Westpoint 17 Bargain Hunt

Today, Bargain Hunt's in Exeter,

and this magnificent clock hangs here,

in the city's cathedral.

It's actually said to be the inspiration for the classic rhyme

Hickory Dickory Dock.

The clock's ropes were greased in fat which, of course,

attracted rodents, hence the rhyme,

"Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock."

So, before the clock strikes one,

it's time to run off to Exeter's Westpoint Arena.

So, come on, let's go Bargain Hunting.

Well, our teams have 60 minutes and £300 each to find three items that

will, hopefully, make a profit at auction.

They say time waits for no man so, on that note,

let's get cracking and see what's in store today.

The Reds are feeling the pressure.

But what is this? I can't believe it.

We're missing out on... We haven't got it.

For the Blues, there doesn't seem to be any pressure.

-Better move on.

-How are we doing for time, anyway?

We've got hours and hours.

By the auction, the Reds are hedging their bets.

Could go one way or the other.

And the Blues, well, they're taking it all in their stride.

Ever hopeful. What could go wrong?

Before all that, let's meet today's teams of married couples.

The Reds are Martin and Jenny and the Blues are John and Caroline.

-How are you?

-Hello.

-Very well, thank you.

-Excited?

-Yes, absolutely.

We'll come to the Blues in a moment, but for the Reds, Jenny,

tell me where you met Martin.

I met Martin many years ago in Gibraltar, when I was in the RAF.

-Really?

-Yes. Well, we were both in the RAF.

-Both in the RAF?

-Yes.

Many moons ago. How long have you been married, then?

40 years.

-My respect goes out to you.

-Thank you.

Well done and congratulations!

Thank you.

So what did you do in the RAF?

I was a nurse - Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service.

Now, Martin, what branch of the RAF did you serve in?

I was a communications engineer.

Technician, originally - when I joined, when I was 19 -

and then served 35 years and retired as a Wing Commander.

Now where, precisely, did you meet Jenny?

Gibraltar. I arrived in September and the first person I saw,

as I came out in my brand-new uniform,

was Jenny going to work in her nice, white nurse's uniform,

sun-bronzed and I looked like a moon.

-PAUL LAUGHS

-Lily-white.

I mean, it's a cliche but love at first sight?

Very much so. First person I spoke to.

I thought, "Cor. She's nice."

That's no' far off a wee fairytale, that one.

Clearly, you've got your skills,

but what do you know about antiques, tell me?

-Well...

-Much?

-We've been to a few auctions, and...

-OK.

-I tend to like bronzes, that sort of thing.

-I see.

-Love them.

-Similar tastes?

Similar sort of things. We'll see how we go on the day.

OK. Jenny, Martin, ex-RAF types, do you have a military strategy today?

Well, working on the principle that

no plan survives contact with the enemy,

I think we're going to be relying a lot on our expert and, erm...

and, basically, just try and spend as much as we possibly can.

Good luck. Well, that's the Reds.

Over to the Blues - John and Caroline.

You still doing all right?

-Yes. Hi, Paul.

-Yes, thank you.

Now, step forward, PC Woodfield.

Right...

Back in line.

So, clearly, both had careers in the police force?

Yes, that's right. Yes. We're both retired now.

So did you meet in the police?

No. No, no, we actually met at a running club,

so it's called Hash House Harriers.

-So...

-Hash House?

Yes. The idea is that somebody goes out in the woods

-and lays a trail with flour...

-OK.

..and the idea is that you then run and try and follow that trail.

There's different ways you split off, and the faster runners

go off and try and find the right trail.

-And end up where?

-And you end up back at a pub, normally.

-Of course you do.

-And that's where I met Caroline.

I believe you cycle as well.

Tandem cycling.

We do a lot, yes.

OK. You're very tied to your partner.

Is this a good thing? Does it work?

It's a very good thing, cos otherwise he'd just be off

in the distance and I'd never see him.

Whereas now, he can't get away from me

and I can chatter in his ear all day,

cos I sit on the back and look around

and he has to do all the hard work, steering

and working out where we're going.

Now, clearly, you're an effective team out on your tandem.

What are you going to be like as a pair of Bargain Hunters, tell me?

We've got very little experience.

Probably, Caroline's a bit better than me,

but I've got no knowledge at all, so

I think our plan is going to be opposite to the Reds

and we're going to try and spend as little as possible, and...

damage limitation...

Well, I wish you both good luck,

but there's something you're going to need to get you going,

and that's all of £300.

-Wow, thank you.

-Bring nothing back.

-And you...

-Wow.

-Thank you, Paul.

-..bring back as much as possible.

Off you go. Meet your experts, and good luck to you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

What do you think of that?

Well, will the Reds reach for the sky and come out on top,

or will it be a fair cop for the Blues?

So, let's meet today's experts.

The Reds will be hoping to make some serious dough

with the help of Richard Madley.

And, hoping to clean up for the Blues, it's Charlie Ross.

Martin, Jenny, we've got 60 minutes and £300.

What are we going to buy?

We're going to look for Art Deco, Art Nouveau,

agricultural things for the garden, maybe.

What are you going to be looking for, John?

Well, I quite fancy something industrial,

but I guess I'll know when I see it.

You won't be looking for industrial, will you, Caroline?

-Definitely not.

-What will you be going for?

I'm going more countrified, something animal-y...

Animal. Animal and industrial.

-Martin?

-Oh, militaria, probably.

Wooden, you know - treen, that sort of thing.

Right, teams - your 60 minutes start now. BELL RINGS

I think I know where we can get started.

-Yeah.

-Follow me.

-Right, OK.

Well, let's go hunting. Come on.

Are you as excited as I am about this?

-Very excited.

-Are you?

-Very excited.

-That's the spirit, Blues.

And straight away, Jenny has spotted something right up her street.

I know that you have got a little bit of interest in bronzes, so,

-from this...

-Yes.

-..from this distance here,

what I will say, from the outset, is that the chances of us finding...

erm...

-a decent bronze...

-Never say die.

I'm... I like your spirit.

I do like your spirit.

Remember, you've only £300.

Well, I like your champagne taste with regards to bronzes,

but I would think that our budget is probably nearer to

-house red or...

-Yes.

I'll drink to that, Richard.

Spending as little as possible was the Blues' game plan.

So are they moving in the right direction?

Well, the thing that's jumped out...

-This, erm, little compass, here.

-That's really fascinating.

What do you think that's made of?

That's steel and a...

brass base, I think.

But it's got age.

And it's not just a compass, is it?

-It's a sundial.

-A sundial as well.

-It's a sundial.

-And then that raises up. Yes, that's...

I've never seen anything quite like that.

That's an interesting object.

I love it. I love your taste.

-Thank you.

-But I think your taste is going to be a bit too big...

-Really?

-..for your pocket.

-OK.

-Hold your breath.

I'm not sure holding your breath is going to help,

but go and find out the price, Charlie.

-Little frog thing.

-Can you see the little frog on the...

Bad news, team. We're into a couple of thousand pounds for that,

and I'm not surprised. It's a very...

What an amazing eye you have.

I'd love for you to buy that, but we'd need to take a nought off.

-OK.

-Come on.

-You certainly will, Blues.

So, Reds - has anything caught your eye?

Dental surgeon box, there.

-Yeah, I saw that.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, I love things like that.

-It's actually quite fun, isn't it?

-Well, it's got a price tag down there.

-Yes. Shall I have a look?

Go on. Let's have a look.

We've got to find out, haven't we?

Oh...champagne taste.

-And?

-240.

-240.

-Yes.

That's going to make everything difficult, isn't it?

-It is.

-I think so, sadly.

-Yes.

I think it will, Reds.

Crikey, our teams have expensive tastes today.

Now, are our bobbies about to find their first item?

You're a man with a bit of swagger, Charles.

Now, what have you got to look for here?

Length is the first thing cos, quite often, they're worn away.

That's got a good length. You feel? That's a proper...

-Nice.

-..proper length walking cane.

Sometimes they're bashed at the bottom.

Somebody's actually put a modern rubber ferrule on there,

to stop it getting damaged at the bottom.

You need to check the condition of it, which is,

generally, pretty good.

It's cane and it's lacquered.

It's really rather lovely.

It's tactile.

It's got a ferrule here and here,

and here we are - we've got the hallmark.

It's got a Birmingham hallmark, an anchor, and a date letter.

I would imagine it's about 1910-20.

What do you think that's worth?

I'm the auctioneer. Going, going, gone. How much did it sell for?

-45.

-45.

Erm...

-35.

-35.

Price...

-25!

-Wow.

-Look at that.

Do you know, and this nice stallholder might even give you

a little shave off. Go on, John - do your best.

So, Mr Davison, what's your best price on that, do you think?

I agree with you that an auction price is somewhere between

-30 and 45...

-Yeah.

So, to give you a chance, I'll do that for 20.

20? Would you go to 18?

I couldn't at 18, but I could do 20.

I think we should say, "£20 - thank you very much indeed."

-OK.

-Thank you.

-Right, thank you, sir. I'll...

Shake your hand, if we don't break it.

And that's another 400 for the breakages.

Steady on, Blues.

But, well done - first buy with 15 minutes on the clock.

Now, it seems like the Reds are sticking to the team colours.

That price of £65 is looking more like it.

I absolutely love this.

-I love it.

-What do you think?

-What do you think?

-Edgy.

-I like the style.

I like the style. It's got a sort of Deco-y sort of look about it.

-Yes, it has, hasn't it?

-Yeah.

-Has Martin tested it for comfort?

-Yeah, I think you ought to, Martin.

-Yes, I'll go and try that.

Let's have a look. What do you think there?

Oh...

-Yes.

-Yeah?

-Definitely.

-Good length.

-Lovely.

-Good length on the legs.

-It's working, indeed.

-Really nice.

Right, well, if it's comfortable...

-Very comfortable.

-How much is it?

-Well, it's got a price tag on it.

Do you think it's one we should try and find out if we could...

I think so, yup.

Perhaps we could call the owner. Sir?

Could we ask you about your...?

-Yes.

-Your red chair.

-..your chair.

-It's too cheap -

-you want to give me extra?

-No!

-Too cheap!

-It's lovely, isn't it?

Now, it's got a price on it...

-Yes.

-And we're wondering how much more friendly you could be

to us today.

If I'm really pushed,

it can be 50 quid.

-Shall we go for it?

-Yeah, we'll go for it.

-OK, thank you very much.

Thank you.

Sold for £50!

First purchase for the Reds with 18 minutes on the clock.

Let's hope their champagne budget ideas are

finally out of their system.

The Blues are still at the same stall,

but they seem to be pushing along nicely.

Aren't they sweet? Real Arts and Crafts period, aren't they?

-Mmm.

-Lovely.

-Do you think they are...?

-They're...table condiments.

Table cruets - just what I was going to say.

-I'm sure they are.

-Ah...

-Salt and pepper?

-Yeah, could be.

-Or possibly mustard and salt?

Don't know. How old would they be, do you think?

1900 or thereabouts,

you know? Give or take a decade, we'd be about right, wouldn't we?

-I would have thought so.

-Yeah.

It's just so nice to have the pair stay together.

I think they're super.

-Yes.

-Now, I'm going to do the test again cos, John,

-you haven't seen the price...

-I have seen it, unfortunately.

-Have you seen it, Caroline?

-I haven't seen the price.

What would you pay for those?

-Well, I've no real idea.

-I know, it's very unfair, isn't it?

-Wheelbarrows are not my speciality, but...

-Do you do a bit of gardening?

-..£15-£20?

-£15-£20.

-Would that be anywhere near it?

-She's a good valuer, isn't she?

The price on here is £22.

What would be your best price on those little devils?

-What about 18?

-Any chance of 15?

-JOHN:

-What you think that would go for in auction?

They're going to be narrow in terms

-of market as to who's going to want them...

-Mmm.

The average person would not want these on their table.

I, as a rather quirky antique lover,

would love to put those on my dining table.

-I don't know.

-I'm leaving it entirely up to you.

-Shall we go for 16?

-It's your game. It's not mine.

I was at 18, you're at 15 - I would go to 16.

16? 16, yeah?

-Shall we go with 16?

-Are we going to have them?

-Yes, I think so.

-Let's do it.

-Let's do it.

-Thank you very much again.

Impressive haggling skills, Blues.

So that's item number two, with nearly 20 minutes on the clock.

-Come on, team.

-Where to now?

Well, if we can buy a third thing here...

-We'd better move on.

-How are we doing for time, anyway?

We've got hours and hours...

Just 40 minutes left, so back on the beat, Blues.

Meanwhile, the Reds have moved back to the dentist's box,

but they'll need to get the price down from £240.

-Shall we ask the owner?

-Yes, that would be lovely.

Come over here and help us a little bit on the price.

-SELLER:

-Well, it's come from house clearance.

I could probably do it for 130.

-MARTIN:

-That's, that's...

-Quite pleasant.

What about 110?

-SELLER:

-No.

-So 130 is your final figure?

Now, that is... That's the gentleman's final figure.

-Yeah, that's within...

-We don't wish to insult you at all.

If there was a chance at 120, I think we'd shake your hand now.

-MARTIN:

-Go in the middle...

-SELLER:

-I'll do 125, and that's it.

-I think that's fair.

-There you are.

-There come the handshakes.

-Thank you.

-Well, thank you.

You've come down from 240 to 125

which I think is a very generous gesture.

-Thank you very much indeed. Reds, are we happy?

-Yes.

-We are indeed.

-You're happy? Great, then. Let's move on then.

Hats off to you, Reds. Box ticked.

Our RAF couple are flying along nicely with two items in the bag.

So, we're approaching the halfway mark.

How do you feel it's going, Richard?

They're doing really well.

They started a little bit slowly, but they soon picked up and then,

when we got into it, they made two purchases in about five minutes.

And the Blues, Mr Ross?

I've done a lot of Bargain Hunts but, frankly,

these are two of the most positive people I've ever met,

and they've got a good eye.

In my opinion, they are two thirds of the way to a golden gavel.

Now I've lost them.

I'm sure our bobbies will track you down, Charlie.

But there's no rest for the wicked, so back to the shopping.

-Look at that!

-Charlie!

There you are! Stop running off!

-Sorry.

-What have you found?

Well, I've found a ceramic sieve.

I'm not suggesting we buy it, but isn't it magnificent?

-It is.

-Feel the weight of that.

What would they sieve in it? So many things it could be for.

Do you think milk?

Could be for cheese, where they do the curd stuff...

Anyway, but it's singularly useless.

-We found a nice phone. Come and have a look at this.

-Right.

They're at it.

-Couple of things over here.

-Yeah.

-I love these.

-I'll tell you what I like about this - it's got the...

Kipling 7655.

And, for the police dial 999.

I can remember my parents having a phone like this.

Well, it's marked up at 125...

-It's tight.

-What sort of thing would you make that...?

-If it went to auction, it might make £100.

-OK.

-So shall we carry on?

-I think that's a good idea.

We'll remember where this is...

Yup. We can always phone them up.

Keep the phone on hold then, Blues.

You can call on it in an emergency.

Now, Reds, where are you up to?

You've stopped in your tracks already.

I've just been looking at... Is it a screen?

Is it a screen? That is, that is a screen.

-A scream?

-And I would say this -

if you could buy it for what you've got left in your kitty...

-Can I?

-You are a magician.

-Yes, thank you.

-It would be... It's going to be way out of our price range.

-Yeah.

I think you could be right, Richard.

That Tibetan painted door is going to be over your budget.

I'd move on, Reds.

So, Blues, are you still trotting along nicely?

-Caroline, have you seen these?

-I haven't.

-Come and have a look.

I was just looking at the lovely crops he's got.

They're farriers' bags for a...for a motorcycle.

-Oh, they're nice...

-Aren't they beautiful?

-..with the horseshoes.

-Farriers' bags.

Can you imagine what it would cost to make something like that?

And that really finishes them off...

-I like the little horseshoes.

-..cos that tells you what they are.

-And the stitching is amazing...

-The stitching's wonderful

-and the straps haven't been broken.

-But there's no price on them.

I have to say, don't ask me to value those because I haven't got a clue.

-SELLER:

-140.

-140.

-140.

-CAROLINE:

-Yeah, it's a lot of money.

I like them. But we've still got time,

-so I think we should keep looking.

-Yeah.

So it's a no for the farrier bags from the Blues.

And the Reds are still admiring the painted door.

But just how expensive is it?

There's no price on it, is there?

So it's going to be expensive, isn't it?

Oh, no, there isn't a price on it. It's my husband's.

We don't want to take it back on the van, so...

I don't know. 175?

-I actually can't afford that.

-Right.

-You knew I was going to say...

-I haven't.

-Yeah.

-This is the last item....

-Right.

But I absolutely adore it.

OK, what's your best offer?

How much money have I got, Martin?

You have 125 left.

And I've got to save something for Richard...

We've got to leave a pound for Richard...

..so I can only offer you 120.

No, I don't think we can let it go for that. Thank you.

Oh, dear. What a shame. If only we'd come here first.

-But you know the rules.

-That's life. Yes.

Champagne tastes strike again then, Reds.

Move on.

So, with less than 20 minutes left, go and find your final items.

Blues, what's on the menu now?

Do you know, I don't think I've seen such intricate menu card holders.

They are absolutely lovely. How much are they, my dear?

-SELLER:

-65.

-JOHN:

-65, for the pair.

Not a great deal of money.

-Do you think that's...

-May I look at one?

-SELLER:

-It's a bargain.

-That's what were hunting for.

-They're very pretty, aren't they?

-Beautifully made.

-Are they hallmarked, at all?

-They are.

-They are. Fully marked.

Stuart Clifford, London, 1901.

Stuart Clifford was one of the world's great menu holder makers.

The only thing is the price. Erm...

What would you think at auction?

Well, I'll tell you what I think they would make at auction.

£40-£60.

So, on the money there.

Well, it depends on whether the lady's got any movement or not

and how she values them. Whether she thinks that she is chancing it or...

Isn't that right, madam? Have a look at your stock and see.

How about 50?

Would you, by any chance, do 45 for them?

Tell you what, I'll go 45 then.

Well, they're not my favourite but, Caroline, if you like them,

-I'm happy to go with that.

-Caroline, you are the decider then.

Is that for me then? Is this for me then? Yes, I'd love to.

If you want then you have my... Ooh, she's done it.

-She's done it, John.

-I've done it. I'm on it.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you very much.

Well done, Caroline

That's job done for the Blues.

So it's down to the Reds.

Now, do you remember Jenny wanted to find a statue?

Well, with 50 minutes left, it looks like she's found one.

But with only £125 in their pocket,

can they afford it?

-Well, it's way again beyond what money I have, but...

-Typical.

-..I'm quite interested in this.

-That is you.

-Yes.

That is exactly what you would go for, and I do like that.

It's a charming group.

Continental, maybe Belgian or French, circa 1930.

But we got to make two assumptions.

One, that we can get the price down

-from 165 down to 124.

-Yes.

Some haggling skills are needed here then, Reds.

Now, we've seen the price on it...

-SELLER:

-Yes.

-And is there...the friendliest price

without insulting you?

Well, you tell me what you've got left.

124.

124 you've got left?

-Yes.

-So, you've really got 125 then?

-Yes.

-Er, yes.

-MARTIN:

-But he needs a pound.

-I get the pound.

-Yes, but that is the price that we can...

Well, if you can go another five...

-If you can find another five somewhere...

-That's all we've got.

130 I would take.

But what is this? I can't believe it.

We're missing out on... We haven't got it.

-MARTIN:

-That's the second time now.

-1-2-4...

I think the Reds are finally feeling the pressure.

-SELLER:

-Considering that it is quite big for me to carry round...

-Yes, yes.

-..we'll say OK.

-All right?

-MARTIN:

-Excellent.

-Thank you, madam.

-SELLER:

-Cos you've got a nice face.

-Thank you. So have you.

-I'd like to shake your hand.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-I haven't had your money yet!

-I know, I know!

Well!

-Thank you!

-I didn't see that coming.

-I did!

-You did.

Hats off to you, Reds - you're all done!

That's it - time's up!

So, are you OK with the quid then?

Give me the pound - where is it? Where is it?

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

First up, Martin and Jenny are

hoping for a comfy profit, with this

red chair, bought for £50.

Next, they are hoping this wooden

chest will be filled with profit,

bought for £125.

And, finally, they continued to

splash the cash - this time,

£124 for this bronze statue.

Well, Jenny and Martin, you said you were going to do it and you did,

you spent big!

You couldn't have spent any bigger!

And you bought some big objects.

-We did.

-A chair, a chest...

-No regrets?

-No regrets.

-None?

-None at all.

-A teensy-weensy?

-Yet!

Jenny, what's your favourite out of that interesting trio?

I quite liked the oak box.

-Yes.

-So whether it'll make any profit, I don't know.

Well, if it doesn't make profit, what will?

Most probably the chair.

Martin, are you as confident about your chair?

What's your favourite lot?

-The chair, definitely.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

It sort of sang to me when I saw it.

-Is that your most profitable lot?

-I think so, yes.

Well, we know how much you've got left.

Who's got the pound?

Richard, a one pound coin.

Now, that could terrify you or it could liberate you.

There's only so much you can do with a pound.

I'm going to have to go down on bended knee

around these kind stallholders and ask,

"Will anybody sell me something for a pound?"

Well, good luck. Put your pleading face on.

Whatever it takes!

I'll do my best.

While Richard's off saying his prayers and hoping for good fortune,

let's go see what the Blues have bought.

First up, the Blues paid £20

for this walking stick,

but will it stand up at auction?

Next, they wheeled out these

table condiments, bought for £16.

And finally, these menu cardholders

were bought for £45.

-John, Caroline - what was that like?

-Oh, a lot of fun, lot of fun.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Tell me your favourite purchase.

Well, I like the wheelbarrows, myself -

the little Arts and Crafts wheelbarrows condiment set.

Are they going to make the most profit?

-I'm not sure. Perhaps the cane - that was a bargain.

-OK.

So, Caroline - you're going

to disagree on favourite lot, aren't you?

Well, my favourite is the little hunting scene.

-Sweet.

-Being a horsey person, I like them.

Ticked that box!

-Is that where the profit lies?

-Well, I don't know.

It was our most expensive item at 45, so...

I like to think it's in a good, horsey area.

Someone will love them as well.

So by my reckoning, you've got £219 worth of change for me?

There you go, that's the folding stuff and four gold ones together.

Wowee. Mr Ross!

-Now, we're watching you...

-Oh...

Are you going to stick with the planned strategy

of spend no money, take no chances?

How can I divert from that?

I shall be frugal...

..and give them a fourth profit.

Well, Mr Ross forecasts a profit!

We'll see at the auction. In the meantime,

I'll go and see what the forecast is like down at the Met Office.

Well, as we're in Exeter, in the midst of some real weather,

I thought I'd pop down to the Met Office,

the UK's National Weather Service, who moved to the city in 2003.

The service was set up in 1854,

and 20 years later

it issued its first forecast to the Brits.

It was there that the British love affair with the weather

really found a focus.

The archive library here holds one of the most comprehensive

collections in the world, and Katharine Ross, the archivist,

is going to tell me more about the history of forecasting.

The Met Office was founded in 1854 by Rear Admiral Robert FitzRoy.

-OK.

-And it wasn't founded in order to forecast,

it was actually founded in order to understand more about

the weather at sea,

in order to protect life and property.

And what was FitzRoy's role in the forecasting?

He'd been an illustrious seaman and then coming to the Met Office,

he collected all this information together and started to feel that

he could forecast,

but he couldn't persuade anybody else that this was possible,

and then in 1859, there was a major storm called

the Royal Charter Storm,

in which 450 lives were lost on the Royal Charter alone,

and FitzRoy was then able to persuade Parliament to allow him

to start a Storm Warning Forecast and it still exists today,

obviously not quite in the same format -

it's now known as the Shipping Forecast,

and it's believed to be the longest forecasting service in the world.

-RADIO ANNOUNCER:

-'The Met Office issued the following gale warning to shipping...'

The development of the electric telegraph in the 1870s

and the increasing number of observation stations meant

more detailed analysis could be created on synoptic charts,

like these weather charts we recognise today.

Of course, it's not all about forecasting bad weather, is it?

What most of us wants to know is, when's the sun going to shine?

I seem to recall from my uni days, that instrument measures sunshine,

-does it not?

-Yes, it does.

This is a Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder,

and you can probably tell why we nickname it "the crystal ball".

The sun focuses through this glass sphere and creates a point of light

and it burns onto a card like this.

You've got your hours marked out during the day, and then it burns

a very clear line when the sun is shining and you can see when it

gets cloudy, because there's then a break in the hole.

In this case, there's just over 11 hours of sunshine,

so this was a particularly sunny day.

Between the end of the 19th century and the outbreak of World War II,

the Met Office greatly expanded.

Forecasting was becoming more detailed and there was an increasing

appetite for forecasts from the general public.

-RADIO ANNOUNCER:

-'Here, with the weather forecast, is Bert Ford.'

The first televised forecasts were on our screens in 1936

and, of course, the information was provided by the Met Office.

By 1954, George Cowling became the first forecaster to be in vision,

standing in front of a map.

Well, we can clearly see how presentation styles

have changed over the years.

But I want to know how forecasting has become more sophisticated,

so I've popped upstairs to meet chief operational meteorologist

Andy Page to find out.

I'm dazzled by this thing behind us. What's it telling us?

Now, this is showing us a satellite that's above the equator,

cos it's a geo-stationary satellite, so the white bits are the cloud

and, also, we've got radar.

So radar's land-based, picking up where we've got the areas of...

I'll say precipitation, because it's not just rain today.

So, colour's radar, the black-and-white's the satellite?

-That's right.

-But what're these crosses?

Well, that's picking up

where there's been lightning strikes over the last hour.

The red ones are the most recent.

So we then need to see how that's

going to change as we go into the future,

and this is where our computer models come in.

-Right.

-So we need to know what it's doing now,

we need to assess are the computer models

handling that situation correctly?

Yeah. So, I've got to ask the burning question...

Tell me how accurate your forecasts are.

Our forecasts today...

for four days ahead

are as accurate as our one-day forecast was 30 years ago.

Fantastic.

Now, I shall hotfoot over to the auction room,

where I'm forecasting a period of high pressure.

Well, today, we're at Ottery Auction Rooms with auctioneer David Sumner.

-How are you, David?

-Very well, thank you.

-Good, good.

Well, look at this for an offering.

The Reds,

they have waded in deep and they've bought a very diverse offering,

kicking off with this rather funky red armchair.

-What do you think of that?

-You've hit the nail on the head.

It's funky, retro. It's got it all going on.

The type of lot that sells very well at the moment.

OK. Condition's all right?

Condition's very good. It's very comfortable as well.

PAUL LAUGHS What's your estimate on that?

A cautious 30-50, but it could well exceed that.

Well, fingers crossed.

They have paid the higher end of your estimate, at £50

but they could be right,

-it could be the one that makes them the profit.

-I think so.

Now, the antidote to our funky red leather is our 19th-century oak box.

-What do you make of this interesting plaque?

-Well, it's a mishmash -

it's a 19th-century oak box

with a sort of 1930s/1940s dental practice plaque being popped on it.

-OK, something off the practice front door?

-Yeah, exactly.

-I see.

-Exactly.

-So a question for you.

The dentist's plaque -

do you think it helps or hinders the box?

Honestly, I think it hinders a little bit.

What's your estimate, then, given all of the above?

About 50-80.

We'd need to double that, to be honest with you,

because they stumped up £125, so that's looking like a problem.

It is quite... It is...

It is quite a bit. You never know, two people might...be here,

one of them may be called Shepherd.

-And a dentist at that!

-And a dentist.

Well, we'll cross everything, shall we?

And then we go to rather a smart-looking sculpture, there.

-Do you like?

-I do. I do.

It's quite traditional, but it's a statement piece.

I like the size of it.

Unfortunately, it's not bronze. It is only painted spelter.

However, it's a statement piece.

I've, again, cautiously estimated it at 60-80.

It wouldn't surprise me if it topped that.

They paid £124.

I think there may be a small loss looming.

Okey dokey.

Well, I suggested earlier on that Martin and Jenny had waded in deep.

They spent £299 of their £300 budget.

They may need a bonus buy.

Let's see how much Richard's managed to pull out the hat

with just one pound.

Well, for a pound it doesn't go a long way, but I went a long way.

Probably 5,000 or 6,000 miles...

..to find you this.

-Oh...

-Oh...

-Ooh...

For a pound, that's amazing.

You like it? Well, I think it's...

It's probably from south-east Asia.

I mean, possibly Indian...

-Yes.

-..and it's a decorative panel.

What it was made for, I don't know.

Too small for a piano. Maybe a tabletop, a table throw...

For a pound coin, we can't go wrong.

-You can't go wrong.

-Do you think there's any profit in it?

Well, I hope the auctioneer's going to open the bidding

at least at five pounds, at five...

maybe go to six or even seven.

So there could be a 500, 600 or 700% profit in this.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, let's go see what the auctioneer thinks of Richard's

one pound purchase.

What do you make of that?

Well, I think he's in money.

I really like this thing.

It's very pretty - silk work, and for a pound...

Bargain.

How big a bargain is it? What's your estimate?

I think it could do about 20 to 30.

Well, that's one serious margin, is it not?

£30 from a pound.

My hat would be off and it sounds reasonable enough to me.

Right, it's going to be an interesting one for the Reds.

Now, over to the Blues.

Caroline and John, they were more frugal in their purchasing.

They've got these three items here. Kicking off with the cane -

how good an example is that, David?

What I like about the cane is it's a tall cane

-so it's usable.

-Oh, I see.

A lot of earlier canes, especially Victorian ones,

are quite short cos they were much shorter.

And this one's quite high so even someone of my height,

five foot nine, could use it.

Estimate on that, about 15 to 25.

Well, that's good news because they paid £20 for it.

So, bang in the middle of your estimate,

and you said you're cautious, so it bodes well.

But from there we go to John's favourite lot,

these rather unusual little brass wheelbarrows.

What you think of those?

I really like them. Very unusual.

Quirky. We like quirky.

Quirky's good.

-W&P. Did some research on W&P. Couldn't come up with anything.

-OK.

I'm not 100% sure of the function for them, actually.

We've put them down as table condiments,

but you could use them for anything.

I can't imagine they paid an awful lot for them,

but I think they'll do quite well.

What's your estimate?

About 15 to 20.

Music to the Blues' ears, I have no doubt.

They paid £16.

Well, from John's favourite lot to Caroline's and, indeed,

the one that she thinks will make the most profit -

the silver cardholders.

I love these.

I love these. Given the area - West Country, country pursuits -

I've got buyers lined up for these already.

When they came out the box, fantastic.

I just... Yeah.

I, I...

I'm struggling to find words.

It's a shame it's not a set of six.

That's the only downside.

Well, tell me the estimate.

Again, very, very cautious.

40 to 60. It wouldn't surprise me if they raced away to, potentially,

a lot, lot more than that.

Well, John and Caroline will be happy enough at that. They paid £45.

So, I'll tell you what, a lovely trend developing there.

It is all looking positive for the Blues.

They may not need the bonus buy, but let's go and take a look regardless.

Charlie, put us out of our misery.

What on earth did you spend the money on?

-I've spent quite a lot of money...

-OK.

But I've gone for quality, and I've gone for age,

and I've gone for that!

Da-da-dah! It's a hip flask.

Well done!

Go to the top of the class!

Not only a hip flask, but it's Victorian.

It's 1876.

Ever heard of the name Asprey's?

-No.

-I have.

-Well, there you go.

-That's a London...

No, it wasn't the answer I was looking for, that, was it?

Wonderful, high-quality,

West End jewellers and objets d'art of the very finest quality,

and they are highly collectable items,

and I normally see them for quite a lot of money,

and I bought this because I thought it was worth the money.

Go on, then, Charlie - how much did you pay?

OK, I paid £110 for it.

-110.

-Oh, I was going to say a couple of hundred!

You were going to say a couple of hundred?

I wish you'd said that before I said 110.

-I think that is worth a profit.

-OK.

But we don't choose now, do we?

-You don't.

-No, OK.

-It's a gamble, it is a gamble.

And you don't need to make your decision now.

Leave that until the sale of your three items at the auction

and, in the meantime, let's go see if the auctioneer thinks Charlie's

hip flask will bring SPIRITED bidding at the saleroom.

How much do you like our

Asprey silver hip flask?

It just gets better, doesn't it?

The condition is pretty good, it's got a couple of little dings,

but I don't think that will make any difference at all.

What's it going to make? What's your estimate?

I've put about 150 to 200 but, potentially,

with that Asprey's tag on it,

it could run a bit more.

Charlie's rather cleverly purchased that for £110.

He's a canny, canny fellow.

Are you taking the auction, David?

-I am.

-Are you looking forward to this lot?

-I am, definitely.

I can see that.

And I am too.

Can't wait.

I've got to ask, how are the nerves?

Come on, you have put it all on black, as it were.

Well, yes, but it could go one way or the other...

No two ways about that.

First up is the red armchair.

-So here goes. Good luck.

-Exciting.

Retro red leather easy chair, terminating on stainless steel legs.

Can start with me at £40.

42, will you?

-42. 42.

-Yes, yes...

Very good.

£60 for this lot.

Seems like a cheap lot at £60.

£60. 60. 62. 65.

That's his commission.

On the internet, 65.

68. Any interest in the room,

at £68?

£68?

Internet, it's your bid.

God bless the internet. £68.

That's a profit of £18.

Now it's the dental box.

19th-century oak blanket box,

with a later-applied bronze plaque.

I can start with me at £50.

55, will you?

55, anywhere in the room?

55, 60, 65...

I'm looking for £65 for this lot.

65, anywhere?

Yes, lovely.

Don't want to lose it, do they?

£75. Make no mistake,

I'm selling at £75...

-£75.

-Yeah.

Sadly, that's a loss of £50,

bringing your running total to

a loss of £32.

-Right, OK.

-So...

The sculpture he likes, here it comes now.

Spelter figure of a boy singing

to his ducks, set on a marble base.

Who'll start me away at £100 for this lot?

£100. £100.

£50, then. £50, I've got.

55, will you?

55, 60.

65...

65, 70, 75...

75, anywhere?

Patrick, 75?

Make no mistake, I'm selling at £70.

-Ooh...

-Oh...

Ouch!

Now that is a loss of £54,

bringing your total to a loss of

£86, by my reckoning.

Oh, what can I say?

Well, we tried.

It started well.

We predicted a good start with the chair, and then it slipped away.

Yeah. OK.

A world record now for an Indian textile.

Is there £100 in this?

It'd be a first. It would be a first.

-Excellent.

-You never know.

I'm obliged to ask the question,

but I'll be surprised if I can't predict the answer.

Are you going to go with the one pound bonus buy?

-Of course we are!

-We thought we might.

Here it comes, now. Bonus buy. Good luck.

Vintage Indian silk tapestry wall hanging,

with woven gold thread.

I've got conflicting bids.

I can start me away at £12.

15, will you? £15, £15.

Let's move to the room. £15 for this lot.

-Excellent.

-DAVID:

-15, anywhere?

-MARTIN:

-That's done well.

15, do I see 15?

Commission bid's going to buy it,

at £12.

Well done, that man.

£12 is a profit of 11 which takes

the sting out to the tune of £75.

So sorry!

As we all know, in Bargain Hunt land, that could be a winning score,

-could it not?

-It could be.

So we're going to hold on to that hope,

and we're going to hold on to the numbers.

We're not going to tell anything to the opposition.

Keep mum.

Forgotten already.

You got lovely big smiles on your faces.

Does that belie a nervous condition or not?

-Bit nervous, yes.

-Are you?

What could possibly go wrong, though?

First up is your walking cane,

and here it comes now.

Silver-banded rattan walking stick,

by Henry Howell and Co.

Who'll start me away at £20?

-JOHN:

-Go on.

-DAVID:

-£20.

£10 I've got. Thank you.

12, will you? £12 for this lot.

12, 15, 18...

18, 20, 22...

Not at 22.

22, 25.

Not at 25. Selling at 22, then.

That's your bids.

-Number please, sir.

-That was it. £22.

Plus two pounds after your first lot.

Now, next up the novelty wheelbarrows.

Here they come now.

Condiment set,

modelled as wheelbarrows, stamped W&P.

15, will you?

15. 15, 18, 20...

-Yes. Profit again!

-20. Not at 20.

I'm looking for £20 for this lot.

£20, anywhere in the room?

It's with me for 18.

£18.

That's another two pounds.

Lastly, the menu holders

the auctioneer loves - maybe his favourite lot in this sale.

You paid 45. The estimate's 40 to 60, but he thinks they'll fly.

These tick all the boxes.

This is a really pretty lot.

I can start me away at...

£82 with me.

85, will you?

85? 88, I'm out.

I'm going to move to the room at 88.

£88, anywhere in the room?

£88... Let's move to the internet.

Got 90...

I feel a golden gavel coming on!

Make no mistake, I will sell to the internet at £90...

Well done, you. £90.

That's a profit of £45 on the holders.

£49 profit overall.

Are you going to risk this profit?

Shall we go risk averse here?

-I think we're in profit...

-We're going to...

hold our profits.

-Are you?

-Yes. Stick with it.

So we're not going with the bonus buy.

A silver and leather-bound

hip flask, by the known maker Charles Asprey.

I've got to tell you the auctioneer loves it.

He thinks £150-£200 and, I've got to say,

I hope he's wrong for your sake.

I can jump straight in at £80.

90, will you?

90, 100, 110...

£110.

(One more.)

110, 120, 130...

£130.

Hats off to Charlie.

A £20 profit.

Got to be happy, but you've got to give nothing away to the Reds.

So, solemn faces. Keep schtum, yeah?

Well, well, well.

What an interesting competition this was.

But I've got to say, sadly,

one team made the fatal mistake of not trusting their expert,

and not going with the bonus buy.

So, it's with regret that I inform the teams that

the runners up today are...

the Reds.

GASPS AND LAUGHTER

Quelle surprise.

Sadly, you waded in deep.

You committed the £299 and it didn't pay off.

But, I've got to say, the Blues...

My word, golden gavel-ers.

Look at this! It's got to feel good?

-It's good.

-Yes?

-It's amazing.

Happy days. Well, you'll want me to give you your

substantial £49 profit...

..and we'll give you the highly coveted and prestigious

-golden gavel.

-Oh, amazing.

There you go, Caroline. Well done.

-Thank you kindly.

-One for John.

Thank you.

Well, thank you all for being such good sports.

What a Bargain Hunt!

Do visit our website -

details appearing on the screen now,

and check us out on Twitter.

And certainly join us soon for some more Bargain Hunting. Yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!