Dunstable Flog It!

Today we are surrounded by our furry and feathered friends.

And noisy ones, just look at these flamingos. Welcome to Flog It!

from Whipsnade Zoo near Dunstable.

Whipsnade has around 70 different species of birds and these scarlet macaws here, well, they're possibly

the loudest and the most intelligent of the exhibits. If you want to see

more beautiful feathered creatures, this is the place to visit.

You could say the sky's the limit.

BIRDS SQUAWK

And from one flying machine to another, later on the programme,

I'll be reaching for the skies as I visit RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.

Whey!

But our main business today is on the ground.

And keen to get their paws on all the bags

and boxes today are our experts, the fabulous Thomas Plant and Michael Baggott.

They will be looking at every item in the queue and whisking the best off to auction later on.

Well, it's now 9:30, it's time to get this massive queue

through the gates and on with the show.

So, as the crowds rush in it appears Thomas has already clocked a great item.

-Paul, thank you for coming along to Flog It!

-Pleasure.

-This is a family piece?

-Yeah, passed down from my granddad.

He had quite a large collection of carriage clocks.

-But this is surplus to requirements?

-Yeah.

This is an English carriage clock

and it looks like, from the front of the dial, if we can see here,

it's got Benson on it. Benson a good London maker.

A good white enamel face there.

There's a slight crack on the corners, which you do expect to see,

-which does affect the value.

-Right.

-But what's appealing to it

is the actual design of the case. It's a lovely-shaped case.

-Mmm.

-Normally they're very straight,

but these have got these sort of nice mouldings to the brass.

And what I do like about it is that

it hasn't been polished too much which is a good sign.

-Or is that a bad thing?

-No, it's a good sign, it's a good sign.

Now if I press this button...

it does repeat.

Look, you can see the hammer going backwards...

And it's 19th century. Now that's a broad hundred years,

-Later part of the 19th century so we're looking at the late Victorian period.

-Oh.

Late 19, it could age towards the Edwardian period, but with the style

of the piece, it's looking at Victorian.

-They always have a very static value at auction...

-Yeah.

-..items like this, and, um...

it's always in the low hundreds, so my estimation for this

-is we're looking at £300 to £500.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Now that surprised me. I thought it would be a lot less. And I'm quite gobsmacked by that.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Well, I think if we say 300 to 500,

-but if we say a reserve of £200, is that all right?

-Brilliant, yeah.

-If it doesn't sell, there's another day, there's another auction.

-Right.

-I look forward to seeing you.

Fantastic. Thank you very, very much.

Valerie, thank you for bringing in what looks like a very promising box.

-Let's hope so.

-I know what should be in here,

from the shape of the case, but let's see.

Oh, marvellous! And there we go.

-Wonderful Victorian three-piece christening set.

-Right.

Really almost the wrong version that you get.

-Really?

-Often you will get a spoon and a fork, then you will get

the spoon, fork and knife.

And then maybe you'll get a napkin ring thrown in.

But the very best ones, you get the christening mug as well.

Look at the wonderful condition.

-Never been out of that case, has it?

-No, it's lovely, isn't it?

So where does it normally live?

It used to be in my mother's house and obviously when she passed away,

I laid claim to it because I liked it.

Well, unusually it isn't - wonderfully, I might add -

isn't inscribed with anybody's name so...

-No.

-Do you know who it was presented to in the family?

To be honest, I'm not certain, but I think it was probably one of the grandparents.

Look here, we've got RM over EH as the maker's mark,

That's Martin Hall and Company.

-Right.

-And they're a large Sheffield manufacturer.

-But sometimes they had their work assayed in London.

-Oh, right.

-And alongside it we've got London marks for 1875.

-Ah.

And what's lovely is we've also got those same marks

on the knife, fork and spoon so it all ties in together.

-Mmm.

-Wonderful set and I'm sure it's a set

that two collectors would fight over. Any idea of the value?

-Oh, 100-ish.

-100-ish?

Where's my wallet when I need it.

-I think we can safely put a reserve of £150 on it.

-Oh, lovely.

-And an estimate of £150 to £250.

-Yeah? Oh, that's good.

And to be honest I'd be disappointed if we weren't reaching

nearer the top end of that because we've got the original case.

But let's close it back up

and hope that somebody loves it as much as I do at the auction.

-Thank you so much for bringing it in.

-You're very welcome.

-Thank you.

-Dave.

-Yes, Tom.

Look at these. Tell me, are you a pot-lid collector?

I'm not. My father was a pot-lid collector

And when did he collect them?

About 20, 25 years ago.

Now, these are lids that you would have on the top of bases

which would contain gentleman's relish,

anchovy paste, toothpaste...

-They are late Victorian, second half, and these are the lids.

-Yes.

The bases are normally white and not interesting to people

so we have just got a collection of Staffordshire Prattware pot lids.

-How many have we got?

-73 in total.

-We've got a fraction

-we're showing on the table.

-Yes.

-Something you're interested in?

-I like them, but I'd rather see a collector or someone else have them for their collection.

-Absolutely.

-Laid out on the table, they look stunning.

-Does.

And these are transfer printed.

It's quite a difficult process to transfer the print on there and then to colour it.

So the ones where the decoration, the transfer and the colours

all match. And when you get a really crispy lid in condition

and the transfer is great then the premium is seen

in the price. They go for mega money.

Are there any of them which you fancy, which you think are your favourites?

-I like the first and second...

-These two, the one with the...?

-The gentleman and the lady in front of a window.

-Yes.

They are much clearer as you said, they do look clearer.

-They look nice and crisp, don't they?

-Yes.

-And it's quite a fun story.

The first proposal rejected, so he goes out for a walk,

you know, pretty gutted, he goes in for a second one.

I don't know if she rejects it again but maybe

they get married and there should be another lid for...

-The divorce, perhaps!

-A divorce lid.

-Lovely!

These lids, being a pair, actually do command quite a bit of money.

They're probably worth £100 each.

Another two which are nice are these ones here.

"Our Pets", which is a collection of... Which is children.

Obviously, children in things do sell a lot better,

-and these ones here are worth probably about £100 each.

-Yes.

The more general pot lids are worth between £20 and £50 for a really crispy lid.

So you say you've got 73 and I've actually seen all 73.

And I believe that we should get between...

£2,000, at the least, up to about £4,000.

It's a really wide bracket between 2,000 and 4,000 and I think we'll fall in between that.

-Are you happy with that?

-Yes.

Well, fix the reserve at two.

-They are going to do better, don't worry about that.

-OK.

They should do a lot better. But let's give the auction house

a chance to maybe split them up or keep them as a whole.

-Best to sell them on the one day cos they'll all turn up.

-Right.

-With the power of the internet, they'll be there. Happy with that?

-Yes, I am.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Charles, this is a marvellous little seal

that you've brought along today. Sadly something's happened to it today, hasn't it?

I'm afraid so, it's melted in my pocket, I think.

That's not a major disaster, the old glue's just given way.

But is this a family piece, something you've had for...?

No, I bought it, ah, 25 or slightly longer years ago.

-Oh, right.

-I bought it from a second-hand jeweller's in St Albans

and I had an extra band put on the top and had it made into a necklace

-for my wife. That's the hand in hand.

-That's lovely.

If we take a closer look here, I mean, none of this is hallmarked...

-No.

-But from the colour of the gold,

-we can tell that it's certainly 18 carats.

-Yes.

And we've got this armoured hand here with the gauntlet coming down

and we've got this more genteel, feminine hand

with the beautiful embroidery there, clasping it.

So it's of course a clasp of friendship and of loyalty.

"From Queen Victoria," which is marvellous.

The seal itself is a piece of bloodstone

which has been mounted with this floral wrapped gold collar

and on the base we've got the initials of the person

you imagine to whom it was presented, beneath the coronet.

Now, when you've got four balls on your coronet, that makes you a baron.

-Oh, right.

-So he was Baron Somebody.

-Yes.

Probably not Baron Hardup with a wonderful seal like that!

The slight difficulty when it comes to royal presentation inscriptions

is that I've seen quite a few pieces

over the years and they tend always to have Queen Victoria's monogram

on them as well, so you'll get VR either on its own or conjoined under the royal crown.

The fact that isn't there puts a slight seed of doubt in my mind.

-Had it been presented by Queen Victoria...

-Yes.

-..you're between £2,000 and £4,000 for it.

-Mm-hm.

Really today we've just got to look at it as just a very fine,

early to mid-19th century, gold and bloodstone seal.

-Right.

-Realistically at auction I think it's going to make between £400 and £600.

I would love to be proved wrong and have two royal collectors taking it

-over the 1,000 and 1,800...

-Yes.

-But I think that's realistic.

-Right.

-If we put a fixed reserve of £400 on it

-and hope that somebody in the auction...

-Really likes it.

..is a seal collector with a tube of superglue to put it back together!

-But it's a marvellous thing and thank you so much for bringing it.

-Lovely. Nice to have met you.

So, Di, you've brought along this tea service.

-Tell me the story behind it.

-I was given it when I was four or five.

My mother used to keep it under my father's wardrobe.

Then, on a Sunday afternoon, we'd get it out and have tea.

My mother made small cakes to put on the plates.

Really? We'd better get this straight. First of all, it's a "Bes-wick" tea service.

I've got to say it the correct way. It's a complete service, which is quite rare.

We don't normally see them in this condition. If you look inside,

the service is a little crazed, but it's not too bad at all.

-Do you remember getting it?

-Yes, for Christmas. I had to be very good to get it on a Sunday.

-What's your favourite bit?

-The plates.

-They are pretty.

They've got the leaping deer.

Beswick has got quite a following. Because they're famous cartoon figures, transfer-printed,

-that will also add kudos to the finished product.

-Right.

And it's cased as well.

-Why are you selling it?

-It's been in the loft for years.

-I don't really use it and afternoon tea is not our thing.

-It would be a little bit odd.

-Little cups!

-Exactly.

-And little cakes!

-Exactly.

Now we're coming to valuation time. What do we believe it's going to make? Beswick, very popular.

Famous cartoon characters, very popular. Bad box brings it down,

-but I still believe it'll make £60-£80.

-Really?

-What do you think?

-Not bad at all.

-That's more than I thought!

-I think we should do that for you.

-Right.

-As regards to reserve,

-I would suggest £40.

-OK.

-Happy with that?

-Yes, happy.

-Great. We'll put that in for you.

-Lovely. I'll look forward to it.

This church is all that is left of Dunstable's medieval priory.

It's a wonderful mixture of architectural styles, but that's not what I'm here to see today.

From its humble beginnings, it has carved out a unique place in English history.

It marked the beginning of a religious revolution and signalled a literary milestone.

Dunstable Priory was founded in 1131 by Henry I

and it took 80 years to complete.

It was part of a widespread church building programme and quickly became an integral part of the town.

Over the years, the priory slowly established its importance within the realm.

However, it was the events surrounding the end of two very different royal marriages

that helped seal this church's place in history, events depicted in these windows.

In the royal window, you see the body of Eleanor, laid out here,

on her final journey from Lincoln to Westminster Abbey in 1290.

You can see Edward kneeling just there beside her.

Above her coat of arms are the initials of the king and queen, linked with a lovers' knot.

But we have to fast forward more than 200 years after Eleanor to the turbulent reign of Henry VIII

for this priory's defining moment, which is hinted at in this window. The lovers' knot is now broken.

And that break illustrates Henry's divorce, or the annulment of his marriage, from Catherine of Aragon,

which was finalised here in the priory's Lady's Chapel -

a turning point in English history, which led to reformation of the church and eventual dissolution

of the priory, along with most other religious houses in England.

I've come to meet local historian Hugh Garrod to learn more about the priory's pivotal role.

-Why did Henry want the annulment?

-He wanted it because he was desperate to have a male heir.

Catherine had many miscarriages. Their only son died at two months.

The only surviving child was a daughter called Mary, later queen.

-He was sure that God was punishing him for marrying his brother's widow.

-Right.

-Also, he thought that Anne Boleyn would oblige him with a son.

-Yes.

-So that was why he wanted this settled.

-Why did the annulment happen here in Dunstable

-and not in London and Rome?

-If it happened in Rome, he knew the Pope would influence the outcome.

In London, the people would be very upset. They liked their queen and were very fond of Catherine.

-So it had to happen somewhere in-between.

-Not to cause a big fuss.

-Somewhere nice, quiet and peaceful.

-So what happened?

The Court of Annulment was called here. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer came

and many of the bishops and legal people of the day. They met in the Lady Chapel in 1533.

They spent a week discussing the pros and cons of it, but I think it was a foregone conclusion.

If they sided with the King, the Pope would excommunicate them.

-If they sided with the Pope, the King would have them beheaded. No contest.

-No!

-And was the significance far-ranging?

-Yes, it had long-term implications for the church.

I'm sure that Henry himself was a Catholic until the day he died.

He wanted to be head of the English Catholic church and break from Rome,

but the long-term significance was that it led to the Reformation and establishing the Protestant church.

So how did the church survive, attached as it was to the priory?

That's a very interesting question. It's all to do with the roof.

At the end of the 15th century,

the wealthy families of Dunstable formed a fraternity, the Fraternity of St John.

They were responsible for the upkeep of the roof. So they took the roof off and lowered it

to a manageable level. So at the time of the dissolution, Henry VIII's men came

to take the roof off everything, which was the standard practice,

and the locals said, "You can't. Our parents and grandparents paid for this."

This is why it was left.

-A lovely story. So Henry definitely made his mark on Dunstable.

-He did. Very much so, for good or ill.

But it was his Catholic daughter Mary who was to leave a more lasting impression on this church.

This is a Marian screen, which was put here in about 1555.

Mary is now Queen. She remembers what happened here.

-This is where her mother's marriage was annulled and she was declared illegitimate.

-So she's upset.

-Yes.

She's going to have her say.

-How is this her comment?

-The symbols are across these pillars.

-We have the fleur de lis...

-That's Catholic.

-A Catholic symbol.

We have the pomegranate, her mother's symbol and, on the end,

the double-headed eagle was the symbol of the Pope.

Was it just this small screen or did it go right along?

-It originally went all the way across the church.

-So it was in your face.

-It was.

-It was a big statement.

This is all we've got left of it.

The priory certainly had a turbulent time in the Tudor times.

-Any other notable moments in history?

-We had our problems during the English Civil War.

It wasn't Catholics and Protestants. It was Roundheads and Cavaliers.

-What was Dunstable?

-On the side of the Roundheads.

Neighbouring Buckinghamshire was for the Cavaliers. One Sunday in 1644,

a detachment of royal soldiers came with their pistols and stormed it,

-took pot shots at the rector...

-Did he survive?

-Yes. And the congregation. Nobody was hurt.

-That was lucky!

-We have the bullet holes. But the first claim to fame of the priory is outside.

It's of a literary nature.

-This is about where the cloisters would have been originally.

-OK.

And it was here in the early days of the priory that Geoffrey de Gorham put on a play

about the martyrdom of St Catherine, the first play in vernacular English that we know of in England.

-Another first for Dunstable.

-Hugh, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

-It's well worth a visit, definitely.

-Thank you.

So although the priory no longer exists, this place is home

not only to a first in English literary history, but also the beginning of the Reformation.

Who would have thought this unassuming church

would have played such a pivotal role in our past?

Right now it's time to put those valuations to the test.

So while we make our way over to the auction room, we'll leave you

with a little reminder, just to jog your memory, of all the items going under the hammer.

Paul is pleased with the valuation Thomas placed

on his late grandfather's Victorian carriage clock.

We're looking at £300 to £500.

-Really? I'm quite gobsmacked by that.

-Really?

Found in her mother's attic,

Valerie doesn't think her silver christening set is worth a fortune.

-Any idea of the value?

-100-ish?

Where's my wallet when I need it most?!

And Di has fond memories of her Beswick child's tea set,

which was only used on high days and holidays.

Will Charles receive the stamp of approval from the saleroom

for his gold seal marked "from Queen Victoria"?

It's melted in my pocket, I think!

And will the lids prised off Dave's Staffordshire pots

produce a prize pot of gold in the auction room?

For today's auction we've travelled to Hertfordshire

and we're the guests of Tring Market Auctions. On the rostrum

is old "Flog It!" favourite Stephen Hearn.

First up is the Victorian carriage clock.

It belongs to Paul here and we got a value of £300 to £500.

Well, I hope we get that top end that Thomas put on.

Chance would be a fine thing! No...

Should I say, I'm hoping for that lotto win, then? 300.

300 would be a really good, really good price. 500 is, it would be doing really, really well.

And obviously with the money, are you going to buy another clock or...?

-I'll take the children out, I think.

-Take the kids out.

-Yeah. About time.

-How many have you got?

-Three.

-And what are their names?

Rebecca, Abigail and Joshua.

Lovely names, lovely names.

Let's see what we can do for them. It's going under the hammer now.

Carriage clock retailed by Benson's and a jolly good example, too.

A bid at £200.

£220 I'm bid for that and 50 now.

At £250, £250 and 80's in.

£280 it's got to be. £280, £280...

£300, a bid at £300.

£320, thank you.

Brilliant. That has gone for £320 so you were both right.

You both kind of agreed it would get the bottom end, didn't you?

-I think that's about right for it.

-You know your stuff.

He does, he knows his stuff. Want a job?

Don't tempt me.

Well, I hope the kids enjoy the money.

Thank you. So do I.

Just about to go under the hammer is a Beswick tea set that belongs to Di. We've got £40-£60 on this.

-You've had this since you were 4 or 5. That's a long time.

-It is.

-Why do you want to sell it?

-You never use it?

-No. It's in the loft.

-Thomas, will we get that top end?

-It's a famous name.

-It's got great cartoon characters. It should do well.

-Fingers crossed. Let's see what the bidders think.

We've got the 1950s Beswick Disneyland tea set.

£100? £50? £40.

-We're in.

-£50. £60. 70.

-£80.

-There's two or three.

-£90.

£100. 110.

120. 130.

140?

-No?

-130 we're on now.

-1...

-Yes! 140.

160.

Your bid, sir.

I'll sell on my left for £160. Yes.

-Yes! The hammer's gone down. They loved it. £160, Di!

-Really good!

-Was that a "come and buy me"? Or was it the right people?

-Yes.

-You've got to be happy with that.

-Ecstatic!

-You can treat yourself.

It's my son's 21st coming up so money will go on that.

Next up, a three-piece christening set belonging to Valerie.

Been looking forward to this?

-Yes, but I'm nervous.

-Is this your first auction?

-It is.

-Really? Have you had a chance to look around and see if you want to buy anything?

-Oh, I don't want to buy anything.

-We're only here to sell, aren't we?

-Oh, yes.

-It's the christening set.

-Yes.

-Why did you decide to sell this, then?

-Well, we found it in my mother's house after she died...

-Yeah.

-So I'd never, ever seen it before so it had no sentimental value.

-No.

So we just thought on the valuation day we hopefully bring something nice, and it turned out to be OK.

-And Michael spotted this.

-He did.

-Well, he is our silver expert.

-Swooped in.

-You did swoop in.

-Like a hawk onto the christening set.

-It's a lovely thing.

-It's a good one.

It's very unusual to get the mug in with them.

It's going under the hammer now.

Christening set, always useful to have a set available.

What about 150 for them? £100.

Bid. £100 I am bid, then. 110 we have.

120, 130, £140. No?

150 I've got, 150 now. 160...

Ah! Good.

170 I am bid 80, 180.

180, 190. £190. In the room with 190.

-It's sold.

-Yes.

200 now. 190 then I am selling. £200.

210 we've got now. At 210.

220?

220, madam?

-No? 210 gets it then. £210.

-Yes. 210.

-We'll know next time, won't we?

-That's fantastic.

-Oh, great.

-210.

-Yeah.

-Valerie, happy?

-Very happy.

There's commission to pay but what will you spend the money on?

Well, I'll buy some euros because I'm going on holiday.

-Oh, where are you going?

-Ibiza.

-Oh, lovely.

-I hope so.

-Lovely.

-Fingers crossed.

Mind you, it's hot enough in here today isn't it?

-Yes. Trial run I think.

-Good practice for it. Enjoy the holiday.

Thank you.

Right now it's time to sell those 73 Staffordshire pot lids.

Was it the right decision to sell them as an entire collection rather than splitting them up?

Let's find out. We haven't got Dave but we've got Dave's Aunt Marilyn.

-Hello, pleased to meet you.

-Hello.

-So where's Dave today?

-He's in Cyprus on holiday.

-Oh, is he? Nice place to go.

-Lovely.

-Be hot out there right now.

-I should think so.

So, being his aunt, have you seen this collection grow?

Um, I've seen some of it but not all of it.

No? Doesn't fascinate you?

-No, not at all.

-Not really. Not in the least!

-No.

-It's a great collection.

-It is. I went and had a look at it now.

Lot of money too. £2,000 to £4,000 we've got on this, Thomas.

Had a chat with the auctioneer - Marilyn doesn't know this -

he was a bit disappointed that he couldn't separate them because there's such a lot there...

-Yes.

-And as Thomas knows, there's some good ones and some poorer ones.

He wanted to separate them to let the collectors have a fair share

of the fight but unfortunately Dave said no, they have to go in one lot.

Yes, that's kind of disappointing because if they were separated, you would get that money, if not more.

We need £2,000 and that's the fixed reserve as well.

Here we go. Good luck, both of you.

Now we have the collection of pot lids

and no doubt you have all done your calculations.

500 I am bid for them then, at 550 I am bid. At 600.

At 600 I'm bid, £600, 650 I'm bid for them. 700 I am bid...

-She's keen over there.

-800 I'm bid, and 50.

Are you going to be 900? 900 we're bid, at 950.

It's got to be 1,000, 1,000 bid. 1,000 I am bid for them then, £1,000.

1,050, 1,150. And £1,200 then. No? At £1,200...

-No they're not going to sell.

-At 1200 pound all finished.

-Not selling.

-No they're not selling.

-They're going too slow, aren't they?

At £1,200.

-I'm sorry, not sold.

-Oh, well.

-You've got to wrap them up.

-I know.

-At least it's not a grand piano is it?

-No you're right there.

-Wrap them and put them on edge, that way they'll travel easier.

-OK, thank you.

I guess get on the phone to Dave and say, look it's been disappointing..

-Have a great holiday.

-..but have a great holiday, yeah, exactly. Yeah.

-OK.

-Yes. Thank you very much.

-Thank you, Marilyn.

-Thank you.

Although Dave wanted to keep the pot-lid collection complete,

in pure market terms I am sure he would have been better taking the auctioneer's advice.

Hopefully we can do better with our next item.

Right let's see if this next lot gets the seal of approval, if you know what I mean.

It's the Queen Victoria seal belonging to Charles with a value of £400 to £600.

-Who have you brought along?

-My wife, Patricia.

Hi, hello. Can I call you Patricia or is it Pat?

-It's Pat.

-Pat. Oh, is it?

-What do you think of the seal?

-I love it.

-You love it.

-And I've had it 25 years.

-Oh, it's yours, is it?

-Yes.

-Ah.

-Charles bought it for me.

-Since the valuation day, you've put the reserve up, haven't you?

-Yes.

-You've had a chat to the auctioneer. Did you know that, Michael?

-No.

-It's not four to six any more, it now starts at six.

-Crikey.

That's put a bit of pressure on.

It really has got to make an impression in the saleroom today!

-Oh, dear!

-Oh, I like that line!

I didn't think of that one!

Oh, you have to be quick on your feet!

It might get there, it's just that we haven't got the back-story for the Queen Victoria inscription.

-With that, we're £2,000 to £3,000.

-Yes.

So it's going to struggle and I don't know... I don't know if you'll get it clear but I hope...

We're going to find out. Why did you want to sell it again, Patricia?

Our dog was sick for many years and we couldn't go on holiday abroad

and she died last year, so I'm taking him on holiday.

OK, the money's going towards a holiday.

-Yes.

-Well, good luck, this is it.

And it's got the inscription on there, "from Queen Victoria".

What a lovely item this one is. There you are.

What about £600 for it or 500 or 400?

400 bid for it now, £400, at 400 bid, I am bid 420, I am bid 50 now, sir.

500 he says, 520 I am bid, and 50, sir.

-Oh, it's close.

-520 and 50 is it?

550, yes? 550 bid.

Come on, yes. Come on Steven, work it.

At 550. You won't see another one. 600, I've got it now.

He's got a bid over there.

-Yes, he's sold it.

-At 600 bid, at £600 I'm bid. And 20 to you, sir.

600's on my left then, if there's no further bid, I'm selling.

You want it now? 620. I'm selling on my right then at £620, then.

Yes, it's gone very quickly there.

-Patricia, £620.

-Delighted.

I've just got to say, it's all down to Michael here.

-Well, and Charles. And Charles.

-Put a bit of extra pressure on you there.

I was sweating at 550 I can tell you.

-So was I.

-There was a long pause between 550 and 6.

But it was 4 to 6 and we got the top end and that's what counts.

-Perfect, yeah.

-Thank you, Michael.

-Enjoy the holiday.

-We certainly will, thank you.

-Thank you.

Later on we will be back at the zoo and there's a four legged theme running inside AND out.

This is the Rolls Royce of rocking-horse makers.

RAF Halton is one of the larger air force stations in the United Kingdom and it's considered

to be the gateway to an exciting and challenging career in the Royal Air Force.

This place has a great reputation as a training centre for excellence.

You can see why, can't you?

By the right!

Quick march!

While it has never been a pilot-training centre,

Halton in Buckinghamshire has been the location for RAF support services

like catering and dentistry.

In 1919 Lord Trenchard established a number one school of technical training here.

For over 70 years the skills of air mechanics were taught

to over 40,000 apprentices before the school moved elsewhere in the 1990s.

Today RAF Halton is the first port of call for all new airmen and airwomen.

Recruits do all their nine-week basic training here

before moving on to specialise in the many divisions of the air force.

To tell me more, I've come to meet Squadron Leader Colin Baker.

Colin, tell me a bit more about RAF Halton.

RAF Halton is a nontechnical training base and here we probably get something like 21,000 students

a year on a variety of courses such as catering,

health and safety, recruit training, of course, professional training and management training.

So there is a lot that goes on here that people don't realise about.

-Gosh, that is, isn't it? You cover all sorts of careers here.

-Yes, very much so.

If I went on this nine-week course what would you put me through?

Well, what is very important, we're very much a mobile air force nowadays

so we go out on operations quite a lot and we've got to start that training somewhere so what

we do is we teach them how to look after a weapon, how to look after their colleagues if they got injured,

-and other things such as team work, communication skills.

-Bonding.

Yeah, very much bonding.

And I think if you talk to a lot of these youngsters and say to them,

"Do you think you've changed?" they'd go, "Yes, I'm more confident, I'm working as a team player..."

-Yes.

-You know. "..And I haven't touched my Playstation for weeks."

You're developing their character. They're doing drill at the moment.

I mean, this goes back centuries, doesn't it, in terms of military discipline?

They do. Drilling in effect is a way of bringing people together to actually act and work together.

Drill looks absolutely rubbish if people have got tick-tock arms,

if they're not in sequence, and as you can hear behind me here...

-Oh, yes, that's incredible. The unison there, they're so perfectly in time.

-It is.

And as you can probably hear now they're calling the times in so they all get it all together.

-On the day they won't be doing this.

-Yes.

-So it will be much, much more professional.

For over 90 years the RAF has played a major part in protecting our country.

In fact their efforts against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain prompted Winston Churchill

to famously say, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

And included amongst those were the support staff that made it all possible.

Whilst the camp at Halton doesn't train pilots as such,

there is a grass airfield which is used for light aircraft.

As part of the basic nine-week training period, all new recruits

are given a taste of flying in a microlight.

I managed to avoid basic instruction on the drill parade earlier

but I haven't been able to duck out of this one, and quite frankly I wouldn't want to.

A trip up in a state-of-the-art microlight aircraft. And I'm ready for this.

I'm in safe hands, I'm with Flight Lieutenant Keith Watson and he's going to look after me.

-Are we ready?

-Let's go.

-Let's take her up.

-Look at that.

-Incredible speed! What lift just then!

Flaps up.

-This is so incredible.

-So, what happens with the trainees is each trainee, up to 1,200 a year,

gets to experience this for half an hour and that includes hands-on

so they can get experience how it feels to move the aeroplane

and essentially get to feel what it's like to fly.

-Yeah.

-And that kind of adventurous training as well.

And that's just amazing to experience this at such a young age.

That's a stunning view.

-With me?

-Whey!

Wow. Oh, dear!

We're coming in for landing.

Oh, Keith, that was perfect, absolutely perfect.

Well, it wasn't THAT good!

You didn't feel the wheels touch the grass.

I was expecting a lot of bouncing.

You're making me blush!

Woah! That was incredible, just amazing!

It's wonderful to see these professional guys at work, and the training here is second to none.

I believe we've got the best air force in the world.

And RAF Halton has had a motto since it was first formed, "Teach, learn and apply," and I tell you what,

that's as appropriate today as it was back in the early 20th century.

And thank you so much, Keith, best day of my life. It was brilliant!

Back at Whipsnade Zoo we're hunting for more valuations and Thomas has pounced on a rather nice painting.

So Carole, you've brought along a picture today.

It's been hanging in the house?

Yes. Behind the door.

-Is it something that is a family favourite?

-I quite like it.

My husband's not really that keen.

He prefers watercolours.

OK well this is definitely not a watercolour, this is an oil on panel or board.

-Yeah.

-How did you come by it?

-My father-in-law collected antiques.

So, by looking at this, he certainly did, you know, have an eye to it as well.

It does have a little bit of crazing, but let's talk about the artist and what it is.

-Pictures are helpfully signed and there's JP there.

-Yeah.

And this man was called John Thomas Peel and he was a Victorian British

artist and this is a typical genre scene, what we call genre of life.

There's a man, a gentleman here playing his tin whistle.

Maybe he plays in pubs and he's in between pubs

and he's just practising before he goes into his next pub,

-and his hat's off or whatever, I don't know.

-Yeah.

But it's got that lovely sort of look to it

and, you know, the light on his face and the hands,

it's a dark night and the street light's just got him

and Peel has captured this image.

But let's have a look at the reverse of it, and there we can see,

if we turn it round, it's quite a nice panel, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Good panel and it's got some stretchers across here.

-Some dust.

Some dust, yeah, a bit of dust, but that all adds value.

But here, this is quite fun. I don't know...

"A study from life, a man who has seen better days.

"Painted by JT Peel, May 1866."

Yeah.

Now, why do you want to sell it?

-It doesn't really go with what we've got in the house I'm afraid.

-Really?

And what do you think it's worth?

Well, I think, because I like it, I think about £300, I would pay for it.

-You'd pay 300?

-Yes, cos I like it, but as I say it's...

-OK.

Well, I think you're a little bit low.

I would like to put this in at auction at £800 to £1,200.

800 to 1,200 !

-Yes!

-Do you like that?

-Very much. Yes. Would you like to do that?

-Absolutely. Yes.

-I think you better have a reserve on it.

-Yes.

-Sort of 700.

It's a good-looking picture.

I like it even more now!

Dave, thank you for bringing these...

-You're welcome.

-..wonderful plaques.

-Did you bring the Brasso and the rag as well?

-Yes,

-been rubbed to death, I'm afraid.

-Where do they originally come from?

These came from my aunt who left them.

She was lady-in-waiting and when she left they were given to her as a present.

What a marvellous present.

-And she's passed them on to you.

-She did, yes.

So why now have you decided to part with them?

Well, cos they're not on display so somebody else might enjoy them.

-Get them framed or set into something.

-A horsey person would probably enjoy them more than me.

A horsey person would love them. How long have you had them?

About, about 30 years.

Looking at them, you might think it's a couple of brass plaques...

I did, yes.

Or even copper in a certain light,

but they are supposed to be a deep rich nut brown.

-Oh, right.

-Because they're both bronze.

And thankfully we've got a signature, which makes life tremendously easy

-when you're doing bronzes, of Georges Gardet.

-Right.

And he was working in France and he was one of the animalia school.

-Right.

-And it's a French school and basically they cast figural bronzes

of animals in a naturalistic setting.

They are very finely done.

I imagine that they were produced anywhere from about 1860 up to 1890

and the sad thing is that every time they were polished,

-it's like rubbing away...

-Pound notes.

-Pound notes.

-Right!

It really is because it doesn't just rub the surface off,

-it starts to wear away at the detail.

-Right.

So any idea what they're worth?

Not really, no.

I mean certainly these in their polished state, I think we should

-pitch them at £100 to £200.

-Well, that's fine.

-Give it a broad sweep.

-That's fine.

And if we set the reserve slightly under that, at 80,

-to give the auctioneer a little bit of discretion.

-Yes.

-Then hopefully there'll be a couple of horse lovers at the auction...

-That would be lovely, yes.

..who'll get carried away with them and not polish them any more!

I won't touch them! Well, they'll be gone, hopefully.

-If you're happy, we'll pop them into the sale.

-Lovely, thanks.

-Marvellous.

-Thank you for bringing them along.

-That's lovely. Thanks.

I've just been told there's something I need to see outside.

Gosh, and they were right as well.

Look at this, a rocking horse!

-Hello. What's your name?

-Jonathan Dick.

Jonathan, thank you so much for coming here today.

Well, I thought this was an unusual thing to bring

but it's so beautiful, I thought you might be interested.

I'm so pleased you left it on the trailer, it just looks great.

I bet everybody when you were driving here was...

-Tooting!

-"Ooh, look at that!"

I was getting worried in case I caused an accident!

Well, stop the traffic.

It's magnificent.

Tell me a bit about its history, has this been in the family long?

Yeah, I've had it 45 years and I bought it because we show horses

and carriages, and I was told about some carriages in a barn,

and I went down there to buy the carriages.

I pulled one of the carriages out and the horse was underneath one.

-Hey presto!

-Just lying there on its side.

I said, "I've got two children and they are going to love this."

-And they have used it?

-Well, I've got pictures.

They've rode it and loved it. But I had the old boy from Sotheby's

that told me what type it was, a hunter.

It is a hunter. The ears are pricked forward, the nostrils are flared.

But I like the way the head is kinking to one side, not full on.

That's it. And I didn't know there were so many different types

-of rocking horses.

-Oh, yes. This is lovely

because it's the traditional height,

this is circa 1860 to 1880, in original condition.

-Yes.

-I'm so pleased you haven't fiddled with this

or touched it or repainted it.

-No.

-And it's on sleigh bow rockers.

-Yes.

-That's what the collectors and dealers are looking for.

-Yes.

-This is a rocking horse for the purist. And it's 50 inches high,

it's a standard configuration.

Um, obviously it's had some wear and tear but, for its age,

the condition is fantastic because it's completely original,

you've not repainted this or restored it.

And that's what I'm looking for and there it is, "FH Ayres".

Now, that stamp mark underneath gives us the maker's name.

-This is the Rolls Royce...

-Is it?

..of rocking-horse makers. You can't beat Ayres.

The American market will go potty for this if we can get this on the internet.

I've sold these ten years ago for £2,000.

-It's got its original glass eyes.

-They're beautiful, aren't they?

Oh, I don't know what to say! It's one of the nicest ones

-I've seen and I'd like to put this into auction with a value of £2,000 to £3,000.

-Thank you.

-I know it's looking tatty, but I wouldn't be surprised if we got that top end.

-Oh, good.

-A fixed reserve at £2,000...

-Yes.

Which means it's not going to sell for anything under that, OK?

But you're not going to have to worry about that.

-I can see this doing 2,600 or 2,700.

-Marvellous.

-It's going to gallop away.

-And I look forward to seeing you in the auction room.

-Pleasure.

You've brought along a Flog It favourite. A bit of Moorcroft.

But Moorcroft with a slight twist. It's MacIntyre Moorcroft, which is the very early Moorcroft.

How did you come to have it?

It was acquired from my wife through her father passing away.

-So it's an inheritance.

-You thought it was 1950s?

-Yes.

-It's actually earlier than that. 1913.

-Right.

-This factory was taken over, the MacIntyre factory,

by the Moorcroft family in 1913, when it became MacIntyre Moorcroft.

-It's a gorgeous pattern, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Do you know what it is?

-I believe it's a cornflower.

-Absolutely.

-Revived cornflower, because it's green, not blue.

From the point of view of being green, it works very well.

-It stands out.

-It does. These reds, the very dark mauve on the cornflowers themselves.

And this wonderful Art Nouveau frame. You can see the way the tube lining has been done.

It's very fine, isn't it? What's quite unusual is the stand.

We can see the marks on the stand. MacIntyre Moorcroft.

It's just signed MacIntyre and Co, but the actual teapot itself

has got the Moorcroft signature, which obviously adds value.

The one problem is this crack here. Have you been doing some research into value?

I had a look at the values.

-Approximately £600-£800?

-You're quite right. £600-£800 is very sensible.

We'll fix a reserve at £600 and, yes, it could do better.

But let's be conservative and look forward to a result.

-If it were completely perfect we'd think of a different figure.

-Yes.

This is where it gets exciting.

We're moving over to the auction room and taking all our items with us.

And just to jog your memory, here's a recap of all the items that are going under the hammer.

It doesn't suit her home but Carole is pleasantly surprised

at the valuation of her Victorian painting.

I would like to put this in at auction at £800 to £1,200.

£800 to £1,200! Yes!

Acquired from his aunt, let's hope Dave can clean up

with his cleaned-up brass plaques.

Every time they were polished,

it's like rubbing away pound notes, it really is.

And Mike's early Moorcroft MacIntyre teapot and stand was a real find and should attract collectors.

And I just hope the damage to the lid doesn't put the bidders off.

Finally, this rocking horse was found in a barn.

Jonathan knows I'm backing it to win but will it rock the sale room?

So, first up, how will Carole's painting get on under the hammer?

Carole, this is real quality.

I think Victorian art is undervalued right now.

We've got £800 to £1,200 on this put on by our expert Thomas.

-Yes.

-It's got to sell, doesn't it?

It's delightful, it's so delightful.

-Why are you selling this?

-My husband doesn't really like it.

-Do you like it?

-I quite like it, yes.

-Have you been bullied into this?

-Sort of, yeah.

-Sort of.

Well, hopefully it'll get a little more than the top end.

Fingers crossed.

We need a good day and we need a room full of art lovers because it's going under the hammer right now.

"A man who has seen better days." A good artist, though.

Is there £1,000 out there somewhere for it?

500 for it? 400? £400. £400.

Tumbleweed.

It really is not enough money for this artist. £400.

-At £450, £500, 550...

-Come on, Steven, work it!

There ought to be a one in front of this, you know. 700 bid for it?

650 on the left. 680, sir?

680, sir? 680?

650? No?

650, there you go.

You see, if you try hard enough...

-At £650.

-I don't believe it!

At 650.

-Yes, we've got a bidder. Well, done.

-I wondered where you'd gone!

At £700, then.

Fresh legs in the room. Fresh legs.

Another peep. No?

At 750 then, at 750, I'm going to sell it, then...

He's selling at 750.

At £750.

-Yes. We sold it at £750.

-Lovely.

-They got it at a good price.

They got it at a good price but it's the subject matter, that's what...

-Yes.

-It was the old dude with his tin whistle.

-Absolutely.

If it was a pretty young girl with a flute,

you know, zeroes on the end! But no.

-But it was quality.

-Beautiful.

-Quite happy with that.

-You've got to be happy with that.

-Oh, yes.

-Yeah.

There is commission to pay but what will you put that money towards?

I've got some friends here and it looks like I shall be buying...

-Lunch.

-..the evening meal.

-Oh, the evening meal?

-Yes. Fish and chips!

Right, now, something for all you horse lovers.

We've got two bronze plaques with a value of £100 to £200.

It sounds like a real bargain and they belong to Dave. Hi, hello..

-Who have you brought along with you?

-Gwyneth, my partner.

Hello, Gwyneth, lovely to see you.

Do you agree with him selling these? Because I think they're gorgeous.

Well, they are gorgeous but things have changed these days and we're going for the minimalist look.

-You don't like the brass, you don't like the shiny.

-Cleaning.

Well, at £80 reserve I think we've sold them, don't you?

-Absolutely.

-They're going to gallop off.

Right now they're under starters orders. This is it.

There it is, horse scenes in the paddocks. There we go.

They're rather nice. I think we ought to get to £100 without trying.

£50? Thank you, yes. 60 I have now, do I? 70.

£80, madam? Yes. 90.

On the reserve.

At £90, and 100 for you. £100 bid. 100 I am bid.

Are you going to be 10, sir? 110. At £120, and 30, £130.

-Come on.

-£140 now, 140 bid. At 140, I am bid for those.

And 50, is it? 150 we've got now.

-This is more like it.

-And 60? No? At 150, then.

I sell them for £150, then.

Yes, the hammer's gone down. £150. The bidders were in fine fettle.

-Thank you.

-Happy?

-Thank you, yes.

-No more polishing.

-No more polishing.

What are you going to do with £150? There is commission to pay, though.

Yes. Put it towards a holiday.

Yes, and don't buy any more polish!

Now going under the hammer is a wonderful piece of quality. It's Moorcroft, a great name.

A tea pot on a stand. An early one that belongs to Mike, but for how much longer?

At the valuation day, Thomas gave you a valuation of £600-£800.

-Now I know Mike's had a rethink.

-Yeah.

-He wasn't happy with the reserve at 600.

-He's now upped it to £800. So that's our starting price now.

-It's his. He can do what he wants.

I had a chat to the auctioneer.

He was umming and ahhing, "Oh, it might put a few off. There's damage to the lid."

But we all know on a good day it is worth that £800,

-even with the cracked lid.

-You are right to protect it. It's attractive.

-You don't want to give it away!

-It's been in the family a long time.

-Yes, it was my wife's mother's.

-She bought it originally when it first came out.

-This is it.

MacIntyre Moorcroft teapot and stand.

What about 500 for it? At £500.

-Yes, I thank you. 500 is bid.

-We're in.

-For £500.

£520 now for it. For £520.

550 bid. 580.

£600. £620. Important piece, you know.

-Some serious collectors here.

-I hope so.

£700. And 20 now.

£720 I'm bid. £750.

£780.

-£800. £820.

-Phone's come in now.

850, is it? £820.

£850. £880.

-900, is it?

-This is good.

£900. 920.

-950?

-Yes, I'm sure. 950.

At 950 on my right. 950.

950, I'm selling. Away from the room.

It's going to be sold for £950, then. Thank you.

Yes! 950. Well done, Mike. Well done, Thomas.

That was good. Very good.

-It was a lovely thing. Nice pattern, great colours.

-Very rare.

Yeah, very rare. I'm pleased for you.

Earlier on in the show I said it was going to rock your afternoon.

It's just about to start. I've been joined by Jonathan

and you've probably guessed by now - yes, we're selling the rocking horse.

Great to see you again. This is causing a stir in the sale room.

Well, I've had it a long time, you know 50, 60 years,

and I love the old thing but, ah, I think it's in good hands with you.

It is in good hands. It's been fed and watered!

-This is it.

-Right.

One of the foremost makers, Frederick Ayres.

Shall we start at £1,000 or £1,500? £1,000 I am bid, then.

1,100 we are bid now. 1,200 is bid. 1,300 I am bid, at 1,400 is bid.

At 1,500, 1,600, 1,700 we are bid now.

At 1,700, 1,800. 1,900 is bid, 2,000 I am bid now.

At 2,000, 2,000...

Let's see if we can get the top end.

..At 2,100, it's in the room, at 2,200,

2,300, at 2,400, now at 2,400, we're not in the home straight yet.

2,500, 2,500.

2,600, I am bid.

2,700 now. 2,700 bid.

2,800, 2,800, 2,900 now.

-At 2,900 I am bid, at 2,900, at 3,000 bid...

-Yes!

-Get in there!

-We're just into the home straight, I think.

-It is.

-3,000, 3,100...

-The auctioneer's got the bit in his mouth now.

At 3,100, 3,200 I am bid.

One last push. 3,300.

3,400, is it? At £3,300, then. 3,400 now?

I am selling on my left, then, at £3,300.

Love it, love it, love it, yes!

£3,300.

-Thank goodness you brought that to Whipsnade Zoo, Jonathan.

-Yes.

Oh, it's been a real pleasure selling that, honestly.

Well, how do you feel?

I'm thrilled because my wife

will be delighted, because all I hope it gets a good home.

It's going to. It's going to go to a good home.

If they're prepared to spend that much money on that rocking horse, that's going to a good home.

-I hope you've enjoyed yourself.

-A pleasure.

I've enjoyed selling that and I hope you've enjoyed watching the show.

Sadly, we've run out of time from Tring, but until next time,

take care, and there's going to be plenty more surprises to come.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd