Oswestry 7 Bargain Hunt

Today, we're in Shropshire - and did you know that in 1850,

a local man called Dr Brookes started an annual sporting event

which was to inspire the modern Olympic Games?

I do enjoy watching a good competition.

OK, lads, ready, steady, go!

# Keep on running... #

Let's find out which team wins, the Reds or the Blues!

Let's go Bargain Hunting!

Here at our antiques fair at the Oswestry Showground,

both of our teams are hoping for gold!

Well, golden gavels.

But they'll have to be quick -

with just one hour on the clock and £300 to buy three items

to take to auction.

Let's take a sneaky peek at what's coming up.

The Reds forget they're not buying for themselves...

I'd love to take that home for myself.

It's not about buying for your home.

You've got to sell these things and make a profit.

..while the Blues are like boys in the playground...

Hey, hey!

That was brilliant! Right, are you going to have another go?

..and there's plenty of excitement down at the auction.

-Yes!

-You were absolutely right, Jake.

Fist bump.

Yes. But that's all for later.

Let's meet today's teams.

For the Reds, we have mum and son Sandra and Jake,

and for the Blues, we have dad and son Malcolm and Tom.

Hello, everybody!

-ALL:

-Hello!

It's lovely to have you here.

Now, Sandra, you've had quite a jump

from being a bank manager to a swimming coach.

-Absolutely.

-How did that happen?

I had three children

and I decided I was going to start helping at my children's school

with a swimming classes.

Really enjoyed it, because I'd always loved swimming,

and decided that I was going to retrain

and start taking my swimming examinations,

and it's all just snowballed from there.

So you get out of the wee business suit and into the bikini?

Yes. Bikinis are...

I'm a bit beyond bikinis now, I'm afraid!

Now, when you're not in the water, you're into horses.

I've always loved horses.

I used to cover my walls in posters of horses.

I now own three horses.

I've got an ex-racehorse, who is not terribly fast -

the only time she's ever fast

is when she's running away from something -

and I've got a tiny Shetland pony,

and then one that's sort of in the middle,

but, yeah, I've always loved horses.

Yeah, how lovely, how lovely.

So, Jake, you're a student, so what are you studying?

I am studying geography at Aberystwyth -

I'm going there soon,

and I've always had an interest in geography.

Now, I hear you're interested in dinosaurs. Tell me about that.

It all started with Jurassic Park.

When I first saw that film, it drove me kind of mad,

and it spiralled from there.

I had a huge collection of dinosaurs that had been passed down to...

-..a dustbin full.

-A dustbin full.

A dustbin full? Did you put them in the dustbin?

Absolutely, yes.

And then they used to spill out into the garden

and we used to have whole scenes of dinosaurs roaming the garden.

So what's the plan out there?

Are you quite competitive?

-Very.

-Very, with each other.

Oh, right, so you're not just playing against...

-the Blues?

-No, no, we're not playing against them at all.

-We wish them the best of luck.

-We're playing against each other.

OK, that's for the Reds.

Now, let's meet the Blues, dad and son, Malcolm and Tom.

Welcome. Now, Malcolm, you're a golf player.

How did you get into that?

I started caddying at Delamere Golf Club when I was 11,

and I enjoyed it so much, I bought some cheap clubs and gave it a go.

So you've been playing golf for a long time?

-Yes, I have.

-What has been your best moment?

I can remember the date exactly, 21st of October 1978,

-I got a hole in one.

-Wow!

I was playing like an idiot, to be honest, really badly,

lost my ball at the 12th, got a brand-new ball out at the 13th,

and knocked it straight into the hole.

-A hole in one.

-A hole in one, yeah.

Never done it since!

-Never do it again.

-Now, Tom,

I believe you aren't short of adventures either.

Yeah, I've had a couple of adventures

when I took a year out after uni and went travelling,

Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

We went on a motorbike tour of the outback, to see all the animals,

on these little moped things.

And there was a point, going round this corner,

out of the bushes come a load of kangaroos across the road.

So I've swerved to miss the one at the front,

not realising there was a big line of them,

and swerved right into the next one, and as it's jumped,

it kicked me in the face, knocked me off the bike.

-Oh, no.

-I slid about 100 yards across the tarmac into a ditch,

and the kangaroo jumped off!

Yeah, it was quite painful.

Now, you both work with money?

-That's right.

-You're an accountant, you're a credit controller.

What will be your approach to spending?

Well, with my dad being an accountant,

he's, like, quite organised with his money.

Whereas, when I'm outside of work, I'm maybe not so organised.

-Disorganised.

-Reckless?

Well, I'm going to give you each £300.

-I'll look after that.

-OK, thank you.

And £300 for you.

Your experts await, so off you go.

With golfers swinging into action and swimmers diving in,

this is going to be a fabulous competition!

We've lined up a couple of very talented experts

for our teams today.

Hoping to sail the Reds into the lead, it's John Cameron...

and in the driver's seat for the Blues, it's Thomas Plant.

Now, Sandra, Jake, what are we going to be buying today?

Well, I want to look for something completely meaningless

-and equestrian, because I love my horses.

-Good, good, good.

-Malcolm.

-That's right.

-What are you actually going to look for?

To be quite honest, I've watched Bargain Hunt many times

but I've never actually been to an antiques fair

so I don't know what I'm looking for!

You don't know what you're looking for?!

A great investment would be plastic dinosaurs,

as they really have a good, like, resale value, I feel.

-OK, well, OK, so we've got Jurassic and equestrian.

-Absolutely.

A few little bits and bobs, maybe.

-Little bits and bobs?

-Something like war memorabilia.

-War memorabilia.

-Something like that.

OK, OK. I like that. We've got a plan.

It's a two-horse race.

Come on, teams, your time starts now.

We've got our money. Let's saddle up.

Come on, boys. Let's go.

The fair has hundreds of antiques for our teams to choose from.

I wonder what they'll find?

-Is that an old Brownie camera?

-An old camera?

An old Brownie camera, yeah.

Well, it's not a Brownie, but it is an old camera there.

The cameras you're most likely to find are the ones they sold lots of,

so giving the box Brownie as an example, in the first year,

-they produced and sold over a million.

-Right.

So they're never going to be worth a great deal of money.

The cameras that are now really sought after

are the ones that, at the time, were the high end, top of the range.

-OK.

-A bit like in the classic car market.

-Yes.

-You get, you know, say, a Ford Escort, the lower end,

-and the top of the range, XR, 3R, that is what people want.

-Right.

I don't think you can afford a luxury car, Reds.

Meanwhile, the Blues have found something to have a good look at.

I see no ships!

But these are naval binoculars.

The reason I know they are naval binoculars,

or military service binoculars, is we have a broad arrow mark, there.

And they're by a company called Barr & Stroud, of Glasgow and London.

And they did make a lot of equipment.

They look slightly tinted, the lenses, through here.

-Have a look, Tom.

-So they might be Second World War?

Well, I think they might be Second World War.

Let's look at the label. Do you see this little tint to them?

-Yeah, a bit.

-To take the glare off.

Almost like when we get sunglasses which are polarised glasses.

And watching a really old TV.

But actually, they're probably super quality lenses.

One way of seeing if they are OK

is you look round them the wrong way.

Does everything look really far away?

Well, everything's really small, but actually,

you can tell if there's separation within the lenses,

or if the lenses are chipped or slightly off.

-Now, what's the price ticket say?

-I like those.

-You like those?

-I do.

Naval, £85 on those.

-What could they be?

-Look deep into my eyes.

I can do them at 60, 60 quid's the best I can do.

-£60.

-And that's robbing myself.

Well, I think it is a really good offer, because £60,

these are still very highly collectable today.

People collect the binoculars,

they collect them because they are naval issue.

So you've got a couple of collectors out there for you.

Yeah, I like them. I think they'll do well.

-What about you, Malcolm?

-I think we should go for it.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. Confident.

-Yes, confident.

Absolutely. Sir, you've got a sale.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-OK.

-That's really good.

-Excellent.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you.

-Good start, up and running.

-First item, first item down. Let's go.

-Yeah.

-Find item number two.

The Blues are off to a great start.

The Reds, on the other hand, can't seem to find anything they like.

Anything catching your eye, here?

-There?

-Not really, so far.

Anything at all jump out and, you know, sort of, grab you, just say.

-Not really along here.

-No?

No.

Nothing in here catching your eye?

-No, no.

-Nothing really popping out to me, to be honest.

Finally, have they spotted something?

Well, cocktail watches like that, they're rather impractical today.

They're not great timekeepers, and quite small.

So the Reds certainly know what they don't want.

Now, have the Blues found their second item?

It's a little fruit knife. Look at that chequered work on there.

Isn't that gorgeous? It's called niello work.

-No, I didn't know that.

-Niello, so that's like an enamel and a silver.

-How much is this little...?

-15.

£15? Oh, that's rather nice at £15.

Where would that be made?

-It's French.

-French, yeah.

Dateline, I think it's late 19th century.

Do people buy them, fruit knives?

They do buy fruit knives. They like to collect them.

I suppose with it being small, it's quite collectable.

-Very nice.

-But it is quite pretty, isn't it?

Is quite a nice little, cute looking thing.

I just like the way that it's finished.

I think there's an awful lot of work gone into creating something

-like that, such a small object.

-Absolutely, you're quite right.

There is a very minor few little bits of the enamel's gone there.

You have to look hard.

-I mean, it's only £15.

-Can we get a bit of discount?

-Do it for a tenner?

13 is the best.

-13.

-Yeah.

-Second item?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Let's do it.

-Thank you very much.

Done. Back of the net. 13 quid, done.

Good spot, that was.

Thank you very much.

Well, our sharp-eyed Blues are on a roll.

We got off to a good start, that's the thing, isn't it?

-It's really good.

-The pressure's off now.

That's the second item in the bag. Well done.

Now, Reds, you've been shopping for almost 20 minutes

and you've still to make a purchase.

I knew you'd find something that looked a little like a dinosaur.

He is white metal.

Nicely modelled.

-How much is it?

-He's got £145 on him.

-Oh, gosh!

-So that would be, that's half your money.

-That's steep.

-And then when thinking about, at auction, you know...

Would that sell for £145?

Exactly. Nice item. I can see why you're attracted to it.

-It's a very nice...

-I know you love your wild animals

and your dinosaurs.

What's your best price on the dragon?

Let me explain to you what it is and then I'll give you price.

It's a Tibetan prayer dragon.

The head comes off, and every morning,

-you used to write the prayers on a little scroll.

-Yeah.

Put them inside and the dragon's supposed to grant the prayers

-for the day.

-Is that right?

Every day is a day at school in this business.

So what would be your very best price on that?

-110.

-110.

-I actually really like it.

-You like it?

I really, really, like it, as well.

Yeah. Yes, I like it as something

that somebody would be prepared to give to somebody

as a sort of good luck token, that sort of thing.

It's nice, it's unusual. I don't recall seeing one before.

-I think it's really pretty.

-I think it's lovely.

I'd love to take that home myself!

It's not about buying for home, Jake.

You've got to sell these things and make a profit.

-Would you take £100 for it?

-I will, at a push, yeah.

-£100?

-£100.

-Really?

-All right. No problem.

-Thank you very, very much.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

-Good spot, Jake.

Before the end of the day, we ought to put a little prayer inside there.

"Please make us lots of profit".

-I think we might need it.

-I think we might need it, for £100.

Well, my prayers are answered - the Reds have bought an item.

Over with the Blues, it seems Malcolm knows his stuff.

I quite like this tea caddy.

What do you think about that, Thomas? Sarcophagus, is it?

-Look at this! Yeah.

-Where have you pulled that from?

-Are you a bit impressed?

-I thought that was the bit in your...throat!

So this is a Georgian tea caddy in mahogany.

The mahogany's probably from Cuba.

It was zinc lined in there.

But why were they locked?

Because tea was so valuable.

Absolutely. Look at your dad!

-People used to pinch it.

-They did used to pinch it.

The maids used to pinch it, you know, the servants used to be,

"Oh, I'll have a bit of that". So, yes, tea was a huge commodity.

That's why the recesses aren't that much.

So, right, boys, this is...

-£65.

-What do you think it's worth, Thomas?

-What's it going to do?

-There is a market.

But the right price, and these are selling between 30 and £50.

So I think... You've got a lot of money.

-Yeah.

-Let's not be afraid to dream a little bit bigger.

-Do you see what I mean?

-OK, I see what you mean.

-Yeah?

-We could keep it in reserve.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-If we're panicking, we'll come back.

-I like it, though.

-Yeah.

-It's a good spot.

-OK, yeah.

I'm quite impressed with your dad's knowledge.

-He's got a lot of knowledge in there.

-Yeah.

He keeps it to himself most of the time.

All right, come on, you two.

The Blues certainly know a thing or two.

Now back to the Reds, and Sandra has been drawn to her true passion.

-You're not buying a horse box, Sandra!

-Please!

It's a bit outside your budget, today.

There you go.

Oh, my word. You should see the stuff that's in here.

You know we were talking about cameras...

A vintage emporium in the back of a horse box.

Is there anything there that's worth thinking about?

I'm not big on cameras like that at auction.

-OK.

-I don't think there's anything here with big profit in it.

Right. How about the Singer sewing machine?

Singers are something that are just starting to come back in.

Suddenly with this kind of upcycling, fashion thing...

Yes, yes.

People are buying them again.

-I rather like that.

-What's the price on it?

It's got £30 on it.

-Has it?

-You see, they used to make a fiver.

-Yes.

-So if you were to get that for, say, even £20,

is there a profit in there?

-I don't...

-It would be a bit of a gamble, wouldn't it?

A little bit of a gamble.

-It is a beautiful thing.

-You're taking me off-piste, here.

So, John's outside his comfort zone with the Reds,

while Thomas is talking pennies with the Blues.

-Do you know what this is?

-A penny-farthing?

-A penny-farthing.

-I've never seen one in real life.

-Do you think you'd like to have a go?

-Erm...

I don't think I could ride it.

Oh, come on, you're a young man.

-I'm not sure there's enough room for it.

-Along there?

-Yeah,

I'd give it a go, but I reckon I'd end up on my face.

I think I probably would as well.

I think the thing about these really early bikes

is that you've got to pick up a bit of momentum.

-A push start?

-Well, sort of, yeah.

There's a little stand, here, your little footrest.

So you go for it and then you'd leap on and then you give it a go.

Does the brake work, Thomas?

The brake is just a stop, here. That's, that's the brake.

That doesn't look like it's going to do much.

No, it's not going to do much, is it?

Boys, that is well out of your price range but it doesn't stop Thomas

taking it for a test drive.

Here we go!

Oh, I cannae look!

Oh!

Go on, mate.

-Go on!

-Yes!

-Yes!

-Right, how do I stop?

Come on, lads, less of the larking about.

We're off, we're off.

You still need to find your last item.

Well done, that man.

Look at my trousers!

Well, that's what you get for wearing white trousers

at an antiques fair, Thomas!

Now, how are those Reds doing?

They still have two items to buy.

Sandra, what has caught your eye here?

Do you know, I think it's the labels on the top -

and I'm not sure whether they're genuine,

but I rather like the idea

that they might have been to Iran at some point.

It's quite plausible. They do turn up with labels on.

It's just attractive.

I think it's something I would put in the corner of my house.

It's interesting, because only a few years ago, again,

these wouldn't have really been selling for much money,

but I feel all this vintage luggage

is following the whole vintage fashion theme.

So a lot of car enthusiasts buy things like this for their journeys,

to strap on the back of the car.

People are using them in the house now, just as a feature.

A little stack of old, battered suitcases in the corner

with the labels on.

-It looks quite cool, these days.

-Yes, yes.

-So you like this, do you?

-I really do, actually.

-We've got £20 on it.

-I like the battered...

-You like the battered look of it?

-..the battered nature of it.

-That's good, it's the shabby look.

-It looks used.

-Would you like to buy it, both of you?

-I think it's a go ahead, if we can get it at the right price.

-I would.

-Hello.

-Hiya.

-I love the suitcase, yeah, I think it's really pretty.

-Yes.

-I was wondering if there was any room for manoeuvre on the price?

-Yeah, I've got 20 on at the moment.

-Yes, yes, we have.

Something, 13?

-Yep. I could do that.

-Would that be OK?

Oh, that would be brilliant. Thank you so much.

-No problem. Thank you.

-£13.

-Thank you very much.

-Your mum's got good negotiating skills.

She does, she's very good at this.

-She's much better than I am.

-Much better than I am, too!

The Reds have caught up, and it is two all.

A good time to take a break from the shopping and meet Malcolm Bardsley

from the Wenlock Olympian Society,

who's going to tell me how a wee local town

has strong links with the Olympics.

Hello, Malcolm. It's lovely to meet you -

and thank you for bringing along these trophies.

Now I understand this is Dr Brookes.

Can you tell me a little bit about the man and the games he started?

Dr William Penny Brookes

was the physician for the borough of Wenlock,

about 45 minutes south of here.

He was interested in the wellbeing of its inhabitants,

and especially the working classes,

and, for that reason, he instituted, in 1850,

games that would take place annually

for outdoor events of skill and expertise.

And I believe that the medals that were handed out at the Wenlock games

were an inspiration to the medals handed out in today's Olympics?

Sure, yes.

This medal was awarded in 1923 to this chap, here, Harold Langley.

And if you look carefully at the central figure,

that's the figure of Nike, the goddess of victory -

and to this day, every Olympic medal

has a figure of some form of Nike on one side of it.

And I see they awarded these splendid silver cups.

Yes, these cups were awarded to one man, Charles Ainsworth,

for the tilting at the ring event.

What on earth is tilting the ring?

Well, tilting the ring is a horsemanship event.

There was a crossbar and from the crossbar was suspended this ring.

This is the ring they tilted at, this one here.

Then with the lance they were carrying,

they would spear this ring and carry it off.

-It's tiny.

-Tiny, yes, so quite a feat to be able to do that.

And Charles Ainsworth was an expert of this.

So this tested horsemanship and marksmanship?

It sure did, yes. It was a very difficult and very popular event.

Yeah. I see a lot of trophies, Malcolm, in the course of my work,

and in the main, they don't have a great value -

but these trophies are quite different.

They are a piece of sporting history,

the history of the Wenlock Olympian Games.

And because of that, they are priceless.

Thank you, Malcolm. I never realised that the inspiration

for the modern Olympic movement started in a small Shropshire town.

Back to the shopping - and both teams have headed inside.

They each have one item to find and just 25 minutes left.

So we're looking for something horsey in particular or not?

-Erm, possibly.

-Yes?

-I think that might be nice.

I've seen something equestrian.

Yes, I know, but they're a bit obvious, aren't they?

They're lovely, but a bit obvious.

Yes. They are rather lovely, though.

-Yes, I know they are.

-What do you think about this Vesta case?

Is it a bit small? It is silver, the gentleman says.

It's very nice but to be honest with you, you've got lots of money.

-Yeah.

-It's very kind, but you've got lots of money, boys.

Come on, time to spend it.

-Right, OK.

-I'd have that teapot.

-Why has it caught your eye?

-I don't know why it's caught my eye.

It's probably still thinking about Jake and dinosaurs.

What are you thinking of it, Jake?

What am I thinking of it? Do you know what?

For an eight-year-old, that would be fantastic.

Don't forget, Sandra, he's a grown boy now.

John, maybe it's time to show them a different stall.

-Anything in there at all?

-I have to say, that letter opener.

-Why doesn't that surprise me, she's seen that, Jake?

-It's gorgeous!

-She's seen something horsey!

-It is a horse and jockey.

Could we have a look at the letter opener, please?

Yes, of course. It's a beautifully modelled piece.

It's all solid silver and it's a wonderful example

of a racing horse and jockey in action.

Nice and weighty.

-You like that, don't you?

-Oh, that's gorgeous.

-I like that.

-It's a modern piece but it's subject specific, isn't it?

-1995.

-Yes, it doesn't matter about age.

-All right, OK.

-It's got £185 on there.

Is there any movement on that?

-160.

-It's a bit too much.

-Yeah?

-It's a bit steep.

-I'm thinking, I do love it, absolutely love it.

You do love it, don't you? Do you want to think about it?

Well, possibly, if you could do 155?

155, for a sale, yes.

-155.

-What do you think?

-Yeah?

-I just love it. And we did come here for something equestrian.

-We did come here for something equestrian.

-155.

So the Reds are all bought up with 15 minutes to spare.

-I think we've earned a cup of tea, don't you?

-I think we have.

Everything on our shopping list.

-I think we deserve it.

-All done.

-Come on, then, let's go.

Now from one sharp-eyed team to another -

and it seems the Blues have found themselves at the same stall

the Reds visited a moment ago.

What is that skewer for?

It's not a kebab skewer.

Very similar, though. It is a meat skewer.

When you're cooking, you're rolling your meat

and then you want to keep it in that position,

so you skewer your meat with it.

It keeps it in that ball, to keep it juicy, to keep it moist, etc.

Silver is very good to use because it conducts heat very well.

-Oh, right.

-The other thing about silver...

Do you know the other thing about silver?

No. I didn't realise there were two things about silver.

-It's sterile.

-Oh, right.

-Very, very sterile.

Yeah. It's an easy metal to keep clean.

It's an easy metal not to get germs on it.

How old is it, Thomas?

-How old do you think it is?

-Erm...

150 years.

No, it's a lot older than that. It's over 200 years old.

-Is it?

-1807.

-Wow!

Wow. 1807.

You've got the London hallmarks,

you've got the date letter. And you've got the duty mark here.

This is the duty mark when there was a tax payable on silver.

What's the sort of best price?

Well, I see you've got £125 on it.

110.

-Now, sir.

-Why are you looking at me like that?

-Sir, you're a very nice man.

-Oh, thank you very much.

That's very charming.

Your... Your... And your stuff is gorgeous.

-Thank you very much.

-Well presented.

Compliments all round. I appreciate it, very nice.

How does a price tag which has two figures in...

-Could I offer 90?

-You can offer 90, but I can't sell it for 90.

Can we go for 95?

Please? I'm a simple man, I need my maths to be pretty...

-pretty straight on.

-Well, because you said please and you all smiled,

-yeah, 95.

-Oh, you're a star. Thank you very much.

-You happy with that?

-Yes, yes.

-Appreciate that. Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

HORN TOOTS Those 60 minutes are now up.

We have been round. We shopped immediately, quickly.

We've ridden penny-farthings. I'm a bit messy. Right.

-I'm going to get cleaned up. Are you going to come with me?

-Fantastic.

Let's look at what the Reds bought.

First up, it's Jake's silver, scaly dragon.

It cost them £100.

Next is the vintage leather case.

Price paid, £13.

Finally, Sandra's silver letter knife - they spent £155.

But will it gallop away in the sale room?

-Sandra, Jake, did you have a lovely time?

-I had a lovely time.

-I don't know about you.

-It's lovely. Really good. Really good fun.

Jake, do I need to ask you what your favourite item was?

I don't believe you do. It was the dragon, of course.

Sandra, was your favourite item

the little equestrian item?

Do you know what? I know you think I'm going to say the letter opener,

but actually I like the suitcase.

Wow! Yes.

It's got that kind of hint of mystery.

-I just liked it.

-But is it the item that's going to make the most money?

It's the item we spent the least money on,

so I'm rather thinking that we'll make the most profit on it.

I think it is the safest bet, to be fair.

Now, remind me again how much you spent.

We spent the grand total of...

BOTH: ..£268.

Wonderful. Wonderful. Well done.

Could I have £32, please?

I have £32 in my pocket.

Now, John, that's not a lot of dosh.

What you going to do with that?

Well, as a Scotsman's son, I can make that go a long way,

don't worry about that.

LAUGHTER

We have every faith in you.

While John goes off to make that money go a LONG way,

let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

First up, their naval binoculars.

Bought for £60, but will it seek out a profit?

Next, the folding fruit knife.

Price paid - £13.

And lastly, the silver meat skewer, which cost £95.

Well, well, well, boys.

First two items, bought very quickly.

Then you started mucking about on a penny-farthing.

-Thomas led us astray.

-Yeah, I did.

-It was great fun.

I threw down the gauntlet, Anita.

You've been leading people astray for a long time, Thomas.

Now, tell me, what was your favourite item?

I think my favourite item would be the fruit knife.

I like that. I thought that was...

-Yeah.

-A nice thing.

-Very collectable.

-And what about you?

-I like the silver skewer.

But I think it might be a bit of a risk.

Is it going to make the most profit?

I think the binoculars might be our biggest profit.

I think the fruit knife will make the most money.

I hope so. I think we bought at a good price.

Now, remind me how much you spent.

-We spent £168.

-168.

Could I have £132, please?

-I don't know what happened to it.

-This could be difficult.

THEY LAUGH

-I've got the money.

-Thomas, £132 is not bad.

-It's not bad.

-Do you think you can manage

to buy something without mucking about?

Oh, I don't know, Anita. I love a good muck about.

Well, while Thomas goes off to buy his bonus buy,

we're off to the auction at Whitchurch.

Today, we're at Trevanion and Dean Auctioneers and Valuers

with Christina Trevanion.

It's lovely to be here, Christina.

It's great to have you here.

-Now...

-Yeah.

-..for the Reds, Sandra and Jake.

Their first item is this Chinese silver dragon.

I think it's a great thing.

I think it's maybe 1920s, 1930s.

And the thing for me is that we are on the Welsh border.

Dragons are always popular.

Of course! Of course.

What's your estimate?

Well, I've put £30 to £50 on him

because I think he's really quite fun.

Obviously it has some silver content to it as well.

Unfortunately, the stones look like turquoise stones,

they are actually glass.

But a pretty thing and I've had quite a lot of interest in it.

Let's hope they have a lot of interest in it, Christina.

They paid £100 for that.

-Ouch! OK.

-Second item is this vintage leather suitcase.

Such a great look, isn't it?

It's got those wonderful labels on the side of it

which really make it, as far as I'm concerned.

£20-£30, because it is quite a late example.

It's probably sort of 1940s, rather than sort of the Art Deco 1920s.

Well, Sandra and Jake only paid a wee, tiny £13 for it.

-Is that all? Oh, wow!

-Good buy?

-Very good buy.

-Excellent.

-I'm very proud. That's fantastic.

Their third item is this silver letter knife.

Tell me, do you like it?

I absolutely adore it.

It hasn't got a huge amount of age to it.

It is hallmarked 1995.

But how could you fail not to want to open your letters with that?

That horse is racing to get your mail, isn't he?

I think he's absolutely brilliant.

And I've gone quite strong, quite punchy at £80-£120 for that one.

-Well, they've spent a lot of money on it.

-Oh...

£155.

Oh, OK. It might do it.

You never know. These sort of things, the silver content,

the silver weight goes out the window

and the novelty factor comes in.

Well, they've been very punchy on two items here,

so they may need their bonus buy.

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

Sandra, Jake, you spent a magnificent £268.

-Didn't we do well?

-And you left John a wee, tiny £32.

What did you buy?

Well, I was trying to go with the whole equine theme.

I didn't quite get there.

But I did buy something that I thought represented the three of us.

It's a silver donkey brooch, with three donkeys on.

Ohhh, that is so sweet!

-Aww.

-And that cost a mere £20.

-Well done!

-How much would you think it would make at auction?

I don't think we're going to make huge profits on it,

but I think it's novel enough to attract some attention.

You know, maybe make a few pounds.

-OK, I really like that.

-Do you know,

I like that better than the knife I bought.

I think that's really cute.

-Really sweet.

-Well, I'm happy with that endorsement.

So you both like it?

-Yes.

-BUT - you don't need to make up your mind just now.

Wait until the auction.

But in the meantime,

let's see what our auctioneer thinks of John's three little donkeys.

Now, John has bought this lovely wee row of donkeys.

Do you like that, Christina?

I think it's absolutely charming.

I really do. I mean, who couldn't not love a donkey?

-I mean, they're just so sweet.

-Estimate on that?

Estimate, I think I sort of said £10-£15.

It hasn't got a huge amount of weight to it.

It hasn't got a huge amount of age to it, but nonetheless, sweet thing.

John paid £20.

And I think he must have been influenced by the fact

-that Sandra would have loved it.

-Exactly.

Absolutely. So, that's it for the Reds.

Over to the Blues. Tom and Malcolm.

Now, their first item was the military issue binoculars.

I think they're great.

I'm slightly concerned by the condition.

We have got quite a lot of damage going around here,

which does concern me, and would affect collectors.

But, of course, the main thing is you've obviously got the case,

which is incredibly important.

I've put an estimate of £40-£60 on it.

Well, they've paid £60, so it may go there.

-Let's hope so.

-That's not too bad.

The next item is the little folding fruit knife.

Sometimes, simplicity is key, isn't it?

So often you and I see these fruit knifes

and you have got little mother of pearl casing, something like that,

so this is really quite interesting in its simplicity

and that wonderful complex yet simple design

they've worked in the niello there.

They are very collectible.

Again, fantastic, they've got a great eye.

They've chosen something that's got its original sleeve with it as well.

-Estimate on this?

-Estimate, I've said £20-£30.

Well, they've paid £13.

-No! Really?

-Yes, that was an excellent buy.

That was a fantastic buy. Wow!

When you think of the amount of work that's involved

in making that niello pattern.

-Absolutely, so intricate.

-Inlaying that black substance.

-Yeah, really good buy!

-The third item was the George III meat skewer.

Tell me what you think here.

This is 1807!

George III was on the throne when this was being used.

Sadly, it has been used quite a lot.

As you can see by the tip here.

It has skewered quite a lot of game.

And also the gauge, really, is not great.

It does flex quite a lot there.

So, not a great gauge,

which could explain why, unfortunately,

it has been quite bent and misshapen at the end.

My estimate is £60-£100.

And I think that might be a little bit punchy.

-They paid £95.

-Wow, did they? OK.

It's a lot of money.

So you're predicting the possibility of profit on two items,

but we might come down on this skewer.

So they may need their bonus buy.

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

Tom, Malcolm, you gave Thomas £132.

Thomas, what did you buy?

This is a 1950s chrome desk calendar.

The world was opening out to us in the 1950s.

Plane travel, travel on boats.

-Can I have a look at it, Thomas?

-Yeah, have a look at it, go ahead.

OK, the killer question, how much did you pay for it?

Well, it was a small smidge at £20.

Has the silver-tongued Thomas convinced you boys?

-I think it's a quirky little item.

-It is.

It captures our theme of being quite tight with our money.

What do you think it might make, Thomas?

-I think it has got a small profit. £5 or £10.

-Not a big risk, is it?

-Not a big risk. No.

-That's what we like.

You didn't take any big risks, so I sort of followed on from you guys.

-I think it's cool.

-Quite like it, to be honest.

You may have convinced them, Thomas,

but, boys, you don't need to make up your mind just now.

But right now we are going to find out

what the auctioneer thinks of Thomas's calendar.

Thomas bought this little perpetual calendar

in the form of a globe. What do you think?

I love it. I think it's brilliant.

It's a bit of style, isn't it?

You've got that wonderful world there to inspire you

when you're sitting at your desk that the whole world is your oyster.

-Estimate on that?

-I've said £20-£30.

It's great that it's still useful today.

-Thomas paid £20, so you're predicting a profit.

-I am.

-Absolutely.

-Excellent.

Are you our auctioneer today?

-I am, yes.

-I'm sure that will be wonderful.

150, 160. In the room at £160. At £160...

Sandra, Jake, how do you feel?

A little bit tense. I really want my dragon to do well.

-Calm.

-You're apprehensive. Calm.

The first item is that wonderful Eastern dragon.

-Lovely item. You paid a lot of money for it.

-We did.

I believe we will make that back easy-peasy.

-Oh, I love your confidence.

-He's very confident.

It's coming up right now, so good luck.

Lot 235 is the Indian or Burmese little silver dragon,

with me on commission at £40.

Five, 50, five. I'm out.

At £55, and 60, five,

70, five, 80, five, 90, five, 100, madam?

100. 110 online. 120?

Thank you anyway. At £110, internet bidder.

120 with you, sir. Online at 120, looking for 130.

130 is bid.

140, sir? At £140 with you. At £140, standing at the back...

-Yes!

-140.

-You were absolutely right, Jake.

-Fist bump.

-Yes. Congratulations, well done.

That's excellent. Next item come coming up

is your vintage leather suitcase.

Keep your fingers crossed we can keep those profits going.

It's coming up right now.

Lot 237, we've got this really rather lovely vintage suitcase.

£20, good bit of vintage for £20 only. Where are you at 20?

At £20 for the suitcase, it's very well travelled.

-Starting at 20.

-Thank you, madam, at 20.

At £20, maiden bidder wins, if we are all done, at £20.

-£20. Right.

-Well done.

£7. That takes profit on your first two items to £47.

-Yay!

-Well done. Your third item is the silver letter knife.

You have paid £155 on that.

If you lose that profit, I'm disowning you.

Lot 239, this really rather lovely silver letter knife,

Sheffield 1995, got a bid of 60 here.

At £60. 65, sir?

65. I'm out. 70 with you, sir. And five.

80, sir? £80 at the back of the sale room.

At £80. Where is five?

At £80, I will sell this, make no mistake, at £80.

-Oh!

-Hard.

-That is a shame.

-We had to buy it.

-We did, yeah.

You've lost £75 on that.

So your overall, after your three items is minus 28.

-That's not a huge number.

-Could be worse.

-Not a huge number.

Are you going to take John's bonus buy?

He paid £20 for a little triplet donkey.

Well, as it represents the three of us, I really do want to take this.

-Yes, we have to go for it.

-Stick together.

-£20.

-We're going to go for it.

-Stick together.

Lot 245 is this really rather sweet little donkeys brooch.

I have interest here with me, from a donkey enthusiast,

and I am going to start it at £20.

With me on commission at £20.

I'm looking for five. 25, thank you, madam.

I'm out. Looking for 30.

-Come on!

-At £25 in the room. At £25.

-Thank you very much.

-You made a profit, well done.

Now, that takes your final score to minus 23.

That's not too bad.

-That could be a winning score.

-Could be.

The only thing is, don't say a word to the Blues.

-I won't.

-My lips are sealed.

Tom, Malcolm, here we are at the auction, tell me how you feel.

-Excited, looking forward to it.

-Yes, very excited.

We're going to make loads of money.

Have you been to an auction before?

-No, first time.

-You've never been?

-No.

Never been to an auction?

Oh, Tom, they don't know what they've missed.

Exactly. You've no idea, the excitement,

the elixir of life is here.

We're in safe hands.

Well, your first item is the military-issue binoculars.

You paid £60 for them.

Let's hope we can make a few pounds on them,

because they are coming up right now.

Lot 260 is a pair of military-issue naval binoculars,

Barr & Stroud, Glasgow and London.

Who will start me off at £30?

Who needs a pair of binos? At £30.

Interest online at 30, 35, 40 online.

45. Where is 50?

At 50, bid me five.

-At 55, 65, where is 70?

-It's a profit.

Online at £65, are we all done at £65?

Well done, boys, well done.

£65, you're starting off in profit.

Profit of £5.

Your second item is the lovely little fruit knife.

Good luck, boys. Good luck. Coming up now.

The folding fruit knife with a decorative chequerboard inlay.

Bid me £20 for it. A nice example of its type.

£20, where are you at 20?

-20, Vanessa, thank you.

-20 bid. Straight into profit.

Where's five? At £20 I have and I will sell, make no mistake,

if you're all done, at £20.

That is plus seven, boys.

At this stage you are at plus 12.

-Good.

-Well done, boys.

Your third item is the George III meat skewer.

You paid £95.

-Big-ticket item, boys, big-ticket item.

-Everyone needs one, though.

Everyone needs one.

Lot 264, bid me £50 for it, I'm looking for £50.

50 I have straightaway online.

At £50. 55, 60, five, 70.

At £70, internet bidder.

£70 I have. It's against you all, online, at £70 if you are all done?

At £70.

-£70.

-We knew that was the risky one.

Which takes your overall to minus 13.

Minus 13, baker's dozen.

-Minus 13.

-Unlucky number.

-It's not a huge amount.

-It is not a huge amount.

-I thought we were on for the Golden Gavel.

Are you going to take the bonus buy?

Paid £20 for it. Are you going to take it?

-Every day of the week.

-It's got to be done.

Lot 270 is a really rather lovely desk calendar.

There it is, the perpetual one there, lot 270.

Bid me £20 for it.

20, five, 30, five, 40, online at £40.

At £40. 45 is bid now. Where is 50?

50, he's back. £50, Internet bidder. Looking for five now.

65, At 65, last-minute at £65,

just caught out of the corner of my eye at 65.

-£65.

-Thomas! Well done.

Oh, well done.

-You didn't think it was that good.

-That is a profit of £45.

-That takes your overall score to plus £30.

-Yes!

Well, guys, did we have a good time?

-Lovely.

-Wasn't that exciting?

-Yes.

-Wasn't it great?

Well, we have winners

and we have runners-up,

and today's runners-up are...

the Reds.

You made a spectacular start,

but your letter opener let you down a bit.

In the end you were minus 23 but you both were wonderful.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

And our victors today, our victors,

with huge smiles all over their faces,

rescued by Thomas's globe which made a substantial profit.

So, I have to give you £32.

-Excellent. Give them a wee clap.

-Well done, boys.

Well done, everybody.

Did we all have a good time?

-Brilliant.

-You were all absolutely fabulous.

Well, don't forget to check out our website.

Details on the screen now. Follow us on Twitter.

But best of all, join us soon for more Bargain Hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!