Wetherby 65 Bargain Hunt

What could be better? A day at the races!

The only race today is against the clock.

The stakes are high and the going is good.

And it's a one-hour-long special show today,

so, let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

Wetherby Racecourse, home to many a steeplechase meeting.

Today, it plays host to two teams of animal-crackers bargain hunters.

But will our teams fall at the first fence?

Or gallop off with loads of profit?

Because today's show is a double jeopardy show.

That means that each of the experts have to find two bonus buys.

Will the teams go with one or the other or neither?

"Whatever's going to happen?" I hear you cry.

Well, let's take a sneaky peek at what's coming up.

The tension becomes unbearable for the Reds.

No, no!

-D'oh! I told you!

-£15!

Whilst the Blues try every dirty, low-down trick in the book.

Bearing in mind you're talking to a couple of old pensioners,

could you do that?

He's pulling the old-age pensioner's card!

Animal lovers of the canine and equine variety,

we have on the show today.

For the Reds, we have Bruce and Anita.

And for the Blues, we have Cherry and John. Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello, Tim!

-Lovely to see you.

Now, Anita, being this side of the camera is no big deal, is it?

It's not, Tim, no. Although it's been quite a while, I have to say.

I was in Spender, we did quite a few Spenders, because they were

really, really popular at the time in the north-east.

So I did quite a few of those.

Did quite a few adverts, although I didn't get to speak.

My finger was quite prominent, pointing at bacon,

in quite a lot of them.

But nowadays, you're involved in a different

sort of show business, aren't you?

I am. I show my collies, my rough collies.

And I've been doing that since 1995.

I did have a litter and I kept one,

and I showed her and she was quite good. And I bought some more.

-Yes, became a disease then?

-It did, and a bit of an obsession.

My biggest win was at Crufts,

when I got the Reserve Challenge certificate in 2008.

To win Crufts is something else, isn't it?

Didn't quite win it, but I wasn't far off!

How far were you off?

-One place.

-No! Aw.

And it wasn't Crufts, well, it was Crufts,

-but it was the Best Rough Collie.

-Oh, I see.

-Within the category of canine, yes, I understand.

-Yes.

-Well, that's very close!

-It was, yes.

-That's close enough.

-It'll do me.

-Well done!

Now, Bruce, you are an essential cog in the wheel of all this

canine success, aren't you?

-Absolutely not.

-Oh.

I'm the sap who has to hold the bitey end of the dog, while it

-gets its hair pulled.

-Oh, dear.

-And getting up very early in

-the morning and having to drive many miles to dog shows.

-Yes, yes.

-My reward is a soft-whip ice cream.

-Is it?

And a snooze, followed by a poke in the eye when it's time to go home.

And do you ever get a Bonio thrown in?

LAUGHTER

What are your tactics going to be today?

Bruce likes things to do with the military, so I think

he'll probably look for things like that.

I'll get suckered into anything to do with animals, unfortunately.

-So I'm going to have to watch that.

-Mainly dogs?

-Yeah, mainly dogs.

OK, fair enough.

-Funny that, isn't it?

-It's almost inevitable, I suppose.

I hope you'll enjoy that and thank you

-for joining us.

-Thank you.

-Now, Cherry.

-Hello, Tim.

-John. How are you?

-Fine, Tim.

Brilliant.

Now, Cherry, when you retired, you decided to take up rather

an unusual hobby, didn't you?

Yes, John has always been interested in the pedigrees of horses,

so we decided to buy a brood mare, called Faithful Beauty,

and she's been a fantastic mare.

She's had 12 foals, 11 have reached the racecourse,

nine have won, two still to win.

How marvellous is that, well done! That is fantastic.

So, this has been an outstanding success,

-your turn into racehorse breeding?

-Yes, yes.

-And have you had the runners here, at Wetherby?

-Yes.

We had a horse called Darina's Boy, who is now 17 years old,

and he came second and third, on this racecourse, in 2006.

Gosh, how amazing.

So, were you up in the stand, or do you go down by the winning post?

We go somewhere to hide, Tim, because it's like watching

your child at a school sports day, especially over jumps!

-But this isn't your only involvement in sport, is it, John?

-No.

Notwithstanding these decrepit features, I used to play rugby.

I was playing hooker, from scrum to scrum.

I used to play hooker, too.

-Oh, really!

-Yes, I did.

-Oh, we're members of the front row forwards union!

-Yes, exactly.

And I used to rather like it

because I found it quite protective having these strapping great

props, either side, who were quite capable of raising their knee

into the face of the opposition on the other side,

at every opportunity,

which was always rather ferocious,

if one was of a delicate disposition.

-Of course, it's changed a lot now.

-Yes.

In my day just had to get the ball out of the scrum, today you've

got to tackle, run, score tries, throw into the line-out, multitask!

Yes. So, who is good to be taking the reins, today?

Who's going to control the shopping on Bargain Hunt?

I think it'll be joint.

-That is a very diplomatic answer!

-We tend to compromise.

Anyway, we come to the money moment, £300 apiece, here's your £300.

You know the rules, your experts await, and off you go!

Very, very, very good luck.

So who is going to be the winner today?

Giving them the inside track, are our experts.

Philip Serrell will be leading the Reds.

Whilst leading lady for the Blues is Anita Manning, bless her!

-Wetherby, I love it!

-Fantastic.

A racecourse, I'm with two horsey people, I love horses!

-I like jewellery.

-Oh, Lord.

-And I know that can be a bit hit-and-miss.

-Arts and Crafts, silver.

-Oh, right. Yeah.

-A decanter.

-He's got very definite ideas.

-I like my Scotch whisky.

I want to find something that'll make Tim go weak at the knees.

Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear.

-Scotch whisky will. Ha!

-LAUGHTER

Look sharp, teams! Your hour starts now!

I can see dogs, already.

I think they've been in the dogs' home.

-And it makes a noise, as well!

-God, that's good, isn't!

-It's great stuff!

-And so realistic!

-I know we're going to have to buy something doggy, right?

-Yes.

-I want to stay away from pot dogs.

-Do you?

-All right, then. All right?

-OK.

-But that might be a possibility.

-OK.

Anita rarely overlooks items from her bonny homeland.

These were made in the same place that all the wonderful

ships of the world were made in, in Clydebank.

And ones that were made in the early

part of the 20th century are still in perfect working order.

So, that was Clyde-built, just like me.

LAUGHTER

Looks like Bruce found his way to something interesting.

I was wondering if you could tell me

if you think it's military origins or not?

I don't know whether it is. It's a better-made thing than it looks.

-Uh-huh.

-Because it looks like quite an inexpensive thing,

but, when you pick it up, there's a bit of weight to it.

And then it's got this locking device, here,

that when the lid shuts, it puts down on that, and it's locked.

I can't see any marks on it to identify as...

No, you'd have an arrow, or whatever, wouldn't you?

What would be the best you could do on that?

I've got 38 on it.

I could go down to 32?

Well, it's a step in the right direction, that,

but if you'd like to have another look.

-Er, 28?

-28?

-28.

Could you put it by for us, for an hour?

You can take it with you, in case you get lost.

It'll help you find your way back.

I don't see the point, myself.

But how are the Blues getting on?

-Silver.

-Oh, yes, they're nice.

-Uh-huh.

Silver spoons, hallmarked silver, a nice wee set.

And it's in its box, as well.

-It's in its box.

-Is this the original box?

Yes, yes.

We have a date letter here, and we have our maker's name there.

-And that's why people like to collect silver.

-Yes.

Because they can tell exactly where it was made, who made it,

if it was silver and when it was made.

So, they're probably made, maybe,

in the first half of the 20th century, anyway.

I'd like to see if we can negotiate a buying price on this, please.

Bearing in mind, you're talking to a couple of old pensioners.

-Could you do that?

-LAUGHTER

He's playing the old-age pensioner's card!

Could you really manage 38?

-I think we could, yes.

-Are you happy, Cherry, because...

-OK, yes.

Thank you very much, indeed.

He's a fast character, him, isn't he?

He's pretty swift for an OAP.

You'll have to keep an eye on that one, Anita.

Old telephones!

-Retro.

-Well, an old telephone the other day,

made, I think, £23,000.

-But it wasn't one of those.

-No.

The Reds don't seem to be in any great rush.

But the blues just can't wait to buy their next item.

And what we've got here are a nice selection of paperweights,

some of which will be Caithness paperweights.

-Ah.

-Yes.

Caithness is in the north of Scotland.

-Do you collect paperweights?

-No.

-No.

Do you want to have a go at one of these,

or do you want to continue to look.

I think we'll continue to look.

-Continue to look.

-OK, we'll come back again.

-Right.

Another quick decision from the Blues.

Come on, Phil, I think these reds need a bit of direction.

Let's go up, get the compass, then that's one done.

-And then let's go on, and see what else we can find.

-Yeah.

It's shrunk in the heat. LAUGHTER

We've got bad news for you, the price has as well, it's 20 quid now!

As you are a man with a sense of humour, £28.

Will you take an extra pound off, if I can make you smile?

-Know a good joke?

-Yes.

-Go for it.

Why don't owls make love in the rain?

-It's "too wet to woo", isn't it?

-Naww! Too wet to woo.

You smiled, though.

Well done, well done.

No! Right, OK.

Thank you. You're a gentleman.

I can see these two are going to be a right hoot.

That's one item apiece, teams, and 35 minutes left.

Maybe we should pop inside and have a wee look at the inside stalls?

-Good idea.

-You've got lots and lots and lots of stuff in here.

-Oh, yes!

Back at the stall where the Blues bought their spoons,

the Reds have found a vintage bus conductor's ticket machine.

They think it's broken. But, there's a knack.

Because that will only go so far round, you've got to flick that.

-Oh, good.

-Obviously, when you're...

Do you have a roll of tickets to go with it?

-No, unfortunately, we don't.

-You don't.

I think that's really nice.

Yes. I think it's very nice, too.

-I think at auction it's going to make between £30 and £50.

-Do you?

Yes, I do. But I think it's a great, funky thing.

-Nostalgic, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

As we're on a bargain hunt, what's the best price you can give this?

£30 to £50 quid at auction.

We need to get it into that range really, don't we?

-55.

-55?

-55.

-55.

-Oh! No, no, no!

-We're not going to find another, are we?

-50?

-Not possibly 45?

-No.

-45 for a smile?

Now, if he can tell you a joke and it makes you smile...

Actually, you're on solid ground here, because you won't laugh. Try it.

-Why don't owls make love in the rain?

-Don't know.

Because it's too wet to woo.

HOWLING WIND ACROSS BARREN LAND

I think you'll need some new material, Bruce.

Your bottom line is definitely £50?

-You can't be twisted?

-A pound off.

-49?

-49.

-49.

Why don't you ask this good lady if she'll put it by

for you for half an hour?

Would you put it by for us, for half an hour?

-Yes.

-Thank you, my love. Thank you very much.

It seems the Reds are more into playing the fool,

-than splashing the cash.

-What do you think?

Back with the Blues, and something decorative has caught Cherry's eye.

I've seen a vase with fields on, a painted vase.

-I like it because reminds me of Italy.

-All right, OK.

Let's first have a look.

It's Old Tupton Ware. It has the look of,

with the tube-lining, of Moorcroft,

but different types of pattern.

What does tube-lined mean?

Tube-lined means that we have the detail in relief.

It's almost like icing on a cake.

It's fairly new, but can you tell us a bit about Old Tupton Ware?

Certainly. Old Tupton Ware is named after the village of Old Tupton

in Derbyshire, just south of Chesterfield.

Whether it's actually been made there, I do not know,

It's not made on these shores, to be honest,

not at these prices were selling at.

-It's very colourful and cheering.

-Yes.

-A vase brightens up anybody's house, yes.

-Right.

-I like it.

-Is it also very expensive?

-£75.

-£75.

Can it be bought for less than that?

Mmmm, it could be.

Could it be bought for 50?

No. The idea is we're supposed to make a profit.

Oh, right! Ha-ha-ha!

I'll go down to 65?

Well, in the end, Cherry, John, it's up to you.

What you've got here is a big piece

and sometimes, size matters.

Tell me what you like about it.

I like it because it's bright and cheerful.

And I think it would put a smile on somebody's face,

as they walked into the room.

I think it's been well executed, as a piece in its own right.

I'd like it a lot more, if the price could start with a five.

LAUGHTER

Like 59 or 58.

-59.

-59.

-Yeah?

-Do you want it at 59?

-Yes.

50. Careful!

59, thank you very much indeed.

-This man doesn't hang about,

-No, he doesn't.

John's really got the bit between his teeth.

But will the vase turn a profit at auction?

Back with the Reds, it's time for a team talk.

We need to make some decisions here, now.

-Now, I reckon, you've bought the compass.

-Yes.

-You want to buy the bus conductor's thing.

-I'd be interested.

I reckon you should go and buy the bus conductor's thing,

that means that you,

-you...

-Me!

-..have spent 70-75 quid on your two little bits,

and I'm going to run off with this lady, right,

-and we're going to go and find something...

-For 50p!

-Is isn't he a rotter?

-Shocking.

Right, we're going to go and find something in there.

-And you come and catch us up, all right?

-OK, then.

With time running out, this plan sounds just the ticket.

Bruce closes the deal for £49.

-Thank you, very much.

-Thank you.

-Fantastic.

Meanwhile, Anita and Phil are going upmarket with the indoor stalls.

-Right, is this not pot heaven?

-It is pot heaven. Oh, Moorcroft.

Yes, it's awash with pots. Are you sure this is a good idea, Phil?

-I'm looking at pot dogs again.

-You've got to concentrate the mind.

-Yeah.

SHE LAUGHS

Great minds think alike.

The Blues have also split up and Cherry has spotted something she likes.

-She's got a smile on her face!

-Yeah, she has, yeah. HE LAUGHS

Oh, she's got her glasses off. She means business!

Let's go and have a wee look.

Here we're looking at this beautiful leopard.

Is this what you fancy, Cherry?

It's what caught my eye because it's an animal

-and it looks fairly well made.

-Do we know what it's made of?

These things are made of a resin, which is a plastic-type material

but don't let that put you off. This is Border Fine Arts.

Very good designers, very good mouldings. Everything is sharp.

It's not a cheap process. And they are expensive to buy in the shops.

When you talk about Borders you mean the Scottish Borders?

Yes, so Border Fine Arts.

-The only thing is it's got a little nick there.

-Och, that's nothing!

-SHE LAUGHS

-Look it's away!

-If you...

I think you guys are drawn to an animal...

-Oh, we are.

-..like that, which has the wonderful muscle tone.

-My worry is whether that would fly at an auction.

-Uh-huh.

Well, collectors will like that and Border Fine Arts is a collectable.

There were lots of copycats of Border Fine Arts but this is...

-Is it authentic?

-It's authentic.

This woman's got a smile on her face!

The Blues may have found their final item.

While they decide if it's the cat's whiskers,

the Reds have found something that could be the dog's...

DOG BARKS

It's an inkwell.

Is that your favourite bit of doggy stuff that we've seen?

It's got some character.

-That's £98.

-You've got some money, remember.

-Yeah.

As long as you can leave with something.

-What do you think about it?

-Well, it looks like it's...

marble, early 20th century.

The first question to ask yourself

-is whether he has always been on there.

-OK.

-Because the two, sometimes they get married together.

-Right, OK.

-Erm, do you think these have always been together?

-Yes, I think so.

-What would this be, 1910, 1920?

-1920s, that is, maybe.

-Yeah.

-Not English, is it?

-No...

-Possibly French, German...

-French, I would've thought.

-It's quite a nice little piece.

-And how much is that?

-Well, you've got 98 on it.

-98, best 75 but that doesn't include the pen.

Could it include the pen?

-Please!

-I suppose it could.

Let's put it back. Let's put it back and have a think.

Could we ask you to put that by for us for about 15 minutes?

-Yeah, of course you can.

-While we have a quick whizz round.

-Thank you.

These Reds have serious commitment issues.

It's a wonder they ever got married.

How much do you think it would make in auction if we bought that?

I would think you're looking at sort of £50 to £80.

It's just a really good quality little dog.

While the Reds dither,

the Blues have decided to pounce on the leopard.

So it's time to talk money.

I've got £70 on the ticket.

-Er, but I could do that for 50.

-50? Right, yes.

-Sort of a special...

-Aw, just for Bargain Hunt. What a kind gesture.

-Hang on...

-Could we begin with a 4, even if it's 49?

-Yes, of course.

-Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you. I hope you really enjoy it.

Negotiated like a true Yorkshireman, John.

That's the Blues done and dusted.

The Reds are still looking for their last item.

Ooh, no! HE LAUGHS

But with just three minutes left, they're fast running out of options.

-What do you want to do?

-We need to go and buy that.

-Off you go then!

Yeah, come on then, let's go.

So the bulldog inkwell it is.

And there's just time for a cheeky bit of manoeuvring on the price.

-You said £65 for this, didn't you?

-No, I did not.

With the pen.

They're like a couple of Rottweilers, these two.

75 and I'll throw in the pen.

Well, I love it so I think we'll go for that

but thank you very much, with the pen.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Cor, they cut that very fine. But now we've got two full houses.

Hats off! Time's up! Let's check out what the Red team bought, eh?

They were magnetically drawn to this compass for £27.

Ding-ding! All aboard!

They held tight and bought this bus conductor's ticket machine for £49.

And, finally, they thought this inkstand was something

to write home about for £75.

Did you have a cracking shop or did you have a cracking shop?

-I did.

-We had a cracking shop.

-We had a cracking shop.

-And how much did you spend?

-We spent £151.

-151, I'd like 149 of leftover lolly, please.

-There you go.

Erm, Anita, can you tell me which is your favourite item that you bought?

Well, actually, I liked the conductor's ticket machine,

I thought that was quirky and interesting.

-Just your personal favourite?

-Yeah, I think so.

-Good, what about you, Brucey?

Being a blissfully happily-married man, I agree with Anita

and say that the ticket machine is my favourite as well.

-And your marriage will go on for many years.

-Indeed, indeed.

-I think it's the compass.

-OK.

-The compass will.

-It's going to point in the right direction, is it?

-Yes, potentially.

-Do you agree with that?

-Well, actually, I told him to say that because, yes,

-I do actually agree with him, Tim.

-Well, that's marvellous, isn't it?

The unity in this team is something else.

-Have they been like this all day, then?

-Well, it's...

-We've had our moments.

-I bet you have!

Anyway, there's a reasonable slug for you, P Serrell.

Yeah, I think I'm going to go and find something

that can give us stability through troubled waters.

That's enigmatic.

But hold that thought, and don't disappear yet

because I'm going to give you another £100.

This is Tim's Ton, right,

this is for the special bonus buy for this special

hour-long programme, Phil,

so it's two bonus buys that you're challenged with finding

and I'll make a prediction or two as to which of your

bonus buys I think are going to do best.

-Which we don't tell this lot, right?

-Excellent.

-Right.

On a happy note, why don't we check out what the Blue team bought, eh?

They were not shaken but stirred by these silver spoons for £38.

They did a cracking deal on this Old Tupton Ware vase for £59.

And, finally,

they hope this moulded leopard will be a roaring success at auction.

Bought for £49.

-That was good, wasn't it?

-It was, really interesting.

-Really good.

Almost as good as a day out at the races, what?

-So, how much did you spend, John?

-£146.

-That's very fair.

So I'd like £154, please, Cherry.

That's right, you're in charge of the money. Very nice.

-So, which is your favourite piece, Cherry?

-I do like the vase.

The vase is your favourite. John, do you agree with that?

-I fancy the silver spoons.

-Just as your favourite.

-Yeah.

-Which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-All of them.

-Oh, they're all going to bring an equally big profit?

-Oh, yes.

-Really?

Are you that confident, Cherry?

Which do you think is going to bring the biggest profit?

-The leopard.

-The leopard?

-Possibly.

-OK, possibly.

Cor, you're hedging your bets!

Now I know why you're so good around the racecourse.

Anyway, Anita, here's a fair old heap, darling.

-That's lovely, thank you.

-You've had lots of fun, haven't you?

Oh, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. But I want to buy something horsey.

Don't go cantering off yet

because I need to give you another £100, all right? This is Tim's Ton.

-Will I get a thoroughbred with that?

-No, not one of ours, Anita.

The thing is, you can't combine, all right?

It's got to be two separate items and it would be fabulous, Anita,

if you could come back with the Tim's Ton bonus buy

for us to have a chat about in a minute or two.

And we won't say a word to the team so you'll never know what

-we had to say till after the event. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Anita.

Mm, lovely.

Phil's been scouring the fair for his bonus buy

and he's set the controls for quirky.

I thought this for Bruce and Anita. What is it?

You might well ask but

it's a stabiliser for a battleship. Who doesn't want one of those?

Well, I didn't see that coming.

But for Tim's Ton, Phil's come over all predictable.

It wouldn't be Bargain Hunt if I didn't buy a bit of Worcester, would it?

-Well, this is exciting, Philip Serrell.

-Absolutely right.

-I gave you all that dosh.

-Yes.

-Now, the team's bonus buy, they had £149 of leftover lolly.

-Well...

What did you do with this grey blob on the floor there?

Well, Bruce liked his marine, militaria-type stuff

and the only thing that I could find, and I think

-no-one should be without one of these, is a battleship stabiliser.

-Really?

-Have you got one?

-No, I haven't, actually.

-You should have a look.

I've had a look at it and, do you know,

I'm not so sure that it is to do with stabilising.

-A stabiliser would be there to stop you rocking about in the water, right?

-Yeah.

And you have these stabiliser fins at either side

and that's what happens with stabilising.

I'm not too sure whether they operate off a gyro.

But what I do know operates off a gyro in a warship is that

-you have an electro-gyrocompass, right?

-Yeah.

And for that it needs to have the pole in one place, stabilised.

-So that's why it's in its gimbals.

-Yeah.

It's got that piece of wire coming out of the top

and if that went into the bowels of the ship it could provide

-an element in this electrocompass.

-Well, there we are then, sorted.

Not necessarily, because I could be making it all up.

-Anyway, how much did you pay for it?

-£25.

-£25?

-Yeah, sorry, £25.

-Is that all?

-Yes. Well, I have no idea what it's worth.

-I haven't got a clue.

-No-no.

I paid £25 for it,

my auction estimate is somewhere between £1 and £100.

So the Tim's Ton, I gave you the £100

and you've gone with this plate.

Well, you know what, I can't help myself with a bit of Worcester.

This was made in 1906.

It's a hand-painted piece of fruit with strawberries and apples,

probably by a man called Frank Roberts. I paid £60 for it.

In my saleroom I'd estimate that at probably £120 to £180.

That's the thing, though, isn't it?

Because you've got that speciality for this Worcester stuff

and I daresay Worcester makes more with you than it does in most places

around the UK because you've got the collectors

and you've got the expertise in it.

The thing is that we're going to be selling in Darlington, right,

and that's quite a long way from Worcester.

-I hadn't thought of that, Tim.

-Well, it's been on my mind.

It's kept me awake at nights.

So I have to make a bit of a value judgment here as to which piece

is going to make proportionately the most profit

in relation to the purchase price.

And to make that judgment is going to be difficult, I have to tell you.

-(That way, Tim.)

-What?

-(That way.)

You reckon that way for the proportional... Do you really?

-Yeah, I do.

-Well, the only thing that I've learned in my life is...

Never listen to Phil Serrell!

So what I'm going to do, put it on there,

and I'm going to stick my toe in with your Worcester.

Your traditional piece of Worcester. I trust you, Phil.

-I'm going to go with you.

-Oh, thank you, Tim!

Anita has £154 burning a hole in her pocket

and she's on the hunt for the equine.

-I noticed this earlier on, which is a very nice horse crop...

-Yes.

..rather than whip. And it has a little silver rim and a silver top.

-What sort of price is that?

-45.

What's the very best that you could do on that?

-Best I'd do on that would be 30.

-£30.

That's lovely, thank you very much.

And for Tim's Ton she's sticking with the four-legged theme.

-There we are.

-Mm-hmm.

-And these are bookends.

-They're bookends, yes.

What is the very best that you could...?

We've got 85 on them, I could do 75.

Is that the very-very, VERY, very best you can do?

-I'll knock another fiver off.

-Oh, you're a darling!

-Right, that's lovely.

-Thank you.

£154 of leftover lolly from the team

-and surprise-surprise for our horse owners, you've gone horsey.

-Yes.

Well, I'm crazy about horses as well

and I was surprised that they hadn't bought anything

that was horse related and I found this wonderful riding crop

-which has a silver collar and a little silver top here.

-Oh, yeah.

-Now, the silver top has a royal crest on it.

-Mm-hmm.

And it has what looks like the name of a horse, which is Merebimur.

-Oh, yes.

-Which is a very fanciful name for a horse.

-Isn't it just?

-Must've been a posh horse.

-TIM LAUGHS

Well, it would be, perhaps, a military horse

because we've got RA on that collar, which could be Royal Artillery.

I'll tell you what I like about it.

Because it's a military crop it's been

painted in a sort of ceremonial brown so that when the rider,

in a ceremony... Trooping The Colour, I don't know, doing whatever.

..holds it, the colour that it's painted doesn't contrast with

-the flanks of the horse.

-Mm-hmm.

-We know that this horse was a brown horse.

-Yes, exactly. Exactly right.

-Erm, well, that's brilliant. How much did you pay?

-£30.

-Is that all?

-Mm-hmm.

-OK, fine. Then Tim's Ton? This is your challenge.

This is the £100. And this is, perhaps, something to trumpet about.

-Well, I hope so. We won't know until the auction.

-Well, fine.

So, tell us about these then.

Well, I liked these two elephants because they,

although they're not bronze, they are spelter, they're finely moulded.

-Pair of bookends and they've got lovely wee faces.

-Yes.

I have to say that I think they're absolutely hideous for me.

Between us girls. Erm, OK, fine.

In their favour, none of these trunks or ears or tusks

or anything seem to have been broken off.

Which, in a soft, white metal like spelter, very often happens.

So it's got a bit of chipping.

I don't mind so much about the chipping, I have to say,

but I have to make this terrible judgment.

Which of these objects is likely to make, in proportion,

the most profit.

And my vote today, overwhelmingly, has to go with your crop.

I think that that is a crackingly good object.

I think you're going to be able to whip up a tremendous profit

with that lovely thing and I congratulate you, Anita.

But still, we mustn't get too childish because we're about to

head off right now to the Museum of Childhood in sunny old London.

This building in the East End of London may

look a bit like a corporation bus depot but it isn't.

It's actually a gem of a place,

filled with all children's Christmases rolled into one.

There are objects to do with childcare,

clothes and, of course, toys.

Loads of them.

But you can't talk about toys

without considering the world's most popular toy - the teddy bear.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then let me tell you a story.

President Theodore Roosevelt, when hunting bears

in Mississippi in 1902, had a remarkably unsuccessful day.

He didn't hit one at all.

His aides were so worried that they went off and nabbed a bear

and tied it up and offered it to the president to shoot.

Which, ultimately, he declined to do because he thought

it was unsportsmanlike, and quite right, too.

Anyway, word spread across America

and a firm called Mitchcom immediately started producing

fluffy, cuddly teddy bears which they referred to as Teddy's bear.

And the whole myth of the teddy bear started from that moment.

Or did it?

I've come to find out more about the history of these

cuddly critters from someone who really knows her stuff.

Museum curator Catherine Howell. Good morning, Catherine.

-Good morning, Tim.

-How lovely to see you.

So, is it true that the Americans were the first to make teddy bears?

Well, they certainly made some early ones.

But really I think it was the Germans who got there first.

The Steiff company,

who had been making soft toys for quite a few years,

had one of their members of the family, Richard Steiff,

very interested in making toy animals that looked more realistic.

He produced the first fully-jointed moveable teddy bear.

-Which one of these is a Steiff bear?

-This chap here.

-Quite an early one.

-Yup.

Erm, Steiff bears, as I say, you have that realistic look about them.

So they have long arms,

they have a hump on the back like a real bear,

they have very sort of small boot-button eyes,

a long snout, long limbs.

And that one therefore dates from when?

Probably 1905, 1907, something like that.

Why does he come with accessories that look rather like a gas mask?

Well, actually, he originally belonged, obviously,

to a young girl in the beginning of the 20th century

but she then passed this bear on to her daughter, Elizabeth,

during the Second World War.

And they had a gas mask made for the bear so that Elizabeth could

use the gas mask on her teddy bear

and then she would get used to wearing her own gas mask as well.

-Sweet story.

-Yes.

And were the British slow off the mark in creating teddy bears?

Not that slow, really.

The company of JK Farnell are recognised as making

the first teddy bear in Britain and that was about 1906, 1907.

-Erm, which is the Farnell?

-We have a lovely Farnell here.

Again, a nice dressed bear.

But here he is.

And, again, he has a lot of the characteristics of a German bear.

So, you know, the limbs are long, he's got a little bit of a snout,

little bit of a hump, but there are some things that would tell us

that it is a British bear rather than a German bear.

For instance, inside the feet here,

you would have a card reinforcement, so we've got those on here.

We've also got glass eyes as opposed to boot-button eyes so

these glass eyes were used in English bears and by Farnell very early on.

But a real indication of a Farnell bear

is if you look at his claws here.

-And he has this webbed effect.

-Oh, yes.

And why is he in the sailor suit?

He was actually dressed during the First World War

and so he's got the little ribbons there that indicate

the medals that he would've won fighting in the navy.

-How long have you worked here?

-Oh, I've been here 21 years now.

In all those years have you formed a particular attachment

with any particular toy?

Well, the bears are my favourite toys, I have to say,

and there's a little bear here who is my favourite bear.

And he's made by a British company called Dean's.

They actually started making teddy bears very early on

in the 20th century and are still actually going strong,

they're still making bears.

So one of the few companies that are still around.

But why, out of all the picks that you could've had in this museum,

have you picked that, what I would call, rather miserable-looking bear?

He is very ordinary, isn't he?

But he is just like my own favourite bear

that I had growing up, that I still have.

Doesn't look at all like this because he's loved to bits.

This is a lovely new version of him.

A very good reason for loving it to bits.

-Anyway, thank you for talking to us about your passion.

-My pleasure.

The big question today is,

how will our teams express their passion over at the auction?

We're in Darlington, at Thomas Watson's auction house,

with auctioneer Peter Robinson.

-Good morning, Peter.

-Good morning, Tim. Good to see you.

Very nice to see you too, and what a mixture we've got.

First up, a so-called naval pocket compass.

-I don't think there's much marine about that, do you?

-I don't think so.

It's a little pocket compass, come land or sea.

Exactly. And, perfectly nice as it is, what's it worth?

20 to 40, we've put as an estimate on it.

It's a nice little item.

£27 paid, so that's the right price, and the right estimate, thank you.

Now, rather unusually, unless you're Reg Varney, I suppose,

and straight off the buses,

is the bus conductor's ticket machine.

How do you rate that?

Well it's, er... It's an unusual item.

I mean, I can even remember it, I'm sure when I was at school,

the windy handle to get your bus ticket.

So there's a charm about it.

We put £30 to £50 on it.

I'm not sure whether that's being over-ambitious, but, er...

I quite like it.

-Have you ever sold one before?

-Not that I can remember, no.

-No.

Well I've never seen one, but it has charm, and character, doesn't it?

-It does have charm and character. It does.

-Yeah.

Social history, as well.

Exactly. 30 to 50. £49 paid.

-It may well do perfectly well.

-It might do. Yeah, fingers crossed.

And lastly is the Carrara marble desk set,

with a couple of inkwells.

How do you rate that?

It's an attractive piece.

The bulldog is full of character,

but he is cold-painted spelter, not bronze.

-Oh, NOT bronze?

-No, he's not solid bronze...

-Oh, right.

..so, 30 to 50.

OK. £75 paid.

I think our contestant Anita

probably thought it WAS cold-painted bronze.

Well, depending on how the bus conductor's gadget goes

will determine whether they need either/or of their bonus buys.

-How long have you two been married?

-Oh, oh...

-Seven years.

-That's right, seven years, yes, I knew that.

Bruce, that was slight hesitation there.

And your face fell.

-It's flown by, hasn't it?

-Yes, it's flown by.

-Anyway, now, you up for a couple of bonus buys then?

-Absolutely.

Great, cos £149 of leftover lolly, you gave to Phil,

and he's gone off and bought the team's bonus buy, down there. Phil.

-Ready?

-Yes, please.

-There we go.

-Ta-da!

-Oh.

-Ah. It's...

That's handy, isn't it?!

-Now, there is something in there. There is.

-How do you get into it?

-Well, I'll do it for you.

-Oh, thanks.

-Just take that off there, like that.

-It's...still no better off.

-Right.

This is off a battleship.

We think it's probably some sort of gyroscope,

or whatever thing that operates a compass.

OK, yeah.

And the principle being that you're tossing around in the sea, right,

and you want that thing to stay level.

-There's this gimbal..

-Oh, it's on a gimbal, I see...

..in two directions.

And that sits right on the keel of this battleship,

-this naval vessel.

-OK.

-Yes.

So it's right down in the bowels of the earth,

in the most stable place,

so whatever movement happens down there

is compensated by those gimbals.

-And, it cost 25 quid.

-That's very good, that.

-Yeah.

-Do you know which battleship it's from?

-Er. Not personally, no.

-OK.

-No.

-You think it'll make a profit?

-Yep.

What kind of profit do you think, Phil?

-I think that'll make between 30 and 50 quid.

-On top of what you've paid?

-No, I think it'll make £30 to £50.

-Right, OK.

-Oh, right.

I think, if you're lucky, it might just double its money.

So what sort of era do you say it was from, then?

-Er, I would think it's probably '50s or '60s.

-Right.

These things are pretty sophisticated pieces of equipment.

I mean, that will have probably cost the Ministry of Defence £27,000.

-A lot of money.

-I mean, something ridiculous like that.

-And you paid 25.

-25 quid.

-OK, yeah.

-I'll just put that back.

Yeah, very good.

It'll probably appeal to a range of people as well, won't it?

-Yeah.

-Particularly if you've got a ship that's lost its way a little bit!

-Exactly, Phil.

And if you wanted to boil up your vegetables, you could use the cover, couldn't you?

-Well, the top makes a great wok.

-Doesn't it!

-Exactly.

-Yeah.

And there's a Chinese restaurant just down the road...

apparently they are wok-less at the moment.

-Well, you gripped that, haven't you?

-Yes.

-You got a production.

-Yeah.

You paid £25 for this... gyro-compass, which is brilliant.

-He's predicting that might double your money on it.

-Yes.

That is the team's bonus buy.

A lukewarm reaction, then.

Perhaps the auctioneer will be more buoyant.

Philip selected this subject.

-Indeed.

-OK?

-Yeah.

He had £149 to spend.

He actually spent £25 on this.

Are you going to be able to get him his money back?

Er, how long is a piece of string?

I mean, we put an estimate of £20-£40 on it.

I haven't sold one before. I'm not sure that the demand will be great.

I think he could have done something better with his £149.

It's a binnacle gyro, isn't it, in the centre.

So it's compass related.

But what its ultimate use is is beyond me.

OK. £20-£40 is the estimate.

So, you'll just sit back there on the rostrum in a minute

and just see what happens.

-I'll just let the bids keep flowing towards me.

-Exactly.

Hopefully. And we'll all be pointing in the right direction.

That the team's bonus buy. But what about Tim's Ton?

I gave Phil the additional £100. He's gone out.

He's expertly crafted a little bit of an acquisition.

-And now he's going to show you.

-So, that's a plate.

-It's a plate.

It's a plate. It's made in Worcester.

1215. This was made in 1907.

OK.

And I would get for that between £100 and £150.

-Right.

-And it cost 60 quid.

-So, it depends what they get here for it.

-Well, I like it.

-That's half the battle, isn't it?

-Yeah. I really like it.

So, I think if you get somebody in the saleroom who's like me

and will like that, then it might...

So, Anita, do you see more people in the market

for battleship electric gyro compasses

or more for pretty little pieces of Worcester?

Why is it kind of grabbing you at the moment, love?

Well, weirdly, I do actually think that's a bit of a dark horse

-and I think that might actually do really well.

-OK.

Well, this is a challenge. It's a really interesting mix, Phil.

We're really on the edge of the seat

to decide which you're going to pick,

if you pick either of them, when we get to the vital moment.

But, right now, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks.

Poor old love...

I gave Philip Serrell £100 and, ye behold,

he went out and bought a bit of Worcester.

Well, you could do worse.

-Exactly.

-Yeah. Yeah.

It's quite an attractive fruit dish, strawberry dish.

It's printed and painted this decoration here. Not just painted.

And it isn't signed. So, we're being a bit careful with our estimate.

But it still is in nice condition.

Nice gadroon border. Guilt and blue.

Serrell says it's by a decorator called Frank Roberts,

-which may help it on its way.

-Absolutely.

-What's your estimate on it?

-We've estimated at £30-£60.

How much?

30 to 60. Are we way out?

-Well, he paid £60.

-OK.

-Actually.

And because this is a programme where I have to predict

which of these two babies is likely to bring the biggest profit,

I have to say I've plumped for the Worcester dish

-because that's the safe option.

-OK.

But now you've said that, I think I rather fancy the compass.

And I wish I hadn't committed myself.

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

I'll need to cross more than my fingers, matey.

There's a whole lifetime's reputation hanging on this.

Anyway, there we go. I'm going to have that one down.

And that is it, old fruit, for the Reds.

Now for the Blues.

And we kick off with six tea or coffee spoons. Cased.

If you had a pound for every set of these that came through your saleroom,

you'd be quite well off, wouldn't you?

I wouldn't be here now. I'd be in the Caribbean.

Anyway, there we go.

Lots of them about in good condition. What are they worth?

20 to 40 estimate. Little shell terminals on them.

It's a case set,

which makes a big difference to the loose six coffee spoons.

Exactly. Elevates them.

Anyway, will it elevate them enough to get back £38?

Oh, that could be tight.

OK. Well, there you go.

Now we've got the Old Tupton Ware vase, which is brand-new, isn't it?

-It is. Yeah. Yeah.

-Do you like it?

I mean, it's a bit Moorcroft-esque

-but it's not subtle enough for my taste.

-No.

It's colourful,

if you want a big vase to make a splash of colour.

And they're pretty expensive to buy new.

-OK, so what's your estimate now second hand?

-40 to 80.

OK, £59 paid.

So, that's all right. That's in the frame. We can't complain about that.

-And then we've got the leopard.

-The Border Fine Arts leopard.

-Yes.

-Yeah

I mean, it's just out of a mould.

And hand decorated or factory decorated?

I think it is hand decorated. I mean, this is a model.

The sculpture is David Mayer that produced this model in 2005 to 2006.

So it's a modern one. It's a recent one.

And there is a lot of Border Fine Arts out there.

-So there's just too many of them about for my money.

-OK.

-And this one's not very old.

-How much is your money?

-20 to 40.

OK, £49 paid. So, there could be a problem here.

In which case, they'll need one or other or neither of their bonus buys.

Let's go and have a look.

-John, Cherry, are you excited?

-Very.

-Very.

Well, I think you ought to be

because you gave Anita Manning £154 leftover lolly

to find the team's bonus buy.

-And it's underneath that cloth, I guess.

-It is indeed.

Oh...

-Very good.

-I wanted to buy something horsey.

And what we have here is a very nice silver-mounted military riding crop.

Made in London.

1980s, 1990s.

So it's not terribly old, but it is an item of quality.

But tell me what you think of it.

-And is this silver, Anita?

-It's silver.

-I think it's lovely.

-It is.

-I paid £30 for that.

-Very good. Excellent.

-How much do you think it will bring?

-Between 30 and £50.

Ideal. Thank you very much, Anita. Couldn't be more appropriate.

They're happy with that. What does the auctioneer think?

Well, you'll be able to give them a bit of stick with that, Peter.

Indeed. Nice riding crop.

Now, we know that it's hallmarked for 1985,

so there's not a lot of age to it, but we've got this inscription.

Have you been able to make anything of that?

Yes, this is the Light Dragoons' motto, "We shall be worthy."

Right.

And that has a northern connection, does it?

Yes, it seems to be Northumbria, Durham regiment connected.

That, presumably, will help you sell it locally

if you've got a militaria local interest, really.

Well, yeah, one would hope so.

-Anyway, Anita sallied boldly forth and invested her £30 in this.

-OK.

Do you think £30 was a reasonable price to pay?

Well, knowing the history of it, I would say that it probably is.

But we have a lesser estimate on it,

so, hopefully, that will be a come-and-buy-me estimate

and get people interested.

-What sort of price have you put on?

-We've got 15 to 25.

Oh, dear...

A bit of a long shot then.

Maybe the Tim's Ton will be the better bet.

I'll hang onto it, Anita. You reveal. There we go.

Oh, gosh, that's nice.

One each. There we go.

And tell us about those, Anita.

Well, we're still on an animal theme

and we have these wonderful trumpeting elephants,

smiling away at us.

They are bookends.

But I think they're quite nicely moulded.

They're not bronze, they're of a bronzed finish.

But they're in good condition and I think they're a very vigorous item.

How much do you think these might fetch?

I paid £70 for them.

And I estimate, maybe, 60 to 80.

So, maybe, straddle that.

-It just depends if we have some fans of elephants in the room.

-Sure.

But elephants are a very popular animal.

-And there's a lot of very good detail.

-There's good detail there.

-Exactly.

-Thank you very much, Anita.

We're impressed with both of them. You've given us a dilemma.

Two heffalumps, which I didn't like so much,

because they are made of spelter

and I'm not so fond of cheap, white metal spelter objects.

Anita loved them. Nice bookends. And she paid £70 for them.

They're elephants, which is a good subject.

But a few chips to them.

-I don't see £70. Anywhere near.

-Nor do I.

-What's your estimate?

-20 to 40.

I think we're talking the same language here, Peter. Perfect.

Anyway, the teams may not go with either of the bonus buys

and that's the excitement of the show. Anyway, good luck, Peter.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

So, let's get Peter up in his proper place, up on the rostrum.

-So, how are you feeling?

-Nervous.

-Nervous.

What are you nervous about, Anita?

-Well, I think we might loose some money.

-Do you?

-Are you seriously worried about this?

-No.

-Not really.

-Not really.

Not really, really?

-But it's just you don't want to be seen to be down, right?

-No.

I know exactly what you mean. It's difficult, isn't it?

But, frankly, Phil and me, the auctioneer,

we don't know what's going to happen.

That's what the fun of it is all about, really. OK, first lot up.

Here it comes. Looking good, doesn't it?

The small pocket brass compass. Military. In good working order.

-£15 to start.

-Go on. Go on.

At £15. 20 I'm bid. At £20 in the balcony.

25 for it. At £20.

-Go, Team Serrell.

-30.

35. 40. £35 at the top of the stairs. At £35.

Selling now at £35. Top of the stairs in the balcony at £35.

Did he say £35?

£35 is plus eight.

The bus conductor's ticket dispensing machine,

which we can all remember.

Lot number 289. I have £25 to start on this lot. At £25. At £25.

30 downstairs.

35 upstairs. 40. 45. 50.

-At £45 in the balcony. At £45.

-Go on!

50 for it? At £45. And it's in the balcony at £45.

-Oh, come on.

-It's nothing.

Sold at £45.

-Oh, no!

-I can't bear it. £45 is minus £4. That is so tough.

Which means you are still plus £4.

Now, stand by for the inkwell. I'm worried about this one.

White marble. Carrara marble desk stand.

This time I'm starting at £20.

At £20 for the desk stand. 25. 30. 35. 40.

45. 50. 55. Bidding 55?

At £50 behind. At £50. Selling, then, at £50.

At £50.

The gentleman at £50. All done.

£50... So that means you're minus 25.

Now, quickly, then, what are you going to do about the stabiliser?

You've got the stabiliser and the strawberry dish or neither.

-I don't know.

-I think it's a cross your legs moment again, isn't it?

-Quickly, then.

-Stabiliser. Stabiliser.

-Battleship stabiliser.

OK, that's it. They're going with the gyro. The decision is made.

Now you've made that decision,

I can tell you that the auctioneer's estimate is £20-£40

and he really rates it.

So, potentially, you've made the right decision here.

But we could all be wrong.

And first up is the gyro compass and here it comes...

Large piece off a battleship. £15. At £15. 20 for it?

At £15. 20 anywhere for it?

No further bidding? At £15.

No, no...!

At £15. No further bidding?

Oh, dear! £15 is minus £10.

Which is minus 31.

Now, we're going to sell the Tim's Ton just to see what happens.

You rejected it.

If it makes a profit, then that profit will be going to charity,

-so it's not a complete waste of time.

-No.

So, let's root for it,

even though you're not going to make the money out of it.

And let's hope that it does OK.

£30 bid. At £30 for the Worcester dish. 35. 40.

45.

At £45. 50 now.

55. 65. 70.

For the Worcester... Yeah.

70?

Yeah, 70. 75? At £70. Bid's in the balcony at £70. Being sold.

The bid's upstairs at £70. All finished?

And it's sold for £70, which is plus £10.

And, erm, there you have it, really.

-Now, kids, do you know how the Reds got on?

-Haven't a clue.

No. Good. Right. Super.

So, first up, are the coffee spoons and here they come...

A little case set of silver coffee spoons there with shell terminals.

15 bid for the set of spoons. £20 can I say for them?

20 I'm bid at the back now. £20. £25 can we say for them?

At £20. Gentleman at the back. 25 I'm bid.

30 now.

At £25 then bid. 30? At £25 and they're going to be sold.

On my right at £25.

Bad luck, kids.

25 is minus £13.

Not to worry.

Now, how is Old Tupton Ware going to do?

Large Tupton Ware vase.

Tuscan landscape decorated. £40 to start.

At £40. At £40 for the lot now.

45 on the net. 50 with me.

55 now. At £50. At 55 in the room anywhere?

-Getting close.

-60 with me.

At £60. A booked bid. At £60. Selling now at £60.

You've made a profit, Cherry.

Now being sold at £60.

Yes! £60 is a profit of £1! Well done.

Well done.

Anyway, which means overall you're minus £12.

Border Fine Arts leopard model.

£15. At £15.

20 can we say for the Border Fine Arts?

At £15. 20 I'm bid. At £20. 25 for it?

At £20. Internet bidder. At £20 for the lot now. Being sold at £20.

No money. Sorry about this.

At £20. £20.

No, you're minus £41.

OK, minus £41.

That's not right, really, is it?

-But that is the number, I'm afraid.

-That's how these things go.

Isn't it just. Now, what are we going to do about these bonus buys?

Are you going to go with the team's bonus buy,

which is the military crop for £30?

Or are you going to go with Tim's Ton,

which is the elephant bookends, £70?

Or are you going to go with none

on the basis that minus £41 might be a winning score?

I think we'll go for the crop.

We'd like to go for Anita's buy. We'd like to go for the riding crop.

-You want to go with the crop, do you?

-Yes, please.

-OK, fine.

Well, I think that's a very sound decision.

The rejected elephant bookends we will sell anyway.

And if they bring a profit, that profit will go to a charity.

So it's not a waste of time.

Your hard work in finding them, Anita,

will get somebody a reward, we hope.

Anyway, first up is the military crop.

And here it comes...

Silver-mounted riding crop. Opening at £10. At £10.

Fully hallmarked at £10. 15 can I say for it?

At 15 bid.

20 on the net.

At £20. Internet bidder at 25 here.

At £25. Selling at £25.

Are we all done? At £25. Are we all finished at £25?

All done.

Oh, dear...

£25. That's bad luck.

Minus £5 equals minus 46.

Well, we're going to sell the bookends.

£20 to start the bidding.

25.

30. 35.

40? £35 on my right.

At £35 for the pair.

At £35. The bid's on my right for the pair.

At £35. All finished at £35.

OK, that means a loss of minus £35.

So, you did the right thing.

You picked the item that brought the smallest loss

rather than the largest profit.

And I have to tell you I'm required to make my pick, too.

They call it Wonnacott's winner of these two.

And of the two, I did select the crop, actually,

because I rather fancy that.

And I'm disappointed that it didn't make a profit, actually.

-Anyway, it was not as bad as it might have been.

-Not at all.

Overall, you are minus 46.

That could be a winning score, so say not a word to the Reds, OK?

-Thanks very much.

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you, Anita.

Our teams today have both made absolutely nothing.

No profits.

But, who's ahead and who's behind

is all a question of the scale of the losses.

And today, the team with only marginally losses,

because there's only £15 between the teams today,

the team with the biggest losses, I'm afraid, are the Blues.

-Ah...!

-Ah...!

-Ah...!

Minus £46 is the total.

I just hope your racehorse

does rather better the next time it goes out.

-No, seriously, you had a nice time?

-Fantastic.

-We're very grateful. Delighted to have participated.

-Good.

Well, we're delighted to have had you on the show. It's been great.

And thank you very much.

Now, the victors today, who have managed to only lose £31...

-Have you enjoyed yourselves?

-We have.

We've loved having you on the show.

In fact, it's been such fun, why don't you join us soon

for some more bargain hunting, yes?

Yes!