Cornwall 1 Bargain Hunt

Well, today's fair comes from Cornwall,

and I've found myself some very interesting accommodation

in which to stay.

This is an original 1930s British-made teardrop caravan.

The exterior is made from the same aluminium used to make

World War II Spitfires, and it's only eight feet long.

It may be small, but I've emerged well rested

and ready for some action,

so let's go Bargain Hunting.

Today's fair is that the Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge.

There are around 270 stalls here, so there's plenty to choose from.

Our teams have £300 and one hour to scour the fair for bargains,

but can they make a profit at auction?

Let's see what's coming up.

'The Reds are in a hurry...'

.I don't want to rush you, Paul, but hurry up.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

'..the Blues know exactly what they want...'

Do you like those?

I do, and I don't.

"I do and I don't." She does and she doesn't.

'..I hear the story of a political heroine...'

You know, she loved being with people.

She loved being challenged by people.

'..and at the auction, there are highs.'

Whoo!

'..and lows.'

-Oh...

-Oh...

-Oh...

Well, that is all for later,

but let's meet our two teams,

because today we've got two teams who are all best friends.

And for the Reds, we've got Paul and Wayne,

and for the Blues, we've got Jo and Emma.

-Hello.

-Hello!

-Hello!

A resounding hello. Listen, Paul, tell me, how did you two chaps meet?

I met Wayne when I was working for a manufacturing company

and Wayne was working for an engineering company,

and it turned out as well that we're both

from the north of England, both northerners.

-Ey up!

-Ey up, aye.

And also that we both share a love of antiques, as well.

We've known each other for eight years.

Amazing. And you're a... You're a budding author, I believe.

There's a book in the pipeline for you.

There is, yes. It's a work in progress at the moment.

It's two thirds written,

-and it's called "What Do I Do With The Wedding Photos?"

-Oh, dear.

Obviously, I've been divorced and I thought there was a niche in the

market for a book to be written by a man about the experiences of

going through the divorce and internet dating, as well.

Oh, right. You are able to get any humour into this?

Oh, yes, definitely.

There's quite a bit in there,

and it's obviously my great sense of humour

lending itself to various scenarios in the book.

OK, well, good luck with that.

-Thank you.

-Wayne, tell me about your fascination with all things antique.

My interest in antiques, really,

is something I can attribute to someone.

-Yeah, yeah.

-I like to do the research,

so if it's a Nathaniel Mills silver box with an inscription on it,

I like to look into the inscription,

and it puts flesh and blood onto that object.

There was one item that you bought that led to you getting a form

of recognition.

Yes. That's right. I was in an antique shop in Appledore,

and I came across a silver-plated butter dish

and it had an inscription on it.

It was presented by a company back in 1897

at the Whitchurch Dairy Show.

And because I do like to research things,

I took it home and did the research and found that the company were

still very much alive and well.

I took it to the company and they were really pleased.

And there's a permanent reminder of this?

Yes, there is. The dish is in the boardroom,

and there's a plaque behind it that says,

"This dish was discovered by Wayne Heap in an antique shop

"in Appledore and presented to our company."

And that is there, yes.

Now, you two lads are obviously a great team.

What are your tactics going to be today?

Tactics are that we are going to spend no more than £70 per item,

we're going to stick to that,

and hopefully leave a nice little amount for

our expert on the bonus buy.

Well, good luck, fellas.

And I'm turning my attention now to the Blues.

You two have been friends for quite some time, you're quite close.

-Very close.

-Yes.

-Yes?

-Yeah. We've been friends for 28 years.

We met at college when we were 16, erm,

and we've basically been inseparable ever since.

-Yeah, yeah.

-So, what were you studying at college?

-I was studying hairdressing and Jo was...

-Doing my A-levels.

Well, you're obviously going through a Bargain Hunt phase in more ways

than one, because your hair is the colour of Bargain Hunt.

-It is.

-It's the red and the blue.

-Yes, absolutely.

It changes all the time.

-Does it?

-Yeah. It's been like this for nearly a year now, though,

which is probably the longest for me.

-So, Jo...

-Hello.

..you're something of a homemaker,

but you're also a very keen collector.

I am. I've been a homemaker for nearly 21 years now.

When I met my husband, we had children quite early,

so I decided to devote my time to bringing up my children.

But now when I'm out and about, I've got a little bit of...

a couple of extra pounds, I like to pick up mini cups, tea sets,

a bit of China, a bit of silver...

Just, you know, anything that looks pretty on the side at home.

Well, you're obviously great friends,

but what is your strategy today?

Bit of winging it, I expect. Bit like homing pigeons.

We'll be right there, find something that catches our eye and we'll go

-right in.

-Yeah, pretty and sparkly.

Well, that sounds like a plan. I'd better give you some money.

-Lovely.

-So, there's £300.

-Thank you.

-Not forgetting the lads from up north.

-Ey up, there you go. All right.

-Thank you.

£300 and this is the part where you go off and meet your experts.

OK, see you later.

Well, I think that we're in for something of a lively day.

We've lined up a couple of very talented experts for our teams.

Shipshape and on duty for the Reds team, it's Caroline Hawley.

And he's fast becoming a classic -

for the Blues, it's Ben Cooper.

So, what are you looking for today?

-Some quirky bits of silver.

-Mm-hmm.

Maybe some ceramics.

-Yeah.

-And maybe a bit of Whitefriars glass.

What is it you've got an idea of buying today?

Something sparkly or pretty.

-Right.

-Anything like that.

-Okey doke.

-I'd be looking at silver.

-Yeah.

And possibly ceramics, but more so something with a local interest.

Perhaps a little bit of military.

China, anything small, little teacups, tea sets,

anything like that.

Time to churn up a profit, teams.

Your 60 minutes start now.

-Shall we get shopping?

-Let's go shopping.

-I think so.

-Come along, guys.

Let's head off. Come on, guys.

Our teams have strong ideas about what they're looking for,

so let's get started.

And it sounds like the Reds have a strategy for today's shopping.

What we're trying to do is we try to find one item each

-that we'd like to buy...

-OK, yeah.

..and then one mutual item which we both agree on.

-OK.

-And we have a tight budget in mind,

so we're looking at approximately £70 an item.

Does it have to be exactly £70, or can it be less?

Well, it's arbitrary, but you know, we've got to start somewhere.

-Give or take, yeah.

-Right, OK. Yeah.

-Yeah.

That is a good plan,

and the Blues wanted something pretty

and they may have found it already.

Oh, I like those.

I don't know what they are, but they're very pretty.

Yeah, little scent bottles.

Nice hand-blown glass.

Age-wise, I don't think there's a great age to them, at all,

-but they're very pretty.

-Yes.

They're a nice little thing.

But not for auction, maybe.

They wanted pretty, but it also needs to make a pretty profit,

so it's a no to the scent bottles,

but are the strategic Reds on to something?

It looks to me late 19th, early 20th century.

Would you agree? Yeah.

And does it work?

-VENDOR:

-I don't think the clock works.

Maybe a clock that doesn't work isn't a great idea,

so the Reds are going to take their time and keep looking.

Meanwhile, the Blues are still on the trail of pretty things.

She's just spotted something.

I don't think it's old, but I really like the colour.

-Oh, I do like that.

-That is lovely.

-It matches my hair!

-It does match your hair.

-And it's blue, for us!

-And it's the team - it's blue.

-Yeah.

-What can you tell us about it?

OK, right. This is Victorian.

-OK.

-It dates from about 1880, 1890.

The colour, which is wonderful, it's known as Vaseline glass -

this is where you've got the sort of milkiness to it.

So, what you've got is something that was made for the mass market,

but that meant they were used,

and they, of course, got damaged, so condition is really important.

So, looking at this one, as you can see, there's absolutely no damage.

-Right, OK.

-The lady's got 20 on it.

Mm-hmm. Will it make a profit at auction?

-It's not going to be a big seller.

-Mm-hmm.

I would have thought at auction it would probably have an estimate

-of 10 to 15-ish, something like that.

-OK.

-It looks like you both like it.

-We do.

-I do.

-The colour's good.

-It is good.

-It is good, yeah.

-The colour's good.

So, who's going to do the bargaining?

-Oh, you spotted it.

-I'll do this one.

-Yeah?

-Yep.

OK, Jo, if you ask the lady, see what she can do on it.

Lovely. We're really interested in your jug.

What would be your best price today?

Erm, is 15 any good?

Can we squeeze any better? That'd be lovely.

OK, we'll do ten.

Well, that is very generous. Girls?

-For me, that's a yes.

-Yeah, definitely.

Shake the lady's hand.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

What a great start -

the Blues have their first item after just four minutes.

-How do you feel, girls?

-Cool.

-Brilliant. First item down.

Only a few minutes used as well, so we've got plenty of time.

While they casually saunter in the sunshine,

the Reds have found a document case that appeals to Wayne's

love of history.

-"Carriage Repair Shop..."

-"Shop Staff".

"To NM Barrett Esquire for 1934".

It's personalised, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

So, whether he kept a scroll in it, I don't know.

It looks like, well, it's from staff to, probably, their boss.

-Yes, yes.

-Yeah.

It's not complete.

I think it's had another end here.

You see where there's been another brass band.

And it will have had another end like this.

-It's made of mahogany, which is a hard wood.

-Right, yeah.

And it's been beautifully carved, and I would say that's hand-carved,

and it's got very sort of stylish flowers and foliage,

-in very much an Art Nouveau style, which I love.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-You fancy that?

-I do, yes.

-I would ask the lady the price.

Yes. What have you got on this, please?

-VENDOR:

-10.

£10. And is that your best?

I've given you the buy-me-now price, yeah.

Well, yes. I mean, it's a lovely object.

-I'll take it.

-Brilliant.

Well, that was a quick decision, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-Well done!

-Thank you.

-Excellent.

-That's your item bought.

Yes, I'm off the hook now!

-Wow. I can't believe how quick that was.

-Yeah.

Right, it's down to you now, Paul.

-It is. Let's go and find my buy.

-Come on!

So, their strategy is on track.

That's Wayne's item in the bag at well under the £70 target

for each item,

and with just seven minutes on the clock,

they're making this game look easy.

In the meantime, the Blues have found something familiar.

I've got exactly the same one at home.

I found it and I dated it to 1894.

I think this is probably a slightly later one, actually.

-When you look at the...

-Cos it's got the plate.

The plate is a metal one.

Yeah, yeah. Would it be better if it was working for us?

By the looks of things, it's probably in working order.

-Lovely.

-How much have you got on your sewing machine?

-VENDOR:

-We've got 60 on that.

I've got mine, which I got for 30.

At £30, well, that was a good buy,

so this one is too pricey for the Blues, and time to move on.

And the Reds have found some silver.

-VENDOR:

-There is a degree of flexibility in the price.

-Yeah?

-Right, and what is the price?

I know that's your approach normally. I'm saying a degree, OK?

Oh, they're £50 each.

-Each?

-Yeah, each.

-They could be 40 each, then.

Yeah. I think that that's a little high.

I do, yes.

-Yeah.

-But they're lovely. They're beautifully engraved.

They are. They are slightly different from normal pieces

of silver that I'm interested in.

The beakers are too expensive, so, while they keep hunting,

it's back to the Blues, and Ben is getting nostalgic.

-I like the look of the little cup.

-BEN CHUCKLES

It's from my old school!

There you go.

But I was not there in 1908.

In all honesty, I mean, it's a fair price -

I mean, the gentleman's only got a tenner on it -

-but at auction it's not even local interest.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-You know, we're in the south-west.

-OK.

The girls wanted small sparkly things,

so better to keep searching.

Meanwhile, with 15 minutes on the clock, the Reds are heading inside.

-We've got to have a plan...

-Right.

-..or else our hour is going to go like that.

-Yeah.

-We still need two items, obviously.

-We do, we need yours and yours.

-Yes.

-And we need that mutual item that we're going to buy together.

-Yeah.

-So, I don't want to rush you, Paul, but hurry up!

-Yes!

-Yeah.

Time waits for no man, as they say, but how are the Blues getting on?

They don't seem impressed.

What do you think? Do you like those?

I do and I don't.

"I do and I don't." She does and she doesn't!

Indecisive. I'm not overly keen.

-Oh, well, there you go.

-Yeah.

That looks like a, sort of...

-A resounding no.

-A resounding no.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

So, that's a no, then,

but have the Reds found something to light up their day?

What can you tell me about the chamber stick, please?

That one is by a guy called Henry Loveridge.

Right.

-Late 1800s.

-Right.

-He was into Arts and Crafts, amongst other things...

-Yeah.

..so he's quite a big name.

-Right.

-OK.

And, of course, the price is obviously negotiable.

Right, you've got £50 on it, haven't you?

Yes, erm...

I'd knock a tenner off.

-40. You could do it for 40?

-40, yeah.

What would you think that might make at auction, on a good day?

-Well, I think it needs to be a bit less than that to buy.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-I mean, it could get 40 at auction,

but you need to buy at a bit less than that.

-£35.

-35?

-Yeah.

-I think that's a great price.

Excellent. I feel I'm a little bit like Wee Willie Winkie here!

So what do you think, guys?

-I think... I've always liked Arts and Crafts.

-Right.

And, like I say, it was on my reserve list.

I think we should go for it as our mutual item that we're going to buy.

-As a mutual? Brilliant, yeah.

-So it's a deal?

-It's a deal.

-It's a deal!

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

So, item two is in the bag with just 22 minutes on the clock.

The girls, meanwhile, are still searching outside.

I really like those.

-I don't know why.

-But where would someone put them?

I don't know.

-Let's keep walking.

-Yeah, but I like them. I like them!

We can come back. Let's just look over here.

Their laidback approach means they still have two items to find.

We're halfway through the shopping

and Paul has found yet another beaker.

-Oh, you found...

-Him and his beakers, yeah!

-Him and his beakers!

-Yeah, a silver cup.

So, a hallmark on there.

-It's Birmingham.

-Yeah.

And what would the date be on that, Caroline, do you think?

Now I need to get my glass on this, don't I?

It's Birmingham...

-I think it's probably 1930s, '40s even. Yeah.

-1930s.

-George... George VI? George V? George VI?

-Yeah, it's not...

I mean, it's 85 quid.

-Yeah, that's too steep.

-It's a lot of money.

-That's too steep.

-Yeah.

Paul loves his beakers,

but it's too much money for our canny northerners.

But have the Blues spotted some silver of their own?

-We've found something.

-Have you found something?

-Yeah, I have this time.

-Emma has.

Yeah, I really liked that,

and I know it's got some damage to the lid.

-Yeah.

-It's silver though, yes?

-Yes. Look on the side and you can see there is a hallmark.

-Yeah.

-It's very rubbed, but you can see the lion...

-OK.

..so that means it is English silver, sterling quality.

Looking at it and the style of it -

I mean, I haven't got a book in front of me -

I would have thought it's 1920s, 1930s,

-somewhere around there.

-Oh, right, OK.

But when I took the lid off, it's still got its original...

or I think it's its original stopper in there.

That's sweet.

Yeah. That's why we liked it, cos it's got the stopper still with it.

The challenge with a piece like this is its condition.

You always hear all the experts go, "Condition, condition, condition."

And yes, it's got whopping great dings on the top.

It needs to be really pretty cheap.

Ask the gentleman and see what he's got on it.

-I'll ask.

-There might be a chance, there might not be.

-OK, Emma, it's up to you.

-I'll go and ask him.

-Your turn, girl, go on.

-Yes, I am.

How much is the lovely little bottle?

-VENDOR:

-£8, dear.

-£8.

-Any more?

-I can't do you better.

Actually, I paid £8 for it at the Oxford Sale,

but it will make more money, it will.

At some salerooms I've seen little silver-topped,

same bottles like this, make £20 at auction.

-OK.

-So it's got a... It does have a real chance.

-OK, yeah.

-And £8 is really not a lot.

-Go on, we'll go for it.

-Yeah.

Well, you'd better shake the man's hand before you change your mind.

-Thank you very much!

-So that's a great deal, and I have to say,

that's a great hat, sir!

They did say they had absolutely no plan of action, and I think

we've, sort of, seen that, but, having said that, they've worked

together as a team and they're buying things that they like.

You know, I think they're doing well.

It'd be nice for the third item just to have a bit more punch in it.

They've only spent £18 so far.

You have £300, girls, and just 20 minutes left.

The Reds are still indoors,

and Paul has spotted the retro glass he was after.

-You know, I'm a collector of Whitefriars.

-Are you?

-So I've got a few pieces at home, which are quite nice.

-Right.

I wonder whether...what your thoughts would be on that?

I think it's very attractive. What sort of price, then?

You're the expert, Paul, so you tell me.

How much is that worth?

Definitely £100, if not more.

Right. Well, we need to ask.

-We do.

-It says "Please do not handle," so we need to ask.

Need to ask to handle.

Excuse me, sir, may we ask you about this Whitefriars, please?

-The Marriott Powell?

-Yeah.

Made between the 1930s and the 1950s.

It's a tumbler vase. It's the largest size they do.

-And what price have you got on that?

-75.

I was close.

-You were close. I'm impressed.

-I was close, yeah.

Any imperfections on it?

-We have a bubble in here, which isn't uncommon.

-Right.

It doesn't break through or anything.

-Apart from that, it's absolutely perfect.

-OK.

What do you think? I mean, what is your best price on that?

You have 75 on it, but what could you do that for?

Your very, very, very best price.

Very, really, rock-bottom price on that one.

-Well, I'll do you a better price than I would normally...

-Yeah.

..and I'll do a straight £50.

-OK, we'll take it.

-OK.

-Thank you.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you.

-No problem at all.

-I'll get it wrapped up for you.

-Great.

-Great. Lovely.

-Thank you very much.

-Great dealing, sir.

-There we go.

-Excellent.

All three done.

Well done indeed.

-And time, yes.

-So, shall we go and have an ice cream or something now?

I think we deserve one now, yes.

-You've done brilliantly, you really have.

-Thank you.

-Come on, let's go and get an ice cream.

-Great.

-Brilliant. Thank you.

Well, Paul wanted Whitefriars glass and that's what he's bought.

These two know what they like and they like what they know.

So, now the pressure's on the Blues -

one more item to find and ten minutes to go.

-All right, girls, time is now running short.

-Yep.

-We've got less than ten minutes left.

-Mm-hmm.

I mean, have you got anything? Have your eyes found something?

Well, we did spot something earlier, as we walked past...

-And I think we'd like to go back and have a look at it.

-Yeah.

Sounds intriguing, but what on earth is it?

-This one here.

-These scales?

-Yes.

-Yeah. Baby-weighing scales.

They're cute.

Yes. Right.

It's not the original thing, though.

-It doesn't look... It looks...

-Obviously.

-Originally, it would have been a metal one.

-Metal.

£48 on the ticket.

I've got to confess, I've not seen... I don't have a baby.

OK.

I've never seen any baby-weighing scales,

-but I know babies get weighed and I was very heavy.

-They do. Yeah.

You both like them, don't you?

-Yeah.

-We do, and we've come back.

It just seems... Oh, it does seem a risk but we are pushed for time.

-It's always fun having a risk.

-It is fun having a risk,

but it isn't like anything we said we were going to go for.

-No, I know, but maybe that's a good thing.

-It's absolutely not sparkly.

There's nothing sparkly about it, but it's...

-But you both like it.

-We did both like it.

We both saw it and liked it.

-Quit gassing.

-Yeah. Right.

See what the best price can be.

-Ask the lady.

-OK, brill.

-Go on.

-We're interested in your baby scales.

-OK.

What would be the best price today for us?

All right. We have 48, so 35.

You can't really knock that for a discount.

-No, that sounded good, I was going to say.

-That is very generous.

What do you think? Do you think we should take a punt on it?

-I think so.

-I think take a punt. I have no idea at auction.

In all honesty, I have no idea, but at 35 quid,

-that's not a lot of money.

-No.

-OK.

-But I have seen other scales do very well.

-Different types of scales.

-Let's do it. We'll go for it.

Shake the lady's hand.

It's not small, pretty or sparkly,

so let's hope some babies need weighing at the auction.

The Blues have done it.

Item three is in the bag.

Teams, your time's up.

Come on, girls, I think time for a well deserved cup of tea.

-Yes.

-Lovely, let's go.

-Sounds like a plan.

Let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

They snapped up this carved mahogany document case for £10.

Will this Arts and Crafts chamber stick light the way to a profit?

It was £35.

Whitefriars glass is popular and collectable,

but will the bidders want it?

It was £50.

So the big question is, did you enjoy it all?

-Fantastic.

-Oh, definitely. Yes, definitely.

-Yeah.

Paul, I need to ask you, favourite item today?

Well, I think it was the Whitefriars glass that I bought - the vase.

OK, but what do you think is going to give you the best profit?

I think it's going to be our first item that we bought,

which was a carriage tube.

I think that's going to give us the biggest profit, yeah.

OK. What about yourself, Wayne?

Well, my favourite item was the copper bedchamber stick.

-Oh, was it now?

-Yes. Definitely, yes.

But what about the one that's going to give you the biggest

profit at the auction?

I think the copper bedchamber stick.

-You do?

-Yes.

So remind me how much you spent.

We spent £95, Eric.

Not the biggest of spends, was it, fellas?

-No, it wasn't.

-We are northerners.

You are, exactly - I know it's in your roots.

But, having said that, that means that you're going to give me £205.

I am. There you go.

OK, and it doesn't stay with me very long, cos I'm going to

-give that to Caroline for the bonus buy.

-Thank you.

I think you can do a lot with £205.

I can indeed.

I can do quite a lot of damage. And you were looking for silver,

-weren't you, both of you?

-Yes.

All right, so I think I need to be on the silver hunt with this.

-Great. Fantastic.

-Good luck.

Well, while Caroline goes off on the big spend,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

The girls fell in love with this pretty, moulded Victorian jug -

it was just £10.

The silver-topped scent bottle caught their eye - a snip at £8.

Will the 1950s scales bring tears of joy or pain at the auction?

It weighed in at £35.

So, Emma and Jo, now, you said that you were going to wing it

and yet you seem very calm and controlled.

-Enjoyable day?

-Brilliant.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. Really enjoyed it.

Absolutely amazing.

So, Emma, tell me, what was your favourite item?

Definitely the blue jug that Jo found.

And then what item do you think of the three is going to

give you the biggest profit?

I think either the jug or the little silver-topped perfume bottle.

-OK.

-Yeah.

And what about yourself, Jo?

My favourite object is the baby-weighing scales,

even though it was a bit unusual

and it was something we didn't even think of looking at,

but we went right back, got them and they're lovely.

OK, and what about the biggest profit, then?

I'm hoping the jug, cos we got a really good bargain with it.

I would like to say the scales, but I don't think so,

-they're a bit novelty.

-OK.

So, remind me how much you spent, you two?

£53.

£53.

-That might be considered a somewhat modest spend, yes?

-Mm-hmm. Yes.

-But, either way, that means you're going to give me...

-I am.

..a colossal £247...

-There we go.

-..which is going over to Ben for the bonus buy.

Quite a bit of money there, Ben - a lot to play with.

It's a good amount, so fingers crossed I might find something,

possibly Cornish - we are in Cornwall after all.

-We are indeed.

-So I'll see what I can do.

OK, well, whilst Ben goes off to find something Cornish,

let me tell you the story of a remarkable lady.

We've travelled to Plymouth, and I'm at a very prestigious address -

3 Elliot Terrace, the former home of a woman who made political history,

Lady Nancy Astor.

In 1919, as the MP for Plymouth Sutton,

Lady Astor was the first woman to take her seat in Parliament,

and I'm here to find out how she did it.

In 1918, women had been partially given the vote,

and then the Qualification of Women Act allowed women to sit in

the House of Commons for the fist time.

Nancy Astor was an American, married to Plymouth MP Waldorf Astor.

When he replaced his father in the House of Lords in 1919,

his seat became vacant.

The Conservative Party chose Lady Astor to stand instead of him.

I'm meeting her granddaughter, Alice Astor,

to see a private collection of photographs which show Lady Astor

on the campaign trail.

There's a photograph here which I think is very telling,

but I'd like you to tell me a little bit more about the lady herself.

If we look at this photograph,

here she is standing in the back of a car,

and, you know, she loved being with people,

and she loved being challenged by people.

Sometimes there would be farmers in the crowd as well

and once I heard that one of the farmers said,

"You don't know anything about farming."

You know. "How many... How many toes does a pig have?"

And she answered back, "Take off your boot and count."

-Oh, right.

-And she could just quickly sort of

-answer them back in those ways.

-Yeah.

She liked to be the centre of attention.

And so she had that quality of, you know,

"I'm here, you're going to notice me,

"and I've got something to say and I want a relationship with you."

And you can see this in these photographs, I think, very clearly.

Well, here she is with the working men

and the working men were very important to her,

cos she needed their vote.

Well, she definitely did need their vote

and she eventually got their vote,

but they were, you know, they were passionate about her.

She built up this strong relationship with them,

and they adored her.

She won over the working man, but she was criticised.

The writer JM Barrie wrote to her,

saying "What can you know about politics?

"These things require a man's brains, a man's knowledge,

"a man's fairness, a man's eloquence."

But she didn't allow comments like that to stop her campaign

and one group she targeted in particular were women.

Well, here she is and she's...

Again it's this thing of being interested about how people live,

you know, where they live,

and she was very concerned about children's welfare, family welfare,

you know, the plight of women and children

and she would have wanted them to know that

she wanted to see something better for them.

But there were now more women voters in Plymouth than men.

In this photograph, we've got her at a women's meeting.

She did care about women's rights and she wanted to get women's votes.

Women had got the vote and she wanted to get

their vote in Plymouth.

And here we've come to results day.

Now tell me what's going on here.

In this photograph, it's the moment when the results are being read.

My grandmother has got a majority of 5,000.

The other candidates are standing here.

She's standing in the middle holding the flowers.

This is William Gay, who was Labour, the Labour candidate,

and Isaac Foot, the Liberal candidate.

It's a wonderful moment.

Lady Astor won six further elections.

She served Plymouth Sutton for 25 years

and she paved the way for other female MPs.

It's been wonderful to see this unique collection of photographs

and to hear her story, but now it's time to head off to the auction.

We're in Plymouth.

We are in the emporium that is Eldreds Auction House.

I am joined by Anthony Eldred, the man himself.

So, lovely to be here.

-It's a pleasure to welcome you.

-Thank you very much indeed.

Well, let's start with our Red team, this is Paul and Wayne,

and the first object that they came up with

was this amazing, sort of, document cylinder.

A bit of a shame that, I think, we've got, you know, a part missing,

but your thoughts, sir?

Well, I think you've said it all.

I mean, it is lovely carving, but it is incomplete.

It has an inscription, which adds a bit of interest to collectors,

but it might not be the easiest thing for us to sell.

-My estimate £10-20.

-Yeah?

OK, well, they paid £10 for it,

so I think that one's in with a real chance.

Item number two is the Arts and Crafts brass-and-copper

chamber stick with the symbol for Henry Loveridge.

Yes, I mean, it's a good clean object and it's got a maker's mark,

which makes a lot of difference to collectors.

I think it'll sell well.

So what's your estimate on the chamber stick?

What have you put on it?

I think it'll make between £10 and £20.

Right. They paid £35 for it.

And then a classic piece of glass, isn't it?

It's got that magic name to it,

even though it's not signed - Whitefriars.

Well, Whitefriars is always saleable.

It depends a little bit on its design.

This is fairly plain.

I've estimated it at £30 to £50.

Good, because they paid 50 for it so they're in with a good chance.

So they may or may not need their bonus buy,

but, either way, let's have a look at it.

Well, you left Caroline £205.

So, Caroline, what did you go out and spend it on?

-Well, I didn't spend a lot at all...

-Good.

..but I bought something that there's a sure-fire profit in.

Wow. It's a bangle.

It's a bangle.

Now, you probably noticed that it's very similar

-to the one I wear.

-I noticed that, yes.

-Yes.

It's absolutely all original,

complete with this little safety chain here.

Fully hallmarked silver.

-You've got the anchor to tell you it's from Birmingham...

-Yeah.

..and the date letter, 1959.

It's in great, great condition and I didn't pay a lot for it.

How much did you pay, then, Caroline?

How much do you think I paid?

40 to 50?

Well, I got this for £10.

-£10?

-Yeah.

-Lovely.

Amazing. And how much do you think that's going to make at auction?

Well, it's got to make 20, hasn't it?

-Definitely. Yes, yes.

-Yes, I would think so, yeah.

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

You do that after you've sold your first three lots.

But meanwhile, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of

Caroline's silver bangle.

So, this is Caroline's bonus buy.

Your comments would be welcome.

-I like it.

-Good lad.

Yeah. I mean, there it is, fully hallmarked, nicely engraved,

and it's even got a safety chain just in case it opens

when it's being worn.

I think it'll sell well.

-You do?

-Yeah.

How well is well?

Well, £15 to £20.

Well, Caroline went out and bought that probably for a song at £10,

-then, at that rate.

-Oh, well done.

-Yeah.

-Very good buy.

Over to the Blue team, which is Emma and Jo,

and they start off with a handsome sort of helmet jug in glass.

so a Pearline glass, it says in your catalogue.

Yes. Yeah, I think it is Pearline.

Designer George Davidson, possibly, late 19th century, perfect.

It's got everything going for it.

So, Anthony, your estimate.

I've put £5 to £10 on it.

OK, well, they paid £10 for it.

I think that may well steer them to glory, but we...

-We're pretty close on that.

-..will watch, wait and see.

Next item - silver-top scent bottle.

This particular one, I think probably came out of part of a set,

I would imagine, out of a dressing case.

Yeah.

But it's silver, a little bit dented in the top, but there it is.

And, again, I don't think it's something that's going to

-make them a fortune.

-No.

But it might make £5, it might make £10.

Yeah. Well, they paid £8 for it.

I think, again, that could do them a bit of good today.

Well, let's hope it does.

And then item number three, the baby scales.

I don't really quite know what to make of them.

They have to be either decorative or useful and I'm not sure that they're

decorative, but I suppose you could always weigh your potatoes in them.

-So, what's the estimate?

-My estimate is £10 to £20.

Paid £35 for them,

so let's just keep our fingers crossed that

we've got two people in that auction who really want it.

But it is a bit of a mixed bag,

so it strikes me that the bonus buy is going to be worth considering,

so let's take a look at what it is.

Well, you left Ben a whopping £247 to go out and spend.

-Yes?

-Yes, we did.

-Yep.

So, Ben, what did you go out and spend it on?

Well, I said, "I'm going to try and find something Cornish,"

so I got some Cornishware.

-OK.

-A sugar shaker.

-Yes.

-With a hole in the bottom.

With a hole in the bottom. You've got to get your sugar in somehow.

Made by TG Green and they are still being produced now,

but this is an original.

First of all, when you look on the mark on the bottom,

it's absolutely period from the 1940s, possibly into the '50s.

You've got this wonderful ridged design up the side,

so it is absolutely of its time.

Did you spend the whole £247 on it?

You'll be glad, no.

I actually only spent 15.

-OK.

-And how much is it likely to make us?

Fingers crossed at auction, it should, I hope, go for 20, 25.

So there's a profit. Not a huge profit, but I think it should do it.

-OK.

-Brilliant.

Now, remember, you don't have to make your minds up now,

so you do that after you've sold the first three items.

But meanwhile, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Ben's

Cornishware sugar sifter.

I bet you've seen a few of these in your time.

I've seen a lot of them, yeah.

We see a lot of Cornishware because of where we are

and it's very popular down here.

It's a nice piece and it's in good condition overall.

It's missing its stopper, but that can be replaced,

so I think we're going to do well with this.

So, what's your estimate?

Between £10 and £20.

Well, he bought that for £15, so that could perform today.

I think he's had a very good buy.

So, the auction today, you're taking it?

I am and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it.

Well, in Anthony Eldred we do trust.

Six, eight, ten, 12...

At £12.

-So, are you excited?

-Yes, we are.

-Yes.

-Excellent.

-You've been to an auction before?

-No. Auction novices.

-Oh, really?

But your first item's coming up

and it is the carved wooden document case.

Let's see if there's a profit to be had.

-OK.

-Yes.

And I'd bid a fiver for it.

Against you all at £5.

Six if you want it.

Quickly. At £5 only.

6, 8, 10, 12...

-At £12.

-Yes. It's in profit.

-You're in profit at 12. You're in profit.

-Excellent.

-£12. At 12, then.

15, 18, at £18.

Still online. At £18, then.

-Come on, come on.

-Brilliant.

-Yes.

Quite sure, and finished at £18.

Sell it at 18...

I'm happy with that.

Yes! Well done.

-Well done.

-First item down.

Good start, chaps, good start.

So, you're already £8 ahead.

-Yes.

-OK. Your next item's coming up.

It's the chamber stick.

It's coming up now.

I bid £8 for it. At 8 against you all.

At £8, 9 if you want it, if you must.

At £8. 9, 10...

-At £10.

-Yeah.

-Come on.

-Come on.

-Keep it going.

-Still against you all at 10.

At £10 here.

12, at £12 against the net now.

-At £12. Bidding's in the room, then.

-No, no, no.

Any more in the room at £12?

Last chance, everyone.

-£12.

-Aw...

-Oh, no.

-Unlucky.

So that was minus 23, but that gives us a rolling total of minus £15.

We've got the Whitefriars red glass coming up.

-Yeah, Marriott Powell.

-So let's have a see. Here it is.

I'm bid £18 for it.

Against you all in the room at 18, 20 if you want it.

OK. At £18, then.

-20, 22, 25, 28, 30.

-Come on...

At £30.

Seated here at 30.

Two anywhere? At £30, then.

Bidding's with the lady in front.

-At £30.

-Please, please...

Very last chance at 30.

Come on, come on. Two more bids, one more bid...

-Oh.

-Oh, no.

You deserved to do better.

-It's a fabulous vase, fabulous vase.

-We did. Yes.

But, either way, selling for 30 gives us a minus 20,

which has brought your rolling total...

-up to minus £35.

-Yeah.

So, when it comes to the bonus buy, is it a yes?

-A definite yes.

-Yes, it is. Without a doubt.

-A definite yes.

OK, so you're going to go with the bangle,

for which Caroline paid the princely sum of £10.

-Yes.

-It's a beautiful bangle, nicely engraved.

-It should...

-It should motor, it should motor.

-It should, it should.

OK, let's see. It's coming up next.

And I'm bid a tenner for it.

At £10, already at 10, 12, 12, 15,

18, 20, 22,

in the doorway at £22,

take five.

Nothing in the room, then, at £22?

I'm up to 28 here on my screen.

-Yes, come on.

-At £28, take 30 now.

-Make it 30.

-At £28, then.

Bidding's online - don't let them frighten you off.

At £28.

Quite sure and finished in the room at 28?

Well done, boys, well done. Team effort, there, yeah?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Team effort.

-Yeah, thank you.

-So that plus 18 has left you with a final total

of minus £17,

which, I know it's been said before, but that could be a winning score.

You know what I'm going to say next -

not a word to the Blues.

-OK?

-No, definitely not. Our lips are sealed.

OK, yeah, but well done.

CASH REGISTER CHIMES

-So how are you feeling?

-Nervous.

-And excited.

That's a wonderful combination.

It's quite normal - quite, quite normal.

Have you been to an auction before?

Emma hasn't, but I've been once with my dad just to have a look.

Oh, have you? Right, well, your first item's coming up.

It's the Pearline pressed-glass cream jug.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that we make a nice, healthy profit.

So here it is.

I'm bid £12 for this one, at 12 against you all.

-At £12, 14, 16, 18, 20, at £20.

-Good start.

-A really good start.

Take two now. At £20, then.

All done for £20?

Finished online, then. At £20 I'll sell it.

Last chance.

Whoo!

So you paid £10 for it -

you just sold it for 20 and made yourself £10 profit,

double your money.

So your next item that's coming up is your silver-topped scent bottle,

for which you paid the princely sum of £8.

-We did, yeah.

-OK, so not a big spend.

It means there's potential for a bigger profit.

Fiver for that one quickly, somebody five.

Five I'm bid, at £5.

I'll take six, if you like.

-At £5, 6, at £6 at the very back.

-Oh, no.

At £6, then.

No? At £6 only at the very back.

I'll sell it at six.

I'm bid 8 now online.

And ten, at £10.

In the room again. 12, at £12 here.

On my screen at 12.

Bidding's online, then.

Sell at £12...

Well done.

So, £12, you paid £8 for it -

£4 worth of profit there,

giving us a rolling total of £14.

Your next lot coming up is the baby scales.

You paid £35 for them.

We're on a roll, so let's see if we can do three on the trot, OK?

I'm bid £5 for them, at five, six if you want them.

At £5, then. I'm sure you can weigh the potatoes

-or something with them in the kitchen, surely?

-Oh, cheers.

At £5, it's against you all at five.

Are you quite sure at 5?

I'm bid eight now online.

-At £8.

-It's going.

At £8.

Quite sure at eight? It's on my screen here.

It must be worth a tenner, surely.

At £8 here.

All done at £8, then...

GROANING

£8. So you're now in...

You got minus 27 on that sale,

-and that's given us a rolling total of minus 13.

-Oh, well...

So it's all about the bonus buy, isn't it?

-It is.

-Mm-hmm.

-So what are you going to do?

-Go with it.

-We'll go with it.

We trust Ben. We'll go with it.

Put it this way - you're already a little bit down...

-Oh, cheers.

-..so you can either sink into oblivion...

or crawl back a pound or two.

It doesn't matter.

-You're going to go with Ben.

-Yeah, we trust him.

OK, you do. Remember, Ben paid £15 for it.

HE SNIFFS I smell a profit, but hey-ho,

let's see where we go.

It's coming up now.

£8 for that, at eight against you all, ten if you want it, quickly.

At £8 for the Cornish shaker.

Ten on...

Online at ten. 12.

-At £12, still on my book.

-It's going.

- Come on, come on... - At £12. Against you online now.

Last chance if you want it.

At £12, finished in the room, then.

All done at 12.

Oh...

12.

-Never mind.

-It's... It was worth the effort.

It was only ever a small loss.

It was minus three.

-Never mind.

-But you're already minus 13,

so it's taken you down to a minus 16.

But, you know, that could be a winning score.

-Could it be?

-So don't be down.

Don't be down at all.

Not a word to the Reds.

-Not a word.

-Nope.

-Poker face.

-OK?

-Yeah.

-OK.

CASH REGISTER CHIMES

Well, the results are in and I've got to tell you that,

as neither of you made any profit today,

I will not be giving you any money.

-But it was neck-and-neck...

-Oh!

-Ooh!

..and I can tell you now that runners-up today,

with minus £17...

was the Red team.

-Oh, no!

-Oh, no! Come on!

-Commiserations.

-Well done, Blues.

-Aw...

-Thank you!

-But have you had fun?

-It's been brilliant, thank you.

-Yeah, it's been a great experience.

-OK.

So, our winners today, by the margin of £1...

£1!

You made minus 16 - just that £1 in it -

but have you had fun?

-Brilliant fun.

-Really good, yeah.

Excellent. That's what we want to know.

So, that's it for today,

but meanwhile you can keep in touch with us on our website,

you can follow us on Twitter, but, better still,

join us next time for some more Bargain Hunting, yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!