Yorkshire 3 Bargain Hunt

Welcome, everyone. Are you ready for an antiques fair,

£300 and just an hour to spend it in?

If you are, let's go bargain hunting!

Today, we're letting our teams loose at Wetherby Racecourse,

at the Jaguar Antiques Fair.

With over 400 stalls to choose from,

they may be spoiled for choice. But will they spend their funds wisely?

Let's take a sneak preview.

The Reds prepare for action.

Bit of Dad's Army! It's more like Benny Hill!

Leaving the Blues running for cover.

And the tension builds for the Reds.

Your bid.

Let's meet the teams.

So, Ruth and Heather, how did you meet?

Well, about eight years ago, Heather moved up from Cornwall

to live opposite me on the same street.

We had a lot in common, we've been friends ever since.

You do a bit of dressing up, I gather.

Just a bit. It's only a rumour, not too much.

We've got about over 100 costumes.

-And do you do this for fun, or charity, or what is it?

-Both.

-Both.

We enjoy it, and everything that we make from it, we give to charity.

So it's an all-round winner.

What about work? You don't work together?

-Sometimes, yes, we do.

-Oh, lordy!

-Yeah.

-So what sort of job have you got, then, Ruth?

I'm a supply teacher, so I used to work at different schools.

But since Heather worked for that school,

I wheedled myself in. So I'm working there now. It's a great school.

I'm expecting you to put up a fight today.

-Oh, definitely. Yep, definitely.

-That's a bit of a pose.

-Yeah.

-Why would that be, then?

-Well, we're boxing tutors.

-You're not!

-Not kick boxing.

-You don't do kick boxing?

These legs are not made for kicking.

You'd have to be close for them to make contact!

So tell me about the boxing, then. That's another talent.

-Yes, it is, yes.

-What got you into that, you two?

We went to a keep-fit class run by a boxer, which was good. We enjoyed it.

Heather got made redundant, so we thought, "See if we can make a business of it."

So we took our training, ran some classes for a while and had a good time.

My gosh! Well, God help the stall holders, that's all I can say!

-You take it gently with them.

-We will!

-Some of them aren't up for that!

That's amazing. There we go. Now, Mike and Karen.

-Are you scared?

-We're scared!

-Scared!

-I'm already scared!

So, Mike, how is it that a great, thumping Texan like you

got to get around a nice Yorkshire lass like Karen?

We met in London. A friend of mine was a hairdresser.

Karen went to get her hair done at his shop. She talked about...

-She was a nanny then.

-Yeah.

-A Yorkshire lass that was a nanny down in London.

And he talked about where she'd been,

and she said she'd been to America and to Florida.

I used to live in Florida. There was a connection.

And he said, "Well, why don't you give me your number,

"and my friend'll contact you?" And I sure did.

-Well, that was your lucky day.

-It was my luckiest day.

But what were you doing in Britain anyway?

Working for the US Navy. In London.

-And do you get to work together now?

-We do get to work together.

We both manage a shop in Haworth.

-And he comes in at...

-What sort of things do you sell?

We sell all sorts of beautiful bath products.

We make a lot of our own salves, and we make all our own bath salts.

-And soaps, and...

-Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy oils, and creams for all sorts of little ailments.

So what are your tactics going to be

to take on our boxing teachers on this team?

They're a tough team. This could be hard to beat.

Yeah. But you know what? We're going to do it.

I love it!

Anyway, now the money moment. Here we go. Look, £300. £300 apiece.

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

And very, very, very good luck.

Where EVER do they get these teams from?

There's fighting talk today, two experts battling for not one but two sets of teams.

In the ring for the Reds is Paul "The Hook" Laidlaw.

And punching above his weight for the Blues

is Thomas "Twinkle Toes" Plant.

Heather, Ruth, what sort of a mission are we on today, tell me?

Big bargains, baby!

Thinking what people at the auction will be looking for, what they might buy.

-We'll know it when we see it.

-It will slap us in the face.

-Are you ready?

-We are ready.

-Let's go.

-Let's go get slapped in the face with a bargain.

-Come on.

So in you go. In you go, have a good look.

Ooh, I'm liking this.

-What is this?

-I don't know what that is, looks like a gauge.

-Calendar.

I would have said it was some kind of calendar thing.

-No, I'm not really...

-No? Move on, it's early days.

We can come back.

Look for more stuff.

Look for more stuff, we've seen good things but carry on looking.

-Down at this end, keep on looking.

-OK.

-This is nice. Look at that!

-You like that, do you?

-That is neat.

Nice basket, good basket, basket and cover.

-A lot of work's gone into that, hasn't it?

-Where would that be from?

Um... It's probably African looking at all the other stuff.

-STALLHOLDER:

-It's East African. Kikuyu.

-Kikuyu.

-Kikuyu.

-Is it priceless?

-Is it priceless? It is priceless.

That's a good thing, it is priceless.

-What's your best on that one?

-65.

60?

Could you do any more? To help us on our way?

I'll do you 50, but I'm not going any lower.

-Do you want to go for our first item?

-I'll go for it.

45 and it's ours.

Go on!

You'll get 45 then.

-Yeah.

-Go on, 45, then.

-Well done, sir.

-Thank you.

'At £45, it's one in the basket for the Blues, but what about the Reds?'

-Ooh, now.

-What do you think? With a matching jacket, eh, eh?

What you seeing?

-Useful and stylish.

-I'm loving the stylish.

-Yes.

Blue's your colour, apart from today. Red's the winning colour.

Let me have a look at what we're looking at.

As you know, Paul, we are a fan of costumes.

Well, I'm good with that and I understand military and so on.

-Voluntary Aid Detachment, OK?

-Yeah.

-Mm-hm.

They supported medical services during the war.

But they also did so in the 1950s.

If this blouse has a wartime label, it's a valuable, attractive thing.

-If it's a Cold War period piece, its day is yet to come.

-Right.

Blouse, civil defence, ARP pattern 57. 1958, too new.

Ah, it's post-war, isn't it?

The Mark Two steel helmet, that will be Second World War production,

no trouble with that.

-That's not a bad thing.

-I'm ex-military, I like these things.

Ex-military, eh? Just how tough are these girls?

-Hi there, how you doing?

-All right.

Your VAD blouse, is the helmet part of it?

-Yes, there's trousers as well.

-Ooh!

-38 on the group?

-On the whole lot, yeah.

But it could be...?

-30.

-Could it?

-Could it?

What about 28, my lover, seeing as the sun's shining so nice.

She's in like a whippet, what?

An ex-military lady. As an ex-RAF lady myself, I'm really liking this.

-28.

-You know you're a love.

-Do you think that's worth going for?

Well, you struck a deal.

It doesn't matter what I think now, you've got to thank the guy!

-That was a good buy. Thank you very much.

-Cheers, my love.

-Thank you very much.

Bit of Dad's Army. More like Benny Hill.

I'm not so sure we are a good idea - Heather, Ruth and I.

There's too much madness in that team.

It's borderline hilarity. That's great, I'm having a real ball.

And the spirit is just great, I'm loving it.

I like this. As a Chinese work of art, I think that's rather good.

-Enamel.

-Cloisonne, it's called.

-Oh, it IS Cloisonne?

-Yeah.

It's very fine bits of copper wire and the enamel

is laid in in the cells and it's fired and then polished.

What's nice about this is it's a jardiniere, which you put a plant pot in.

-But would it have had a top?

-No, it's for your aspidistra.

-OK.

Or your orchid or whatever you want to put in here,

you put your plant pot in there.

It's something that's worth considering. Yes, the price is £110.

We'll have a conversation, but that is an £80 to £100 piece at auction.

-It's a good thing.

-Very appealing. It's pleasing to the eye.

It is, I love it. What's the best on this one?

-95.

-Yeah, so it's worth considering.

Just... Cos we've only started shopping

and you've already bought one item, I'm quite impressed.

That is something which I just wanted to point out to you.

Yes, it is nice.

If you like it, then why don't you buy it? Come on, Blues.

I can feel some indecision setting in.

I think that's a pretty little box but it's plain.

That cushion form, fair enough.

What's this little golf scratcher thing here?

That's not a bad spot, I missed that.

-It is a silver cocktail swizzler.

-We all need a swizzler.

Don't we just? We don't like too many bubbles in our shampoo.

Golfers are collectors of their memorabilia, aren't they?

That's what does this for me.

There's a lot of golfers near the auction.

-I should like to have a look at that. Shall we ask?

-Yes, let's ask.

-How are you doing? May we?

-Of course you can.

-A few wee bits and bobs.

-Help yourself.

You're a good man, thanks for that. See what happens?

Golf club terminal.

-Golf ball.

-Yeah, we like it.

-That's charming.

In a golfing sale, I think it could make £100.

But this ain't going to a golfing sale.

That would be all the money. 30-50.

Yeah, I'll see what he can do us for it.

It's a novelty. I would ask the price. Why don't you go for that?

Bat your eyelids, beg, cry, do what it takes.

'Scuse me, young man. You're looking very gorgeous today.

-Knocked a tenner off already.

-And I'm admiring your legs, as well!

-20!

-What's the price on this?

-45 on that.

-45.

-What you think on that, Paul? 45.

-I need half that, and some.

I could do it for 35, that'll be it.

(He can't really hear me. Get it for 30.)

-I was also admiring the way he stands.

-Everybody should be happy!

Go on, my son.

I couldn't do 30, cos I wouldn't make owt on it. I could do 33.

-Done.

-Thank you.

-Cheers, my lovely.

-Thanks for that.

Nice thing. Thank you!

I weren't lying, you've got a cracking pair of legs!

£33? Well done, girls.

A charm offensive. Shaken, not stirred.

Meanwhile, it's round two of the shopping.

Let's see how our teams are doing.

So, we're halfway through now. We've already got one item.

I think it's a strong item. We've seen plenty of things.

-What do you guys feel?

-I think we're doing well so far.

-Yeah.

I think if we can get something in the next ten minutes,

we'll be really ahead of the game.

Then we settle down and relax for the third item.

-There's no relaxing, OK? Come on, in you go.

-All right - get in!

-Are we panicking yet?

-Not yet, no. You can't have your stool just yet.

No, we may give in at the end. We'll see how things go.

-The stool will be gone. You'll regret it!

-Paul! Onwards, upwards!

-You want them to be kind of...

-Ivory, silver?

Canes do quite well - unusual ones.

That's a fairly common one.

-I like the face.

-You'd go with the face.

-I think he's sweet.

-OK.

-You know, I love that.

-Different and unique, yeah.

I think that's great. It's a lovely thing.

But I also like this one as a...

As also with the interest of that one.

So we can ask about them both.

-Yep, OK.

-Why is that all wobbly, et cetera.

-It's got weight to it, hasn't it?

-That would get you to bring in...

-Yeah.

What do you know about these two here?

This one is what's called a defensive stick.

It's pretty wobbly, isn't it?

It's the type of thing that a traditional rent collector

would have carried 100 years ago

for warding off people.

-It's not much good as a walking stick!

-No.

-If he was a rent collector...

-Yeah.

he would go and knock on the door, "Where's my rent?"

And if he said no, he could give them a good whack with this.

-SELLER LAUGHS

-This is not vertebrae?

No, it's leather washers with a steel rod down the centre.

It has quite a bit of weight to it, hasn't it?

That would have a spring and a whack to it, as well.

It's a bit like one of these modern policeman's batons, probably.

Same idea. What about this one here?

This is a little country piece that somebody has made.

They've seen a bird's head in there and put eyes...

What sort of age would these be?

This one's about 100 years old, probably.

Um...I'm not sure about this.

Now, what kind of price will be your best price?

£100.

£100 for two sticks?

-Oh.

-It's tempting.

Something to consider.

Have a look around the rest of the stand.

We are running out of time.

There are other things to look at.

-I really think one should have a good look.

-We'll keep lookin'.

Yeah, I think so.

The minutes tick by and you're making up your mind.

We got a lot more we'd like to see.

We thought we'd get through this much faster.

We've only got 15 minutes left, we've got one item.

We've seen plenty of things, there's plenty to go on...

but are they going to make the decision?

I mean, we've really got to get a wriggle on.

-I've seen something...

-Ooh!

-Argh...

-Not sure?

-It's a maybe.

Let's go and have a look and see if we can make a decision.

We're looking everywhere, and we're running out of time,

we'd better make a decision.

You've ran out of time!

-The canes, let's go for the canes.

-Let's do that.

Yeah, OK.

I think you're going to hate these, but I don't know.

They're looking like beer kegs.

Anything to do with beer, we're liking.

When they scrapped

the great battleships of the fleet...

You're talking military.

..they salvaged the teak from the decking.

-And they made souvenirs from them.

-Right.

Commonly, we get silly little things like match pots.

Less commonly, we get more substantial pieces

like book ends.

Incorporating, I guess, match pots.

But...just to seal it,

it does what it says on the barrel.

From the teak of HMS Iron Duke - a dreadnought -

fabulous stuff.

Admiral Jellicoe, a commander for the Northern Fleet, I believe.

Jutland - the only encounter between the Royal Navy

and the German Imperial Navy

-during the First World War.

-Oh, I like it.

What kind of price is on that?

The best price on these is £25, ladies.

My opinion, they're enough money at £25.

-Yeah.

-What's your best price, my love?

I'll give you a bargain, £15.

It's not up to me. It's absolutely not up to me.

That's £7.50 apiece.

That's a bargain. Yeah.

-Sold!

-Thank you.

-You're a star, thanks very much.

-Good luck in the auction.

Thanks, my love. Brilliant.

Well done.

I'm going to collapse, what do you think of a lolly?

-Come on!

-Let's go for it.

It ends with book ends. And the Reds go off

to enjoy a nice ice lolly.

But it's panic stations for the indecisive Blues.

Minutes to go and two items to buy.

-Are you going to go and do the deal?

-Yep.

You're going to converse?

So, we've got...

Where are they, where are they?

-They're here.

-And that one there.

-Great. OK.

-Go, Mike.

-Go, Mike.

OK, we're running out of time so we are making a decision.

-Right.

-We're running out of money too.

Could you do both for £80 and we'll take them now?

-No.

-Oh!

I could do £90, but £80's coming down too much.

-OK.

-Done.

-Done.

-All right.

-Thank you, sir.

-That's brilliant news, well done, you!

-Yes!

-Very good!

-Well done, Mike, that's your second item.

-Now you've got five minutes to get your third.

-It's a long run!

We've run out of time so we'll go for that other one.

You're going to go for that other one?

The jardiniere.

Run! Let's hope it hasn't sold.

-As long as we're there!

-Don't worry.

OK.

OK, we've got this one.

-OK, we should have bought this...

-Earlier!

..40 minutes ago.

And we didn't. So, best price for this?

-Could you do £70?

-No.

Don't mention a figure! Ask.

What could you do?

There has to be a certain profit margin.

-Did we said £90, or £95 last time?

-KAREN: I thought you said £85.

-You said £85.

-Did we?

-Well, that's it then.

-OK.

£80, we'll take it.

£85, she says...

-Go on, give me £80!

-Two items, come on!

-Yes, we have got two!

-We got to win!

-You're going to argue for a fiver?

No, I won't argue for a fiver.

-£80, then.

-See, your husband...

He's too soft.

-He's not! We love him! Thank you.

-Cheers, mate.

-Thank you very much.

-You're welcome.

-Thank you.

I am sweating here.

-Well done, with minutes to spare, seconds.

-Seconds.

Third item. Give that back to the nice guy.

-Let's go and get a cool drink.

-All the ice we can get.

-All the ice we can get.

-Let's go.

-Let's go.

Time's up. Well done, teams.

The hour is over. It's now time to sell.

And we're at Calder Valley Auctioneers in Halifax

to find out whether the teams will make a profit.

But first, let's remind ourselves what the Red Team bought.

The Reds backed up their fighting talk

with this civil defence outfit

and Red Cross steel helmet.

Let's hope they are on par with this golf-themed

novelty cocktail swizzle stick.

At £15, the military theme continues

with these souvenir naval, wooden book ends.

So, girls, you gave Paul Laidlaw £224,

a small fortune by anybody's standards.

I hope you blew the lot. What did you get?

I bought, ladies,

-a proper antique.

-Ooh!

THE RED TEAM GASPS

BOTH: Oh!

Didn't expect such a strong reaction!

BOTH: We like it. Open it and show us inside.

What is it? Do we know what it is?

Don't know. I like it.

I adore this word, this is an etui, E-T-U-I, an etui.

A necessaire,

a Georgian little holder

for those little objects

that we find useful through the day.

It reveals an interior fitted and containing...

Look at that little tool, there!

We have a little bone or ivory notepad.

Ladies, do we like or not?

I'm liking that little pouch-type thing. I like it.

So what kind of price did you give for this, then?

I gave £120 for that.

You're as cheap as us!

-PAUL LAUGHS

-Not quite!

It's going to do all right.

We've got an admiration society going on here.

We do, I do like this. It's a really nice feel to it.

Well, we'll see if they like it enough to go with it later on.

Now for the Blues, and let's remind ourselves what the team bought with their £300.

They paid £45 - wow -

for the early-20th-century Kenyan basket.

And they paid £90 for this pair of 19th-century walking sticks.

And at £80 they roared home

with this Chinese dragon-design jardiniere.

Mike and Karen,

here's your left-over lolly moment. You spent £215.

£85 went to the lovely Thomas Plant.

Thomas, what did you buy?

KAREN: Ooh!

A bit of beautiful Victorian jewellery.

Very, very reasonably priced, made out of Pinchbeck.

And what's nice about it, it's what we call having a box back,

to put either a lock of hair

or a photograph of your loved one in there.

But a tremendous survivor

from the Victorian era.

Watch the pin.

That's cool.

It's a lovely thing.

What kind of metal did you say?

Pinchbeck, so it's a simulant of gold.

How much do you think?

£60.

£40.

-Oh, nice!

-Are we going to make a profit on this?

You should make a profit on it, it's a good-looking object.

It's a brooch, though.

And it's jewellery, it seems to be going good?

Yes, jewellery's quite good, you know?

You don't pick now, you pick later

after the sale of your first three items.

Let's get cracking, then. The auction is on.

-You're full of confidence, aren't you?

-Yes.

-I'm not.

-Are you not, Ruth?

-No, I'm slightly nervous about the bonus item,

but I think we'll go for it anyway.

-You're nervous about...?

-The bonus item.

-Don't worry.

First up, is your civil defence blouse,

helmet and all the rest of it.

Here it comes.

What am I bid for this lot?

£15?

£5?

Five at the back there, it's a start.

Five, I'm bid.

Someone feeling sorry for us now.

Any advance on £5?

£7.50 behind you.

£10.

£12.50.

Anybody else now at £12.50?

-All done at £12.50.

-BOTH: No, no!

£15?

£15 bid there. At £15. £17.50.

Oh, come on!

£17.50 right at the back. At £17.50...

It's too nice a helmet. Come on!

CROWD LAUGHS

£17.50.

-You were robbed!

-They have got such a bargain.

-They don't appreciate quality in this town.

-Minus £10.50.

Here comes the swizzle.

Any golfers here? £30 shall we say?

£30, £20.

-Come on, golfers.

-£20 I'm bid.

£2.50 if you like.

I have £20.

Any further bids at £20? £22.50, the lady's bid.

£25, £27.50.

£30.

-What?!

-I've £30 sat down there.

Gentleman's bid of £30.

Have you all done? At £30, then...

£30 is minus £3.

Oh, no!

But he has estimated £30 to £45

on these book ends.

A bit of history there. Opening £15.

Thank you, £15.

£17.50, £20.

£22.50.

£25. I have £25 the lady's bid.

-Come on!

-£25, anybody else now?

Going, the lady there in the middle.

At £25, are you all done?

Yes! That is plus £10. Well done, you've broken the duck.

That means that you are £3.50, minus £3.50!

Now, listen, girls.

What will you do? You are minus £3.50. There is a decision to make.

-No decision.

-We'll go for it. Definitely go for it.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

We are not washing up at that curry house.

We are going to win big.

Paul, we are trusting you.

-In for a penny, out with an etui.

-Yes.

-Are you going to do it?

Paul, you can't let us down on this!

Or you're buying the curries!

We are going with the bonus buy and here it is.

Interesting lot here and I have two commission bids.

I need to start this at...

£120.

At £120.

-Come to daddy!

-At £120, £130, do I see?

Five, £125. £130.

-At £130.

-You're in profit.

PAUL COUGHS It's cheap!

At £130.

At £130.

Any further advances on £130?

£130, that is perfect,

because that gives you a profit of £5.

You were £3.50 down before,

so you are now, girls,

up plus £1.50. That...

-75p each, bonus(!)

-You have done the maths.

Plus £1.50 could be a winning score.

Seriously, the way things are going today, it could be a winning score.

-So don't say a word to the Blues. Keep this safe.

-We will.

-Been chatting to the Reds, those naughty girls?

-Not at all.

-So you don't know how they did?

-No.

-You don't want to know?

They probably did well.

You reckon? The serious first test is the Kikuyu basket

and here it comes.

Start me at ten, £10.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear, indeed.

Was that two fingers

or three fingers? Oh, it's five!

That's better. £5 I'm bid.

At £5, £7.50.

£7.50, lady at the back.

£7.50. Ten if you like. £10.

£10, 12.50.

£12.50.

At £12.50, are there any further bids at £12.50?

£15 in the middle.

-Keep going.

-£15. At £15.

£17.50.

£20, the lady in pink. At £20.

-(Come on, it's going up!)

-At £20.

£20, all finished now?

-We've been robbed.

-Minus £25.

Now, the two walking sticks.

Now, I seriously think

this should do more than £100.

£20 to start. £20 for two canes.

At £20.

-(No!)

-£20. £15 anywhere?

£15 I'm bid.

We're going in the right direction. £20 anywhere?

At £15, at £20.

At £20?

£25.

£25, then.

The first and last time.

-The same!

-That's minus £65.

-Uh-oh.

Well, I'm sorry, lads.

-A bigger loss!

-I'm really sorry about this but what can I say, really?

Here comes the jardiniere.

The Chinese cloisonne jardiniere.

And we are connected to a phone bid, I believe, £40 to open.

£40, I have.

-Stolen it!

-And five. At £45. £50, do I see?

At £45,

£50 second row, £50.

-Come on!

-£55.

£60. £65.

At 65 on the phone.

And £70, fresh bid.

£75 on the phone.

-£80 at the back there. £80.

-Look out.

£85. £90.

£95. £100.

£105 on the phone. At £105, all done?

That, my darlings, is plus £25,

which wipes out the first minus £25,

-which leaves you, I'm afraid, with the middle minus £65.

-Oops.

What are you going to do with this Pinchbeck and paste oval brooch?

-Going for it.

-We're going for it!

-Taking the Pinchbeck.

-Go for it.

-Are you sure?

-Yes!

-Oh, absolutely.

We are going with the bonus buy and here it comes.

A Victorian oval Pinchbeck brooch.

£20?

£20, thank you very much. £20.

At £20 and five anywhere?

At £20. 25.

At £25 at the back row there.

At £25. Any further bids?

At £25, then.

That's minus £15. £65, £75, minus £80.

-It's a lovely round number, minus £80.

-Lovely!

It could be a winning score so just don't talk to the Reds.

Bad luck, chaps.

Unfortunately it wasn't the Blues' day.

Well done, Reds. £1.50's profit

is enough to secure today's winning score.

Coming up, what will our next two teams make at auction?

Well, we'll see you in a bit!

Meanwhile, we're heading off to North Yorkshire

to a stately home that's very, very chic.

For nearly 400 years, Ormesby near Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire was the home of the Pennyman family,

who started buying land here around the year 1601.

The hall you see today

was built for James and Dorothy Pennyman in the 1740s.

Dorothy inherited a substantial amount of money

on the death of her father, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1737.

So much so that they decided

that the house, the existing hall on the site,

was far too old-fashioned,

and they commissioned something new and much more impressive.

Dorothy and James chose the fashionable Palladian-style for their new home.

From the outside, it's restrained

and quite austere, but its real glory lies within.

The first thing that strikes you in the entrance hall,

apart from the elegant neoclassical design

so typical of the Palladian period,

is the sheer quality of the finish.

Just look at the plasterwork on that ceiling.

Fortunately, there are a number of objects in the house

which are strictly related to the Pennyman family.

For example, this pair of pistols.

What makes these pistols particularly special

is these silver enrichments.

They're a sign of real quality,

and that they had been made for an aristocrat.

And, if you look carefully, cos they're slightly rubbed,

that coat of arms ties up beautifully with the Pennyman coat of arms above the fireplace.

Back at the Antiques and Collectors Fair at Wetherby Racecourse,

we're about to find out whether our new set of Reds and Blues

can race ahead to flutter £300 on three items in just 60 minutes.

Let's meet them.

First up, married couple David and Laura.

-Hi.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Now, David, it says here that you're a mature student.

-Tell us about that.

-Yeah.

Well, I was an engineer for quite a while, then I gave it up

and decided to pursue my dream.

-I'm at Leeds Met University now and I'm in my third year there.

-And what are you studying?

-Theatre studies.

-Theatre studies.

Yeah. And hopefully, I'm going to be a drama teacher when I've done.

-Well done. It's quite a difficult thing to do, though, isn't it?

-Yeah.

To be a student when you're a little older.

Yeah, 26 when I went back but that's where I met my wife

so it was the best decision I've ever made.

Well, that's rather sweet, isn't it?

So, Laura, tell us about your whirlwind romance with David.

Well, I met him, obviously, you know, he came back to college

to study a few years back and a few months later he's down on

one knee, took me to a Russell Brand gig, proposed in the aisles.

And then a year later, we were married and living together

-and never looked back. It's been wonderful.

-Isn't that lovely?

-Definitely.

-And you've got a few furry four-legged friends at home.

-I have, yes.

Not everybody likes them but I have two pet rats and a cat.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-What are the rats called?

-Misty and Treacle.

-And did they come from the pet shop?

-Yes.

I didn't just find them in the sewer running around.

And how do the cats get on with the rats?

-Oh, they get on really well.

-Do they?

-Yeah. Best friends.

The cat jumps on top of the cage, curls up and goes to sleep with them.

-They're like best friends.

-That is extraordinary.

-So cute.

Are you going to be buying anything with an animal theme

on Bargain Hunt today?

-I don't know. See what takes our eye.

-See what we find.

-All right.

That's a good principle. Anyway, very, very good luck.

Well, you got any rats at home, you two?

We don't, no. Not at the moment.

-Anyway, Alex and Liz are an engaged couple. Welcome.

-Thank you.

Alex, what do you do for a living?

I work as a buyer for a utility company.

So I'm hoping that some of the skills I've picked up

from there will help me get some good bargains today.

So you have to do a lot of negotiating in your job?

-Yes.

-Very good. You and Liz have been together now for a bit, yeah?

Yes. We've been engaged for one year now.

This weekend.

Yeah, this weekend.

And, Liz, what do you do to earn a buck?

I work for Education Bradford.

I'm a HR business partner

so I support schools in the Bradford area with HR issues.

About 40 schools I look after at the moment.

It's a very busy job but it's very rewarding.

Quite a testing job, I should say.

-Yes.

-And what do you do in your spare time, Liz?

Well, I've just completed a course in massage therapy which Alex

is appreciating and reaping the rewards of at the moment.

-Well, I was only thinking...

-Not often enough, might I add!

So I practise on Alex and I practise on my friends at work sometimes as well.

What about Bargain Hunt today? What do you know about antiques?

-Anything?

-Nothing.

-Nothing.

-Nothing.

-Nothing.

I think you'll do very well.

Now, the £300 moment. Here's your £300.

-Thank you.

-£300 apiece.

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

And very, very, very good luck.

I could do with a massage myself!

What a great idea.

But first, it's time for our experts,

Messieurs Plant and Laidlaw, to spur on their teams and talk tactics.

I think silver is a good idea.

Really? Silver. What about you, the same?

Yeah. I think we'll definitely go for some silver, maybe some gold.

-Some gold?

-Gold is profitable at this moment in time.

But they know the price of gold here.

Are we chilled? Are we panicking?

-Are we losing weight?

-Excited.

-Could do with losing a bit of weight.

If I do tell you it's a load of junk, don't be depressed.

That's not quite the rousing pep talk I had in mind, Tom.

Well, anyway, the hour starts now.

What about this piece here cos I know there's a lot about

the Royal Wedding, about collecting stuff like that.

I know it's not necessarily what we're interested in

-but it is a game, remember.

-Little lamp base, not without charm.

In answer to your question, I don't, at auction, see a pick-up in royal commemoratives.

But this is good, keep doing this. And when we run out of things we're curious about,

-we'll go on to the next one.

-Lovely.

-Awesome.

That's the spirit, Laidlaw.

Is Thomas being as encouraging with those Blues?

That's quite interesting, that clock.

-What do you think of that?

-It's a bit retro.

-Is it horrible?

It is what it is, isn't it? £9.50.

I see I'm going to be dealing with cheapskates today. THEY LAUGH

Inside, there's some targeted selling to the Reds.

Tattoos.

Although it is interesting, I don't know if that'll raise much money at auction.

Have you any interest in tattoos, Dave?

Er, not really. I don't like them.

-Not really our scene, is it?

-Not my cup of tea.

So, anything else taking your fancy, Dave?

Yeah. I don't think human remains is us.

Yeah, that would be breaking new ground!

Which is exactly what the Blues are doing.

Ooh... You never know.

Some very peculiar things in here.

Have a good goosey gander.

-I quite like that.

-It looks like a shoe horn. No, it isn't.

-Page turner.

-A page turner?

-A page turner, yeah.

-How old would you say that is?

Let's have a look.

You like his face, do you, the upturned nose?

-Yeah. Yeah.

-Reminds me of somebody I know, Tom!

He's very sweet. What's the best on the page turner?

Best on it is 25.

-Is that the very, very best?

-Very best.

-Really? You wouldn't go for 20?

-No.

-It can't be the very best.

-I do not stand here for nothing.

Let's leave Thomas digging himself out of that one.

I like these bears. How old do you think these bears are?

Could be mid-20th century, second quarter 20th century.

Shall we have a wee look. Are you a teddy bear lover?

-I didn't have you down as one.

-No, well, I just like toys in general.

-OK. Shall we?

-Yeah, why not?

Have a look.

-He's filled with...

-Sawdust?

Glass-eyed as opposed to plastic, giving you a timeline.

Little stitched nose and snout, reasonably long forearms.

-Not a great hump.

-No.

He's a funny wee thing. More a pug than a bear.

Poor old bear.

Have a look in there.

There's one or two things you might like the look of.

-What about the cufflinks?

-The piggywigs?

-Yeah.

The pigs are 50.

-Right.

-The pigs aren't the oldest cufflinks ever.

They're very nice, not that old, but definitely solid silver.

-Do you like pigs?

-Yeah.

Really?

They're nice, both of them. They're good things. What's the best on these?

-I could do you 90 on the watch.

-Hmm.

And on the pigs...

-..40.

-OK. Thank you for that. That's very kind.

I like the pigs.

It's a deal to look at and you've only just looked at this cabinet in here.

And there are other things to look at.

There's more silver in there. I think it's worthwhile looking at it rather than passing it off.

Yes. OK.

-Is that all right?

-Yeah.

So, no decisions yet and 25 minutes gone.

That goes for you too, Reds, who've rejected poor old Pugface.

-What do you think about this guy?

-Looking at this as opposed to the big guy, cleaner condition.

Clean's good because condition is important.

There's little bells on his ears. That's so cute.

-Is that where they are?

-So cute.

-May I?

-Yeah, sure.

How can I not...that wee guy there?

Can I ask this one? I think this one is too expensive.

I'm being really straight with you.

-How much have I got on it?

-It's 38.

I think at auction, I really desperately need that to be £20.

Is there any way?

Will you look after him? Then give me 20.

Oh, thanks very much. You cannot say no to that.

Look at his little bells.

Go on, then. We'll take him for 20 quid.

Wonderful. Thank you very much.

First item in the bag for the Reds within 25 minutes

but there's no sign of the Blues!

The Reds however seem to be on a roll.

-Look at that for a piece of rosewood.

-Isn't that absolutely divine?

Given that we're starting a lot higher, is there more slack in that?

200 would be best. It's a lovely box.

-That's a lot of money.

-A nice box.

-Totally agree with you.

-The interior's fabulous.

You're offering really nice things.

It's actually got the maker's label, which just adds to the quality.

It's just so lovely to see one so complete.

Is that broken off there, that one?

Yeah, that one, and there is damage to one of those

but the rest of them are perfect.

I do like it. It's just, £200.

It's £200 and it's damaged, so it's a bit much for me.

Is it definitely two?

Can squeeze another tenner. 190. And that is absolutely the death.

We'll go 185. 185. 185.

-I don't want to do it.

-Come on. I do.

We're in the middle of a domestic.

OK. I'll do 185. Yes, I'll do 185.

Shake my hand.

-Lovely. Thank you.

-On your head be it.

Fair enough.

Ooh-er, missus! Dave's not happy but that's buy number two.

-And what have our Blues bought?

-The leaf plate looks in very good condition.

Nothing yet.

That's a very nice thing. It's a piece of WMF.

It's a nice sweet meat dish.

If I was looking for an object to buy to make a profit,

I'd more likely go for a claret jug.

-Right.

-Right.

-Cos it's got more use to it.

A lot more people drink claret now than have sweet meat dishes

presented at a dinner party.

-Yeah. How much is it?

-It's 145. Yeah.

And it's cut glass.

You don't have to apologise for it. It's a good-looking object.

Yeah. That's good. It's quite nice.

You've got 145 on this.

-Yeah.

-Yeah. What can you do?

I can do you that for 110.

I think we need a bit of tactics talk.

We'll just go out here and we'll just have a confab.

Yes, Thomas, it's time to take this pair in hand.

You've seen quite a lot of things and I'm just worried that,

you know, we keep on looking at things and thinking about them.

Tell me your feelings. What have you liked so far?

-I like the pigs.

-Yeah. OK.

I like the page turner as well. I like that.

What about you?

I'd agree with both of those.

I mean, I do have a soft spot for the watch.

Yeah.

Maybe we should come back to these guys later...

Much later.

-What do you think of the wee kiddy's armchair?

-I like it.

With your whole teddy bear toy thing going on.

I like that. There's a bit of damage there.

Yeah, but it's 150 years old. I think it can suffer that.

It's a charming little seat.

Take a price.

35.

It's not a bucket-load of money but, yeah, shall we, can we, do you?

No, leave it for now.

You're choosing the next one.

I don't mind it, but at 35 I think it's a bit much.

I'm going to have to leave it for now.

I've got ten minutes.

He's the man. Slightly frightened to say no, Dave.

Did you hear that, Blues? Only ten minutes left.

-Top three, then.

-OK.

-Top three.

-Liz's top three.

Pigs, the leaf and probably not the watch, maybe the jug.

But what about the page turner?

I like that one, too.

You're not helping here, Alex.

OK. So Liz's top three. You've got four there.

What's Liz's top three?

Top three is pigs...

No. Pigs...

It's OK. It's not like time's running out!

Only wait a minute, it is.

Would you believe it? Are you thinking of that mahogany?

£100. Mad money, isn't it?

It's too boring. It's too boring.

I know you want it but you can't. I know what you're looking at. Keep going.

"I know you want it but you can't have it"!

What are you telling me? Clearly it's not jumping out at you.

No. I don't know what I'm looking for but I'll know when I see it.

Dave is determined to choose their last item,

but at least it's just one, unlike our Blues.

Have they finally made a decision?

We are interested in the jug.

-Yes.

-And the pigs.

-Right.

-Hurrah!

So the pigs, you said 30.

Well, I said 35.

-But if we're buying both...

-Yeah.

-And the jug, you offered 110.

-Yeah. My best 110.

Could you do it at £100? So 130 in total?

-Yeah.

-Is that OK?

-Yeah, I can do that.

-OK. That's brilliant.

Thank you. Very kind of you.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-You happy?

So, the Blues have drawn level with the Reds with only minutes left.

If you want to go get the chair, we'll get the chair.

I'll leave it up to you. We've got three minutes left.

We've got three minutes to get something. It's up to you. I like the chair.

-Chair?

-He likes the chair.

-Chair.

-Chair.

-Chair. OK, chair.

This way.

I'm glad Laura's remembered where they left it.

Now, I spotted this bowl earlier, myself.

I love that.

That's quite decorative. You can imagine it in the house as well.

It would go in a modern house as well, wouldn't it?

It's very true to what it is.

-And they could fill it up with what they wanted.

-What's on that?

75. My best on that, well,

I wouldn't give it to Mr Wonnacott for less than 60.

Is that what he wanted?

This morning, yeah. He wanted it for 50.

I did indeed.

What's your very best?

-If I undercut Mr Wonnacott.

-Don't.

50. I can't let it go for less than 50. Cos I paid 40 for it.

-So you'd do it for 50?

-I'd do it for 50,

-as long as you don't tell him.

-Well, he's going to know about it, isn't he?

Well, I know now!

What do you think, guys? You've got minutes, minutes to spare. This or the page turner?

I prefer that to the page turner. I think that's got a wider appeal than the page turner.

-I wholeheartedly agree.

-Let's go with that.

-You want to go with it?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

45?

-Please.

-Yeah? Brilliant. Get in there!

Thank you!

I'm so pleased we got it less than Tim.

Charming! Well, at least the Blues have it all sewn up with three items in the bag.

How much is the sax? That'd be too much, wouldn't it?

-So now we're looking at a saxophone?!

-Yeah.

Hang on a minute. What's happened to the chair?

-How much is it?

-50.

-50 quid.

-It's within your budget.

Instruments have real potential.

The thing about saxophones is, every bloke fantasises that he's going to end up a sax player...

-It's not in lovely condition though.

-..and a babe magnet, simultaneously.

That's what's drawn me to it!

Um. I suspect it's not a great sax

-because it's still here and it's £50.

-I know, and it's got a lot of rubbing on it.

But it's a speculator's purchase.

-I think if you get the price down it could prove to be a bargain.

-Could you do it for 30?

-35?

-30 quid, that's it.

I really can't go any more. If you can do it for 30, we'll take it.

-Yeah,

-go on, then. 30 quid.

-Go on, then.

I'm taking it.

You'd better be happy with that, Laura. It's done.

Cheers, my man!

When I first met him, "You're going out with me, come on!"

Yes. Dave's a decisive man and, with lightning speed,

he's wrapped it up for the Reds in the dying seconds.

The shopping's done, time to go to auction,

and we've returned to the Calder Valley Sale Room

near Halifax, but first,

let's remind ourselves what the Red Team bought.

Laura went all lovey-dovey over the teddy bear at £20.

Then they had a bit of a domestic over the rosewood sewing box.

But Dave got to play it his way in the end with the saxophone for £30.

Now, Laura and Dave, you spent £235.

You gave £65 to Paul Laidlaw to find the bonus buy, and I am going to reveal all. Woo!

Oh, wow! I like it.

-Yes, I like it, yeah.

-I like it.

I could not leave that hanging.

Such an honest, sweet, sleepy little 19th-century child's armchair.

It's such a lovely object. It will respond to wax and it will sing.

Cottage environment. It's a little dream.

I'm glad it's that. I hoped,

-I had my fingers crossed. I was speaking to her, saying, I hope he's got the chair.

-I really like it.

You like it, that's good. That's really good.

-So you had £65 for it.

-Yeah.

£20. Sitting at £20, and I think that was fair enough

because it's going to do, any day of the week, 20-40,

and if you really like it and you want to pay £50, £60, £70 for that, you'll never regret it.

-And if you've got a kiddywink coming along.

-Yeah.

-Anything like that.

-Yeah.

Fun that you'd seen it during your shopping. Fun that Paul Laidlaw went back and found it for you.

Find out if the Reds decide to take Paul's bonus buy a bit later.

In the meantime, let's have a little reminder of what the Blues bought.

Well, after much cogitating and deliberating,

they bought the piggy cufflinks for £30,

along with the claret jug for 100.

Then they grabbed the bowl I had my eyes on for £45.

It's all fair in love and bargain hunting - not!

Alex and Liz, you spent 175.

You gave Thomas 125. Thomas, what did you spend it on?

-I didn't spend it all. I only spent half.

-Ooh, wow.

On a piece of seminal jewellery by the seminal designer, Georg Jensen.

Never heard of him but I like it. I like the look of it.

The interesting thing about Georg Jensen is that,

when you're a great designer, you design something which stands the test of time.

And Jensen has designed this pendant, probably in the '30s,

and it's still being made today.

It's a pretty, pretty item.

You've exceeded my expectations on that one.

-And I can tell you're quite passionate about it, too.

-Yeah. It's a good thing.

-I'm pleased.

-You'd not wear it yourself though, Alex, would you, probably?

Are you a bit of a medallion man?

It could go well with my Mr T fancy dress costumes.

-Well, couldn't it?

-Yeah.

-No. Good.

So how much do you think it might make?

I spent £60 on it. It's got to sell for 80. Very nice.

Well, we'll have to wait and see.

Not for long, though, as we're about to start the auction.

The auctioneer Ian Peace is on the rostrum and is all set to sell.

Just look at these two, don't they look naughty?

You really do look naughty, the two of you, like two peas in a pod. It's lovely.

-Now listen, you, are you excited?

-Very.

-Are you?

-Yeah. And confident.

That's nice, isn't it? Anyway, first lot up is the teddy bear and here it comes.

161. This 1930s gold plush jointed teddy bear

and it's got the rattle inside there.

-Ah, sweet.

-And what am I bid for lot 161?

£30. 20. £20.

20 I'm bid here.

And five. 30.

And five. 40. And five.

50. And five, sir. 55, fresh bid.

60. And five. 70.

And five. 80. And five.

Yes.

Are you all done? Selling for £90.

First and last time at 90.

Well done, you guys. That is plus £70.

That's a proper profit, that is, isn't it? That is really good.

162, the 19th-century rosewood and mother of pearl inlay sewing box.

A couple of hundred, may I say? 150. Start me at £100, somebody.

Wherever you like then, £60?

50 then to open. Thank you. 50 I'm bid. At 50.

At 60, do I see?

At 60. At 70. At 80.

90. 100.

And ten.

120. 130. 130.

-Five if it helps. At £130.

-Cheap, cheap, cheap!

Are there any further bids?

130.

-Ouch!

-That is minus 55.

But don't worry, you're still upfront. You're still plus 15.

163, a case saxophone and carrying case.

I'm opening this at £20.

20. And five on commission bid. £30. 35.

I have 40 on a commission bid. And five.

Any further bids for the saxophone? £50 by the door. 50.

-Yes!

-And five.

60. £65. At 65. He says no, so you're in.

At 65. All done at 65?

I love it, don't you? That is another £35 on that.

Plus 35, plus the 15. 35, 45. You're plus 50. All right.

There's nothing the matter with that. £50 profit. Yes?

-Hey, don't look so sad.

-I'm just gutted about the box.

No, don't worry about it. It comes and goes, right.

-No, don't hold it against her.

-I will. No, I'm kidding. I'm kidding.

No, no. I mean, you're well up. £50 up is pretty good.

What are you going to do about the armchair? Are you going to have it?

-It's up to you.

-What do you think, Paul?

-What?

-I want to know what Paul thinks.

-He can't say.

£20 worth of risk. Are you going to go with it or not?

-Going to go with it.

-Yeah.

You're going with it? The auctioneer hated it. He put £10-£20 on it.

-No!

-Yeah. He did. He did. He didn't like it.

On the other hand, you've gone with it now. Let's see what happens. He could be wrong. Here we go.

An early Victorian child's armchair

with spoke back and patterned grained finish. There we are.

£20. 15. £5. I've got £5.

-Dear, Oh, dear, Oh, dear.

-£7.50 anywhere?

7.50. £10.

12.50.

15. 17.50. £20.

I have 20 with the hat on. At £20.

Anybody else now? At £20. 22.50.

25.

At £25 bid. At 25 right at the back with the hat on.

27.50.

-Oh.

-£30. 32.50.

At £32.50 on my right, then. All done?

Well done, Paul. 32.50. That's what we like.

32.50. That is another £12.50.

Yeah. All right. 50. That is plus 62.50.

-Yes? Happy with that?

-Very.

-That's very good, isn't it?

-Yes.

-That's very good.

Who's to say that the young ones can't cut the mustard, eh?

-That's lovely. Now, don't say a word to the Blues, all right?

-We won't.

No point in spoiling their day.

-Do you know how the Reds did?

-No.

No. Good.

Badly, hopefully.

Do you host malevolent thoughts?

-I bet you don't ordinarily.

-No.

You just want a nice fair result, don't you?

Yes. As long as we win.

The claret jug, you both went for that. £100 paid.

His estimate is £35-£50.

Now, if I say that quickly, it doesn't sound so bad. £35-£50.

But it's a bit of a disaster if he's right with his estimate,

-because you paid 100, right?

-We did.

So I think, let's go boldly forth and kick on with the cufflinks.

OK.

Lot 181,

we've got a cased pair of gentleman's silver cufflinks

in the form of pigs.

£30?

20 anywhere? £20. 15 to start.

Go on, the silver cufflinks. Any pig farmers here? 15 I'm bid. 15.

17.50 do I see? I have 17.50. 20.

22.50. 25 in the corner. 27.50 the lady's bid.

-£30.

-Yes.

-Yes.

32.50. 35 stood up. 35. 37.50.

Yes. Yes.

42.50. All settled at 42.50.

So that is £42.50. Well done.

That is plus 12.50. Very good.

182.

A WMF cut-glass claret jug. What am I bid on that?

£40 to start?

30. WMF. £30.

Start me where you like. 20. 25 anywhere? 25. 30.

And five. 40.

And five.

At 45 sat in the fifth row. 50.

There we are, ladies, we're bid 55.

-60.

-Come on.

70. 70 with the lady there in the pink.

At £70. Have you all done at £70?

Selling.

That is a good deal better.

No, it's not. That is minus 30. That is not too bad.

-Now, the bowl. Look out.

-I love this, I rate this.

183. A large African tribal wooden bowl.

40. 30. £20 I'm bid.

And five anywhere?

-25. 30. 35. 40.

-Yes!

-£40. At £40 I'm bid. On my right.

-Come on, come on.

At 45. Anybody else now?

-At 45.

-Come on. Come on.

-Yeah.

£50. At 50.

-At £50.

-£50, is plus £5 on that item,

which takes you, overall, to minus £12.50.

Gosh, that was exciting, wasn't it? Minus £12.50.

No shame in that. What are you going to do with the pendant by Georg Jensen?

-Go with the bonus buy?

-Go with it, definitely.

-Yeah.

-Definitely?

It's your decision, but I think...

Even though Thomas led us astray on the jug,

I believe you on the Georg Jensen pendant jewellery.

-Led you astray?

-We forgive you. It's OK.

-OK. So this is it, then. You're going to do it?

-Yeah. Definitely.

-Yes.

A boxed Georg Jensen silver pendant.

Come on, Georgie boy. Georgie boy, come on.

What am I bid for this?

£30. Georg Jensen. 30 I'm bid. Five anywhere?

At 30. The Georg Jensen. Good name. 35, sir.

35. 40. 45.

50.

55. 60. At £60.

Anybody else now? £60.

-We're going then at £60.

-Come on, come on!

-Georg Jensen. At £60.

First and last time at £60.

-Right in your face, Thomas.

-That's OK.

There we are, that was bad luck, I think. You deserved to do better.

Anyway, your overall score though is minus £12.50.

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

Well, some days is good days, and some days is bad days,

and some days are just unlucky days.

And the unlucky team today, sadly, are the Blues.

I mean, so near and so far.

-Could have been worse though.

-True.

-A lot worse.

-Have you enjoyed it?

-Yes.

-Very much so.

-Absolutely brilliant.

We've loved having you on the show. We wish you the very best.