Dover Flog It!

Today we're in the busiest passenger ferry port in the world.

On average, 16 million people a year pass through here.

Can you guess where we are? Of course you can.

Today Flog It! comes from Dover in Kent.

Dover is well-known for many things,

but perhaps most famously for its iconic white cliffs,

and look at how magnificent they are.

But it's also a magnet to swimmers who see that 21-mile short distance

to mainland France as a bit of a challenge.

Later in the programme I'll be finding out why conquering

the English Channel has always lured journalists and swimmers alike.

Well, it's nearly 9.30am

and it's time to get the Flog It! valuation day underway.

Just look at this fabulous turnout!

Hundreds of people queuing up outside Dover Town Hall,

all waiting for that special valuation and if the price is right,

what are you going to do? Flog It!

Yes! And the two experts responsible for putting the things through

to auction are Mark Stacey and Catherine Southon.

Well, it's now 9.30am, so without further ado

let's get the doors open and get everybody inside.

We're so lucky to be in such a stunning venue today in the historic

coastal port of Dover and it looks as though Catherine

has already found a maritime themed item.

Helen, good to see you.

-Shall we have a little look what's in this box?

-Yes.

-Let's have a reveal.

A nice little steamboat there.

Powered by methylated spirits, is it?

-Yes.

-Tell me how it works, what do you do?

Well, you lift the top...

..here and you put the methylated spirits in here.

Right, OK, yes.

And then you fill up the boiler with water here.

-So then the steam...

-And the steam forces the propeller to go round,

it turns the propeller that way.

-That's lovely.

-Shall I put this back?

-This is actually made by Hobbies

and I can see that you've got the original box.

-Yes, but not the lid, sadly.

-No, often the case.

Tell me a little bit about it in terms of where you got it from.

It belonged to my father and he was born in 1917 and he...

It came to me when I was, oh, a teenager I should think

and it's never been used since.

-It's something your father obviously played with...

-Yes.

-Quite a lot.

-Yes. I have had it in actually working, but not in water.

-You never played with it?

-No.

Well, sadly, as you can probably tell, it has actually been repainted.

Yes, that was typical Father.

Typical father. Naughty father, I think we should say.

I don't know if you know, but this is actually fibreglass.

-It's painted on fibreglass.

-Right.

-We have seen other models like

this where they've actually been painted on tin plate.

Makers like Bing, Mark Linn,

and they're obviously a lot more collectable,

making big money.

What is nice is that you've got the original box and obviously

-on here it's got stamped, on either end actually...

-Yes.

..Hobbies, the maker, Bowman Steamboat, and then the model name,

which is Swallow, so the boat is obviously called Swallow.

I mean, it must be quite important to you as it belonged to your father.

Yes. I just feel that it would be nice if it was appreciated

-by somebody who collects model boats.

-Yeah.

-Or steam engines, even.

I have known them to go for around the £100, £150 mark

if in their original condition.

Bearing in mind it has been repainted,

it has got the box but without the lid,

-I think we should probably pitch it around £60 to £80 mark.

-Right.

-Are you happy with that?

-Yes.

-Maybe with a £50 reserve.

-OK.

-Thank you very much. I'll see you at the auction!

-Hello, Pauline.

-Hello.

-How nice to meet you here in Dover.

-And you.

-You're looking very cool in blue.

-Oh, thank you very much.

Now, tell me, why have you got this item?

Well, it belonged to my father.

He got it from an antique shop, I think, somewhere along the line,

and then when I was about 16 I said to Mum,

"I do like that horn, will you leave it to me in your will?"

Which you do when you're young, you know? So, that's what she did.

When she died she left that to me.

Oh, wonderful.

And in your family, I mean, do you have a Scottish connection?

-Yes, my father.

-Your father was Scottish?

-Yeah, he was.

-Ah, that's why he bought it, then.

-It meant something to him.

-Yes.

Because whenever you see an item like this,

you always know they're Scottish.

-They're known as Scottish snuff moulds.

-Right.

They're made from the end of ram's horns or deer horns or whatever.

Sometimes you can get big table ones, which are deer horn.

This one is particularly nice because it is silver mounted,

there's no hallmarks, but I have every confidence

-that those are silver mounts on there.

-Yeah, yeah.

-And we have a little family crest there.

-Oh, is that a family crest?

We have a name here.

James Robertson, Inverness.

So that confirms its Scottish pedigree, if you like.

-That's right.

-The other nice thing we've found is a Latin inscription

-which means glory is the reward of valour.

-Fine, yes.

But I found out that the Robertson clan

are the oldest clan in Scotland.

-Really?

-And they also descend,

I think, from the old Norse rulers of Scotland, the kings of the Norse,

-Vikings who came over and conquered Scotland.

-That's interesting.

Or they married into them. And you've had it obviously a few years.

Yes, I've had it a few years.

And why have you decided to sell it with us today?

I'll tell you the truth, now.

I was going to leave it to my daughter and her husband said,

"Oh, well, when you've gone we'll sell it"

and I would like them to have kept it.

And I thought, well, no, I'm not going to have that,

so I will sell it myself.

Well, it's your item. I've every confidence the auction house

will do as much marketing as possible and I suspect we'll get some

Robertson from America, from Scotland, from all over,

who are interested in getting part of their family history back.

It'll be a double good thing for you. Hopefully get a bit more money.

-Yeah.

-And you'll be reuniting an item that's been lost from

-the Robertson family, which will be good.

-Yeah.

-I would like to put

-an estimate of £200 to £300 on it.

-OK.

-With a 200 reserve.

-Yeah.

-Our little Scottish piece of history will do us proud, I'm sure.

-Yeah.

Rose, I do love teddy bears, so thank you so much for bringing such a beautiful example along.

I especially like those with a bit of a question mark over their heads,

whether this one is or isn't a Steiff,

because I'm not quite sure and we'll have to have a little look at him.

Can you tell me about his history, where you got him from?

I don't really know his history, but I did find him

in my mother-in-law's house after she died and we were clearing.

So something that your mother-in-law has ever talked to you about?

No, no. I didn't know he was there. He was wrapped up in an old curtain.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

Really collecting a lot of dust.

He's absolutely filthy.

He looks like he's black but in actual fact, if you look closely at him, he was probably once golden.

You can see there he's got remnants of the golden plush.

He's in appalling state but he's very well loved, which is nice to see.

The question mark is, is he or isn't he a Steiff bear?

He's got that appearance,

that pronounced snout, which is what we find with Steiff bears.

He hasn't got a the black boot eyes.

He's got glass eyes, but then they did use glass eyes later on, around the 1920s.

But one of the main characteristics that we find on a Steiff bear is, of course, the button in the ear.

We know that the very early ones didn't have Steiff written on,

they had a little elephant on, and the later ones actually had the name Steiff.

There's no button in the ear whatsoever. Also, there's no real evidence that there

perhaps was once a hole showing that there was a button in the ear.

I can't say hand on heart that this is a Steiff.

Nevertheless, I think we could catalogue it and we could say

that it's in the manner of a Steiff and it's possibly a Steiff, but we can't say for sure.

With that in mind, I'd probably estimate him at around £200 to £300, with 180 reserve.

-Would you be happy with that?

-Yes.

-Not bad, considering you found him in a blanket.

-He could have been thrown out, couldn't he?

-Very easily.

I think if he were a Steiff,

we could say £400 to £500 estimate, and I think he'd easily make 600, 800, perhaps.

I think it would be great to take him off to auction

and really give him to someone who's going to love him. I'd love him.

-Sure you don't want to take him home?

-Quite sure.

It looks like you're going off to auction. Shall we say bye-bye?

Bye-bye! Off we go.

What a lovely three quarter length portrait, Reg.

Do you know who she is?

-Lady Dover.

-So how did you come by this portrait?

This was left to me about five years ago.

-And you've got some paperwork, I believe.

-Yes, indeed.

Can I have a quick look? By John Jackson, the original artist.

He died in 1831. This is a copy,

but it's a beautiful copy. It's a period copy.

The original hangs in the British Museum, but this is done

by George Dodson Tomlinson, a Victorian artist who died in 1884,

so he was flourishing around the mid-1800s.

He's exhibited at the Royal Academy, which is great news for you.

-Good.

-Because it gives the artist a little provenance,

so a lot of weight behind him, which pushes the price up at auction.

We even know who this is. It's a lady called Georgina,

the daughter of the Sixth Earl of Carlisle,

so this is the first Lady Dover.

-Yes, and possibly the only one.

-Possibly the only one. In 1831.

Well, I absolutely love it.

The frame is letting it down at the moment because it's been painted

so many times with obviously coats of emulsion or something like that,

but that's its contemporary frame.

The frame's perfect for this picture and I can see it...

I can see it is, you know? This has not been cut down and fiddled with.

I have a feeling this has been hanging in a smoker's home.

-That nicotine stain.

-It has, yes.

-Isn't it?

-It is.

Look at this, if you just go like that...

..you can tell it's the nicotine.

It needs a good clean, a professional should tackle that.

-Do you like the portrait?

-Not really, no.

-Why is that?

I find her a bit frightening.

-It's the eyes.

-That's the sign of a good painter,

there's quality in those eyes, and the lips are beautiful.

They're so full. The skin tones are great.

-What sort of money had you in mind?

-I've no idea of the value.

-No idea?

-No.

-And why do you want to sell this now?

-Because I'm moving to a flat.

-Are you? That won't work in a flat,

will it, with a low ceiling? It'd look a bit OTT.

It really needs a big room.

That is a big picture.

If you're happy, I think we can put this into auction

-with a value of around about £400 to £600.

-Right.

With a discretion on the 400, a 10% auctioneer's discretion.

Right, fine.

-Peter, welcome to Flog It!

-Thank you.

-Thank you for coming along.

I do like a little object in a little case.

Shall we just have a little open up here?

We've got a lovely pocket aneroid barometer.

Tell me about this, where did you get it from?

It was from my father-in-law.

-He's an... Well, he was an avid boot fair collector.

-Oh, really? Right.

And he collected lots of bits and pieces and when he died

we sorted out and that's what we found in amongst

-other bits and pieces, so...

-Do you know if it's working?

No, I don't know, no. I don't know anything about it at all,

so I thought perhaps you might be able to enlighten me a bit on it.

OK. Well, date wise we'd probably be looking at about turn of the century,

so probably about circa 1900.

We can see here the name Army & Navy,

so it would have been actually sold in the Army & Navy stores.

I love this little red Morocco leather case that it's contained in.

Nice green velvet inside here.

This is something that gentlemen would have had.

He would have taken it with him in his pocket.

Unfortunately, we've got a bit of wear here.

It looks like the leather,

-the red leather here has actually been lifted off.

-Yeah.

-Has it always been like that?

-Yes.

-As far as you know?

-Yes, yes.

It's quite a nice little instrument, Peter, it's a shame

there's no signature on the dial. That would certainly

beef up the estimate a bit, but have you ever had it working?

-No, we haven't, no.

-Do you know how to get it working?

-No.

-One of the tricks of the trade,

what you can do is put it in like a polythene bag,

blow up the bag and then, obviously, you've got the

air inside it and hopefully you should see the needle move.

See if it works before the auction.

-That will be quite interesting to see.

-Yeah.

You do see quite a lot of them coming up at auction,

so they're not... They don't have great value.

-They're probably going to be worth in the region of about £60 to £80.

-Yeah.

Is that a bit disappointing to you, or are you happy to sell at that?

Yeah, I... I will sell at that.

Yeah, I mean, because I hadn't got a clue what it's worth,

-so it's not a disappointment.

-Let's put a reserve on of £50

and that should easily make that.

How does that sound?

-Fine, yeah.

-Happy with that?

-Yes.

Well, let's go for that and hope that it makes a bit more.

I've brought you here to Greatstone near Dungeness to show you these strange looking concrete structures

that lie abandoned at the edge of a waterlogged gravel pit, here.

They look like early forms of abstract art but they're not.

They played a significant part in the history of Britain's defence system.

After the First World War, the biggest threat to Britain's security was from the air.

What the country needed was an operational edge,

a way of pinpointing incoming enemy bombers before they reached the English coast.

The old system relied on sight, using spotters with binoculars.

Enemy aircraft over the Channel. Flying due west.

But it wasn't effective at night, or in bad weather conditions.

The solution lay with one man, Lieutenant William Tucker.

Tucker had spent much of the First World War

in trenches using listening devices to search out enemy locations.

By the 1920s, he decided to apply the same listening techniques to the skies.

The result was a series of concrete structures, like these, along the south coast.

They reflected the sound waves of incoming aircraft onto carefully-placed microphones.

And various sound mirrors survive, dotted along the south coast.

But this is the only place you can see all three designs side-by-side.

To explain how they work, I've come to meet Owen Leyshon

who's warden for the Dungeness National Nature Reserve.

-Owen. Hiya.

-Hello.

-Pleased to meet you.

-These are absolutely fabulous.

-Brilliant, these sound mirrors.

-I love the location.

-Yes, very good.

-This is a 20ft sound mirror.

-This is the smaller one?

-This is the smaller one, the first one.

-How does the technology actually work?

-Well, it's pointing out into the English Channel.

It's collecting sound waves from the enemy aircraft, or potential enemy aircraft.

So you had a guy standing where I am, with a sound trumpet pointing back into the 20ft dish,

so he's got his back to the sea, and he would have a stethoscope on, and he's moving that trumpet around,

trying to get a bearing of where the aircraft is.

-And remember, with this one...

-It's quite vertical.

-It's vertical, indeed, so....

-It's picking up things that are low?

-That's right.

So if the planes were coming in very high, they were in trouble.

So what they did then is they designed the 30ft mirror, where they tilted the dish higher up

into the sky, to get the higher aircraft as they were coming in,

and also they had like a little room underneath

where the listener was able to manoeuvre the microphone or the trumpet in the dish,

so he was out of the elements.

-Can I go and look at the big one?

-Yeah, come on.

-Very impressive.

-How big is that?

-That's 200ft.

-My word.

All the information gathered here would be sent back to military HQ

at Hythe by phone, where it would be plotted out on a map.

That would then give the RAF a chance to send up planes to meet the enemy.

-An incredible sight when you get up you it, isn't it?

-Very impressive.

-200 feet!

Indeed, yeah. Concave lengthways but also vertically, as well.

-I can see that when you look at the edges.

-Hm.

How does this one work, then?

You've got a set of microphones in a big arc around the forecourt

of this 200-foot mirror, and you would have had a guy in the office and this window up here.

He would have had several people, as well, listeners out on the front.

He would've directed those listeners to get the bearings of where the aircraft were coming from.

Right. So they've scaled up the operation.

-They've gone big now!

-You can certainly say that, can't you? Yeah. And was that accurate?

Yes, it was more of an accurate system than the smaller mirrors.

But the length was still the same, 20, 25 miles.

And it's back to the same old issue - the aircraft got faster,

and so as an early-warning system it was becoming quite obvious

that it was struggling as time went on in the 1930s.

-Gosh! I'm so pleased they're still here.

-Yeah.

This is a real eye-opener for me.

What was the downside?

Well, the downside was we are very close to the sea here and the housing development

or the pressures were creeping down the coast.

Remember, these were built in a very bare, hostile, quiet environment.

And also, radar came along in the late 1930s.

So, quickly, the range that they could pick up the aircraft was much

better than these sound mirrors, and they became obsolete quite quickly.

-Impressive structures, though.

-Oh, they are, aren't they?

Well, I'm pleased they're here today, I really am.

So, noisy urban development in this once-desolate area

combined with faster planes meant the sound mirrors were already struggling.

But it was the advances in radar that produced the final nail in the coffin.

It was all over for these sound mirrors, and Tucker retired,

thinking all his efforts were in vain.

But these structures do stand as a monument to a man whose work

was to have a profound effect on the outcome of World War II.

The communications systems that Tucker developed between his mirrors and HQ were so effective

that it was copied by the radar team and led directly to their success.

We've found some quirky items and now we're heading north into the heart of Kent for today's auction.

I can feel tension building all over the place, an air of excitement.

Today we're at the Canterbury Auction Galleries.

Cliona Kilroy is just about to take to the rostrum, today's auctioneer.

As you can see, we've got a packed house.

Let's hope this lot are going to bid on all our items.

And in case you've forgotten what's going under the hammer, here's a quick recap.

I thought Reg's late 19th century portrait of Lady Dover was in

remarkable condition, although the frame could do with a good clean!

Reg is keen to get rid of it though, as it's too big for his flat.

Catherine loved the look of Rose's 1920s' bear.

Despite being a bit shabby,

this chap is showing signs of being made by the German firm Steiff,

a name that would certainly pull in the bidders.

Pauline has been in love with her Robertson clan Scottish snuff horn

since she was a wee lass.

Mark thinks it may raise a lot of interest.

I suspect we'll get some Robertson from America and from Scotland...

-Really.

-And from all over

who are interested in getting part of their family history back.

It's now time for Peter to sell his Army & Navy Store barometer

in a red leather case which he got from his father-in-law.

Finally, Helen hopes an enthusiastic collector

will sail away with her inherited Hobbies Bowman steamboat.

But will the botched paint job put the bidders off?

It's time to find out as it's the first of our items

to go under the hammer.

I'm a big fan of this next lot.

I've just been joined by Helen, the owner.

Boys and their toys. I think this little steamboat is incredible.

It works on methylated spirits. It's got the look of an early launch

and it's known as the Swallow, in original box.

-Yes.

-Fingers crossed, OK?

-Definitely, fingers crossed.

Yeah. Here we go.

333 is the early 20th century

Hobbies Bowman steamboat, the Swallow. Lot 333.

-Lots of commission interest.

-Some interest in this. We'll start at...

-We'll start at 130.

-Starting at £130.

-Yes!

-I'm looking for 140. Any interest at 140?

On my left at £130 now.

-Any interest at 140?

-Yes.

140. 150. 160.

-Yes.

-170. Anybody at 170?

It's online at £160. Are we all done? Any further interest?

If not I'm selling at £160 online.

-Told you!

-Fantastic!

-Excellent.

-You didn't have any faith.

-I didn't.

-Well done.

-Well done, you.

Thanks. It was a nice thing. It's a real gentleman's piece and I... I...

I was looking at that earlier and I saw so many people looking at it

as well and it brought back so many memories for them.

Everybody buys into that. There's commission to pay.

-Of course, yes.

-But I think you can treat yourself with that.

-Yes.

This is a cracking lot.

I've just been joined by Pauline and we're about to put

the Scottish snuff horn under the hammer from the Robertsons' clan.

-That's right.

-Good luck, but I think this one is going back to Scotland.

That's lovely. Yeah, it's nice to know, you know?

Lot number 287 is the 19th century

Scottish silvery metal mounted horn, snuff mould, lot 287.

-Who'll start me at £100?

-Yeah.

-100 I am bid. Who's in at 110? 110 for someone?

-Come on.

110 I have. 120. 130. 140. 150.

160. 170. 180. 190. 200. And 10.

The bid is on my left.

It's gone, 210. Within estimate.

What are you going to put the money towards?

-I want a new carpet.

-Do you?

-So it will go to that.

Yeah, I'd love a new carpet.

-Thank you so much for bringing it in.

-That's quite all right.

So far so good. Temperatures are rising,

which brings us nicely to our next lot, this little pocket barometer

belonging to Peter and we've got the valuation of £60 to £80.

-Now, your father-in-law found this at a car boot.

-He did, yeah.

-How much do you think he paid for it?

-I haven't a clue.

Unfortunately, he's not with us now, so I'll never know.

Probably a lot less than what we're hoping to get today,

I think, Catherine, don't you?

Yeah, they always used to get 80 to 120, but I think nowadays they've

gone down a little bit, so hopefully we should get between 60 and 80.

-Case is nice.

-Absolutely.

-It's ready to go.

-It's in good condition.

Lot number 318 is the late 19th,

early 20th century gilt brass case pocket aneroid barometer

by the Army & Navy Stores, lot 318.

-Who'll start me at £50?

-Yes.

-50 I'm bid. Who's in at 60?

It's on my left at £50, now.

-Well, we've sold it.

-Who's in at £60? 60. 70?

-No.

-Anybody at 70? Right at the back of the room at £60 now.

Any further offer? The bid is right at the back at £60.

And selling at £60.

-Spot-on valuation.

-Yes, spot-on.

-£60. Happy with that?

-That's fine.

-There is commission to pay, unfortunately.

-Yeah.

That's going to take a swipe out of it,

-but it's a meal out or something.

-It's an experience.

-Yes.

-Fantastic.

OK, for all you fine art lovers

it's now time to find out exactly what Lady Dover is worth.

I've been joined by Reg. This is my valuation. We had four to six on it.

The auctioneer thinks it could do a little better, so fingers crossed.

We always like a little more, don't we? Should be a lot of

local interest and that's what it's all about. This is it.

Lot number 75,

attributed to George Dodson Tomlinson after John Jackson.

The oil painting, the half length portrait of Lady Dover. Lot 75.

Two bids, one at 500.

We're going to start at £500 and I'm looking for 520. The bid is...

The commission bid of £500. I'm looking for 520. 520. 540.

560. 580. 600. And 20. 640.

640? 660. 680?

Brilliant. Come on, a bit more.

680. 700. And 20?

Anybody at 720? On my left at £700 now.

Any further offer? If not, I'm selling at £700 if we're all done.

-Fantastic.

-Brilliant! And what are you going to do with that?

Towards the next holiday.

-Where are you going?

-Gran Canaria.

-Good for you.

-He's retired, you deserve it.

-That's it.

-Thanks for bringing that in.

-Thank you.

Next up we've got the most gorgeous 1920s' teddy bear.

He's a little play-worn but he's been loved and he belongs to Rose here. Great to see you.

-And you.

-Yeah, he has had a little bit of a going-over, hasn't he?

Someone has loved him a lot. Mind you, you've still got £200 to £300 on him.

He's not a bear we can put a name to, so that's still good money.

-Here we go.

-Lot number 373 is the teddy bear in the Steiff manner.

Who'll start me at £150?

150, I'm bid. Who's in at 160?

170? 180?

190? 200.

And 10? 220?

230, 240. 250, 260.

-He has got a lovely face.

-270, 280.

-290, 300.

-They absolutely love him.

320, 340. No? The bid is on my left at £320, now.

Any further offer?

On my left at 320. 340?

-Yes!

-360. 380.

400, 420.

Oh, this is brilliant.

-440, 460.

-I am so pleased.

480? Anybody at 480?

It's on the telephone now at £460 and selling at 460.

If we're all done at 460.

-Yes!

-£460.

He was well worth it, wasn't it?

He was lovely. The personality sold him, as well.

Great face. And a good colour, as well.

And coming up later, Catherine finds an antique pot

which has performed some interesting functions.

-I think I've been sick on it.

-Oh!

-In it.

-Oh! I don't know if I want to touch it! In it?

I've come back to Dover today to find out a bit more about

one of the hardest physical challenges in the world

and it's something every serious long distance swimmer

would love to conquer. Can you guess what it is?

Well, you probably can by my location here today.

I'm talking about swimming the English Channel.

The Channel is 21 miles across at its shortest distance and the

starting point is over in that direction at Shakespeare's Cliff

and, of course, it finishes over there at Cap Gris Nez, in France.

The intrepid challengers have to deal with swimming

in hypothermic-inducing water which is around 14 to 18 degrees Celsius.

They've also got to swim through one of the busiest shipping lanes

in the world, avoiding all the floating debris.

And then they've got to battle against tides and currents,

which change every six hours.

On top of that, they've got to deal with getting stung by jellyfish,

getting cramp and also swimming through floating fields of seaweed,

so you can see it's not for the faint-hearted.

This is a serious challenge.

People have died doing this.

Some, well, have conquered.

Those include sort of seasoned swimmers and, of course,

just ordinary people giving it a go.

It all started on 24 August 1875, when Captain Matthew Webb

dived in from the Admiralty Pier in Dover and swam across the Channel.

21 hours and 45 minutes later he came ashore near Calais, in France.

After his historic swim, Webb became a national hero.

Many people assume that Captain Webb's success was a fluke

and could not be repeated and though hundreds of people attempted to swim

and many British newspapers offered sponsorships and a £1,000 reward,

it took 36 years before the Channel was conquered again.

This time it was a man called Thomas W Burgess who succeeded in 1911

on his 13th attempt.

He was a Yorkshire man who was actually living in Paris at the time

and he worked in the motor tyre business.

He was 37 when he swam the Channel

and was famed for wearing motorist's goggles.

It took him 22 hours and 35 minutes to get across to France.

After Burgess had successfully followed Webb

and shown it was indeed possible, many more attempts were undertaken.

New records were made and broken,

such as the first woman to swim the Channel,

who was Gertrude Ederle in 1926 and who Burgess helped train.

In the early 20th century, the men and women who completed

the challenge became instant stars and large crowds gathered

to greet the returning heroes.

World War II stopped Channel swimming attempts, but following

the end of the war, the 1950s saw the real heyday of Channel swimming

with a great surge in its popularity.

Races were organised and once again British newspapers offered rewards,

alongside holiday camp magnet, Billy Butlin.

Many of the successful challengers have had their photograph taken here

on the seafront at Dover right next to Captain Webb's memorial.

Sadly, the swimmers today don't make a splash they once did.

You know, there's not thousands of people lined up along the seafront

to congratulate them and welcome them home because that really

is a tough challenge, possibly because more people are succeeding.

We're a lot more savvy about nutrition, diet

and putting in the right training regime. But, I'll tell you what,

having a lot of knowledge doesn't make this any easier.

It's far from it.

Today I'm lucky enough to be meeting two people who are experts

on all things Channel swimming.

They are Freda Streeter and Michelle Toptalo.

Freda is known lovingly as the General of the Channel

as she helps hopefuls train and prepare for the challenge.

Michelle is a local to Dover

who had recently swum the Channel for the first time.

Freda, great to meet up with you today. Hi, Michelle.

Thank you for joining us as well. What perfect weather.

-It's beautiful

-Yeah, we're blessed.

-It really is the perfect day.

How long do the training sessions last? Are they here weeks on end?

Weeks on end. We start in May, we finish at the end of September

and we build them up and build them up until six, seven, eight,

even 10 hour swims in the harbour here.

Just to make sure, we give them back-to-back swims

so that they do sort of seven one day, six another,

which is possibly the equivalent of the Channel.

They just had a night's rest in between,

but mentally then it helps them tremendously.

What are the rules?

-One swimming costume, one hat, one pair of goggles.

-That's it?

And you do not touch the boat.

Michelle, you've actually swum the Channel. What is it about it?

Why did you want to do that?

For me, I grew up in Dover.

-Right.

-I've always seen that piece of water.

I've always been intrigued by the fact

that you can see the weather in a different country.

-Yeah.

-I've always swum and I think I always knew one day I'd try it.

It's the lure of the Channel.

It just seems to get into people's blood and people do come back

time after time after time.

What did it feel like when you got to the other side?

-The best feeling in the world. It's...

-Did you kiss the beach?

Did you sort of crawl up it and go, "I've done it" and pass out?

Everybody has a different experience. For some,

it's just sheer relief. For me, I just looked round,

looked at that boat and just...

I couldn't believe I'd...

You know, it had been a long day.

I mean, I was so lucky, the conditions were perfect,

my crew were perfect and I just couldn't...

I just couldn't believe I'd just achieved that.

What makes a good Channel swimmer?

I think it is about determination.

-Yeah.

-You know...

-It's all up here, do you think?

I mean, you have... everybody has their battles.

We've had some really surprising people here... You watch them swim

and you think they're never going to swim the Channel, you know,

but their determination... They do.

90%... I say it's 90% mental and 10% physical out there.

It is. You negotiate with yourself.

I remember thinking to myself out there, there's people that believe

-I can do this.

-Yeah.

-If you don't do this today than every time

you didn't go training it was the wrong decision.

They're the kind of battles you have out there.

-Is it expensive to do this?

-Very.

Very expensive, yes. It's the pilot boat which costs the money.

How much does that cost?

About 2,100.

-Does it?

-Yeah. Because that is the biggest shipping lane in the world.

Obviously the pilot boat is essential, isn't it?

Absolutely. The only person that's tried to cross this without

-a pilot boat was found in Belgium about a fortnight later.

-Right.

There is no way that you can do this swim without a pilot boat.

This is like a hedgehog trying to cross the M1.

Did you come across any super tankers crossing your path?

-Nothing came that close to me.

-You were lucky.

I've been on swims where we've had some very close encounters,

but for me, I could see ferries and things in the distance.

Is this something you can recommend?

-Absolutely.

-To all the viewers watching, to have a go?

The torment you go through in here, and it is torture.

For me this was more torture than the actual day.

Entering the water in May is no mean feat

and I've got so much respect for anybody that gets that far.

And the boss here makes sure everybody toes the line?

They'd be foolish to argue with her

because she knows what she's talking about.

Tell me about the greasing up?

-The greasing up I think is probably over advertised.

-Really?

LAUGHTER

For me it was just in the areas that my swimming costume would chafe.

-Yeah.

-This idea that you need to cover your body is...

-I think it's a myth.

-So, what do you eat? Can you eat?

What we use is a very, very high carbohydrate powder

mixed into a drink that they can

literally swallow in three, four seconds,

that's the equivalent of two jacket potatoes, big jacket potatoes,

and it just goes straight through, gives them energy and we're off.

-And that's it?

-That's it. Well, they do have the occasional treat

-if they get grumpy...

-Do you?

-A mini roll or something like that.

Once you've been in a while you can't really taste anything anyway.

-No.

-Just salt!

-You know, your tongue goes, goes salty.

Right, now it's time for me to give it a go.

So, here we go... But, do you know what? I could never do that.

I wouldn't even make it to the harbour walls, but fair play

to all the people that have done it, they're champions,

and to all the people that have tried and attempted it but failed,

they're still winners, as well. It's all about trying.

What a brilliant day.

Welcome back to a busy valuation day here at the Town Hall in Dover.

It's still jam-packed full of people all hoping

to go off to the auction room. It's now down to our experts

to find those remaining items, so let's catch up with them.

Yvonne, what a charming little figure you've brought in.

-Thank you.

-Tell me, where did you get it?

It belonged to my mother-in-law.

She passed away some 22 years ago.

My father-in-law wasn't very keen on it and he asked us

if we would like it and to take it away, so we did and we've had it

for a number of years, but now it's... You know,

we've moved into a little tiny small bungalow and it's beautiful and

-I've just got nowhere to put her.

-Nowhere to put her?

-No.

You know what it is, of course? It's a Meissen figure.

-Yes. From the latter part of the 19th century.

-Oh, right.

It's very reminiscent of the sort of 18th century Meissen figures.

You've got this sleeping beauty, here, who's taken her shoes off

-and decided to have a little nap.

-Right.

-But if you look closely

she's wearing this really nice floral dress and then just tucked in

to the dress, here, there's a little letter which looks like it's got

a little red seal mark on it, so it's a little love letter.

-Ah!

-And what we don't know, of course, is whether

she's tucked it in there and then fallen asleep contented that

her beau is in love with her, or of course he's tucked it in there when

she's fallen asleep and then left her to wake up and find the letter.

So it's a little bit of a mystery.

It's a little bit of a mystery, but Victorians liked that,

these little sort of sentimental touches.

She's obviously quite an elegant lady, but then she's got

this rustic furniture around her.

-Yes.

-They liked that sort of rustic style, as well.

Looking underneath, we've got the crossed swords mark of Meissen.

We've got some numbers as well which refer to shape and pattern numbers,

-Very nice. We do have a small chip there, see?

-Yes, I noticed.

Which unfortunately affects the value a little bit.

-There's the odd chip here and there, always the case with Meissen.

-Right.

But I think because it's such a nice sentimental subject,

and if you look at the detail, which I think it is worth pointing out,

of the little bow in her hair here. The little earring she's wearing.

The modelling of her ears, the modelling of her face.

Yes, it's beautiful.

The modelling of her little pearl and lace necklace, there.

-I mean, everything screams quality about it.

-Yes.

-But in a very sort

of "sugar sweet" sort of way, I suppose, which is not

-terribly fashionable these days.

-No.

-Now we want big, bold statement,

-decorative pieces, not these sort of...

-Delicate.

-Rather feminine...

Feminine, delicate porcelain objects. Of course, it does have a value.

-Right.

-You've had it for a long time. Have you thought of the value?

No. We have absolutely no idea. It's only since your programmes

have been on, et cetera, that we suddenly thought

-well, perhaps it has got some value.

-Yes, well, I think it does.

I still think there will be Meissen collectors,

even though there's a slight bit of damage, I would have thought

maybe 200 to 300, with 150 reserve. Would you be happy with that?

-Yes, yes. I think 200 to 300 would be lovely.

-And who knows?

Some other person might fall in love with it at the auction.

They could well do, couldn't they?

And what would you do if we got a good price for you?

Well, we'd like to go back to Italy.

We holiday in Italy quite a lot.

-Well, it's a good cause.

-Yes.

Well, I can't wait until the auction and you'll fly up from Dover...

-Absolutely.

-To Canterbury.

Angela, real quality.

-Thank you!

-William Moorcroft.

What's happened to them?!

-I didn't do it. I promise! Not responsible for that!

-I am not accusing you.

-No.

-Tell me their story, anyway.

And thank you so much for bringing in something so beautiful.

Thank you! Well, I agree, I think they're absolutely glorious.

I was given them about 40 years ago by a couple I knew in London who were antique dealers.

And they were emigrating to Canada, and they had a very old cat

that they couldn't take because it wouldn't have survived the journey.

I had four cats at the time, and I was moving out to the country, and I said, "Don't have him put down.

-"I'll take care of him."

-Oh, good for you.

So I took him along with my four to move down to Kent,

and before we left, she came round and she gave me those.

And they had red chintz shades with fringes!

So did they convert them to lamp bases, do you think?

I honestly don't know. I didn't feel it sort of appropriate to ask when she gave them.

I was horrified when I saw what had happened, but I was so thrilled to have them.

-Did you realise they were very early Moorcroft?

-He told me. He said they were good.

And look at that, there's the MacIntyre stamp, James MacIntyre.

-Yes.

-These are sort of around 1910.

Unbelievable. Unbelievable.

The condition is fantastic.

Florianware. A little bit of sort of slip trailing in the glaze. Can you see that?

I was just looking at this bit here that's dropped down.

The glaze has watered down slightly and it's just dripping.

-Well, that is known as the slip trail decoration.

-Right.

I like this, this little knot here.

-Yes.

-A Chinese influence, isn't it, really?

-Absolutely.

-But it's the blue and red anemone pattern.

-Yeah.

And that is quite rare.

-Is it?

-Yes. It's good for you.

Well, that's probably because I've never been able to find it when I've looked it up on the net.

-Why do you want to sell them now, though?

-I need to upgrade my daughter's car.

I know. Well, they're hers eventually, and at this point we really need...

She has a lot of driving, heavy mileage.

-What does she do for a living?

-She works in operating theatre

in hospital, orthopaedics, and she's got an hour and a half's journey every day from here to Maidstone.

-Right. A lot of travelling.

-A lot of travelling.

-So she needs a new car.

She needs a car with air bags and that kind of thing,

because the motorway an hour and a half a day gives me the shivers, honestly.

So this is going towards...

This won't buy the car, obviously, but there's lots of other bits and pieces that I want to get rid of.

-Big fan of Moorcroft.

-I know!

I like these. I like these a lot. And so will the collectors and the buyers, despite the damage.

The damage is going to hold them back.

I think if this pair was perfect,

it'd be up around about the £1,500 to £1,800 mark.

On a great day, they still might do £1,100 or something like that.

But I think a sensible estimate, to get everybody excited, is £400 to £600.

-OK.

-OK?

-Yes.

-Fixed reserve at 400.

-Yes.

-But on a good day, we'll get four figures.

That would be absolutely wonderful.

And that's towards the car fund.

-Absolutely, yes!

-We can talk about what model at the auction room, depending on how well we do!

-Exactly, yes. Yes.

-I'll see you there.

-Thank you!

Lorraine, I am so excited about this Minton jardiniere.

-Where did you get it from?

-It was my great-grandmother's.

Right, OK. And where did your grandmother...

-great-grandmother get it from?

-I don't know.

-It's been in your family the whole time, been passed through?

-Yes.

I'm so excited because I do collect Minton Viennese Secessionist Ware

and this is just so beautiful.

I mean, I pounced on you in the queue because I saw it and I just thought

those colours are absolutely fabulous. They're so vibrant.

-Yeah.

-And it's got this wonderful tube lining,

this very typical pattern that you find in the Minton Secessionist Ware.

Do you know anything about Minton Secessionist?

-No.

-Well, the designers were John Wadsworth and Leon Solon.

They started really towards the late 19th century and it was

all finished pretty much by 1905. They worked in partnership together,

taking their inspiration from Viennese Secessionist Ware,

Art Nouveau, so you can see lots of sort of influences from nature

and we see these quite sort of stylised flowers and plants.

It's quite a simple design, but it's just so very beautiful.

Are you not... You don't seem very... I'm so excited about it

because it's the best thing that I've seen all day.

I do like it, but my partner doesn't like it, so he won't want it...

What doesn't he like about it?

He likes modern things, so he won't let us have it

-in our new conservatory.

-It is still very modern, I think.

-Especially the colours.

-He has come round about the colour.

-But, no, I'd rather...

-You want to get rid of it.

-Give my mum the money.

So, have you had this in your home for some time?

I've had it about six months in my home.

Before that my mum had it in her home as long as I can remember.

Right, OK. Pride of place I hope?

No. My grandmother had a Christmas tree in it,

my mother's had newspapers and sweet wrappers

-and I think she had an aspidistra in it at one time.

-That's dreadful!

Then she put it in the bedroom and it got forgotten about,

and then she gave to me about six months ago rather than use it

as a rubbish bin and I think I've been sick on it. In it.

I don't know if I want to touch it. In it! Oh, God!

Once upon a time it would have been... I mean, it's a jardiniere,

-so it probably would have had a stand.

-Yeah.

Does anyone in your family have any recollection of the stand at all?

No, no.

As a piece this is really, I think, quite special.

Do you have any idea of how much it's worth at auction?

Well, I only thought around 50, 80 quid.

I'll give you 50 quid!

I'll take it from you straightaway.

I think that it's worth around £300 to £500.

-Wow!

-With a 250 reserve, is that OK?

-Yeah.

-You're smiling.

-Yeah, lovely.

-Hopefully, smiling all the way to the bank.

-Yeah, thank you.

-Hello, Nina.

-Hello. Very nice to meet you.

-And you, as well.

Now, you've brought a really, really interesting piece along.

Tell me, how has it remained in this condition?

Because it's just been away in a drawer somewhere

for all its life, I should imagine.

-And do you know how it came into your possession?

-I've no idea.

I probably first saw it when I was a teenager, about 60 years ago,

and I'm sure my mother took it out and showed it to me and then it got

put back and put away and whenever we did a spring clean it came out

again and we had a look at it and that's what's happened to it.

-I think it's in pretty good condition actually for its age.

-Yes, yes.

What we've actually got here is a little...

What looks like a little book, but it isn't, it's a sort of diorama,

and it's called

Lane's Telescopic View Of The Ceremony Of Her Majesty's

Opening The Great Exhibition,

-of course, in Crystal Palace in 1851.

-Absolutely.

-And it's by the printers down here, Lane & Stanhope.

-Yes.

Stanhope actually went on to develop those little miniature things

you brought from Brighton Rock and things like that were you could

-look in and see the piers.

-Ah.

But what I found charming about this is it's such a simple little

piece of equipment and it's been around for 158 years.

And you open it up like this and it's so simple to modern standards

when we look at the internet and the games we play,

and you just take a little look through the hole there

and you can see right the way and you have a whole sort of panoramic view

of the Crystal Palace exhibition.

-Absolutely.

-Imagine as a child in 1851 that being brought home

-and the wonder of it, it must have been fantastic.

-Absolutely.

If you couldn't go yourself you could have a little look through there.

Because you can't appreciate the pretty colours inside

from the front of it, which has faded.

And when you look inside all those colours have been protected,

-so they're much brighter.

-Yes.

-It's been in a cupboard for many years.

-Yes.

And I think it's time to let somebody else appreciate it and enjoy it,

-isn't it?

-Yes, yes.

Value, any ideas?

-£500.

-Think again.

I'm going up then, £700!

-Well, I'm going down.

-I know!

-I think if we're sensible about it,

-we should maybe think around £200 to £300.

-Yes.

With a 200 reserve, because we must protect it with a reserve.

-Absolutely.

-Well, Nina, I really hope we get a lot of money for it

because it's one of my favourite items I've seen today.

I think it's a really exciting piece.

If we do, what would you put the money towards?

I'd use it to go on my travels.

I've seen quite a lot of the world, but I haven't been

to Australia and New Zealand yet.

-Well, I hope we get you part of the way.

-Thank you very much indeed.

It's now time for our final trip to the auction

where we'll find out if Yvonne will be making it to Italy

on the proceeds of her Meissen sleeping beauty figure.

Although Catherine was crazy about

the Minton Secessionist Ware jardiniere, there was no love lost

for owner Lorraine or her family,

although it had been put to good use over the years.

My grandmother had a Christmas tree in it, my mother's had newspapers

and sweet wrappers and then she gave it to me about six months ago.

Angela was given these beautiful Moorcroft vases as a thank you

and, despite being crudely made into lamps,

they are real quality

and I'm sure the bidders will be excited by my £400-600 estimate.

And, finally, Nina's stunning diorama of the Grand Exhibition

is now in the spotlight.

Good luck, it's just about to go under the hammer.

I'm talking about Lorraine's sick bowl!

She said it! We're talking about that wonderful Minton.

Hello, Mum, by the way. What's your name?

-Margaret.

-This is yours really, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Fingers crossed.

-What do you think, Catherine?

-£300 to £500. I think it should

-do quite well, actually.

-Well, let's see what this packed

auction room thinks. It's going under the hammer now.

Lot number 35 is the early

20th century Minton Secessionist pottery jardiniere, lot 35.

Who'll start me at £200? Lot 35.

£200 I'm looking for. Any interest at £200?

Come on, come on, come on!

Any interest at 200?

Thank you. 200 I'm bid. 210? 210.

220. 230.

240.

-It's a bit slow.

-250.

260. 270.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, we sold it.

280. 290.

300. 320.

340. 360.

380. 400. 420.

-That's good.

-440.

460?

Anybody at 460?

It's at £440 on the telephone now.

Any further offer? If not, I'm selling at £440 if we're all done.

Yes! Well done. Thank you so much

for putting a smile on our faces, that was a funny story.

I really loved that story, fantastic.

Well, thank you very much. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I've been joined by Nina today and Mark, our expert.

This is absolutely stunning, the little diorama of Crystal Palace,

-the Great Exhibition. Yeah.

-In great condition.

-This is it.

308 is the Lane's Telescopic View Of The Ceremony Of Her Majesty

Opening The Great Exhibition in 1851. Unusual item. Lot 308.

Who'll start me at £100? £100? Any interest at £100?

100 I'm bid. Who's in at 110? 110.

-120?

-Yes.

-130.

-140.

-Yeah.

-150. 160.

-Yeah.

170.

180?

-No.

-Anybody at 180? 180. 190?

190? Anybody at 190?

190. 200? 200 anywhere?

The bid is at £190, then. Pass at 190.

Oh, Nina. We just missed it by...

-One bid.

-Yeah. One bid.

-Never mind.

-Sorry about that.

-It lives to sell another day.

-Absolutely.

-Will you do that?

-Yes.

-Another auction room, another day.

Absolutely.

So close! That was very disappointing.

But can we do any better with the Meissen figure?

Right now Meissen figure is just about to go under the hammer,

could it be our little sleeper? I'm joined by Yvonne

and we've got £200 to £300 on this and it is the sleeping beauty?

-It is, it certainly is.

-This figure is so evocative.

You've got the young lady sleeping,

-the little letter tucked into her cleavage.

-I know.

Now, is that a letter from a lover or is it just a shopping list?

We don't know, but it's in a safe place!

Anyway, let's see what the bidders think,

it's just about to go under the hammer. Here we go.

Lot number four is the Meissen porcelain figure

of the young woman in 18th century dress, lot number four.

We have four bids and we're starting at £400.

-Starting at 400!

-420? Any interest at 420?

The bid is on my left at £400 now and I'm looking for 420.

420. 440. 460.

480. 500. And 20. 540.

540 with anybody?

540. 560. 580.

-580, sir? 600? Anybody at 600?

-Yes.

600. And 20. 640.

660. 680. On the net, no? The bid is with Chris at £660.

-That's very good.

-Please!

-£660.

-Hammer's gone down, Yvonne.

-Wonderful!

-£660.

-Thank you so much, Mark.

-We're happy with that?

-Very happy.

-The buyers were definitely here today.

-Absolutely. Thank you very, very much.

-Enjoy that holiday, won't you?

Oh, absolutely. Lake Garda here I come!

It's my turn to be the expert now.

I'm not brilliant on pottery and ceramics,

but Angela's beared with me and we know we're going to do well on this.

-Absolutely, we have to.

-At the valuation day we said, look,

if these were in perfect condition we'd be looking at around £1,200 to 1,500.

I know they've upped the value a little.

They got in touch with you. But £400-600 is a great starting point.

This is it.

Lot number 42, a pair of early 20th century Macintyre Moorcroft

pottery bottle-shaped vases. Four bids on the book.

We're starting at £820.

Straight in at 800!

820. And I'm looking for 840?

Any interest at 840? 860. 880.

We said at the valuation day, keep them keen.

940. 960.

980. 1,000.

1,050. 1,100.

1,150.

-I did say, didn't I, I bet it could go higher.

-1,300. 1,350.

There are two people on the phone bidding against each other.

Any interest at 1,350?

Online at 1,350.

1,400.

1,450. Online 1,450.

-Are we bidding?

-Yes.

-1,500.

You've got your lucky mud colours on today.

1,600.

1,650.

Hey, who cares about the damage?

-Obviously they don't.

-1,750.

-Yes.

-1,800.

-Oh, this is what auction rooms are all about.

1,850.

-No.

-The bid is at £1,800 on a telephone. Anybody in the room?

If not, I'm selling at £1,800.

Yes! £1,800! Give us a hug.

What are you going to do with all that money?

-It's for my daughter's car.

-Oh, the car, the car fund.

There's half of it paid for.

Well, maybe not half because there's commission and stuff.

-Yeah, you've got to pay commission here.

-About £1,000.

That's a lot of money isn't it?

-Wow, didn't they love it?

-They did.

Angela, thank you so much for coming in. If you've got anything like that, we'd love to see you.

It brings us to the end of another fascinating day in the auction room for Flog It!

Do join us again soon for many more surprises.

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