Oswestry 24 Bargain Hunt

From Newbury to Edinburgh.

Belfast to Builth Wells.

Bargain Hunt travels around the country challenging

teams to find a bargain.

Well, here's a little challenge for you at home. Riddle me this -

Rivers without water. Forests without trees.

Towns without houses. Whatever can it be?

It is of course...

a map.

Man's navigational aid for centuries.

And today's journey starts right here. So...

let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

More than 200 stalls occupy this former military training ground

in Oswestry and our teams have just one hour and £300 to bag

themselves a bargain.

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

The Reds can't seem to find anything they like.

I don't like that.

I don't like opals, a sign of tears.

You just confuse me!

The Blues are charming their way to the top.

Just look at that face!

My flirting is working!

And it's a rollercoaster of an auction.

-We've got a bidder!

-I don't believe this!

-Yes!

-Yes!

On today's show, some mothers do 'ave 'em -

we have two mothers and two daughters.

For the Reds, we've got Margaret and Alison,

and for the Blues we have Kate and Julie.

-Hello, everyone! ALL:

-Hello!

Hello, hello. Now, Alison, you're rather a busy bee, I'm told.

-I am indeed.

-Surrounded by children.

I know, I've ended up with three children of my own and I'm a

health visitor working with children from 0-5, about 300 of them!

Enough to drive you mad, I'd say.

It drives me quite mad!

But you're supposed to be, apart from all these other things,

-a soccer mother.

-I am indeed.

My two boys both joined football teams,

so yeah, I'm on the sidelines every weekend when they're playing.

Now, Margaret, tell me, darling, most people have one job,

but you've had about 30.

What sort of jobs have you done?

I've worked in a lot of places, from part-time working in shops,

and then in offices, in hospitals, in a library...

-And now you're semi-retired.

-I am.

OK, what's this about you crying when you met Mickey Mouse?

-Yes. Um...

-Did you really?

-It's perfectly true, yes.

When I was 50, we went to America.

One of the tours was to go to Disneyland,

and I took one look at him and he came towards me and he went...

-And I just burst into tears!

-Did you really?

-Because it was Mickey Mouse!

-Was it?

-It really was Mickey Mouse!

-And he was so nice to you, this man in this suit?

-He was abso...

-No, it was really Mickey Mouse!

-It was Mickey Mouse.

-Yeah.

-I'd grown-up with him and it really was him.

-Moving.

-Moving.

So moving on quickly, then, what do you girls collect?

I used to collect, when I lived on my own,

like, quite vintage stuff.

I used to have quite a few vintage typewriters and office stuff

and old abacuses and things like that.

Yeah. For me, it was china and old glass. Things like that.

-So you'll be after a right mixture today.

-Yes, we will.

-Yes.

-Good.

-Well, that'll be fun. Good luck with it.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Thank you, girls.

-Now, Kate, you're a student.

-I am.

-A bit of an adrenaline junkie.

So what do you get up to to get your fix?

Well, I've done skydiving, wing-walking

and I'm currently looking at swimming with sharks.

I'm just anything adrenaline, I'm up for it.

But now you're in a much safer environment.

I am. I'm a student at the Uni of Liverpool, doing business.

-So it's all about business for you, then?

-Yes.

-Yes, fantastic.

-Now, Julie, you own a hotel.

-Yes, that's right.

Which you combine with your passion for jazz.

Yes, that's right. Yes, we have a lot of jazz weekends.

It's in Southport and people come from all over,

and my passion is jazz.

I've been to New Orleans several times

and I love all the mementos, anything jazz.

So, um, how are you two going to get on money comes to shopping?

Are you going to fall out or get on?

-No, I think we've got our tactics, haven't we?

-What are your tactics?

Flirting?

-Oh, flirting!

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-She does a good flutter.

-Does she?

Oh, yes, look at that!

That'll work a miracle, I tell you. I feel £10 coming off immediately.

-Exactly.

-Here comes the £300.

300 smackers. Thank you very much. £300. You know the rules.

Your experts await and off you go! And very, very good luck.

Gosh, what a fun this is going to be.

She's got all the moves to get the Reds out of checkmate.

It's Anita Manning.

And the Blues will be having a jolly old time with laughing

antique man, Richard Madley.

Well, girls, we've got 300 quid. What do we want to buy?

World War II things really interest me,

so maybe some World War II artefacts or...

-Jewellery.

-Jewellery!

-You're girls after my own heart.

Anything jazz. New Orleans, anything at all.

-And silver.

-I think, yes, some silver.

-Maybe we can find a voodoo doll, pins to the Red team.

-Oh, OK!

Right, teams, your 60 minutes starts now.

BELL RINGS

Let's go! Yeah!

-Come with me!

-Absolutely.

OK, there's some cracking bits over there, girls.

We might find shiny, sparkly...

This is the sort of stall that might just have something that

will catch your eye.

-The girls like shiny and sparkly.

-Jewellery.

What's that? Is that a crochet hook there?

It's for buttoning up your boots.

-Oh, is it?

-Uh-huh.

In Victorian times, when you had the boots with little buttons on.

-OK.

-You would hook your boot... the button on it and pull it.

-Wow!

So - Victorian. So what do you think about that?

Would that make any money?

-It wouldn't get a lot of money.

-OK.

But you're going in the right direction, girls.

Heading in a very different direction are the Blues.

Surely that's not a voodoo doll, is it? What are the chances, eh?

-Oh, my word!

-Straightaway!

-What do you think?

-What do you think?

I've got no idea! What is it?

Well... It's clearly from New Orleans, from the French Quarter.

Absolutely, Bourbon Street, yeah.

Er, I'm not sure about that, Julie.

I can't see much French amongst this lot, can you?

Do you think we should perhaps ask the owner? Because he is more

likely to know more about this than you, me or all of us put together.

-OK.

-Would you like me to have a word with him?

-Oh, please!

-Yes thank you!

-Leave that with me.

-Thank you.

Good idea, Richard.

Now, how the Reds getting on? They haven't moved far.

-Is that a pencil?

-It is silver, girls. It's sterling silver.

-It's probably from the 1920s, 1930s.

-OK.

-OK.

And you've got this sort of machined pattern here.

Which is looking to the Art Deco period,

-so it's quite nice.

-Yeah.

-Let's ask our dealer.

-Could you come and... We're quite interested in this.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-What sort of price is that?

-I've got 15 on it, but I'll come down to 10.

-All the small leads are in there.

-Are they to go in it?

-Oh, right!

That's another tenner, though, that.

ALL EXCLAIM

-HE MUMBLES

-Shall we go for it?

-Yes, definitely.

-What do you think, girls?

-Yes, definitely.

-Is that shiny?

Yes, shiny, shiny!

-Thank you!

-Thank you, my darling.

-OK, we're going for that one.

-That's fabulous.

-Well, you girls don't hang about!

-No! No point hanging about.

-Go for it!

-Absolutely.

-OK, we've got shiny.

-Shall we have a try at sparkly next?

-Yes!

-Sparkly next.

Onwards and upwards.

Good work, Reds - one bought in the first ten minutes.

This is going to be a walk in the park, surely.

Meanwhile, the Blues are pursuing one of the strangest things I've

ever seen at a fair.

Could you give me

some idea of what you think it is in terms of age and origin?

Yes, it's from West Africa.

The old Belgian Congo. Probably '30s, maybe '20s.

And it's a good luck charm, funnily enough.

Oh, good luck charm!

It sat outside the hut

and visitors would hammer a nail in to leave the bad luck outside.

Aha! Right, OK.

-So he had a number of visitors.

-Yes, he was quite a popular chap.

He was indeed!

Not so much a voodoo doll at all.

Now, you've got a price tag on it of £145.

-I actually paid a fair bit for it.

-Did you?

Would you take £100 for it?

-No, the best I could do is 115, I think.

-Would you take 113?

13 being good luck and you said it brings good luck.

-13 would bring me good luck.

-Go on, then.

-So he's going to bring us good luck at the auction.

-Exactly!

Good luck at the auction, that's right.

-We need it.

-Good flirting, girls.

On the other side of the fair, the Reds are not quite so decisive.

Oh, here we go. Over we go.

Nothing, really.

I don't like opals, a sign of tears.

No, I don't like that.

I was looking at that horse one.

It'd appeal to people who are into horses. I'm not.

-That looks quite pretty. What period would that be from?

-1950s.

-We're thinking of this. So how much...

-120.

-Ohhhh!

Ohhh...

That'll be a no, then!

-OK.

-Yes. Off we go, off we go.

Now, there was a mention early on of military.

Was that just because you like soldiers or sailors?

Well, at the hotel, my mum does

war-themed afternoons, so we're always collecting war things.

It just interests me, so...

Oh, so a stall like this might just have something on that

-sort of theme.

-Definitely.

-Hopefully something will catch my eye.

-Something might.

-Do you want to go and have a look?

-Yep.

-Go on, then, let's go and have a look.

-Thank you.

Right, so it's military they're after, eh, Richard?

In these dressing table sets,

the one thing that sells well is the hand mirror.

It's not militaria, though, Richard.

-What actually is this made up?

-This is silver.

-Oh, right!

This is embossed silver.

-So, floral decoration and it's centred with a chrysanthemum.

-Oh!

That's Mum's lucky flower!

-Chrysanthemums, I love anything like that.

-Mum's lucky flower! Well!

We have to have it.

Well, yes.

It is rubbed, but I think that has been reflected in the price,

the asking price of £30.

But if it was priced at £30, and using your special techniques of...

negotiating...

..we might find that it's something that could go

onto our list as a potential buy.

OK. Let me just have a little think.

Would you take £20 for this?

-25...

-I mean, just look at that face.

Just look at that face!

-No, it's not that good!

-£20.

-Evil!

-£20.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

You are! £20.

-Go on.

-Look at that.

RICHARD LAUGHS I'll never wash that face again!

# Let there be love. #

I say! That's some skill.

Two items bought, using just a touch of feminine charm.

Now for something charming I found in Oswestry.

One of the fun things to keep your eye open for

when shopping in a fair like this, in Oswestry, are items of memorabilia.

Here are two invitations to

two completely separate parties.

The lower one says in French,

that the ambassador invites

Colonel and Mrs Lloyd to a ball

on Friday 12th of August 1814.

And if you do a little bit of research,

you'll find that the ambassador to France at that moment is no other

person than, of course, the Duke of Wellington.

The Duke of Wellington fought

what he thought was his final battle

of the Napoleonic campaign on 10 April 1814.

Bonaparte was out,

banished to Elba, and the war, they thought, was over.

And this little slip of paper

at the bottom records what would have

been the new ambassador's first entertainment in Paris to the public.

Amazing, isn't it?

But what about the invitation up above?

It clearly says the Duke of Wellington

and he's inviting another Lloyd couple,

on 26 May 1815.

Of course, Napoleon scooted back from Elba.

He's raised his army

and he's threatening the rest of the world to further combat by gathering

his troops on the French border with a view to invading Belgium.

It was the importance of those events in 1814 and 1815

that persuaded the original owner of these invitations not

to throw them away, that they should be kept.

Because in the future they would be of historic interest and importance.

What would such an object be likely to be worth?

I would guess, without doing any more research, that these two invitations

are likely to be worth say between £300 and £400, were they to be sold.

What would they cost you here today in Oswestry in a field

in a hideous frame?

They could be yours for £15.

Ooh la-la!

Back to bargain-hunting with less than half an hour to go.

The jazzy Blues have already bought two,

but the Reds are trailing with only one item in the bag.

So crack that whip, Anita!

-Girls, you've got to...

-ALL: Focus, focus, focus!

-Wow!

-Focus!

-How can I focus when there's all this?

-I know.

Wow!

-I'm putting a feast in front of you!

-I know!

-Temptation!

-Temptation. It's beautiful!

Have a wee look first of all and see if there's anything that...

-OK.

-..you fall in love with.

OK, OK.

Can you see this, there?

That little filigree... That one. That's the one.

-DEALER: The little gold cameo?

-Yeah.

I'm not normally drawn to cameos, but I think that's...

What do you think, Anita?

-That's lovely. It's an Edwardian piece.

-Oh, is it?

-Oh, right, OK.

-Nine carat gold chain. And pendant.

-That's right.

-OK.

-You've got a lot of gold content there, girls.

-OK.

What's your price on that one?

Your very, very bestest price.

Well, I have got £100 on it but I will do it for 75.

I think, Margaret, that you've made a nice choice there.

Alison, tell me what you think.

It's OK. You know, I don't mind it at all.

It's not grabbing me, but I'll go with it, you know.

Mother and daughter disagreeing, eh? Now, that's unusual(!)

Meanwhile, the Blues are still on the hunt for militaria.

So, do you have these sort of things on display in your hotel in Southport?

Yes, we do, and it's just lovely when the old people come

and they see all the memorabilia. And it's all authentic.

It's all real things.

So that's why it's been a treat this afternoon coming

and seeing all these wonderful things.

And hopefully Kate will be able to get something a bit more

military than a hand mirror!

It is Kate's turn now.

I feel that it is now your turn to buy something.

Anything that catches your eye there?

Well, I play the clarinet, so that caught my eye.

-You play the clarinet?

-I do.

I've played with Acker Bilk,

who's, like, the most famous clarinettist in the world.

-You played with Acker Bilk?

-I have, yes.

-Wow!

-At the hotel, actually.

You've been hiding your light under a bushel.

However, we have got to focus our attention on buying one final lot.

Oh, I've seen a clock further down which I quite liked,

so maybe have another look at it.

So what about the militaria, then? Oh, I give up.

And the Reds aren't singing from the same hymn sheet either.

-Amethyst.

-Amethyst.

-Oh, that's pretty.

-This stone is amethyst.

-Or it might be an amethyst glass.

-Is it missing a little pearl there?

It's missing a wee seed pearl there.

What would be your best on that?

-Well, in view of the fact it needs a pearl, 65.

-Got two here.

We've got the little cameo and seed pearl one

and we've got the other amethyst and seed pearl one.

-They're both nine carat gold.

-I might see something...

She might see something else she likes!

I think the time might actually run out.

Right, I'm going to make a decision. We're going for that one.

That's it. That's it, Mum. That's the one you want.

-Which one did we go for?

-The one you like best. Come on.

-The one you liked.

-The one you like the best.

Yes. You... You are some girl!

You are some girl!

-I like it!

-Yes. Right decision, that one.

-£75, thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank goodness for that!

Second item bought!

-What do you think?

-You did not too badly there.

BOTH TALK AT ONCE

I liked Miss Definite here. I think that you did very well.

-So that was another nice item.

-OK.

-But we must stay focused.

We've very little time for our last item, so let's head up that way.

This way. OK.

Well said, Anita. There's actually only 15 minutes to go.

I like the look of this clock.

And what is it about this particular clerk clock that your fancy?

I just really liked the marble effect

and the two pieces that came with it.

Obviously, I'm of the younger age category

and I think it's a bit more modern, in my opinion.

And I just really like it.

Now, these clock sets are of relatively modern manufacture.

-Is that a correct assumption?

-No, they are genuine Deco ones.

-They're genuine Deco ones.

-We bought them from Belgium last week.

And it comes with the garniture - it's the whole set, isn't it?

Yeah. It's the whole set, the complete set and the key as well.

-A key as well!

-A key as well, yes.

Pricewise, I can see a price tag of £100 on it.

-That's right, yes.

-Indeed.

I'm going to hand this over now to my friend...

Hello.

Erm, well, obviously, it's priced at £100

but we're on a really tight budget at the moment.

Are you able to do near the £50 mark?

-No way I could get near £50.

-What's the best price you could do?

I could do 80 on it.

-Hm...

-It's very difficult to find a set like that with a key

-and with the two side pieces, as well.

-What about 70?

-I can't do 70.

-Do 75.

-In the middle? 75?

-75, yes. I could do that.

-OK. Thank you.

There we go. That was quick. OK. We've bought all three lots.

-We have. That's great.

-Result!

-Result!

-Result! Result!

Result. Thank you.

Well, I never did, Blues. That was precision purchasing,

all three items bought with ten minutes to spare.

What about the Reds, then, eh?

No! Not another button hook.

This is your mum's desire. To get a big...

-I've got a button hook in my brain!

-Button hook?

-It depends on the price.

-Which is totally useless in today's world.

It depends on the price. We are running out of money.

They are Chester.

A nurse's belt. You've got that.

I always said that if I saw a nurse's belt...

That's true to my heart. That's what I do for a living.

Yes. Can you...

Anita, just look at that and tell me what you think.

Your mum's obsessed with button hooks!

I'm going to get me a pair of boots with the buttons, so I can do it up.

And we've got a nurse's belt here.

-Is the nurse's belt not an older one?

-It's 1930s that one.

-That one is. OK.

-I'll do 50 on that one?

-How much is the button hook and shoehorn on its own?

-25.

-25?

-25.

So there's 50 or 25.

I'd go for that for 50. Is it 50 quid?

I'll go for that.

I would. Would you? Come on.

Which would you like best?

Girls...

Girls, you just confuse me.

We confuse ourselves!

Come on, girls. Only a few minutes left.

-Right. I'm going to choose.

-Are you going to choose it?

-No!

Well, I went with the cameo because I let you have the one you wanted.

So I'll go for the belt for 50 quid. Done. One for all and all for one.

Yes. Definitely.

-OK.

-Thank you.

WHISTLE

Mum's the word, eh? Cos time's up.

I don't know if I need a cup of tea or a large whisky!

I think we need a double brandy!

I think we need a large whisky or brandy!

After all that, so do I.

Let's check out what that naughty Red Team bought, shall we?

The silver pencil cost just £10 and even comes with extra lead.

The girls finally chose the shell cameo and paid £75 for it.

And the nurse's buckle spoke to Alison

and set them back £50.

You are terrific, you too.

-We are?

-You are. And modest with it. Good.

Now, which is your favourite piece?

My favourite piece is the little silver pencil that we found first.

Yeah. Do you agree with that?

-It's got to be the necklace.

-The necklace is your favourite.

-And which piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

-The pencil.

-The pencil.

-The pencil, yes.

-And it's going to bring the biggest profit?

-No!

The one that's going to bring the biggest... Yeah! It's the pencil.

-OK. OK. You spent how much?

-£135.

-Did you?

-I'd like 165 Squadron, please. Thank you very much.

-There you are.

-165.

We've clearly had one of those days.

This duo...

were delightfully chaotic and uncontrollable.

-And the greatest fun.

-Any idea what you're going to buy?

I know exactly what I'm going to buy

and it's going to make one of these girls very, very happy.

-But only the one.

-Well, they never agree on anything.

True. Yes. Anyway. Good luck.

Meanwhile, why don't we check out what the Blue Team bought.

They nailed the Congolese wood figure for a whopping £113.

The Art Nouveau mirror cost the girls £20 and a little kiss.

And the marble clock was Kate's choice at £75.

-Gosh. That was all right, wasn't it?

-Yeah!

-"Yeah!" she says.

-And how much did you spend?

-We spent £208.

-You are such a brilliant team.

-I know.

-Oh, "I know"! £92, please, leftover lolly.

-Yeah.

-OK.

Now, which is your favourite piece?

-Well, it's got to be said, it's the voodoo doll.

-Voodoo doll.

Voodoo doll with all the little nails.

-And which is your favourite piece, the voodoo, too?

-Um, no.

I'm going to go with the clock.

It's either voodoo or clock.

-How many voodoo dolls do you see in auction? None.

-Not many.

-And why?

-And why? Yes.

-"And why?" says the daughter.

-This is the head of age and maturity here.

-She didn't want me to buy it.

-Trying to rein the mother in.

-No. She didn't want me to buy it.

Now, Richard. Seriously. Here is a ton of money.

I've seen something that might just help us climb out of the mire.

Thank you very much, Richard. That's marvellous.

Good luck with everything.

Very shortly, we're off to the auction in Whitchurch.

This is where our items go up for sale,

but will they make a profit or loss?

What fun are we going to have today?

With Christina Trevanion in her saleroom. How lovely.

-Are you very excited?

-Yes, I am.

As Margaret and Alison will be.

-Now, their first item is the propelling pencil.

-Yes.

-Which I guess is in silver, is it?

-It is. And it comes with lead.

Quite unusual to see. Obviously, the refills, as well.

But very sweet thing. Very saleable.

-Is it worth more than £10?

-I would hope so.

-Good. That's all they paid.

-Oh good.

To spend £10 on a solid silver pencil...

-That's not bad is it?

-That's not bad.

-No. We put £20-£30 on it.

Oh, lovely! That's great. Next is the shell cameo pendant.

Cameos are a little bit like Marmite for some people.

Sometimes incredibly fashionable, sometimes totally out of fashion.

It'll have its fans and its detractors.

That's what you're saying.

But it's gold and it's very sweet.

-How much?

-£60-£80 we put on it.

-£75 paid.

-Oh, that's not bad.

-Not too bad.

I just have a feeling it's not going to do terribly well.

-I'm pretty ambivalent about this belt job too.

-Yeah.

Unfortunately, it does have a hallmark for 1973.

I think it's a little bit late to be worth big bucks,

but nonetheless it is beautiful

-and there will be, hopefully, a collector out there for it.

-Yes.

We've put £20-£30 on it because it's late.

Hopefully, that'll be a come-and-get-me estimate and it'll

-climb a bit.

-Somebody'll pay 40.

-It might even get very racy at £50.

-Well, it needs to get to 50.

-Oh, does it? Why?

-No pressure.

-That's what they paid.

-Ah! Right!

So, I've a funny feeling that with the cameo and the brooch,

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

-Lovely. Well, this is a happy little tribe, isn't it?

-It is.

You spent 135 and you gave Anita Manning £165, girls.

-What did you buy, Anita?

-£165 is a lot of money.

-It is.

-In the end,

-with my bonus buy...

-Oh! No!

-Ha-ha!

I bought the button hook.

Sorry! Have you got bought a button hook?

Oh, lovely! Right!

So, how much?

-Well, I paid £25.

-No way!

-Yes!

-Goodness me!

These girls had something about button hooks.

-They were fixed on button hooks.

-Who made this one?

These were made in Chester. 1905.

The good thing is, they're in a nice box

and they are a matching pair.

-That is beautiful. Thank you so much!

-Oh!

Your Mum's going to start bubbling!

I know! You've made me happy.

-Well, isn't that sweet?

-Could I ask one question?

-Of course you can.

-How much are they going to make, Anita?

-Oh yes. We want to know that.

Well, the price that they were going to make wasn't a consideration

when I bought them.

I bought them because I knew that

it would make you very, very happy!

OK. Well, each to their own, as they say.

Which is lovely, isn't it?

So, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about the button hook.

-Christina, I know you're not a buttoned up person.

-Thank you.

-What sort of profit do you think you might shoehorn out of that?

-Ha-ha!

I like it.

However, I just have a feeling that somebody has found this box

-and put these two implements in it.

-Right.

And I think these two implements

actually came from a much larger set, originally.

-Is it worth £20?

-Well, yes. We put £20-£30 on it.

-Anita paid £25.

-Ah, well, brilliant.

I don't think there's a big profit in it, or a big loss.

Anyway, that's it for the Reds. Now, for the Blues. Kate and Jules.

Their first item is the voodoo figure.

I don't know who your average buyer in Shropshire's going to be.

It's a long way from the Congo.

Well, thank the Lord we're on the Internet, hey?

-That's the secret, isn't it?

-Yes, exactly.

What we need to know next is its value.

We've put £20-£30 on it.

-£113. Was paid.

-Gosh! OK.

We'll have to cross our legs on that.

-Yes, let's hope they're clicking away.

-Exactly. Now, the hand mirror.

Would that be a sunflower I see?

No, darling. It's a chrysanthemum.

Oh, is it? That's disappointing.

I was hoping for something more aesthetic.

Ah. Well, indeed.

It's typical of that period, isn't it? Very, very Art Nouveau.

And, very sadly, in this instance, you can see where

-the high points have all been very, very rubbed.

-Worn away.

And it's so important that these are in good condition.

-How much then?

-Well, we put £15-20 on it.

-OK. £20 paid.

-Oh, great. OK.

-So it's the right price.

-Good. Good.

-OK. Good.

And then we come to this dazzling Art Deco three-piece garniture

-with these oddball little fawns here.

-You're not kidding.

-I mean, what are they doing? Nuzzling up against a disc.

-Yeah.

And then we've got these other discs.

-I mean, it is so reeking of its period, isn't it?

-Utterly.

Especially that wonderful contrast of colours, materials,

-very beautiful.

-Adds a quality, doesn't it?

-Yes, it does. We've put £40-60 on it.

-Oh, not so much then.

-(What did they pay for it?)

-75.

Ah. No, we might just get that.

-Might you?

-Yeah.

-Well, that's a relief.

Well, on that happy note, I think they're going to

need their bonus buy, so let's shove off and have a look at it.

-Well, this is exciting, isn't it?

-Very.

-Yes.

Well, you've spent £208, you've been very brave. You gave Richard £92.

Richard, what did you spend it on?

Well, I bought something just a little bit different.

Oh!

I got a laugh.

-Nervous - from both of you.

-We are.

-I'm trying to work out what it is.

You're trying to work out what it is? So was I when I saw it.

It wasn't until I removed that

and that, that I saw what it was.

It's a piolet.

-That's a musical instrument.

-Very, very warm.

It's a French mountaineering axe.

It's probably late 19th-century.

-It's signed by the maker.

-Oh, look at that, yes, so it is.

I know you're looking dumbfounded but believe me, there is an interest

-in mountaineering.

-I like it.

-Oh!

-Can we pick it up?

-Can you pick it up?! Of course you can pick it up...

-And have a "pick".

-Yes, indeed.

-There it is.

-It's quite fun, don't you think?

Yes, it does look interesting.

So I'm intrigued as to how much you paid for it.

How much I paid for it.

The million-dollar question. Not quite the million-dollar question.

-I hope not.

-The £30 question.

-Wow!

-OK. That's really not that bad.

I thought it was going to be more than that.

-I'd like to think there's perhaps a ten or £20 profit in it.

-Oh, OK.

We were thinking, what will it be?

-A little clock or stamp or something like that.

-Exactly.

I mean, an axe, or whatever...

You don't expect that to be your bonus buy, do you?

You definitely don't.

-OK, are you happy?

-Yep.

-Very happy. Yeah.

Think about it, you don't pick now, but...

-You don't "pick" now!

-Exactly.

She gets all the lines. So quick!

Meanwhile, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about your "pick".

-Christina, you're a bit of a chip off the old block yourself.

-Ha-ha!

Well, we are nearly on the Cheshire Plain,

-this would be incredibly useful.

-Yes, very, very hilly round here.

-Yes!

-Dead flat.

-All those glaciers around Whitchurch.

-Exactly.

OK, so, tell me about it.

People love this. We have had a lot of interest in it and it's by

Francois Simond and Fils.

And the Simonds were

specialist mountaineering equipment makers

and they started out in the 1820s as blacksmiths and crystal hunters...

-Really?

-Yeah.

-How very interesting.

..in the French Alps. I think in the 1860s,

when mountaineering became particularly popular

around Mont Blanc, they were the men to go to

for all your mountaineering needs.

I mean, that thing could been 1880s, couldn't it?

-Maybe a little bit later.

-1900, something like that?

Maybe a little bit later. I think it's great fun. I love it.

You could hang it on the wall

-and it would look rather fun, wouldn't it?

-Exactly.

-Now, tell me, your estimate.

-£15-20,

-but we have had a lot of interest in it.

-Have you?

-Yeah.

It seems to be the sort of thing that provokes a bit

of a love reaction.

Yes, good. Well, Richard Madley loved it and he's a good egg

-and he paid £20.

-It might just get there, you know?

-Whatever happens, it will be fun, right?

-Yes, exactly.

-Yes.

Do you think this could be my new gavel? Oh, maybe.

-No.

-Oh, all right.

Now it's time for Christina to take to the rostrum

with a gavel, not a pickaxe.

..In the room at £240.

Is there anything you wish you hadn't bought, sweet pea?

-Yeah.

-What? Tell us, share it with us.

-Share it.

-Yeah.

Well, my mum moaned all the way home that I bought that nurse's belt.

She told me I shouldn't have bought it.

Why was she so critical about you buying that lovely belt?

Because she wanted the shoehorn!

Right. Well, we now know she's got the shoe hook,

so she's off that kick, right?

Don't worry about it because anybody with taste

and discrimination, and all of that,

will pick up on it and you'll be absolutely fine.

Now, first up is your propelling pencil

with additional leads and here it comes.

Lot 177 is this silver long-life,

or a lifelong, propelling pencil.

I'm looking for £20 for it.

Bid me 20, someone.

-20 I have online. Straight away at 20.

-20!

-Doubled your money.

Thank you, sir. At £25 in the room.

Front row at 25. Where's 30 now?

30!

Will you go 5, sir? You're out. Are you sure? Are you sure?

At £30 I have. Internet bidder then. At £35. It's keeping going.

Where's 40? At £35. If we're all done.

It's against you all. Online at 35.

ALL: Yes!

That's £25. OK, here comes the cameo pendant.

I've got a bid here.

It seems a bit mean, but I've got £50 straight away with me here.

Bid me 5, someone.

It's a really pretty little thing. Looking for 5 now.

So at £50. With me at £50.

-Looking for five.

-No more?

If we're all done. Against you all.

It will sell to my commission bidder at £50.

£50, that's miserable, that is.

Just lost your £25.

SHE GASPS

You started off with £25 and you've now got nothing.

-Here comes your old buckle.

-Really pretty little buckle this.

Lot 179. I've got to start this straightaway with me at £20.

With me on commission at 20. At £20 with me.

At £20. It's at £20.

With my bidder then at £20.

-ALL: Oh!

-What a shame.

-£20!

You loved that belt!

£20. If we're all done. Selling to my commission bidder at £20.

£20 is minus £30.

-It certainly...

-Can't you fiddle it?

It certainly isn't a belter.

OK, listen, overall you are now, after that rollercoaster,

-you are now minus £30.

-Oh!

-What are you going to do about the shoehorn?

-We're going to go.

-We've got to have the button.

-We've got to have the box.

-We have to have...

-..the button hook!

-You are doing it?

-We are.

-Yes, we are.

Now you're doing it, I can tell you the auctioneer's estimate is £20-30.

So £25 is right in the middle of the estimate.

-So let's cross our legs and hope for the best.

-OK.

-We'll do that.

Lot 183 is an Edwardian silver handle shoehorn and button hook.

There they are in a little case there. Bid me £20 for them.

£10 a piece can't be bad. Bid me £15 then.

-£15 for the two. 15 is bid.

-We've got a bidder!

Thank you. At 15 I have seated here. I'm looking for 18.

Oh, dear.

No mistake. If we're all done. At £15...

She just sold that for £15.

Which means you're minus £10.

I'm so sorry!

-Overall that's minus £40, all right?

-OK.

-I never really liked button hooks, personally.

-Neither do I.

-There you go.

-You see, we have good taste.

The way things are, that could be a winning score,

-seriously, at minus 40. Do not despair.

-Do not despair.

-Go forth boldly.

-We shall.

-We will try.

-OK, very good.

Have you ever felt more nervous in your life?

-No, never.

-I'm excited.

-Are you? More excited than nervous.

-It should go very, very well.

-OK.

Particularly hot in this area is anything to do with voodoo.

Well, the voodoo doll. We are so excited.

Apparently Shropshire is very hot for voodoo.

And we feel personally that we've nailed it.

Ha, ha! Well done! You paid £113.

-And the room will be cursed...

-If they don't buy it.

-If they don't buy it, yeah.

-That's right.

Anyway, the auctioneer is so cursed by it, she's only put £20-£30 on it.

-Really?

-Yeah. Amway, we are looking forward to it immensely.

-Great.

I think you are very brave to go with these objects

and let's give it a punt and hope for the best.

-Absolutely.

-Here comes our voodoo face.

At 198 we've got a Congolese carved wood tribal voodoo figure,

circa 1950. There he is, looking like he's in...

He's got pins and needles, hasn't he?

There he is, lot 198. Bid me £20 for him.

Bid me 20 for this Congolese tribal figure.

Bid me £20. 20 is bid.

20!

Thank I'm looking for 5 now.

25 I have against you, sir. 30.

At £30 in the room.

Where's 5? Against you Internet. It's at £30. Looking for 5 now.

35. Thank you, sir.

You're out. At £35 at the very back. At £35. Where's £40 now?

Internet come in.

If we're all done then, against you all.

-I don't believe this!

-With you, sir, at £35.

£35. I'm in deep shock.

-So am I.

-We're in deep trouble.

I'm just in shock that it sold.

65. That is 65, 75, £78.

Minus 78. Oh, dear.

Look out for the mirror. Here it is.

£10, that's all I'm looking for. 10 is bid online. Thank you. At £10.

12 is bid in the room. Where's 15? 15 is bid online.

At £15. Where's 18 now?

At £15, if we're all done. I will sell, make no mistake. At £15.

£15 is another minus £5.

Well, that's OK.

Lot 200 is the Art Deco three-piece clock garniture.

Very impressive looking thing and I've got interest with me.

I'm going to start this at 35, £40.

With me on commission on commission at 40.

I'm looking for 5 now. At £40 I have.

Where's 5? 45. 50.

Still with me on commission at £50.

Come on!

It's at £50 with me. All done.

-Minus £25!

-Are we in the running for the gavel?!

THEY LAUGH

-No. I'm very sorry, Jules. No gavel.

-No gavel.

-No.

-I think essentially a spoon made of wood.

-OK.

-That's not that bad.

Anyway... Seriously, look, what can I say?

-Are we going to go with the ice axe?

-I think so.

I think we can scrape the money back.

-"Scrape the..."

-Shall we confer on this?

-Shall we go with it?

-Yeah.

-We'll go with it.

I don't think it can get much worse.

OK. That's it then, the die is cast.

-We're going with the ice axe.

-Yeah, I think so.

The auctioneer's estimate is £15-£20.

So we'll see what happens.

Now, we're going with the bonus buy and here it comes.

Let's not get "picky" with this.

Lot 203. Here it is, this rather lovely ice pick. Very beautiful.

-This is yours, this one.

-I'll take it.

-It's your ice pick.

I've got interest here. I've got to start this at 15, £18.

With me on commission at £18.

Here with me at £18.

At £18 here. 20, 22, 25.

Clears my book, sir. With you at £25.

Where's 28 now? At £25, I have standing on the stairs at £25.

If we're all done. At £25.

£25.

Sold for 25. £5 light, I'm afraid.

A bit of a an avalanche of losses here.

Minus £5 for that.

Which, I'm afraid, makes it minus £113.

-Minus £113 - could be a winning score.

-It could.

-So remain optimistic until the very end.

-Absolutely.

# It's a crying shame... #

Gosh, that was fun, wasn't it? ALL: YES.

Mothers and daughters, I tell you, some mothers do 'ave 'em.

Nobody's going home with any profits today, though.

THEY SIGH

I'm not letting any secrets out of the old bag there.

I'm afraid, there is no cash going home.

Just a question of the scale of the losses,

which for each team are substantial, I'm afraid to say.

-Oh, dear!

-Oops!

The largest wodge of loss, I'm afraid, sits with the Blues.

SQUEALING

I knew this was going to have a reaction.

Woohoo!

See what I mean? Minus £113 is...

WHOOPING

Gosh, I mean, talk about rubbing it in, you lot. Shut up a minute.

Anyway, listen, minus £78 on voodoo

was the kick that was really a bit too far

-to recover from, wasn't it?

-A little bit.

I'm sorry because you loved it, you rated it and wanted to have a punt.

But the big thing is, Jules,

-this isn't going to put you off, darling, is it?

-Absolutely not.

Kate, you're thinking about going into the antiques business, is that right? A career change.

Yeah, but I need to build my knowledge a bit more.

Oh, surely not(!)

-So do I!

-Rubbish, Richard!

No, seriously, we've had a sweet day. I hope you've enjoyed yourself.

-It's been great.

-Thank you.

-Joking apart, it's been fantastic.

Thank you very much. But the victors, you aren't getting any money

-but managed to win by losing £40.

-Woohoo!

It started off so beautifully, didn't it? Plus 25 on that

on that propelling pencil.

Whoever would have thought that would have made all that profit?

-Then it went completely down the old proverbial.

-Belly up.

-Even Anita's bonus buy didn't work this time.

-No, it didn't.

-Anyway, there we go. You've had a good time, haven't you?

-Oh, marvellous.

You've been incredibly jolly.

For the audience at home, you should have a look at our website

and join us for some more bargain-hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!

Hang on a minute!