Kent 21 Bargain Hunt

Take 500 stalls, stick them in a field and what have you got?

Let's go bargain hunting.

Today, we're hunting for bargains in Kent, the garden of England.

But who will come up stinking of roses - the Reds or the Blues?

Let's find out.

-Will the Reds find anything they like?

-I don't like that.

-You don't like that?

-No.

-Hat pins?

And will the Blues manage to like each other?

-I've lost her.

-Is that good or bad?

-It depends on your point of view.

That's all coming up. For now, let me remind you of the rules.

Each team gets £300 and an hour to shop for three items.

The team that makes the biggest profit or the smallest loss wins.

See? It's simple. Duh!

Well, we've got a bit of a performing arts theme

to our programme today.

For the Reds, we've got Naomi and Peter and for the Blues,

-we've got David and Marika. Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

-Thank you.

-Peter, how did you two first hook up?

-We first met in school when we were in sixth form.

I was known round school for riding a unicycle.

-I bet you were the only one at school that did that.

-Yeah.

-Is that why you started on the unicycle?

-Yeah. It was to meet Naomi.

What is it about this circus business?

I teach kids and adults alike how to juggle and walk a tightrope.

-What trick are you going to do for us now?

-I have some juggling balls.

That's handy. This is your test, stand by.

Here we go.

Ooh, my lord! Look at that.

Congratulations. That's quite something.

-Well done. Naomi, are you in the circus game, too?

-Just a little bit. Pete started teaching me a few bits.

-You're not the glamorous assistant that comes on wearing one of those spangly dresses?

-No.

That's your lucky day. What sort of things are you going to buy?

We'll be looking for some unusual items. Maybe silver.

-You're the haggler and I'm the one who spots the bargains.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-That's how you're going to split your responsibilities?

-Yes.

-Good luck. I'm sure you'll do well.

-The kids on the block. How are you two?

-Fine, thank you.

-Marika, you're a circus performer, too.

-A failure.

-Failure?

-You ran away when you were ten.

-I hated life in the circus.

-What was your role?

-All kind of acrobatics as well as walking on a tightrope.

-On a windy day, you pay the price.

-Yes, you'd presumably fall off.

-Do those skills come in handy today?

-Yes.

I walk on roofs to help friends with their TV cables.

-You're a satellite dish installer!

-No. Just an interferer.

It's enough to make you want to have your aerial installed.

How did you two meet?

I was helping out in the pub opposite Covent Garden

and I had a flat given to me while I was training as a manageress

but I didn't know my way back to my digs.

I was walking, trying to find my way back

and I saw this huge looming figure.

-And it was...?

-A policeman.

-So that's what you used to do?

-Can you remember that murky evening when you came across this gorgeous thing?

-Yes.

She wasn't gorgeous when I found her. She was a bit bedraggled.

It was snowing and it was April.

And I thought, because she was so small,

that she'd escaped from the approved school so I stopped her.

-Did you say "'Ello, 'ello, 'ello"?

-Something like that. 'Ello, darlin'.

I said, "How old are you, little girl?"

And she said, "I'm not a little girl. I'm 24."

The eyes burnt holes in my face.

She told me where she wanted to go so I walked up Constitution Hill

and halfway up the hill, she asked if she could hold my hand.

I looked to make sure there was no-one looking.

I put her on the night bus and we got married six months later.

-That was 47 years ago.

-Tell us what your tactics are going to be today.

-David likes books.

-I like books.

-I like silver, glass, those kind of bits.

-Which of you will get their way today?

-She is.

-Oh, is she?

-I'm afraid so.

On that happy note, I'd better give you the money. £300 apiece.

You know the rules. Your experts await and off you go.

Very, very good luck. Well, I never did.

With our teams today,

it's David Barby for the Reds, also known as Blondie.

And Philip Serrell for the Blues.

What are you going to look for today?

-Have you got a plan as to what we're going to buy?

-I have.

-She has.

Maybe some model animals or some silver.

-The directions are coming from this angle.

-Top hat.

-That sounds brilliant.

-Top hats, animals.

This is an antiques fair, not a big top.

-This hour will go quickly, so we've got to whizz this.

-OK.

Keep your eyes open. Search for anything unusual.

-Mind if we have a look at that?

-What, the mannequin? Do you like that?

-Yes.

-You don't like humanoid figures!

-That's all right.

It's got a very cute-looking face. It's not modern by any means.

Are we really considering this?

-I think that's quirky, don't you?

-Yes.

What would I do with that figure?

I can see it removed from a commercial

space like a department store and if you have a loft conversion,

that would stand cleverly in a corner.

It's like a focal point of the room. It looks like it's got some history to it.

-It could be a seller.

-Or a flop.

-Yeah, definitely.

-What do you think?

-I've never had anything like this.

It will be all or nothing.

It's going to make 100, 150 or it's going to bomb.

£65, I think that's a reasonable sum.

The dealer's over there. Try to negotiate.

Try to get it down to 60 if you can. Off you go.

Don't leave me on my own with it.

It's enough to give you the heebie jeebies.

-Have you spotted something?

-She doesn't hang around.

-I think that's quite nice.

-Why do you think that's nice?

-I like the shape.

-I don't know if it's for port.

-A claret jug.

-Yes.

I like it and it's quite stylish, but there's no age.

Where would you say it was made? Germany? It's not English, is it?

If I could read that, I could tell you. But my eyes are that bad.

-Let him have it.

-Here we go.

-Do you want a magnifying glass?

-INAUDIBLE

-Spanish.

-I still like the look of it.

-I think we should leave that for a bit.

-Think about it.

We have got to whizz round here.

Hey, Philip, why don't you just let Marika decide what she wants?

-What have you done?

-We got it down to 60.

-Ooh.

-Our next buy.

-I've seen it all now.

Are the Blues taking a more traditional approach, then?

We're at that age where people collect knickknacks

and the next generation don't do that.

Talk to him about knickknacks. Everywhere is full.

-Are you the knickknack man?

-Apparently so.

-There's a bit of atmosphere here.

-We get on very well.

Is it like this all the time?

She's the reason I'm in London.

-You get on well cos she's right and you're wrong.

-Exactly.

I'd got a general view, then.

-Could we have a look at those later?

-We will indeed.

-Come on, darling.

-Sorry.

We'll be moving on.

The Blues are bickering and they still haven't bought a thing.

They should take a leaf out of the Reds' book.

They know what they want, don't they?

-Is there anything in this cabinet you like?

-Ew!

-What?

I don't like that.

-That's really ugly.

-The ring box, there. Would you like that?

-No.

-Hat pins? No? Right, OK.

-That's a no.

-Am I looking in the wrong direction for you?

-Yes.

David's discovering that Naomi mostly likes nothing.

Will Philip persuade the Blues to break into their budget?

-Do you like these.

-I do, actually.

-What about you?

-I had a word with the dealer earlier.

-How much?

-£55.

He's paid 45 for them. He wants a tenner profit.

-It's not bad for this.

-There's a way you've got to look at this.

You've got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven.

Seven of them. What's that? Eight quid a hanger.

-If you went to a modern furniture store...

-You'd get rubbish.

This is turned wood, it's ebony. This is a nice bit of oak here.

Then you've got these here, which could be for a cloak.

Could possibly be for a wig if it was in a judge's lodgings.

They're all quite nicely done.

-I think what we'll do is, you look after this one.

-All right.

-My head is beginning to hurt.

-I've got no money.

-You've got no money?

-No.

-Come on, off you go.

The Blues are hung up on the coat hanger.

But they need a bargain price.

Has David managed to train Naomi's eye for antiques?

-Anything that takes your fancy, you go for it.

-OK.

-All right.

She's got the glass out again. I think you've done well with that. I bought it. £55. It was all right.

Can I leave this here and we can pick it up later on?

You're a gentleman. Thanks very much.

Would you know where to look for the hallmark on this?

Let's have a look. Just there.

-They're normally always under the lip.

-Right.

-And how much are those?

-£80.

-£80 the pair?

What I think you should do, if you can hang on to them for an hour, I'd be ever so grateful.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Much obliged.

-Right, come on, we're off. Follow me.

Philip is still taking Marika in hand.

The teams are level at one item apiece.

Can David tempt Naomi with her beloved animals?

Hello. We're looking for something quirky with animals. Have you got anything?

Little fox heads. Let me tell you what this is.

This is a jardiniere. It's for putting a potted plant in.

It dates from round about the 1880s.

The tiles are by one of the leading manufacturers of tiles, that's Mintons.

The designs, just turn it round so I can have a look at the designs,

they are all related to the fox and they are all Aesop fables.

-Aesop fables? Not ringing a bell.

-OK.

-Not off the top of my head at least.

He wrote a series of stories involving animals.

-It is very weighty as well.

-That's something I would buy myself.

-Naomi's not convinced, chaps.

-Have a look at it, handle it.

-What do you think?

-Oh, it's heavy.

Should we ask how much it is? Sir?

Sir, could I trouble you just a second? How much is this piece?

-Um, looking at about £150.

-How much?

-£150.

Is that the very best you can do? I've got a broken tile.

-£100 is the best, because of the broken tile.

-£100 is...

-This...

-We need to try and make a profit.

-..is quality.

-Hmm.

-Is it the crack or...?

-No, I'm just not really keen on it.

The tiles look a bit strange in this frame.

It's always been like this, because the foxes relate to the subject matter.

-You're not sure, are you?

-I don't know.

-It's up to you.

If you don't want it... I'd be happy to go for it, but...

I would rather take the risk of it going

and being able to look for something else.

-Right.

-We've got to leave it.

Not a very cunning decision, Reds. And doesn't David look gutted?

-Do you want it?

-Yeah.

-OK, go.

-All right. Do your deal.

The Reds see sense while the Blues carry on bickering.

-What do you think? Because we've formed an opinion.

-We have.

I'm really sorry about this,

-but I'm just going to stand with my mate because I think it's truly horrid.

-Yeah.

-Fine. Shall we go and have another look?

-Look at this.

-1970s, a console. Isn't that incredible?

-Maybe.

-Moving on.

What about a 1950s tile top table?

-I think we've got enough tiles.

-OK.

Naomi is still bearing a grudge against the foxy pot,

but at least they've got two items in the bag.

The Blues are sunk if they don't catch up, though!

-Anything here grab you by the wotsits?

-A fisherman's anchor?

-That's a real one. Oh, yeah.

-Are you sailing people?

-I was, I used to do a bit of sailing.

-He used to.

-I like that.

-It's a proper one.

It is a proper one, but I think it's £20. Where's the auction?

-Canterbury.

-Is that on the coast?

-Near enough. Part of Whitstable.

-Which is a harbour town. What can you do on that one?

-38.

Good price to start with, wasn't it?

At auction, that's going to make £20-£40,

so these people have got to buy it somewhere near the bottom end.

-£15?

-What's the best you can do?

-I'll go 28.

-If you do it at 25, I'll have a go at it.

-Do you reckon?

You both laugh. The thing is, we've got agreement. That's a rarity.

-Makes a change.

-Can we buy it for £25 off you?

-25, then.

-That gives me a little profit.

-Is that all right?

-Appreciated, that.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you, my love, thank you.

Plain sailing for the Blues, but is David still in choppy waters with Naomi?

You handle it, Naomi. This is your choice.

-What do you think?

-I like it.

-It's a donkey.

-Yeah, it's a donkey.

Are you keen on donkeys?

-Mm, no, but...

-It's unusual.

-Yeah, it's unusual.

-It IS unusual. It's very quirky.

I love these little panniers.

He wants 120 on it. I think 120's a lot of money,

and I would be inclined, initially, if he won't come down lower,

-to keep this in reserve.

-Yes.

-So you can come back to it. Does that sound rational?

-Yes.

-At least we now know what to look for.

-Yes.

Yes, but that could change.

Marika is trying different tactics to get her own way.

David, where's the gaffer?

-Good point. Lost her.

-Is that good or bad?

It depends on your point of view. It's pretty good for me.

-TIM LAUGHS

-Meanwhile, has David managed to find a bit of what Naomi fancies?

There you are. It's your choice, at the end of the day.

The finial's slightly knocked over.

-Pardon?

-The finial's slightly off-centre.

-Yeah.

-What's the very best on that, sir?

-65 on it.

40.

-£40.

-Mm.

-And the little pepperette.

We'll hold onto this one. Can we just have a look at the pepperette?

I like that one. There's a lot of detail on that.

-There's a lot of detail.

-You've got these little cherubs.

-Ooh! But the price is twice as much!

-Mm-hm.

-What's the best on this, sir?

-You have 130 on this?

-90.

Is that your very best?

-80. That's my very, very best.

-I think that's quite nice.

-Mm.

-You've got the choice of the two.

-Yeah, clever tactics, Barby.

-It's up to you. You can have this one.

-Em...

If you can't make a decision, I shall ask this gentleman to take these back, put them in the cabinet,

-and you can come back.

-Yeah, I think we'll do that.

-I'm not 100% sure yet.

-So close!

Right. We're not 100% certain yet, sir.

Can I give you that one back?

Hm. So, the Reds can't find a last item

and the Blues can't find Marika. But I've found something cute.

Sometimes, the most divine things come in very, very plain packages.

Looks like a pretty dull, late-Victorian mahogany box, yeah?

One or two giveaway clues, though.

Two clips, one each side,

and as I open it up,

stage one doesn't look a lot better, does it?

But when we reveal the next hinged-out surface...

-TIM LAUGHS

-Look at that!

A late-Victorian travelling chess set.

And look at the quality. The chess board itself

is inlaid most expertly with satinwood and rosewood.

Miracle of miracles, the thing comes complete

with its ivory or bone chessmen.

And if you were interrupted because the 5.47 arrived in Paddington,

you'd simply fold the whole set up

and continue your game 20 minutes later, when you got home.

Absolutely marvellous.

What's a set like this worth?

Well, here in Detling, in Kent, today,

you could buy this for £100.

What might it be worth?

Well, once or twice a year there's a specialist chess sale in London,

where I think this little set could bring as much as £200.

Check that out, mate!

And check out Marika! She's back!

-So what have you been doing, then?

-Where have you been?

-I found something really useful.

-What?

A little survival purse.

And when you're lost in the jungle or anywhere and you need to light a fire with things...

-Do you think he's Ray Mears?!

-We're in Kent!

There ain't much jungle round here.

Yeah, but if somebody buys it who travels to other parts of the world...

-That would be really useful(!)

-It would.

-I see where you're coming from.

I'm not going to argue with you, darling.

Have you got time for this detour, Philip?

-It's Chinese, isn't it?

-Yes.

It's a touristy sort of thing, isn't it?

-I suppose it is.

-There's not much age to it.

-OK. So you don't like it.

-No, I think that's really interesting.

-Liar!

-Oh, dear!

Overruled again, Marika! David's called time on Naomi and Peter.

What are you going to do? There's the three items you've seen. What are you going for?

-The silver donkey.

-The silver donkey, OK.

The silver PLATE donkey. I'll go and get it.

-PHILIP:

-What are we going to buy?

If you think those silver bonbon dishes are good...

-Shall I tell you what I really think?

-Yeah.

I think you've got four minutes left and you've got to buy something.

You'll never guess what. Within seconds of me getting there,

somebody else has bought that.

A change of tactics. What do we do now? What do you want to buy?

We've got the two pots left. Which do you want to go for?

-The pepper one.

-The pepper one?

-The all-silver?

-Yes.

You come and do it this time. Come on.

Finally, we get a quick decision out of the Reds!

-What do you reckon?

-I personally think that...

-Do you like them?

-Yeah, I do.

-And do you like them, really?

-Yes.

Thank you ever so much. We'll have those.

I'm going to have to go and sit down in a darkened room somewhere cos my head is killing me.

-Do you want a bit of peace?

-I think it might be quite crowded!

-Shall we go and have a cup of tea?

-Yes, yes.

-In your case, it's a bucket of tea.

-I might have a burger as well.

-OK.

-Yeah, that's healthy(!)

So, an eye-mask for Philip and brews for the Blues.

But have the Reds dithered for too long?

Can we have the cherub one, please?

-Is that the very best? £80?

-It is.

-You couldn't tuck it under, could you, please?

-No.

-75?

-No.

-That's the very, very best.

-DAVID LAUGHS

I can see that stare!

-No, really, 80.

-OK. Thank you very much. Settle up.

-Thank you.

-With seconds to spare, the Reds have done it.

Which is just as well, since the clock's stopped and time's up.

The Reds got off to a weird and wonderful start

with this 1950s plaster shop mannequin.

Naomi hated the square jardiniere,

but David thinks it's a beautiful thing.

Finally, under pressure for a big finish,

they settled for a late-19th-century pepper pot at £80.

This looks like a happy team! So, how much did you spend?

-240.

-You spent 240. Which is your favourite piece?

Mine's got to be the pot holder - the tiles on it are nice.

-What's your favourite piece, Naomi?

-The mannequin.

-Right.

So, who's got the £60 leftover lolly?

Thank you very much. Lovely. No need to count it. We trust you!

There you go, David. What are you going to spend it on?

Well, there's lots here. It's a fascinating fair.

The choice is mine, at the end of the day,

-so I hope I buy something really good.

-Quite a responsibility. Good luck with that, David.

Good luck, team. Meanwhile, why don't we check out what the Blue team bought?

The snagged this oak-mounted hat, cloak and wig rack

for a bargain price of £55.

Then they fell hook, line and sinker for a painted cast-iron anchor.

Their grand finale

came in the form of these silver, pierced bonbon dishes for £80.

-Best buy?

-The anchor.

-Ah.

-The silver.

-I beg your pardon? Did I hear "anchor"?

-You did.

-Is that your prediction for the best object?

-Yeah, for me.

-The biggest profit?

-The anchor.

-Where are you with this, Marika?

-The silver.

-That's going to bring the biggest profit?

-Yes.

-And what did you spend collectively?

-160.

Do you have £140 for me, please?

-Begrudgingly.

-It's always very begrudgingly.

This is quite a lot of leftover lolly, Philip.

-It's quite a responsibility on your shoulders.

-It is.

I'm going to go and buy a real lumpy man's lot.

We've got two lumpy men here.

-That's what we'll go for.

-That's the prediction. Stand by! You never know what you're going to get

for your leftover-lolly buy. Good luck with that. Good luck, Phil.

Meanwhile, I'm heading off to a castle. It's called Chiddingstone.

Chiddingstone has a rich and varied history dating back

to the Tudor period.

In the early 1800s, it was Gothicised

with the addition of the castellated parts

and the elevations that we see today.

For most of its life, it's been a family home,

apart from when it was used as a billet for the troops in the Second World War,

and briefly, when it was used as a school.

But the interesting bit of its history for us today

dates from 1955 when it was sold to the most extraordinary character,

Denys Eyre Bower.

Born in 1905, in Derbyshire,

Bower was an eccentric character whose passion for antiques

dominated his colourful life. An enthusiastic collector from a young age,

he took advantage of the economic downturn of the 1930s

to hunt bargains.

Despite having little money, he amassed a fine collection of antiquities,

from India and the Far East,

as well as treasures from ancient Egypt and the Jacobite era.

At the age of 38, he moved to London to run his own antiques business

in Baker Street. But in 1955,

he was forced out of his premises by plans for a major development.

Bower decided to look outside the city for a base

and fetched up here at Chiddingstone.

The house cost him £6,000,

a sum entirely borrowed from the bank.

He persuaded them that he would repay the loan

out of monies that he'd charge visitors

for coming in to look around.

But it didn't turn out quite like that

because he used whatever money he did make

to feed his habit. And his habit was buying more and more antiques and antiquities.

So the loan remained unpaid.

Antiques weren't the only objects of beauty Bower enjoyed.

He also had an eye for the ladies. By the time he bought Chiddingstone,

he had a string of girlfriends and two failed marriages behind him.

It was said that no love affair could compete with his passion for collecting.

However, soon after he moved to Kent,

Bower was smitten by a girl half his age

who claimed to be called Anna Grimaldi

and to be related to the famous Grimaldi family of Monaco.

It came to light that she was nothing of the sort

and her father was, in fact, a bus driver from Peckham.

But not before things took a dramatic turn!

After about a year, Anna announced that she wanted to break off the relationship.

Bower was so incensed,

he got hold of her, whipped out an antique gun,

and shot her. Then he shot himself.

Well, he couldn't have been a very good shot because they both survived.

The case made national headlines.

Despite his claim that the shooting was an accident,

and that he only meant to threaten to kill himself,

Denys was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder and suicide.

Bower's luck changed when a local solicitor

took an interest in his case and launched a successful campaign to have him released.

He returned to live at Chiddingstone,

continued dealing in antiques,

but lived here quite frugally.

But he was happy to be back in his own home,

surrounded by all his precious objects.

Before his death in 1977,

he requested that the castle and collection be preserved

for everyone to enjoy.

Well, we've nearly trotted the length of Kent to Canterbury,

to the Canterbury Auction Gallery, to be with our auctioneer today, Michael Roberts.

-Good morning.

-Morning, Tim.

-Lovely to see you. Now, Naomi and Peter,

their first item is this resin little boy.

-How do you rate him?

-We did have a mannequin once here before, of a woman. She had a name.

Her name was Celia, but sadly, she didn't sell. So I don't hold much hope for him.

-What's your estimate?

-£10-£15.

-Oh, Lord! That's a disaster. £60 he cost.

-Oh, dear.

So we're predicting a disaster there. That's not so hot.

Next is the jardiniere, which, academically,

-is quite an interesting object, isn't it?

-It is.

The designs are by a chap called John Moyr Smith.

He produced designs for Minton which were exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1878.

So it's quite an interesting thing. Sadly, the condition isn't too good.

-This tile here is a bit wobbly.

-But three of them are sound,

-so that's a positive.

-Yeah.

And, of course, the frame is beautifully cast with fox-hunting-related emblems.

-It's good quality.

-It's a good thing. How do you rate it?

-The estimate is £40-£60 because of the condition.

-Oh, dear! They paid £100!

-Oh, dear. Another disaster.

-Oh, no.

Next up is the repousse-embossed little caster,

which you could use for pepper, I suppose, but equally well, a bit of caster sugar

-to go on the strawberries.

-Absolutely. An elegant thing to do it with.

-Absolutely.

Made by the silversmith William Comyns.

-A good-quality thing and it's in good condition.

-Where are we going with this?

There is a bit of a cache with his work, but sadly, we've only estimated at £30-£40.

-£80 they paid.

-Right.

So, that's three disasters. We're going to need the bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Now, Naomi, Peter, the leftover-lolly moment.

You gave David Barby £60.

-What did you spend it on, David?

-Right, I hope you're going to like this.

It is...

a scent bottle, smelling salts bottle,

whatever you want to put in there, on a lady's dressing table.

It's a solid silver top, with this rather nice crystal base.

Has a nice star-cut base, and it's hallmarked,

which is so important. We're looking at the end of the 19th,

beginning of 20th century. Rather nice

-and I paid £50 for it, that's all.

-Handle it, feel what it's like.

-I thought of you.

-It's a jolly nice thing. Do you like it, Naomi?

-Yeah.

-I do.

-I'm not too impressed!

-You're not too impressed?

-Tell me why not!

-I'm not.. I don't know, it's just...

-It just does not feel like it's £50.

-Doesn't do it for you.

-Yeah, it's just not for me. Definitely not.

-Right, thank you(!)

-Sorry!

-Now, you may have made such a splendid profit

at that moment in time, that you don't need to bother with this.

But your moment to pick it, if you want to, is after the sale of your first three items.

Right, let's find out from the auctioneer what he thinks

of David Barby's salt bottle.

-Isn't that handsome?

-It's a fantastic thing.

-Feel the weight of that.

Yes, it's a salts bottle. The stopper fits perfectly.

Silver gilt interior, as well. Fantastic quality!

It's a top-hole thing. What do you think that's worth?

-Our estimate is £30-£40.

-Oh, dear!

-Really?

-He paid £50 for it!

-Right!

Not having much luck today, are we? No.

We'll have to cross our legs about that. That's it for the Red team.

Moving on to the Blues, David and Marika.

Their first item is this oddball

cloak, wig, hat rack.

It is a bit, isn't it? Strange looking thing. Interesting bit, I suppose,

is these handlebar-shaped hooks.

What's your theory as to what might have hung on it?

I have to say, when cataloguing it,

I just catalogued it as a standard hat rack.

Thinking about it more, maybe for some legal establishment,

-perhaps a wig and a cloak could hang on there.

-Barristers' chambers.

You want to fling off your wig and your gown,

you fling it off on something like that,

-till you go out and attend another case.

-Seems feasible.

-What's your estimate on it?

-£20-£30.

-Oh, dear!

-So...

-£55 they paid.

-Oh, dear! Gosh!

Sort of a pattern here, isn't there?

I hope it's not going to repeat endlessly! What about the anchor?

How do you rate that?

I suppose, so long as your vessel isn't too big, it'll be perfect.

Or you've got a seaside cottage.

I mean, that's why people buy these old marine items.

-How do you rate it?

-£10-£15.

-Oh, dear!

-We paid £25 for it.

-Right!

So that's not so good. OK, moving on, then.

-The bonbon dishes.

-These seem to be all right.

The hallmarks are fairly clear.

-Estimate-wise?

-Our estimate is £30-£40.

-How much?

-30-40.

-£30-£40.

-For the pair?

-Yes.

-Right. £80!

-Right(!) Well, hopefully they'll do better.

-Absolutely!

They'll need the bonus buy, otherwise. Let's look at it.

Right, you two lovebirds. You spent £160. Yes?

You gave £140 to the boy. What did you spend it on, Phil?

Well...this. Are we ready for this?

-I don't know.

-Ready, ready?

-Looks ominous.

-A scale!

-I didn't expect that.

-Let me tell you what happened.

The guy I bought them off told me they were railway scales.

I didn't know. No idea what they were. But I think they're quite fun.

-You imagine big sacks of potatoes...

-You think spud scales?

-Or something along that line for farmers.

-I paid £60 for them

and I just think that they do stand a chance.

-What do you reckon they might make?

-I think they could make £50-£80.

-Yeah?

-Little bit more!

-It's unusual, isn't it?

I think they like it, Phil. You are predicting a modest profit

and you decide after the sale of your first three items.

Right, let's us find out what the auctioneer thinks about

Phil's sack scales.

-As if by magic, we've got some scales.

-Wow!

-Look at that!

-Railway scales.

No, they're just scales.

-They're just scales.

-Anything railway would be stamped.

-These are sack scales. Just weighing scales.

-So you go to market

and weigh your sack of spuds? How much?

-£20-£30, our estimate.

-Philip's paid 60.

According to the estimates, if they go with any of the bonus buys

they're going to do badly, and according to the estimates,

all the objects are going to go badly, so stand by for a bloodbath!

-Naomi, Peter, how are you feeling?

-Not too bad.

-Slightly tense?

-Excited.

-Excited.

-Looking forward to seeing them.

Well, his estimates, in my opinion, are very low,

on all three of these items, which is a damn shame.

This room, you couldn't get a sheet of Bronco in, right? They're jammed in.

Let us hope they are here for a resien mannequin, because that's the first item.

Here we go. And here it comes.

-Lot 20. A commission at £40.

-Thank you very much.

-50 now, then. 50, any more bids?

-Come on!

-Any further offer?

-Selling, on commission...

-At £50. £50.

Well, that's a lot better than he thought. That's minus £10.

Victorian gilt bronze jardiniere, aesthetic design.

Who's going to start now, then, at £30?

30, I am bid. Who's 40, now?

£40, behind you.

50, 60, 70, 80,

90, 100, 10, 120, 130,

140, 130, 140 where?

-Who is 140? Any more bids?

-Look at that!

At 130 and selling!

£130 is plus £30.

That is good business, chicken!

That's better!

The Victorian silver pepperpot by William Collins,

Lot 22.

Start at £30, on commission, looking for £40. £40 where? Internet, 40?

50? 60, Internet? 60 online.

-It's worth more than that.

-Of course it is!

At £50! Looking for 60 on the Internet, please. Waiting for it.

60, 70... 80, Internet.

-Go on!

-80, Internet, waiting for it!

Sadly, he's in Belgium, so it takes a bit of time!

Allez!

£80, Internet.

-If not, £70, I sell on commission. Looking for more.

-Go on!

70 and selling. 80! 90. 90?

90, Internet?

80 in the room, now. 90, Internet? £90, no.

-At 80 in the room, selling then!

-Look. £80, wiped its face.

That's OK. You are plus £20. Thank goodness for that.

You had those rotten estimates, right, but it all came

good in the end, which is what's so brilliant about the auction!

-You're £20 up. Is that not good?

-Very happy!

Now, kids, what are we going to do about the bonus buy? The bottle?

-I say we cut it there and just stick with our profits. Yeah?

-Yeah.

-£20.

-We're going to leave it.

-He won't take it personally.

It's very difficult to predict.

I mean, nobody was predicting that we'd make £20 profit.

You've done really well with that.

You don't have to take it, but let's see what happens. Exciting, David, hey?

The late Victorian salts bottle,

silver topped, good quality thing, Lot 26.

Who's going to start me, now, £20?

£20, salts bottle? No vapours left!

20, 30, 40, 50,

60, 70, 60... With you at 60, still...

I'm looking for 70. £60... Any more?

-At 60 and selling, now, then...

-£60 is plus £10. Plus £10.

Listen, honour is served because the Barby

did buy a profitable bonus and he's always pleased when that happens.

Bad luck to you for not picking it.

But listen, plus £20 is just brilliant, based on those estimates.

So, could be a winning score. Don't say a dickie bird to the Blues.

-Now, David, Marika, I have just had a bit of good luck.

-Did you?

-Yes.

Share it!

The last time Bargain Hunt filmed here, in Canterbury,

a man bought a wig stand.

And I went up to him after the sale and said,

"What a lovely wig stand you bought!"

He said, "I bought it because I'm a barrister!"

And guess what? I spotted him in the sale room! The same barrister!

-Did you really?

-And I've been up to him just now

and said, "You've been downstairs and clocked number 42? Lot 42

"is another wig stand!" And he said, "It never is!"

And I just saw him beetle off downstairs, so, with any luck,

we've got one barrister who'll be hot-to-trot for a coat and wig stand.

-Never say that I don't help you guys!

-Thank you.

-Here we go, then.

42 is the interesting hat and coat rack.

Perhaps for a barristers' chambers? Starting at £30.

Obviously, a barrister's seen it! £30.

Who's 40, now, then, in the room, here?

£40, where? 40, 50, 60, 70, no.

60. Who's £70? Any more barristers here? £70, where?

60, I will sell.

-60 and selling.

-Yes! Marvellous!

Very good! Plus £5. Good start!

43 is the ship's anchor, painted cast iron,

perhaps for a smaller vessel. Lot 43.

Who's going to start me at a fiver?

£5, where? The small anchor. Five quid. £5, I'm bid.

Small boat owner. On the Internet, £10, please.

Internet 10. 20, even better.

-£20, online. 30, sir, 40, Internet.

-Yes!

-40, Internet.

Seen the expectations, here.

40, 50, no. 40, online.

£50, where?

Any further? £40,

-the Internet bidder, with the small boat.

-Yes!

Well, size isn't everything!

Anyway, plus £15. That's very nice. Now, the bonbon dishes.

Silver bonbon dishes, good overall condition, these.

Lot 44, who's going to start me at £30?

£30, where? Cheap pair of silver dishes.

30, 40, madam, 50, 60, no, 60 on the Internet.

60 on the Internet, I have 50 in the room.

£60 online? No.

Who's £60, then? Any further offers?

Still cheap, at £50 and selling...

-How much?

-£50. Minus £30.

You had got £20, now minus £10. I can't believe that!

-What about the railway scales? Go with them, or stick?

-BOTH: Yes!

We're going with the bonus buy. Here it comes!

The cast iron weighing scales by Vandome and Hart.

So if you have any handy sacks or weights,

you need to be measured, this is the lot for you!

-He's strange!

-Settle down, Marika!

-A bit of history!

-Settle down, Marika!

-£20, useful scales. 20 in the doorway.

Who's 30, then? £30, where? Any more?

-40, are you sure?

-Go on!

30, 40, 50...

£40, they're yours! At £40, and selling...

Oh, dear! £40!

Like I say, you're a couple of punters, and good on you!

That's minus 20. Total, minus £30. That could be a winning score.

-Just don't talk to the Reds. Right?

-Not at all.

-Thank you!

Well, well, well, there is a chasm between our teams, today.

It's has been the most incredibly lovely show.

So, who's ahead and who's behind? You been checking, at all?

-ALL: No!

-Not about the score, anyway!

I'm sorry to report that the runners-up today are the Blues.

-ALL: Oh!

-Minus £30. That's your total number.

You went with the bonus buy and that was not such a great job, was it?

Which is a darn shame, because you started off making good profits.

Made a fiver, £15.

-Then those bonbon dishes just torpedoed you!

-They bon-bombed!

Marika, I'm sorry about that! Did you have a nice time?

-Wonderful!

-That's the main thing. It is lovely to see you.

Thanks for joining the show. But today, the victors are the kids!

Who are going to go home with £20!

I include David Barby in the term "kids"! There you go!

-Are you happy, Naomi?

-Yes.

-Jolly good! All right, Peter?

-Yes!

I am delighted for you, so delighted!

-Join us soon, for some more bargain-hunting, yes?

-ALL: Yes!

'I know you're sitting there, thinking,

'"I could have done better than that!"

'Well, what's stopping you?

'If you think you can spot a bargain,

'go to our BBC website and apply.

'It'll be splendid to see you!'

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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