
0:16:31 > 0:16:33colour his judgment?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Bridget, good luck and fingers crossed.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39We, hopefully, are going to turn Bridget's car-boot buy of £10,
0:16:39 > 0:16:42that wonderful diorama of the Last Supper all in mother of pearl,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- into £60 plus, Thomas. - I hope so.- It was your estimate.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The thing is, I have a bit of a soft touch for these things.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- So do I, I like dioramas. - And I like mother of pearl.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55I mean, I love mother of pearl.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57That's it. You're going to embellish it a bit more?
0:16:57 > 0:16:59No, I just love the way the light plays across it.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- It's lovely, isn't it? - It carves so well and the detail.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- Why are you selling it? - Just de-cluttering the house.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Everyone seems to be de-cluttering. Is everyone going minimalist?
0:17:07 > 0:17:10This is it, let's get that top end. Here we go.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Olive wood, table picture there of the Last Supper on an easel stand.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16£25 here. 28 now? 28?
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- There's a lot of work.- Yes.
0:17:19 > 0:17:2028, 28.
0:17:20 > 0:17:2230 on the book.
0:17:22 > 0:17:2432. 32? 32. 32?
0:17:24 > 0:17:28With me, against you all in the room. But selling on the £30 then.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- £30.- Right.- I was expecting a bit more.- I was.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- I would have liked a bit more.- I was expecting a bit more.- Right.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- We did our best. And I think £30 is a good result. Happy?- Yes.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- It's the start of the de-cluttering and that's what it's all about, isn't it?- Yes.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- Have you felt a cathartic release yet?- No.- No? I'll wait.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- We would have done if it was £100! - Yes, we would have done.
0:17:54 > 0:17:5670. 70. 70.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00Five. 80, sir? Five. 90.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Now, after all that excitement, I think I need a bit of a break
0:18:04 > 0:18:07and what better place to relax than looking at the waves
0:18:07 > 0:18:09and breathing in the invigorating sea air.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Did you know the British invented the seaside holiday?
0:18:12 > 0:18:14And as we're in the area,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I was keen to find out more about this great tradition.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Holidays are always special times,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29full of great memories we want to keep and share.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33And it's this urge to record those precious moments that has left us
0:18:33 > 0:18:38with a unique visual record of the history of our seaside holidays.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43What could be nicer than spending time by the sea? I love it.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46I grew up in Cornwall surrounded by the sea.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49There's something about the smell and the sound of the waves
0:18:49 > 0:18:51that makes you feel better.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54It was the restorative health-giving properties of the sea that
0:18:54 > 0:18:58provided the kick-start to the Great British seaside holiday.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01And Weston-super-Mare was no exception.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Doctors began extolling the virtues of sea bathing
0:19:05 > 0:19:08and even drinking sea water in the 18th century.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12And in 1789, King George III tried it in Weymouth
0:19:12 > 0:19:14and the fashion was set.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17As the nearest coastal parish to Bristol and Bath,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Weston-super-Mare saw an upsurge in visitors as the
0:19:21 > 0:19:25fashionable followed the king's lead and headed to the seaside.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28But it wasn't until the 19th century that the increased popularity
0:19:28 > 0:19:31of sea bathing saw Weston-super-Mare
0:19:31 > 0:19:35grow from a small fishing village to a Victorian seaside resort
0:19:35 > 0:19:38of nearly 20,000 people.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42The first hotel in Weston opened in 1810, to be followed by many more.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47And then the town published its first guidebook in 1822,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51which really made Weston-super-Mare a holiday destination.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53The main attraction was still the potential health-giving
0:19:53 > 0:19:56properties the area could bring.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59As well as sea bathing, spa bathing was still popular
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and Weston had its very own on Knightstone Island.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06But this was still the preserve of the rich Victorians
0:20:06 > 0:20:09as they were the only ones who could afford to travel,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12and stay in those smart hotels and visit the spa.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16All that changed with the coming of the railways
0:20:16 > 0:20:20in the mid-19th century and now, more people could afford to travel.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Combine this with the Factory Act of 1850,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27which gave workers the right to time off.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28Suddenly, more and more people
0:20:28 > 0:20:32could enjoy the Great British seaside holiday.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34And just like other seaside towns
0:20:34 > 0:20:38around Britain, Weston's Victorian entrepreneurs
0:20:38 > 0:20:40were keen to draw in the visitors,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43to capitalise on this potential new source of income.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45They built Birnbeck pier for entertainment
0:20:45 > 0:20:49and they also upgraded the seafront to provide a magnificent
0:20:49 > 0:20:51two-mile stretch of promenade.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58Weston-super-Mare was now becoming a Mecca for thousands of tourists,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02with many day trippers on work outings or bank holiday getaways.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05And when visitors wanted a record
0:21:05 > 0:21:08of this exciting new experience, they bought a postcard
0:21:08 > 0:21:11and sent it to family and friends back at home.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Nowadays, these images have become a visual document
0:21:13 > 0:21:16of our social history of a bygone era.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21And through these old postcards and later moving images,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24we can see how Weston-super-Mare developed as a resort.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28With the influx of visitors came new attractions to entertain them.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32A theatre and a new pier were built right in the heart of the town
0:21:32 > 0:21:34and the Grand Pier, as it became known,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37gave its visitors the feeling of walking on water!
0:21:37 > 0:21:42While other attractions included boating and from 1886,
0:21:42 > 0:21:45donkeys on the beach.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48And looking at it today, it's hard to imagine
0:21:48 > 0:21:51the town as anything other than a popular holiday resort.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55To find out more, I've come to talk to local historian Sharon Poole.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05How did it really become a holiday destination
0:22:05 > 0:22:06for people outside the area?
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Weston was one of the very first seaside resorts to have a railway
0:22:09 > 0:22:13in 1841. And of course, once Weston had the railway,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16it was very easily reached down from Birmingham, Bath and Bristol.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Exactly. Where all the big factories were.- Yes, that's right.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Yes.- And from Wales across the water on the paddle steamers
0:22:22 > 0:22:25because Wales, of course, was dry on a Sunday, they could come over...
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- And have a drink.- More than one.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30And often miss the boat back.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33And of course, we've got these three miles of beautiful sandy beaches.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36And because people started coming here in greater numbers,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40the villagers were very quick to capitalise on the influx of visitors
0:22:40 > 0:22:43and people would even move out of their house to let it for the season
0:22:43 > 0:22:45and move in with friends.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47And they soon started to build hotels and inns,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49again, to capitalise.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- So, it just got there first, really, didn't it?- Yeah, yeah.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54When was Weston's heyday?
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Probably twice in the last century.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Certainly around 1900 when we had the second pier built -
0:22:59 > 0:23:02the Grand Pier - and people would just flock
0:23:02 > 0:23:03in hundreds of thousands.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06And then after the war, once the restrictions ended,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09they were free to take holidays again, they had more leisure,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11more people owned a motor car
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- and they could come on coaches and cars.- Mmm.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16And by then, the resort had an open-air lido
0:23:16 > 0:23:20with high diving boards, designed to offer good clean fun for the masses,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24putting Weston-super-Mare firmly on the map.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29I think Weston reinvented itself as a day tripper...
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- Short-stay.- ..paradise. Short stays, long weekends
0:23:32 > 0:23:33and out of season.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Why were the shorter stays popular here?
0:23:36 > 0:23:38I think, partly, because Weston never had a holiday camp.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Mainly, because we just don't have the land to build one
0:23:41 > 0:23:43on the seafront and we never did.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46So, I think that's why people come and stay in bed and breakfast.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Those are the sort of people it attracted.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52But even without a holiday camp, towns like Weston-super-Mare
0:23:52 > 0:23:54still attracted the crowds.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Our love of the seaside drew us to the coast for those lazy days
0:23:57 > 0:24:00on the beach, splashing around in the sea.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03But just along the coast from Weston-super-Mare,
0:24:03 > 0:24:07there was space for the newest holiday experience.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Holiday camps around the coast arose from our love
0:24:10 > 0:24:14of the seaside. They offered a different kind of break.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17With everything thrown in from accommodation to food
0:24:17 > 0:24:21and entertainment, they became the destination.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Holiday villages, like this one here at Burnham,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25are the latest incarnation.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28The chalets and the entertainment that we recognise today
0:24:28 > 0:24:31are down to some big names in the 1930s and '40s,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34such as Harry Warner, Billy Butlin and Fred Pontin,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37who opened the first camps around the coast.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Hi-de-hi!
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Ho-de-ho!
0:24:42 > 0:24:47Hello, everyone. This is Beryl, your radio Butlin announcer,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50wishing you a very good morning.
0:24:50 > 0:24:57The time is now 7.30 and breakfast for our first sitting campers
0:24:57 > 0:25:00will be available at 8.15.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04It was more than just the beach. It gave people organised fun!
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Tug-of-war for the houses of Gloucester and...
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- # Holiday rock - Holiday rock
0:25:11 > 0:25:13- # Do the holiday rock - Yeah, holiday rock. #
0:25:13 > 0:25:17With fairground rides to entertain the children
0:25:17 > 0:25:20and for mum and dad, the chance to make new friends
0:25:20 > 0:25:22and let their hair down,
0:25:22 > 0:25:26they became the place to go for the all-in family holiday
0:25:26 > 0:25:29and by the 1950s and '60s, their convenience made them
0:25:29 > 0:25:31the choice for many.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36Nearly 100 years after its rise, the Great British seaside holiday,
0:25:36 > 0:25:40in all its guises, was confirmed as a family favourite.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42# Do the holiday rock
0:25:42 > 0:25:44# Yeah. #
0:25:44 > 0:25:47No matter whether it's under canvas, in a B&B, chalet
0:25:47 > 0:25:49or a hotel, or even in a caravan,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52we all love to be beside the seaside and share our
0:25:52 > 0:25:55favourite family memories of fun in the sand -
0:25:55 > 0:25:58something we've got the Victorians to thank for.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Welcome back to our magnificent host location today -
0:26:12 > 0:26:14the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17As you can see, there are still hundreds of people here.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Fingers crossed, we're going to have one or two surprises
0:26:20 > 0:26:22when this next batch goes under the hammer.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Let's catch up with our experts and see what treasures
0:26:24 > 0:26:25they can uncover.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32So, Stella, no questions what we've got here.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Obviously, it's a microscope. It's a brass microscope at that
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and it dates from the 19th century.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39How did you come by it?
0:26:39 > 0:26:42It belonged to my father and he's decided at 84
0:26:42 > 0:26:45that he's going to travel the world and, consequently,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49he's left it in my capable hands. I don't like it, so it's...
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- So, whilst he's away, you're going to sell it?- I am, yes.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Did he use it?
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Not really. He just played with it. You know, as men do.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Well, it's marked down here "Baker" in London.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Little bit worn down there, but it was used, you know.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07You've got various wheels which adjust the platform height.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12You've also got a whole raft of other lenses in the drawer here.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15This little stand is to channel the light on to the object
0:27:15 > 0:27:17cos you're working in, often, in dark rooms or
0:27:17 > 0:27:19in a room with a window
0:27:19 > 0:27:22and you want to use the light that's coming to you for the best.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24It is quite a nice example and the box gives away its age
0:27:24 > 0:27:26a little bit too.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28You've got this mahogany veneer case which sort of looks
0:27:28 > 0:27:30- early Victorian.- Mm-hm.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33And I think, because it's lacquered brass
0:27:33 > 0:27:36and the way it's presented, it probably dates from about 1840.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40- Right.- So, that's 160 - 170 years old.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41And then you've also got these as well.
0:27:41 > 0:27:46We have a variation of all kinds of bugs, butterflies
0:27:46 > 0:27:49and apparently, they were collected by...
0:27:49 > 0:27:51I believe his name was Mr Holland,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55who travelled South Africa and African mainland
0:27:55 > 0:27:59to explore and bring back some of the goodies.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01And so, was it this chap who gave it to your father?
0:28:01 > 0:28:05No, he brought it back. He then died and his brother
0:28:05 > 0:28:08decided to sell it at auction. So, he sold it and my dad bought it.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Well, the idea being, obviously,
0:28:10 > 0:28:12that people who were very inquisitive
0:28:12 > 0:28:14could, you know, using the microscope,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16take "tissue from the ear of a mouse"
0:28:16 > 0:28:19and find out what it looks like under intense magnification.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- Yeah.- I mean, you know, there wasn't any television.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26No, and also, I mean, they'd never ever see them otherwise, would they?
0:28:26 > 0:28:28But there's trays and trays of them in here.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31So, that in itself is quite a nice little saleable object as well.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34This alone is probably worth £30 - £50.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I suggest we have an estimate of £250 - £350
0:28:37 > 0:28:40with a bit of discretion on the estimate, maybe.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- Put a firm of reserve of 230 on it, for example.- OK.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- How does that sound? - Sounds great.- Sounds great.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47How would that help you out?
0:28:47 > 0:28:50- Oh, I think it will go towards a holiday in Greece.- In Greece.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52- Lovely.- It's our favourite place. - Yeah.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Well, it's a nice object. It's a good example of it
0:28:55 > 0:28:56and I think it'll sell well.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57Thank you very much.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Are you enjoying yourselves, everyone?
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- ALL:- Yeah!- That's what it's all about and, hopefully,
0:29:08 > 0:29:10one or two of you will be going through to auction later on
0:29:10 > 0:29:13and going home with lots of money. Right now, I'm going to leave
0:29:13 > 0:29:15the hustle and bustle of the valuation day
0:29:15 > 0:29:17and nip behind the scenes, because there's something
0:29:17 > 0:29:19I want to show you.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Ever wondered what it takes to keep a place like this running with
0:29:25 > 0:29:27all the games, the rides and the machines?
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Well, this, believe it or not, is the nerve centre
0:29:29 > 0:29:31of the whole place. This is the workshop.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34All of these machines have to have running repairs at some time
0:29:34 > 0:29:36and, of course, annually an MOT.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38This is where it happens.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Just look at all the parts in this machine.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Hi, guys.- Hi, you all right? - Yeah, is everyone a winner today?
0:29:43 > 0:29:45They certainly are, yeah.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47So, what are you doing here?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50We're just servicing this pusher. We'll strip them right down,
0:29:50 > 0:29:51grease all the runners, etc,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53to keep them running throughout the season.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Gosh. And how long will that take you to do today?
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Probably about two days on this machine.- Two days?- Yeah.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- It's a lot of work, isn't it? - Certainly is, yeah.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03And how much money do you empty out every day?
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Not enough!
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Well, fingers crossed you have a good day.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09In a season, this machine will probably see
0:30:09 > 0:30:112.5 million coins go through it.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Really? You guys are busy all year round.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- We certainly are, yeah.- Yeah, what's the most popular machine?
0:30:16 > 0:30:17The 2p pushers are the most popular.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Yeah, I like them. They're so enticing
0:30:19 > 0:30:21cos you see the 2ps on the shelf and you think,
0:30:21 > 0:30:23"Any moment, that cluster is going to fall"
0:30:23 > 0:30:25and it never does.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26That's it.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- Well, look, good luck. - All right, thank you.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Penny arcade machines have been a feature of the pier
0:30:31 > 0:30:33since the 1930s.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36And it's good to know they are still as popular today
0:30:36 > 0:30:38as they always have been.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42Now, it's back to the table to see what Thomas has found.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Simon, very good to see you.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- Yes.- How are you? - I'm very good, and yourself?
0:30:47 > 0:30:48Not bad, not bad.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Tell me, you don't sound very...
0:30:50 > 0:30:52How should I say it?
0:30:52 > 0:30:54From Somerset.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59No, I live in Somerset. I live in Weston, but I'm from Vancouver.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01I moved out to Vancouver when I was a child
0:31:01 > 0:31:04and then came back out here.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Tell me about the pictures you've brought in today.
0:31:07 > 0:31:08Where did you get them from?
0:31:08 > 0:31:10I got them from a jumble sale actually.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12- In Weston-super-Mare? - In Weston-super-Mare.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- So, not very long ago?- About 18 months ago approximately, yeah.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- And how much did you pay for them? - You won't believe it.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19- 20 pence. - 20 pence!
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- So, 40p.- Yes.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- It's a big investment there.- Yes, it was, yes.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27- Do you know what they are? - No, I don't.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28I have absolutely no idea.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30So, you didn't know what they were when you bought them
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- for 20p each?- The reason I bought them was cos they looked like
0:31:34 > 0:31:38they were going to be thrown away and I looked at the faces on them
0:31:38 > 0:31:41and they're so well done. I thought, "This person must have talent.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43"There's got to be something there."
0:31:43 > 0:31:46And where do you think they're from?
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- I think they're Italian.- Yeah. Yeah, you're right.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50And date?
0:31:51 > 0:31:5318th century?
0:31:53 > 0:31:55No, I think we'd be pushing it at 18th century!
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- 19th century.- 19th century, 1800s.
0:31:57 > 0:32:03So, they're what we would call sort of Grand Tour watercolours.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05- We have the mountains.- Yeah.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08The foothills of the Alps, we have a city in the background.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- We have a family scene.- Yes.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13Husband and wife with their children.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19- And they are just so romantic. - Yeah.- And evocative.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24And this sort of 1820s, 1830s Grand Tour.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Right. OK.- If you are a British gentleman...- Yeah.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31And you were sort of the third son...
0:32:31 > 0:32:36I think the first joins the Army, the second joins the church
0:32:36 > 0:32:40and then the thirds get sent away round Europe to experience life.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44- I see.- This is something you'd bring back as a souvenir piece.- I see.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46And look at the clothes they're wearing.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48- They're, you know, they're colourful.- Yes.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Sumptuous, really, and the cloak the little boy's wearing.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53- He's not an urchin.- Yes.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55- You've got an eye, Simon. - Oh, thank you.
0:32:55 > 0:32:56HE LAUGHS
0:32:56 > 0:32:57- 20p?- Yes.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59Now, you...were they framed?
0:32:59 > 0:33:01They had some glass on them
0:33:01 > 0:33:03with black frames that were falling to pieces.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05I put them in those.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07And how much did these cost you, the frames?
0:33:07 > 0:33:10- I got those at a jumble sale as well.- Oh, really?
0:33:10 > 0:33:11THEY LAUGH
0:33:11 > 0:33:15- You're a frequenter of jumble sales, are you?- Yes, I am.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17So, you've decided to bring him along to "Flog It!" today
0:33:17 > 0:33:19because you thought it was a good idea?
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- I just wanted to find out what they were.- Yeah.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25And here you are thinking about selling them.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27- Yes, well...- I think they're...
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- You're going to do well for your investment.- Do you think so?
0:33:30 > 0:33:33- So, the frames, how much were they? - Probably under a pound, I think.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35The grand total of 40p!
0:33:35 > 0:33:38- We probably got the frame for under a pound.- Yes.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40I mean, they're a great thing.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- I think we should put £150 on them, 150, 200.- Right, OK.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48- What do you think about reserve? £50?- No.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50I don't think I want to put a reserve, cos I want them
0:33:50 > 0:33:52to go to somebody that appreciates them.
0:33:52 > 0:33:53I love that.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56- You are a risk taker, Simon. - Yes, I am!- Brilliant.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59I'm going to really look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00Yes, I look forward to it, yes.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03That's a great buy from Simon.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05Fingers crossed his auction gamble pays off.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08If you want to take part in "Flog It!",
0:34:08 > 0:34:10this is where your journey starts -
0:34:10 > 0:34:14a valuation day very much like this one on Weston Pier.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Details of up-and-coming dates and venues,
0:34:16 > 0:34:18you can find on our BBC website.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22If you don't have a computer, check the details in your local press,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25because fingers crossed we're coming to an area near you soon.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28So, dust 'em down, bring 'em in and we'll flog 'em.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Jonathan's found some sporting memorabilia to remind us
0:34:32 > 0:34:35of a real success.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Well, here's a bit of, uh...bit of history.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39It certainly is.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43We've got a 1966 World Cup Championship towel.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45We've got a mascot and we've got two...
0:34:45 > 0:34:47We'll have to call them beer glasses, won't we?
0:34:47 > 0:34:48How did you get them?
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I got these from my brother, late brother.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Came originally from my father.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Went to my little brother and then I acquired them myself, you know.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- And was he a big football fan? - No, he wasn't, funnily enough.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01- Oh, really?- He was a musician.
0:35:01 > 0:35:02How did he come by getting these?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Well, my dad I think wanted him probably to be a bit more sporty,
0:35:05 > 0:35:06a bit like himself
0:35:06 > 0:35:09and being his first son, you know, I think he was like,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12"Right, let's go, football," you know, so he acquired these.
0:35:12 > 0:35:13THEY LAUGH
0:35:13 > 0:35:16In an effort to try and draw him away from music and playing music
0:35:16 > 0:35:17or listening to music?
0:35:17 > 0:35:18He actually played.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- He played?- Classically and guitar. - Oh, really? Oh, gosh.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- He's not going to be interested in football at all!- No, far from it.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- And so you've got it and you do like football?- I do like football.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- Were you around in 1966?- No.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32- A bit before my time.- A bit before your time.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34It's a bit before my time as well.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36But obviously we know all about it
0:35:36 > 0:35:38and so you know this chap here is World Cup Willie.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43He was the first ever mascot for a World Cup.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46And it's very sort of traditionally British, the lion, you know,
0:35:46 > 0:35:47and there he is on the towel.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50It's nice to see them and people hang on to these things,
0:35:50 > 0:35:52but if you give them to a child, they're going to use the towel,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55you know, and this is coming from a son who is obviously more
0:35:55 > 0:35:57interested in classical guitar, he's not using it at all,
0:35:57 > 0:35:59so it's actually in pretty good condition.
0:35:59 > 0:36:00So, you want to sell it.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03What do you want to do with the money if you sell it?
0:36:03 > 0:36:05- I want to get a bike.- You want to get a bike? A mountain bike?
0:36:05 > 0:36:08- A racing bike?- A racing bike, yes. - All right, so you're a fitness man?
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Yeah, yeah, I love to run and cycle and swim.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13Well, let's see if we can try and help you along the way.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17As a little group, I think we're looking at about 100-£150.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19- Right.- How does that sound?
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- It's good, yeah.- It's a wheel of a bike to start with.- Yeah.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24THEY LAUGH
0:36:24 > 0:36:26And I think, you know, if you had a reserve of 90
0:36:26 > 0:36:28then you've got a little bit of play at the bottom.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- 100 to £150 estimate.- Yeah.- And...
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- Start chanting and hoping that this will take off.- Yeah.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37That sounds really a good idea.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Well, that's it. What a day we've had
0:36:46 > 0:36:48here on the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we found some wonderful treasures
0:36:52 > 0:36:55and we've had some classic seaside entertainment,
0:36:55 > 0:36:57but right now it's down to business in the auction room.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Let's put those final valuations to the test
0:37:00 > 0:37:03and here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Jonathan was taken with this 19th-century brass microscope.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09But will his valuation pass muster
0:37:09 > 0:37:11when it comes under scrutiny
0:37:11 > 0:37:13in the saleroom?
0:37:13 > 0:37:16Picked up at a jumble sale for only 20 pence each,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19surely Simon's two Grand Tour paintings
0:37:19 > 0:37:21will go the distance at auction.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25And will Dean be netting a surprise or scoring an own goal
0:37:25 > 0:37:27when his World Cup souvenirs
0:37:27 > 0:37:29go under the hammer?
0:37:29 > 0:37:31220, 230, 240.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33It's full steam ahead in the crowded saleroom
0:37:33 > 0:37:35with lots flying out of the door.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39But how will Simon's two bargain buy watercolours fare?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41And he paid... Just remind them.
0:37:41 > 0:37:4320 pence.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Were you shaking when you handed the 20p over?
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Were you going, "Gosh, they're going to change their mind any minute"?
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Yeah, I was wondering if somebody might come up, yes.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53And say, "Well, actually, we made a big mistake. They're £200."
0:37:53 > 0:37:5420p?
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- Never happens to me. - Doesn't happen to me either.- No.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00They're worth an awful lot more than 20p though, aren't they, Thomas?
0:38:00 > 0:38:02They are because they're lovely scenes.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04OK, you've only had them a year. Why do you want to sell them
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- if they're so cheap? - Well, I actually didn't want them.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11I just saw them and I thought they were so lovely
0:38:11 > 0:38:14and they were going to throw them away and I thought,
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- "No, you can't be doing that."- OK.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Well, that's good, you've rescued them.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20You're going to let somebody else love them and appreciate them
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- and I'm sure we will find a home for them.- Yes.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Happy with the value?
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Yeah. Simon's put no reserve on them.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30- That's right. - They're there to go.- Yeah.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32So, we'll have to wait and see.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Dangerous game, but if you've only paid 20p for them...
0:38:35 > 0:38:37OK, here we go. Let's put it to the test, this is it.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Country folk in landscape.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Who will give me £100 to start?
0:38:41 > 0:38:43£100, will you?
0:38:43 > 0:38:44£100, will you?
0:38:44 > 0:38:46£100 I have, thank you. Now, ten.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47110.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49110.
0:38:49 > 0:38:50110, 120.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52- On the phone as well.- Yeah.- 120.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53120.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55120, 130.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58130. 130.
0:38:58 > 0:38:59It's on the phone at £120.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02130, anyone else?
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Are you all done then?
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Selling at £120.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Three happy guys here. £120.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12- That's a good result. - That's very good.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15You've got a good eye. It means you can now go with confidence
0:39:15 > 0:39:18to those car boot sales and jumble sales and buy more.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- Yes.- Are you going to carry on doing the 20p buys,
0:39:21 > 0:39:22or maybe you might go for £2?
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Well, I might go a bit more at the Sea Cadets
0:39:24 > 0:39:26because that's where they came from.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31What a great return on 40 pence!
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Now, will that World Cup memorabilia prove a winner?
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Don't go away because right now we're putting Dean's
0:39:37 > 0:39:39football memorabilia under the hammer.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Yes, 1966, the World Cup.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46And I have to say, I was six years old and I watched that with my dad.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48What memories! It's good to be old!
0:39:49 > 0:39:53- I was too young.- I know you are! But this is good entry-level
0:39:53 > 0:39:54for World Cup memorabilia.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56It really is.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58If, for instance, it was a World Cup football jersey,
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Bobby Moore's or Nobby Stiles'.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Nobby Stiles' sold recently for 140,000 in auction.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06So, you know, sporting memorabilia is big business.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09This is a good starting point and the money's going towards....
0:40:09 > 0:40:11A bike, basically. To keep me fit.
0:40:11 > 0:40:12- To keep you fit.- Yeah. Keep me young.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Well, there you go! Right, OK, let's see what we can do.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Let's see if we can hit the back of the net.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19It's going under the hammer.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22Got the 1966 World Cup items there.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25A soft toy, pint glasses.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Who's got £50 to start me?
0:40:27 > 0:40:29£50 to start me.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31£50 to start me?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33£50 surely?
0:40:33 > 0:40:34- Come on.- Nope?
0:40:34 > 0:40:36£50 anyone?
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Not today. OK.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40That was a rebound, wasn't it?
0:40:40 > 0:40:42- Gosh.- Off the post, absolutely.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44What can I say, it's an own goal.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Look, you'll get that bike, OK? Hang on to this.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- It just wasn't the right sale at the right time.- Yeah.
0:40:49 > 0:40:50- That's all I can say.- No worries.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51We tried our hardest.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54That's really disappointing. Really disappointing.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55Surprising.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58What a shame! But maybe in a different saleroom in another day,
0:40:58 > 0:41:00Dean will hit the back of the net.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Up next is our final lot and one of my favourites.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Going under the hammer right now, we've got a Baker microscope
0:41:09 > 0:41:11boxed with slides and I fell in love with this, Stella,
0:41:11 > 0:41:13at the valuation day.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15This is a real gem. Love it to bits.
0:41:15 > 0:41:16Why are you selling it?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Because I just don't have room for it any more.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22It's just in the way. We never open the box and, therefore,
0:41:22 > 0:41:24what's the point? Somebody could love it.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Leave it open and it looks like a piece of sculpture.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29I mean, it's a proper academic's piece, I know,
0:41:29 > 0:41:30but it is fun as well, isn't it?
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Absolutely. I mean, it's the early part of the 19th century
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- and it's like a period of discovery. - Yeah.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37They're so different now, microscopes,
0:41:37 > 0:41:39so it's a piece of history.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Very decorative and sculptural qualities, but the box shut
0:41:42 > 0:41:43- is just a box.- Yeah.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47And someone's going to enjoy this right now because we're selling it.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Hopefully you'll enjoy the top end if we get that. Here we go.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Got a couple of phones.
0:41:52 > 0:41:53Here we are.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Quite a bit of interest with me on the commission bids.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59I'll go 200, 220,
0:41:59 > 0:42:01240, 260.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02260.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04260, 280,
0:42:04 > 0:42:05300.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07320, my bid...
0:42:07 > 0:42:08340.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10340, 360...
0:42:10 > 0:42:13380, 400...
0:42:14 > 0:42:18420, 450, 480 against the phones?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20480? 480 on the phone.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22500 my bid.
0:42:22 > 0:42:23- 520.- My hands are shaking.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25This is good. This is really good.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27550 bid.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28580.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Boxed? Complete?
0:42:31 > 0:42:33Done then at £550.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Selling at 550.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37- Sold!- Thank you!
0:42:37 > 0:42:38Oh, that is amazing!
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- Honestly, amazing. - That's brilliant, isn't it?
0:42:41 > 0:42:43240, 250.
0:42:43 > 0:42:44260.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Seven in the room, thank you.
0:42:46 > 0:42:47Yours, sir.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51As you can see, the sale is just about to come to an end.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54We have had a fabulous day here in Weston-super-Mare.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57All credit to our experts, they were on the money.
0:42:57 > 0:42:58I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01See you again soon for many more surprises from auction rooms
0:43:01 > 0:43:02to come all around the country.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04But until then, it's goodbye.