Newbury 28 Bargain Hunt

Bargain Hunt is no stranger to the streets of Hungerford, is it, Tim?

Correct.

It's the antiques Mecca we've been making a pilgrimage to for years.

Eh, Tim?

Precisely. So why not join me?

ALL: Let's go Bargain Hunting, yeah!

Today's pilgrims are blessed with £300 in their coffers,

an hour on the clock and three items to find.

The team that makes the most profits - or the least losses - will be

the victors, so amen to that.

Let's take a quick squint as to what's coming up.

-The Blues invent new words.

-I don't like "cabinety" things...

-"Cabinety"?

-..that fit in a cabinet.

-Is it solid silver?

-It is quite "giftable".

-Oh, "giftable".

-While the Reds are not happy.

-Play big to win big, Nick.

-That's all I'm saying.

-OK. He doesn't like it.

And at the auction, there are mixed feelings for the Blues.

SHE LAUGHS

And hugs all round for the Reds.

Well done. Oh, group hug.

I'm so emotional.

Before all that, let's meet the teams, eh?

On Bargain Hunt today we have two teams

of very, very, very good friends.

We have Chris and Nick for the Reds,

and we have Marianna and Pete for the Blues. Hello, everyone.

-ALL:

-Hello.

-Hello.

Now, Chris, tell me how it is that you two became friends.

Our beautiful friendship was forged

when we locked eyes at a fancy dress party.

-Fast forward ten years, here we are today.

-Isn't that lovely?

It must have been a heck of a good party.

Now, you are a bit of a traveller, aren't you, Chris?

-I like to think so.

-For business and pleasure. So tell us about it.

Business-wise, I run my own marketing consultancy company.

I've been to Prague recently, I go to Switzerland.

-I work with German teams.

-Very good.

So the pleasurable bit of the travel takes you where, then, Chris?

I've been backpacking solo around Asia.

I aspire to go to Colombia very soon to get my salsa on.

You have got some ambitions.

Got the bug, can't stop, will do it for the rest of my life.

Now, Nick, you advise people who are adverse to risk.

I'm a financial adviser, yes, so I look after clients' money,

whether it is their investments, their pensions.

-Is that fun, that job?

-Yes, I really enjoy it.

I get to see lots of interesting clients, lots of self-made men

-and women.

-You are a bit of a risk taker yourself, aren't you?

Outside of work, I like to think so.

The last couple of years I've got really into my skiing.

This year that meant taking on Europe's longest black run.

-Which is a real challenge.

-Which is where?

It is the Sarenne run in Alpe d'Huez,

which is the French Alps.

And it is 16km long, so managed to just get down in one piece.

-It wasn't pretty.

-Well done for that.

-Thank you.

So how do you feel about this Bargain Hunt business?

Are you going to be taking risks, do you reckon, today?

-I'm here to reign the big man in.

-Is he the big man when...?

He is mainly liable to the off-the-cuff decision.

He is going to go bonkers, is he?

But we'll try and keep him on a level playing field.

-You never know what's going to catch your eye.

-You bankers,

once you get hold of £300, anything could happen,

-couldn't it?

-No comment, Tim.

-THEY LAUGH

OK, perfect stuff, and very good luck.

Now, moving on. Marianna, you both met at college, I understand.

And what are your plans following your graduation?

I'm actually continuing studies at the Guildhall School of Music,

-in London.

-So you are a musician?

-Yes, I am.

I study classical piano performance, so hopefully...

I'll become a pianist after that.

Where does your interest in antiques come from?

I'm really into the vintage revival thing,

which isn't good for a student bank balance.

But I just like the elegance of the old times,

when people really put some effort into their appearances.

Now, Pete, as well as being a student and a composer,

-you also have a passion for history.

-I do.

My biggest university expense has been on historical novels,

which hurts the bank balance a little bit,

but it has been more than worth it.

What sort of novels have you been reading?

Anything by Bernard Cornwall, so Anglo-French wars, Saxon Britain.

-A big classical history fan as well...

-Are you?

-..which is nice.

And that, I guess, takes your mind away from all this music.

Yes, something totally different.

Now, you share a taste for the adventure.

As well as ocean diving and stuff like that,

I started, a couple of years ago, skydiving for charity.

So that started as a tandem jump, where nothing really could go wrong.

It is kind of safe.

But since then, I've moved on to solo static line jumps,

which is something I've just done for my own pleasure, which is nice.

-Isn't it terribly scary?

-Oh, it is terrifying.

And how do you feel about me giving you £300?

As a student, I've never really held that much money before,

-so I'm excited.

-How sweet is that?!

Anyway, here comes the £300. £300 apiece.

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

and very, very, very good luck.

I feel like breaking into song.

But I won't.

So, the competition is set. Let's round up their experts.

Hoping to click with the Reds is snap happy Natasha Raskin.

The Blue team have their very own Houdini. It's Mark Stacey.

Chris and Nick, what are you looking for today?

For me, it is all about something practical,

something people will want to buy,

and something that is going to make us a nice, healthy profit.

-You know what we are going to buy?

-Quirky.

-Practical and quirky.

Oh, practical and quirky.

I'm looking for shiny things. Coins, medals if they have them.

Now, if you are sitting comfortably...

BELL RINGS '..your time starts now.'

-Should we go shopping?

-Definitely.

-Let's do it.

-I will follow you.

-Let's get amongst this.

-Thank you.

What about these galleons and ships?

Well, there are lots of cabinets, so we've got to be aware.

I hate cabinets.

It's a love-hate relationship today, then.

So what about these quirky Monopoly style items?

-Don't like cabinets per se, or...

-I don't like "cabinety" things...

-"Cabinety"?

-..that fit in a cabinet.

Just going to say, because it caught my eye,

-what about this magnifying glass?

-Oh, man.

-No?

It just keeps going.

-What is the talon feather?

-I think...

-Is that a letter opener or something?

-I don't need to be here.

-It is, it is a letter opener.

-Oh, my goodness.

-I thought I knew nothing about it.

-It is quite fun, isn't it?

It is a beautifully detailed, solid brass paper knife.

-In the form of a pheasant's foot.

-But do people use paper knives?

If you've got a nice desk, and you want to decorate it

-with appropriate items, then that's quite nice.

-What is it, though?

It is kind of like a claw thing.

I think we are going to have trouble here. Shall we move on?

I think Mark's got his work cut out, don't you?

Now, the Red team's scatter-gun approach

has flushed out a pheasant of sorts, too.

There is a really sweet little thimble.

And I'm trying to think, for you guys, you want to make money,

and thimbles are such a collectable little market.

Now, it is not a fine metal, it's in brass.

But it is cloisonne enamelled,

which is a sort of raised field enamel,

so the brass has these little wire workings all over it

to create little mini sections.

And the sections are filled in with different colours of enamel,

and it has created this lovely feathered look of a pheasant's head.

And it is really cute. Now, it says 12.50 is the price.

And it says NT, which is "no trade".

-So, basically you're not getting any movement on that.

-Let's do it.

-Let's buy something.

-Well, we need to ask first,

because I think at 12.50, yes, it is super cheap,

but I'd love to see you guys haggle.

You know, I've been doing all the work here.

-I'd like to see you guys get...

-That's what I meant.

I'm not paying full price for it.

-Money man, I need you here because he needs kept in check.

-OK.

Before you know it, we'll be paying 18.

THEY LAUGH

You could have your hands full, too, Natasha.

The animal theme continues with the Blues.

It looks kind of industrial, doesn't it?

You know, that sort of angular look.

And I love the trunk.

-Don't you?

-The corrugated...

-Yes.

-There is a chip in there.

-Oh, yes, there is.

But I think you could get someone to just polish that down

so that it isn't noticeable.

-It's quite stylish, actually.

-It is.

-I like that.

-Maybe not for 85, if we get it down a bit.

-Especially with the chip.

Well, I really like it,

but I think we should try and get it for around about £50.

-What do you think?

-Yes, let's do that.

-Marianna, can you go and see what happens?

-Yes, definitely.

-Thank you.

So, with Marianna let loose, and Chris reined in,

will this mean a first purchase for both teams?

Would you do it for...

You've never met us before, nice little intro offer, how about £8?

I can't, I'm afraid.

But if it's going to help you out,

I'll take the £2.50 off and you can have it for ten.

-NICK:

-Let's do it. That works.

-STALLHOLDER:

-Are you happy with that?

-NICK:

-Deal?

-Thank you very much.

-Sometimes it feels good to break the rules.

-Absolutely.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

That's the Red's first buy, bang on 20 minutes.

I wonder if Marianna has fared as well.

Right, Pete, Mark.

-The lowest price they said would be 65...

-Oh!

-It's a bit...

-..which I think is a bit too much.

-What do you think?

-It's a shame. Why don't we leave it at the counter

and carry on shopping? Because there is a whole other side to the centre.

Mark's right, keep plugging away, Blues.

Chris, for the Reds, gets all technical.

So what is the sort of demographic at these auctions?

Is it a male or female audience?

It is totally mixed, but that's relatively new.

The auction houses used to be very male-dominated.

What about purchase behaviour?

You can't generalise, but do males and females operate the same way?

Many companies segment between the two.

Nick, I think I need your help here. Chris is sort of grilling me.

I think, let's not get bogged down in demographics,

let's just look for something that's interesting, valuable,

that's going to sell on the day.

We can't predict who's going to be there.

-Just being strategic, that's all.

-Let's keep looking, let's keep looking.

Well, you can't blame the boy for trying, can you?

With 30 minutes gone, our teams aren't exactly at panic stations,

but the Blues really need to get a purchase under their belt soon.

Now, the first thing we wanted to look at is this.

It is actually quite heavy. So how is it a money...

Oh, isn't that rather fun?

-That's smart.

-So, that does lift up.

It's quite nicely made, actually.

Would you like to have a little handle of it?

-It feels quite solid.

-Yes, it is quite solid.

-I like that.

-Do you want to look?

-Can I have a look?

-Do you like it, though?

-I like it.

-How much is it?

22, by the look of it.

-If we could have it for less...

-Is that allowed?

-Is that possible?

-Is that possible?

-Well, it's possible

-for me to ask the questions.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

Pete, you rather liked something as well, didn't you?

Yes, like a solid silver, tiny, little ice cream cone

caught my eye down here.

Looks like it's a screw cap as well.

Is this to put something in, or is this...?

-I don't know.

-Poison!

I've never, ever seen one. I think that's quite fun.

-STALLHOLDER:

-Do know what I think it is?

-I would love to know what you think it is.

I think it could be for a child to keep their loose teeth in.

-Oh, gosh!

-You put your tooth in there.

-How wonderful.

So you could give it as a christening gift.

Yeah, something...

-That is £44, though.

-What do you think about that?

-We are swapping boxes. Nice.

-Is it solid silver?

-Well, it says so.

-And it's hallmarked for Sheffield. 2002.

-It is quite "giftable".

Oh, "giftable". I'd tell you what, we've got "cabinety", "giftable".

I think we could go into partnership here.

You're wordsmiths as well as artistes.

Well, shall we find out the best price for each of the items,

-and then possibly the best price if we bought both items?

-Yes.

Yes, compare and contrast. Can't hurt.

What are we looking at here, what have you got?

So, according to the label, it's a 1970s unusual ice bucket.

OK, so let's have a look.

Do you want to open up the lid so we can see what it's like?

Leather on the lid, little horse finial.

-Antique it is not.

-I agree.

I'm just thinking, no-one is going to pay more than 20 quid for that.

OK. But what have I told you? It's only on for £16.

We've made a profit of £4.

NATASHA LAUGHS

That's 25%, Chris.

I'm just... Play big to win big, Nick, that's all I'm saying.

OK. He doesn't like it.

Chris' adventurous spirit is coming out now,

which could go one of two ways. How exciting.

Back with the Blues, Alex is back with an answer on the two items.

The money box, if you would like to take that on its own,

-it would be from £22 down to 17.

-Oh!

-The little ice cream cone, down from 44 to 35.

-Right.

Both together, the dealer will do them both for £45.

-I'm thinking of taking both.

-Yes, let's take both.

Then we'll have two items already,

-and we have plenty of time for the third one.

-I'm loving it.

-I'm very happy now.

-Would you like to shake Alex's hand?

-Thank you very much.

-STALLHOLDER:

-Deal.

-Fantastic, well done.

-Thank you.

Great work, team, that double deal leaves you with one last purchase

and 25 minutes to find it.

So, while our teams carry on shopping,

let me show you a few things where the old saying

"to speculate to accumulate" really applies.

Some of these shops are gorgeous.

Now, what we've got here is, on the face of it,

a pretty boring silver-plated frame.

Except it's got a feature which is attractive.

And that lock on the top, if I push it aside,

lifts a domed cover,

enabling you to put a decanter inside this thing.

Now, it is a high-quality object because the maker of the plated stand

is H & H, and that stands for Hukin & Heath,

the celebrated Birmingham silver and plate workers,

who made so many things for the great Dr Christopher Dresser.

Now, the problem with this thing is, it's got no decanter to go into it.

So, come to Hungerford and have a scratch around.

And if you are lucky, you can find a nice little decanter like that,

and joy of joy, the thing jolly nearly fits.

It doesn't quite, but all your silversmith has to do

is to slightly tweak the bar,

and that thing will sit flush on the floor

and be held tight on all four sides. And then of course the stopper,

which is a bit rough round the bottom, wants cutting off.

And then if that was refitted

so that it goes down another quarter of an inch,

that will mean that the domed top sits OK

and the whole thing fulfils its proper function.

So what is it going to cost you?

The vacant, unrestored frame is going to cost you £60.

And the decanter and stopper would cost you a further £18.

By the time you've paid the glass grinder and the silversmith,

the whole job has probably cost you £100.

And you get for it, as a jolly nice lockable tantalus,

I guess north of £200.

So think about it as a work in progress with investment potential.

But if you really want to make money,

what you should do is to come to a place like Hungerford

and get your eye peeled for a job like this.

What we've got here is a bit of amber blown glass.

The amusing bit is of course the metalwork here, which is

the cover with the beak and the eye and a little hinge at the back,

which opens like that.

And were you to fill this thing with some nice,

strong fortified liqueur,

after dinner, this is just the job to pass around.

And you would pour out a wee nip like that

for each of your guests and have a giggle while you're doing it.

Great.

The downside to the thing is that the metalwork is made of plate.

And I suspect, were this silver-plated mount to be restored,

you'd get, for this ducky-wuck, between £500 and £800.

What does it cost you today, here in Hungerford?

Well, it could be yours for £120.

How quackingly good is that?

Righto, back to the teams, and with less than 20 minutes left,

the Blues have £255 to spend on one final item.

Whereas the Reds have £290 with two items to find,

and the tension's building.

-You look so stressed.

-I am stressed out. I want to win.

-Don't stress!

There's just more cabinets!

I suggest I go and have a wee scoot around on my own

and you guys wanted to buy something bigger, didn't you?

Let's defer to your judgment.

-We'll get something bigger.

-And I'll find something smaller.

-We'll convene in the middle.

-Shall we do that?

-Let's do it.

We have shiny things already. I don't want shiny things any more.

Having made the decision to divide and conquer,

maverick Chris thinks he is on to a winner.

What have we got here?

I think that's got value.

-What's the condition like?

-Old.

-You can tell it from the glass.

-And musty.

-Does it say much about it?

It just says "outside vintage light".

-Still got the wires in.

-You could still connect it.

Let's put an offer in.

-Do we know if it's in working order?

-Go for 50 quid.

I wonder what Natasha would say about that, chaps.

Oh, this is going to light up our lives, Nick.

I'm not convinced, but let's hear what you've got to say about it.

-Well, it's Victorian style. It's not that old.

-Yep.

It's probably been up in somebody's garden, more likely than a street.

Mid-20th century, I imagine.

Obviously, it's been wired in and you can do that again

if you're good with electrics.

Get a qualified electrician, I have to tell you that.

That's all there is to it, really.

-I like it, but I don't want to pay £78 for it.

-78...

Would you sell it for 40 quid?

-The best I can do is phone the dealer and find out.

-OK.

I personally think this is a huge and wasteful gamble,

-but you're committed to it. Let's do it.

-Yeah. Let's phone the dealer.

-We'll see what she says.

-Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

I'm worried what damage they'll do going solo.

Blues, meanwhile, are making full use of Mark.

Now, most of these, I can see straight away are Victorian.

-Right.

-So they've got age to them.

-How about this one?

That's a lot more busy, but in a nice way.

-220.

-But that's 220.

-Oh, OK.

-That's why we liked it.

-We could afford it.

-We can afford it.

-Technically.

But it would be a large, large portion of what we have.

Only if it's, like, a very special box.

-I mean, it's a tea caddy.

-Yeah.

You've got the two sections there for your green and black tea.

-I see.

-It's lovely quality.

It's burr wood, burr walnut,

and then you've got the little decorative features as well.

How would you value that?

Erm, it's tricky, because the market is very, very realistic.

I think an auctioneer would estimate that at...

£80-£120.

-OK. Let's put it away.

-Yeah, let's leave that one for another day.

Good to hear that one of our teams, at least,

is listening to their expert.

OK, so, I have been in contact with the dealer.

The very best she's going to be able to do on this is £60.

I see some value in this.

I'm sceptical but I think with the time pressure we need to commit

to something and you've knocked quite a bit of the price, so...

-Told you I would.

-I'm with you.

-She's got a deal.

-Let's do it.

-Thank you very much.

-All right, cheers.

Well, a first for Bargain Hunt, eh?

They bought something without their expert.

With eight minutes left,

the Blues have found some more affordable boxes.

-So, show me what you've found.

-It's like a trio of boxes.

Well, let me just first dismiss the bottom one. It's Chinese.

It's of the most appalling quality and that's why it's only 10 quid.

-Yeah.

-The middle one is, I think, Japanese.

Yeah, I like the heaven and water dragon inlay. That's quite nice.

-I'm impressed. Are you impressed?

-I'm surprised.

-Surprised?

Well, I'm surprised and impressed.

And the other one is actually quite pretty.

Now, that is a proper antique and it's a little snuffbox.

Shall we have a look? See what happens?

Yes, do you want to go and get the key? I'll wait here for you.

-Yes, let's go and get the key. 47.

-Well done.

Be quick though, Blues. Now, I think it's time the Reds confessed all.

-Hello, Tasha.

-Hello, hi. Have you found anything?

-Found something.

-You found something?

-We have. We committed.

-Let's go and have a look.

-Well, we can't.

-When you say you're committed,

-does that mean that you've bought?

-Yep. Might have done.

-Might have done.

-I'm not laughing.

-What have you bought?

-The big guy's taking the flak for this one.

-What did you buy?

-We brought a vintage Victorian style...

-Vintage Victorian style?

-..outside lamp.

And how much did you pay for it?

It was up for offer for £78.

-Sounds expensive.

-OK.

-Yes, yes, it does.

-But I got it for 60.

-Sounds expensive.

-It still sounds expensive, doesn't it?

Well, whilst Natasha composes herself, Mark and his Blues

are hoping for better news - and they've found the dealer.

So, this is the first box.

-Which has got some sort of signature on the bottom.

-Ah, right.

-So, if you hold that, please.

-Thank you very much. Oh, that's heavy.

And then you've also got this one, the little papier mache box.

-It's quite plain.

-I mean the condition generally is good.

-What I quite like is... You see the rubbing here?

-Yeah.

That means somebody, over the years,

has had a jolly good time having snuff out of that.

And it is what it is. It's an early 19th century honest antique.

And the price is not a huge amount of money.

-No, it's 18.

-What is the absolute best price you can do?

-For you guys, two for £10.

-Both of them?

-Absolutely.

-For £10?

Considering that was 40 marked.

You have got an extremely decorative box and an antique box for £10.

-You can't say no to that.

-That is a bargain.

-That really is a bargain.

-I think you've just got to shake her hand.

-Yeah, for £10!

-Thank you so much.

-No problem.

-You've made the day.

-Good luck.

Maybe it was the cut-price deal,

but Blues prove they do like cabinety things after all.

That's you guys done and dusted with four minutes left.

Did you hear that, Reds?

This little brooch at the back here is really cute.

It's an early 20th-century brooch and it's in brass.

What do you think?

We've got about three minutes left. So, should I go and ask about it?

-You hate it? You hate it.

-Yeah. I want to go and get my Ottoman jug.

If you're going to make a ridiculous decision,

I'm going to make a ridiculous decision.

-Are you buying an Ottoman jug?

-Yeah.

-I really need some faith now. Are you sure?

-Yes, guys.

-This is the one here...

-Ah, that's the one.

OK, that doesn't freak me out.

..which I think's a wine jug.

-So, this one is 19th-century Westerwald.

-Oh, so it is German.

But the influence is very much Persian Ottoman Empire.

On the design.

-This is what they used to do, right?

-Fair.

-You get your wine in here.

-Get a wine glass out, guys. And there we go.

-Fill up my cup.

Pouring in there. And that's how we use them.

Do you know what? You make it look so good.

Do we have any marks, cracks, chips?

-Horrible things?

-It looks in pretty good condition.

It looks all right to me.

It's an amalgamation of lots of different European designs, isn't it?

I think that we should go for it

cos we have about 90 seconds left. And what's the price on it?

The price is £48.

-Try and get it for...

-Let's try £30.

-Try 25.

-Let's try £30.

-25!

-Let's be realistic.

-Let's try something.

No time for discussion, fellas. Make that deal.

So, we found this, what we believe to be a wine jug.

It says 19th-century.

We really like the look of it.

-We think it's overpriced.

-OK.

-We want to give you...£25.

-OK.

Let me find out. I have to make a phone call.

We've only got about 50 seconds left.

So, can we make a judgment call and probably pitch a little bit higher?

I would say that...

'10 seconds, Reds!'

-10 seconds do go. Can we do 35?

-35 quid.

-You've got to shake on it.

-OK.

-Five, four, three, two, one.

BELL RINGS

That's it. Time's up.

What was that? What was that?

We've come away with three amazing items right on time.

SHE SIGHS

Down to the wire.

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

The modern cloisonne thimble shaped like the head of a pheasant

was rounded up for a pleasant £10 note.

Much to Natasha's surprise,

the boys paid £60 for the 20th century coaching lamp.

They called time on their shop with a £35 purchase

of the German stoneware wine jug.

With a hole in it.

Well, you're cheeky chappies, aren't you?

-Thank you, I guess.

-We've been called worse.

-I know.

But who goes off buying stuff without their expert knowing?

Well, it was pressure, but I wanted to trust myself.

I've been told to have confidence in myself.

-I couldn't doubt myself then, could I?

-I don't know.

Anyway, which of your pieces is your favourite thing, Chris?

-Well, I'm absolutely sticking with the lamp.

-High re-sell potential.

-Someone will find a use for it. Trust me.

-OK, Nick.

How do you feel about all of this?

I'm not happy about the lamp.

-I'm not going to lie to him.

-You're not?

My job was to rein him in and I feel like I've failed.

Don't worry about it. This is not something to take personally.

Which is your favourite piece? Not the lamp?

No, for me it's the wine jug. I stick by the decision.

-Will it bring the biggest profit, Nick?

-I think so.

I think we've got £10, £20 in there

and that's probably the best we can hope for.

I'm confident, as you can tell.

And clearly very happy. You've spent how much in to-to?

We spent £105.

-Please may I have £195 of leftover lolly?

-Will do.

-Very good.

-Might need to count it.

-No, I won't, mate.

Natasha will count it soon enough. When she gets round the corner!

Have you got a plan now as to how you're going to spend all this cash?

A little bit. These guys, cheeky as they were,

they asked lots of questions about antiques

and were really keen to learn.

So, I'm going to try and hone in

on a couple of the things you were asking about

and see if I can buy something on which we can make some money.

Well, wouldn't that be lovely? Good luck with that.

Right now, though, why don't we check out what the Blue team bought, eh?

Their double deal saw them plump

for a novelty coal scuttle money box for £15.

And a novelty pillbox in the shape of an ice cream cone, bought for £30.

Another double by saw them get two 19th-century boxes for £10.

Well, I say, I say, I say.

Nice little dash around with Mark Stacey. What could be nicer?

-How much did you spend in total?

-55.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-The boxes.

-Boxes are your favourite?

-Yes.

-OK, fine. Do you agree with that, Pete?

-I like the little ice cream. The solid silver ice cream.

-OK.

-That was fun.

-Is it going to bring the biggest profit?

No, the boxes will.

-I think the boxes will.

-So, could I have the leftover lolly, please?

£245 of leftover lolly.

I don't think I've taken quite as much as that, actually,

for quite some time.

But Mark Stacey's face is lighting up like a national cash register.

-It's a lot of money, though.

-Isn't it?

I hope you're going to go and spend the lot, Mark Stacey.

-Well, I think I'm in the mood for gambling them.

-Really?

-Are you happy, kids?

-Yeah, definitely.

Relax up, because we're about to head off to the auction

in Greenham Common. Ooh-ah!

Well, how lovely is this?

I get my chance to sit next door to my friend Thomas Plant.

-How are you, Tom?

-I'm very well.

-It's a pleasure to sit next to you.

-Well, thank you.

Anyway, as far as the Reds are concerned,

the first item is this cloisonne thimble.

It only cost £10, and Natasha was very cute to find that,

I think, for a £10 note.

Well, we've looked at it.

It's got good colours.

It's a novelty thimble and thimbles are collectable -

-£20-£30.

-OK, fine.

Now, what about that coaching lamp,

that actually is a modern light fitting, but in the old style?

-Yeah.

-Is that any good?

-Oh, I love it,

because it's big, it's bold,

and if you're looking for something to put on the side of your house...

-Yeah.

-..in a courtyard.

And they're very expensive things to buy new, aren't they?

-Hundreds.

-Yes.

-Hundreds of pounds. It's a bit of a pub piece.

-Yeah.

Some pub refurb, they ripped it out.

And I think it's heavy enough, which could be a sign of quality.

-What have you estimated it at?

-£60-£100.

-Have you really?

Oh, brave man.

-Well, only brave because they are so expensive to buy new.

-OK, fine.

-Well, £60 was paid.

-Oh, well.

-Chris loved it.

The million-dollar question, really,

is this bit of German salt-glazed stoneware.

Very much in the 15th, 16th-century style. I mean, I rather like it.

-Do you like the stuff?

-I think it's delightful.

I've never seen a circular one.

-How much do you think it's worth?

-£40-£60.

£35 paid, and I think £40-£60 is frankly cheap enough.

I think it's worth £100, this thing.

If we're lucky - wind behind us.

So, overall, it looks to me as if the Reds have done good,

and they're unlikely to need their bonus buy,

but let's go and have a look at it anyway.

OK, chaps. You spent a miserable £105.

You gave your expert £195.

What did you spend it on, Natasha?

Well, I'm careful to hold it this way

because it's a horseshoe shape, and I want the luck to run in.

-Oh, wow.

-And this is quite, I guess,

a cheap and cheerful version of a nice silver vesta case.

It's in brass.

It's a horseshoe, and again, careful to hold it this way up,

and it's got a nice leather body, and here is the striker.

-You've got your matches inside and you strike them on the body.

-Yeah.

It's all just very quite gentlemanly and lovely. Have a feel.

-Tell me what you think.

-Let's have a little look.

Yeah, I like it. I mean,

we talked about the fact that we're in Newbury.

There might be some horse-racing fans. We've got a horseshoe.

That's positive. How much did you pay?

I only paid £15 for it, so, I mean, it's not going to break the bank.

You had £195.

-I did, Tim. I'm so sorry.

-SHE LAUGHS

No, it's a good wee thing.

Realistically, how much profit do you think this is going to make?

It's marginal, right. It could make 20, 25. That would be good.

-It's not going to make a huge sum.

-Well, there you go.

Just think about it, chaps, because right now, we're going to find out

whether the auctioneer finds it as lucky as we hope it will be.

Now, is this your lucky vesta case or not, Tom?

Well, it is in the shape of a horseshoe.

Novelty in its shape.

-I don't mind it.

-Mmm.

-I think the leather's been put on there.

-Do you?

-Oh, right.

-The leather has been put on.

-Jollied up a bit.

But on the other hand, it is a novelty,

-so what do you think it's worth?

-Very collectable. £30-£50.

Well, there you go. Hasn't Natasha done well? £15 paid.

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

the novelty brass coal-scuttle moneybox.

Well, it is a novelty moneybox.

-There's not much of a reservoir in there for your money.

-No.

-So it would have to be gold sovereigns.

-OK.

-What's it worth?

-£30-£50.

-OK, £15 paid.

-It's very sweet.

-Very sweet.

Next is the rather nice, modern, novelty ice cream cone.

That's a weird thing, isn't it?

It's so strange but it is silver. It's silver-gilded.

It's delightful.

What one would do with it I have no idea.

-What's it worth?

-30-50.

-OK, £30 paid so that's all right.

-Oh.

And their last little groupage

is the white-metal Japanese box and cover,

and then a little snuffbox.

You've got two late 19th, early 20th-century boxes -

-one for cigarettes, one for snuff.

-Mm-hmm.

The decoration of the cranes.

-They're great internet lots.

-Yeah.

-£40-£60. £20 a box.

-OK, £10 paid.

-Well...

-Haven't they done well?

-Mark's done very well.

Anyway, there's a vast wodge of leftover lolly drifting about.

Let's find out what Mark Stacey spent it all on.

Now, Marianna, Pete,

have you any idea what Mark Stacey has bought you as a bonus buy?

-No.

-No.

-No?

-Not a clue.

-No.

Well, Mark, surprise us all.

This is it.

-I mean, you...

-Ooh.

..gave me £245 cos you'd spent so little,

and I've spent a whopping £160 on this commemorative St Leger mug.

But it's a mug!

But it's a collectable mug.

What Marianna means is, "Why?"

I think there's a lot of racing enthusiasts out there,

and these are quite unusual,

and it's got all the details of the jockeys and, you know,

their times and the weights of the horse - all that sort of stuff.

I guess Newbury is an apt place for this kind of thing.

-You've got a point.

-Well, yes, we've got a racecourse, as you know,

so I think it's got a chance, I suppose.

Yeah, it's a bit damaged, but, I mean, it's old.

Well, it's 1876.

How much can you see it going for?

I mean, I would like to see it going for a couple of hundred,

but what I like and what's going to happen

-is two separate things, of course.

-Yeah.

What are the odds against that happening, Mark?

I think it's quite significant.

-Well...

-I don't think it's an odds-on favourite.

It just depends on how desperate you are, team,

but right now, for the audience at home, let's find out

whether the auctioneer is prepared to take a punt.

Well, Tom, I know you're keen on the sport of kings.

When it comes to a sporting commemorative mug,

it's a very specialist field,

and only horse-racing people would be interested.

Therefore, one has to be cautious of valuation.

The St Leger stakes at Doncaster -

this is the oldest of the big five races we have in this country.

-Really?

-Yeah.

And to have the first 100 years recorded on that mug

-in transfer print...

-I think it's an absolutely delightful thing.

Got a bit of damage.

Well, wouldn't you, if you were, sort of, from 1876?

Yeah, exactly. What do you think it's worth, Tom?

Well, I've been really mean and said £30-£50.

-How much?

-£30-£50.

Mark has invested £160 in this.

-Yeah, that's a lot of money.

-I mean, how mean have you been?

Well, I... The thing is,

-this has been online for three weeks.

-Has it?

-I haven't had any interest in it.

-Have you not?

-No.

Well, it's a high-risk thing.

Maybe the team who only spent £55

won't go with a £160 object,

which might be the best advice, but we'll find out in a minute -

such is the richness and fun of Bargain Hunt.

Anyway, thank you very much, Tom,

and we'll look forward to seeing you in action on the rostrum.

-I'll do my best.

-Thank you.

£10 requested. Any advance at 10?

25 against you all and I sell at £25.

So, how do you see things going on today, Nick? Are you confident?

I'm confident in certain items,

-and I'm not confident in others.

-Yeah.

What about you? What about you, Chris?

I have confidence in myself in most aspects of life.

-This, yeah, I'm failing myself, with this one.

-This is new territory.

-This is new territory.

-OK, fine.

Coming up is your thimble, and here it comes now.

At £10 it is we start.

At £10. Any advance at 10?

At 10, lady's bid. Is there 12 anywhere else?

At 10, we've got.

-For the thimble at £10.

-Come on.

-12.

-There we are.

15.

15, gentleman's bid, all done.

-15.

-OK.

-£15.

-It is £15.

-Well done. £15 is plus £5.

-Well done.

Now, what's going to happen with the oil lamp?

Good lot, and start me here at £40.

Any advance on 40? 40 I have. 45 now online.

-OK, we're in.

-No way.

45 it is. Is there 50 anywhere else?

-Come on.

-Come on.

-Is there 50? 45 we've got online.

Any advance at 50?

Think of this in your courtyard.

-Get 50.

-Come on, come on...

-We need this.

-We do.

45, I've got once. 45...

50 now. 50, I have in front.

At 50, here in front at 50.

Five. 60, sir? Go on, one more.

-Come on.

-Go on. Come on.

No, 55, I have. I've tried.

I've done my best.

-Really, 55.

-£55.

-Listen, that's minus £5.

-So excited.

You had £5 profit.

You've just had £5 loss.

At the moment you have absolutely nothing.

-OK?

-We were expecting worse. We were expecting worse.

-Here comes the wine jug.

-I absolutely adore this.

35, 45, I have with me.

-My bid takes me to £45.

-We're in.

-It's in profit.

-Any advance at 45?

-Keep going.

-At 45, I have.

-Come on.

-Come on.

-Get us some money.

45. Is there 50 anywhere in the room?

45, I have on my book here. 45.

£45 is plus £10. That is so cool.

-You are overall plus £10.

-OK.

Now, what are you going to do about this vesta case business?

-Do it.

-Let's go for it.

-Do it.

-It's the bonus buy.

We're selling this bonus buy and here it comes right now.

Lot 230 - an early 20th-century vesta case.

Start me at 20.

At 22, I've got online.

22, it's online already.

-Is there are five anywhere else?

-Oh, Tasha...

22, we have an online bidder, at £22.

Surely there must be... And five, I've got. Room bidder at 25.

-You want 25 plus.

-In the room at 25. All done at 25.

Internet's still interested.

25, and 8 now. 28 it is, at 28.

30 now with a nod.

At 30, I have in the room.

At £30 in the room, all done.

Internet's out at 30. Once, twice...

-£30.

-£30 is a profit...

-Thank you.

-Tasha, couldn't have done it without you.

-Well done. Group hug.

-Get in, guys. I'm so emotional.

-Wow, that was great.

It sold for £30, which is a £15 profit,

which means, overall, you are £25 up.

How good's that?

-£25 we didn't have.

-Excellent. Amazing.

-Thank you, Tasha.

-Thank you so much.

-Really brave.

-You can thank me later, as well.

-Chris, well done,

it wasn't as disastrous as I thought.

Added a thrill to it, mate. Added a thrill.

£25 - that could be a winning score.

-Say nothing to the Blues, OK?

-Thank you.

-Thank you, Tim.

-Well done. Thank YOU very much.

-You regret nothing.

-So, this is fun, isn't it?

-I wouldn't call it fun.

-What?

-You don't think it's fun?

-I could call it fun.

-I'm very nervous.

-Are you? Why are you so nervous?

I don't know.

-I've never been to an auction before.

-Oh, I see.

Do you think you're going to do very badly? Is it the fear of the shame?

I don't know, I think it's...

I'm feeling hopeful about this.

-Are you?

-I am.

-Yeah.

-OK.

The first item is the novelty moneybox, and here it comes.

It's a lovely lot this one,

so start me here at £20.

£20 for the novelty coal-scuttle moneybox here.

-At £20. At £20.

-Come on.

Any advance at 20?

£20, ladies and gents, £20.

Any advance at 20?

-No bids at 20.

-No bids.

-Oh, 20, I've got... In front at £20.

-Come on.

Surely there must be more at £20.

Lady's bid has it at 20.

Any advance at 20?

Maiden bid, then, at 20.

-20, it is.

-That is plus £5.

-Oh, yeah.

-That is a good start.

-Excellent.

-It's a good start. Good start.

-It's going to go...

-Ice cream, ice cream.

-It's hit the right note.

-Come on, ice cream cone.

-Now, come on, pillbox.

-Next lot is 244 -

modern, silver-and-gilt

novelty pillbox,

modelled as an ice cream and cone.

Start the bidding with me at £20.

In a good presentation box here, at £20, at £20.

At 20. At 20, we have.

£20, at 20.

15, then. 15 against you.

15, 18...

20. Go on, one more, sir.

20, I have there in the corner. £20.

Is there any advance on 20? Nothing online but 20 we've got.

We got there in the end.

Any advance at £20? Done.

-£20, it is.

-£20 is minus £10, which means you're minus £5.

-Ah...

-OK, now, here's the box.

-No, that's cool.

-This was always going to be the money-maker, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-Here's the box.

-All-over bronze box and cover

with embossed crane design, and the dragons,

and also, a 19th-century lacquered snuffbox itself, as well.

Start me, here, at £30.

Start me here at £30.

At £30 for the two boxes.

Any advance at 30?

20 to get us going.

20 to get us going for the two boxes.

That's a tenner each. Surely, ladies and gentlemen.

We've got 22 online already.

-Oh.

-We've got 22 online already.

Is there a five anywhere else?

22, we have. At £22, it is at 22.

Once at 22 online.

Twice at 22 online...

-£22 it is.

-22 is plus 12.

That is so cool. You were minus 5 but you are now plus 7.

-How about that?

-Plus

-7. Plus 7.

-It's a profit.

So what are we going to do about the old mug, then?

-Are you going to go with the Leger?

-It's a slow room.

-We might just...

-Pass.

-Yeah.

-OK, you're not going with the bonus buy...

-No.

But we're going to sell the bonus buy anyway and here it comes.

The 19th-century pottery commemorative mug.

I can start the bidding, with bids already on the book at £35.

35, we have online.

At 35, we have online, already.

£35. Is there any advance at 35?

35, it's all online. Once...

50 at the far back over there.

At 50 with a wave.

Internet's out at 50.

At £50. Is there any advance at 50?

All done at £50, once...

£50, twice... All done.

-50, it is.

-£50, it is.

You made the right choice.

Minus 110 and you didn't do it,

so you're plus 7.

-Oh!

-Now, listen, £7 could be a winning score,

-so don't say a word to the Reds.

-No.

-OK?

-Yeah.

There's something glorious about having a programme where

-you have two teams of winners, isn't it?

-Oh.

-Oh.

Both teams today will go home with cash.

It's just a question of the scale of the winnings, for a change.

-Been chatting about the scores, have we?

-No.

-No.

-No, you haven't.

-Sensible.

Very sensible. So this is going to be a complete surprise,

when I reveal that the runners-up today are, sadly,

the Blues. THEY GROAN

-Oh, yes!

-But don't burst into tears,

because you're going home with £7, and that,

on this programme, is an achievement. Well done, indeed.

Have you had a lovely time?

-Yes.

-Yes, very much so.

-Lovely time.

-You have.

And what a way to finish, eh, going home with £3.50 each?

-Yes.

-Now, it's been great having you on the show.

I hope you have enjoyed it cos we've loved having you on the programme.

-Thank you.

-Anyway, great, good stuff,

but the boys are going home with £25, which is good stuff, isn't it?

-Very good stuff, Tim.

-OK, there's the £25.

-Thank you so much.

-We feeling good about that?

-Very good.

-Very proud of myself.

-Are you, Chris? Yeah.

I'm very appreciative of Tasha and somewhat proud of Nick.

Well, Nick, don't take the rub there, mate,

cos it's a 50-50 effort, isn't it?

Well, I think we know my item made a profit, Tim.

I'm happy with that. The lamp only just lost out so it wasn't too bad.

Exactly. I think everyone's a winner here. In fact, I congratulate you.

-Thank you very much, Tim.

-It's been great. Great fun.

Now, take a bird's eye at our website

and join us soon for some more bargain-hunting. Yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!

-Be proud.