Oswestry 6 Bargain Hunt

Today we're in the Oswestry Showground in Shropshire.

We've got two teams, we've got two experts,

all limbering up to go and grab a bargain, or two, or three.

Ha-ha!

So what are we waiting for? Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

Now, back in its day, Oswestry had a thriving plastics

and textiles industry.

Today, though, this place is home

to literally hundreds of antiques stalls.

So will our teams today become thoroughly extruded?

Or will they manage to weave a tidy profit? Let's find out.

Coming up on today's show, the Reds make time

for a bit of fun and games.

-Hello.

-Hello. What's your name?

-Ooh, anything you like.

Whilst the Blues take a more serious approach to proceedings.

It's not only got a bit of a funky edge to it,

it's quite practical as well.

So, for the Reds today, we've got mother-and-son combo

Dee and Curt, and for the Blues, we've got good friends Ian and Ed.

-Hello.

-ALL: Hello.

-Everyone. Great to see you.

So what do you get up to, Dee - what's your job?

I volunteer in a children's hospice charity shop.

I volunteer once a week for that.

The rest of the time I play saxophone,

collect vintage clothes, watch old movies...

-..and bargain hunt.

-And bargain hunt every single day.

Well, I'm very pleased to hear it.

I can tell you've got the interest in the vintage from your hairdo.

-Very fetching, if you don't mind me saying so.

-Thank you very much.

Lovely. You love a bit of vintage but what inspires you?

It was probably as a child, watching all the old black-and-white movies,

Audrey Hepburn,

especially with the guys wearing the suits, very dapper.

-Just like yourself, Tim.

-Oh, yeah.

I love all the voluptuous women of the '50s, with the hourglass figures

and blonde bombshells...

-Oh, lovely.

-Absolutely gorgeous.

-On whom you have modelled yourself.

-Oh, if only!

THEY LAUGH

Tell us about the sax, then. How did you get into that?

I got it for a present when I was 40,

because I'd always wanted to play it. I still can't play it.

I have a good go. I'm getting better but I need to practise every day.

Will you bring your little sax to our auction house?

-It's quite a big sax.

-Is it?

-Yeah!

-All right, then.

Now, Curt, it says here that you're a musician.

It does indeed, as well as being...

You ought to be a comedian, with a mother like you've got. Anyway, brilliant.

So tell us about this musicianship, then.

Basically, I started when I was, like, 11 years old.

My main instrument is double bass and bass guitar. They're the main things.

So you've got an interest in vintage, like your mum?

I grew up around pictures of Cadillacs everywhere and...

Elvis Presley was in my face all the time. Not that I'm complaining.

-It was great.

-You don't look much like Elvis, I have to say.

-No.

I left the quiff out today.

-Didn't know what the weather was going to be like, so...

-Well, quite.

It can all get very droopy, can't it, when it's damp?

So what will you be looking out for today, then, between you?

Well, I fancy something really old, obviously vintage, '50s, '40s,

something glamorous.

-Something profitable, maybe?

-Hopefully.

-That would be nice.

It would be nice, but it's not always possible.

-As long as it's pink, she doesn't care.

-As long as it's pink I'll buy it.

-It's pink?

-Yeah.

-And profitable. That's the two Ps, isn't it?

-It is, yeah.

Pink and profitable. What could be more...perfect?

-THEY LAUGH

-OK, we're going to have fun.

Anyway, how do you feel about this, boys?

-We're very excited, aren't we?

-Yeah, yeah.

Now everything with you two is that you're incredibly brainy, right,

because you're PhD students, both of you.

Well, not so sure about that, but we like to pretend we're PhD students.

Come on, you don't get to that sort of level without

something between your earholes.

Well, maybe. We're doing OK, perhaps.

So is that where you met, at the university, Ed?

Yes, Ian and I met treading the boards as part

of the Manchester University's Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

-Never!

-Yeah, about five years ago.

-So, what do you get up to, then, Ed?

My particular project looks at the popular image of the royal family

in the 20th century.

-Is that your PhD?

-That's my PhD,

and I'm trying to figure out why the monarchy has been as popular

in the 20th century as it has been.

Now, Ian, you're also in the same lark, that's being a perpetual student.

What are you studying?

I'm doing what's called a deep cultural reading of the Moors murders.

So when we're talking about the Moors murders,

we're talking about Brady.

Yes, Brady and Hindley, yes.

Does this take you poking around in certain patches of moorland?

Not yet. I don't intend to go...

You're not becoming a forensic scientist on the side?

I do get asked to go and do... I'm interested in that element of it

but I'm actually studying a lot of newspapers and TV coverage,

rather than...

That's not the only area that you're interested in researching, is it?

No, it isn't. I take a holistic approach to history

and I've got a great interest in the history of cocktails...

-Cocktails?

-Yes. And the re-enactment of cocktails, and rediscovery.

Does this involve sampling a lot of cocktails?

Everything's tested to destruction, yes.

The history of alcohol and its mixtures...

-Yes, yes.

-..is endlessly fascinating, you're quite right.

What sort of tactics have you guys got for today's Bargain Hunt?

Something that's got some kind of intrinsic quality to it.

Well, that would be nice! As opposed to a load of old rubbish, you mean?

Well... Well, you see...

Sometimes, just because something is old doesn't mean it's

-worthwhile in someone's house.

-Quite right.

What we're going for is basically something that Ed and I or our mums

would like on their mantelpieces, or something in their houses.

So you're going to be always thinking about mother -

-that's the main thing?

-Mummy's number one.

We are going to have a fabulous show today, I have to tell you that.

-Now, £300 apiece. There's your £300.

-Thank you.

-You know the rules.

Your experts await, and off you go!

HE LAUGHS

Taking on our teams today, we have the slinky Mark Stacey,

who has all the right moves for the Blues.

And staking out the bargains for the Reds, it's David Harper.

-Are we going to get a bit of vintage today?

-Yes, definitely.

Let's go for it.

We have a three-level strategy, of small, medium and large.

So we want something around 20,

maybe something around 50, something 100.

-Anything vintage and old.

-She's my dream woman. Vintage cars.

Come on. One hour.

Small, medium and large. Small, medium and large.

Small, medium and large. Small, medium and large.

I think you've got it, Mark.

-Right, that's it. Start digging in.

-Righty-ho.

I don't think I've seen...

I have ever had somebody with a strategy like that before.

-Well, we think it's going to work.

-It's because of trying to make something on everything

-rather than trying to go for, like, a gamble and a big win.

-OK, OK.

I think you could be on to something there, chaps.

-Maybe this could take off.

-Are we thinking arty objects, as well?

Well, I think we should look at everything.

I think we should try and keep that small, medium and large strategy.

The hour goes by very, very quickly.

What do you think of these sort of pieces, Mark?

-I think they're very nice but they're very of-their-day.

-Are they?

-Put it down.

-Oh, I see.

It's a Bargain Hunt happy hour, Ian. Not a boozy one.

Meanwhile, what's the birthday girl found?

-Why's it shaped like that, though?

-Ah, that's a very good question.

Now, that shape is for a very distinct reason.

-Someone has sat on it.

-Almost. Almost! Almost. Not a bottom.

-Right.

-A head.

-Oh, really?

-Is that a chopping block?

No, it's not a chopping block!

-I didn't mean for a head - I meant for hair.

-No, it's a pillow.

-Really?

It's a pillow. It's an Oriental, Japanese or Chinese, pillow box.

You've got your treasure. You've got your gold coins.

All your lovely things, and when you go to bed on an evening,

this is your pillow.

All your treasure is safe, because if someone is going to pinch

your treasure, they've got to move your head off your block.

-It makes sense.

-It is a quirky thing.

-So is that really old?

It's got some age to it. Look at the way it's constructed.

It's very, very light. It's a softwood. Probably a pine.

-I like it.

-Do you?

-I think the question is how much.

-Tell me why you like it.

Because it's unusual and it's very tactile. Just love the shape of it.

-And now you tell me what it's for, I love it even more now.

-Yeah?

-It's quirky, isn't it?

-It's lovely.

-It really is quirky.

-There's no price on it.

-Shall we ask him? Where's he gone?

-I think so. Over there.

-Can we...? What do you think about this box?

-About 1900, 1920, I should say. Japanese pillow box.

-Yes.

-I had 30 on it, David. Best would be 25.

-25.

-Yeah.

Look.

-That says it all. It says it all.

-DEE:

-20?

-She's doing deals here.

-STALLHOLDER:

-Go on.

-Good lad.

Thank you very much.

-Thank you. Thank you very much.

-Well, first purchase, like it.

-Do you like it?

-I do like it.

-Do you like it?

I really like that.

Hmm, I have a feeling that that's not the last of the birthday-girl

tactics we'll see today, but have the Blues found their rhythm yet?

-I'm wondering, is it...

-Is it a metronome?

..a metronome, or is it...?

Yeah, I think it is a metronome.

-Oh, my God - it's a very '50s one, isn't it?

-It is very '50s.

The cardboard is in good condition.

-Looks like a shaver.

-Is that £15, 15 shillings?

-It is.

Oh, we like that.

As it's got the pre-decimal price on it, it's got to be before 1971,

so it's '60s... So it must be '60s or, yes, thereabouts.

I tell you what I like about it - it's very of-its-time.

-But I wonder how much it is.

-£15, 15 shillings?

-STALLHOLDER: I'll knock you a bit off. It'll be a tenner.

-Oh, no.

Ten quid? Can you do it for a fiver?

I can't, sorry.

-Made in Germany.

-OK, £6?

STALLHOLDER: I can do it at eight.

Let's meet at seven. Go on. We'll shake on seven.

-OK, £7. That's great.

-You want that for £7?

-I think that's not too bad.

-Think we'll get a few quid?

-I like it, actually.

I quite like it.

-TICKING

-Almost like a heartbeat.

# I am a very model...

ED AND IAN: # Of a modern Major General

# I've information vegetable, animal and mineral

# I know the kings of England and I quote the facts historical

# From Marathon to Waterloo in order categorical... #

And...breathe.

Well, there we are. Enough of that, I think. We'll shut that down.

-Well done. Come on, guys.

-Let's keep bargain hunting.

-We need that...

Bravo, chaps.

It's all ticking along rather nicely for you Pirates of Penzance.

What-ho. Now, have those reds found any treasures of their own?

How about a pipe? David?

-It might suit my new jacket, possibly, a pipe.

-Yes.

Is that old? Is this old?

That is, um...

Actually, it's got quite a nice look to it, that.

-It's probably 1950s.

-That's why I like it.

-So we've got the vintage thing, haven't we?

-Let's have a seat.

-Can I just tell you, that IS for bottoms.

-Is it?

Actually, it's quite comfy, actually.

Depends how big the bottom is but mine fits quite well.

Well, you've got a nice slim one there - you're all right.

-Ooh, thank you very much.

-Ooh, you're a charmer, David.

-It's actually comfy, isn't it?

-It is quite comfy.

It's not one to lean back on, because you will... Hey!

THEY LAUGH

Now, what's the birthday girl spotted? It's pink. It's vintage.

And it's big.

-Oh, my Lord, that is you, isn't it?

-Dotty pink.

-Curt, that is your mother.

-Isn't it?

-Isn't that lovely?

-Yes.

-Your mother was a cupboard.

Yeah, but a pink one.

-TIM WHISTLES

-That was a close call.

Come on, let's have a look in here.

-Isn't that lovely?

-It's like the old boxing scales.

Now, that's got a real Art Deco feel to it.

-I like Art Deco.

-Yeah. But that's probably later.

-I think it's probably more 1950. Would you agree?

-STALLHOLDER: Yes.

-Curt, have you smelt it?

-No. Let's have a smell.

Stick your head in there.

STALLHOLDER: It is a bit more expensive, though.

What, more than £10, you mean?

STALLHOLDER: Oh, yes!

So that's lined with camphorwood.

Camphorwood just wards off moths.

-Oh, great.

-Effectively. So it's nature's cure for moths.

And so it's been smelling exactly like that for 50 years.

Still doing its job. Fantastic. What kind of money is that one?

If we look at about 130,

and if you want to sort of negotiate from there.

-I really like it but it's got to make money, hasn't it?

-Yes.

And we need to win. The Reds need to win.

Go and have a think about it and come back, yeah?

Onwards and upwards, then, Reds. That's the fighting spirit.

I mean, they're not brilliant quality, actually.

-Are you after profit or are you after fun?

-Fun and profit.

-Yes.

-A little bit of profit.

-Hey, guys. How you doing - all right?

-Very well, thank you.

-Have bought anything?

-First item.

-You have?

-Yes.

-£7.

-Oh, Lord. Last of the big spenders(!)

-Tim, they have a strategy.

-Do they?

It's always worrying when they have a strategy, isn't it?

-You know what they are, don't you?

-What?

-They're PhD Students.

-Exactly.

And one thing you have to really worry about on this programme

is anybody who has a shard of intelligence, right?

I'm safe!

-So modest. Anyway, have a great time.

-Thanks, Tim.

-Am I OK just to have a quick look at the piano?

-Yeah, of course. Help yourself.

-Great.

-DEE:

-Oh, he's off.

The problem with pianos, you know, is moving them.

CURT PLAYS A JAZZ TUNE

Yes.

THEY CHEER

Well, this is turning into a right musical extravaganza,

but it's shopping we need to do, guys.

What do you think of mirrors, Mark?

Well, you know, I can't see much in them.

THEY LAUGH

-It is tiny.

-I've got a big head.

-You haven't got a big head.

I've been told I've got a big head.

No - I've been told I'm BIG-HEADED.

Oh, no. You look like one of those 1950s air stewardesses.

Isn't that a good look?

It's a great look!

-Would we look like a handsome couple?

-We do.

-CURT WOLF WHISTLES

-I say, sir.

-Hello.

-Hello, what's your name?

-Ooh, anything you like.

-I like it.

-It's good, isn't it?

'Yeah!'

You know, time is ticking. You do realise that, don't you?

Yes, time is ticking, Red. Hats down and focus on the task in hand.

Now, how are those PhD boys getting on with their tactics?

That's £255. That's very large.

What's going for her, in some ways, is the fact that she's, um...

-How can I put this modestly? Not wearing very much.

-This is true.

-French, of course.

-Of course.

Ooh-la-la.

We've got 30 minutes left.

-OK.

-Let's have a quick look over here.

-Right.

I spotted this little thing here. I'm not quite sure what it is.

-Dee, what do you think of this?

-What's that inside it?

It's a little... It looks like a pincushion, but it's not for pins.

It's a little cushion to hold something,

and it would be a little piece of jewellery.

Something of great value, maybe not monetarily,

but something of importance to you.

-False teeth or something...

-False teeth, yeah!

Or one gold tooth.

Chicago... Oh, so it's an exhibition piece.

It's in the French taste. It's a Louis XVI kind of style.

-I do like the bevelled glass on it.

-Bevelled, thick glass.

And the reason for that, of course,

is so you can admire your piece of jewellery on the inside, there.

-And magnify it.

-And slightly magnify it.

And just give it that extra little bit of oomph,

because that's crystal, so with a nice bit of light

or even candlelight or light from a fire, that jewel,

whatever you have encased within that casket, will just come to life.

It's a lovely little thing.

I wouldn't want to pay more than 40 for that. 45, maybe.

-Well, it is your birthday. You can always use that one.

-Hello, sir!

-Birthday girl!

-Is that right?

-Yes.

It's got 65 on this but we've really got to win today.

-OK, I'll do it for 50 for you.

-Can you do 45? Please?

-Go on, then.

Thank you, sir. Deal. Thank you. Is that OK, boys?

Come back in, come back in, and just tell us what you've done,

because you go over there, you grab that poor man... I do apologise.

That's all right. It doesn't happen very often.

THEY LAUGH

-Is that OK?

-You bought it. You've done the deal.

-45, is that OK?

-It's fine.

-OK.

-Curt?

-It did catch my eye when I saw it, so...

-Well, you spotted it.

-Yeah, yeah.

-I talked about it. You just ran off and bought it.

There you go. Sorry, is that OK?

Whatever you do is absolutely fine by me.

I think you can get away with anything here, Dee. You go, girl.

-The monkeys are quite fun, aren't they?

-Yes.

-But they're not...

I don't like the green paint, I have to say.

-You don't like the green paint?

-No, I don't.

Don't forget we're focusing on a bit more quality now.

-You've got your £7 bargain.

-We certainly have.

So we need something which is a bit more antique. Is that right?

-Absolutely.

-We've lost Ian.

-That side, just looking at the furniture.

The worry with Dee is she'll pick something up, quite like it,

look at it and she's off, and before you know it she's bought it.

It's like being a kid in a sweet shop. You're like...

Eyes everywhere. I'll have that. Change your mind. That. No, that one.

What's that little thing over there?

-The brass thing?

-This little brass...

I mean, it doesn't look terribly interesting. I think it's missing

something here.

-I know what it's missing. A pair of scissors.

-Yep.

But this is very much in the Arts and Crafts style.

Mm-hm.

-And this sort of work is very much like a firm called Benson.

-Yep.

-Is there a maker's mark on it anywhere?

-Not as far as I can see.

-This is in brass, is it?

-This is in brass and copper.

And then you take this off, you keep your ball of string in there and

you feed the string through there,

so when you need to cut a piece off, you pull out the scissors.

I quite like it.

But say the price is 65 now, what do you think it would go for at the auction?

I would certainly put 40 to 60 on it, 50 to 70.

Ed, you're the negotiator.

-Go off, don't agree anything... Come back and tell us what he says.

-OK.

All right? Good luck.

I think it wouldn't be too difficult to maybe find an old

Victorian pair of scissors.

-So, er...

-You've done the deal, haven't you?

-I have.

I managed to get it for 45.

Now, what part of "don't buy it," Ed, "until you come back and discuss," do you not understand?

I got caught in the moment. Sorry.

-I'm shocked. Shocked.

-These PhD students, honestly.

But good news -

-I got a little pair of scissors thrown in as well for the price.

-Oh, gosh. And they're actually

little Arts and Crafts ones.

-And do they fit?

-They do fit. Quite well.

-Well, that's perfect.

-Are you happy with that?

-Oh, yes, very happy. £45, can't complain.

I reckon that's your medium item.

-So we've got the small and the medium. Now we need...

-The large.

-Come on.

-Let's do this large thing.

Nice work, Blues. Let's go big.

-Help. We need something big.

-Help.

Big and expensive. That's what we like.

-Come on, something big and meaty, guys.

-Hocus-pocus, come on.

Hocus-pocus, hocus-pocus...

Hocus-pocus?

Do you think that's going to help? How do you do hocus-pocus, then?

-It's one-two, one-two...

-What's that do? Is it lucky?

-Yeah. Witches...

-Hocus-pocus... When they go to find the children.

-Oh, I see.

-And does it work for you?

-Yeah.

Let's recap. You bought the metronome, your cheap item, for...

-Seven.

-Is that Len Goodman?

-Oh, sev-en!

-And you bought the Arts and Crafts string box with scissors...

-For 45.

-For 45.

-That's 52 in total.

-52 in total.

So you need, now, to find an item of - what - £100 or something?

£100, £150, yeah. And we've got 248 remaining.

And we've got 248 remaining. Right.

The strategy is going to plan so far, Blues.

Are they silver salts there? Four silver salts in a case.

-What would you use them for?

-Salt. That's why they're called salts.

You put them on the table and you...

-Right, ten minutes to go, you two.

-Hocus-pocus, hocus-pocus...

-Hocus-pocus, hocus-pocus...

-Hocus-pocus?

Is that a cauldron, or a jardiniere? This is getting spooky.

-We haven't got long.

-That is big and meaty.

That is lovely, actually, isn't it?

I don't think you could have got much more big and meaty.

-Is it heavy as well?

-STALLHOLDER: Probably about 30 kilos.

Wow. A big lump of bronze.

-What kind money is that?

-1,500.

-1,500 quid, yeah.

It's worth 1,500 and I would have it for 1,500. I really would.

I don't think you could magic that price down any further, Reds.

-'But have the Blues found their winning potion?'

-A tantalus.

195.

I could do that for... For £100.

£100?

-We're missing two little glasses.

-And that closes...

Oh, you see that?

I like that. Spring loaded.

It's a lot of stuff for 100 quid, isn't it?

-Can you do it for 80 quid?

-STALLHOLDER: No.

-Absolutely not?

-Absolutely not.

And you wouldn't meet us halfway at £90? That'll be exactly... Hmm.

-I'm walking away.

-What do you think, Mark?

I think it's rather fun, isn't it?

Yeah. You can buy brand-new bottles like that for not too much money.

Well, you'd have to get the right size, but I don't think it's

a huge problem getting the bottles, to be honest with you.

That bottle, you're not going to be able to store anything in it anyway, because it has a hole in the bottom.

-And the top is broken.

-That's had a bit of a hard life.

Shall we have a quick look?

We'll have another little look around, but thank you anyway.

So if we want, we can have a quick look outside,

and then we can make a decision,

because you've got about eight minutes left

-to decide on the final item.

-Yeah.

-Or you can just say, "I've made my mind up."

-What do you think?

-I'm happy to do a punt for 100 quid on that one.

-100 quid, tantalus?

-Mm-hm.

-Let's do it.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, we will go for it.

-Go on, then. Go and grab it. Well done, guys.

-See if we can make any money out of it, though.

-100 quid.

-Is that all right?

-No problem.

-OK, so can we deal on £100?

-Yep, no problem.

-OK, that sounds good to me.

-Cheers.

And you think we'll make a profit on that?

You definitely will, yeah. Come back and share it with me.

Nice work, Blues. Job's done. But what are those Reds up to now?

Five minutes left, and Curt's laying down some more beats.

HE PLAYS A FAST TUNE

It's not very loud, though, is it, really?

-Needs plugging in.

-Oh, does it?

-Yeah, it's electric.

Oh, we'll leave him.

-Come on, we'll go hunting.

-See you in a bit.

-See you in a bit.

Watch the time closely, Reds. The Blues have finished.

Four minutes to go.

-In my calculations, you've got your small, medium and large.

-We have.

-And you've left me with a heck of a lot of money.

-Oh, yes.

-We have.

-What am I going to do with that?

-Well, have fun.

-I think I will.

-Well done. Shall we go and get a cuppa?

-Yes, sounds perfect.

So whilst the Blues are putting their feet up,

the Reds need to get a wiggle on.

-We've got two and a half minutes.

-Are you joking?

-You're joking?

-No.

-I like that box, though.

-Which box?

-The '50s box.

-I really like it, you know.

-Well, if you want it...

-Are you going to take a chance?

-Come on, let's go and get the box.

-'50s box.

-Go, go, go, go.

-Where was it?

-Come on.

-Hocus-pocus!

-Hocus-pocus!

What's the best you could do on it?

We've got a minute. The best, the best. Birthday girl! The best.

The birthday girl.

-STALLHOLDER: 110.

-110?

-110. That is the...

-Can't do 100, no?

-No.

-105?

-We couldn't. 110.

-110?

Can I just interrupt a little bit? You've got...30 seconds.

Right, 110. Thank you. Deal. Deal. Thank you.

-KISSING

-Thank you.

-Ta-da! We've done it! 30 seconds to spare.

-Well done. Well done.

-30 seconds to spare. That's pretty close.

-Thank you.

Oh, 60 minutes have gone in a flash.

Let's check out what the Red team bought, eh?

Dee snapped up the wooden pillow box for a comfy £20.

They handed over £45 for the bevelled glass trinket box.

And it was a sprinter for the finish with this 1950s blanket box,

which cost them £110.

Blimey. Box-tastic.

-And no kitchen cabinet for you.

-Well...

Denise, what are you like?

How much did you spend, all told?

-£175.

-Can I have the £125 of leftover lolly, please?

You may, dear.

-Thank you very much, birthday girl.

-Your turn at the bar.

I can't get over this. OK, £125, David Harper.

-That's a reasonable amount of money, isn't it?

-It's not bad.

-I could buy plenty of pink 1950s painted kitchen cupboards.

-Please.

-Shall I just buy ten of them?

-Yes.

-Thank you very much.

Only if they'll make a profit, please. Anyway, very good luck.

Meanwhile, we're going to check out what the Blue team bought,

aren't we?

A retro metronome was their small buy. At only £7, tickety-boo.

They tied up £45 in a copper and brass string box.

And they bought big for the final item,

lavishing £100 on this Edwardian tantalus.

I think these boys are quite pleased all round, actually.

I mean, look at these two faces. Do they look pleased with themselves?

-I think they do. You're quietly confident, aren't you, Ed?

-Yes.

-I think we did well. We bought small...

-We bought medium...

And we bought large. So we're very happy about that.

-And how much did you spend altogether?

-£152.

-Did you?

Can I have £148 of leftover lolly, please? Thank you very much.

Over to you, Mark Stacey. There's a pile of cash there.

-It is a lot of money, isn't it?

-Isn't it?

I don't know whether to spend small, middle or large.

-If I were you, I'd spend a lot.

-Would I?

-Yes.

-The whole lot?

-Yeah, blow the whole lot. Buy something spectacular.

Anyway, good luck, Mark, good luck, team.

Meanwhile, we're heading off to Wolverhampton,

to somewhere that's drop-dead gorgeous.

Commissioned in the late 1880s by Theodore Mander, a Wolverhampton

manufacturer, Wightwick manor was designed in the old English style,

incorporating a mixture of timber framing, stone and brick.

The Old English style was popular with middle-class families

like the Manders because it gave you a sense of ancient nobility,

and therefore some social cachet.

There's one Old English feature at Wightwick which gives that

sense of grandness and is something I'm sure you'll warm to.

The rooms at Wightwick are designed to be 17th-century in feeling,

with one notable exception.

The great parlour, designed to give the illusion of a 15th-century hall,

that has latterly been converted into a late Victorian living room.

Ah, there you are. Do you fancy joining me by the fire?

They do say that the heart of a home revolves around the hearth.

Except here at Wightwick, the hearth just happens to be ginormous.

It's actually an inglenook fireplace, and is appropriate

if you are building in the Old English style, because

in the 14th and 15th centuries,

these inglenooks featured all over the place.

The inglenook was the place where the favoured few were allowed

to sit in comfort, because out there,

in the body of the medieval hall, it would be very cold and draughty,

whereas in the inglenook, usually with benches or seating,

you could tuck up and literally toast your toes

in front of the fire.

But here at Wightwick, it's not just the size of the hearth that matters.

Wightwick is one of the few houses where the work

of the late 19th-century designer William Morris

can still be seen exactly as he intended,

and Morris's influence is evident in much just more than just

the fabrics and wallpapers.

Here in the drawing room, we've got a particularly special fireplace.

No ordinary thing that was cobbled together

at the end of the 19th century for this room.

Oh, no - because this is a period fire surround.

It's either French or Italian, and it dates back to the 16th century.

But it displays all the features of an Arts and Crafts fire surround,

because this has entirely been carved by hand.

The lintel is interesting.

Here we've got a central roundel flanked by two characters

riding hippocampi -

half horse, half sea creature.

Having installed this ancient and gracious fire surround

in 1888 or 1889, they then brought it bang up to date

by having the cheeks tiled

next door to the fire basket,

and the tiling is special because this was done

by William Morris's friend and collaborator,

William Frend De Morgan,

who was a famous Arts and Crafts ceramicist.

We've got a mixture of tiles here. Two types -

one very busily painted by hand with a chequerboard,

each piece of the chequerboard filled with stylised olives

and foliage.

And dotted about are signature tiles,

tiles that are enamelled with amusing creatures.

Typical of William De Morgan.

All in all, this thing is a treat to behold,

and I can't tell you how enthusiastic I am about it.

In fact, it's enough to warm the cockles of your heart.

Of course, the big question today is -

are the hearts of the bidders,

over at the auction,

likely to be warmed by our contestants' lots?

Today we've come to the heart of Cheshire, to Nantwich,

to Peter Wilson's saleroom, to be with our auctioneer, Robert Stones.

-Robert, good morning.

-Lovely to see you.

Curtis and Dee's first item is this rather oddball box.

I think we've seen lots of things like this in the past. A neck rest.

It could be Japanese, maybe Chinese, difficult to say.

It looks fairly recent because if you look at the edges, or corners,

should I say, there's clear evidence of it being

manufactured, so it means that it's probably more recent.

-What's it worth?

-10 to 20.

-Is it? £20 paid.

Next, Denise went with the Chicago exhibition display trinket box.

-Is that any good?

-A very interesting thing. Columbian Exposition,

it was also known as.

Primarily, they were saying it was to celebrate

the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus

-discovering the New World.

-Right.

But actually, there was a great fire in Chicago in 1871,

and, really, the whole thing was to promote Chicago.

If it could only speak, Robert,

it would definitely have a story to tell.

-I'm sure you're right, yeah.

-So what's it worth?

-30 to 40.

That's not much of a story to tell, is it?

-£45.

-Did they? Is that right?

-Oh, well. OK.

-Denise spent £45 on that.

-Yep.

Now, what about the camphorwood blanket box?

-That fellow in the front. What's your estimate?

-50 to 80.

-And our lot paid £110 for it.

-Did they?

-They did.

You've put 50 to 80 on. I think you're incredibly brave to do that

and I don't think they stand a snowflake's chance of getting

anywhere near £110 - in which case they're going to need

their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Denise and Curtis, keep your eyes shut,

because we don't want you to see this until the moment critique.

Everybody happy? OK, you can open your eyes now, love. Right?

This is what David 'Arper

has potentially spent £125 on, but David,

put them out of their agony.

There you go. Now then, now then. Talk to me. What do you think?

-I think you've got a fancy dress box.

-I actually like it.

-I do like it.

-It's very vintagey, isn't it?

-It is. I do like it.

It's an early 20th century gentleman's travel trunk.

The kind of thing that you would take on a steamer,

or you'd go to New York with across the Atlantic.

-How much did you spend?

-Well, you know how much I had left.

-125.

-Yes, exactly. £100. Just under the full budget.

-OK.

-I think it's fantastic.

-What do you think about it, Curtis?

I love it.

It reminds me of those old 1940s movies where they've all got them

-stacked up at the train station and they're all in the dapper clothes with the big hats.

-Alfred Hitchcock.

-Yes.

-They've all got quiffs.

Well, on that happy note, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks

about Dave's trunk.

Right then, Robert.

You've been on your travels. How do you rate this one?

Well, I have been on my travels, Tim. When I opened this up,

I saw this fantastic fitted interior

with all the original fabric, which is absolutely brilliant.

But what a shame there is no label on it anywhere to give any

-form of manufacturer for it, which is such a pity.

-OK.

How much is it worth?

I'd like to say more but I'd put 40 to 60 on it.

The lovely David Harper, and he is a speculator - don't we know that -

-he's paid £100 for it.

-He did?

It's his bonus buy. He's telling the team to go with it.

I really wish him luck with it because it is a good thing.

That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues.

And what a mixture they've got.

First up is the plastic-cased metronome.

Big manufacturers of these metronomes.

They also made the traditional obelisk-shaped wooden ones as well.

Oh, did they? Yah.

So, you know, this is...

-But you're really "with it" in the 1960s with this one?

-I think so.

-Groovy.

-It is quite trendy, in a way.

-Yeah, groovy, man.

-Yeah.

-What's it worth?

-30 to 40.

-Brilliant.

-It is worth that, isn't it?

-I think so.

-They only paid £7.

-£7?

Yeah, that was cheap enough, wasn't it?

-In its box, in nearly virgin condition.

-Yes, yes.

-Next up is the brass string box.

-Yes.

-You like that?

Well, um...

There was a manufacturer in London called

WAS Benson's, and although this isn't marked Benson,

it jolly well looks as if he did make it,

and in which case, if it could be proven

to be Benson, then of course it would be worth quite a bit of money.

So with all of that flimflam, what's it worth?

-I'd put 20 to 40 on it.

-Would you? They paid £45.

-Oh, did they?

The last lot could do with a bit of a push-on, as far as I'm concerned.

-The tantalus. Because where's that last bottle gone?

-Oh, dear me.

-Where's the other decanter, Robert?

-Yeah, it's a problem, because

these decanters really do have to have all the bottles,

-and, essentially, all the bottles in perfect condition.

-Yes.

It's the sort of thing that in reasonable

condition would be £200 or £300.

-Yes. Desirable.

-Exactly.

-But like that, how much?

-I'm saying...

I'm taking the zeros off. I'm saying £20-£30.

I'm sorry to tell you that Ian paid £100 for that,

and that will torpedo their chances.

And they're going to need their bonus buy big-time, so let's go and have a look at it.

Now, Ed, Ian. you gave Mark Stacey £148. Mega leftover lolly.

-Mark, what did you spend it on?

-Well, Tim, I spent it on this item.

It's a little coopered barrel, which has been turned into a coal scuttle.

But have a look on the back.

-"Made from..."

-"..battleships of Britain"!

Oh, I like it! The historical connection, Mark!

Well, you did want a historical connection.

-Advance, Britannia, cause of freedom.

-Nelson would be proud!

-Indeed!

And a V for victory as well, which is rather nice.

Well, we like it, yeah.

What part of the ship did you think it came from? Any ideas?

Lots of parts, I should imagine.

-Yes. OK, so how much did you spend on it, Mark?

-£40.

-Oh, nice!

-Ooh!

-Nice little spend.

-Well, that just about sums it up.

Now, for the audience at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Mark's scuttle.

-Here we go, Robert.

-Ah.

-A little coal scuttle for you.

-Mm-hm.

-Your favourite, I know.

-Yep. Well...

If you look on the back of it, you can see there's this label,

and it says, "Made from ships of Britain." In other words,

it's made from the decking of one of the battleships

that was perhaps in the First or Second World War, when they were breaking up the fleet.

This one here's got a label on the back of it but it's such a shame,

because it doesn't actually give the name of the ship from which it

came, which would have been really great if that had been the case.

-So what's it worth?

-30 to 40.

-£40 paid.

-Right.

So Mark Stacey, I think, has paid about the right price,

and by the time you've whipped your audience up, Robert, with your

usual enthusiasm, quite frankly, anything could happen, right?

-Thanks very much indeed. That's true, yeah.

-Thank you very much.

-Curtis, Dee - how's it feeling?

-A bit nerve-wracking.

-Is it?

I'm all right. I'm really interested to see what we're going to make.

Well, I know. This is the moment we've all been waiting for, isn't it?

First up, though, is your neck rest.

Lot number 64, this box

in the shape of a neck rest.

Do we think it's come out

-of an opium den?

-Ooh! Ooh!

-That would be interesting.

-How much?

Who'll give me £10 to start it off?

-£10 is all I want.

-Come on!

-Yes, there we are, come on!

-12, 15.

-Go on!

-18. Are you sure?

At £15 only, going to be sold at 15,

£15.

Minus £5. Sorry about that, kids.

Now, the trinket box.

Lot number 65.

£30 I'm bid for it straightaway.

32, is there, now?

We'll go in twos and threes.

32, is there, now? 32 anywhere now?

-At 32. 35.

-Come on!

-35, 38, 40...

Yes! He's got it.

45. 48?

48. 50's here.

-Come on!

-At £50 with me, at £50.

All quiet and done at 50.

Sold at 50.

-Yes!

-Plus five.

-Good.

-Plus five -

-that means you're nowhere.

-Hurray!

-Good.

No profit, no loss.

66 is the lot number.

Wonderful thing. 30 straightaway.

At £30 bid. 35 now. 35.

-Good.

-40 bid. 45. 45. 50 now. 55.

At 50 it's here. 55. 60 now. 60 bid.

-65. At 60...

-Come on!

You're out at the back.

Get in again!

At £60 only, going to be sold at £60 only.

All quiet at £60.

-Ooh!

-That is minus £50.

-Youch.

And you had nothing before so you're still minus £50.

Dear, oh dear, oh dear. I'm sorry about your camphorwood chest.

What are you going to do with the bonus buy, the travel chest?

-Are you going to go with it?

-Yeah, we may as well.

-Are you going to go with the bonus buy or...?

-You've lost anyway.

-Money, that is.

-Are you going to do it?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Lot number 70, the fitted travel trunk, a lovely thing.

I've got £40 for it. Straightaway

at £40 bid. At 40. And five, is there, now?

45 anywhere now? At £40 I'm bid.

£45 there. 45. 50 on commission.

55 now. It's a bargain at this. 55.

60 on commission.

-65, is there, now?

-Come on!

At £60 only. At £60 on commission.

65. 70 now? Have another go.

65, the bid's there.

At £65 only, then, going to be sold at £65...

-Oh!

-£65. 65.

-Minus £35, which means overall you are minus £85.

-Oh!

-Well, it's all right.

-Not so bad if we say it quickly.

-If you're going to lose, you may as well lose with style.

-Well, you're not walking home with any money

but the way things are looking, that could be a winning score today.

-You never know.

-So don't say a word to the Blues, yes?

-OK.

-Thank you very much, Denise.

-Thank you.

-Thank you, Curtis.

Good players.

So, Ed, Ian, do you know how the Reds got on?

-I haven't the foggiest.

-No.

-Good. That's perfect.

First up is the metronome. Let's see if we can keep in time with this.

How much did we say for this one? £20 to start it off.

We'll go in twos and threes. 20 anywhere, now, do I hear?

At 20 I'm bid straightaway. £20 I have. 22?

13 up!

22 you're bid.

£25 anywhere now?

£22, then. Bid's there. 22. At £22.

THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER

Plus £15.

Lot number 87, £20 I'm bid for it

straightaway, at £20.

25, 25. 30, is there, now?

25, you're bid. At 25.

30, 35, 40, 45.

-45. 50 now.

-Yes!

45, the bid's there. 50. 55.

50 there. 55 anywhere else?

At £50, the bid's there, at 50,

and will be sold at 50...

£50, and you are plus £5. I love it.

Now, the tantalus. You are £20 up, chaps.

Lot number 88.

I've got £30 bid for it straightaway.

That's on commission with me at 35.

35, 40, yes? 40 bid. 45. 45.

-50, now.

-Come on.

50's on commission.

55 now, your bid.

At 55. Bid's there at 55.

55. 60 anywhere else?

At 55, your bid.

55 is minus 45. You were plus 20. You're now minus £25.

-I think we're going to go for it, aren't we?

-Yes.

-Are you going with the coal scuttle?

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-The die is cast.

We're going with the hod, and here it comes.

Lot number 92. I have got £30 for it

straightaway, at £30.

Oh, it's £30.

At 30. I'm bid at 30.

And two, is there, now?

32 anywhere now, do I hear?

At 32 I'm bid, at 32. 35, now?

-Come on.

-35. 35, is there, now?

At £32, the bid's there.

-Oh, come on.

-Any more takers?

At 32, the bid's there.

-£32.

-Which means you are minus 33.

-Minus 33. Now, listen - that could be a winning score.

-Who knows?

Don't say a word to the Reds, and all will be revealed in a moment.

Well, it has to be said that some days is good days

and some days is bad days when it comes to profit-making,

and today is a particularly bad day.

-I mean, like an appalling day.

-Oh.

-Have you been chatting, you lot?

ALL: No!

Well, you know, you've all done particularly badly

on the profit stakes,

but one team is incredibly behind the other, and that team is...

-the Reds.

-No! Oh!

Second the best!

-You managed a profit of a £5 note on a trinket box.

-Yeah!

-Yeah.

Apart from that, it wasn't so terribly brilliant, was it?

-Well, I had a good time.

-It was a good laugh.

-No, you had a good time.

-It's been brilliant, hasn't it?

-The greatest fun.

The Blues, however, can't be too smarmy,

because they're only winning by losing £33.

-Hey.

-Hey. Did you have a good time?

-Fantastic, thank you.

-Yes, yes.

I would say to the Blues, go back to university.

Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!

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