Leominster/Hay 7 Bargain Hunt

Today, we're in the beautiful town of Hay-on-Wye.

And for over 200 years, people have used this bridge, Whitney Bridge,

to cross over the River Wye, the gateway into the town.

Each year, there are more than 120,000 crossings

over this privately owned toll bridge.

Sounds like a nice little earner.

Something our teams could do with today.

So, bearing that in mind, let's go Bargain Hunting.

Hay-on-Wye is more commonly known for its books

rather than its antiques. But don't worry, there are still plenty

of shops here for our teams to explore.

They'll still have just one hour and only £300 to bag three bargains.

Here's a little taster of what's coming up.

Will the Reds get to grips with finding that bargain?

Where's Paul? Paul?

-No.

-All right, no. That's it.

Whilst the Blues strike a hard bargain.

I couldn't do it for less than 20.

So that means you would do it for 20.

And it's thrills...

and spills at auction.

-Thank you.

-Oh!

£25?

But before all of that, let's first of all meet our teams.

Today in the Red team, we have married couple Helen and Arthur.

Welcome. And in the Blue team, we have father and son, John and Steve.

-Hello to you all.

-Hello!

Now, I'm going to start with the Reds.

Helen, ladies first, shall we say?

You and Arthur have been married for nearly 22 years, which is lovely.

But tell us, how did you meet?

I was between marriages.

and waiting for a date on the docks in the harbour at Bristol.

He didn't turn up.

So I knew his friend was working in a place nearby on a boat

so I went along to the boat to see if he was in there, but he wasn't.

But Arthur was there and he said,

"You can come and wait on my boat, if you like."

-I bet you did, Arthur!

-And he lived on a catamaran,

and he was cooking a roast chicken and it was lovely.

And he invited me for supper and I stayed.

That's the story, really, that's it.

The roast chicken did it, really!

They say that food is the way to a man's heart, but actually,

-it was the way to your heart.

-The other way round, yeah.

You're retired now. You had quite a varied working life, didn't you?

I started off as a secretary and then, quite by chance,

I got a job as a secretary in a children's home.

Then they said, would I like two days' part time with the children?

And I adored it. I absolutely loved it.

And I worked in the children's home for 16 years.

-Oh, wow!

-And then I changed to the elderly

and I worked with the elderly for 16.

Now you're retired, how else do you like to spend your spare time?

We do quite a lot of holidays.

The year after we got married, we did a trip around the world.

Lovely. That's fantastic.

You have sea legs, don't you, Arthur?

Yeah. You could say that.

Nine years in the Royal Navy

and after that I was skipper on my own boat.

Wow! And is this the catamaran which you met Helen?

-Yes.

-Now, tell me about antiques -

do you have an interest in them generally?

I haven't got any idea about antiques,

but Helen has got her ideas.

Yeah, I like something that's still useful.

-Right.

-Useful things.

-Functional.

-And old, hopefully.

-Functional and old!

Fantastic. Do you think you will work well as a team?

I think she's just described me, actually!

I was going to say, that's no way to talk about Arthur!

Oh, my goodness. It sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun.

It's all smiles and giggles.

I hope it's going to be a great day for you.

I wish you lots of luck.

-Thank you.

-And move on to your competitors in the Blue team.

Steve and John.

We'll start with you, Steve.

You also have an affiliation with the water,

but for a very different reason.

Very much so, yeah. 27 years ago I got into plumbing.

Then I joined the corporate world with control against

legionnaire's disease, which is water hygiene.

Before that you'd sort of broken out on your own and gone to

-the other side of the world.

-Yes, that was about 15 years ago.

I had 18 months in Sydney and another 12 months in Montreal.

-Which did you prefer?

-Sydney. I'd go back tomorrow.

Sydney, you'd go back...

I thought you said you were going back tomorrow!

I was going to say, "Stay for the auction!"

If it wasn't for this gentleman, I probably would be there.

That was my next point was you're so close.

You're more like best friends than father and son, aren't you?

-We are.

-Tell us about your relationship.

Well, he's my father.

He was a stand-up comedian.

So, tell us about your history with stand-up comedy.

It really did start at school, really,

because I was never interested at school.

I used to always be cracking jokes.

Somebody said, "You ought to go on Opportunity Knocks."

And apparently you go and you've got to get through one audition.

If they like you, you can come back.

Got a letter saying, "You're going on television."

And then two, three months before I was due to go on...

-..they took it off the television.

-Oh, they cancelled the programme?

Yeah. The programme got took off and I never went on.

So maybe it's a good thing, actually.

Oh, no, it's a shame.

And do you share a lot of hobbies?

We do. Main one being clay pigeon shooting, which we do twice a week,

but we're very much into nature and we do a lot of walks together

and things like that. And we live very close, which is good and bad,

I suppose, really, at times.

But, yeah, we do a lot of country bumpkin sports, if you like.

I need to know how well you're going to work as a team,

cos usually you compete against one another,

and if you've got your eyes peeled for anything in particular.

There's nothing in particular, really, but what are we going for?

Quality sells, I think is what you said.

I've always said, quality sells, so I'm going to stick by that.

OK. Well, hopefully that works for you,

but before you make any decisions,

you're going to need to know what you've got in the pot.

So let me give you £300 to spend, Reds.

And let's make it fair - let's give the Blues £300 too.

Thank you very much.

Your experts are dying to meet you, so off you go and have loads of fun.

-OK, then.

-Best of luck.

-Thank you.

I think that we can safely say

this is going to be a bonkers Bargain Hunt.

Let's meet today's experts.

Making no bones about it for the Reds, it's Paul Laidlaw.

And on call for the Blues, Kate Bliss.

Arthur, Helen, you have travelled the world

and now you are at Hay-on-Wye. Have you exotic tastes, Helen?

-What are you looking for?

-Something pretty. Something useful.

So, what are you going to be looking for, Steve?

-Very open-minded.

-OK.

-Quality sells, as he keeps saying.

-Right.

Arthur, are you going to agree?

Yeah, something maritime, military...

I'm all ready for making a lot of money.

Right, teams, your 60 minutes start now.

Well, speaking of maritime, let's navigate our way to these bargains.

-All right, let's go.

-And let's get to it, then, fellas.

-OK.

-You never know.

Right, teams, time to make hay in Hay while the sun shines.

Now, there's loads in here, so it's quite a good place to start.

-Oh, yeah. Looks good to me.

-Let's go and have a look.

Hey, it's wood for the trees and a summer moon.

-Good stuff here.

-Loads of stuff, isn't it?

And the Red team seem quick off the mark,

looking at a brooch priced at £120.

-Which one are we looking at?

-The one in the middle.

-This?

-Yeah.

-It's a cameo.

It's a shell cameo. Do you like cameos, Helen?

I've actually got two cameos.

What do you think that would make at auction, Paul?

On a good day, 80 to 120.

-Would you wear that? Is that your taste?

-I like it.

-I think it's lovely.

-Is there any movement on that price?

-I'd do it for 100.

-I think it's a gamble at that.

Let's call it 80.

-I'll do it for £80.

-Would you be interested in £80?

-Do think it would be OK for 80?

-I think it's in the right ballpark.

-This is early days.

-Yes.

You could put that back in the cabinet...

Shall we think about it?

..knowing that it's 80, not a penny less, but it's 80 if we want it.

-Yeah, that's fine.

-Sound all right?

Yeah, that's fine. OK. I'll just put it there.

-Shall we have a wee look upstairs?

-Let's do that, then.

Move on, Reds. Plenty of time still.

Now, the Blues have found a very ladylike needlework case.

You've got the little scissors here, button hook, the little needles...

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

-It's presented in a different way.

-How much is it?

-It's 28.

-Mmm.

-How modern is that?

I would say, a little velvet case like that,

looks a little bit more modern from the outside, actually,

but you look inside...

Present it on the inside - it looks quite nice, doesn't it?

It does.

I think what you've got here is a combination of a manicure set,

which is what these little tools are for,

-with the mother-of-pearl handles...

-Yeah.

-..and a sewing set.

It's definitely in the more affordable range of things.

-We'll put it on a maybe. Let's have a quick look round.

-OK.

I'll put that back where I found it and we'll have a look.

-Yeah.

-All right. Come up this way.

So that's a maybe for the Blues,

but the Reds look like they've spotted a "possibly".

What... See this one, Paul?

Well, what do we have here?

Well, I see merry chaps, chaps quaffing...

..fiddlers, dancers, windmills...

-What does that tell us?

-It's a Mayfair.

And where might this originate,

in the absence of marks but the presence of windmills?

-You're well-travelled...

-Oh, Amsterdam.

-Netherlands.

-Netherlands.

Dutch silver, famously flamboyant in its decoration.

It is an electro-plated piece dating to, I'm going to say,

the late 19th century, and I'm quite happy I'm right with that.

-You've got good taste, you.

-I like it.

-You like?

-I do, yes.

-I feel I'd go for that.

Let's have a look at the price. £98.

If that comes into an auction room,

I think most auctioneers are going to be cautious with it and say

-it's a £30 to £60 piece.

-Oh.

-Paul, where's Paul?

-Paul.

-See your jug here?

-Yeah.

Tell me it's an old friend and you'd love to do a great deal

and see it out the door.

-Yeah. Yeah, I would.

-You'd do a deal?

-Yeah.

-Cheeky offer.

-OK.

Would that be 20 or 30 quid or not?

-Erm...

-But you don't want it, Paul, do you?

-It's been a long time.

-Thanks for helping here!

I don't know if I'd part with it for that little.

I'd do it for 50.

You'd do it for 50.

You're not going to break that 50 barrier, are you?

Up to 40?

Yeah, I'll do it for 40 for you.

-I like that. I do like it, actually.

-You do like it? OK.

-Have we just bought something?

-I think so.

-I think we have.

-Shake the man's hand.

-Paul, you've sold it.

Thank you very much. Very generous of you. Thank you.

OK, no problem.

-Shake the hand.

-OK.

Team Red - one down, two to go, in the first 13 minutes.

Now, Kate seems to have spotted something for the Blues.

There's just one thing I want to show you here,

because the saleroom that we're going to, Philip Serrell's,

specialises in this stuff.

It is Royal Worcester porcelain, and this is a particular type

that Royal Worcester did called blush ivory,

which is the name given to this pinky, yellow ground.

Now, I don't know whether it's your kind of thing.

It's very decorative with the gilt rim,

but it usually sells pretty well.

I suppose we're not buying it to put on my mantelpiece.

I would say this would be made in 19...

You know, 1894, I'd say.

-What makes you say that?

-It's got the date on it, there.

-Boom, boom.

-You did that so convincingly!

So, it was Victorian. 1894.

It's got all the right marks on the bottom -

this pink stamp here.

And actually, Worcester were really clever.

They did a little date code, if you like,

and however many dots around the outside

of their Royal Worcester mark tells you the date.

So what are we looking at, chaps?

-68 is on there.

-We can maybe negotiate.

I think we should strike while the iron is hot and go and see what

-the best price is.

-Let's go.

-Come on, then.

Remember to shut the cabinet.

-Hello, there.

-Hello.

We're just looking at this, for various reasons.

-Uh-huh.

-And everything seems to tick the box...

-Yeah.

-..apart from the price, unfortunately.

I'm trying to get this at the best possible price you could do

and I'm putting my very kind face on, with a smile.

Well, the best I actually will do is £50.

I personally think we should do that.

Well, if that's your opinion, we'll go for it.

-OK. That means I'm going to get the blame.

-Exactly.

Thank you. OK, yeah, we'll take that.

-I'll take it and wrap it for you.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you very much.

-OK.

Well done, guys. First purchase.

-Well, happy days.

-Here we go.

-Yeah.

-Excellent, come on.

-Two more to go.

-Let's keep going.

Yeah. See if I can make a profit now.

Good job, Blues. First item sorted.

Now, something seems to have chimed with sailor Arthur.

There's the most bizarre dinner gong I've seen in many a moon.

Look at that.

-It's maritime.

-Shall we have a wee look?

Aye. Yeah, OK. He's lost his knocker.

So, this is a stylised dolphin, would you believe?

Dolphin, yeah, yeah.

We've only got one of two rests for the clacker itself.

Traditionally, your gong, of course, is a gong.

-Gong, yeah.

-But of course, with a nautical theme, ship's bell.

-That's what I was thinking.

-And, wait for it,

what's never been in there?

-A clapper.

-A clacker, yeah.

-Exactly.

So the whole thing could be homogeneous.

It dates to the late 19th century.

It's also not a lot of money.

I think that's worth £40 to £60.

-Wow.

-And could it do 80?

Well, frankly, if you want one, you'd better buy this one,

cos never see another one quite like it.

That's unique. You won't see one like that again.

-Are we going to do this?

-Yeah.

-Shall we shout on Paul?

-Yes, we will.

Call him up. Call him up, yeah?

While you're finding sailor Paul, over to the Blues,

who have got hold of a potential second buy.

With enamelware, there are so many modern replicas on the market,

and actually, I don't know,

you just get a feel for whether it's original or not.

That damage wouldn't bother me at all.

-No, no.

-That just shows, to me, it's been used.

So would you put bread in it if it was yours?

In all fairness, this could be used for anything.

-Put your chicken feed in there.

-Oh, I'd put chicken feed in there.

-Would you?

-Yeah. Or I figured I might even keep my eggs in there.

So you're going to keep eggs in a box with the word bread on it.

-Yeah.

-This is why I love you.

I'd love people to come to the house and I'd say,

"Would you like bacon and eggs?"

They'd say yes, and I'd go in there and I'd say,

"I'll get your egg out."

These are really commercial, these enamel items -

not just as practical items to be used.

People love them as, kind of, vintage furnishing pieces.

-What does it say on there, Steve?

-I think it said 40, didn't it?

I have to say, I really like it,

and there's only one way we're going to find out what the best price is -

somebody's going to have to go and ask.

I think it's your turn, now.

Well, if you did it last time, then, Steve,

-I'll do it this time.

-Go on.

-I'll go and see what we can get for it.

Great. Do you think he'll get a good price?

I'm not sure whether he's got my skills, but we'll see.

Use your loaf on this one, Blues!

-Right, I've seen the lady...

-Yeah.

..and she's quite willing to go down to £25 but no more.

-I offered 20.

-In Worcestershire, where we are selling this,

they do have big farmhouses,

and I would pay 25 easily for that.

I'm going along with you, so we are going to buy it, Steve.

-OK.

-You're outvoted.

-Yeah, yeah. That's fine.

I get the feeling I might have talked you into this one.

No, you haven't talked me into it.

-My head's on the block.

-No, no.

-Are you sure?

I can assure you, if this doesn't work, it'll be his fault, not yours.

Oh, we've got that straight, then!

Great. Let's go get it.

Deal two done and dusted, Blues.

Time for the Reds to talk pricing on that dolphin bell.

-Hello again.

-Hello, Paul.

-Hi.

Very unusual, isn't it?

It's extremely unusual.

I think it's Arts and Crafts.

-You reckon?

-Mmm.

You've got a price of...

£48.

Can I say 20?

How about 30?

How about halfway?

-25?

-25.

I'll do 25.

-Paul?

-You guys are professionals, you don't need me!

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you, Paul.

-Thank you.

Thank you so much.

'Ding dong, that's your second item, Reds,

'and you're level pegging with the Blues.'

Now, while the teams continue shopping,

I want to show you another funny thing.

How much importance do you place on a Sunday?

For some, it's all about the roast.

Getting together with the family, gathering around the table

and enjoying something that's taken hours and lots of love to prepare.

So, why on earth are we talking about Sunday roasts when I'm

sitting beside what is quite plainly an item of supreme torture?

Look at it. It's terrifying-looking.

Let me tell you what it is.

It's a leg of mutton holder.

Let me tell you how it works.

You take this screw here and you open it up

and latch the end onto the leg of mutton.

And instead of faffing around with the carving fork and knife,

you simply place your hand around this lovely moulded silver handle,

lift it up to elevate the joint,

and carve away in the most efficient and least messy way possible.

In the 19th century, how did you show that you had money to spend

and that you were up-to-date with the latest innovations?

You showed that by buying the latest in design in tableware.

I recently put this one under the hammer at the auction house

and it fetched £50.

A few years ago, when silver was a little bit more buoyant

with its prices, perhaps it would have fetched £100 or so.

And I reckon that at a fair or in an antiques shop today,

that's what it would cost you.

So, if you're at your local auction house and you see one, snap it up,

because you never know - in the future, it could carve out a profit.

Back to see how the teams are cracking on with their buys.

We're just over halfway through and it's 2-2,

so who's going to score next?

Right, come on, guys.

-Right.

-We still need that elusive third item.

We've got about 25 minutes on the clock.

We're doing well but I'm going to keep you moving.

-Right, let's go, then.

-Come on.

Oh, look at that.

-Yeah. That's...

-Don't drop it.

I shan't drop it.

There's two of them, look.

Yeah, OK, there's a pair.

Are they the same? Turn it round. Turn it round. Is it the same?

£28.

Where's Paul?

Paul? No.

No. All right, no. That's it.

Paul's not so keen. Keep hunting.

So, what's going on at the back here, then, guys?

Would that sell as a decorative item?

This is a dessert knife and fork set.

-OK.

-So, in the Edwardian period,

this would have been set on quite a well-heeled family's table

to have with dessert,

so they would use it for fruit or for any puddings.

Not many people will buy that today to use.

You said the right thing to me. That's what I wanted to hear.

Choosy Blues! But don't forget, the clock is ticking.

And what's happening with the Reds?

It's chintz.

That's the chintz. This is the...

THEY LAUGH

-Come on.

-All right.

They started so well...

-That's not Faberge.

-What does it say?

-I don't know, I can't read Russian.

-It's in Russian!

..and now seem to be adopting the scatter-gun approach.

-What about this, Paul?

-A bit of chintz.

-I don't know.

-Paul, what about this?

-Definitely not.

-Definitely not.

-No.

They've lost their form and they're picking up...

They've gone from picking up quality, striking,

I think, standout pieces, to this piece of bric-a-brac

and that piece of bric-a-brac,

and I'm thinking, "Never mind that, get your mojo back!"

I'm leaving them, hoping that by the time I get back,

they're going to have pulled the rabbit of the hat.

But right now, I'm looking for the rabbit.

Meanwhile, with 15 minutes to go,

have the Blues found a trick of their own with this cocktail shaker?

Is that Art Deco?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

It is, John, I would say.

Let's have a look. There's your measure on the top.

The measure's not big enough.

It's quite a neat little shaker, that one.

Very nice, Steve. You could drink out of that.

That's probably more my measure.

So, this is quite nice because we've got EPNS,

which stands for electro-plated nickel silver.

-Yeah.

-So we know it's silver-plated.

We've also got "made in England" there,

which tells us that it's actually the early part of the 20th century.

I would say it's probably '40s, actually.

It's nice and it's got some...

-some history to it.

-It's got some age to it.

It's not a modern reproduction, which is what I like about it.

And it is quite a nice, usable size to have in the home.

So, what are we looking at, top line?

-Well, I reckon...

-I'll put my glasses on.

-That's 30, isn't it? You've got your glasses on.

-That's £30.

I'd be interested if we are looking at 15, 20 quid.

I think we should go and have a chat to my friend down here.

-What do we think?

-I think so.

-And just see what it would go for.

Are you thinking more that than the other thing that we left?

Oh, you've got your sewing thing.

I don't think we're going to buy a sewing kit.

Do you know... Yeah, I was surprised when you picked that up.

You picked a nice thing. I think this has got more legs,

depending on what price we can get it for.

It's a more masculine item as well, Dad.

-You think it'll do your street cred?

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Steve, I'll let you do what's got to be done.

Come on, then. OK, right, Steve, you do your stuff.

There's the ticket, which has come loose.

Right. It's my turn, is it?

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

-Looking at this for a multitude of reasons.

-Mm-hmm.

Would there be an element of flexibility to it?

There is some movement on it, yes.

How about 25?

That's... We were...

We were looking more closer to less than 20, really.

-Less than 20?

-Mm.

I couldn't do it for less than 20.

So that means you would do it for 20.

-I'll do it for 20.

-I think you have a deal.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you very much.

-Are you happy?

-I can't thank you enough as well.

Thank you very much.

Canny bargaining, and that's your three items all sewn up, Blues.

We've beaten the clock!

-All done.

-Great. Well done.

-Well done, you.

-Thank you very much.

So what are we going to do now, then?

-Cup of tea, I reckon.

-Coffee break. Let's go.

Ten minutes, Arthur, ten minutes.

Now, Reds, you need to get your skates on,

and Paul has found not a rabbit, but a walrus.

How far north have you travelled?

Have you been north of the Arctic Circle?

I've been in the Arctic Circle.

-He has, yeah.

-But that was in 1958 with Strikeback.

-Who made that?

-Oh, the Inuits.

Ha-ha, you know your stuff!

-This could be called tourist material.

-Yeah.

It could also be called indigenous art,

cos there's a really long and proud heritage to the Inuit carving of,

in this instance, a green hardstone,

but they use all sorts of media - walrus tusk and so on.

Well, I think a little Inuit child playing with a walrus

is going to melt any stone-cold heart.

Look on the bottom.

I can't read that, but I assure you,

that's the artist's native Inuit name

and that's a reference that's given to the artists today.

Take it or leave it,

but I can buy that because I've had a word with the lady.

It's priced at 38.

You can buy that for £20.

I just thought you, man of the sea,

might get that and, boy, I was right.

-Yeah.

-That's lovely.

-Isn't it sweet?

-It is, it is.

-It's tactile, too.

-Yes, I was going to say...

-It's something you can, erm...

-Isn't it?

It's good art, that, and I think it is transportative.

I think so. Right.

It's only £20 with the clock ticking.

-We like it.

-I like it.

Yes? Have we just completed our mission?

-I think we have!

-Yay!

Come on, that's great. We did it!

Yous were stars.

Wow. Third one bagged.

Mission accomplished, Reds.

-Brilliant.

-Wonderful.

CUCKOO CLOCK CHIMES

Those 60 minutes...are up!

That's in the bag.

It's in the bag and we're going to be in the cafe in two ticks.

-Come on.

-I'm ready.

That sounds lovely, thank you.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

First there's the 19th-century silver-plated jug,

picked up for £40.

Can this dolphin gong make a splash at auction?

£25 paid.

And the Inuit carving of a walrus and child cost them £20.

Helen and Arthur, I think you enjoyed the last hour.

-I have loved it.

-Had a fantastic time.

We've had a wonderful time.

Helen, tell me, what was your favourite item?

My favourite item is the wine jug.

-And you chose that. You saw it, you had to have it.

-Yeah.

Did you think the wine ewer going to make the biggest profit?

I think it might.

Arthur, which was your favourite piece of the three?

Well, I certainly like the Inuit carving,

but I think the ewer is going to make the biggest profit.

Now, what did you spend in total?

Because it wasn't a lot, really.

85.

£85?

Which leaves Paul Laidlaw £215.

I'll take it from you, Helen.

215, I'll hand it straight over to my fellow Scot and say,

with such a burgeoning wallet, what are you going to do?

Well, I should like to find something to complement the offering

we already have, but more importantly,

something that will make a profit.

So while he does the shopping,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

First up, the Royal Worcester jug bought for £50.

Will this bin be the best thing since sliced bread?

It cost £25.

And can the £20 cocktail shaker serve up a profit at auction?

OK, Steve and John, well done.

You beat the Bargain Hunt clock.

-15 minutes to spare.

-15 minutes to spare.

-Time for a coffee.

-How good is that? I hope Kate treated you to one.

No, she didn't.

Tell me, Steve, which of the three is your favourite item?

For profit-making, on a good day,

I would say hopefully the Royal Worcester.

That's one I'd put my name to.

-You'd put your name to that making the biggest profit.

-Hopefully, yes.

But which, personally, was your favourite item?

I'd say the cocktail shaker, actually, if I'm honest, but I'd buy that for myself.

-Oh, right, OK, so that was up your street.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-OK.

And what about you, John? Which was your favourite item?

I would say the cocktail shaker.

OK, so for the first time, you're in agreement today.

-That's fantastic.

-For the first time ever.

And in total, you didn't spend a lot of money, though, did you?

-How much in total?

-95.

95 only?

I'll ask you very politely, then, for £205, please.

Thank you very much.

£205 over to the lovely Kate Bliss, and what on earth are you going to

-spend it on?

-I'm going to spend it on something which definitely gets

the best prices in Worcestershire.

You heard it here first.

The best prices in Worcestershire.

Let's see if that happens because we're heading straight over

to the auction.

Well, we've nipped over from Hay-on-Wye to Malvern.

I find myself in Serrell's saleroom beside Philip Serrell.

-How are you, Phil?

-Very well. How are you?

Do you know, I'm full of the joys of spring because our first lot

for the Reds is a gay old affair.

Everyone is dancing and drinking on this hexagonal jug.

It's like Malvern on a Friday night.

Ah, you've been before!

It's got a great shape, though, hasn't it?

It does, it's just lovely,

the hexagonal shape and the spout coming out.

I'm really excited about it.

We put £20-£30 on that.

What did they pay for that?

Well, the Red team, Arthur and Helen,

were quite excited about it, too, and Paul let them pay £40 for that.

We... We're on the cusp of getting him out of trouble.

So, next up is this lovely Edwardian dinner bell.

It's got a look, that, hasn't it?

-It seriously does.

-It's got a look.

-East Asian in its style,

missing the beater, but is that the end of the world?

I don't think so, no.

It's easy enough to replace that, but it's just got a look.

It's quite stylish. I can see that making £30-£50.

-What did they pay for that?

-They only paid £25 for it.

Well, you'd sort of kind of think there's a profit in that.

It's a very clever use of this horn shape, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-I love it. Someone's going to find a perfect

little beater for that and it will once again make plenty of noise.

-Yes.

-What about our little Inuit carving in stone?

Is it a little bit too naive?

Innit?

-Innit?

-What is that?

I think that's a really cool thing. It is naive, it is quite primitive.

Yeah, the trouble with these things is

there's every chance it might have been made for the tourist market,

and as such it's £15-£30. But the market will determine.

Yeah, well, they only paid £20 for it and I think its naivete

is its charm, isn't it?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-I don't think I've ever heard you so upbeat

-about three items.

-I'm very positive. I'm very positive!

Phil's in a positive mood, but just in case,

Paul has bought the Reds a bonus buy, so let's find out what it is.

Well, Arthur and Helen, as we suspected,

you were a formidable team and you spent only £85, which is wild.

Anyway, we'll forget about that.

It means that you left Paul Laidlaw £215.

Now, did you spend it all, Paul?

I'll get to that in a moment, but I've got my Nelson pose on today.

Would you give me a hand, Natasha, help me reveal this bonus buy?

Hands are full. Let me lend you a hand.

What have we got here?

That ain't your granny's sherry glass

that she pulls out at Christmas, OK?

That's 200 years old.

-Is it?

-Scarce survivor at that. The form, subtle.

-Don't drop it!

-I'm not going to touch it!

The Georgians produced the finest glass in the 18th century.

In the late 17th century, they revolutionised the medium itself.

These are highly good glasses of that period, highly coveted.

One such glass is fair enough.

It's a pleasing thing. But get me a matching set of four...

Oh, look at that!

-What a treat!

-..and all of a sudden, I'm impressed.

-How much...?

-Oh, here we go, the money moment.

They cost 30.

Surely they are worth £20-£30 apiece.

Forget all the other three pieces we chose,

-we'll just go with this, shall we?

-I think they're lovely.

Paul thinks that there is profit in these sparkling glasses,

so let's find out if our auctioneer thinks the same.

So here we are. Paul Laidlaw has done it again,

bought some lovely glassware.

And isn't it delightful to handle these,

because they're just so fragile and hand-blown and nicely etched

and 19th century? Philip, I'm excited, are you?

I think they're nice things

and I think I've probably been a bit mean because I've put

the dreaded £15-£30 on them.

I think, in reality, they might hopefully make £30-£50.

-What did he pay for them?

-Yeah, well, he paid 30, a set of four.

I mean, Paul Laidlaw knows his glass.

-Yes.

-So I think that he reckons £30 is a good deal.

I agree. And you're just a meanie at 15-30.

Yeah, I am. I'm being too mean, I'm being too mean.

Oh, but we're used to you being a meanie.

Now, how mean have you been for the Blues?

Because John and Steve, father and son,

went out with Kate Bliss and they bought a bit of a mixed bag.

We start off with this blush Worcester.

-Tell us about it.

-It's a nice little blushed ivory pot, this.

The painting is almost like an infill of a printed design.

We put £50-£60 on it.

-What was paid for it?

-£50 was paid and 50-60,

from Philip Serrell in Worcestershire,

must mean that you have got it bang on the money.

-I would hope so, I would hope so.

-If that makes £100,

-you'll be mortified.

-Erm, I'd be surprised!

Now, let's move on to item number two. Now, I remember Dad, John,

saying that he couldn't believe

that he'd gone out and bought an enamelled bread bin,

but he trusted Kate because she thought this was quite cool

-and had vintage appeal.

-These things, they're just,

they dress and decorate different surroundings.

And does the erosion worry you at all?

That's just standard, isn't it?

Well, it would be nice if it wasn't there, but it is.

I think it's £20-£30 worth.

Well, they only paid £25 and I think that Kate's led them along

-the right path with that one.

-Absolutely right.

Now, what about this little silver-plated cocktail shaker?

It has appeal but it's not overly decorative, is it?

It's just a nice wee thing.

Yeah, well, any serious cocktail man

would surely like one about this big.

-Well, you would, anyway.

-Yeah, absolutely right.

It's quite twee, it's quite collectable.

It's going to make between £20-£40.

-Do you reckon?

-Yeah.

-Well, do you know what?

They paid £20 for it.

I think between the Reds and the Blues here it's going to be quite tight,

so it could all hinge on the bonus buy, and on that note,

let's find out what Kate bought for the Blues.

Well, I love it on Bargain Hunt when we have a family affair,

but you did let Kate take charge

quite a lot during the shopping and then

you let her loose with £205. And hey, Kate, how did it go?

-What did you spend?

-Well, I've bought something quite different.

I don't think I've ever bought one of these on Bargain Hunt, in fact.

Here we go...

-Oh, dear.

-Oh.

-OK.

"Oh, dear"? That's not a good start!

It's not a deer, it's a cup!

As you can see, it is a little teacup.

It's porcelain, as opposed to pottery,

and you may notice the decoration is very much

in the Chinese or Oriental style,

but this little teacup is actually English porcelain.

-OK.

-Not only is it English - have a little feel of it...

-Don't drop it, Steve.

-But it is -

and definitely don't drop it after you hear this -

almost 250 years old,

because this is a piece of Worcester porcelain in perfect condition.

-OK.

-And still highly collectable today.

You might be astonished to hear

that I paid just £25,

but the best thing,

I've held back to last,

if there is anywhere in the country where these little teacups,

Worcester first period, will get the best price, it is here.

-Here, yeah, yeah.

-So that, actually, is the reason why I bought it.

-Food for thought.

-Food for thought indeed.

Well, Kate thinks that Phil Serrell is just the man to sell this teacup,

so now it's time to find out what he thinks.

Well, as a special treat for you,

Phil, Kate bought some more Worcester.

-More Worcester!

-This time, first period Worcester,

a bit of blue and white. Tell me all that you know about it,

-cos I know you love it.

-That's quite sweet in that this sort of facsimile

Chinese mark underneath,

because this is copying designs that came from China in the 17th

and earlier centuries.

This was made, I would guess, 1770, 1780,

and normally you'd expect to see a little crescent or half-moon mark

on the base of your 18th-century Worcester.

That mark, just, it's...

Do you know what? That's almost as attractive as that.

-As the rest?

-Yeah.

And what have we got, have we got a willow pattern on there?

Well, pagodas and zigzag fences and all sorts of things.

-It's very sweet.

-An interesting fact,

it should have a saucer with it and it should also have a bowl,

and originally that would have been a trio set, so you've got coffee,

tea and a saucer.

That's where the term trio set first came from.

OK, so here we are, just one of three.

Yeah, we just got a component part.

I think there's going to make between 15 and £30.

Kate paid £25, so she's almost there.

A smidgen of profit, hopefully.

-And we got the right man on the rostrum?

-I hope so.

-Yeah, well,

it's going to be a very exciting auction, so let's see how it goes.

Tell me something, Helen and Arthur,

have you ever been as excited as you are now?

-No!

-No.

-No.

I thought one of you would say yes, one of you would say no.

-Well, we might have been at one time.

-Well, maybe!

It's very exciting. So, are you feeling confident?

-Yes, of course we are.

-Well, in that case,

let's get underway with our first item.

Late 19th century, it's silver plate, quite an unusual shape.

You paid 40 for that jug, but here it comes.

Lot number 246 is this rather

attractive silver-plated jug.

Bid me for that lot. Start me off wherever you want to be.

£50 to start me.

Bid me 40. Bid me 30.

Now, come along, £30, surely.

Please.

£20, someone. 20, I'm bid.

And five. At £30 I'm bid.

Any more?

One more!

One more!

-Please!

-It's your bid, madam.

I sell, then, at £30 and done.

-Thank you.

-Oh, £30,

so it's a wee loss to start, but just a tenner.

Now, the dinner bell could claw it all back.

Lot number 247

is this very, very cool

dolphin dinner bell.

There we go. At 20, 20 bid.

At £20 only, and five, 30...

Yes, that's it!

One more.

50. 50 bid.

At £50, done then at 50 and done. Thank you.

OK, folks, £50, which means you made 25,

which means we're now in profit.

Here comes the Inuit-style carving.

-£20 paid.

-Lot number 248,

bid me 20, someone.

10, I'm bid at 10. 15. 20, I've got here.

Five, 25.

One more, ma'am! At 30.

There's the bid. £30 and I sell,

then, at 30 and done.

-Thank you.

-Yes!

£30, which means you've made another tenner.

Now, let's assess the situation.

We're £25 in front and we've now

got to consider Paul's Bonus Buy.

He bought you those beautiful glasses.

-OK, you've already made up your mind?

-I think so.

-I think we have.

They were lovely, they are nice.

I love the one.

-Four?

-Four, that was a bonus.

That was wonderful. I think that's the thing, isn't it, Paul?

The fact it's a set. I think you've made the right choice.

We'll go with that. Let's find out how it all goes.

Lot number 252

are these really lovely drinking glasses.

There you are. Bid me £50, someone.

30, I'm bid at 30.

£30 only, at 30.

Five, 40, before you.

Five, 50.

60, 60.

Seated at 60.

70 now. 80.

80 bid. One more, sir?

At £80 and done at 80, and done.

-Thank you.

-Fantastic!

He's done it again.

£80.

Absolutely marvellous.

Bless you.

You made the right decision to trust Paul Laidlaw.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-You had £25.

What have you got now after £50 profit?

£75!

And you're going home with that.

It's so good. You are a wonderful team,

but £75, as good as it is,

those Blues could make more,

so, sort of, bring yourselves back together,

straighten up those faces and mum's the word.

OK? Nothing to the Blues.

-No.

-No.

-Well done!

John and Steve, this is your moment in the sun, we hope.

Auction time has come around and how are you feeling?

Very relaxed, very relaxed.

Very relaxed? That's the right approach, isn't it?

I think we're going to do extremely well.

-Fighting talk.

-And I'm feeling

like it's...impending doom!

You're in good hands, come on! It's all going to go brilliantly well.

Let's get underway with the first one,

the Royal Worcester blushed ivory pot.

So, fingers crossed, and here it goes.

The little Worcester blushed ivory pot, bid me for that.

30, I have at 30.

30 bid. £30.

Only at 30. At £30, bid.

40, five.

At 45, Internet bid.

Come on...

50 anywhere.

Go on!

At £45 on the net and done, then,

at 45 and done. Thank you.

OK, we started with a tiny, wee loss of minus five,

but don't worry about that,

because now, it's the enamel-covered bread bin!

Lot number 274, there we go,

the bread bin.

One of the best bread bins we've ever had

in one of our antique sales.

I'd go so far as to say it's the only bread bin we've ever had

in one of our antique sales.

I agree with him.

10 bid. £10. 15, 20,

and five, 25.

-Yes!

-Well done.

At £25 in the room and done at 25 and done.

-Thank you.

-Oh!

-I take it all back.

25 quid!

We're still minus five, but now we're onto our

wee, half-pint size cocktail shaker.

Can he work his magic?

Bid me for this lot, the cocktail shaker.

Who's got £30 to start?

20.

Who's got a tenner?

Five?! At 10, I'm only bid at 10.

10 bid. Lady's bid.

- I told you not to buy it.

- Done, thank you.

OK, it sold for 10.

It means that lost £10

and you're overall minus 15.

But this is not the end, because you could still go with the Bonus Buy.

-I think it's a no-brainer!

-We're going for it.

It's similar to the bread bin, only that it's also blue and white.

Yes! And in good condition.

Lot number 279,

£10, I'm bid at 10.

15, 25, 30

and five with me. At 35, 40, 40 bid.

At £40 only at 40, 40 bid.

Any more at all? At £40 and I sell, then, at 40 and...

Any more? And done, then, at 40, and done!

-OK, £40.

-Fantastic!

Overall, 15 lost, 15 gained...

-Nothing!

-Why did we come?!

You can say you did not make a loss and you know what that means?

If the Red team did, you will be our winners today, so please,

keep it mum.

Sort of...shake yourselves off, dust yourselves off.

Pretend that didn't happen.

Go back to those Reds and tell them nothing.

John and Steve, Arthur and Helen, well,

what an interesting set of results,

because our runners-up today,

the Blues,

came out with nothing, I can't believe it! But was it all worth it?

Yeah, we came with nothing and left with nothing!

Story of my life!

On that note,

I'm going to leave Kate giggling and I'm going to hand over to our Reds.

You started off with a wee loss... But then it was profit...

Then it was profit...

And then you said, Paul Laidlaw, are we going to put our trust in you?

Why not? Those glasses, he told you,

he said not just one, but four...

-They were brilliant, yeah.

-Unbelievable.

Do you remember the profit they made?

£50, which means that overall, you go away with £75,

and I know who I'm handing it to - straight to Helen!

Well done! Tell me how you feel.

-Pretty chuffed?

-Fantastic.

Absolutely wonderful, yeah, it's been a great time.

-Absolutely great.

-Everyone's had a brilliant time and there are lots of

things to learn about Bargain Hunt.

Where? On our website and, of course,

you can follow us on Twitter these days, too.

It's all mod cons. But, for now,

let me ask you to join us again for some more Bargain Hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!