Carmarthen 29 Bargain Hunt

It's 6.15 and I have a busy day ahead.

Bargain Hunt has pulled in to the Welsh capital of Cardiff.

Time to prepare for action.

# Have a nice day... #

Ah, good morning. Or should I say bore da?

The teams are just around the corner,

so there's no time to waste. Let's get going.

Let's go Bargain Hunting.

Today, our teams will be shopping here

at Jacobs Antiques Market in the centre of the city.

As usual, they have £300 to spend

to buy themselves three bargains over these three floors.

This place is stuffed to the rafters full of goodies.

There's no time to waste. Let's take a sneaky peek at what's coming up.

The Reds almost fall out...

-No, I wasn't high-fiving you.

-Box, box, box!

I was, "That's fine, Helen."

..and the Blues find a mystery object.

I don't even know what it is, other than a husband beater.

While at auction, the Reds feel the tension...

-Make no mistake.

-Come on. Come on.

-..and the Blues are in for a shock.

-At £10 only.

-THEY GASP

And I'm off to discover more about a Welsh Hollywood hero.

-What was he earning in his heyday in Hollywood?

-Up to 2,000 a week.

Today on Bargain Hunt, we have two cracking teams.

For the Reds, we have best buds Helen and Charlotte,

and for the Blues, we have married couple Caitlin and Steve.

-Hello, teams. ALL:

-Hello!

Now, Helen, I hear that you have a bit of an eye for design.

-Is that right?

-I like to think so, yes.

-Mm-hm.

-I've recently moved into a new house.

-Ooh.

-So, I've got themed bedrooms.

-Ooh.

-Um, lots of bling.

-Blingy bedrooms?

-Blingy bedrooms.

So, when you're not dabbling in interior design

and doing up bedrooms, what do you do for a living?

Most of my working life has been in the caring industry.

-So, you're a very caring, sharing person?

-Yes.

-Nanny, childminder, support worker, so, yes.

-Aw.

-Yeah.

-That's brilliant.

Charlotte, I believe that you also did a quite similar profession.

-Is that right?

-Yes. I've cared for vulnerable adults

and supported them to be as independent as possible,

and also Care in the Community, which I absolutely loved.

-That's how we met.

-Yeah.

-And then we talked about work, didn't we?

-Mm-hm.

That's how we started off.

"Oh, I've done that and I do this and that."

And also I believe that you're very creative.

-You do lots of baking and...

-I do.

So, what is it about baking that you love so much?

It's therapeutic. It's absolutely therapeutic. And creative.

-And tasty, I hope.

-I hope so.

-SHE LAUGHS

You know, for every occasion, I've made cakes.

You're both fantastic friends, which is great.

You've been friends for a long time, as well.

How do you think you'll get on today?

-Oh, I think we'll get on fine.

-Yeah, we're going to win.

Oh! THEY LAUGH

We're both drawn to the same sort of items,

-so we're both kind of in tune with each other.

-OK.

-So, that'll be mostly...

-We like bling.

-..bling.

-So, basically, anything that sparkles is in danger.

-Yes.

-Yes.

I'm sure that'll work really well today.

-Very best of luck, Reds.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-You'll be wonderful.

Now, Blues, my team of married bliss, Caitlin and Steve.

Ten years, you've been married, guys!

-Can you believe it?

-Yes, ten years.

-Steve, tell me how you met.

I'd moved down from Scotland to live in Bristol

and I met Caitlin in a pub when she was still at university.

-Aw. All those years ago.

-Yes, love at first sight.

-And then you wooed her, I believe, on a very exotic first date.

-Yeah.

Yes, invited her out on a first date.

We went for a walk and managed to get lost.

And there was a second date?

There was a second date, yes. There certainly was.

So, when you're not wooing your delightful wife,

what do you do, Steve?

I'm an account delivery manager for a global IT company.

A global IT company. Right.

And you also do a lot of travelling, as well, I believe.

-Your heart is in travelling.

-Oh, I love to travel.

We went to South America for seven or eight weeks.

-We went to Peru and Argentina and Bolivia, Paraguay.

-Wonderful.

And do you take...? Cos you've got two children.

Yes, Elizabeth and Sophie.

And do they come travelling with you?

-Have they got that travel gene now?

-We've got a caravan.

-Wonderful.

-A little tourer.

And we do go round the UK with that

-and we go and visit family in Scotland...

-Yeah, yeah.

-..and West Wales, Cornwall, Devon, the usual haunts.

-Fantastic.

-Yeah.

So, when you're not jet-setting round the world or in your caravan,

Caitlin, what do you do?

-Well, I'm a chartered legal executive...

-Right. Oof!

..but I'm working as a consultant at the moment

-as a legal costs draughtsman for a costs firm in Monmouth.

-OK.

But you also volunteer, I believe.

-Yeah, I'm the secretary of our local Scout group.

-Oh, fantastic.

So, how do you think, being a married couple,

you're going to fare in the world of Bargain Hunting today?

Do you think you'll agree?

-Well, I'll tell him what to say and he'll do it.

-I'll do what I'm told.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-No, come on, Steve.

-You've got to have at least one pick, surely.

-Oh, yes.

-OK, Caitlin, what about you?

-Yeah, we'll spend it apart from a pound.

Oh, really?

Ooh, my goodness. Caroline's going to love you for that(!)

-I know.

-THEY LAUGH

Right, OK, teams. Well, what do we need?

-ALL:

-Money!

-Money, exactly. There we are.

-Lovely. Thank you.

-Thank you.

-There's the big money. £300 for you.

-£300 for you, Reds.

-Thank you.

-I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Your experts await. Now, off you go.

-Woohoo!

-Woohoo!

Ooh, this is going to be an interesting one today.

Today's teams will, of course,

need a couple of experts to help them out.

A big fan of the Reds, it's Richard Madley.

And in the saddle for the Blues, it's Caroline Hawley.

-Have you got anything in mind on your list?

-Yes, Richard.

We are going for Art Deco jewellery.

What are you looking for?

Anything that catches my eye. I'm not quite sure.

-Quirky silver.

-Quirky silver.

-I'd like to pick up a nice little bit of silver.

-Great.

-No, no, we're not getting silver.

-Aw.

-No?

Right, teams, your 60 minutes starts now.

-This is the place to start.

-Ooh!

Come on, then. Let's go.

Advertising signs always do well, but they should be...

You kind of want them with an image.

Well, this lot aren't wasting any time.

Keep those eyes peeled, teams.

-Do you like propellers, Caitlin?

-No, not particularly.

-All right.

-They seem to sell, though, don't they?

They sell, don't they?

Seems quite nice. What sort of wood is that?

-Think that's probably mahogany.

-Wow.

-There's no price on it at all.

-It's missing a few bits.

-And it's a bit...

-Notably, the aeroplane.

-Yes.

-THEY LAUGH

-It's not going to fly.

-No.

-Yeah.

-It's damaged up the top and all.

-Yeah, I'll pop that back.

Moving on, then, Blues. What have the Reds spotted?

-Oh!

-Chinese plaque, platter, charger.

Would that be pewter or...? No?

-Well, it looks like copper and silver.

-Copper?

-Shall we have a look?

-Yes, that would be brilliant.

Here is the dish itself.

So, in terms of age, I would imagine it dates from the late 19th,

-could be even early 20th century.

-Right.

It's copper, and this here is silver.

-A silvered metal.

-I like that.

-The market for Chinese ceramics

-and works of art is currently very strong.

-Oh.

And something like this might just catch the eye of a Chinese buyer.

-Yeah.

-It's so unusual.

-It is unusual, isn't it?

-Yes, yeah.

-It caught your eye, caught my eye.

-Yeah.

-It caught your eye.

-Shall we have a little haggle?

-Yes.

-And here's Anne to talk price.

-Hello.

-We are very, very tempted by your Chinese platter.

-25 is the best on that.

-Right.

-Well, 25, I think, is a fair price. Are we happy?

-Yes.

-We're happy.

-Yes, we're happy with that.

-Shall we then say sold?

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

We've got our first lot under our belt.

-Woohoo!

-And we're away.

-Great.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you.

-Sold.

One item down in under five minutes, Reds. Well done.

And it looks as though Steve

may well have spotted the Blues' first item.

Caroline, I quite like this. I think it's...

-It's big, but I quite like it. It's nice.

-It is.

-It's real Art Deco, isn't it, with its boar's eye dogs?

-Yeah.

-I bet it's French.

-Right, I see.

-So, what do you like about that?

-I just think it's really nice.

-OK.

-There's sort of movement and fluid.

Ah, good on you, Steve. Follow your heart.

Caitlin, Steve... Let's see what Caitlin thinks.

Caitlin, Steve's found something he loves.

-Hmm.

-HE LAUGHS

-Really?

-Oh, dear. Poor Steve.

-Let's see what Caitlin thinks.

-Caitlin, Steve's...

-SHE LAUGHS

Is that a no, then, dear?

-Yeah, that would be horrible in the house, wouldn't it?

-Maybe not.

So, do you two ever agree on anything at all?

-Well, he agrees with me. Does that count?

-I bet he does.

Right, come on, Steve. Let's go.

I think we could have a bit of trouble on today's shop.

Oh, those Russian dolls up there.

-Oh, they are lovely.

-Oh, they're lovely.

-Look at those.

-Is there any value in those?

-Well...

-No?

-They're gorgeous.

-..I mean, they're brand-new, aren't they?

-That wouldn't work with our tactics.

-Yes.

-But where were we? Silver?

-Jewellery? Art Deco? Bling?

-Yes, yes. Come on, then. Yes.

-Yeah.

OK, we've got to keep going.

Exactly, Richard. Keep those girls focused.

Meanwhile, Caitlin has spotted

a rather lovely pair of Art Deco chairs.

-Are we allowed to sit down, do you think?

-Oh, go on. Why not?

Oh, yeah. They're quite comfortable, aren't they?

-Oh, they're lovely.

-Ooh, they're very comfy.

You two, you look like you're shopping for home.

We're shopping for profit, guys. Come on.

-Right.

-They are gorgeous chairs.

-They are.

You tell them, Caroline.

You're handling this with military precision.

Talking of which...

-I like that.

-You said military stuff to me, didn't you?

-I did, yeah.

-Yeah.

-So, we like the tunic.

Shall I just have a little look to see what the price is on it?

-Yes, please.

-Ooh, yes, please.

-It's £35.

-Ooh!

-Wow.

-Our price range. I like that.

-That is our price range.

I think that's very good.

We need a nice, young man to...

-Model it.

-..model it for us at the auction.

-Yeah. Yeah, indeed.

-Yes.

-Yeah. What about you, Richard?

If you turn the clock back a little bit.

Aw, I think you'd look very dapper in that tunic, Mr Madley.

Would the hat come with the tunic? Would that be matching or...?

-Yes, that is part of his dress uniform.

-Yeah.

And I think we should also enquire

-about the price on the helmet.

-I agree, yeah.

-Yeah.

-Now, the stallholder's not here, but we can make an enquiry.

-OK.

Time to have a word about the price.

Off you pop, then, Richard. Enquire away.

Meanwhile, Caroline's having words.

-Right, I don't want to panic you, but I do just a little.

-No, I know.

We've got nearly 25 minutes done and I know you've been brilliant,

you've been racing off and seeing lots of things,

-but we've spent 25 minutes and we haven't got...

-We need to buy.

-We haven't found anything to buy.

-Let's spend some money.

That's more like it, team. Some positivity.

Back to the Reds, and Michael is here from the antique centre

to get down to business.

The best price that we could buy the tunic for today?

Um, I've got £35 on it, so I think I could do it for 30.

-Ooh, sounds good.

-Good, yeah.

-30. Yeah, we like that for the tunic.

-Yes, we do.

-Yeah.

Now, a question about the peaked cap.

-The price on that would be...?

-That one up there is actually 48.

I've got another one round the corner which is 25.

-Ah.

-Right. Could we have that one with that one?

-I don't see why not. I think that'd be fine.

-Ooh, OK.

-So, 48, I think, was a bit rich for us today.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

We like 25, within our budget, so putting the two together for £55.

-Not bad, is it?

-I think that's a deal.

-I think it's a deal.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Excellent.

You Reds are on a roll. That's two items down.

Now, are the Blues any closer to finding their first buy?

What do we think about this clock? I like that.

-I'm sort of drawn to Art Deco kind of...

-Right. Well, it is.

-It's Art Deco, French.

-All right.

And it's known as a garniture de cheminee...

-Oh, right.

-..which means there's the clock

-and then the garniture, the two vases either side.

-OK.

So, that would sit on your fireplace or cheminee.

-I really like that.

-There's a price.

-Does your wife like it?

-Ask your wife.

-Do you like it, darling?

-I love it.

Well, I never!

-Steve!

-The dance of joy.

-I'll do my dance of joy.

Oh, my goodness. I'm doing a dance of joy, as well.

-It's £95.

-Oh.

-Oh. Is that top end? Is that fair for it?

I mean, what's auction price, do you think?

-It is a retail price, so it needs to be lower.

-Yes.

We need a trade price on it.

-Do you want me to go and find the best price?

-Yes, please.

Yeah, if we could get it for 70, do you think that's a fair...?

70? I daren't say no to you, Caitlin.

-But I'm going to go and try.

-You're learning fast.

-I am learning.

Consider yourself told there, Caroline.

Whilst the Blues wait on a couple of prices,

Richard has spotted something rather unusual.

-What is it?

-Yes?

-I've got no idea.

-Oh.

-Look at the...

-The grain.

-..patination and grain...

-Yeah, the grain's beautiful.

-..of that wood.

-Yeah, it is.

-That wood is probably South American...

-Wow.

..or South African, and it's either...

-It feels nice, too.

-..a zebrawood or a stinkwood.

-Look at the weight of that.

-Oh, my goodness.

-Oh, imagine it full of biscuits.

-Feel the weight. Oh, hello!

-Crumbs!

-Heavy, it is, indeed.

-I didn't realise you were...

Well, I'm just thinking in terms of the auction that we're going to.

There'll be collectors there who buy treen.

Now, treen is a lovely term

-which encapsulates all items made out of trees.

-Oh.

-Right.

And I can imagine that a treen collector

would see a box like that and think,

"That is going to polish up really well."

It's got a price on it that I don't think is out of the way.

-Yes.

-£45.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Time to strike a deal.

Ah, Hannah. Could you let us know the best price

on the covered snakewood, stinkwood, turned wood bowl?

-40.

-OK.

-OK.

-Thank you.

-We're going to put it into the mix

-and we may well come back to you on that.

-OK.

Thank you very much indeed.

That's another one to ponder on. Time to wander on.

Ooh, Caroline's back with a price.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Yes?

-I have news.

-Right.

-Good.

The clock garniture, that could be 70,

but - and it's a big but - it's not working.

I think we better move on.

I think it might bomb, even if we buy it at 70.

Back to the drawing board, then, team.

All three items still to find and only 25 minutes left on the clock.

Let's check in with the Reds.

This is an interesting market. Vintage luggage.

I mean, again, something that, you know, years ago, it literally got...

Well, I would say got thrown out, but now people sell hat boxes and...

It's in fashion today, isn't it? That one on the top there is lovely.

-Yeah, no, there's...

-Lovely shape.

-It's an interesting market.

From vintage luggage to vintage clothing,

Steve and Caroline had taken a keen interest in a 1950s wedding dress.

-Do vintage clothes sell?

-Yeah, vintage clothes do sell,

and there's an awful lot of brides nowadays

that would rather buy a vintage dress.

-Over something new?

-Yeah, exactly.

-Right.

-It's very heavy. Wow.

-Yeah, look at the sleeves.

-Very, very elegant.

-Yes.

-Caitlin, what do you think?

-What do you think of this?

That's really nice, isn't it?

Crikey! I don't believe it. It's another item they both like.

-Is it silk?

-Yeah, beautiful silk.

-Can we get it down?

-It's gorgeous.

-Absolutely gorgeous, isn't it?

-It is lovely.

-How much is it? Does it have a price on it?

-I don't know.

-Let me go and have a look.

-OK. Can we get it down, as well?

-I'll go and find the lady. Hang on.

-OK, thanks.

-Thanks very much.

-Hello?

Oof, you're earning your stripes today, Caroline.

Meanwhile, Richard and the Reds have found some pewter.

It looks heavy, doesn't it?

Well, it might look it, but, actually, do you know what?

It's not really heavy. It's heavy in terms of quality.

This is pewter and it's of the Art Nouveau period.

-So, I'm just picking that out as an example.

-Look at the balloons.

-They look like balloons.

-I'm going to put that on the list.

-If you hang on to that one there...

-Sure.

..because the other one I'm going to bring out is...

-Interesting, that one.

-Well, this one also looks interesting to me.

-And I don't know...

-Is it a tray?

-It's a tray.

-It is.

-Good spot.

-This is copper...

-Ah, OK.

..that's been inlaid with some form of silver metal.

-A price of £90.

-90.

-It's probably a little bit tired.

-Yes.

-That's what puts me off.

-I agree.

-I agree with that.

-Whereas this one...

-But that one...

-Yeah, got something about it.

-I think so.

-I think it's beautiful.

-So, is it better than our stinkwood or zebrawood box?

-No.

-Not sure.

-Well, Helen?

-I think I want to go for the box.

-Helen wants the box.

-It's unusual.

-I like this.

-Oh!

Uh-oh. Trouble in the ranks with the Reds.

However, in the Blue camp, they're now all getting along swimmingly.

-Well...

-Gosh, it's heavy.

-..the good news is this lovely dress can be £75.

-Ooh, wow.

-I think we should go for it.

-Yes.

-It's very nice.

-Yeah.

-Do you both like it?

-As long as you think that we can make money on it.

-Well, down from 125 to 75.

-OK.

-Right.

-Let's go for it.

-So, is that a go?

-Yes.

-That's a go. Let's go.

-Yes! Brilliant!

Brilliant! I'd shake your hands,

-but I'm holding the dress.

-THEY LAUGH

Hurrah! Finally, your first item, Blues.

Now, you best get cracking. You've only got 15 minutes left.

-I still prefer the box.

-Well, I prefer that.

-It's unusual.

-Hmm.

-Well, we've...

-Richard?

Well, I'm thinking in terms of the auction,

and I think that, although £55 is a fair price on this,

I think the covered box at 40 could deliver us a higher profit.

You're siding with Helen, you mean?

-OK, that's fine.

-Oh, dear, dear.

-That's fine.

Awkward.

-It's the box. The box it is.

-Fine, Helen.

-No, I wasn't high-fiving you.

-Box, box, box!

I was, "That's fine, Helen."

Even more awkward.

-Thank you, Richard. Thank you.

-Go on. Go on.

-Go on.

Nice work, ladies. Two items down and only one to go.

Now, with time ticking, the Blues still have two items to find.

-Caroline.

-Yes?

-Come and look.

-Coming, Caitlin!

-This is very bizarre.

I don't even know what it is, other than a husband beater.

-Oh, dear.

-But it's really nice.

I don't actually know what it is. Looks almost like a fan,

-but you'd knock yourself out, wouldn't you?

-To make butter.

-What do you like about it?

-I don't like it.

-You don't like it?

-I don't like it.

-I really like it. It's £18.

But we want to spend big.

Hmm. I think we all know the way this is going.

-Do you like it, dear?

-Yes, I do.

-I think you should be allowed one.

-OK, well done.

Ah, Steve. You've buckled under pressure.

-Is this yours?

-Yes, it is. Yeah.

-Oh, right.

-Can we just have a word about it, please?

-Yeah.

Do you know what it is?

I actually don't know what it is. It's clearly Japanese and handmade.

-Hand-painted on the back.

-Yeah.

-It's lovely. It's a lovely thing.

-What's the best price you could do on that?

-Um, 15.

-15.

-Hmm. Can we go 12?

-Yeah, I think we could go 12.

-Excellent.

-That would be fine.

-I think you're amazing, Caitlin.

-Done deal.

-Done deal. Thank you.

-Lovely.

-Excellent.

-We'll have that. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Not much of a say in that one, Steve, but nevertheless,

that's two items down with only one to go and five minutes left.

Now, back to the Reds, who are getting ready

to seal their third and final deal on the tree box.

Excellent. On that note, we'd very much like to have it.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you.

-Brilliant.

-We're all happy?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Good. Excellent.

Well done, Reds. That's you done and dusted.

Now, Blues, three minutes left.

-What do you think of that?

-Ooh. Now, that's nice, nice quality.

-Rosewood.

-Yeah. Yes.

-Rosewood?

It's 295. Do you think we're going to...?

-How much money have we got left?

-We've got 213.

-Do you want me to find the bottom line?

-Yes.

-Yes, please.

-You find the bottom line.

-Right.

-OK.

-I'll be back.

We'll go and have a look over there. How much time do we have left?

Oh, about five minutes.

Er, I think you'll find that's more like two minutes, Steve.

This could mean a panic buy.

-Steve!

-Oh, hello.

-Come, come. I have news.

-Ooh, yes?

-Oh, good, good, good.

-I've found the lovely owner of this fine thing.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

I asked her would she take 212

-and yes, she'll take it.

-THEY CHEER

Nice work, Caroline. That's it, Blues.

Your three items are in the bag.

ELEPHANT TRUMPETS OK, teams, pack your trunks.

Your time is up.

Great. Well done.

Let's check out what the Red team bought.

First up was their copper plaque, which set them back £25.

Next, it was the army jacket and cap which caught their attention.

£55 paid.

And finally, it was the hardwood box and cover.

They did a deal at £40.

Girls, you promised me bling.

-What happened?

-We didn't get any bling.

-No, you didn't bring bling.

-Sorry.

-I know.

-Oh, never mind.

-Never mind.

What was your favourite item, Hells Bells? What did you buy?

-Our favourite item is the military tunic with the peaked cap.

-OK.

-A bit of men in uniform.

-Yes.

-OK.

-And bling on the buttons.

Bling on the buttons.

-We had a little bit of bling.

-Ah, OK. Happy days. Phew!

-Yes.

So, Charlotte, you agree with Helen about what is your favourite item,

but what do you think will make the biggest profit?

-The military uniform.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-It's all about the tunic, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-So, how much did you spend, girls?

-We spent £120.

£120. So, I need £180...

-Yes.

-..of leftover readies, if you don't mind.

-Leftover lolly.

-Ooh, fantastic.

-There we go, Richard. £180.

-Christina, thank you.

It's burning a hole in your pocket now.

-I'm under real pressure.

-Yes.

But I did spot something on the way round

that I think might just appeal to both of you.

-Both? Gosh, OK.

-So, leave it with me.

-OK, good.

-Brilliant.

Best of luck with that, Richard.

Now, let's go and check out what the Blue team bought.

Their first item was the gorgeous wedding dress.

Price paid - £75.

Next, the Japanese paddle cost them £12.

And finally, the two-seater sofa cost them £212.

Do you know, I love a team that has a plan and sticks to it.

-Well, yeah.

-THEY LAUGH

-So, which was your favourite item, Steve?

-The vintage wedding dress.

-A vintage wedding dress.

-Yes.

-Sounds beautiful.

Caitlin, what was your favourite item?

My favourite item was the sofa -

the two-seater sofa that we bought at the end.

-Right at the end.

-At the end.

-Yeah.

-Do you think it's going to make you the most profit?

-No.

I think the one that will bring the largest profit

is the Japanese paddle.

That'll bring you the biggest profit. Steve, what do you think?

I think the Japanese bat will bring the most,

even though it's the one I don't like.

-Caroline, they're in agreement!

-They are!

-THEY LAUGH

-It's amazing, Christina!

So, you guys, overall, spent £299, so I would like

one whole Great British pound of leftover lolly, please.

Thank you very much. Caroline, what's your plan?

I'm going to look and look and look...

-You'll look and look.

-..till I find something.

-Brilliant.

OK, well, while Caroline goes off and has a panic,

we'll pop off to the flicks.

From the dawn of early cinema,

actors have been swapping the Welsh Valleys

for a life in the Hollywood Hills.

But who would think that a Welsh actor

at the turn of the 20th century would leave the Valleys

and end up as one of the superstars of the Hollywood silent movie era?

His name was Gareth Hughes

and I've come to the Cross Hands Cinema in Llanelli,

where he was born, to meet historian Stephen Lyons

who can tell me more about him.

How lovely to see you.

Gareth Hughes was born in Llanelli

and his father was a tin plate worker.

Gareth had performance in his blood.

He used to perform plays in a pigsty at the bottom of the garden.

-He was born for the stage.

-Yeah.

-So, where did he start?

Well, he got on the train, he went to London,

and then he got involved with a company of Welsh players.

Towards the end of 1913, they played Change by J O Francis,

and then that company took the play to New York.

So, what was next in his agenda?

It was fairly standard for good actors to be picked up to do films.

He appeared in a film called Mrs Wiggs Of The Cabbage Patch...

-Great title!

-..playing young Billy Wiggs.

He goes to Hollywood in 1919, and by the end of 1920,

Metro Pictures had offered him a contract.

He made a film called The Midnight Girl

starring Bela Lugosi and Lila Lee.

That was a rather good film for him.

And what was he earning in his heyday in Hollywood?

Up to 2,000 a week.

He had a redwood lodge up in Laurel Canyon

where he had horses and a chauffeur and a groom.

-A very glamorous lifestyle.

-Absolutely.

Then, later '20s, he didn't continue his contract with Metro.

He still worked intermittently briefly after that.

One, two films, maybe.

So, his Hollywood career potentially was ending.

-Why wasn't he being the leading man at this time?

-He looked too young.

He was beginning to age, but he still looked like a boy.

He played a lot of sensitive parts.

He wasn't rugged enough. He just didn't quite fit anywhere.

He started doing theatre again '25-ish, 1927,

and then, of course, you've got the disaster of the Wall Street Crash.

Losing a fortune in the Depression

and no longer able to command top dollar as an actor,

Gareth embarked on a new venture - directing plays for the church.

He'd spent so much time with these religious-type dramas

in churches with priests with the paraphernalia,

it had an effect on him.

Such a profound effect that in the late '30s,

he literally fell to his knees and had a calling from God.

He decided to go off and take holy orders

and assumed the name Brother David.

-Why Brother David?

-Dewi Sant - the patron saint of Wales...

-Ah.

-..so, David. The Order of the Holy Cross

asked Gareth if he'd like to go as a lay missionary.

He was sent out as a missionary to work with Native Americans.

It was a humanitarian mission of an astonishing proportion,

and that is how he is still remembered.

He passed away in 1965.

Well, Stephen, thank you so much for sharing his story with us.

-It's been just a remarkable story...

-My pleasure.

-..and, really, a remarkable man...

-Thank you.

-..so thank you so much.

Right, now, let's see how our contestants' stories unfold

down at the auction.

We have travelled from Cardiff an hour west

to be at Peter Francis Auctioneers and Valuers

with auctioneer Charles Hampshire. Thanks for having us, Charles.

-Pleasure to have you here.

-It's a pleasure to be here.

-Now, we've got our Red team's offerings over here...

-Excellent.

..first one of which is this little copper plaque here.

-What's your thoughts on that?

-We think probably,

you know, slightly vague, but of Eastern origin.

-Mm-hm.

-Nice dragon decoration with the semiprecious stones.

It's decorative, so it has a chance, for sure.

So, what's your estimate on that piece, Charles?

We've gone for £25 to £35.

-OK. Well, they'll be delighted. They paid £25 only for it.

-OK.

-So, that's good, isn't it?

-That's good, yes.

Now, their second item, it's both their favourites,

-and they think it's going to make the most profit...

-Right.

-It's the military tunic and hat here...

-I see.

..which is rather smart, isn't it?

-What's your thoughts about that?

-Rather smart, I agree.

Unfortunately, we're missing one or two elements to it -

some buttons, some insignia.

So, I agree with you - smart but not complete, so that's...

And collectors who want these...

Well, they want it exactly in perfect condition, really, so...

-With buttons?

-With the whole shebang, yes.

-Yeah.

And the hat, obviously, is a...

I think it's a sort of marriage, an addition, you know, to go with...

So, what's your estimate on that?

-Again, £25 to £35.

-Is that your figure of the day?

-It will be, yes. Yeah.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Keep it low and hopefully satisfy everyone.

-OK.

Well, they might be struggling. They paid £55 for it,

so they might be struggling with that.

With all the bits and pieces, I would have been more positive.

-But in that condition, maybe lose a few pounds on that one?

-I think so.

-Do my best.

-OK. Now, we've got their third and final item here.

-Yes.

-It's this rather unusual vessel, shall we say?

-Yes. Yeah, I like it.

I like the grain to it, that sort of ribbed feature to it.

-Nice thing. I like it, yes.

-OK.

So, what's your estimate on our vessel over here, Charles?

-It's a hat-trick. It's £25 to £35.

-SHE LAUGHS

Let me guess, yeah. THEY LAUGH

-Now, they paid £40 for it.

-OK.

I think it has potential to maybe just about get there.

-The more I look at it, the more I like it, so we'll see.

-OK, good.

So, potentially, we have a break even and maybe two losses. Maybe.

-Yes.

-So, they might need their bonus buy.

Let's go and have a little look at it.

Richard, you were left with the sizeable sum

of £180 of leftover lolly.

-The girls were very generous, I think.

-Yes, we were.

-We were.

-Show us, what did you invest it in?

-Well...

-BOTH:

-Ooh!

-..this little dish.

-We do remember it.

-Yes, we do.

-Yes, we remember.

-The Art Nouveau pewter dish.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Made round about 1900.

-I found a Dutch maker's mark - L Rainier of Holland.

-OK.

In my opinion, it's a stylish dish.

So, girls, did you see this on the way round when you were shopping?

-Yes, we did.

-We did.

-Yes.

-Did you like it?

-We did, yes.

-Yeah.

-We thought it was lovely.

-Splendid.

-Yeah, pretty.

-We did.

It's of great quality. I like, particularly, the decoration.

I like the flowers, the leaves and the little bug.

How much did you pay for it, Richard?

-Well, it was priced at £75.

-Right.

-Right.

I knocked him down a bit, got down to £55.

-Ooh, excellent.

-Good.

-What do you think it'll make?

Hopefully, I can see a modest profit.

Perhaps £10 or £15 still left in it.

It's the sort of thing that the internet might like,

-I think, isn't it? It's a lovely thing.

-Very much so.

Let's hope there are Dutch Art Nouveau pewter collectors

-online at the auction today.

-Let's hope so.

-Yeah, let's hope.

-What do you think, girls?

-Yes, we like it.

-Yes, I'm pleased with it.

Good. Excellent. Richard's done you proud?

-Yes.

-Yes, he has.

-Fantastic. Great.

-Well, look, you don't need to decide now.

-OK.

-Don't worry.

Hold that thought. Have a think about it.

But for the benefit of those at home,

let's see what the auctioneer thinks

of Richard's rather lovely little leaf dish.

-So, here it is. There we go, Charles.

-Excellent.

-What do you make of that?

-I'm glad to see it again.

The more I see it, the better it is.

Lots of decoration going on and nicely marked to the handle here.

So, I think, again, maybe we've been a little bit "come and buy me".

-£20 to £30, we've said.

-That could be a bargain for someone.

-I think so, at that level.

-OK. Richard paid £55 for it.

-OK.

But I agree with you. I think the more you look at it,

the more you see it's a lovely thing.

OK, so, let's go over to the Blue team,

whose first offering of the day is that rather lovely wedding dress.

It certainly is lovely, in good condition, silk, lined,

-nice decoration. I like it.

-Would you wear it?

-On the right day, yes.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Now, this was Steve's favourite item of the day.

-OK, right.

So, he really, really rates it.

I know there isn't a huge market

-for vintage wedding dresses, potentially.

-No, there isn't.

-I think we'll be relying on the internet buyers on this one...

-Yeah.

-..out there watching us bidding live.

-Yeah.

-So, probably won't be something bought in the room.

-OK.

-So, what's your estimate on that?

-We've put 30 to 50,

-probably for the reasons that you've just pointed out.

-Yeah, OK.

-Well, they paid £75 for it.

-OK.

-OK.

So, we might be struggling a little bit on that one.

-Yes.

-Let's hope we get better with

-this rather unusual paddle over here.

-Yes.

-Yeah, curious item, for sure.

-Yeah. Have you ever seen one before?

-No, I can't say I have.

-No.

-I'm not sure I'll see another one.

No, I think you might be right.

I mean, do we think it might be something that's made up? Is it...?

It quite possibly could be.

You know, the paddle and then having this decoration applied afterwards.

OK. I mean, it's certainly unusual

and you say that you have potentially good buyers

-for Oriental wares, so...

-Yes, I think so.

..are we predicting somewhat of a profit on that, hopefully?

-We've put £15 to £20.

-OK, well, they paid £12 for it...

-OK.

-..so we might get there.

-We might be positive there.

-Yes.

So, their final item is that really rather lovely rosewood sofa...

-Yes.

-..which I think you've catalogued as Victorian.

-It was bought as Edwardian.

-Yeah, having looked at it,

and with a colleague, as well, we both think it's late Victorian.

It's good quality rosewood. It's inlaid.

It's better that it's Victorian rather than Edwardian,

-so we've gone with that and we're happy.

-Great.

But maybe the furniture marketplace

isn't quite as strong as it used to be, so...

So, what do you think, estimate-wise, on the sofa?

-Estimate-wise, I think we've put £100 to £150.

-OK.

Not long ago, I would have been saying maybe £200 to £300,

but we have gone that way more recently.

-A bit more conservative.

-Yeah.

-I would agree with you.

-They're not the easiest of sellers, are they?

-No.

-Now, this was Caitlin's favourite item...

-OK.

..and it was a purchase with the heart...

-OK.

-..and she paid £212 for it.

-£212. Well, we might get there.

You know, two or three private buyers on the day, might get there.

-You never know.

-Exactly.

-You never know. OK, super.

-Well, look, it seems like they might need their bonus buy...

-Yes.

..so let's go and have a little look at it.

-You kind, delightful couple, you.

-Oh, thanks.

-Thank you very much.

-You left Caroline with all of one Great British pound...

-Yes.

..of leftover lolly.

Caroline, what did you spend your pound on?

Well, it wasn't easy, but...cup of tea?

-Ooh!

-Oh, my God. That's hideous.

-THEY LAUGH

-Oh, no!

-Oh, my goodness.

-That's a big mug of tea.

-Well, you try and spend a pound.

-Let me have a look at it.

That is true. It is only a pound, I suppose. OK.

OK, Caroline, tell us the thought process

behind your buying of that cup and saucer.

-Well, it was desperate...

-THEY LAUGH

..but this is wonderful quality.

Made by the Royal Worcester Group. It's called Palissy ware.

It has this wonderful satin glaze to it.

Perfect condition. Marvellous breakfast cup and saucer.

So, Steve...? Obviously, Caitlin, you're not overly enamoured with it.

-No, I'm... No.

-OK, Steve, what's your thoughts?

-It's all right. It's good quality.

-Any better?

-It seems all right.

-Good.

-How much do you think it's going to make?

Well, it's got to make a tenner, hasn't it?

-Oh, that's very good profit.

-I would think so, yeah.

-Yes.

-Brilliant.

OK, well, guys, you don't have to decide now.

-Have a think about it. Maybe discuss it.

-Yeah.

But for the benefit of those at home,

let's see what the auctioneer thinks

of Caroline's rather divisive bonus buy.

-So, dear Caroline was left with only a pound...

-Wow, OK.

-..and this is what she managed to get...

-She's done well.

-SHE LAUGHS

-You know, a pound isn't much.

-..with only a pound.

-OK.

-SHE LAUGHS

What's your thoughts?

I mean, I wouldn't want to pay too much more than that, but...

-SHE LAUGHS

-..you know, it's a good size.

-It's Royal Worcester, Palissy.

-That's very polite.

And she'll see a profit on a pound, that's for sure.

Good. Well, that's hugely reassuring.

-I mean, it's a breakfast mug, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's a good-sized breakfast cup.

-Exactly.

-Good start to the day.

-Exactly, yes. So, what are your predictions?

We're looking at a tenfold profit. £10 to £15 at least.

Amazing. Caroline will be thrilled.

-Wonderful.

-Will you be taking the sale for us?

-I will indeed.

Fantastic. We're hugely looking forward to it.

Thank you, sir. £8 in the aisle. Sold at £8 to you there.

At £20. 2. 5.

How are you feeling? Hells Bells, you're very quiet.

-This is out of character.

-I'm excited but nervous.

-Excited but nervous?

-Yeah.

-OK, Charlotte, how are you feeling?

-Palpitations.

-Really?

Now, your first purchase was the really lovely copper plaque

with the cabochon stones around the outside.

It's coming up now. Let's see what it goes for.

-Best of luck, girls. BOTH:

-Thank you.

165 is the rather decorative small eastern copper plaque there

with the semiprecious stones, as shown on your screens.

Pretty thing. Some interest here with me

presale and on the book here in front.

What do you make of it, though? £30 to start me.

The plaque as shown. 20, then, to get on.

Where do you see it? It's...

-20 bid is online.

-Ooh, £20, you've got online.

Clears the commission. And 5.

-Decorative, it is. And 8. 28 online.

-You're into a profit.

Quiet in the room. The bids online are all in the UK. At 30.

32. At 32. Keep going.

Is there 5?

As shown, the dragon decorated plate. Finished?

-Lost one of you. Quiet in the room. It's online.

-Fantastic!

£32 all done?

Yes!

-Brilliant.

-Yay!

-Yay!

-Well done, girls. £32.

And you're £7 up already on your first lot. Well done.

Next, we've got the British Army jacket and cap.

-This was both your favourites. BOTH:

-Yes.

OK, you paid £55 for this. Good luck. Here it comes.

166 is the British Army dress jacket and cap.

Nice item. Missing a couple of buttons, unfortunately,

but there it shows for you ready to go. 166.

£30 to start me?

Quiet, we are. 20, if you will.

Where do you place? It's up to you.

I'll start it away at 15 and it will be sold, make no mistake.

Where's 18? Should be hands in the air here at 15.

-Ooh, no!

-No, no, no.

It's with me at 15. 18 waves. Thank you, sir.

20, I have. 22 in the room. I'm out.

22 stands in the right-hand aisle. Is there 5 elsewhere?

Ooh, we've still got a long way to go, girls.

First and last call at £22.

£22. OK, so,

you are 33. That's a loss of £33.

So, this next one is your storage box, OK?

Well, your storage jar and cover. You paid £40 for this. Good luck.

167. Rather like this myself. The unusual.

We think probably South American hardwood cylinder jar and cover

with that nice, ribbed body. £30 to go on.

We like this, but it's up to you again.

30 to go. At 20. I can start straight in

at £20 and it will be sold in 2.

At 22, here it is. At 22 and away. Is there 5?

-Come on.

-Come on.

Good size, it is.

Gone quiet online for the moment and in the room. Bid's here with me.

Make no mistake. 5 is bid. Thank you, sir. At 25,

clears the deck.

-25.

-At 25, then. Seated in front centre at 25.

-So, you're £15 down on that.

-Told you it was disgusting.

-THEY LAUGH

-You said it sounded disgusting.

So, that gives you a loss of £15,

unfortunately, on your jar and cover,

so that means you're at a total loss of £41.

Now, what are we going to do about this bonus buy, girls?

We've got the really rather lovely Dutch, pewter, leaf-shaped dish

that Richard chose for you.

-Are you going to go for it?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely 100%?

-Yes.

-Have faith in Richard?

-Yes.

-Here it comes.

-172 is the rather decorative,

turn-of-the-century, Dutch, Art Nouveau,

pewter, leaf-shaped dish.

-I like it. £30 to go.

-£30, he's looking for.

Would've thought some online interest.

Maybe 20 if you will. It's here to go, make no mistake.

20 is bid. 2 in the room. 5, I have.

28, sir? 28. 30? 32?

At £32. 35. Fresh bidding in time.

-Oh, good.

-38. 40. 42.

Keep going. 42 still on the wall, then.

Are we all sure? First and last at £42.

-GAVEL BANGS Oh, no.

-Oh, we've lost.

Oh, that's very sad.

So, that, sadly, is a loss of £13 on that, Richard.

So, that gives you an overall result, sadly, of minus £54.

-It could be a winning score.

-It could be a winning score.

-And you're not allowed to say a word to the Blues.

-Not a word.

-How are you feeling?

-Really nervous.

-Nervous now.

-Oh, don't be.

-Oh, don't be nervous.

We've got your mid-20th-century wedding dress coming up now.

You paid £75 for it. Good luck, team. Here we go.

188 is the mid-20th-century, cream, silk, full-length wedding dress.

Lovely quality, this.

We've got two or three commission bidders here.

And what do you think of it?

I've got to start this straight in at 30. 2.

-35 with me.

-35.

-Any advance?

It's all here with me. Quiet online and in the room.

Bid's at 35. Is there more?

38 bid. Thank you. Bid's here. I can see you there.

No-one interested in the room.

I'm out. The commission's gone. It's all online. It's in your hands.

Quiet in the room, then. UK, it seems, then, at £42 and selling.

-Oh.

-Brilliant. £42.

So, that, unfortunately, gives you a loss of £33 on that.

So, here comes your paddle now.

We've got the Japanese paddle just here. You paid £12 for it.

189 is the Japanese, painted fabric, paddle-shaped fan there.

Curious item. What do you think of it? £20 to start you.

A little different for you. 20 to go. We're in at 5.

8. And 10 only. At 10, we start.

It's here to go at £10 and it will sell.

12 if you will, now.

At £10, the bid. Quiet online.

The paddle as shown. 189, we are.

You've finished with me, then, again, it seems.

-At £10 only and selling.

-THEY GASP

No! £10. That's really bad.

Guys, you're £2 lost there, so you're minus 35.

So, now going on

to your rosewood two-seater sofa.

So, you paid £212 for this. Very best of luck, team.

I don't think we're getting the golden gavel.

190 is the lovely quality, late Victorian, we think,

rosewood, inlaid, upholstered sofa there.

150 to start me.

Should be hands in the air at that level.

100, then, to get on, surely.

Where do you see it? At 80. And 5. 90 here.

He's got bids. £90.

A roomful of people. 95 online. Thank you.

100 is here. At £100 a bid.

-Someone's getting a deal.

-110 for me now online.

110 is bid. Thank you. I am out.

-110.

-The bid's now with you at 110 online.

OK, so, you're £102 down at the moment,

-but you never know.

-It's selling, make no mistake.

-At £110.

-GAVEL BANGS

£110. OK, so, that's, sadly,

-a loss of £102.

-Oh, dear.

That gives you an overall loss of minus 137.

So, we need to make a decision.

-We could still be winners.

-Exactly. You left Caroline with a pound.

She bought that lovely breakfast cup and saucer.

-Are you going to go for it, guys?

-Yes, we're going to go for it.

You're not going to park it. You're going to go for it.

-Trust in Caroline's bonus buy?

-Absolutely.

-Absolutely.

-Here it comes now.

-195 is the Palissy,

the Royal Worcester Group china breakfast cup and saucer.

£20 to start me, would have thought there.

10 if you will. Quiet at the moment. 5.

And £8, we are. At £8.

£8! Make no mistake.

-Would have thought a little more. Is there

-10? Into a profit.

There it shows on your screens. At £8 with me.

Fair warning. Final call.

Gavel raised at 8.

Well done, Caroline.

-You've made a £7 profit there...

-Yay!

-..with your £1 investment.

-Yes.

-Thank you very much.

-My pleasure.

-So, you are at minus £130 overall, Blues.

-Rubbish.

It's not over yet. Don't say a word to the Reds for me, OK?

-Certainly not.

-OK.

-Yeah.

-No.

-No.

Teams, it might not surprise you to learn

that nobody will be going home with any money today.

-ALL:

-Aw!

-It's quite spectacular, I have to be honest.

I don't quite know how you've done it, really, in all honesty.

But today's team who made the most loss, sadly,

-is the Blue team. ALL:

-Aw!

Our runners-up, the Blue team.

-That's a surprise.

-Is it?

I have to say, it was quite spectacular.

-It was.

-It really was.

-Yes, yes.

-It sort of started badly and got worse, didn't it?

-It did.

-Yes.

-Yes.

Overall, you lost by £137,

and then Caroline's bonus buy made you a £7 profit...

-BOTH:

-Yay!

-..so, brilliant. We've loved having you,

-so well done for being such courageous runners-up.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Well done. Over to our victorious Reds.

THEY CHEER Yeah, not going home with any money,

-but the prize.

-Who cares? We've had a great time.

-Exactly.

You have had a great time.

-And it was a rollercoaster, wasn't it?

-It sure was.

-Minus £54, but the victors.

-Oh, but we won.

-It's only numbers, isn't it?

-We won.

-Exactly.

-Who cares?

-Have you had a wonderful time?

-Fantastic. We had a brilliant time.

-Thank you so much, everybody.

-Yeah, it's been great.

Good. Well done. If you've enjoyed today's show, then don't forget,

you can always check out our website for more details

or, of course, you can follow us on Twitter.

And don't forget to join us next time

for some more Bargain Hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!