0:00:05 > 0:00:07It's so bracing!
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Now, you might just recognise that as the classic catchphrase
0:00:10 > 0:00:13for the largest seaside resort town on the Lincolnshire coast.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17It's been a popular holiday destination for well over 100 years.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Where else could we be but Skegness?
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Skegness is a great place.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56There's so much to do here.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59It's got a fabulous, award-winning beach, but if you don't want to
0:00:59 > 0:01:03paddle in the sea, you can entertain yourself on the pier, walk along the
0:01:03 > 0:01:05promenade or play some crazy golf.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Or just make the most of the great attractions
0:01:08 > 0:01:10by enjoying all the fun of the fair.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16But all of these good people, hundreds of them here, have turned
0:01:16 > 0:01:19their backs on that, to queue up outside the Embassy Theatre on the
0:01:19 > 0:01:24Grand Parade to be entertained in a roller-coaster ride of excitement,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27ending in the auction room with our very own stars of the summer season,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30experts Elizabeth Talbot and David Barby, who are going to be asking
0:01:30 > 0:01:32that all-important question...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34ALL: What's it worth?
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Well, we're going to find out.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42It could be one of our experts!
0:01:42 > 0:01:46You always get postcards at a seaside resort,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50and Elizabeth has cleverly found us some to start the day with.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51David, lovely to see you.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55I'm intrigued by this collection of albums that you've brought in.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57What can you tell me about them?
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Well, when my father died 30 years or more ago, my mother
0:02:01 > 0:02:06asked me to dispose of some of his clothing, which was in a cupboard.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09She said, take everything in that cupboard
0:02:09 > 0:02:12and just get rid of it, give it to charity or something.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13And at the bottom of the cupboard,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15after I got the clothes out, I found the photo albums,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19which I thought, oh, gosh, what fun, you know?
0:02:19 > 0:02:22And I just put them away in a cupboard in my house and
0:02:22 > 0:02:25there they've stayed until I saw that this programme
0:02:25 > 0:02:27was coming to our local town.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29I thought, oh, my photo albums!
0:02:29 > 0:02:31I wonder what they'll think of them,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33and apparently they've caused a bit of excitement!
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- We think a lot of them. We think they're lovely.- Yes.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41Within the three albums, there's a very varied and eclectic mix.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45We have some humorous, we have some local, we have some quite serious
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and we have some very collectibles.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51- So, lots and lots of strands there to talk about.- Yes.- First of all,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53the albums themselves help
0:02:53 > 0:02:58date the collection to Edwardian, primarily Edwardian and a little
0:02:58 > 0:03:00bit after, so early 1900's through.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05So, that's a lovely period of postcard production and collecting.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09There are some early photographs of Skegness, including their luxury
0:03:09 > 0:03:11hotel camp at Skegness, which is quite interesting.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- And the early photographs are... - Yes, I used to work at Butlins, too.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- Oh, did you?- Yes. When I came to Skegness 22 years ago, I came
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- to become the press officer for Butlins.- Well! Another coincidence.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27So, you must have been interested to see these from your own knowledge
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- of the sites and everything. - Absolutely amazing.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32How amazing. And also, at the front we have
0:03:32 > 0:03:37some more humorous, sort of early 20th-century humour from Skegness.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- Yes.- But along with all these, which are nice and local and relevant
0:03:41 > 0:03:43for today, I notice you have some
0:03:43 > 0:03:46very significant military-related ones.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Some shipping scenes.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53And lots of strong themes which will inspire collectors to get
0:03:53 > 0:03:56quite excited about what you have here.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Now, have you any perception of what you have here in terms of value,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02or is it just interest value do you?
0:04:02 > 0:04:05- No idea. No idea. - Well, I think that it if you look
0:04:05 > 0:04:08at them as a collection of three albums
0:04:08 > 0:04:11all together, realistically, I would think they should make between
0:04:11 > 0:04:13£120 and £180 quite comfortably.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- Yes.- But I do suggest that we place a reserve, a protective reserve,
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- of £120 fixed, so that they don't sell for less.- Yes, I wouldn't like
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- them to go for less.- So, I shall meet you there on the big day!
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- Yes, thank you very much! I look forward to it.- Thank you for bringing
0:04:29 > 0:04:30such wonderful items.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Tony, this brings back a lot of happy memories for me
0:04:37 > 0:04:41because we have a similar box to this at home.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Now, I suppose we ought to open it up to show people what it
0:04:45 > 0:04:47actually is! But this is a lovely
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Victorian musical box.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55It's equivalent to a gramophone,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59the radio, the DVD player of today,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03because this was the entertainment of the late 19th century.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05So, where did it come from?
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Well, all I can tell you about it is the fact that
0:05:09 > 0:05:15my grandfather, he used to work on the docks at Boston, and I don't know
0:05:15 > 0:05:18whether or where he really got it from.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22When he died in 1955, he was 83,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24and it was just passed down to me.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28And him and my grandmother used to, I presume,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31used to play it, but where it came from I can't tell you, I'm sorry!
0:05:31 > 0:05:34Well, I think it's lovely and when you listen to it...
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Let's have a play.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Because the inside
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- has a lovely mechanism, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45PRETTY TUNE PLAYS
0:05:49 > 0:05:50Because the actual hammers
0:05:50 > 0:05:54have butterflies mounted on them, so you've got this movement
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- of the insects going backwards and forwards.- Yes.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Now, if we look at this
0:06:01 > 0:06:05lithographic plate, which has printed in English the various
0:06:05 > 0:06:09tunes, we can actually date it, because one is here, number seven,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Soldiers Of The Queen.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15And there's another composition here,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17A Runaway Girl, by Monckton.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21And Monckton was a great sort of entrepreneur of the musical stage
0:06:21 > 0:06:23in the late Victorian period.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- Oh, yes?- So, we can date this towards the end of the 19th century.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- About 1885, 1890, that sort of period.- Oh, good!
0:06:29 > 0:06:34It's a lovely box and the very fact that it plays is brilliant.
0:06:34 > 0:06:40These sell at auction anything from about £650 up to £1,000.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42I can see this going round about £700 to £800.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Now, would you be happy at that figure?
0:06:45 > 0:06:46Yes. Yes, certainly.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51- So, if we put a reserve of 650 on it fixed...- Yes.- You'd be happy.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Well, I'd be quite happy, yes.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56OK, well, Tony, let's go ahead and hope the auctioneer can call
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- your tune!- I hope so as well! - Thank you very much indeed.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Lynn, this looks great fun.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11I can't wait to put the key into the litter zebra and wind him up.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13He does work, doesn't he?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- Yes, he does. - Tell me a little about his history.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Right, I bought it round about ten years ago and I actually
0:07:19 > 0:07:21bought it from a car-boot sale.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- Oh, did you?- Yes.- Because I know definitely this is 1950's.- Right.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31This is a classic Japanese clockwork toy, typical 1950's.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33It's kind of the end of the golden period for them,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36because by the '60s it was all battery-operated toys.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40And that's when started seeing all the robots. This is fantastic.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- I've not seen a little clockwork zebra before.- Right.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- And I've got to say, considering you got this in a car-boot sale?- Yeah.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50It's in immaculate condition.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52It's never, ever been played with, has it?
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- It doesn't look like it.- The ears are so new they're still bent over
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- from being in the box.- Yes. - The box is a little bit tatty, but,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01nevertheless, it's its original box and there's a lot of value
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- in the box, as you know if you watch Flog It.- Yes, I do.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- How much did you pay for this?- £2.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11I bet you thought, oh, yes! That's made my day.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- I thought it was worth £2. - You know that was too cheap,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- don't you really, for what it was? - Yes.- So, can I have a go?- Yes!
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Can I have permission?- Yes, you can.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22I'm going to break it now!
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Right, OK, here goes.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29I won't over-wind this. Just do it two or three times,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31shall I? I'll just put him down.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33That's cracking, isn't it?
0:08:33 > 0:08:37And the little zebra just goes around in a circle.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41- It's definitely different.- It's brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- What do you think it's worth? - I don't know.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Well, you'll be chomping at the bit to put this one into auction,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- because I think we're going to get £50 to £80.- Do you really?- Yeah.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54I didn't think it was worth as much as that. No. You've shocked me.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Yeah, I really do. I think it's that rare and that unusual and it's in
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- museum condition, apart from the box.- That's what I like about it.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06The condition of it. It doesn't look as if it's been played with.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- Don't give it away though.- No. - We want to sell it, don't we?- Yes.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13But let's put a fixed reserve of £30 just in case nobody is interested.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14- OK.- Let's flog it!- Yes!
0:09:21 > 0:09:27- Daisy, this is a lovely echo from the past.- Yes?
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Both 18th and 19th century, and all
0:09:31 > 0:09:34with an element of personal hygiene.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Do you collect objects of this nature, or did you just acquire
0:09:37 > 0:09:40these through family inheritance?
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Family inheritance, from an aunt.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45And what was the appeal to you to hang on to them?
0:09:45 > 0:09:49They intrigued me, these little boxes that people put
0:09:49 > 0:09:52small tablets in, patches and so forth.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- That's right.- And if you move, you can take them with you.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59That's true. It's the expertise in construction I find so intriguing.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04- Yes.- Particularly with this little box here, which is ivory and it has
0:10:04 > 0:10:09- a delicate inlay of gold all the way around.- Yes, exquisite.- Absolutely!
0:10:09 > 0:10:11So, when you open this up...
0:10:13 > 0:10:16..you've got an interior where on this little velvet section,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19you would put your toothpick, normally silver.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- Yes.- And then this mirror, which is very much, sort of, discoloured now.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25But just enough to show my teeth.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- Yes.- So, I'd take the toothpick out and then just clean.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32So, that fogging is actually to one's advantage?
0:10:32 > 0:10:35If you've got filthy teeth, you can't see them very well!
0:10:35 > 0:10:36Well, not really!
0:10:36 > 0:10:40The one I find fascinating is this box here.
0:10:40 > 0:10:47- Yes?- Because this is a simple little oval box and this velvet lining here
0:10:47 > 0:10:50could have had, sort of, personal implements,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54maybe for nails or teeth or something like that.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- Yes.- But what is so intriguing,
0:10:56 > 0:11:00again with this one, you have this gold mount all the way round
0:11:00 > 0:11:05- and it's encasing under glass a little watercolour drawing.- Yes.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Of a coastal scene.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- It would have been lovely if it was Skegness, but it's not.- No!
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Because this is an estuary and on the other side of the estuary,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17there is a range of hills or mountains.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- Yes.- Right in the middle of the scene there's a little frigate,
0:11:22 > 0:11:24which has a steam funnel,
0:11:24 > 0:11:30so you're looking at the, sort of, middle of the 19th century.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33About 1840, 1850, that sort of period.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38This piece, I like immensely, because I love enamel boxes,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41and if we open it, it's got a little mirror inside.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- Yes.- So, this would be used for patches that you would take out
0:11:45 > 0:11:47and put on all those spots.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48And so easy just to pop in a purse.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Oh, waistcoat. Waistcoat pocket.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- Waistcoat. Absolutely.- Waistcoat pocket. So, this is quite nice.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58And then, the absolute wonder
0:11:58 > 0:12:02of your collection is this little case here
0:12:02 > 0:12:04- which is called an etui.- Etui?
0:12:04 > 0:12:08And inside...
0:12:08 > 0:12:10..There's a little press catch there.
0:12:10 > 0:12:16- Yeah.- I can open it and there you have a lady's delightful
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- pair of scissors.- Tiny!
0:12:19 > 0:12:21If she snagged her sleeve, her lace,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30It would be lovely if it were silver or gold, but I don't think it is.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31Very nice indeed.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Now, how much are we going to realise for these pieces?
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Well, I think somewhere between £500 and £600.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- How splendid!- How it is to be sold, well, I'm going
0:12:41 > 0:12:44to leave that to the auctioneer.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49- Yes?- Because he may decide to put them in as one collection,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- or to sell them individually.- Yes.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55But he knows his market for these.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- Right.- So, I'm going to leave it up to him to say how he wants
0:12:59 > 0:13:00- to sell them.- Excellent.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Now, are you agreeable to that? - Perfectly.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- Will you be at the auction? - Of course!- So shall I!- Good!
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Margaret, I think this is very, very obviously a couple of pieces
0:13:17 > 0:13:20of Troika which we're now all familiar with, I think.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Yes.- But you have a story behind these two?
0:13:22 > 0:13:28Yes, well, I bought these for my mother in law in sort of 1971, '72.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32And she absolutely loved it.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37But unfortunately she died in 1976, so they came back to me again.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41So, they have been in the attic ever since.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- So, you bought them as a gift, but you don't like it.- No.
0:13:44 > 0:13:50Troika was established in 1963 by three men, hence the name Troika,
0:13:50 > 0:13:55and they specialised in this rustic, as you say, very rustic
0:13:55 > 0:14:02moulded body, which was purposefully made to emulate concrete.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Now everything in the '60s and '70s was concrete.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08It was very fashionable, both in architecture and in other things.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- In 1970, they moved to Newlyn. - Oh, right.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17- And then in 1983, it closed. - They didn't have a very long...
0:14:17 > 0:14:18No, they didn't.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- Only 20 years, so you were buying really in their mid period.- Yeah.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26We look at the mark on the bottom, which is where they marked them.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27Troika, Cornwall,
0:14:27 > 0:14:32and with the artist's monogram on the bottom there as well.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Of the two, I quite like the lamp.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37I think it's a nice usable size.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41It's practical, but it's a clever design.
0:14:41 > 0:14:47The vase is probably classed more of a regularly seen item.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- Yes, it is, yeah.- I think that,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54realistically, the vase would sell for around about
0:14:54 > 0:14:59£40 to £60, and the lamp should be in the region of about £70 to £90.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04- Yes, that's fine.- So, combining the two separate valuations, if we put
0:15:04 > 0:15:07a total estimate of £110 to £150, with a reserve of £100 on them.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12- Yes, that's good.- You'd be comfortable with that?- That's fine.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20The great thing about Flog It is that I get the chance to go
0:15:20 > 0:15:22out and about all over the British Isles
0:15:22 > 0:15:25to explore weird and wonderful things which people
0:15:25 > 0:15:29are passionate about and today is certainly no exception.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32The place I'm going to visit is a real gem and you wouldn't
0:15:32 > 0:15:35expect to find this in the heart of Lincolnshire.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43The Parrot Sanctuary was set up in 2003.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46It's home to almost 1,700 birds
0:15:46 > 0:15:49and is the result of one man's extraordinary passion.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52So, how did it all start, and what drove Steve Nicholls,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55the man behind it all,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58to set up this national sanctuary here, just outside Skegness?
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Steve, I've met some collectors
0:16:05 > 0:16:08in my time before on the show, but nothing like this!
0:16:08 > 0:16:10You and your extended family!
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- It is quite big now, yes.- Where did a passion for parrots start?
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- I've always been an animal oriented person.- Yeah.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Did you have a parrot as a kid?
0:16:19 > 0:16:22We had budgies, we had cockatiels, things like that,
0:16:22 > 0:16:28but then, in my early 20's, I started to become more fascinated.
0:16:28 > 0:16:33And then it developed, and I quickly identified that
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- we didn't have a lot of knowledge of the pet parrot.- Yeah.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40And no matter how fabulous they are and how nice we are with them,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43there was a big mismatch with parrots and people.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I wanted to further my studies, so I actually bought one parrot,
0:16:47 > 0:16:48which was a cockatoo.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- That's one of those over there. - That's right, one of the large ones.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56There was a reason for what I was doing. I didn't collect them as pets.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59I wanted to study them and try to help them, and help people
0:16:59 > 0:17:03that kept them. And I realised that there needed to be a place like this.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06So, all of these are unwanted birds that people give you?
0:17:06 > 0:17:08They're unwanted, but loved.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10The people genuinely do love them,
0:17:10 > 0:17:14but they realise that they can't give them what they need.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17They need things to do.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19It's a case of they're a very social,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23interactive creature, so all day, they will be playing with each other.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25They will be biting, pinching food.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28They will be doing things that keeps them preoccupied.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32In a cage, you can only play with that plastic yellow toy so many times
0:17:32 > 0:17:34before you become demented.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36What state are they in when they arrive?
0:17:36 > 0:17:40That's the main state that they come in. The self-mutilation.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43They'll sit there, just bored, and pull a feather out.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47It becomes a habit and then they'll turn up to us with no feathers on.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50So, the self-mutilation is the worst,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54but it is a physical deformity, there's a mental deformity.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Most of them sadly actually do suffer
0:17:56 > 0:17:59from mental diseases where it's stereotypical to a human,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02where they rock backwards and forwards, and don't know
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- how to present themselves with other animals.- Yeah.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08They're beautiful, aren't they? Striking colours.
0:18:08 > 0:18:09Well, that's their downfall.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11If they were just a plain,
0:18:11 > 0:18:15dull brown, nobody would be interested in having them in.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18What would one of these cost in a pet shop now?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Between £1,500 and £2,000.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- It's a lot of money, isn't it? - It is a big commitment.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25We actually get people that will buy
0:18:25 > 0:18:28these on Sunday and then phone me on a Monday
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and say, can they eat fruit, and what size cage do they need?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34We have to say, right, let's start it from scratch.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Why have you bought one of these?
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- Yes.- And they saw it because it's sat here and it's fabulous
0:18:39 > 0:18:41while it's in the shop. Very difficult.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44We don't want to say, yes, we've got nearly 1,700 parrots here
0:18:44 > 0:18:47and we should have them all and nobody else should have any.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49But here are certain birds
0:18:49 > 0:18:52out there that are far better suited to being with people
0:18:52 > 0:18:55than others that are better off in this kind of environment.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Name me some of the breeds you've got here.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Well, we've got 101 species.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Now, if you imagine there are 334 species of parrot in the world,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06that means we've got a third of them here.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- Yeah.- And we've got all the macaws from South America
0:19:08 > 0:19:11and the Amazons from South America.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14The cockatoos from Australia,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18and then, we've got the Indian ringnecks from India.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21We're absolutely surrounded! Shall we take a look at the rest?
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- Yes, certainly.- I'm absolutely fascinated by them all.- That's OK.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34PARROTS SQUAWKING LOUDLY
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Gosh!
0:19:36 > 0:19:37These are noisy, aren't they?
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- These are the real noisy ones. - Look at this one!
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- That's Peter, that!- Now, he's got more of an Elvis Presley haircut!
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- He has. - Do you see how gentle he was?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Oh, they're very dextrous with their beaks.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54It's just they're also very loud.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- Wow! They're quite aggressive, aren't they?- They can be, yes.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01They're very, very aggressive.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06Watch your head as you come in.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09I'm surprised they aren't fluttering everywhere!
0:20:09 > 0:20:13No, these are quite relaxed, steady birds, these.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15This is a lovely big colony,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18and they get their own nice feeling, being together.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19It's really nice that they
0:20:19 > 0:20:22can actually fly around and interact with each other.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- Well, just this is just their play area for them to chew...- Gosh!
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- This is Rio!- You know, I felt that!
0:20:28 > 0:20:30I thought, what the hell was happening there?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33He won't let anybody go on telly without him being there.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- Do you know the names of all of these birds?- Only the characters.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40I think you are the most eccentric collector I've ever met, Steve.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42And, you know, I take my hat off to you! I really do.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45You and the family. Where does it go from here?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- Well, all we can do is keep collecting, but on a good side.- OK.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Ultimately, we'll be the largest rehabilitation centre
0:20:52 > 0:20:55for parrots in the world, and it'll belong to the UK,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58to all the guys coming to see them, and more so,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00to these lovely birds.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02This fascinating place is a real testament
0:21:02 > 0:21:05to Steve's passion and drive.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09What an inspirational, unique individual.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Time for a quick look at what's heading off to the auction room.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23It's always nice to start with something local,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27like David's lovely postcard collection.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Full of social history,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Tony's Victorian music box still plays a lively tune.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38This 1950's clockwork zebra
0:21:38 > 0:21:42should make money for Lynn, as she only paid £2 for it.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45David had a happy discovery
0:21:45 > 0:21:49with the exquisite boxes. Will the auctioneer will sell as one lot
0:21:49 > 0:21:51or split them up? Good luck to Daisy!
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Margaret is not keen on Troika, but plenty of people are, so I don't
0:21:55 > 0:22:00think this vase and the lamp base will be going back into the attic.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04For today's sale, we've left the Lincolnshire
0:22:04 > 0:22:08coastline of Skegness and travelled inland to Grantham, to Golding Young
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Auction Rooms, and on the rostrum,
0:22:10 > 0:22:14the man with all the local knowledge is auctioneer Colin Young.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27We've got some Troika up for sale and it belongs to Margaret.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Are you a Troika fan, then?- No.- No, that's why you're flogging them.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- Well, it belonged to my...- I- bought it actually for my mother-in-law,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38but unfortunately she died in '76 and it came back to me.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43We love Troika. I love Troika. It's good 20th-century studio pottery.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45I'm growing to like it, but I do like the lamp.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- I could live with that. - You could live with that.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- I could, yeah.- What do you going to buy with that?
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- I was going to share it between my grandchildren.- How many have you got?
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Three and a great-grandson.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Wow! Well, you'll be busy then, won't you?
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Lot number 310 is the Troika wheel table lamp,
0:23:03 > 0:23:08and we also have the Troika coffin vase. There we go.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Very nicely named, of course(!) Who's going to start me at £100?
0:23:11 > 0:23:15100? 100? 80 to go then. Always very popular, Troika.
0:23:15 > 0:23:1750? £50?
0:23:17 > 0:23:20- Not in Grantham! - Oh, this is cheap for Troika.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23At 50 bid. 60 surely? 60. 70.
0:23:23 > 0:23:2580. 90. 100. 110.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30120? 110 bid. Any more now? At 110. We're on the market at 110.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34I'll take 15 as the last call. 15. 120 on the internet.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36125. 130 do I see?
0:23:36 > 0:23:42130? 130 there. 135. 140? 140.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46145. 150? 150. 155. 160.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48155 bid. 160 do I see?
0:23:48 > 0:23:52The internet's out. Selling at 155.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Yes!- The hammer's gone down.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Colin's done a proper job for us, hasn't he? He did really well.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- He did, very well.- £155.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03I thought it was sort if settling down a bit
0:24:03 > 0:24:05and people weren't buying too much now.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Oh, there's always another bid to tease out! You ask Elizabeth,
0:24:08 > 0:24:09she gets on the rostrum a lot.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- Yes, I know! - You've got to work that crowd!
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Still nervous on this side, watching what's happening. My goodness!
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Right, let's make some sweet music because it's Tony's
0:24:22 > 0:24:2619th-century music box. Wonderful. Got all the airs. It's working.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30We know what David said at the valuation day, £700 to £800.
0:24:30 > 0:24:31Quite precise!
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Because, you know, sometimes you've got a £400 to £800, but I like that.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37That's a proper valuation,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40not an estimate and we've seen plenty on the show before,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43and they've all done well for us. This is your lot. Good luck!
0:24:43 > 0:24:44Thank you!
0:24:44 > 0:24:48A 19th-century Swiss musical box this time, playing ten airs.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52What shall we say for this one? Who'll start me at 700 for it? 700?
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Five, then. Surely five. Who's going to put me in? Five?
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Four, if we must. 400. Thank you. £400 bid. At 400.
0:24:58 > 0:25:0050 now, do I see? £400 bid, 50 now surely?
0:25:00 > 0:25:04At £400 bid. 50 anywhere else now? 450?
0:25:04 > 0:25:06500. And 50 now.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- We're going up.- We've got a bid on the books.- Yeah.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12600 surely? 600? We're petering out now at 600 bid.
0:25:12 > 0:25:1650? One more? At 600, are we all done and finished at 600?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18I'm afraid I have to withdraw this one.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21If you have a word with us, we may be able to negotiate a sale.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24I was toying with dropping it to six before. But I thought...
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- Ah!- Oh, well.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Really, when we where at Skegness, I said,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33when I was going out, I said, I think I ought to have said to David
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- just knock it down to six, but we thought...- A little bit late.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter now.- Well, have a word
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- with Colin afterwards.- I will do.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51406.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Remember that lovely clockwork toy, that zebra?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56It's my valuation and it's just about to go under the hammer,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- and it belongs to Lynn. It's good to see you again.- Hello.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03- I think we'll sell it.- Yeah, I think so.- £30, fixed reserve,
0:26:03 > 0:26:04- we're not giving this away.- No.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06It's worth a bit more. It's worth double, isn't it?
0:26:06 > 0:26:10- I think so.- And we had a bit of fun with it. It's a lovely little zebra.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- All the money is going to your son, is it?- Yes.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15- You're going to treat him.- I am.- OK, OK. Well, let's find out
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- what the bidders of Grantham think, shall we?- Yes.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20They will love this. It's going under the hammer.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24A "made in China" tin-plate clockwork jumping zebra.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27A fabulous little lot. Quite fun, isn't it?
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Who's going to start me at £30 for it? 30? £30? £20?
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Well, who wants to start me at five? Five bid. Eight anywhere else now?
0:26:35 > 0:26:37- Oh, come on! - 10 bid. 12 bid. 15? 15. 18.
0:26:37 > 0:26:4020. At £20 I'm bid. Two, do I see? Two? Two, bid. Five now. Five. 25.
0:26:40 > 0:26:4328. 30. At 30 bid. 32 now.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45- £30 bid. At £30.- Mmm...
0:26:45 > 0:26:4832 now, do I see? At £30, second row.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51At 30 bid. Any more now? At £30.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Well done, Colin. He pushed that one.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Unfortunately, we didn't get middle estimate.
0:26:56 > 0:26:57No, but that's not bad, is it?
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- It's gone.- Yeah.- It's still not bad. That's a very good result.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I think it is. I think it is really.
0:27:02 > 0:27:0380 bid!
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Well, it looks like Daisy's selling part of her collection?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Absolutely.- Yeah?- A small selection.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Small. Why did you start with these four items?
0:27:16 > 0:27:18The first one, the enamel one,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22is my favourite, actually, because it's been much used.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- And I think there must be so much history with it.- Yeah.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28And it's sweet and I love enamel,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30but yes, that's the first one to go.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Well, we're starting off with that one, then there's a couple of ivory
0:27:34 > 0:27:37little cases and that lovely little etui, which I love.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- You valued all of these, David, £500 to £600 in one lot?- Yes.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Colin's decided to sell them separately.- Which is sensible.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Well, you knew he was going to do that.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49- Yeah.- So, we're going to start with the little enamel box.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Lot Number 140 is the 19th century
0:27:51 > 0:27:54French enamelled and gilt metal box. 30?
0:27:54 > 0:27:58- 30, surely?- Come on!- Come on! - 20 to go then, surely? 20 bid.
0:27:58 > 0:28:0122. 25. 28. 30. 2. 35. 38.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Bid 40. And 2. 42. At 42.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07This is cheap. 45 now, surely. At 42 it's on the market and selling. 45.
0:28:07 > 0:28:1045. 48. 48. Bid 50. And 5. 55.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Bid 60. And 5.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Bid 70. 70 bid. 75. Bid 80, now. No?
0:28:16 > 0:28:1975. 78, if it helps, then? At 75. Last call, then.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21All done and finished and selling then, £75.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24That's one gone, 75.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25The next is the tooth pick.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29What shall we say for this one? Start me at £50 for it. 50?
0:28:29 > 0:28:3330 then. 30, Who's first in? Thank you. 30. 35, now.
0:28:33 > 0:28:3535 was on the net. 35. Bid 40. 45.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Bid 50. And 5. Bid 60. 55 bid.
0:28:37 > 0:28:3960, now, do I see? 60. At 60 bid.
0:28:39 > 0:28:415 bid. 70 bid. 5 bid.
0:28:41 > 0:28:4480 bid. 5? £80, I'm bid. 5 anywhere else now? £80, I'm bid.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Any more bids? 5, do I see?
0:28:46 > 0:28:495 now, surely? Thank you. 85. Bid 90. At 90 bid.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51- 95? 95. 100.- We've got to 100.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53And 10 now? Thank you. 110.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55At 110. 120 now? 110.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Are we all done and finished, then?
0:28:57 > 0:28:59At £110. Last call.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01I'm selling at £110.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Well done, that man!
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- Yes! The internet does work. - Yes, doesn't it?
0:29:06 > 0:29:09The next one is another ivory box. It's the one with the D end.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Who's going to start me at £50? 50 straight in. 50.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16I'm bid 50. At £50 I'm bid. 5. 55 bid. 60 bid. 65. 70. £70, I'm bid.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19At 70 bid. 5, anywhere else? At £70 bid. 5 anywhere else?
0:29:19 > 0:29:24At 70. Are we all done? At 70. Last call, then. Going at £70.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28That's OK. We're still on track for your £500 to £600.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Lot Number 155 is an 18th century
0:29:30 > 0:29:35lady's gilt metal and banded agate etui. £100, surely. 100.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Thank you. Down there at 100. 120 now, may I say? At £100 bid.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41120? 120. 140? 140. 160?
0:29:41 > 0:29:42- 160 now. Do I see 160?- 180, come on!
0:29:42 > 0:29:46180. 200. 220 now. £200 I am bid.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50At 200. 220? 220. 240. 260. 280.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52- We've done it.- 300. 320.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54340. 360 now. 340 is all I'm bid.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58- At 340. 360 or not now? 340. Any more bids?- Thank you!- At 340.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02At 340. Last call, then. I'm selling, make no mistake, at £340.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Brilliant! We got your top end, then.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- Oh, that is good! - We have gone toppies!
0:30:07 > 0:30:08- We have!- That is good.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11You were spot on. You said £500 to £600.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13I think we've just topped £600...
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- For once in my life! - The prayer was answered!- It was!
0:30:16 > 0:30:22- I am so pleased! - For once in my life! Bless you!
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Thank you both so much. What fun!
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Well, next up we've some memorabilia,
0:30:32 > 0:30:34some social history of Skegness.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Some early photographs that belong to David.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39These are so sought after, and you thought that as well.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- It's the social history always sells well.- Absolutely.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44A good mixture of all sorts, including some militaria,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47so it's a lovely original album in a proper collection.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Yeah, £120, £180.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- There's even Butlins in Skegness there!- Yes, indeed!
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Yes, so we've got it all.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Hopefully, it's going to find a good home.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00Lot Number 355 is a collection of early 20th-century postcards
0:31:00 > 0:31:01contained in three albums.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Nice spread lot. Who's going to start me at £100?
0:31:04 > 0:31:06100? 80 to go then. 80.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10- Yeah, come on.- 50 surely? £50. Who's going to be first in? 50.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Five. 60. Five. 70. Five. Bid 80.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15And five. And 90. And five. 100.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17110. 120 on the book.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18130 in the room. 140.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20- Yes!- 150. 160. 170?
0:31:20 > 0:31:24170. 180. 190? 190. 200. 220.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27240. 260. 280. 300...
0:31:27 > 0:31:31He's got a commission bid on the book. He keeps looking down.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34At 400 bid. I'll go to the phones. Do we have an extra bid?
0:31:34 > 0:31:36We do, 420 on the phone. 440.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39460 now. 460? 460. 480.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41500 now, say. 500 bid surely?
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Thank you. 550 now? I'll take 20.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Let's keep the progress rolling.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48520. 540 now. 540 bid. 540.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52560. 580 now? 580 bid?
0:31:52 > 0:31:54580. 600 surely? No?
0:31:54 > 0:31:56At 580 it's on the telephone then.
0:31:56 > 0:31:57Do we've any more bids? At 580.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- 580.- We're done and finished, on the telephones at £580.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05£580. The hammer's gone like that and it's sold.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Absolutely amazing! - We see it time and time again.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09So much money in social history.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12If you've got a collection like that, we want to see it.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- Unbelievable.- Unbelievable. - A lot of money there.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- There's a bit of commission to pay. - Yes.- What will you put that towards?
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- Any idea? What's going through your mind?- I'm taken by surprise
0:32:22 > 0:32:23by the amount it's fetched!
0:32:23 > 0:32:27I shall have to give it serious consideration in a quieter moment!
0:32:27 > 0:32:28Lot with you, at 45.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Well, how about that? So far so good.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37We've had some cracking results.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40We are coming back later on in the show to the auction room,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42but right now I'm going to take a break
0:32:42 > 0:32:46and I need some bracing sea air, and David, with those postcards,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48has just given me a very good idea.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55That is absolutely wonderful!
0:32:55 > 0:32:59How could I possibly come to the bracing Lincolnshire coastline
0:32:59 > 0:33:01without visiting one of the big names
0:33:01 > 0:33:04in British holiday seaside entertainment?
0:33:04 > 0:33:07And in my opinion, it's up there with fish and chips,
0:33:07 > 0:33:09Brighton Rock and Blackpool Tower.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Hello, everyone! This is Beryl, your Radio Butlin announcer,
0:33:12 > 0:33:16wishing you a very good morning.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20It's Billy Butlin's first ever holiday camp in Skegness.
0:33:21 > 0:33:26Billy opened the holiday camp in 1936 and this chalet, which is now
0:33:26 > 0:33:29a Grade II-listed building, is all that is left
0:33:29 > 0:33:33of what those visitors would have enjoyed in the early days.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35There was one electric light bulb.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39A cold tap and hand basin in the corner, and no heating!
0:33:39 > 0:33:42So, you can see, it was all pretty basic.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44But it didn't seem to matter,
0:33:44 > 0:33:50because what Billy provided was a week's holiday for a week's pay.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53'The time is now 7.30,
0:33:53 > 0:33:57'and breakfast for all our first sitting campers
0:33:57 > 0:33:59'will be available at 8.15.'
0:34:02 > 0:34:05People may scoff at knobbly knees competitions
0:34:05 > 0:34:07and the regimentations of camps,
0:34:07 > 0:34:11but it gave ordinary families the chance to get away,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14meet new friends and have some great fun.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18Right, I'm off to find Chris Barron and have a chat with him.
0:34:18 > 0:34:19He's the resort director,
0:34:19 > 0:34:23and I'm going to find out a little bit more about the man who started
0:34:23 > 0:34:25this fantastic holiday empire.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30How did Billy come up with the idea?
0:34:30 > 0:34:34I think what he had done is when he was in Skegness,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37he saw how the old bed and breakfast used to work and the mum and dad
0:34:37 > 0:34:40and the two kids being kicked out at nine the morning
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and being told they couldn't come back till six at night.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46He had the recollections of his days in Canada when he was a youth
0:34:46 > 0:34:48when he used to see these old-style camps,
0:34:48 > 0:34:50which were made up of tents,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52and he had the dream of being able to do this.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55- So he put the two ideas together. - What was he doing, for a living?
0:34:55 > 0:34:58He had, just before then, he'd been into fairgrounds.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01He was always a showman. He'd done the stalls and stuff.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04He'd come up to Skegness because he'd heard two guys
0:35:04 > 0:35:07in a pub in London saying what a great season they'd had
0:35:07 > 0:35:09and how much money they were making.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Then he got the break on the seafront when he saw these dodgem cars.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15And again it was an exceptionally brave decision to commit
0:35:15 > 0:35:16to take the concession
0:35:16 > 0:35:19for these from America for the whole of Europe and Britain.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23So, again, he made lots of money bringing dodgem cars in,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26and that give him the base to sort of crystallise his dream.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30So, he bought the turnip field that was here in 1935
0:35:30 > 0:35:34and started out building Butlins as we know it today.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38- That's incredible. - And the plan for the 1936 chalet
0:35:38 > 0:35:41that you saw over there was drawn on a cigarette packet!
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Something that we wouldn't get away with now!
0:35:44 > 0:35:47It opened in Easter '36 and it was literally last minute.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51People would turn up to their chalet and the door wasn't there.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53By the time they got back to say the door wasn't there,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56it would have been put on. It was all very tight.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59It sounds like he was a very good businessman.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02He was. He always knew how to spot an opportunity,
0:36:02 > 0:36:03but he also knew how to sell himself.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06In '36 he borrowed lots of money to build this place
0:36:06 > 0:36:08and things were running late,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11his creditors were getting concerned, so he had the inspirational idea
0:36:11 > 0:36:14of what he'll do is just hire a Rolls Royce for the day.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15No way could he afford one!
0:36:15 > 0:36:18He went round his creditors, reassured them.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20They saw this in the car park and they were very comfortable
0:36:20 > 0:36:23and it gave him a breathing space.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26He also knew, when there was an opportunity, to make the most of it.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Just after the war, all of a sudden people were saying,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32workers deserve holiday pay, which they'd never had before.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37So he invited all the MPs down to Clacton to give them a presentation
0:36:37 > 0:36:39to say why it was so important
0:36:39 > 0:36:41that these people should have a week's holiday pay,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44ignoring the fact that Billy was the only person in the country
0:36:44 > 0:36:47who was in place to capitalise on that!
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- But at least he lobbied for it, didn't he?- Yeah! And again,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52it made him a people's champion.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54But it also then gave him his slogan, which was
0:36:54 > 0:36:56"A week's holiday for a week's pay",
0:36:56 > 0:36:58which is still probably the case today.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02What was a holiday camp is now a holiday resort,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04with New England style chalets,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07a sumptuous health spa,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09water slides and swimming pools
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and a variety of great evening entertainment.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16It has changed tremendously.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Entertainments are still absolutely key to it, but there has been
0:37:19 > 0:37:22massive investments in accommodation. We now have a holiday resort
0:37:22 > 0:37:24for the 21st century,
0:37:24 > 0:37:28and television is now key to people's lives, so what we try and
0:37:28 > 0:37:29do is bring television to life.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33So, entertainment will include things like stars from the X Factor,
0:37:33 > 0:37:34or Britain's Got Talent,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37but it'll also include bringing things that people won't see at home.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41So whether it will be the Colombian Circus, or acts from Moscow.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Also, the first time your five-year-old sees Bob The Builder
0:37:44 > 0:37:46or Angelina Ballerina,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49- you just can't capture that smile.- No, you can't.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51You want to provide an environment
0:37:51 > 0:37:53that people probably aren't getting anywhere else.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Bring the world to Skegness!
0:37:55 > 0:37:59But one thing that is still recognisable is the famous Red Coat
0:37:59 > 0:38:02and I'm not leaving here without meeting one.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Chris, hi! Pleased to meet you.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14I'm going to steal him away from you, ladies, OK,
0:38:14 > 0:38:16and have a quick chat with him.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18See you later!
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Where did the idea of the Red Coat come from?
0:38:20 > 0:38:21The Red Coat?
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Well, it comes back to when Billy Butlin... He was Canadian,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27and I think he got the idea from the Canadian Mountie.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30He wanted a bright coloured red coat to make a statement
0:38:30 > 0:38:33and to show everyone we're here to entertain you and have a good time.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35What's the best thing about being a Red Coat?
0:38:35 > 0:38:39For me, there's no better buzz than when you're making people smile
0:38:39 > 0:38:42and laugh on stage to 2,000 people.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44You're up there, you're making their holiday.
0:38:44 > 0:38:45You're having a great time
0:38:45 > 0:38:48and you're making sure they're enjoying themselves.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- That's the best buzz for me. - Chris, thank you very much.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53- I'll let you get back on. - Yeah, better go!
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Well, Butlins has been updated
0:38:59 > 0:39:02in so many different ways since those early days,
0:39:02 > 0:39:03but the brilliant thing is
0:39:03 > 0:39:06the tradition of a great British seaside holiday,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10packed full of fun and tremendous value is still well and truly alive.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Time to get back to our very own version of seaside entertainment
0:39:21 > 0:39:24with a rather excited David.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29William, this is an extraordinarily beautiful figure.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33Lovely, lovely quality porcelain. Where did it come from?
0:39:33 > 0:39:36My wife's uncle - I called him uncle.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39He travelled the world with a film company from London.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43On his journeys, with his friend, who was the wardrobe man,
0:39:43 > 0:39:47he was the caterer, they picked things up like this.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51When he went senile, me and my wife looked after him and he left me that
0:39:51 > 0:39:54before he died, then he left me a lot more stuff after he died.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56So that's where it came from,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59somewhere on his journeys around the world.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02- Or possibly somewhere in this country.- It could be.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05This is an English piece of porcelain. Worcester.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07- The very best you could have bought. - Oh, right.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11This dates from the end of the 19th century,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14tucked just into the 20th century.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17It's known as the Eastern water carrier.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20It's a lovely figure.
0:40:20 > 0:40:25There's a special technique of decorating these figures with gold,
0:40:25 > 0:40:27which they blew onto the surface.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30It gave the effect of bronzing.
0:40:30 > 0:40:36- Oh, right.- The mark underneath says "Worcester shot enamels".
0:40:36 > 0:40:39- I've seen that.- So this was sprayed onto the surface.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42The cap is interesting.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44When I had a look at this,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47I thought it was a second, because that is bubbled.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51But what you've got to bear in mind is,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54in the kiln, it depends where this was placed.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57If it was placed fairly high up in the kiln, the heat rises.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00It could have had a reaction
0:41:00 > 0:41:03in the second firing when they were securing the gilt.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06That's what might have happened.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10That it reacted on that particular section of colouring.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13So, why are you wanting to part with this?
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Well, I never liked it. My wife doesn't like it.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21It's been sat up on a pine corner cupboard for years and years
0:41:21 > 0:41:24and we have to get it down and dust it.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27I think this is a terrific figure.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32At auction, it should realise £600 to £800, but...
0:41:32 > 0:41:36but...there's something wrong with it and you know what it is.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- What's that?- A well's missing.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43I think it was a large basin and he's pouring water into the basin.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- That's right.- What I find extraordinary is you've got
0:41:46 > 0:41:50this circular aperture which would have
0:41:50 > 0:41:53secured the basin, which was modelled separately,
0:41:53 > 0:41:55but it still looks perfectly OK,
0:41:55 > 0:41:57as though he's pouring water into a hole.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Into a hole, that's right.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01But that does affect the value.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06So instead of the £600 to £800, we might be only looking at around
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- £100 to £150.- That's all right.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12If it only realises, let's say,
0:42:12 > 0:42:16worst scenario, £80, what are you going to do with that money?
0:42:16 > 0:42:20- It's not an awful lot. - My wife asked me that and I said,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23"When the money comes, if it comes and it's OK, just take it and
0:42:23 > 0:42:26"get your hair done, get a new frock and do whatever you want with it."
0:42:26 > 0:42:30- What a nice idea. - She's a lovely lady.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33That's a lovely gesture.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36- I hope we make 200.- I do!
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- Hello, Ailsa.- Hello, there. - I think this is stunning.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47I think this is lovely.
0:42:47 > 0:42:52It's obviously some piece of fine jewellery that you're actually
0:42:52 > 0:42:54- contemplating selling.- I am.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Tell me the story of it and the history of it.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00It was handed down to me from my mother.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03An aunt left my mother it.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06So you remember it from a child?
0:43:06 > 0:43:09- Yes.- Have you ever worn it? Have you had an occasion to wear it?
0:43:09 > 0:43:12- I've worn it once.- When was that?
0:43:12 > 0:43:17When I was...perhaps 24, 25 and went to a ball.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Oh, stunning. Felt like Cinderella, I should think?
0:43:20 > 0:43:22I felt the bee's knees.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25But you've also got it squirreled away somewhere?
0:43:25 > 0:43:27- It never sees daylight. - It's a shame.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31I say that, but if we have a closer look at it,
0:43:31 > 0:43:35I think that, ironically, has been to its advantage. What we have
0:43:35 > 0:43:37here is a late 19th century
0:43:37 > 0:43:41necklace, which dates at, I think, from about 1880.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43Stylistically, that's when I would place it.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46So it's about 120-130 years old.
0:43:46 > 0:43:50It comprises six hand-carved ivory panels.
0:43:50 > 0:43:56Ivory is a natural substance which is very prone to reacting
0:43:56 > 0:43:59to its environment and its surroundings.
0:43:59 > 0:44:03Also, it absorbs impurities in the atmosphere.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05So over time,
0:44:05 > 0:44:08as it ages, ivory tends to go quite yellow or a very deep cream colour.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12This looks almost as fresh and as crisp and clean as it did
0:44:12 > 0:44:14when it was first crafted.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17It's been wrapped away and hidden, but we take it out in the 21st
0:44:17 > 0:44:20century and it really couldn't look any better.
0:44:20 > 0:44:24There's always a question mark over the sale of ivory.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27It's a very sensitive and important issue.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30What I'd make clear here is that this is a late-19th-century piece,
0:44:30 > 0:44:33so the legitimacy of this as examples of ivory,
0:44:33 > 0:44:36and even the ivory box, is quite pertinent to sell.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40If it were after 1920, it would be a very different story
0:44:40 > 0:44:44and it wouldn't be something that could be commercially traded.
0:44:44 > 0:44:49- But absolutely fine on this one. You can rest easy on that.- Lovely.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54I think it's wise for you to try it with an estimate of £800 to £1,000.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57- Very nice.- And I do recommend you reserve.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59It should have a reserve on it.
0:44:59 > 0:45:05It is a serious piece of jewellery which merits that.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07If it doesn't make that, I would hang on to it.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10- Yes.- Well, I think you and I should go to the auction,
0:45:10 > 0:45:15offer it there and the proof will be in the pudding, won't it?
0:45:20 > 0:45:26Dawn, if anybody posed a question to me, "what should you collect?"
0:45:26 > 0:45:28Right.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31These are the objects I would advise anybody to collect
0:45:31 > 0:45:33- if they had spare cash.- Oh, right!
0:45:33 > 0:45:36Although they date from the earlier part of the 20th century,
0:45:36 > 0:45:39they are so much of today's style.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42Where did they come from?
0:45:42 > 0:45:46Originally, I think they would either have been Grandma's,
0:45:46 > 0:45:50if not Grandma's, then Mother's, most certainly.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54Both my parents passed away recently, so we've been clearing out.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56We found them in the shed.
0:45:56 > 0:46:00You found them in the shed?
0:46:00 > 0:46:05In the shed, yes. So I'm quite amazed they've survived, really.
0:46:05 > 0:46:10So am I! I want to know why you're selling them.
0:46:10 > 0:46:14- I'm a bit clumsy and I'd rather have ornaments that bounce.- Oh, right.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Right. I can understand that.
0:46:17 > 0:46:21- These are exquisite. You know what they are?- Yes.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23They're Ruskin Pottery.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27William Howson Taylor, together with his father,
0:46:27 > 0:46:30who was called Edward, set up a factory in Smethwick,
0:46:30 > 0:46:32very close to where I live in Warwickshire.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34That was in 1898.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38The factory eventually closed in 1935.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42But they were renowned worldwide for their exquisite pottery,
0:46:42 > 0:46:45which was based on Chinese originals.
0:46:45 > 0:46:49In particular, the glazes.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53They produced a huge range of glazes, including flambe,
0:46:53 > 0:46:57which is a lovely glowing red,
0:46:57 > 0:47:01and these, which come under the category of snake green.
0:47:01 > 0:47:07There's a mark on the bottom which is oval and it says
0:47:07 > 0:47:10"West Smethwick" on the bottom
0:47:10 > 0:47:13and also there's a date - 1905.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15That's very early.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18That's very early in the catalogue of production,
0:47:18 > 0:47:21they established the factory only a few years before.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25But these are absolutely exquisite.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28The design itself is based on a Chinese bottle,
0:47:28 > 0:47:31with this wide shoulder, but a very narrow neck.
0:47:31 > 0:47:36- Put your finger in that hole. - Yeah, I thought they were...
0:47:36 > 0:47:39- And then that one. - Slightly different, aren't they?
0:47:39 > 0:47:44Exactly. That's an indication that every single piece was hand-thrown.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48That means every piece is also unique.
0:47:48 > 0:47:51Now, think in terms of price.
0:47:51 > 0:47:55These are sought-after pottery items.
0:47:55 > 0:48:03I would estimate these somewhere between £400 and £600 for the pair.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07- Oh, really?- But they could do more, so don't be too shocked.
0:48:07 > 0:48:09Oh, lovely.
0:48:09 > 0:48:13- Thank you.- I think we'll put a reserve of about 380 on them.
0:48:13 > 0:48:17- Is that agreeable?- Yes, I think so.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20- We'll put them up for sale. - Lovely. Thank you.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30- Sue, hello.- Hello. - Are you having a lovely day?
0:48:30 > 0:48:33- I'm having a lovely day. - Excellent.- Very enjoyable.
0:48:33 > 0:48:37Well, I've picked out what you've brought cos I think this is charming.
0:48:37 > 0:48:38Tell me what you have here?
0:48:38 > 0:48:42I don't really know what it is. I know the name
0:48:42 > 0:48:46Vesta has been mentioned.
0:48:46 > 0:48:51- OK.- Dad died in '96 and we were sorting out the drawers,
0:48:51 > 0:48:54and Mum said, there's a bit of rubbish in there, just clear it out,
0:48:54 > 0:48:56you can have what you want.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00- OK.- So, I liked the colour of it.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04And basically, it's been in a drawer for 12 years.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06It caught my eye because of this electric blue.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08- It's a stunning colour.- Yes.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11You mention the word Vesta and you are quite right.
0:49:11 > 0:49:17What we have here is a late Victorian, Edwardian Vesta case.
0:49:17 > 0:49:23- Right.- It would have taken a little book of matches that would sit in there quite comfortably
0:49:23 > 0:49:25and on the outside is this stunning...
0:49:25 > 0:49:29- Do you know what this is made of? - Is it ceramic?- No, it's not ceramic.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31Good guess. It's enamelled.
0:49:31 > 0:49:36- Oh, enamel, right.- Now, enamel is, in effect, molten glass.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39- Oh, right, yes.- So, what they did was they painted
0:49:39 > 0:49:43this wonderful greyhound in a little landscape
0:49:43 > 0:49:46with this wonderful blue surround.
0:49:46 > 0:49:47It works beautifully.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50Because it's not a solid silver or a solid gold case,
0:49:50 > 0:49:54I think the value will be restricted to round about £60 to £80.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58- Right.- And with that in mind, would you like a reserve on it?
0:49:58 > 0:50:01- Yes and I would value your opinion. - OK, then.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03If we put a £60 threshold on it
0:50:03 > 0:50:09but asked the auctioneer to use his discretion of one bid, maybe
0:50:09 > 0:50:13so if it got close enough with one bid difference, he'd sell it
0:50:13 > 0:50:17any greater discrepancy, it would be saved and kept back for you, so it
0:50:17 > 0:50:21wouldn't be sold for a huge amount less than £60.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25But I'm hoping for it to be £80 nearer.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28But £60 to £80 with a £60 discretionary reserve.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30That would be lovely.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33Now for a last look at what our experts have chosen.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37William wants to treat his wife and I think this lovely Worcester figure
0:50:37 > 0:50:39should provide the means.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42Elizabeth picked out this exquisite ivory and gold necklace.
0:50:42 > 0:50:46Time for it see the light of day and shine in the sale room.
0:50:46 > 0:50:51The enamel Vesta case. It's in perfect condition, and I think
0:50:51 > 0:50:54well worth the £60 to £80 Elizabeth valued it at.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56Finally, rescued from the shed,
0:50:56 > 0:51:01these hand-thrown snake-green Ruskin vases really are an exciting find.
0:51:08 > 0:51:12Sue, why are you flogging this? It's a lovely Vesta. Nice box.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16Well, it's been in the family for a while, but it's been in a drawer for
0:51:16 > 0:51:19the past 12 years since Dad died,
0:51:19 > 0:51:23and I'd like to buy an ornament to remember him by.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25Let's hope we can get you around £100.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29It might be pushing it, that's the top end. We've got £60 to £80 on it.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33I would hope so. It's in good order. The enamelling is very, very nice,
0:51:33 > 0:51:36and I think it's got many positives, so I'm quite optimistic.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39We've got two sets of collectors after this. The little enamel
0:51:39 > 0:51:42- boxes and animal lovers. - Yes, so that will always help!
0:51:42 > 0:51:45Fingers crossed! Straight out of the traps and there we go!
0:51:45 > 0:51:49Lot Number 95 is the late 19th century gilt metal Vesta case
0:51:49 > 0:51:54with a greyhound on grass. Who's going to start me at £50? 50?
0:51:54 > 0:51:55Thank you. £50. 5 bid. 60...
0:51:55 > 0:51:59- We're in! We've done it! - At £60 I'm bid. 5 now, surely?
0:51:59 > 0:52:02At £60, I'm bid. I'll take 2 if it's going to...
0:52:02 > 0:52:07It does! 62. 65. 5 bid. 65. 68. 68. 70. At 70 bid. 2. 72. 75. 78?
0:52:07 > 0:52:1178 bid. 80 bid. Make it 5? Let's make some progress.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13- 85, I see? 85 now. - Come on, one more!
0:52:13 > 0:52:15I'll take 2, then. No, it doesn't work. £80.
0:52:15 > 0:52:19We're on the market and we're selling. Make no mistake. At £80.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21The top end of our estimate! Well done, Elizabeth!
0:52:21 > 0:52:24A good part of the country for greyhounds!
0:52:24 > 0:52:26Yes. And well done Colin Young.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28So, you've got £80, less a bit of commission.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31- Yes, that's fine. - That's a good day out.
0:52:31 > 0:52:33That's lovely. Yes, it is, yes.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35A good day at the races!
0:52:37 > 0:52:4255. 55 now. £80 bid. At 110.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44Next up is William's Worcester figure,
0:52:44 > 0:52:46with a valuation of £100 to £150.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49All the money is going on a makeover for your wife.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52I think that's so sweet. But were you under orders?
0:52:52 > 0:52:54- Yes.- She said, "I don't like it, flog it!"
0:52:54 > 0:52:57"I want a new dress, hairdo."
0:52:57 > 0:53:01- She's got her purse ready. - The works. Spa treatment...
0:53:01 > 0:53:05I think that's really nice. I really do. Good for you.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07You'll be in her good books.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10Let's hope we get that top end, David.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13For that sort of makeover, we've got to look for about 200.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16If not more.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19- Good luck.- Thanks.- Here we go. It's going under the hammer.
0:53:19 > 0:53:23Royal Worcester Cairo-ware figure.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26This is a male water carrier. Who will start me at 150 for it?
0:53:26 > 0:53:29150? 100 to go then, surely? 100?
0:53:29 > 0:53:32- 80 if we must. 80, who's going to be first in?- Come on, come on.
0:53:32 > 0:53:3450 then, surely. £50? 50?
0:53:34 > 0:53:38- 30? 30, thank you.- This is Worcester. This is Worcester!
0:53:38 > 0:53:40Bid 40. Do I see 40?
0:53:40 > 0:53:43Bid 50? 5. 60.
0:53:43 > 0:53:4665. 70? £70? Do I see 70?
0:53:46 > 0:53:47£70 bid. Five now surely.
0:53:47 > 0:53:5175. 80? 80 bid. £80. Five, do I see?
0:53:51 > 0:53:52£80 bid. Five anywhere? At £80.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56Any more bids? No. At £80 bid, we're done, we're finished.
0:53:56 > 0:53:57We're on the market at £80.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59- It's gone though. £80. - That's the hairdo.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01That's it, that's the hairdo, yeah.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04I'm happy with that. Yeah, very good.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11- Ailsa, are you feeling nervous? - Terrified.
0:54:11 > 0:54:14- Don't worry, don't worry. - You wear it well. You'd never guess.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18There's £800 to £1,000 riding on this wonderful necklace.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20It really is a consummate work of art.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22It's somebody at the top of their genre.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24You see a lot of bad carvings in ivory.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26But the sad thing is it's all anonymous.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28There's no signature or anything.
0:54:28 > 0:54:31You can't attribute to anybody. But it's lovely.
0:54:31 > 0:54:3319th century Cantonese ivory and gold necklace.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36Fantastic little lot. Lot 65. What shall we say?
0:54:36 > 0:54:40Who's going to start me at the bottom estimate? 800 for it? 800?
0:54:40 > 0:54:42Six?
0:54:42 > 0:54:44Five? Four?
0:54:45 > 0:54:47- Wrong direction!- Thank you, 400 bid.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49At 400. 420, do I see?
0:54:49 > 0:54:50At 400 bid, 420 anywhere else now?
0:54:50 > 0:54:53At 400 bid. 420 there. 420. 440.
0:54:53 > 0:54:55460. 480.
0:54:55 > 0:55:00500. 550. 600. 650. 700 now.
0:55:00 > 0:55:01650, my bid's here. At 650.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03Seven now surely? Seven, do I see?
0:55:03 > 0:55:06At 650. Is there seven anywhere else now?
0:55:06 > 0:55:10At 650. Seven now surely? Seven? At 700. 750, do I see now?
0:55:10 > 0:55:14At 700, any more bids? All done and finished at 700?
0:55:14 > 0:55:16I'm afraid I have to withdraw that lot.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19- You've still got it. - Just a bit short.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23I think you're meant to keep this. It's been in the family a long time.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25I'm quite happy to keep it.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29- I really am.- Back under the bed! Put it back under the bed.
0:55:36 > 0:55:40Dawn has got to pay the bills.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43- So many have come in.- That's right. - We need the money desperately.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46That's why we're flogging the Ruskin vases. Wonderful pair.
0:55:46 > 0:55:47They are nice. Lovely colour.
0:55:47 > 0:55:51David gravitated towards them.
0:55:51 > 0:55:56Of all the things I've ever wanted at a sale, it is these vases.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Snake green. I love the term "snake green".
0:55:59 > 0:56:02- Lovely glazes. - Were you happy with 4-6?
0:56:02 > 0:56:04- Yes.- That will cover the bills?
0:56:04 > 0:56:07It will help. It won't cover them, but it'll help.
0:56:07 > 0:56:11Well, on a good day... I don't want to get your hopes up.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14But on a good day, with two people actually bidding and
0:56:14 > 0:56:18- loving these and wanting them, could do four figures.- Yeah.- Could do.
0:56:18 > 0:56:23- We have a triptych of telephone bidders now.- Lovely.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26The most exquisite pair of Ruskin vases I think I've ever seen.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29What shall we say for these? Start me at bottom estimate. £400?
0:56:29 > 0:56:31400, who's first in?
0:56:31 > 0:56:33400?
0:56:33 > 0:56:36Deathly silence. What do I know then?
0:56:36 > 0:56:38£400? 300?
0:56:38 > 0:56:42300 bid. At 300. Let's go 20 now.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44At 300. 320. 340. 360.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46380. 400. 420.
0:56:46 > 0:56:50440. 460. At 460. 480.
0:56:50 > 0:56:52- 500. 550. 600.- Oh, excellent.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55700. 750. 800. 850 now. At 800 bid.
0:56:55 > 0:56:57850. Who's joining in next?
0:56:57 > 0:56:58At 800 bid, any more now?
0:56:58 > 0:57:02At 800. 50, do I see? 850 on that phone there.
0:57:02 > 0:57:05900. 950, do I see? 950 bid.
0:57:05 > 0:57:071,000. 1,100?
0:57:07 > 0:57:10- Oh, yes!- 1,100? 1,100 bid.
0:57:10 > 0:57:12I have 1,200. 1,300 now?
0:57:12 > 0:57:141,300 over there. At 13.
0:57:14 > 0:57:1714 anywhere else now? 1,300 on that phone.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20Anybody else joining in? At 1,300.
0:57:20 > 0:57:221,400. Thank you, 1,400.
0:57:22 > 0:57:261,500 now? 1,500. 1,600?
0:57:26 > 0:57:27- Brilliant.- 1,600 bid.
0:57:27 > 0:57:291,700 over here? 1,700?
0:57:29 > 0:57:311,700. 1,800 now?
0:57:31 > 0:57:361,800, it's Mr Squire's client at 1,800. Any more now?
0:57:36 > 0:57:3850 is the last call.
0:57:38 > 0:57:421,850 in the room. At 1,850. 1,900 now. 1,900 bid, do I have?
0:57:42 > 0:57:45Oh, my gosh, that's wonderful.
0:57:45 > 0:57:49At the back of the room then, selling at £1,850.
0:57:49 > 0:57:54- So pleased.- Well done.- Really well. Brilliant.- Pay those bills.
0:57:54 > 0:57:57- Always deserved four figures, didn't it?- Yes.- It really did.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59I'm really pleased about that.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01I didn't want to take them home,
0:58:01 > 0:58:03because I was worried they would get broken.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07No way would you take them home at £400 to £600. That was...
0:58:07 > 0:58:09A come-and-get-me figure!
0:58:09 > 0:58:12We had a chat and we said, "It will do four figures,"
0:58:12 > 0:58:14but we didn't want to get your hopes up.
0:58:14 > 0:58:18To get that sort of figure - nearly £2,000, is fantastic.
0:58:18 > 0:58:20Will that cover the bills?
0:58:20 > 0:58:24It will be a big help. It won't cover them all, but it is a big help.
0:58:24 > 0:58:27It really is.
0:58:32 > 0:58:35If you've enjoyed the show, please keep watching.
0:58:35 > 0:58:38There'll be plenty more surprises like this in the future.
0:58:38 > 0:58:39Until then, cheerio.
0:58:39 > 0:58:43Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd