Carmarthen 32 Bargain Hunt

Today we are deep in the mythical landscape of West Wales,

with rugged hills and ancient castles.

Like this one, Dryslwyn.

Once part of the kingdom of Deheubarth,

but now in modern-day Carmarthenshire.

And just across the River Towy there's a 21st century landmark,

the glass centrepiece of the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

And they're hosting a magnificent antiques fair!

So let's go Bargain Hunting!

The garden, dedicated to preserving biodiversity,

could be fertile territory for

spotting rare and collectable objects.

Each team have ?300 and

only one hour in which to spend it.

Will it be the stuff of legend?

Let's have a quick look.

We'll see the Blues moving at lightning speed...

I told you this would be quick!

And we agreed!

And the Reds take an early bath...

I really like it. Yep.

Yeah, I think we could get a lot of bottles of champagne in there!

But will corks be popped at the auction?

Oh, Caroline... Brilliant, brilliant!

Richard! Richard! Richard!

But that's all for later. Now we're keeping it in the family

on Bargain Hunt today.

We have Lin and her daughter Philippa for the Red team.

And for the Blues, we have Jean and her son John.

Hello, teams! ALL: Hello!

Oh, that was a nice bright hello, I like that!

Now, Philippa, you have a bit of a love of antiques and

collecting in common, don't you?

Yes, we spent years rummaging around tips and things like that,

because Mum would find tables...

Tips? Yeah, the tip. You're not allowed to do that any more,

I don't think, are you? No, sadly not. They've stopped it,

haven't they? Well, she'd find a table

and then send us off to look for the legs.

In fact, we call Mum "Lovejoy Lin" because she is an antique fiend. Really?

She's forever finding things.

Now, Philippa, I believe you've got a bit of a dream job?

Yeah, I have. I'm a wedding list consultant. I'm basically a

personal shopper for people who are getting married and want to compile

a list of things that they want people to buy them.

So, you shop for a living? I do! It's amazing.

And you've also been a film extra, I believe?

I was, yeah. My sister roped me in.

With some friends, while we were students.

And we ended up in About A Boy, which was great.

Oh, brilliant film. Yeah. Hugh Grant... Yeah.

Is he as dreamy in real life?

Yeah, he's a total dreamboat. Oh, is he...

And then we made it to the back of the DVD cover, so, you know,

we are...we're famous! Happy days! Yeah, happy days!

Brilliant. Now, Mum, I believe, Lin, you also have

quite an interesting career. Tell us about that.

Yeah, I'm an outside caterer.

So I cater for any event, basically, that you need catering for.

You must do a very diverse range of functions and events?

Totally. Absolutely. What's your favourite that you've done?

I suppose catering for the Queen.

Catering for the Queen? That was, you know, tremendous.

At Hereford. Yeah, amazing.

And I believe that you also are quite sporty,

you've got a bit of a passion for racing?

You're a racy lady!

I love racing.

Jump racing. Jump racing, OK.

So, do you go to races, as well?

I do occasionally, not too often.

I have an online account, so I keep in touch.

She is serious about it, isn't she!

Very serious. So basically, you gamble and you shop for a living?

Guys, I think you might be in trouble!

Brilliant, well, look, I think you're going to be a fantastic

team today, Reds, so very, very best of luck.

BOTH: Thank you. Now, over to my Blue team.

Jean and John, mother and son.

Welcome to the programme.

Now, Jean, I believe you were a teacher in your day, is that right?

Yes, I did, yes, yes. Boys only, for... But then girls did drift in,

actually, so at the end of my time

there were girls as well as boys, actually.

Oh, brilliant. Now, did John go to your school?

Yes, he did. It was really, I thought,

quite difficult for him being in his mother's class.

He was in your class?! Yes!

Oh, John! It's just gets worse and worse!

So Jean, you're a bit of a sports fan, aren't you?

Yes, I am, yes. A huge sports fan. And cricket's your thing,

is that right? It is, yes, it is.

And you've travelled the world to go and follow England?

I have, yes. I really have been very lucky.

Well, John, you must be very proud of your mum. I am! Yeah.

A little dynamo! A little dynamo, I love it! Brilliant.

And are you as sporty as Mum?

I am sporty, yeah. I still play hockey.

Right. And I surf.

Wow! I'm a member of a surfing club, the Snarling Jellyfish.

The Snarling Jellyfish? The Snarling Jellyfish.

The Snarling Jellyfish. The world's greatest surf club. Really?

It's a group of men of a certain age

who misbehave a couple of times a year. Right.

So, John, when you're not surfing, what do you do,

how do you fill your hours?

Well, I'm a motivational speaker.

Right. And I'm a town crier!

Oh, go on, give us a bit of town crying!

Really? Yes, go on, go on.

Do it for us.

Oyez, oyez, oyez!

Bargain Hunt is in town today!

God save the Queen!

Brilliant! Well done, well done.

Fantastic. Now, I believe you also have a bit of an ambition, John?

I am desperate to drive a tank.

A tank? I want to roam a tank around the country.

Really? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And is he safe to drive, do we think?

Well, er, what about this morning?

We don't need to talk about the knocked over post, do we?

Right, so you knocked over a post on your arrival this morning

and you want to drive a tank?

Yes, yes. Well, it sounds like it's going to be quite an

interesting shop, guys.

But what do we need in order to go shopping?

ALL: Money! Money, exactly.

John, ?300 there. Cold, hard cash. There we go.

And who wants the money on this side?

I think I'll have it! Lin, you're going to be in charge, OK. All right.

Now, very best of luck, teams, Your experts await, now off you go!

Thank you. Let's go.

Well, it's all happy families now, isn't it?

But will they still be talking at the end of the shop?

We'll have to wait and see.

But first, let's meet our experts.

Helping to cut prices for the Reds,

it's...

And fanning the hopes of the Blues,

it's...

So, what are we looking for today?

I thought about garden furniture.

I'd like something to jump out and bite me and say, "buy me"!

Boo! Well, I'm thinking a little bit of sculpture.

Fun, with a bit of profit.

Right teams, your 60 minutes starts now!

Well, I know a good place to start... OK. ..right over here! Ooh.

OK, come on! Brilliant. Let's go.

With stalls all around the gardens, there's an awful lot to take in.

But some things just shine out.

Now these stars I've seen in Vermont.

You'll see them hanging outside a lot of houses in North America. OK.

But they've got a nice, weathered look about them, haven't they?

Yeah. No, I really like them. Shall we find out how much they are?

Yeah, why not? Let's do that. I really like them, yeah.

We're admiring your stars. Yes, they're super, aren't they? Yes.

They are. They're Amish barn stars.

As in the American evangelical folk usually associated with the state of

Pennsylvania.

Can you give us some idea how they vary in price?

According to size, I imagine. According to size, absolutely.

They go from about 25 up to about 65 for the largest.

Really? What do you think? Do you like them?

I really don't...know much about them. Um. I don't dislike them.

Seems like Philippa is an awful lot keener than her mum.

What do you think, Richard?

Well, I do think the bigger the better.

Yes, agreed. Right. And I am drawn, personally, to the pink one!

Me too. You too? Absolutely.

Traditionally, they dated from the 18th century,

right the way through to last week.

They originated by... I think, the Amish who carved them onto the side

of their barns as a sign of peace.

And then over the years obviously they've become more commercial.

Which is where our Reds might come in.

So, would ?60 would buy this now, for cash?

?60 would buy it.

What do we think? Yeah, I mean, I do love it.

I think it's quite unusual, isn't it? Yes. All right. OK. Yeah? OK?

Well, shall we do it? Deal. Thank you.

Amazing. Excellent. Thank you very much indeed.

Easy-peasy. You're very welcome. Great. We've got a pink star!

Yep, a stellar start, team!

The Blues, meanwhile, have certainly got very high hopes!

You know, I think this is going to be a good shop.

Yeah. Yes. I just feel it in my bones. It's going to be good.

And Jean's keen eye has already spotted something.

There. Yes, yeah.

It's quite pretty, isn't it?

That is. It's known as bargeware. Bargeware, yes.

I don't think it's that old.

No. It's been recently painted.

Yeah. But it looks great, doesn't it?

It does, yes. Lovely. Very bright. It does.

Do you want to go and see if you can twist their arm, Jean?

See how much it is? Oh, yes, definitely. Right.

Go, Jean!

Is she here?

Yes. Hello. Hello.

Could we have a chat about your watering can, please?

Now, what are you asking for it?

?30. Is that with the daffodils in, or without them?

Yes, I think I can give you the daffodils!

Good start!

Well, how about 25?

Yes, OK, then. Have it for 25. Have it for 25? Yes.

Shall we do that? Yes! Do you want that then? Yes.

It's a deal. It's a deal. We've got a deal!

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Those Blues don't hang around either!

Jean, John, what have you done? We've acted swiftly!

And how much was that? ?25.

So, you fell in love, didn't you? Straight away!

Yes! At very first sight!

I told you this would be quick!

And we agreed! Straight away.

Brilliant!

Well done, Jean. And we got the daffodils, as well!

Oh, they're great! Look, there's loads of different varieties in there.

I'm not sure they'll last till the auction!

Barely ten minutes in, and it's already one each.

Now, remember Linda's liking for garden furniture?

Hello. They are quite large. They are.

This time, Philippa needs persuading.

They are impressive. I mean, we've got that outdoor theme,

summer is coming, should we at least enquire... Yeah.

..how little or how much they are? Yeah, definitely.

Let me go and see if we can find the stallholder.

So, while Richard seeks out our shy stallholder...

I thought they were cement.

But they're pretty impressive, aren't they? They are.

But the base colour is... This plinth.

But do you see, I actually don't like the plinth.

No. I wouldn't even have it on the plinth.

It doesn't need to be. No.

It could stand on its own. Yeah.

Well, I did find the handsome gentleman who runs the store...

Yes. ..and his friendliest price would be 350 the pair.

Oh! Right. So, good spot, but beyond our budget.

Indeed. OK, let's go. Onward. Onwards and upwards.

Oh, dear. Expensive taste, Linda.

Definitely on the right lines, though.

Meanwhile, the Blues have their own favourite.

Oh! Do you know, somebody would love that.

His forelock, real horsehair, isn't it?

He's French. Is he French? Oh. Is he? He's French.

He's got a name. Oh, right? What is it?

He's called Jacques. Because he's French.

I think he's probably a Percheron or Ardennes.

Yes, he's lovely. Look at his lovely little...

He's got leather hooves. Beautiful hooves, yeah.

And let's see if we can see if there's a maker's mark.

If we can turn him right over, if he's not too uncomfortable!

I can't read that.

I think, looking at that label,

he's, I would say, from between the '20s and the '40s.

The glass eyes, the bridle, the whole thing.

It's a working horse, isn't it? He is a working horse. He's lovely.

I did have the tack made up for him.

Did you, you had the tack made...? I did.

Well, I just thought he was a bit bare without it, actually.

Aw! He does look smart, actually.

Are you sure you want to sell him?

'Good question, Caroline!'

There's going to be a huge price on this horse!

Go on, Jean, you ask. How much?

He's about ?600. Oh! Oh, dear!

That's a great shame. Oh, we can't.

I'm so sorry.

Could you consider doing him for perhaps 150?!

'Jacques's definitely no gift horse!'

Bye-bye, little horse! WOMEN CHUCKLE

Aw! Enjoy. Oh, well. He's lovely. Off we go!

Yes, I think you'd better move on, team.

Now, both are teams need to get back to finding objects

without a lot of zeros attached to the end!

I like this. You like that? Yeah, I do.

Ah, a coopered tray.

I think it's... There's some age to it.

I think it's quite practical.

I could see that on a kitchen table, on a large kitchen table.

Yeah. With fruit and vegetables.

It would take a lot of fruit and veg, wouldn't it?

Yes. It certainly would. Indeed. Yeah.

Or maybe bore some holes through it and then put some plants in it.

It would be fabulous, wouldn't it? Right, OK.

Well, what do you think?

I think it's...possibly quite niche.

Mm-hm. Nice term, nice term. Niche. Indeed.

Another difference of opinion?

I think that would have to be a bargain... Yeah.

..for me to think, "Well, let's have a go at it."

But, you know... ?35?

Do you know what? You're talking my kind of language!

I mean, if you could buy something like that for that sort of price.

This is to go into an auction in West Wales

in a couple of weeks' time.

Should we ask? If you could work your magic and get ?35 for it,

or buy it for ?35.

OK, OK. OK? We can at least ask. Let's go and find him.

Shall we go and find him? Yeah. Where do you think he might be?

A familiar face.

Did you have a price in mind?

Yes, 35. ?35.

Well...

Now, there's a coincidence!

Could you do a little better?

30. What do you think, Richard?

What do you think, Philippa?

If you remember, only a few minutes ago,

we said that if we could go and find the owner... Result.

..and if the price was somewhere in the region of ?35-ish,

we might be interested.

And you've kindly come down to 30.

I'm going to have to now consult to my team here.

Let's go for it. I think it's a really substantial, nice piece.

'Sounds like everyone's on board.'

In that case, I'm going to say thank you very much indeed.

Thank you. Thank you. That's great.

Thank you. Thank you. Great, we've got a deal.

We've got two lots under our belt!

Great! Result!

It certainly is. One choice each, as well.

They are really good. They're very decisive,

and even I agree with what they've bought as well.

And we've got plenty of time left as well,

so I'm sure we're going to nail this within record time.

Now, what about their rivals?

Also off to quite a start, but they've stuttered a bit since.

I like the look of this.

Which bit do you like the look of?

I like the little car, actually. He likes the car.

It hasn't been driven by me - there's no scratches on it!

I was going to say, you and me both, yeah.

I think I may be a bit big for it, actually.

Looks more my size.

Well, whoever's at the wheel, you need to put your foot down, Blues,

because with the help of their expert, the Reds are racing ahead.

I'd like to show you something that just caught my eye

on the way through.

OK. Do you want to follow me? Yeah. Great.

Do you see it there? Yeah.

A tin bath.

Do you like that? I really like it, yeah.

Yeah. And I think we could get a lot of bottles of champagne in it!

We could certainly get a lot of bottles of champagne,

we could get a lot of flowers in there.

So flowers or champagne.

So, anyway, that's what I've just got on my list

in the back of my mind.

Yes, I like that. You like it? I really like it. OK, then.

It's just about fits Linda's garden furniture brief too.

Ah, we've seen that lady a few times now!

Could I ask the owner the price of your tin bath?

It's ?95.

It's ?95.

OK. A bargain.

"A barg..."! That's just what we're looking for, thank you. Great.

Well, we're going to go for another shop

to see if there's anything else there. But we may well be...

Could you possibly hold it for us? Five, ten minutes? Of course.

Would you? Yes. Could you hold the bath?

Hold the bath. You are a darling. Absolutely.

Thank you very much indeed. You're welcome.

Thank you. Hold the bath for five. Marvellous.

Hold the bath! Quick, we're going shopping.

Whilst they carry on hunting for bargains,

we'll take a look at an equally functional,

but slightly more refined item.

You probably hear us use the term treen quite a lot on this programme,

and this is because it encompasses

really quite a large variety of objects.

It literally translates as "of a tree",

and is a generic name that we use

for really quite small, functional objects handmade from wood.

And today treen is really highly collectable for its beautiful patina

and tactile appeal.

But what about this object here in front of me?

Well, it dates to the George III period, 1760 to 1820,

and is made from turned mahogany.

Now, mahogany at this time

was really quite a prolifically used wood.

It was very of the period,

and was really quite expensive to buy.

And just by looking at this construction,

we can tell that we're looking at really quite an upmarket piece.

Not just something that's been quite quickly cobbled together

in someone's workshop.

But what is it?

Well, this is what we call a plate rest,

or what we know affectionately in the trade as a cat.

"A cat?!" I hear you ask.

Well, it was named a cat because whichever way it landed,

it would always fall on its feet.

Now, as a Georgian lady or gentleman,

you would use this piece to rest your plate on

in front of the fire to keep it warm.

The different notches on the spindles here

could accommodate different plate sizes.

So you could use both small plates, like that,

or slightly larger plates.

You mainly find these cats in mahogany,

but the nicest examples are made from fruitwoods and yew.

And pieces in more unusual woods will command higher prices.

But even this little mahogany cat that we've got in front of us here

may make ?60 to ?100 at auction,

and in a specialist market could command up to ?200.

So if you see one of these reasonably priced

at your next antique fair that you visit,

you could be the cat that got the cream!

Back to our shoppers, with the score at 2-1 to the Reds,

and the Blues seem very keen to acquire some sort of...creature.

Actually, he's ever so heavy. I can't pick it up!

I just can't pick it up.

He's a distinguished looking pig, though.

Oh, blimey O'Reilly!

I will not be defeated! Oh, gosh, he is heavy.

Is he full of cash, do you think?

Well, the good news is nobody's going to be able to

easily run away with it, are they? No, they're not.

A very safe pig. Boom-boom!

How much is he?

?75.

What do you think, Jean? Are you interested in the pig?

I do like him, but I think he's very heavy.

I mean, for goodness' sake.

Well, you don't have to move him,

once he's put down somewhere, do you? I suppose not.

But ?75?

I'll see if I can go and find the owner of this fine pig. Yeah.

So, what do you think?

Well.. If we could get it for 50, that would be great.

If she went for 60, would we still do it?

Erm...

Yes. Sorry to interrupt. Ooh! I have news.

They won't take less than ?60.

How do you feel about that?

Let's have him! I love a decision.

Excellent. You've got a deal! Brilliant!

Right, off we go. The second one done.

Ooh, gosh, he's heavy! Here, you carry him!

Come on! Have you seen the scene in Babe?

I haven't! Tell me all about it when we get the third!

"That'll do, Pig, that'll do." Come on!

They're doing absolutely brilliantly.

They really are.

Jean was so fast to buy the first item, second one's bought.

I think this is just going to be a doddle.

We've got one more to buy and 30 minutes to do it in.

There's an awful lot to look at here

at the National Botanic Gardens, though.

With stalls even squeezed into the cinema.

Time for the Reds to take in a matinee?

These are absolutely stunning, aren't they?

Antiques with a future, I think. They are. Yeah

Very good, with a bit of utility, as well.

Exactly. Yeah, indeed. Yeah.

We've got figurines here from Royal Worcester.

Amazing.

It's an extraordinary, almost serene set up here, isn't it?

Yeah.

Have we ever had such a laid-back bunch, I wonder?

Loitering in the back row now!

Do take a seat, the show will commence in ten minutes.

Smashing. This is very comfortable.

But I do think it would be lovely if they could just bring them to us.

What a lovely idea!

Shall we ask for a piece of Moorcroft first?

Why not? There's a few pieces there.

It's not 3-D here, I'm afraid.

The Blues meanwhile have yet another big beast in mind.

Caroline, I don't know what you know about ceramic elephants,

but there's one over there that looks really jolly,

and he's got a saddle on him.

Right...! I've heard it all now, John.

Very nice, and it would go very well with your pig.

I think he looks quite jolly.

He does look jolly. ..and colourful. Yes, he does. He's smiling.

I'm not sure whether it's a saddle on top

or it's a planter type thing.

But it struck me as the kind of thing

that somebody who wants to display perhaps plants

or something like that, at an off-ground level,

it's rather attractive.

Yeah. I think the saddle might come off,

and you could put your plant inside it. Oh, right.

So it would be an elephant with a sort of sprouting plant...

Yes, exactly. ..coming out of it.

I think he's been made somewhere, probably Far East...

Yeah, yeah. ..and not ancient.

He's not an old elephant, no. No, he's not ancient, no.

But he's a jolly... He's jolly, yeah. ..besaddled smiler.

I guess...can we get a bargain? That's the question.

Well... It's your turn to try.

Do you think so? Yes, absolutely.

Go on, John, make your mum proud.

Hello. Hello.

We like your elephant. I love my elephant.

We like him a little bit at the moment.

Lucky elephant. We think he's... Is he ?59?

Yes, he's 59 on the ticket.

Could we get him for about 40?

40 sounds OK.

What do you think, Caroline, to ?40?

I think you both love him,

and I think if you two do, somebody else will.

What do you think?

Have him. We'll have him. Sure? Yes. Positive. OK.

It's a deal. Another heavy...

Thank you very much indeed.

Well, that's brilliant! Your third item - done.

Finished.

That's the Blues shopped up.

What about our movie-going Reds?

Looks like they might be about to plump for the bath after all.

Hello. We are back again.

Hi. The bath is still running? The bath certainly is, yes.

So it still could be ours, could it? SHE LAUGHS

Absolutely. Thank you. And the price is still ?95?

95 to you. In which case, we'd like to buy it.

Fantastic! Thank you very much indeed.

I think we should shake on the deal, now. Yeah, absolutely.

Thank you so much. You're welcome.

Thank you. That's our third and final lot.

Thank you. Excellent.

That's it teams, your time is up.

I think now we should just fill it with champagne. OK.

Let's see what the Red team bought.

First up, Philippa's big pink Amish star for ?60.

Next, Linda's oak tray, for fruit or plants, at ?30.

Finally, Richard's rusty old bath for ?95.

Lin, what was your favourite purchase from today?

I like the wooden planter. Mm-hm? Brilliant, OK.

So, that was your favourite. And Pippa, how about you, darling?

I loved the big pink Amish star. Yeah. So...

Beautiful. Great bit of folk art. Yeah, exactly.

And do you think that your folk art

is going to bring you the most starry profit today?

I don't think so. I mean, I think we really shopped

with our hearts on that one, perhaps.

The large tin bath. Tin bath?

Yeah. OK. It's quirky.

And Lin, what do you think? Do you agree?

Erm, no. I think...

I think... Why change the habit of a lifetime?

..my planter is going to be the best.

It's going to bring the most. Brilliant.

You're sticking to your guns. Yeah. Sticking with your planter. I am.

I like a lady that sticks to her guns. Brilliant.

So how much did you spend, girls? I believe it was ?185.

?185. So I would like ?115, then, please, of your leftover readies.

Fantastic. Richard, ?115.

What are you going to buy for our girls?

Well, the theme on our buying this afternoon was outdoors.

So I think I might have to go IN-doors

to find something to balance it up.

Oh, really? Sounds brilliant. Yeah.

Fantastic. Well, while Richard goes for a stroll indoors,

we'll check out what the Blue team bought.

They picked up a watering can - with daffs - for ?25.

Carried off possibly the world's heaviest piggy bank for 60.

And finally, plumped for a pottery elephant. Price paid, ?40.

Jean, I was massively impressed.

You were off like a little pocket rocket.

Did you enjoy it? I loved it.

You did? I loved it, yes. Good. Well done.

And what was your favourite thing that you bought today?

The pig. The pig. Yes, the moneybox pig.

Brilliant. OK. Wonderful.

And what about you, John? What did you buy today that you loved?

I loved... Cos you've got one pick.

Yeah, I know. I loved our elephant.

So we've got a whole menagerie going on, really, haven't we?

It's wonderful. A whole zoo!

I like it. John and Jean's zoo!

And do we think that that elephant is going to make you a jumbo profit?

I certainly hope so. Really? I'm very confident. No, it is!

It is! Absolutely! Believe in your elephant. Yeah! Fantastic.

Jean, what about you?

What do you think's going to bring the most profit?

The pig. The pig. Fair enough.

Now, how much did you spend, guys? Tell me you spent big!

We spent modestly. Modestly. ?125, we spent.

Oh, OK, that is a modest amount, but it's also a goodly amount.

So please can I have ?175 of leftover lolly, please?

Well done. Thank you very much.

That feels good, Caroline. ?175 exactly. A nice wad!

Lovely. What are you going to do with it, my dear?

I'm going to buy something different, different to animals,

and I've seen something I've got my eye on.

Ooh! Brilliant. All right. Will it still be there?

I hope so! I'll have to be quick! THEY CHUCKLE

Well, while Caroline races against the clock,

we'll head off to the auction.

We have hop, skipped and jumped just down the road into Carmarthen

to be with Charles Hampshire

from Peter Francis Auctioneers and Valuers.

Charles, thank you so much for having us today.

Welcome to the auction house.

Shall we start with the Reds? Let's do that.

Now, they started with this rather large pink star.

Yes. What do you think of it?

I'm not sure what I can add to the pink star.

I mean, it's a good size, it could be used for a number of things.

Do you think there is going to be a market for it?

I think so. Spur of the moment rather than someone coming

specifically for this sort of object.

But that's always important.

So what have you estimated it at?

A paltry ?10 to ?20.

Oh, you really don't like it, do you? No, not my favourite. No!

OK, well, look, they paid ?60 for it. OK.

So we might be struggling with that a bit.

In Carmarthen, maybe, yeah. Camden, maybe...fine.

Now almost from the ridiculous to the sublime.

Their second purchase was this really rather lovely

coopered dairy tray.

We've said dairy tray,

but, yeah, I'm not sure if that's right, really.

It's a good size, nice oval, as you say,

coopered, two-handled dairy tray.

It's nice, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah.

Now I think that's a good useful thing.

Nice sort of piece of provincial work as well. Yeah.

OK, so what do you think with regards to value on that?

We've said ?30 to ?40.

Oh, well done, Lin. She'll be thrilled.

?30 paid. OK. Ideal.

So we've gone from not great to breaking even, potential profit.

Yes. To their final item.

They've called it a bath, but frankly, if I got into that,

I'd probably come out grubbier. Yes, you might.

I'd go with feeding trough, maybe. Yes. OK, all right.

Any age to it, really? Not a huge amount, no.

It's been well used, though, by the looks of it.

And, you know, we do sell this sort of thing regularly,

you know, nice outdoor items.

Yeah. And they tend to do fairly well, so...

OK, how well?

I think we've said here ?30 to ?50.

OK. Well, look, they paid ?95 for it. Right, OK.

So it looks as if these girls might need Richard's bonus buy.

They're going to need his help. Yes, they are,

in order to claw them, potentially, back into profit.

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

Richard, you had ?115 of leftover lolly.

Enlighten us, my love.

Well, with all that money, I had...

Oh! Very nice.

..to buy you something to go indoors.

I love it. Yeah.

Back in the day, I used to sell Victorian brass companion sets,

as they are referred to,

which is the tong, the shovel and the poker,

with the pair of andirons,

for ?100 to ?150.

I bought this complete set, five pieces, for...

?30. No! I think that's... That's amazing!

You did well. I was amazed. I was amazed.

So what do you think we're likely to make?

Well, I'm hoping that the auctioneer will estimate it

at perhaps ?30 to ?50,

and with a strong wind on the day

that I could get perhaps near the top end of the estimate.

So potential profit, ?20?

I think they're great. Well done.

Sounds like the decision is made, but you don't have to decide now.

But let's go and see what the auctioneer thinks

of Richard's fiery purchase.

Richard, I think... There we go.

..rather liked these for his bonus buy.

What do you think? I like these, actually.

And obviously a sample here. Nicely engraved and complete.

Good quality, for sure. Good quality, exactly.

And are there many fires that need

fire irons, or andirons, and tools, in Carmarthen?

There are. Yeah, I would say so. Good.

We're in the right place for these, yeah. Good. OK.

So what sort of auction estimate have you got?

Obviously on the set, not just on these.

We've put an auction estimate of ?25 to ?35.

So potentially, we might have a profit there. Yes.

Good stuff, Richard. Well done.

OK, so, let's move on to the Blues.

They started with the watering can. OK.

I have problems with this, I'm not sure how old it is,

and the detail isn't there...

As in, when you say you're not sure of the age, you think it's quite...

It's very modern. Really? Yeah.

It's not an antique, or anywhere near that.

Dare I use that term, has it been upcycled?

I think it has. That's the right term.

Well, what's your auction estimate?

We've put ?10 to ?20.

OK, well, look, they paid ?25 for it. OK.

Do you not think that it might sell on its sort of decorative value?

Bright and cheerful, that's what's going for it.

So, their next item is the piggy bank over there. Yes.

A really heavy-set Saddleback pig.

Yeah. And, some contents in there.

There's something rattling around in there. Really?

So that could be a bit of a bonus. There might be some sovereigns.

There could, there could. Has he got any age to him?

Not a great deal. Not a huge amount of age.

So the contents might be worth more than the pig.

Yeah. I think we've put an estimate on this of about ?40 to ?60.

OK. Well, they paid top end of that. They paid ?60 for him. OK.

But he's a good, fun thing, isn't he? He stands a good chance.

He's got a chance of getting over there, I think.

Yeah, potentially. Good. All right.

So then, finally, we've got the elephant.

The elephant in all his glory.

Yeah, which is a garden seat, isn't it?

Yes, garden seat, planter, jardiniere stand.

Nice detail here, sort of polychrome decoration,

and, again, catches the eye.

OK. Any age?

30, 40, 50 years at most, so I don't think there's much going on there.

They bought quite modern things, really overall, haven't they?

Yeah. What's your estimate?

?30 to ?50 for the elephant. OK. As a nice, decorative piece. Yeah.

All right, well, look, they paid ?40 for it. OK.

So, potentially, John might be making a little profit on it,

but... I think... ..it might not meet his expectations, sadly.

No, no.

All right, well look, they might need their bonus buy,

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

Caroline, you had ?175 of leftover lolly.

What did you buy for our dynamic duo?

Well...

Oh! HE LAUGHS

Rather gorgeous Victorian sewing box.

Walnut, mid-to-late Victorian,

drop down front with these two gorgeous drawers here.

Original silk lining, absolutely pristine.

This beautiful quilted top here.

I think it's lovely.

Jean, I think you're a bit in love with this!

I think I am, actually! Yeah.

It really is exquisite quality, isn't it, Caroline? Yeah, it is.

I mean, you've got walnut there, it just looks beautiful,

the interior is as fresh as a daisy, it's beautiful. Yeah.

And there are loads of these about that just miss on quality.

But I always think it's best to buy the best you can afford,

and good quality, it always sells.

It's beautiful. And somebody's going to want that.

So, what did you pay for it? What do you THINK I paid for it?

?175?

No, I was very lucky, and I got it down to 140.

Oh, wow.

So I think that that... It's got to be worth that.

Guys, you don't have do decide now, so have a little think about it.

But for the benefit of those at home,

let's see what the auctioneer thinks of Caroline's sparkling bonus buy.

Right, Charles, here we are. Right. This is the Blues' bonus buy.

I think that's beautiful!

I like that probably the most out of everything on the table.

I would absolutely agree.

I think Caroline has absolutely

pulled a corker out of the bag there.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

It's very nice, very good quality, nice sort of burr walnut there.

And quality always sells. It does, yes, I'm happy to say.

Good. And what sort of level do we think this might be selling at?

We've put it in at 80 to 120, the auctioneer's favourite.

OK, a good old 80 to 120, I like that.

Now, Caroline paid ?140 for it.

I don't think that's too much, to be honest. No, I would agree.

I'd think it'd be worth that every day of the week.

So I hope you get up there. I'm sure you will. Yes. Fantastic.

Looking forward to watching you wield your gavel! Thank you. Enjoy.

You're old hands at this, aren't you?

You know exactly what's going to happen.

Lovejoy... Yeah!

..she's particularly fond of an auction, yes.

Exactly. Lin, you've been here, you've done this...

It's all right, isn't it? Love it. You're feeling confident.

Absolutely. Brilliant. Like your style, Lin.

So team, we've got your pink star first.

This was your favourite, Pip. I know. Your absolute favourite.

You spent ?60 on this. Did I? Yeah.

The reality of the cold hard light of day. Here it is.

303, you can't miss it, the large decorative

aluminium pink-painted barn star, five-pointed star.

Good for your Christmas tree, you make what you will of it.

?20 to go on, straight in for me.

10, if you will. Where do you place it?

10 surely.

'10, it is'. They've got ?10.

It's a maiden bid to my right at 10.

12, seated. Thank you.

15, madam. 15 still there, my original bid.

At 18, yes. Can see there 20...

We're getting there. Yes. Go on! People like it.

5, if you will. The star, 25.

And 8, if you will, madam.

I can just about see you there. Is there 8?

Yes. '28.' There is.

Shake of the head there. We're at 28, seated.

I've lost you at 30.

Quiet online. At 28 in the room. To you, madam.

That sold for ?28,

so you are down ?32 on that.

So on we go.

We've got the large oval oak coopered two-handled tray.

Now, Lin, we spent ?30 on this. OK. ?30 only.

It was your favourite. Here we go. Good luck, girls.

304 - the large oval oak

coopered two-handled, we've called it a dairy tray.

Nice, useful thing.

?30 straight in for me.

Coopered tray there.

In and away, then. We're at 20 only.

A commission interest at 20.

Two waving. 25.

28. 30 online.

Oh, here we go. Well done.

Phew! A break even. A giant sigh of relief from Richard.

40. Now two of you out there online.

Big, it is, at ?40 and away. Lost you ladies in the room.

Is there two? Final call...

Done. HE BANGS GAVEL

OK, so that's brilliant.

Girls, you made ?10 profit on that, which takes you back to -22, OK?

So now, let's go onto this bath, or drinking trough.

Now, you thought it was going to make the most profit,

you spent ?95 on it.

Did we? Here we go.

Lot 305. ?100 for it?

I'd have thought it'd be quite popular in this area.

50. We're away. At 50 only. And 5 if you'd like it.

At ?50, it will be sold.

Commission interest here at 55...

Oh... 'At 60, sir, with you.

'At ?60 against the online bidder.' Honestly?

70, no. At ?65 we are online, Make no mistake, at 65.

Where's 70?

Come on!

The trough at 70. Fair warning given.

First and last, at 70 and selling...

That's much better than I thought.

We took a bath.

Girls, that just sold for ?70, so you made a loss of ?25 on that.

So overall we have got a loss of ?47. Hmm...

This is where we make it up. Is it?! Of course.

I love your faith, Lin, I love your faith.

Right, you gave Richard

a substantial amount of leftover lolly,

and he invested it in those rather lovely fireside tools

and the andirons. Yes.

What would you like to do, girls? I think, Richard, we'll go for it!

Right. Do you want to? Yes. You're going to go for it?

OK. Here we go.

310.

The brass fire irons, a set of three, and the andirons there.

Five pieces together, lot 310.

Lots of presale interest here.

You can ignore the estimate. We're at 65 to 70, straight in.

Richard! Richard! Richard!

A little more here. It's all on commission this time.

You're quiet online. Quality, they are...

Honestly...

First and last given, ?70.

HE BANGS GAVEL

Richard! That's fantastic.

That's ?40 profit, which sadly... Aw!

..doesn't take you home with profit.

You're at -7 overall. That's really fantastic.

But you nearly got there.

Jean, John, how are you feeling? Very excited.

I'm looking forward to it, I think we've got a chance. Fantastic.

I think you've got a chance too. How are you feeling, darling?

Well, a little bit nervous, but

I'm really looking forward to it, actually. Good.

Have you been to an auction before? No, I haven't. Never ever?

This is my first experience.

So guys, our first lot is your watering can.

Jean, this was your choice. Here it comes now.

You invested ?25 in this, so very best of luck. Here we go.

326 is the florally decorated,

enamel metal, tapering, conical watering jug.

10 to start me, though? 10 in the room.

At 10 and away. 12, do I see now?

It's a ?10 bid standing in the aisle...

?10. Of course there's 12.

Finished elsewhere. In and out at 10...

?10. OK. Oh, dear.

So we've started with a loss of ?15. We'll be all right.

We're going onto the money bank. You paid ?60 for it.

Best of luck. Here he comes. There he is.

Come on, piggy, bring home the bacon!

327 is the large cast metal

black-and-white Saddleback pig money bank.

?50 to start me.

50 to go. 30 only.

At ?30 and 2.

35, 38 with you, sir, again.

At ?38. The standing bid is that 40.

Thank you, sir.

42, no. It's at ?40, seated to my left as I see.

'You're quiet online.'

At ?40, seated bid and selling...

Oh, guys, ?40,

That's a ?20 loss on that, so that takes you overall

to -35.

Right, OK. Third and final lot.

This is fabulous.

It's fabulous, the elephant garden seat.

You've sold it to me, don't worry.

You paid ?40 for this.

Best of luck. It's beautiful. Here he comes.

328, we have the ceramic garden seat,

or jardiniere stand, the Indian elephant.

Interest here with me. What do you make of it? 50 to start me?

50 to go. Is there a maiden bid 50?

Well, I have to start it away, then.

38, 40 straight in.

?40. You've wiped your face already.

At ?40 and away, the elephant showed is at 2.

Fair warning given, final call.

'It's with me again. It's at ?40.'

Selling.

Well done, team.

Even Stevens. Exactly. You've made nothing, lost nothing.

So, overall, we are at -?35. Right.

Now, we've got quite an important decision to make

with this bonus buy.

Caroline invested a lot of money in this - it was ?140.

Jean, what are you thinking?

I think, because of what's happened, that I would say no.

I would stick. Stick.

Stick or twist - what do you think?

Are we sticking? Yes. It's a stick. It's a stick.

We're going to sell it anyway, to see what happens.

Here it comes.

Lot 333 is the super quality

late-Victorian burr walnut sewing box, fitted interior.

Lots of interest here but we'll open it up for you.

150 for it? Is there 150 to start?

100 then, surely? Where do you see it?

Got to go in, then, with me. 90, and 95.

At 95 and away. 100, sir.

110. 120. 130.

140 with you, and I'm out.

Ooh! Never mind.

170. 180.

Still in place. 190? No, shake of the head.

It's at 180 with the gentlemen, if you're sure, madam. 190, back in.

Oh, Caroline. What have we done? Oh, John! Brilliant! Brilliant!

Are you sure this time? ?200, centre seats.

Quiet online. With you, sir. ?200.

I'm sorry!

?200, so that made you a profit of ?60,

but you decided not to go with it. We did.

So it's irrelevant. So guys, I'm sorry to say...

Jean, you're a gambling lady. I can't believe it.

You're at -?35.

Oh... We've had a go.

Teams, I have to say, this makes really quite painful reading.

I have to be honest.

Nobody is going away with any money, it might not surprise you to learn.

So sadly I won't be handing out any cash today.

But, of course, we have to have some runners-up.

And today's runners-up...

are the Blues.

ALL: Oh!

You know, you made, well...a few losses,

but we'll gloss over that.

And then Caroline's stellar bonus buy that she made ?60 profit on...

Oh! ..would have clinched it for you!

Therapy. And you would have gone home with money today.

But, unfortunately, you didn't. But, you know, never mind.

Over to our victorious Reds.

Who'd have thought that?

Not us! All down to you!

I have to be honest, most of it was Lin's work.

Thank you! Yeah!

That wonderful tray, Mum.

Well done you, Lin, for spotting that.

That was...well, that was your only profit, really. Let's be honest.

Yes. Was it?

And then Richard's bonus buy, which you decided to go with,

made you a profit of ?40.

So hugely well done to you.

Well done. So you ended the day on -?7.

Woohoo! So, yeah...

Glorious victorious!

So, sadly, not handing out any cash today,

but money's not everything, is it, guys? No.

We've had a wonderful time, and that's the main thing.

If you've enjoyed today's show,

then check out our website for more details,

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

And don't you forget to join us next time

for some more Bargain Hunting.

Yes? ALL: Yes!

It's carnival time here for Great Britain!

He's there!

He really is one of the greatest of all time.

What a summer.

Wow. It's all been building to this moment. Boom!

This is one of the biggest political moments for years.