Exeter Bargain Hunt

One, two, three, four!

A-ha! Here in excellent Exeter

is an antiques fair with the top end of 400 stalls

offering the best in the west.

And hey, I've had a good idea.

Let's go Bargain Hunting!

It's not everyone that gets to spend ?300

on three items in just one hour.

But everyone on this show does...

because those are our rules.

Here's a peek at what's coming up.

Two couples go head-to-head, and everyone's feeling the pressure.

You can't have it. Why can't I? I'm telling you.

You're being very mean.

The Reds get riled and the Blues bicker.

I don't like them. You don't? Huh? Hey!

Will it be happy ever after?

Time to meet our teams.

Today we've got two teams of happily married couples.

Well, they're happily married at the moment!

For the Reds we have Simon and Liz,

and for the Blues, Ross and Sam.

Welcome, everyone. ALL: Hello!

Simon, how did you two first meet?

I first met Liz at naval college in Dartmouth,

where we were at naval college training to be officers.

Really? What branch were you going into?

I was joining to be a pilot, and Liz was joining to be a nurse.

What a lovely place to meet.

You missed out on your first military passing out parade.

Yes. Back in '96, I joined as an artificer

and I passed out with chicken pox at the back of the parade!

Really? I ended up in sickbay corner! Yes.

What keeps you busy these days, Liz?

Two boys aged six and nine, and I'm a part-time student.

What are you studying? Studying to be an accountancy technician.

Having a change of tack due to some newly acquired mobility issues.

I can't be a psychiatric nurse any more. A fresh career beckons.

Absolutely!

Are you in charge of the money today,

as you're going into book-keeping and accountancy?

You'd like to think so, but probably not, no. I see.

Now, moving to the Blues. Ross. Hi, Tim.

When did you first clap eyes on Sam?

When we were at school together.

I was 15. We got together when we were at school

and we used to be told off for talking to each other. Really?

What do you do to earn your crust, Ross?

I'm actually a baker. Oh, really? Who writes these questions?

That's rather good! How long have you been a baker?

For about 12 years. Have you?

Do you have to get up terribly early?

Yes, sometimes I start at four in the morning.

The smell of bread wakes me up. Is it the sort of bakery

where you make about three trillion loaves a day?

Yes, especially hot cross buns at Easter.

You don't like those? I'm sick of the sight of them at the end!

Sam, what do you do for a living? I'm a savings advisor in a building society. Are you?

So you're the expert with the money today?

Yeah. Well, hopefully.

It probably won't go to plan, but hopefully.

What are you two hunting for today?

I like something unusual.

I like Art Deco things, something along those lines.

Yes. Nothing in particular. So you're just waiting to be grabbed.

Yes. Waiting for that moment.

Before you get grabbed, I have to give you something to grab.

It's the ?300 money moment. There you go. There's your ?300.

You know the rules. Your experts await,

and off you go! Very, very good luck!

Cor, nifty driving!

We've a canny pair of professionals

to help our two sets of teams today.

For the Reds, we have Philip "first past the post" Serrell.

For the Blues, it's Charlie "pole position" Hanson.

We're definitely not buying any wood.

Is this your plan as well, Simon? It is now! It is now!

Are you shoppers? Yes. Can you shop till you drop? Yes.

Do you shop well together? Yeah, sometimes. Really?

We ladies like shiny things.

Go and find some shiny things. Off you go. Go on, then.

Do you ever fall out? Yeah. All right. Definitely.

We could be in trouble!

Phil's wasting no time in going into battle.

What about naval cannonballs?

Yeah. Cannons. You're looking suitably moved. Can I just say, it's not very shiny!

So that rules it out? Not necessarily. Who buys a cannonball?

Um...

..I'm just going to shut up. Follow me. Will she follow us?

It's good that you've got your expert with you.

And I'm sure she'll be a great help today!

Follow me. We only have an hour, OK? Let's go.

Go for it, Blues. There's a lot of ground to cover here.

We'll start down here first of all. OK.

Phil's found something close to his heart.

These are very, very collectable.

Sometimes you have water, and sometimes whisky.

And you'd put them by the side and before bed, you'd have a shot.

Oh, I like those.

At auction, I think this one, without the label,

is going to be perhaps 100 to 150 quid.

I haven't seen the prices on these,

but I'd like to try and buy that for around 130, 140, if we could.

I don't know what's on it. That one can be 150.

You couldn't do it for 125, then?

We couldn't. That's pushing it too far? That's less than I paid.

Gosh, we don't want to do that to you.

I'd buy that, which is a good sign, isn't it? Do you both like it?

Yes. I like whisky, too. If it was full, I'd pay more!

All three of us like it. I'd love to own one of these. I would, too. I like it. It's lovely.

I would own it. Top makers, gold and silversmiths. 1908, so it's 103 years old. Right.

SIMON: And it's shiny, so that knocks that on the head.

I like it. I like it. Thanks very much. Pay the man!

Thank you. Thank you.

Do you know what? I think they liked that!

Let's hope they like the price it fetches at auction.

That little box there. Sorry? The little box that's there.

That, I think, is probably Chinese cloisonne. Have a handle.

I like the dragon on it. Yeah, I like the dragon.

Ross, what's its pull to you? It looks like a tattoo.

It looks like a cloisonne box to me!

Like a tattoo? A tattoo. Thanks for coming, Ross(!) Thanks for coming!

I'm pleased you've got some antique aura about you, Ross!

Do you have any tattoos? I've got quite a few. Have you? Whereabouts?

I dread to think.

Really? Yes. Some there.

Oh, goodness me! It's a bit like that. Is that a real one? Yeah.

Wowee. Good for you. Yeah. Yeah.

So it looks like a tattoo. Yeah.

It's one way of looking at it. Thanks for coming!

Funny thing - when people talk tat on Bargain Hunt,

they're not often discussing tattoos.

Probably 1880s, 1890s.

It was a wonderful skill to be able to create these. I don't know if I'd want it for 65, though.

Quite right. I think at auction, no disrespect,

at auction it might only make ?25.

So if there was room to negotiate, it might be worth buying.

But I think we're a long way from that. That's fine. Thank you.

That's unusual. What, the waistcoat or the tall silver...?

No, the plate.

It is nice, Liz, but it's ?675-worth of nice!

I think that might just stretch the budget.

It would break the licence fee!

Keep at it, Reds. At least you've bought something.

We've had, so far, 20 minutes. Yeah.

Which means, really, we ought to buy a lot every 20 minutes. Yes.

We have an hour. Yes. Seen anything so far? No. Nothing.

Worried? A bit now, yeah. Slightly. Get outta here!

Aren't our couples lovely today? All smiles.

You can't have it. Why can't I have it? You've got a shiny already. You've done shiny.

I know we've done shiny...

Me and my big mouth, eh?

It's in the cabinet for a reason. It doesn't necessarily mean it's expensive.

No, it doesn't. "Cheap, cheap, cheap", like the budgie. Come on.

I think you're being very mean.

This is harder than I thought it would be.

Yes, it's a tough old challenge. You've got to find three items and agree on those three.

Maybe a little exploration is in order.

There's no carpet on the floor here. I always think that's a good thing

because it's cheaper, you might say. Let's go and find...

Yeah, cheap works for me. I do cheap.

I like his postbox. It's a proper postbox. Is it expensive?

It's a proper price, as well. Is it? 750 quid.

That's about the price of a first class stamp these days, isn't it?

What about a postbox that's a money box?

I think that's ?2, my love. OK.

It's one extreme to the other, with these Reds.

Let's have a wander. You've got a good eye, babe. A good eye for tat.

Now, these definitely are not tat.

What you've got here is a wine glass

that you may have toasted the French Revolution to.

You may have toasted Mad King George III

when he came to the throne in 1760.

And that's history.

Well remembered, Charles.

And the way these wine glasses have been blown,

you'll see this wreathing or writhing in the glass.

That's hand-wrought lead glass on a folded foot

and a rough pontil mark

where they've been snapped off

when they've been blown on the tube, like so.

I like the age of it. Yeah, I do. 1780. Where were you, Ross, then?

In my father's eye! Exactly.

Hmm. That makes your dad about 200 years old, Ross.

I don't think he'll thank you!

I wasn't sure of them until you said how old they were.

So the best price is ?100.

That's a wonderful discount, because asking on the ticket is 185.

So we can't complain there, can we?

With a bit more leeway, they could make 120 or 130.

I think we should go with Charles. Go on, Charles.

I love them because of what they are. I like the age of them and the history of them.

Sometimes you buy it because you like them.

Would I buy these? Yes. Yes. You would.

It is a sale. ?100 spent. Well done, guys.

Give me a chink-chink. Ooh, I don't want to break them!

Cheers. That's history.

It certainly is. In fact, that's what this place is all about.

The Reds, however, have found something a bit more modern.

That feels nice.

They're not antiques, though!

No, but people like a decent paperweight.

People like a bacon sandwich, too, but I wouldn't take that to auction!

1988. It says it on the bottom. ?75?! Yeah, well,

it doesn't have to be ?75. That was a vase when it started life!

She's not giving up. Maybe Phil should have a word.

Do you want to make a profit or a loss? A profit.

Then don't buy that. Have a look at that. How much is that?

?28. But if you don't like it, don't buy it.

Ooh. No, ?28 is more appealing.

Good work, Phil! Disaster averted.

Could you keep it for us

for half an hour? Would that be all right? No problem.

Whizzy Liz has gone off again.

I thought this was a team game.

I've found a pair of pink glass matching tea-cake stands.

You can tell he's excited, can't you?

It's not going too well for the Reds, is it?

I'm beginning to wish I'd brought my mother instead of my husband.

He doesn't like any of the things I like. Yeah...

Which is why we've only got one item.

For me, 20 minutes to go, my mission is to keep you on a tight leash,

because you seem to have an eye for tat

as opposed to stuff that makes money.

Oh, you're so harsh! I know!

Come on, Reds. It's all about teamwork.

At least the Blues are getting on with it.

A nice pair of toast racks. Chester. Sweet. 1918. They're gorgeous.

There we go. Look - toast, which is... Bread!

We've got the bread lots. We've got it.

They're quite small, aren't they? Tiny little things.

They were made in Chester in 1918.

Chester stopped hallmarking silver in 1962.

Somewhere, you'll see a hallmark.

There it is. Just there.

Let's double-check the hallmarks match up. They certainly do.

What do you think? ?70 for the pair, ?35 each.

70 isn't a bad price. If they came into my saleroom,

I'd say to a client they're going to fetch between 60 and ?90.

I don't like them. You don't? Huh? I don't like them.

Oh, well! This is your husband's background. His pedigree!

Don't you like them, really? No.

Oh, it was all going too well.

You couldn't go a bit more? Look at me.

65.

That means it.

I think we should... I'll leave it to you.

VENDOR: There's profit in them. I think we should go for it.

That's only just over ?30 each. What do you think?

I don't like them. Give the man his toast racks!

Then the last lot is up to you. Yeah, the last one's yours.

OK. Is it sold? It's a deal. It's a deal. We'll buy them.

Well done. Shake the baker's hand. Sam, happy?

OK.

I am. They're lovely. Nice pair.

Keep it clean, Charles!

I just didn't like them. The toast racks? No.

OK. But I can live with it. Are you sure?

It's your turn now, OK? It's your turn. OK.

Oh, dear. Both couples are having issues,

and the pressure's on. Time's a-ticking!

The Reds seem to be getting on with it at the moment, though. But where's Phil?

We've got "God Save The Queen,

"2nd June, 1953."

And "Denby stoneware, Made in England."

What's the price on that one?

Looking at ?20. ?20.

Liz, she's got an eye.

I'm not sure it's an eye we all share, but she's got an eye!

I think we've got to rein her in

from buying something really wacky. It's a deal.

I think you might have spoken too soon, Phil.

We may have made a second purchase. Really? We have. May or have?

We have, actually. We have made a second purchase.

We'd still value your opinion, though. We would value your opinion.

I think it's a bit late for that!

You bought this? We bought that. Yes.

A little bit of Denbyware. ?10. ?10.

I can't see you losing more than 15 on it.

ALL LAUGH

We'll see if they've got themselves a money-maker with the mug later.

Now, come on, teams. There's a third item out there for you somewhere

but only 15 minutes left to find it!

Pig pincushion! Pig pincushion. Here. I'm having it.

Look. Look! Look at that pig!

That's a good pig. I like that! That's nice. I do like that. Do you like pigs?

I do. Any animal, really. Yeah.

A pincushion that will probably date to around 1900.

The more popular ones are in silver.

He's charming. How much is he?

He's 33. I reckon about ?30.

Yeah. He's novel, he's neat

and if you could buy him for maybe 20... Yeah? Yeah.

I would say he's a really good finale to our three lots. OK. Yeah.

See what we can do. Any pigs at home? No pigs.

Three dogs. Have you? Yes. They look like pigs!

I think he's telling porkies!

I've spoken to her. She was reluctant to come down, but I've got her down to 25.

25. That's the lowest she'll do.

Come on, guys. You said Sam could choose the next item.

I want the pig. Yeah. OK.

I think if it is ?10, it's ?10.

Hopefully the wine glasses and toast racks might bring us up. Yeah?

OK? Go for it. Lovely. Thank you very much.

Go, girl power! Now everyone in the blue corner is as happy as a pig in muck.

Three items safely stashed. Reds, you've got five minutes. No time to disagree.

Get that final item found!

Whitefriars, Geoffrey Baxter.

They're quite nice. Are they a pair?

You could buy them as a pair, but they're separate.

We've got five minutes left and you've got to buy something.

I would like you to buy something that you like... I like that. ..but keep your damage down.

How much is that? One of those is ?28. OK.

Want to look at the other one? Yes, please. Could I have a look?

Cos I'm sure, everything that I've listened to

is "a pair is best".

But I'd rather you buy Whitefriars than nobody's.

Excuse me, what's the best that you could do on these, please?

I'll do you the pair for the price of one.

It's 28 I've got on one, so I'll do the two for 28. What do you think, chaps?

Sounds like quite a good deal. And they're red.

Do you know, I would love to...

I like these and I'm going to say, thank you very much, sir. You've got a deal!

Well, someone had to make a decision.

There were only a couple of minutes left.

Good on you, Reds. From trials and tribulations to a good old titter. Good shop done.

Excuse me, have you got the time? I've got lots of time, Tim. Take your pick!

So you have!

Anyway, time's up. That's your lot.

All the items have been bought,

so we've now trotted east from Exeter all the way to Honiton,

to the Bearnes Hampton Littlewood saleroom.

Before we find out if they make a profit or not,

let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

They made a good start. Five minutes in and they agreed on this whisky toddy jug.

It set them back ?150, though.

With half their cash gone, they went very low-key for their second item.

So low that Phil missed it altogether!

It was a ?10 Queen Elizabeth II coronation mug.

But it was when indecision reigned that Liz took charge,

settling a deal for these Whitefriar vases at ?28 the pair.

Now, Simon, Liz, you spent ?188. ?112 went to Philip Serrell.

What did you spend it on, old boy? I did say it would be different!

Ooh! Do you want to take it? I don't actually know what it is! Oh!

But I know where it was made. It was made in Glasgow by a company called Gilchrist

because it's stamped along there.

Is it heavy? Just a touch, yeah!

That is very heavy! Yeah. Wow.

I paid ?40 for it. They guy I bought it off thought it might be an oat roller,

which it might be. But if somebody came up with a better idea,

I could equally believe that.

I think that is going to make at auction...

I think it's a quirky, daft thing and it could make 40 to 60 quid.

?40? It's very aesthetically pleasing.

Unusual item, Mr Serrell.

Luckily, the Reds have a bit of time to decide.

Now for the Blues. Here's a little reminder of what they bought.

The Blues bought a pair of 18th-century drinking glasses

that cost them a nice, round ?100.

Charles and Ross overruled Sam

and bought a pair of silver George V toast racks for ?65.

Sam spotted an Edwardian brass pig

and pinned it down for a sharp ?25. Oink!

Now, Ross, Sam, this is exciting, isn't it? Yep.

You gave Carlos Hanson ?110 to spend. Charles, what did you spend it on?

I spent the entirety. I've gone big.

I've gone for the magic of the Far East.

And look at that.

Ooh! Do you like it? Yes, I do. It's really nice.

You spent ?110 on that? ?110. It's Japanese,

it's circa 1890, 1900,

and it's what we call the magic of the Meiji period.

It's the high-brow export that was made for our Western world.

It's not just a teapot and cover.

I've also got a milk jug, a sugar bowl, six cups and saucers, too,

all in a similar condition, for ?110.

Have a handle of the magic of the Far East.

All hand-painted, all labour intensive, and it's a jewel!

It's really nice. I like it. How much could it sell for?

Well, it ought to be carrying a guide price of 100 to 150.

I think that is quite reasonable.

Hopefully, on a good day, it could make more towards 200.

I hope so, but you never know.

We'll see if the Far East brings far-reaching profits in a minute,

as we're now off to auction.

Auctioneer Brian Goodison-Blanks is ready.

Now, are you nervous? Yes!

I wasn't, but I am now. You're so brave but yet so frightened!

I know!

But first up is your whisky decanter. Here it comes.

Interesting whisky toddy jug here. Shame the label is a little later.

Interest here with me at 40, 45, 50.

55. At ?55. 60.

Five. 70. The bid is in the room at ?70. Five, anybody else?

75, fresh place. 80. Five?

At ?80 seated. In the room at 80.

In the room, then, at ?80. Uh-oh!

That means a hit of minus ?70. Sorry about that.

Anyway, here comes the Denby jug.

The Queen Elizabeth II coronation mug by Denby. 1953.

What can I say for that? ?10?

Come on! Five pounds?

Come on. Five I have. Thank you, madam. God bless you.

At five pounds, then. And eight now elsewhere?

Any advance on five?

I don't like the look of this!

That's a five-pound note. We thought we couldn't lose anything on ?10.

The pair of Whitefriars ruby and clear glass bud vases.

Five pounds? Five I have all over the place.

At five, eight, ten.

12? 12. 15.

18? At 15, then, seated.

At 15.

Oh, dear!

?15 is minus ?13 on that.

That's minus 88.

It's all going well, isn't it? Yes. Fantastic...

Chaps, now, to roll or not to roll, that is the question.

We'll roll. We need the bus fare home, Tim. Going with it? Yes.

We're going with the roller. It's interesting.

And here comes the so-called oat crusher.

The brass oat crusher or roller by Gilchrist of Glasgow.

Interesting thing. I'm sure you all want one!

LAUGHTER

Interest here with me at ?50.

55. 60. Five. 70. Five. At ?75. 80.

At 80 here. Five now elsewhere.

At ?80, the bid is in the room. He's doubled his money!

I'm sure you want one. At ?80, then. We've cut our loss a bit.

Selling at 80.

?80 it's gone for. Well done, P Serrell. That's plus ?40.

Thank you. That is the way to produce a bonus buy

and cut 'em up. Plus 40,

which means overall you are only now minus 48, which could easily be a winning score.

Just don't say a word to the Blues. We won't!

Not a word. Thank you. Thank you. Well done. Thanks, Phil.

So, Ross, Sam. Do you know how the Reds got on? No. No.

Haven't been chatting? No. Good.

We don't want that. OK? Are you cool? Yes. Everybody cool? Yes. Charles, cool?

Very confident. Nobody cooler than Charles.

First up is your drinking glasses. Here they come.

The pair of George III fluted drinking glasses, circa 1780.

And here with me at 50.

Five. 60. Five.

70. Five. 80.

Five. 90 now. 90.

Five. 100? Moving. 110? 120. We're in profit. Good.

130. 140?

130. Yes! Shake of the head there.

140, do I see? Well done, Charlie. ?130, then.

130. That is ?30 profit straight up. That is so good.

Now, these toast racks.

Toast racks. Dinky little things, for if you're on a diet!

What do I say here? Commission bid with me

at 35. 40. 45. 50.

50 bid here with me.

Five.

55. 60. Five. 70. Five.

80. Five.

At ?80 commission back with me, then.

Five now elsewhere? At ?80, then. All done? Love it, Charles.

At ?80. That is plus ?15.

I love that. Don't you? ?15.

You were doubting, weren't you? I didn't like them.

Now the pig pincushion.

The little piggy's here. What am I saying for that? ?15?

15 straightaway. Thank you. 18 now?

At ?15 here. 18. 20?

20. 22. 25.

28. 30. You're in profit. I love it.

35. 38. 40. 42.

Oh, my pig!

At ?40 in the room, then.

At 40.

It came to market and it sold. Plus ?15.

Well done! So, you've got 30 plus 30 is plus 60.

Perfect. Now, there's a bit of a decision to make here, OK?

So, do you park your ?60 worth of profit,

which is lovely, could be a winning score,

or do you risk it to go with the Satsuma tea set?

I think we should go with it. I really like it.

Shall we? Shall we go with it? Really? Yeah, why not?

Oh, no!

Are we sensible here? Probably not sensible, but... Not sensible.

Quickly, you've got to decide! We're not going with it. No? No.

No. No. We're not. Quickly. No. No.

Right. We're not going with the bonus buy.

Dear, oh, dear! Lot 75 is the Japanese Satsuma tea service.

Lot 75. Satsuma tea service. Watch it make 400! 20th century.

With the figural decoration.

What do I say for this? ?80?

Really chancing. It is chancing. Bid me 40?

Oh, no! No commission bids.

?20? Thank you, sir. At 20. 22. 25.

28. 30.

32. 35.

38. 40?

Sure?

Keep going!

?38. Bid is in the room. In the room at 38.

No bid on the internet.

Yes! 38. We made the right choice! Thank God for that!

You did make the right choice. Painful, isn't it?

That's two shy of 40. I would have paid that.

That would have been minus ?72, lads.

We did the right thing, then. You did the right thing.

You parked it. You parked up. Just about!

You are plus ?60, OK?

Don't let anybody say that you're indecisive, because that's not true!

Listen, don't say a word to the Reds, all right? No.

Completely sealed up? Definitely.

All will be revealed in a moment. Well done.

And the Blues did have today's winning score

with their profit of ?60.

And they also go home with a golden gavel each. Well done, Blues.

Coming up, we'll see how our next two teams cope with their challenge.

Meanwhile...

we're heading off somewhere absolutely gorgeous.

Welcome to Antony in Cornwall,

named Antony after the parish in which it resides.

This has been home to the Carew family for hundreds of years.

The Carews are an ancient family, deriving their name from Carew Castle in Pembrokeshire.

They first settled here in Cornwall in the early 15th century.

Over the next 500 years,

the family have accumulated a considerable collection of antiques and works of art.

Some of the furniture in the place truly is spectacular.

And on this side of the room, the most eye-catching piece is this side table.

Just look at the detail in this.

This is a table made around 1715 to 1725.

The masks themselves are very unusual.

He's got short little horns and a very jovial face

because he's connected with Bacchus, God of drink and all that jollity,

and this table probably originally stood in a dining room,

covered in bottles and accoutrements connected with drink.

The really unusual feature, though, is the foot on each of the four supports.

That has been carved in the round naturalistically with a horse's hoof.

Very, very strange and rare.

If you look at the house brochure, there's a suggestion

that this table is the work of the famous Exeter cabinet-maker John Channon.

As John Channon was born in 1711,

it's unlikely that he was capable of making a table quite as good as this

when he was only nine or ten years of age,

so he's not the cabinet-maker.

Back in Exeter at the Westpoint Arena, we've got

two new teams and it's all about opposites.

The Reds prefer the logic of science.

Maximising efficiency. Logic has been employed.

Whereas the Blues turn to witchcraft to summon up a profit.

We need to use our vibes. Yes. OK, ready? OK.

Ooh! Can you feel it? I can feel it. # Can I feel it? #

I did feel it!

So, let's meet today's teams.

On today's show, we've got boys vs girls, best mates vs best mates.

For the Reds, we've got Lawrie and Paddy. And for the Blues, we've got Claire and Yola. Hi! Hello!

Lawrie, how did you and Pads meet?

We were both at University of Exeter.

On the first day, our eyes met across the room at the gym and the rest is history.

You thought, "He's muscular. I'll go for him"? We were both skinny.

What are you up to now? I'm studying a Master's in Economics at Oxford

and Paddy's studying water environmental management at Bristol.

So you are perpetual students. We are. You got into the groove.

We don't want to get away. So is a doctorate coming your way? Prolong it another 4 or 5 years?

Potentially, yes. Paddy's doing a PhD. This is something else!

Absolutely marvellous.

Paddy, you're interested in antiques? Well, yeah, my mother is an artist and a painter.

My brother's a sculptor and stonemason, so I have an appreciation for art.

Being scientists, we do like scientific instruments.

Some sell for a big old price. So what are your tactics - spend it all, or nothing? What?

We're going to go out pretty hard, pretty fast. Spend big. Go outrageous, I think.

Get some quirky items. Gosh! Stand by for this.

If it goes with your pimped-up hats, it should be quite a performance.

Well done. Very nice to meet you. Girls, are you quaking?

No! You're not.

So how did you meet Yola? We met at college about...sixteen years ago.

Since then, we've been best friends. And what do you do now, Claire?

I support families with children in care. I supervise the contacts between children and parents.

Is this social services? It is.

Is that a fun job or...? It can be. It can be hard at times.

You never know what you're going to get from day to day.

Quite stressful, I would think. It can be.

What line of work are you in, darling? I work with homeless people as a meaningful occupation worker.

I organise activities and make sure people have proper life skills and we lobby government

for specific causes as well. It's a busy role. I bet it is.

What do you like to collect? I like things from the occult.

I like things a little bit spooky and magical.

So, what are your tactics? What'll you get up to?

We'll just wait for something to attract us... Jump out at you. And we'll chat to our expert.

Very sensible. What fun. Here we go, then. ?300 apiece.

You know the rules. Your experts await. And off you go! Very, very, very good luck.

Love the hairdo.

We've got two young girls to take on. How will we apply ourselves to this?

We'll exploit the powers of logic that we've built up in education.

Do you feel vibes? I do. Really? Really. What are they telling you?

Well, you're just drawn to things. Like you're drawn to a partner that you fancy.

I think the same thing with objects.

We'll use mathematical reasoning. Buy low, sell high.

Oh, Lord help us. Come on.

Can you feel the vibe now? Yola? Yes, I can feel the vibe. Look at those vases.

What are they saying to you? They're saying, "Look at my bottom!" Oh!

Focus the mind.

Look at them. They're fun. Aren't they wonderful?

Oh, just look at those vases. They have a wonderful magic about them. Haven't they?

They are ?1,800. I don't think the love we're expressing... The magic isn't working, is it?

Onwards! Onwards!

Onwards and upwards, exactly.

Hope you're still feeling the vibe, girls.

So the search continues and no stone is left unturned in the quest for a bargain.

Correct me if I'm wrong. These are a set of oars. They look too short to be out of an eight.

Mm. We've had a closer look. This looks like the ceremonial blade

given to the First Eight crew of Oriel College during summer racing.

As you can see here, we have the four colleges of the Oriel team in 1949.

And same here for the First Eight.

The other thing is that they are very much a ceremonial thing.

It's a sacred rite to have earned one. As we can see on the back,

they would have been mounted on the wall of whoever won them in 1949.

You both like these, do you? Definitely. Well, let's not show too much enthusiasm here.

Sir?

What's the best you can do on the pair?

Very best. 90.

?90 the pair? ?90. What do you think, guys?

It's a good price. Is that the very best? There is no more? That's it. End of story.

Do you like them? I really like them. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into these boys.

Get the money, girls. Pay the man. Thank you so much.

Pulling away smartly from the starting line

and clearly in OAR of their first purchase,

the Reds take the lead, just 10 minutes into the shop.

So what's this, then? This is a fantastic cauldron.

Could you cast a spell on this? Could you actually cast a spell? I could. Really? Yes.

Yeah... So could you turn it into a frog or something? No!

What you send out comes back to you. If I turned you into a frog,

what on earth would I become?! With those ears, perhaps a witch's cat.

Miaow!

Selling to people at auction, they'll be used to the same things, but something different... OK.

Well, let's go...let's go over here and see what we can find.

Oh, Claire, look at this! This is pretty damn gorgeous.

Absolutely. Look at this.

What I like is it's a soft wood. It's well carved. Late Victorian.

And the plate glass appears to be original. Yeah. Quite a stylish mirror, actually.

Aha! Now this is interesting.

Isn't it just some mathematician drawing...?

No. I don't know what they mean because everyone has their own... They're like hieroglyphics almost.

They're a code for some sort of spell. A witch's scrying mirror. A witch's...? Scrying mirror.

So it would have... it would have belonged to a witch? Oh, yes, most definitely.

Or given to a witch, for sure. Well, I'm spellbound.

No, I am. Can we get it, then? How much is it? What does it say?

?48 it says. Ah... Shall we try and haggle?

Hello! Morning. Morning, sir. Good morning to you.

We're admiring this mirror. Priced at ?48. What's the best price?

The very best I would normally do would be 35.

What about 30? I can't do that. Who's your opposition today?

Philip Serrell. Then I can find a little bit more.

Yay! I can do 33. It gives me a ?3 profit.

I reckon that's good. I've never sold a witch's item, but this is a first.

I think at ?33 with a guide price hopefully between 30 and 40, it stands a good chance.

I'd normally say that's the death, but I'll say it's the best I can do.

Good idea! Yeah. It's up to you. Yeah. Yeah. Yes, we'll take it, sir.

So the bewitching Blues have now purchased their first item.

Is Charles starting to fall under their spell?

Let's have a look in here, my love.

Now, you did want quirky. We did want quirky. Do you know what this is?

I have no idea. Shall I give you a clue?

What you always wanted! A moustache brush.

We expect a bit more luxurious growth. Imagine the Edwardian gentleman brushing his moustache.

I've never seen one before. Nor are you likely to again!

Do you like it? It is the quirkiness we required.

I think it's brilliant. Brushing your moustache is quite a funny image with that.

What's the price on that? 38?

What's the best you could do on that one, love? Erm, I'll do 30.

30. You see, I think that's going to make ?20-?30 at auction,

which means we need to try to get it lower. Could you do 25?

It's up to you, my love. Yeah. So we'll have that? For 25.

Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

Grooming themselves for calculated success,

that's the second item purchased by the Reds.

I think we're doing quite well. 19 minutes on the clock, got two items, spent ?115.

Maximising efficiency. Logic has been employed.

They're doing really well. The danger is to relax

and if we take our foot off the pedal, it can all go horribly wrong.

We're halfway through and it's time to talk team tactics.

We've got ?115. To spend ?100 on something would be nice.

Well-calculated spending. No pressure on Phil here(!)

Claire, we have to get spooky. We need to use our vibes. Yes.

OK, ready? OK.

Can you feel it? I can feel it! # Can I feel it? #

Hmm, very different plans. Logic versus the occult. That's a first for Bargain Hunt.

Isn't that a lovely chair? Yes.

And how much is that lovely chair, Charles? If you were a lady in the late 17th century,

this could have been in your hallway. Isn't it great? Yeah. 1680. A chair.

Who was King of England then? Charles II.

Ah! So it's his period. Just look at the quality.

This arch cresting is typical of the 1680s, 1690s.

This seat is new. Yeah, this is all new.

I just think that's a nice chair.

Are we going to make money on this? What do you think?

If the price came down a little bit. Can't I put it up? No!

Go on, go on. Put it down even more.

That could be ?90. OK. I like the chair, but I don't like the ?90.

Don't you? 85.

- 83. - 83?! Go on!

- Oh, no. - ?83.50!

- Go on. - Where do you find these women?

Do you know, I don't know?! Please, please. All right, then.

And that's the second purchase for the Blues. Well done, girls.

You're certainly persuasive. What's this? Time for Shakespeare?

Double double, toil and trouble?

Fire burn and cauldron bubble!

They're a handful, but I'm enjoying it. We came across that interesting mirror with that witch feel to it.

But I took them back to the real history of that wonderful late-17th century chair.

So far, so good. I think we've got an interesting last 15 minutes.

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble!

Hmm, we don't normally get quotes from Macbeth on this show.

Meanwhile, the pressure is getting to our Reds, who need a sit down.

It's good for a rest, this one. Phil, what are you thinking?

Come rest with us. I quite like that.

It's only when you stand here, underneath it's shaped, isn't it?

Yep.

I bought a pair of these in France for 100 euros, so how much is this?

?100. That's double up, isn't it?

Why do you two like this?

We've got lots of benches at home and I like how sturdy it is.

My brother's a carpenter so I like wooden things. It's quite well made. It's nice. Yeah.

Let's have a look at it.

I do like that. I don't know how accidental that is or not.

Mortise and tenon here, look. I like that. Let's get the man over.

See what he can do. Good sir...

Could you do ?60? 55. ?55.

Done. I think we can do that. I think you got a good buy there.

He's been really good to you. Thank you very much. We have a deal. Thank you very much.

Are you two going to carry it? Oh, yeah. Follow me.

Ready? Legs apart, lift together.

Ready? Off we go.

Frogmarched by Phil, the boys can bench press away

knowing that all three items are well and truly in the bag.

It's all three pieces. Oh, wow!

And it's French, apparently. It's Poseidon or Neptune.

OK. Yes. Claire, observations?

Um, it's... A garniture.

It's a garniture. Which is?

I don't know. What's a garniture?

You tell us. A garniture is essentially...

Here's your centrepiece, your very... OK. So your garnish.

..desirable pewter, or bronzed.

So it's a bronze-coated clock, which is,

of course, Neptune... Yeah.

..as you quite rightly say.

And then secondly you've got your two little supports,

which makes...of your garniture.

Your seamen. And here's the fishermen, or seamen...

That can be taken off, can't it?

I quite like that, actually. They're a real statement piece, aren't they?

They're full of sculptural quality. Yeah.

And how much is it? I think it's 175.

Yeah, and I would say, if it came into auction, Claire,

what's its market value?

Probably between ?100 and ?200.

And it's the sort of thing that a high decorator's market

would be happy to buy, and there's one best price only.

OK. ?110.

I really like it, I have to say, so I... And it did call us. Yeah.

OK. Yeah? You sure?

Happy? Sure? Do it. Sir, we'll take it.

Yay. Yay. We'll take it. Thanks ever so much.

Marvellous.

The Blues now have all three items. Having worked a little magic

on the shopping, the ultimate test is now on Charles.

Well, I know that you're not really into all my magic things. No.

No, you don't believe it? You unnerve me. I don't think so.

I don't unnerve... I'm nice. I'm nice, honestly... OK.

..but I think I'm going to want to prove to you that magic exists.

Are you ready for this? ALL: One, two, three.

FROG CROAKS

That's it. Time's up. That's your lot.

And time to go to auction.

Let's see if the auctioneer

at the Bearnes Hampton Littlewood Saleroom in Honiton

can work his magic on the team's items.

First, though, let's have a reminder of what the Reds bought.

An awesome pair of illuminated Oxford University blades

rowed in at ?90.

They shaved ?25 off their budget by investing in

a silver moustache brush.

And finally, they paid ?55 for an elm Arts and Crafts-style bench.

OK, Lawrie, Pads, this is exciting. You spent ?175.

You gave P Serrell 130 to spend.

Take the rag off, and that's what he bought.

Oh, wow. "Oh, wow." Is that a good "Oh, wow" or a bad "Oh, wow"?

It's lovely.

It's a chest.

But it's... Come on, let's pick it up. Let's look at it properly.

I said I'd get something sort of Bargain Hunt-related,

and I think that's a Bargain Hunt bargain, really.

It cost me 40 quid, and I would think that it's a coaching trunk,

I would think, hide... leather-covered.

It would date somewhere, I would think, between...

If you were lucky, it's 1780, and if you weren't so lucky,

it would be about 1820, 1830.

I paid 40 quid for it, which I think's nothing.

What sort of price do you think this might sell for?

I think it would at least, I would hope, double its money,

and if we're really lucky, it might go into three figures.

It's a real old-fashioned lot, and I think it'll do all right.

Add it the rest of the profits that we make today.

I love the optimism, don't you? The innocence of youth.

VOICEOVER: So much confidence, but we'll see

if the Reds are right later on.

In the meanwhile, let's discuss the Blue team's three items.

Here's a little reminder.

Our spellbound Blues bought a carved witch's mirror for ?33.

They spent ?83.50 on a late 17th-century walnut and elm chair.

And ooh-la-la! Finally,

they spent ?110 on a spelter French clock garniture.

Now, Claire, Yola, are you excited about this? Yes. We are, really.

You really, really, really want to know what's under Charles's wrap,

don't you?

We do. It looks a little small.

Beg your pardon? LAUGHTER

Well... Don't know about that. Might be just scrunched-up.

Exactly. Might be cold.

Thank you very much.

You had ?73.50. What did you get the girls?

I got very, very nervous. I had to really go out and impress. Oh, yeah.

Are you ready?

Look at that! Oh! Ooh!

And they say small is beautiful. It is beautiful. Yeah.

Have a handle.

Oh! Oh, yeah!

What is it? What does it say? Ashtray?

Exactly, it's an ashtray, but importantly,

it's got that wonderful name Moorcroft.

It's in this pomegranate 1930s form,

beautifully mounted in this plated mount.

It's in good condition, and I quite like it.

And how much did you pay for it?

It's a designer object, I think. It's a bargain at ?40.

Oh! Are we going to make money on this?

I think it ought to happily make... ?100.

I think so, between ?50 and ?70 is a fair guide price.

40 is a rock, rock bottom price to go, I hope.

The girls are happy with the bonus buy item,

but will they decide to go with it?

We'll find out in a minute, as the auctioneer

Brian Goodison-Blanks is ready to sell, sell, sell.

Feeling nervous at all?

No, we're ready.

We were born ready, yeah. First up is your old oars, yes?

Lot 90, the pair of illuminated Oxford University oars,

dated 1949 with the crew members all listed on the panels there.

And what am I seeing here? Bid me ?60.

60 I have, straightaway. Straight in.

At the opening bid here, seated at 60. At ?60, and 5, do I see?

Come on. ..advance then. At 60.

60?

Do you hear that? 60? Just like that?

That's terrible. ?60. If you made a bit of money, you'd come again.

Interesting, this one. It's a 19th century, hallmarked silver...

We've catalogued it as a moustache brush, but I'm sure you're

all aware it's a lady's muff brush with the case there. So Lot 91 then.

What am I saying for that? ?15?

?10, then?

?5? 5? Thank you, madam. At 5. At ?5. 8, now.

At ?5 only. Any advance...? 8, 10, 12, 15...

You sure, madam? At ?12, here.

?12 I have in the room, seated at 12, then.

It's a fine moustache you have, sir.

At ?12, then.

LAUGHTER

Did he say ?12? He did, indeed.

That is terrible. That's minus 13.

Now, here comes the bench. This is going to claw it all back.

It's the 19th century bench there.

I'm sure you've all seen this one, and interest here with me at ?30.

35, 40, 45, 45 I have. At ?45, commission bid, here. 50, do I see?

At ?45. 50, 5. 60, sir? ?60. I am out, then.

Bid is in the room at ?60.

Standing at 60. 5, now. At ?60 in the room. 5, internet. No bidding...

At ?60 in the room...

OK, lads, that is your first profit - plus ?5.

You're minus 43...

You're actually minus 38 at the end of this.

Minus 38. So, minus 38.

Are we going with the trunk?

Yeah, we'll go with it. Do you want to park it? Yeah.

Are you going to park it and not go with it or go with the bonus buy? Go with the bonus buy. Risk it?

You are so high-octane, you two. Aren't they high-octane? Strap yourself in. Strap yourself in.

Lot 95 is the 18th-century, leather-coated coaching trunk.

A little bit worn, but aren't we all?

Commission is with me, in fact, at ?40.

And 5 now I'm looking for. At 40 with me.

5 do I see? Quite sure then? ?40 for the... 45.

50. 5. 60. 5?

Can't see you, sir. 65. 70. 5?

?70, the commission bid is with me, at ?70.

The hammer falls at 70...

Bad luck, chaps. ?70, Philip, that's a lovely ?30 profit, old fruit,

which means, overall, you are minus ?8.

How ridiculous is that?

All this effort... We had a go, didn't we? We did.

And that is so easily a winning score. You could be the champions of the day.

Just don't say a word to the Blues. Walk tall.

Do you know how the Reds got on? No. We don't want you to, those naughty boys.

Your mirror is coming up...now! Yes. Good luck.

Lot 110 is the carved, enchained witch's mirror, dated 1889.

The witch's mirror there, so you can predict the future.

?30...? 20? 10?

I don't believe it.

10 here. 15, madam.

20, sir? Are you sure?

15 to the lady. 18, anybody else then? I've got ?20 online now.

25, madam...? ?20 on the internet.

20 on the internet. 2, anybody else?

Predict the Lottery numbers!

At ?20 then. For the mirror then at 20...

That's harsh. It is. It's gone to some old witch on the internet.

Minus ?13. She's going, "Hubble, bubble..."

Anyway, here comes the hall chair.

This is the late 17th century, walnut and elm hall chair, 1680.

The hall chair there and what can I say for that? ?60?

- ?40, do I see? - It's crazy.

40 I have, thank you. At ?40 for the chair. 5 now? 2 if you like?

At ?40, then... 42. 45.

48. 50.

5. 60. 5.

70. 5. 80?

75 standing in the doorway then. At 75. At 80 now?

At 75, all done. The internet's not in. At 75 in the room...

Uh-oh, ?75. It did better than I thought, I have to say.

That's minus ?8.50, girls. It's tough, isn't it?

But the clock's coming up.

Lot 112 is the French, bronze, spelter clock garniture.

Neptune and the horsemen. ?100, do I see?

?100 for the clock? Nothing fishy going on, honestly. ?50, then?

50, I have here. At ?50, maiden bid. At 5 now elsewhere? At ?50.

55, internet. 60, sir. 65.

70, internet? 65. 70, internet. 75.

- 80, internet? - Keep going.

80. 85, sir? 85. 90, internet? 85...

- 90. 95. 100, internet? - Come on.

100. 110, sir? 110. 120?

Wait a minute. 120.

130? 120, the bid is online. ?120.

At ?120 online...

GAVEL BANGS

That's so good! You made a profit of ?10 on that. Wonderful, girls.

Plus ?10. However, it's not enough.

No. Is it not enough? You were ?21.50 down.

You just made a profit of ?10 on the clock garniture,

which means you are minus ?11.50.

Good. I think we should go with Charles's ashtray.

Minus ?11.50. That's not bad. Are you going to go with the bonus buy?

Yes. You're going with the Moorcroft ashtray. Good decision. Here we go.

Lot 115 is the Moorcroft mounted ashtray, circa 1930,

pomegranate pattern. I'm sure you're all familiar with this one.

?40? Do I see ?40?

Do I see 30? 30, thank you, madam. At 30. 32. 35. 38.

40. 42.

45.

48? Are you sure, sir? At ?45.

48, fresh place. 50, madam? 50.

5, sir? 55. 60? Are you sure?

At ?55. 60, fresh place. You're in profit.

At ?60. Away in the doorway then at 60. And 5, anybody else at all?

At 60 then and done... And 5.

- Yes! - 70. 5?

At ?70 now in the doorway. It's yours, sir, at 70...

Yes! Yes!

We've done it. That is marvellous.

The sheer joy. Excellent, yeah. That is so cool, isn't it?

Anyway, listen, ssh, ssh. Plus ?30, yes? You were ?11.50 off,

which means you're ?8.50... I think you've made ?18.50.

You are plus ?18.50.

Now, the big thing is, is that a winning score or not? We hope so.

Just don't say anything to those naughty boys. No. No.

Well, well, well, we've reached the final moment and nobody has been chatting about scores, yes? No. No.

Very good. So you have no idea where you are in the pecking order.

Actually, I can tell you there is hardly anything between you,

but there is something between you and sadly, today, the Reds are the runners-up.

Yes! Yes! LAUGHTER

The pure joy is...is wonderful.

You didn't do so badly, did you? You made a profit on the bench, which was lovely.

And you nearly clawed it all back, Philip Serrell, with your ?30 profit on the old trunk.

Not quite good enough because, overall, minus 8 was your number. Not bad. I quite agree.

Normally, that would be a winning score, but today, we hadn't reckoned with the fantastic Blues

who are going to go home with ?18.50 of profit.

That's real money, yes? Real money!

Plus all this change. Have a look at that.

Lovely. You're a good man.

It's exactly all for you. Oh! A ?10 profit on that rather queer garniture.

But the big number came from Hanson with his ashtray - ?30 profit.

Yes. Thank goodness for Moorcroft, eh, Carlos? Exactly, Tim. Wonderful.

Did you have a good time? Wonderful. We loved it. It is a bit of a gas.

Thank you very much, girls, for making our day today.

In fact, join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes? Yes!