Wetherby 21 Bargain Hunt

MUSIC: Last Of The Summer Wine theme song

Hello. I'm in Wetherby, in Yorkshire,

and Edinburgh is 198 miles in that direction.

London is 198 miles in that direction.

And just over there is Wetherby Racecourse,

where there just happens to be an antique and collectors' fair today.

Well, I know where I'd rather be. Let's go Bargain Hunting!

Wetherby's racecourse is brimming with antiques and collectables.

There are outside pitches

and there's even more to choose from when you head inside.

Well, you know what our teams have got to do.

They've got £300 and just one hour

to buy three items to take off to auction.

So, let's see if the going's good today.

The Reds debate whether they're onto a winner...

-If it takes a tumble, then...

-I will never let you forget.

..whilst the Blue team are hedging their bets.

There's a lot of negatives...

-"But I do really like it."

-..but I really like it.

But who'll be the first past the post at the auction -

the Reds...

-Some more? Any more?

-GAVEL BANGS

..or the Blues?

THEY LAUGH

And guess how many medals are on display here

at the Green Howards Museum?

That's absolutely breathtaking. How many medals are in here?

-About 3,500.

-Really?

Well, that's all for later. Now, let's meet today's teams.

For the Red team, we have Patsy and her son Henry.

And for the Blue team, we have Philip and his daughter Zoe.

-Hello, everyone. ALL:

-Hello!

-Lovely to see you.

Now, you two, whose idea was it to come on this show?

Well, it was my idea, but I didn't tell Henry.

We have watched the show in the past.

We really do like antiques.

Have you got the same sort of tastes in antiques?

-Similar. Yeah, definitely similar. We both like silver.

-Yes?

I like Art Deco. I like Arts & Crafts.

-Yeah.

-I like boxes and containers of anything.

-You're a bit of a Viking lover, aren't you?

-Yeah.

The Viking age is the period I want to do my dissertation on.

-You're studying at York, aren't you?

-Yeah.

I've always wanted to do history.

Hopefully, at the end of my degree, I'll go into an MA, a PhD,

become a lecturer, then become a professor.

I've got a 30-year plan.

Prime minister! ALL LAUGH

And then end up retiring to write historical fiction.

Now, you used to teach, Patsy.

So, what do you do now you're not in the classroom?

Well, for a while, I was a guide at Chatsworth,

which was absolutely delightful.

A beautiful house. Lots of lovely treasures.

I'm not sure you'll see the sort of antiques today

-that you saw at Chatsworth.

-Maybe not, no. Maybe not.

But also I do try to do a bit of up-cycling,

buying bits of furniture that need a little bit of TLC,

making them, and then passing them on,

hopefully at a profit, but very often not.

-What about tactics? You're going to get on well?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

It's very democratic, but I'm in charge.

-Yeah.

-That's the way it seems to work.

Where have I heard that before?

Anyway, we're really going to enjoy watching you shop together.

Now, you Blues, Phil and Zoe,

somebody tells me that you think you can do better

than anybody that's ever been on this programme before.

I think that might be a mistake.

Dad always thinks he's going to be better than everybody else,

and that he goes better than everybody else.

I'm going to prove him wrong, though, today.

You're going to prove just how badly you can do.

Phil, you've got an interesting job, haven't you?

It allows you, really, carte blanche

to get up to all sorts of mischief, doesn't it?

Oh, it does. I'm a science technician at a secondary school,

so setting up experiments, dealing with young people.

Give me an exciting experiment example.

The methane bubbles, I think, is the most dramatic-looking.

You just pass gas through washing-up liquid and water, and it...

Don't try this at home.

No, that's right. Don't try it at home, no.

And then you ignite it.

So, you then have fire hands like a superhero.

-But you don't get burnt?

-No, you don't get burnt,

-if you do it correctly.

-Now, Zoe, you're a teacher, aren't you?

I am. I'm a primary school teacher.

I'm in charge of science, so I get that from my dad.

But we're a bit younger, so we can't do fire hands.

No. Now, what about antiques?

-Do you have any sort of tastes, any leanings?

-No.

-Definitely not.

-Sounds like we've got just the right contestants here.

-I think you'll probably win.

-We probably will.

-We hope so.

Have you ever been to an auction?

We haven't been to an antique auction,

-but we've been to livestock auctions where we went...

-Dad!

-I'm telling the story.

-HE LAUGHS

We went to buy a lamb,

and, unfortunately, I got a little bit mixed up

with the lot numbers.

-He couldn't see in the ring.

-Couldn't see in the ring.

We could, but he wasn't up for listening to us.

HE LAUGHS

And we ended up buying a very old sheep.

The most enormous and elderly ram we've ever seen.

Were they roughly similar in price?

-They're a lot cheaper.

-We thought we'd had a bargain.

-That's why I bought him - cos he was so cheap.

-Didn't turn out quite so well.

-So, have you got any tactics?

-Yeah, spend the money.

That's what we like!

Well, I'm sure you'll have a great, great time, both teams.

-Now, if you're going shopping, what will you need? ALL:

-The money!

You're absolutely right, and I am the man.

-You are allowed £300.

-Thank you.

And you are allowed £300. Henry, are you going to be the banker?

-I might as well be.

-Marvellous. Well, off you go. Have a great shop.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

We have mother and son and father and daughter,

but who will win?

All our teams need now are their experts.

It's Paul Laidlaw for the Reds.

And on drums for the Blues, it's Phil Serrell.

So, teams, what's the plan?

Patsy, Henry, what are we looking for today?

Well, I like glass, I like Arts & Crafts.

Looking for an undiscovered diamond ring.

-What are you going to buy?

-I like animals.

-Preferably something with a dog on it.

-Right.

Hopefully, some militaria,

so badges, uniform, that sort of thing.

I'm interested in Masonic items.

-Freemasonry?

-Freemasonry and maybe a globe.

Right, teams, your time starts now!

Let's go and see what we can find.

Let's go find those bargains!

Good luck, teams. And it seems the Reds are right on the case.

It's a lovely leather briefcase, though. What do you think, Henry?

-Um...

-It's not a very old one, is it?

-It's going to be '30s.

-Is it?

-It's got age, yeah.

£24. Like, it's good at the moment.

It's a thing, but does it have the oomph that we want?

Possibly not.

Find something with a bit of oomph, then, Reds.

Plenty of time on the clock.

It appears that the Blues are on the case, too.

£90, that one. How old is that?

I would think that's probably between the wars.

You could date it from that. It might even be '50s.

But I quite like the leather strap on it.

-How much is that one?

-You seem to be unimpressed.

It's not a dog, and it's not a globe.

And it's OK, but I don't love it.

Looks like Zoe wants to stick to her plan.

How are the Reds motoring along?

-This one. Is there any life in those ones, do you think?

-Bumper badges.

-There's a market for them.

-Collectable, to a degree.

-Yeah.

To a degree - I think you've got it there.

You're all over this, Henry!

I will just keep quiet

because you are coming out with the pearls at the moment.

I don't see any treasure. What about you, Patsy?

-Anything recognisable yet?

-Nothing, really. No.

-Onwards.

-Retreat.

-Right.

-Right.

-Cartwheel and out of here.

Move on, then, Reds.

But have the Blues found something on their shopping list?

What does it for you about globes, then?

If we had positioned it like this, we can only see ocean.

Then there's the North Pole and the South Pole.

There's deserts. And then, if you're interested in football

and you want a decent football team,

you've only got Barcelona, Real Madrid...

-And...?

-BOTH:

-Burnley!

There's only three places to live in the world.

And our first choice is Burnley.

I think that says it all for me.

-Thank you very much!

-Thank you.

Well, that's a different use of a globe,

but it looks like it's a no-buy for the Blues.

But will this be a buy for the Reds?

What is this?

That's a little celluloid...

-Is it a compact or a purse?

-It's a compact.

-It's an evening bag.

Press the button and do that.

So, we're looking into the 1920s.

It's an early plastic. An unusual form.

It's essentially a little purse. It has a hanging cord and a tassel.

-Very glamorous.

-Oh, yeah?

And then, to the front, on this black front,

we've got a bejewelled swag, technically.

Very smart indeed.

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

-£60.

-60.

-Help us.

-50 quid.

-50?

-I love it. A lot of money for a bit of plastic, though.

Seriously, that's your first price - 50 quid.

-What's your last price?

-My last price is 45.

-Is it?

You're not going to get a three at the beginning of that?

45, that's it.

-40 quid. There you are, sold.

-All right, thank you.

Seemed like a good idea.

-You struck there.

-I know!

-The hand came out. Your mum was there.

-I can't believe I did that!

-It was a deal.

-I love it! Right.

-Right!

-Onwards?

-We've got one in the bag.

Let's get the second and the third now. Come on.

-Don't lose the momentum.

-Here we go. Onwards. Ever onwards.

Yes, keep going, Reds.

Mum said she'd take charge, and she did.

One item down in just ten minutes. How's it going with the Blues, Phil?

-See, I'm conscious we haven't bought anything yet.

-BOTH:

-No.

I don't like anything. That's the problem.

Oh, dear, Blues.

Reds, is anything setting you on fire?

-Is your tank expensive?

-I've got 140 on it.

-Ah, it's a nice thing.

-French.

Is it a First World War one? It's too specialist.

It is a nice thing, but it's too specialist. Thank you.

Bad luck, Reds.

Things might be looking up for the Blues with these metal boxes.

-How old are these boxes?

-They're 19th-century, aren't they?

-Yes, I would say so. Yeah.

-And they're Continental.

-Are they French?

-French, yes.

-And what would be the best on either of these?

-24 on that.

-What about the other one?

-32.

-32.

-ZOE:

-I think Dad likes that.

I like these boxes because they've got a use.

I like the big one cos it's got a big, red interior to it.

-What do you think, Zoe?

-Do you like it?

-I like it.

So, the thing for you, then, is the bigger French box - £32.

-Is that a def?

-That is definitely.

-Right, OK.

-Unanimous?

-Unanimous.

-Yes, I think we've got a deal.

-Shake the man's hand.

-Thank you.

-There you are.

-Thank you.

-Right, we haven't got time to waste. Come on.

-Right.

Finally, the Blues have found something they like.

With 25 minutes on the clock, it's one-all.

Now, the Reds haven't moved, but what's this, Paul?

That, undeniably, is aluminium

and it is rather crude, and a prosthetic nose.

We can see little holes where a cord attached it.

If we are looking at military wounds,

we'd need to be looking at the Great War.

We're looking at a medical collectable,

and that is a big field.

-Yes.

-From instruments to prosthetics,

there's a market there.

This does have merit, and if we take away from it the fact that

it used to be part of someone's face...

Something tells me Patsy is not struck.

I quite like this, as a piece.

-Do you? Your choice.

-Henry, we need to work on your mother, I suspect.

-Yeah, if it's your choice...

-It's me and you at the moment.

-Well, in that case, you should do the negotiations.

-Right, OK.

-Is it 30 at the moment?

-So, 30.

Is there any possibilities of going somewhat lower than 30?

It needs to be 30, really, but 28.

Don't mind me asking, and I'm not going to go there again,

-25 - round number.

-Yeah.

-It needs to be 28.

-It needs to be 28 and I'm cool with that.

-OK, it needs to be 28.

But it's a team thing. What do we think?

Well, I'm going to let Henry choose if that's what...

Considering it's exceedingly rare, this sort of thing,

-if it takes a tumble, then...

-I will never let you forget.

-You've got a deal, then. Take it.

-OK.

-Thank you.

Really interesting.

I tell you what - you couldn't have scripted

-this little shopping spree thus far, could you?

-No.

-No.

Right then, I think we're doing dammed well,

but I tell you what - we've got a healthy budget left.

-Onwards.

-Yeah.

-Onwards and pretty.

-Pretty?

-Can we do pretty? Can we do frivolous?

-Who wants to do pretty?

-Let's do pretty and frivolous.

-I thought you were talking about me for a second.

-No, not at all. No.

Pretty and frivolous, and 35 minutes in which to find it, Reds.

Blues, any idea what your second item might be?

At the minute, not much is jumping out,

but I do like the look of it.

-What would you use it for?

-Umbrellas.

-Is there a hole in the bottom?

-No.

Sometimes, these rot through, don't they?

-What's it made out of?

-Well, it's just copper, isn't it?

-So, would that be...?

-It's Continental, I would think.

-Are these French? Where's he gone?

-From Belgium.

They're Belgian. What's the best on that?

-Which one are you looking at?

-We're looking at the cheap copper one.

I'll do one for 30.

-That's cheap.

-Do you want to buy it or do you want to just walk round?

-I want to walk round and remember it.

-Right.

Would you be prepared to put it away for half an hour?

-Yeah, no problem.

-Half an hour. Half an hour.

-Thank you.

-No bother.

-Come on. Come on.

One for the back burner, Blues.

So, Patsy, has anything pretty turned up indoors?

I've just spotted some very pretty silver inkwells.

-About inkwells...

-SHE LAUGHS

-What do you feel...?

-"What do you think about inkwells?"

What do you feel about inkwells as a possible buy?

There's a lot of good things here.

-Whether there's a good thing that you can buy...

-Yes.

..at trade remains to be seen.

What do you fancy? What's taken your fancy?

-Well, those two are lovely.

-Little capstan inkwell

-and then a little silver-mounted, cut-glass specimen.

-Yes.

How much is it?

-£345.

-Aw.

-It is beautiful, though.

-It is beautiful,

-and good things cost!

-SHE LAUGHS

-Right.

-But it's out of our reach.

-OK.

-Can we deal with the disappointment?

-I can deal with the disappointment.

-Just about.

-Can we deal with it while shopping?

-Yes, OK!

I think that was a hint to move on, Reds.

Back with the Blues,

and what's brought a smile to Zoe's face?

-Do you like him?

-I just think he's gorgeous.

I don't think he's very practical, but I really like him.

-And what about you, Phil?

-Well, I'm a bit undecided.

I think he's going to be very heavy to move.

-How much is your doggy, please?

-225.

-225?

-Yeah.

Is that the very, very, very, very best on him?

-Erm...200.

-200?

-200's the best.

You've bought the box for 32, haven't you?

-Yeah.

-So, you've got that for 232.

-So, we could afford that.

-We could.

-You could, you could.

I tell you what I think -

you're relying on someone at the auction, just by chance,

being there and being able to move it.

-Yeah.

-Can you do any more on the price, my love?

Cos we like it, but it's going to cost 50 quid to move the thing.

-I will ask if he can do any better.

-Yeah, if he could do 150...

-Right.

-He'll come to 150.

-Right. What do you want to do?

Do want to hang onto it? You want to buy it.

I think we're going to make a massive loss, but I still want it.

And there's a lot of negatives...

-"But I do really like it!"

-..but I really like it.

I think we could probably afford to have a look round

because I don't think anybody else is going to take him

-any time quickly.

-Keep it for 15 minutes for us, all right?

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Right, come on.

Do you know what? I think she really likes it.

I really like it.

So, the dog joins the milk churn on the back burner.

Blues, I thought you wanted to spend some money!

Reds, are you going to be frivolous with yours?

Be very careful, it's quite fragile.

So, what we've got there is a timepiece movement

about the size of a wristwatch

set within a wooden frame but that is faced with silver.

-Right, it's got a hallmark.

-And it's polygonal.

Circular face. White enamel, by the looks of things.

Now, what's the question we're going to ask

-about any timepiece or clock?

-Is it working?

It was working yesterday. I haven't wound it up today.

-May I?

-Yes, please do.

That there is a poxy resin, or a glue,

because it's been repaired.

Do I think that's catastrophic? No.

-Do I think it helps?

-No.

-No.

Tiny little bit of damage to the enamel.

-Did you spot that?

-Yes, at the number eight.

£40.

Could you really hack into that price for us,

or is that too much to ask?

-It's at 40.

-How about 20?

-HENRY:

-I mean, it's small, it's pretty, but are we willing to,

for that flake of enamel and that little bit of issues with repairs,

-are we willing to...?

-Would you take 15?

No. I don't think I even bought it for 15.

I don't think you need to go that far,

-but it's over to you guys.

-Can I have another little turn?

-It is very beautiful.

-I love the...

-That cannot be denied.

-Henry, let me assure you,

your mum's face lights up when she's got that wee thing in her hand.

Yes, that would be lovely. £20, thank you very much.

-Oh, she did it!

-Yeah?

-She did it!

-Here we are, yeah.

-Thank you very much indeed.

Good for you, Patsy!

-Well, that's it, folks. You did it.

-We're done!

-Fantastic.

-And, boy, did you do small and pretty!

I know. But we also didn't spend a lot of money, did we?

-There is that.

-You've got more to spend!

-Yeah.

-You bought well! Come on!

-Right, good.

-Fantastic.

Well done, Reds. Job done, and in 45 minutes.

Blues, time's ticking and you still need two items.

We need to move! We need to move!

I want the dog, but I know it's not a good idea.

We've got to move. We've got to make sure we see everything.

Are you going to indulge your daughter?

Well, I've been indulging her for 25 years.

I don't think I should...

Well, I could make a stance now, I think. I think I should say no!

-Can I show you something?

-Yes.

-You can.

-Come on, then.

Quickly, then, Blues.

Reds, are you content with your lot?

-I think we were a killer team.

-I think so, yeah.

Right then, folks, is it bacon butty time?

-Oh, yes, please.

-Oh, yes, fantastic.

-Come on, let's go. This way.

Grab one for me!

So, with ten minutes left, anyone for tennis?

See, I love this. You've got a tennis court net, but no net.

But you've got these posts. You've got the bases and stands.

Priced at £110.

-Do you like it?

-I like it. Really like it.

-Yeah?

-But is there a profit in that?

Can we have a word with you, good sir?

We were just wondering about your tennis court net. I love it.

These uprights,

I don't think they've got anything to do with it, really.

No, I'm not too sure,

but certainly the cast iron bottoms look older than...

They're fantastic. I think the bottoms are probably 100 years old,

and I think the top's probably 20 years old.

And it's all down to price, isn't it? Can you help us out?

Would 90 help you?

I'm thinking, like, 60, 65 quid is where I'm from with it.

-Because I think the uprights are new.

-Yeah.

And I think, if the uprights were old,

I think it's £300 or £400 worth.

-Absolute rock bottom...

-Yes?

-..75.

Right. It's within budget. We can go and buy the dog.

-What's going to happen?

-ZOE:

-What do you think, Dad?

-You decide.

-I think we'll go for this.

-OK, done! Shake his hand quickly!

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Right, thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Right. Now then, you two, up there...

-Get the dog.

-Get the dog.

-Make sure the dog hasn't run off.

-Get the dog!

That's the second item bought,

and just five minutes left to buy the dog.

-Is he still here, Zoe?

-He's still there.

-Oh, my goodness.

-Well-trained, isn't it?

-Oh, no!

-He is. It's the best sit-stay I've ever seen.

-Sit. Sit.

-Wait!

-So, we're definitely going to have this, then, yeah?

-We definitely want the dog.

-You'll indulge her?

Well, let me see. It's against my better judgment, definitely.

We're going to give the dog a home.

-Shall I get the dealer in?

-Yes, please.

Come on in, my dear. Now then, you've been very, very kind to us.

-OK.

-There's our £150 dog.

-I think we're definitely going to have it, aren't we?

-Yes, please. Like to do a deal.

-OK, thank you.

-Walkies!

Well done, Blues.

Right, teams, your time is up.

Now, let's check out what the Red team have bought.

First up, Patsy and Henry paid £40 for this compact.

Next, Henry could smell a profit on this prosthetic nose.

£28 paid.

And finally, with plenty of time to spare,

they paid £20 for this silver clock.

Well, Henry, was Mum in charge?

-Depends on what part of the day.

-Yeah.

-I was a bit, and then I wasn't.

-Patsy, what's your favourite lot?

I love the compact. I thought that was beautiful.

-You like that, don't you?

-Very elegant.

-Yeah.

Of its time. I've never seen one like that before.

Henry, what do you think?

I really enjoyed buying the prosthetic nose.

It's likely that we'll never see another one of those again.

-And if I do, it'll be too soon!

-For Mum, that will not be too soon!

Patsy, what's going to make the biggest profit?

-I think the compact.

-The compact.

-I think it is, yeah. I think so.

-Henry?

-I think it's hopefully going to be the nose.

-The nose, the nose.

-Simply because we'll get some kind of...

When did you last see a nose make a profit?

..eccentric collector who will just snap it up.

Well, £88. I would say a trifle disappointing, really.

-Yes, I was disappointed.

-Were you?

-I tried to spend more.

-We thought we'd spend a lot more.

You've still got £212 burning a...

-Ah, you've got it, Henry.

-Yeah.

-You weren't going to let Mum have...

-No, I'm not safe with it!

-I put it in the safest place.

I get to handle it for a very short period of time, Henry.

Then it goes off to the whizzo that is Paul Laidlaw.

-Spend wisely!

-Good luck, Paul.

-That's what I do.

-What are you going to do with it, Paul?

-Oh, I don't know.

But, frankly, if it's not small and/or pretty,

I'll feel I've let myself and the team down.

-Absolutely.

-I know you will!

So, while Paul goes off to look for something small and pretty,

we'll check out just what the Blue team have bought.

First up, Philip and Zoe bought this box for £32.

Next, will they serve up an ace at the auction

with this tennis set, bought for £75?

Finally, they went puppy-eyed over this dog and paid £150 for it.

Philip and Zoe, a bit slow starting, weren't you?

-Oh, we were very slow.

-Yes.

-Very slow.

And there was a bit of passion burning, wasn't there?

There was. I had a particularly exciting buy.

I know, I know. And it wasn't cheap, was it?

-No!

-PHILIP LAUGHS

-Philip's laughing.

-Oh, dear, dear, dear.

What's your favourite lot, Zoe?

My favourite is definitely the dog, of course.

Well, there's a surprise(!) Philip's coughing.

-Philip, what about you?

-I like the box best.

You like the box? What's going to make the biggest profit?

-Definitely the box.

-Definitely the box?

-Yes.

-I don't think we're going to make any profit at all.

-What?!

And you spent £257.

-Yes, we made a good hole in our 300.

-That is a sizeable chunk of cash.

-Now, who's got the leftover lolly?

-I do.

-Zoe's got it.

£43, I'm looking for.

There's the three and the 40.

Philip, 43 of the very finest for you.

-Charlie, thank you.

-What are you going to do with it?

Well, we set out with a mission to buy a doggy thing, which we did.

And then we got sort of transgressed into globes and Freemasonry,

so I've got to go and find something to keep his nibs happy.

You certainly have.

Well, while Philip goes off to keep his nibs happy,

I'm off to somewhere really quite interesting.

I'm in Richmond, in North Yorkshire.

In the heart of this picturesque square

is the Green Howards Museum,

named after the Howards infantry regiment

that was formed way back in 1688.

I've come to meet Steve Erskine, the museum's assistant curator,

to find out more about this local regiment.

Steve, can you tell me more about the collection here?

We have a collection of the Green Howards history

going back to 1688 right up to modern day.

30,000-odd objects,

not all on display at the same time, obviously,

but around here to tell the human story of service,

-dedication and sacrifice for the regiment.

-Yeah.

There is one particular room that I'd like to show you, Charlie,

and it's this one.

Oh, my goodness me!

That's absolutely breathtaking.

-How many medals are in here?

-About 3,500.

-Really?

But there is one medal in particular with a story

that I'd like to show you.

-This Victoria Cross.

-Right. And to whom was that awarded?

It's awarded to Private Henry Tandey,

who was the most decorated private soldier

in the First World War,

with the three highest awards for gallantry - Military Medal,

Distinguished Conduct Medal and Victoria Cross.

Gosh, what a chap. What did he win his Victoria Cross for?

He was at a French village called Marcoing

and crossing the Saint Quentin Canal

and he saw that the bridge had been damaged,

went forward under his own initiative

and replaced planking in the bridge under enemy fire,

so that his men could get across.

All those awards, why wasn't he promoted?

-He refused a commission.

-Really?

-He didn't want to be an officer.

He's also famous for something else, isn't he?

-He is.

-Involving Hitler?

-Yes.

You passed the Menin Crossroads picture

as you were coming up the stairs there,

which shows Henry Tandey with a wounded comrade on his back.

-Right.

-The story runs that,

when Chamberlain went to visit Hitler in 1938,

a copy of that painting was in Hitler's study.

Chamberlain asked why and Hitler said,

"I and he, our paths crossed later in the war

"and that man Tandey didn't shoot me."

-He recognised the person?

-Indeed, yeah.

Now, believe it or not - it's up to you -

but Tandey certainly had a rule at this point in the war

that if he met a wounded German, he didn't pull the trigger.

-So, it could have been Hitler.

-It could have been him.

Obviously, he didn't know what Hitler was going to turn into,

but what was true is that, for the rest of his days,

Tandey was known as the man who didn't shoot Hitler.

Henry Tandey was not the only member of the Green Howards

to be awarded a Victoria Cross.

Donald Simpson-Bell is the only professional English footballer

to receive the award.

Bell played for the Yorkshire team Bradford Park Avenue.

He asked the club to release him from his contract

and enlisted in the Green Howards in 1914.

So, what did he win his Victoria Cross for?

Two gallant actions. The first on the 5th of July 1916 -

a German position called Horseshoe Trench,

which he and others took.

They then came under German machine-gun fire

and he sprinted across no man's land,

threw a bomb, using his pistol, killed the crew,

and saved his platoon from any further decimation.

And again, we've got another artefact here.

He wrote a letter home, which describes the action.

-Wonderful handwriting.

-Isn't it?

And again, you think about a man sitting in a trench

-with pencil and paper.

-I've just got a sentence here to read.

"I must confess, that was the biggest fluke alive,

"and I did nothing.

"I chucked the bomb and it did the trick."

-How modest can you get?

-Modest, simple, powerful.

-But thanks to his action, many men's lives were saved.

-Yeah.

Five days later, tried the same thing again,

and this time wasn't as fortunate.

Some weeks after he was killed,

his family were awarded posthumously his Victoria Cross,

presented to them by the King at Buckingham Palace.

Gosh. A proud moment.

-Thank you very much indeed, Steve.

-My pleasure.

-Fascinating stories.

Meanwhile, we're off to Darlington to the auction

and we're going to see who's going to win

in the battle of the Reds versus the Blues.

Today, we're at Thomas Watson Auctioneers

and I'm with the auctioneer himself, David Elstob.

-Hello, David.

-Hi, Charlie.

-Lovely to be here.

And we've got Patsy and Henry's lots -

the Red team - coming up first.

And Patsy was bonkers about this and insisted on buying it.

-What do you think of it?

-I think it's very nice,

it's very vintage, very much of the period.

-And it is true Deco, isn't it?

-It is, very much so.

-The Charleston era, I'd call that.

-Indeed. I think it'll do well.

Yeah, I think Patsy thinks it will make her the biggest profit.

What sort of money have you put on it?

-40 to 60.

-40 to 60. That's pretty promising, really.

They paid £40 for it.

However, the second lot might be slightly more problematic.

Have you ever sold a prosthetic nose before?

I've sold lots of things, Charlie,

but I've never sold a prosthetic nose.

Well, Henry really enjoyed this lot and he wanted to buy it,

and, indeed, he did buy it.

What sort of estimate can you possibly have put on this?

-We've put 20 to 30.

-Have you?

-Yes.

Bullish, I would say! Bullish!

That's marvellous cos they only paid 28.

There might be a loss there, I'm afraid to say.

I think where they might have won is this little travel clock.

-It's very pretty.

-Yeah.

-Nice Swiss movement.

Hallmark - 1915.

It's very nice. We've put an estimate of 30 to 50 on it.

Good stuff. Looks like a thumping profit there, with any luck.

-Paid £20.

-They've done very well.

-Yeah. Well, thanks to the nose,

they might well need the bonus buy. Let's have a look at it.

Well, Patsy and Henry, you gave this lovely man a huge amount of money.

Paul, what have you managed to do with it?

Well, see what you think.

-Oh!

-What do you think those are?

-Are they irons for a baby fire?

THEY LAUGH

These are actually knife rests.

So, we use these on the table to lay down our used knife

and avoid soiling the polish on the furniture or the table linens.

-Yes, absolutely.

-Fantastic. That's great.

-How lovely.

Late-19th, early-20th-century.

-Ooh!

-Right.

-Vienna.

Maybe the most exciting place to be in the world at that time.

-Yeah.

-What do you want them to be made of?

-Silver.

So, how much did you pay for them? 30? 40?

-Half it. £20.

-Oh, my goodness!

I don't think one can go wrong

buying Viennese silver knife rests at £10 a piece.

-You'll be happy with that?

-I'm delighted!

-Speaking of the rest of it...

-Oh, my goodness!

-Ah!

-Is that any use to you?

-There's more! Oh, my goodness me!

THEY LAUGH You're a cunning man, Laidlaw.

-Oh!

-That was a good reveal.

-Well done.

-So, we've got five?

-Five of them.

How much do you think they'll make at auction?

Do you know, I don't think they'd be expensive at £10 a piece,

and that would be a healthy mark-up.

That sounds fantastic.

Anyway, you don't have to make up your mind now.

Let's have a look and see what the auctioneer thinks

of these wonderful knife rests.

Paul Laidlaw went off shopping with a lot of money and he bought these.

Knife rests are very common,

but the design's very nice, very simple.

I think there'll be wide-ranging appeal to those.

One thing struck me - there are five.

-It's an awkward number.

-Yeah.

-It's not ideal.

-So, what sort of money have you put on them?

-40 to 60.

-40 to 60.

I think he almost stole these, you know?

He bought them for £20.

-Very good.

-That's a guaranteed profit, isn't it?

-I hope so.

-The auctioneer's guaranteed profit.

Well, that's the Red team done with. Now for the Blue purchases.

The first lot is a safe box.

-Lovely quality. What do you think?

-I like it very much. Nice lines.

Very traditional in some ways, but it's a nice colour and things.

It's great. That patinated steel is lovely.

-Very nice.

-Yeah. And with its original key.

-Yes, it's got a lot going for it.

-Yeah. What sort of money?

We've been a bit mean - 30 to 50.

Yeah, but I think they'd be quite happy with that. 32 paid.

-They've done well.

-Yeah.

Now, how you value the next lot, I don't know.

Great maker, but how many people have a lawn big enough

-for a tennis court?

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

I mean, if you haven't got a tennis court,

here are all the kits. En-Tout-Cas - as you say, a super maker,

but you've got to have a big garden, haven't you?

-You do. Very big garden.

-Got to be flat, as well.

-Yes.

-Be interested to see what you valued that at.

-60 to 100.

-Well, that fits in, really.

They paid 75.

I suppose it's something, really, on a bad day

-that could bomb a little bit.

-I'm afraid it could.

-Yeah.

We'll just keep our fingers crossed. So, the third item's the dog.

It's too big to get here,

but you've given it prominent position

as you walk into the saleroom.

-What do you think of it?

-It's a fabulous thing.

-It has a great look to it.

-You have high hopes for that?

-I have very high hopes.

-What sort of high hopes in terms of money?

-Estimate's 100 to 200.

-Is it really?

I'm quite encouraged by that, really,

-cos they paid a good wedge for this.

-OK.

-What's a good wedge?

-£150.

-OK. Well, we'll see.

Well, who knows whether they'll need their bonus buy or not.

With an En-Tout-Cas tennis court kit and a large dog,

it's just possible they might do. Let's have a look at it.

Zoe and Philip, you sent Phil off

in I think what he described as a misguided direction.

-Yes, something like that, Charlie.

-But the good news is

you didn't send him off with much money, did you?

-We didn't.

-£43. What did he find?

Well, I'm not sure I was misguided, but look.

Actually, I've turned into a magician.

Just hold on. Hold on.

-THEY LAUGH

-How good is that?!

-I'm going to turn pro.

-That was extraordinary.

You tell them what it is cos you know what it is.

I do. It's definitely a Masonic jewel.

Well, it's a Royal Arch Chapter jewel

and that's one of the degrees of Freemasonry.

-It's silver-gilt.

-How old is it, do you think?

Might be late-Victorian. It cost me £10.

-£10?

-How much do you think it'll make at auction?

Well, it's silver, you know,

so it's got to make 20 to 40 quid, I would think.

-We'll make more than £10 with that.

-Yeah, it will.

-More than £10.

-Can we just go back to my magician skills?

-Yes.

That was good. That was good.

-Do you think I've got a future there?

-No.

-Oh, right.

-Stick to your day job.

-Really?!

-Yeah.

-That'll do.

Well, well, well. So, what do you think, Zoe?

I like it. I don't think I'm going to have much of a say, though.

I think Dad's sold on that one.

You don't have to make up your mind now.

Let's just see what the auctioneer thinks of this jewel.

There we go, the Masonic medal. Silver-gilt. What do you think?

I like it. It's 1904.

-Is it?

-It's Edwardian.

-Yeah?

-So, an antique.

-It's very, very pretty, I think.

-Yeah.

The silver content means it's worth something, doesn't it?

-It does.

-Again, I suppose,

it's a limited market, but get the right people...

Slightly limited, but you have silver collectors

and you have lodge collectors, so I think it'll...

-I think it's well-placed.

-What sort of estimate?

-20 to 40.

-He paid £10 for it.

-He did very well.

-Now, David, you'll be taking the sale today.

-I am.

-Marvellous.

Looking forward to it. Well, get into position and go for it.

At 85. Any more? Going to finish at £85. All done?

Now, the first lot that's coming up is that wonderful compact.

-Ooh!

-Right.

-I liked it. I can say that now.

-I really liked it.

-Good.

-You both liked it.

-Yes, we did.

-Here it is.

170 is a 1930s jewelled, Bakelite, Art Deco-style compact.

Pretty thing. I'll start you with interest at £25.

25, I'm bid. At £25. £30.

An online bidder. At £30.

-Ooh, online. That's a good sign.

-Yeah.

At £30, then, the room's out. I'm going to sell, then...

We need some competition here.

At £30, all done?

-£30?

-Oh!

Oh, no! We've lost a tenner.

We're down a tenner, but never fear.

-Here comes our prosthetic nose.

-This is your fault!

-Please!

172 - one of the most unusual lots in the sale

and probably I'll ever come across in my career.

A prosthetic aluminium nose.

Very interesting, if nothing else.

I'll start you on the book at £20.

On the book at £20!

Someone likes it. £20. Do I see 25?

At £20. 25 in the room, a lady's bid.

-A lady's buying the nose!

-Wow!

All done, then. I'm selling at £25.

-Oh!

-Congratulations, you have a new nose.

Oh, dear!

-We lost £3!

-I can't believe it.

-Well, it could have been worse.

I'm sure noses have made less. THEY LAUGH

Here we come with the clock. It cost £20.

174 - a Birmingham hallmark silver travel clock.

Hallmark - 1915. Very pretty.

I'll start you at £30 on commission.

£30, I'm bid. I'll take 35.

£30 with me. 35, I'll take.

35 in the front row.

Yes! Yes! Come on! And the rest, and the rest.

£35 on the front row. The internet's out.

At £35 in the front, then. Are we all done and finished?

Fair warning, then. At £35, all done.

-Yes!

-That is fantastic. Do you know what that's done?

-Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

-You were down 13,

build in with a quick profit of 15.

You're up £2!

THEY CHEER

-And there's potential now because you've got those knife rests.

-Yes.

-Now, do you want to go with them?

-Oh, absolutely.

-Yeah, definitely.

No pressure, Paul.

Right, here come these knife rests.

180 - set of five Austrian silver knife rests.

Very nicely designed pieces.

I'll start you on the book with interest at £40.

-Yes! Straight in at 40!

-You've doubled your money.

40 bid. I'll take 45.

At 40 bid with me. 45, I'll take.

£45 on the front row.

Gentleman's bid of £45, then. All done and finished?

No, no, no! Some more?

Fair warning, then. At £45.

-Oh!

-That's not bad, though. That's not bad.

-You've got this man to thank.

-Well done, you.

-You've got this man to thank.

-Thank you.

Your rather miserable £2 profit between you

has been exploded by £25 to £27.

-So, you're £27 up. Might be a winning score.

-It might be.

-Might not be, but not a word to the Blues.

-No.

-Of course.

-Do you promise me?

-Absolutely.

-Of course.

-Good.

So, Zoe and Philip, is this your first antique auction?

It is our first antiques one, yes.

-What do you think of it?

-Nerve-racking.

-We're excited.

We're very confident we've got a good chance of coming second.

-Looking forward to it.

-Well, the safe box is first up.

Here it comes.

Lot 196 - an antique safe box with carrying handle and key.

Lovely box. I'll start you at £20.

-20, I'm bid, the box.

-He's already bid 20?

-£20.

25. 30. 35.

40? 35 in the front row.

40. 45.

-£40 on my right it is.

-Fantastic!

-At 40, I'll take 5 next.

At £40...

-45.

-Ooh!

-50? No?

-Make no mistake.

-This is fantastic!

-At £45, then.

All done and finished at 45?

All done?

-Yes!

-£13 profit! Good work.

Now for the tennis set. This might be harder work.

198 - very nice set of tennis apparatus,

with cast iron bases and net uprights.

Be extremely expensive new, this.

I'll start you with interest on the book at £60.

-£60! Good.

-60, I'm bid. 60, I'm bid on commission.

At £60. I'll take 65.

60 bid. 65. 70.

5. 80. 5. 90. 90 bid.

90, we're bid for the tennis set.

-This is wonderful.

-At £90, then, all done and finished?

The room's clear. I'm selling, then, at £90.

-All done.

-GAVEL BANGS

Game, set and match! That is amazing.

That's plus £15. You're £28 up now.

And now for that enormous concrete dog.

Lot 200 - a large composite garden dog sculpture.

Lovely hound. Handsome thing.

It's out in the foyer. We've got lots of interest.

And I've got conflicting bids, so I'll have to go straight in at 220.

220 on commission.

I'll take 240 next. 220 bid.

I'll take 240.

At £220. Do I see 240 for it?

At 220 bid, 240 I'll take.

-At £220, then, are we all done?

-This a golden Bargain Hunt, no?

At 220, all done?

HE LAUGHS 50, 60, 70...

You've made £98!

And you've cemented a golden gavel.

Look, we've got to think about the bonus buy.

If ever anything was irrelevant...

-Are you going to go with it?

-Well, it was a definite,

but now we're not bothered.

-No, we're going.

-Definitely going with the bonus buy?

-Yes.

-Yes, definitely going.

-Yes, we are.

Here it is.

206 is a silver-gilt Masonic medal.

A London hallmark for 1904.

Very nicely made.

I'll start you with interest.

15 bid. At £15. Any interest at 20?

20 bid in the front row.

25. 30, sir?

-Lady's bid at 25.

-It's like shelling peas, Charlie.

-Just like shelling peas.

-At 25, then, are we all done?

And finished at 25.

Do you know, Phil, anybody would think you were an expert.

Well, yeah, I'm off home now.

Do you want to know how much money you've made?

-Yes.

-Over £100.

-£113.

-Yes! What an effort.

-That's just stunning.

-Is that the best one ever?

-Now...

No. THEY LAUGH

But not a word to the Reds, OK?

Every now and again on this programme,

everybody makes money.

And that's what's happened - you've both made a profit!

And we don't have any losers.

We have runners-up, and today the runners-up are...

HE SIGHS ..the Red team.

-Aw!

-Disappointed?

-Not really.

-Not really.

That's the way it should be. You actually made £27.

Whoa!

And before you get too excited,

these two have really, really rocked it,

largely due to an enormous concrete dog.

Oh, fantastic!

I mean, I've never seen a dog like it.

And then Phil added his own little bijou profit on to the end,

which meant they have won £113.

-Oh, that's fantastic.

-So...

-Well done!

-That is remarkable.

-Thank you.

-So, for you, I've got a juicy £27 for you,

and I've got a horrendous £113 for you.

-The next bit.

-There we go.

-Thank you.

But it doesn't stop there, does it?

Because it gives me immense pleasure on this occasion

to give to you two the Order of the Golden Gavel.

-Ooh!

-Oh! There we go.

You've done really, really well. We've had a fantastic competition.

-You've enjoyed it?

-Fantastic.

-Yes.

Well, don't forget to have a look at our website

and to follow us on Twitter.

In the meantime, join us for more Bargain Hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!