Malvern and Leominster 15 Bargain Hunt

Hello and welcome to Leinster,

a pretty market town in North Hertfordshire.

Put on the map by one of these chaps as an important woollen centre.

This is a Ryeland,

one of the oldest breeds of English sheep

and known locally by the nickname of Lemster Ore.

Think gold.

But will our teams today spin a profit

or will they have the wool pulled over their eyes?

Let's go Bargain Hunting.

Leinster is a charming town with medieval buildings,

book shops, cafes and, most importantly,

an abundance of antique stores.

And that's exactly what we're here for.

Now, as you know, each team gets £300

and one hour to buy three items

that, hopefully, will return them a profit when they take it to auction.

But before all that,

let's take a sneaky peak at what's coming up next.

The Reds won't splash the cash.

How much? £4!

Me thinks you're looking to spend low.

The Blues are getting up close and personal.

-Are you going to wash my back? As I pat...

-Oh.

-Yeah?

And at today's auction, will the gamble pay off for our Reds?

-Oh!

-There you go.

Or are the Blues in with a chance?

-Aww.

-Shame, shame, shame - in that order.

Well, all that is coming up later, but let's meet today's teams

and, today, we're keeping it in the family.

-For the Reds, we've got brothers, Ron and Sam.

-Hello.

For the Blues, we've got sisters, Doreen and Brenda.

-Hello. ALL:

-Hello!

-Ron.

-Yes?

-Tell me, what is it like being Sam's brother?

Not just brother, twin brother.

Twin - hang on, let me work this out.

-Twin brothers.

-Twin brothers.

-Oh, right.

-Two hours' difference. Mm-hm.

-So two hours extra to grow.

-Well, he made the most of it, didn't he?

-He did make the most of it.

-I've been waiting for him to shrink back, but he hasn't done yet.

-Right.

So you've retired now, but what were you doing in the way of a job?

I was a property maintenance manager at Shugborough Hall,

Patrick Lichfield's estate, yeah, for nearly 30 years.

What about hobbies and suchlike?

I love crown green bowling,

I've been doing that for about four years

and also indoor short mat bowling.

I like fishing, coarse fishing and I do like travelling as well.

So, Sam, what about your hobbies these days?

Gardening, trout fishing.

That's mainly about all I do at the moment.

-Right.

-I do enjoy my trout fishing.

So what did you do before you retired?

I was a CNC sliding head machine tool setter and programmer.

Hang on - CNC, forgive me, what is that?

Computer numerical control.

Oh, right. Did you know that, Blues?

-Not at all.

-Not a clue.

-OK. That makes me feel so much better.

-Makes you feel better, yeah.

-Right.

-Yeah.

Having said that, you're going to be putting your heart and soul

into the world of antiques today.

-Oh, yes.

-Definitely, definitely.

Have you come up with any form of tactics?

-We want the golden gavel.

-You do.

-Oh, that's the prime object.

Is it? Right.

-We're going for that, mainly.

-Going for gold.

-Yes.

-OK.

Well, we wish you the best of luck, but turning my attention

to the Blues and, Doreen, good morning.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

So, you're now in the world of retirement.

-Yes.

-So what were you doing prior to all this time on your hands?

When I was 15, which is back a few years ago,

I trained as a hairdresser.

I did that for many years

and, of course, when the children came along,

I'd go part-time, casual, I also did some mobile hairdressing.

But for the last 12 years I've worked at the local pharmacy.

Now, I've heard you might be called a woman of adventure.

Oh. Well, I do like adventures.

I do like to be a little bit different.

I had an experience day, the kids bought me that, on the biplane,

where you actually fly the plane.

But this year on my bucket list is definitely

that I'm going to do a parachute jump.

-Are you sure about that, are you?

-Definitely. Yes, most definitely.

-OK.

-In fact my children have all said, "If you want to do it,

"we'll all put together and you can do it." So, there we go.

So, Brenda, you're living overseas, I believe?

Yes, I live in Spain for most of my time now.

Yeah, I'm retired.

I went out there to Spain to retire because of the pace of life.

It is so relaxed and so social,

and I'm a relaxed social type of girl.

Because I used to work for a bank in the City of London for 25 years

and that was quite stressful at the time.

So when I finished then I thought, "No, that's it, off to Spain,"

and have a nice relax and enjoy myself.

What are your tactics, ladies?

Well, the way we've been practising really,

when we go around the markets in Spain, at the bartering business.

-She's very good.

-Because we always barter at the Spanish markets

and save 50 cents here and there.

Well, before you can do any bartering,

both of you are going to need some money, isn't that right?

-ALL:

-Oh, yes, please.

-Blues, there's your £300.

-Thank you.

-Reds, there's your £300.

-Thank you.

This is where I say a fond farewell

because this is where you go off to meet your experts.

-So off you go.

-Cheers!

-Thank you.

-OK.

So talking about keeping it in the family,

I mean, what can possibly go wrong?

So let's meet today's experts.

Rocking along with the Reds, it's Caroline Hawley.

And thinking seriously about making a profit for the Blues,

it's Thomas Plant.

So, Ron, what are you looking for today?

Something collectible. Make a nice bit of profit.

I'm looking for something I think...

something unusual, but at the right price.

-SAM:

-Collectible things, small things.

Big profits on small items and a golden gavel at the end.

No pressure, then(!)

I'm not quite sure till I see the bargains.

Time to grind out a profit, teams, your 60 minutes starts now.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

-Let's go shopping.

-THOMAS:

-Let's go.

-Yeah!

Off we go, teams, there's plenty of choice here,

and help at hand from Stan and Steph from the Antiques Centre.

-Thank you.

-Here we are.

It looks like something rather small, priced up at £7,

has charmed the Reds already.

-The little mouse.

-The metal mouse.

Think we could have a look at it?

Yes. You want to see... That was very quick, wasn't it?

-We do make quick decisions.

-What attracted you to the mouse?

-I don't know.

-Cos it's cute.

-Just...

-Is it the price?

-Well, that helps.

-The price is one. Definitely the price is one.

Right. Shall I go and see

if I can find somebody to get into this cabinet?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-One sec.

Off you go, Caroline.

Meanwhile, Thomas is putting his team through their paces.

What I want you to do is familiarise yourselves with what's going on.

-Get a good, you know, eye in...

-Yeah.

..and have a look because I can always help.

You certainly are in safe hands, ladies.

Back to the Reds, and Caroline has returned with Stan.

There we are.

That's unusual.

Have you got any information on what it actually is, was?

No. It doesn't tell us there on the ticket, just says "metal mouse".

-Yeah.

-CAROLINE:

-As opposed to Mickey Mouse!

-Yeah!

It's got £7 on.

-STAN:

-I'm sorry, we can't do anything about the price.

Items under £10 are not negotiable, I'm afraid.

Oh, dear, never mind.

So what does Caroline make of it all?

I have not seen a mouse blowing down a kettle before, I have to say.

-No, I haven't, no.

-STAN:

-Isn't a dormouse, is it?

You usually get a dormouse in a teapot in Alice In Wonderland,

-don't you?

-Yeah.

-CAROLINE:

-You do.

I mean, the tail almost looks like a hook for something.

-I do quite like it, actually.

-Yeah.

-We agree on something.

-Yeah, we do, for a change.

-You both like it.

So, what do you think?

-I'd go for that one.

-Yeah.

-You want to go for that one?

-Yeah.

-Whoa! That was quick.

-We do quick.

-Bloomin' heck, have you got somewhere you want to be?

-Um...

Hang on, what time is it? No, no, no, it's fine, no.

Nice work, gents.

First item purchased in just under five minutes.

Now, how are the Blues getting on?

What have you seen?

-No, we're only looking at the case.

-That vintage set.

-Vintage, it's in a case.

-It is in a case, a little manicure set.

-Yeah.

-Yes, £20.

-You can...

-Who's likely to want to buy that?

Is it a collectors thing or not?

It's a kind of thing which sells online, really, isn't it?

-Right.

-I just think you could do a bit better.

-Right, OK.

-OK.

-You could do a bit better.

-OK.

-We know there's something here.

-Well, it's a bit of a safe buy, isn't it?

-Oh, we don't want safe.

Do you know what these are?

-Pulling teeth.

-Yeah.

-Really?

-It is.

The thing is, things associated with pain never really sell.

Ouch! I wonder why?

Back with the Reds

and have they got their eyes on another pretty bargain?

What do you think of that?

Well, it's all right.

What is it? It's glass, isn't it?

-It's a nice pendant. The price is right.

-It's very...

-How much is it?

-Oh, I might've guessed.

Another price is right, how much?

£4.

Me thinks you're looking to spend low.

You do have £300.

-Yes.

-You think we should have a look around?

We have got an hour.

-Have a look around a bit.

-I'll remember where it is.

-OK...

-I know you won't forget.

-..so we'll come back to that, right.

So that's one for the back burner, then.

Meanwhile, are the Blues on to something special?

A bronze Victorian Indian Goddess.

So, have a look, hold it.

-Yeah.

-What do you think?

-Oh, it's heavier than I thought!

-It's going to be 19th century.

-Right.

-Yes.

It's not going to be super, super quality.

But they've got a huge amount of money on it.

-Right.

-How much?

-It's £195.

-Oh, no.

What would it likely to be selling for at auction?

That's the difference.

The interesting thing about these figures

is that sometimes they can fly.

-STEPH:

-Would you like me to phone the dealer for you?

-THOMAS:

-Yeah, we'll carry on looking, is that all right?

-Yes.

-STEPH:

-I'll phone the dealer.

Whilst the Blues are waiting for the price,

the Reds are sticking to their thrifty game plan.

-They're more than a fiver.

-Yep. 300...

-Oh, 420.

-Oh, gosh, right.

-How much?

-No, that's the number on it.

-Oh, is it?

-Are you sure?

-A420.

-Oh, sorry.

-Yes, definitely.

Well, that's too much for your thrifty tactics, Ron.

But is there good news for the Blues?

-The dealer has kindly said...

-Oh, hello.

-Hello, sorry.

-Come here, come here.

-The dealer says he'll do £150.

-150. Do you think he'll do £130?

-Oh, please.

-I think he might.

It's been pushed to £140,

but I'm going to override it and say £130.

-Good.

-Is that all right?

-DOREEN:

-Oh, yes!

-Oh, yes.

-Yeah.

-Do you want to do it?

-Yes, please.

-Yes?

-We think so.

-Definitely.

-STEPH:

-Is that a deal?

-Yeah.

-DOREEN:

-Thank you very much.

-Thanks for your help.

-Thanks, Stephanie, thank you.

-First item down.

-Yeah!

-That's lovely, thank you.

-We've got one!

-Oh, brilliant.

Well done, Blues, that's one item each in just 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, Caroline is daring the Reds to spend £38

on this jet brooch.

-How does jet do down here?

-Well, jet was very, very popular.

-It was.

-In Victorian times.

-Especially the mourning period.

-Yes, exactly.

-Yes.

Because when Queen Victoria went into mourning

for such a long period,

her subjects followed suit and it was very, very fashionable.

I mean, brooches, they're not really popular.

-No.

-You know bangles, necklaces, earrings possibly more so

but at that sort of money.

Do you want to have a think about that one?

-I'll have a walk round.

-Right.

Not sure you had a say in this one, Ron.

Moving on, team. Now what's taken the Blues' fancy?

-That looks quite nice.

-Japanese.

-That looks quite nice.

Can we have a...? Thomas, would you have a look at that for us?

-That one.

-OK.

-What do you think?

-What's it made of?

-What do you see?

-That vintage pincushion.

The vintage pincushion. That's rather fine,

-out of a coconut or nut, isn't it?

-Oh, right.

-A coquilla nut or something.

-Right, OK.

-It says here,

"Vintage carved coconut basket pincushion. £65."

-That's lovely and I like the fact you pointed it out.

-Yeah.

-But I think maybe you want something a bit more...

-Right.

-With a bit more gravitas to it, do you see what I mean?

-Right.

-Yes!

Well, you won't be pinning your hopes on that one, then.

Back to business,

and the Reds are still in pursuit of something pretty.

Do you know, you two chaps are very surprising.

It's all very... You're looking at very feminine things,

which is great.

-Women spend money.

-Women do spend money.

-What you have to remember is, ladies spend money.

-Yeah.

-Men spend money on ladies.

-Yes.

-You see.

So do you both shop a lot for your wives?

-No.

-Ah, right.

-She wouldn't let me.

-Wouldn't she?

No, because we don't buy the right things.

Well, on that note, I suggest we move on.

Meanwhile, it's looking very relaxed over with our Blue team.

Charles Horner here, a silver brooch.

-Yes.

-What do you think of that, then, Thomas?

-That's quite lovely, isn't it?

-It's a club, isn't it, as well?

-Yeah, and it's a golf club.

-Women's.

-Right, shall we have a look in this?

-Yes, please.

-So Charles Horner stick pin or pin.

-That's quite nice.

-Yeah.

-And it says "Chester 1907" on there.

-Yeah, that's good.

And the hallmark's just there.

-Oh.

-Yeah?

-Good.

-You can see the Charles Horner mark, just there.

I think that's rather good.

-Good spot.

-I'm happy with that. Quite happy to look at that.

-Good spot.

-If the price is right.

-Does the box come with it?

-STEPH:

-The box does come with it.

-It does come with it.

-That's even better.

-That's a bonus.

What's the very best, do you think? I mean, I know it's only £55.

-Please.

-£48.

48, can we round that up to make it simple for a simple mathematician,

like myself, and say £45?

-Please.

-I should think so.

-Please.

-I can manage that.

£45, what do you want to do? Do you want to buy it?

-Yes, please.

-DOREEN:

-Yes, I think that'll be lovely.

Thank you so much. Thanks, Stephanie.

I love her, she's now shaking.

-Thank you.

-Thanks for your help.

Well done, Blues, you've clinched the deal, two items netted,

just under the halfway mark.

While the teams carry on with their shopping,

I'm going to learn about the history of a local pharmacy.

There was once a chemist shop that stood on Worcester High Street

for almost 200 years.

One pharmacist who traded here was Alfred Steward,

who purchased the building in 1876

and kept the business in the family until it finally closed in 1973.

Recognising its historical value,

the local council decided to buy the entire shop

and move all the contents into one of the galleries at Worcester Museum

where it was accurately reconstructed

for future generations to enjoy.

Garston Phillips, from Worcester Art Gallery and Museum,

has headed over to Leinster to tell me more.

So, how was the shop saved when it closed its doors in 1973?

Basically, it involved three of us

and it took something like three years, on and off other jobs,

wrapping everything, moving everything,

putting it in exactly how it was,

we think, to about 1900.

Mr Steward decided he didn't want to come back and see it,

which was a great shame,

but some of the family came and they helped us out,

including his sister

and I think that was the point when we knew we'd got it right

was when she walked round the back of the counter and swore blind

it was just the same as it was when she actually worked there.

So, it was a great achievement and we're very proud of it.

So tell me more about some of these weird and wonderful objects

that you've brought along today from the shop.

This is a pill slab, which is used to make pills and tablets.

First of all, the ingredients would be mixed up

with a mortar and pestle.

We would then take them out, onto here,

they go on to this slab and they would be rolled.

Then they went into this lovely machine called a pill mould

and they would be put in long lengths like that and then, whoosh,

they would come out as basically pill-shaped but, as you can imagine,

they would not have been particularly round

or particularly cylindrical or whatever shape you wanted them,

so each pill was individually made with a thing called a pill rounder.

The pill was put on there and you would go...

until you got the right shape.

So why have you brought the door-knocker along?

The door-knocker, everybody calls it a door-knocker,

but in fact it's not, it's a cork squeezer and, erm...

when you had a bottle of medicine, like that,

the cork fits in the top,

but if the cork was too big...

it would go in there like that,

they would do it round and round and round

-till it fitted in the bottle and went like that.

-Oh, interesting.

-Yeah.

-So what about this bicycle pump?

This is one of the items that came in after we opened the chemist shop.

Mr Steward used to keep various veterinary pieces

and he also used to keep veterinary preparations,

but this is something we call a balling gun.

I'm not sure if that's the right word for it or not, I don't know,

but, as you can see, down there, the medication was put in there

and it would be administered to horses and cows

by opening the cow's mouth, pushing that down its throat

and pushing that to make sure it all came out

and went down into the horse or the cow like that.

Thank you, Garston, for sharing this fascinating story with us.

But, in the meantime,

let's go back and find out how our two teams are getting on

with the shopping.

We're over halfway through the shop and it's 2-1 to the Blues.

Come on, Reds, time to step up your game.

-I'm trying to work out how it goes.

-I think it could go either way.

-Yes.

-You could put four candles in there.

-Fork handles.

-Fork handles.

-Four candles in there.

Fork handles!

-Or you can turn...

-Handles for forks.

Or you could turn it the other way and put one candle, couldn't you?

-Yeah.

-Do you like that then?

-No.

-No, I don't either.

-Not over keen.

-No, I'm not over keen.

-No. We'll give that a miss, I think.

-Put it down.

That's another no then from the Reds.

Meanwhile, the Blues have stumbled across something really unusual.

Quirky and useful.

Do you want to get in?

-Shall we go in together?

-Yeah, go on.

We're going to have a shower together.

Get in there. One of you have got to pump.

-Right.

-I'll pump.

Then you can pull the cord.

-I'll pull the cord.

-Are you going to wash my back?

-Oh, I'll wash your back.

-Yeah.

-How much is that?

-£1,450.

-Oh, right, OK.

-It's well out of our range.

Simulated, sort of, bamboo here.

-Yeah.

-I can't believe I've had

a shower with a Bargain Hunt contestant!

Well, there's a first time for everything, Thomas.

But over with the Reds, it's a rather familiar scene.

-This is like a trinket type.

-Yes, like a trinket box.

From the teak of HMS Birmingham.

It's a spill holder, isn't it?

It is. It's almost like a spill holder, yes.

It says £35 on there.

Yes. Would you like me to make a phone call and see if we can do any

-better for you?

-Yes. £20 would be a lovely figure.

-OK.

-Whilst Stan is off to make that phone call,

Doreen has found another quirky piece.

It's quite nice with the alabaster and the mother-of-pearl and the hard

stone. I quite like you spotting things like this.

-How much, though?

-£125.

-Oh, that's not...

-You've got the money, you've got the money.

Yes, but what would it sell for?

-Yes, but it's not that.

-It's £60 to £80 lot.

-60 to £80.

-Yeah.

-That's what it's worth.

-Sadly, at that price, it's a no to the table.

So, will it be better news for the Reds?

Yes, I've got an answer for you.

Right. The ticket price is £35, but you can have it for £25.

£20 is a no go, I'm afraid, but £25 we can do.

I think we'll have to leave that, Stan.

-Fair enough.

-We wouldn't want to do more than £20 on that, would we?

-Yeah.

-No.

-Fair enough.

-Thanks for asking anyway.

-You're very welcome.

-Cheers.

So, can I just say, we need to look lively.

We need to make a decision, so what are your thoughts?

I think we ought to go back for the pendant.

The pendant, do you agree?

-I agree.

-The glass pendant at £4.

Right. Are you sure?

-Yes.

-Quick, go buy.

Yep, before they change their minds again.

You only have 15 minutes left.

-That one there.

-Ah-ha, here it is.

-That's the one.

-So it hasn't gone.

You're lucky. This is the one you want?

-Yes.

-Brilliant.

-We agree.

-Second one in.

-Second one in.

-Excellent.

The Reds are finally in agreement.

Hurrah! You must be very pleased, Caroline.

Well, it started off very, very well.

Inside five minutes, the first item bought and then things went very,

very badly downhill.

But fortunately we've just bought the second item, for all of £4.

I can't wait to see what they're going to do with number three!

With 15 minutes to go both teams now have two items and are on the home

straight.

So what's Doreen spotted?

Well, we were looking...

It was quite pleasing to the eye, the enamel butterfly.

-We're assuming it's enamel.

-It's lovely.

We need to ask you what you think.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-I don't know what the price is.

What's the label say? It's a David Andersen silver and enamel brooch.

-OK.

-David Andersen was a jeweller in Norway.

It's all on the back here.

We'll have David Andersen

and sterling silver.

It's £89.

How well does he sell?

With a name that sells as well.

He sells very well. He does sell well.

It would be the name as much...

The butterflies are quite popular as well, aren't they?

-They are popular, aren't they?

-But it all depends on the right price,

so let's talk to Stephanie.

We know it's worth more, don't get me wrong, we're aware,

but we're going to an auction, obviously.

-From our view...

-To give you a chance, we'll do £50.

£48, just so they can do that extra one bid less, £48.

-OK.

-£48.

-Can we shake hands on that one again?

I think so, don't you? With the name. It's got a name.

-It's quality.

-I've got nothing to do with this.

Is that all right?

-You said you liked it.

-I love it, I'm impressed.

-How do you feel?

-Let me finish, I'm impressed.

-That's good.

-You negotiated from

£89 to £48 without me having any input,

I just stood there. Sorry, I'm just going to go now.

I'm done.

You've done it, all three items purchased ahead of the Reds,

in just under 50 minutes.

So with the Reds now under pressure, Caroline finally gives in.

Trinket box, £5.

-What about that, hey?

-You're talking his mind now.

I'm talking your language, I've been beaten down.

-Yeah.

-How does it feel to be dragged down?

If he sells that, he won't get less than £5.

Go, go.

No, you can't.

You can't. You can't.

Do it or I'll fall out with you.

That's fine.

It's continental.

-Yeah.

-And...

-It will open.

-It will if you're careful with it.

A little trinket box.

Very pretty. What do you think?

Definitely. It's a definite £10 worth.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

-Is it a yes from you as well?

-Go on.

-Go on.

Only because it's so late.

Brilliant. Thank you.

At last.

PHONE RINGS

OK, I'll tell them. Teams, your time's now up.

Well, do you think you're on the way to the golden gavel?

-Most definitely.

-I'd cry if we're not, after this.

Oh, I think I'm going to cry.

-Can we go and sit down?

-Do you want to cry together?

-Yes, come on.

-No, you stay here.

So let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

First, they were charmed by this

tiny mouse and teapot, costing them £7.

Then they took a shine to this glass pendant, price paid £4.

And the last of the big spenders was this pretty trinket box for £5.

Well, it all got off to a very good start, didn't it?

I mean, a lightning buy in the first few minutes.

-Definitely.

-But, in all fairness,

it did slightly go downhill from there,

gents, didn't it? The last two were impulse buys,

desperation buys or what?

-I think all of those.

-All those things.

-All right.

-Definitely.

-Excellent.

Tell me, what was

-your favourite buy?

-I think my

favourite buy was actually the first buy,

straight in, straight to the cabinet.

-A little mouse with a teapot.

-I'm the same.

-You're the same.

-I picked it, too.

-Oh, you did pick it, did you?

-Yeah.

-So which of the three items

you bought do you think is going to give

-you the biggest profit?

-I think possibly that one.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, I think.

-Yeah.

-I'd go with the first one.

-You're like minded on that one?

-Yeah.

So what was the total spend?

£16.

£16.

OK. So that means that you've got a whopping £284 to give to me.

-OK.

-There we are.

So there we go, Caroline.

-Thank you.

-For a bonus buy.

-Yes.

-Have you got your eye on anything in particular?

The guys don't really like spending much money, so I don't know,

I'm going to have to find something cheap.

OK. While Caroline goes off for a budget bonus buy,

let's find out how the Blue team got on.

First up, Doreen and Brenda were delighted with this Indian bronze

figurine, costing them a whopping £130.

Next they pinned their hopes on this beautiful Charles Horner brooch,

price paid £45.

And, finally, will they flutter away with a profit on this silver

butterfly, bought for £48?

So, Thomas, they were a steady buy, weren't they?

They were focused, these ladies.

They were very focused. The first item we sort of looked and found

together and the other two was all their own doing.

Doreen, tell me, what was your favourite item?

We did a Charles Horner brooch, golf, silver golf brooch,

I really like that. I really, really do.

What do you think is going to give you the biggest profit?

-That one.

-Do you think so?

-It's Chester silver as well.

-OK.

-So we had quite a good buy on that.

-Quite happy with that.

-Quite emphatic.

-Oh, yes.

-What about your continental sister here,

-what was your favourite item?

-Oh, I

went for a little butterfly which was Norwegian.

-Norwegian by David Andersen.

-David Andersen.

Which of the three do you think is going to give us the biggest profit?

-My brooch.

-Your brooch.

-My brooch. Sorry, not your...

There we go.

So what was the final spend?

£223.

Right, still £77 left over.

-OK. There we go.

-I will pass it over to Thomas.

Thomas, you can do OK with that amount?

I think I can do OK with that amount.

I can find something equally stylish for my stylish ladies.

-Thank you.

-Ah, thank you, Thomas.

While Thomas goes off to find a stylish bonus buy,

we're going off to the auction.

Well, we've gone down the road into Worcestershire and we're at the

Malvern Saleroom, and we're with none other than Mr Philip Serrell,

auctioneer extraordinaire.

-Good to see you, Eric.

-Thank you.

Good to see you. Getting straight

into our Red team, this is Ron and Sam,

starting with the miniature trinket of a mouse and a kettle.

I honestly thought that someone had raided the cracker factory

and they'd left the mottos and the fancy hats there and they'd brought

these along. They have entered into the spirit of things, haven't they,

really? I think that's going to make £2-£5.

I hate it when you sit on the fence like that, Phil, I really do.

But either way they paid £7 for it.

Let's go on to the next item, which is the glass pendant.

I've not seen anything quite like that before.

-That must be a huge relief, Eric?

-Yes.

I think that that's going to make £2-£5,

but who knows? Who knows?

Well, listen, £2-£5 is good news because it's a £4 spend.

-OK.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-Final item.

-This is the star buy, I think.

-Oh, you do.

-I think this is the star buy.

Little continental trinket box.

I think out of the three lots that they've bought,

if I was forced to take one thing home, that would be it.

I'd put £2-£5 on it.

If they have a lucky day it might go and make £10, you know.

So having paid £5 for it, I often see those priced at £15.

Yeah, they might be in with a chance with that.

No matter what, they're not going to lose more than £16 there, are they?

-They really aren't.

-No, no, no.

So whether they need their bonus buy or not,

let's find out what Caroline went and bought.

So, Caroline, you were left with £284 to spend.

-I was indeed.

-You've gone and spent,

so would you like to reveal your bonus buy?

Yeah.

-A box.

-A box.

-A box.

Ah!

Containing the most lovely little French silver set,

which would be a gentleman's set.

This is a pen knife, vesta case here and here is a pencil.

It's 900 silver and, can you see, it's beautifully,

beautifully decorated with lily of the valley.

How much did you pay for it, Caroline?

Oh, gosh, is it safe to say?

-Are you going to be all right?

-I might.

-I'll hold him.

Right, OK, it was £149.

-Oh, my.

-£149.

-Yes.

-What do you think it'll make at auction?

Maybe £150, £160, we'd have to see on the day.

Well, food for thought there, chaps, yes?

-Definitely.

-Meanwhile,

let's find out what our auctioneer

has to say about Caroline's bonus buy.

-Ah, it's just lovely, isn't it?

-It is lovely.

-Continental?

-Continental, it looks either German or Austrian.

Show me another. I mean, it's quite a rare thing.

-Never ever seen one.

-No.

So we've got a little pencil in a case, we've got a vesta,

a little pen knife. Right.

I have never ever seen one, so I've put £50-£80 on it.

Well, Caroline went bold out there and she actually spent £149.

-Wow!

-That's it for the Reds.

Now, for the Blues, this is Doreen and Brenda.

Their first purchase was this very stylish Indian brass figure.

These things are so difficult unless you're an expert

to, A, date them and, B, put a value on them.

I think that's probably 19th century.

I think it's £80-£120 worth.

Well, I mean, they paid £130 for it.

Well, that could motor. Let's see, as for the next item,

which is the Charles Horner brooch in the form of a golf club.

Now, golfing memorabilia, is it still doing good things up here?

It is. I mean,

there are a lot of people who collect golfing items.

Charles Horner is massively collectible.

I think that's going to make £30-£50.

£30-£50, £45 paid.

I dare say, in the heyday, 20 years ago, it would have done double that?

Oh, absolutely. Absolutely.

Finally, is their lovely enamel brooch by David Andersen.

You see, I love that.

I think that you've got two brooches here that are

similar in what they do, but a massive difference in today's taste.

I've put £30-£50 on that, again.

Well, it'll have to do well because they paid £48 for it.

-OK.

-So all things considered, will they need their bonus buy?

So let's find out what Thomas went out and bought.

Now, Doreen and Brenda, I have to say, when it came to your spending,

you like spending money, don't you?

We didn't do too badly.

-Yes.

-No, you didn't do too badly.

What's more, you left Thomas with how much to spend?

£77.

Bang on, £77 Thomas, what did you spend it on?

Well, you two girls, I found something immensely stylish,

just like you two here.

It's an Art Nouveaux photograph frame by WMF.

It's got great design and it's very functional.

You could put your loved one in there,

have it on the side of your bedside as you wake up, a picture of me.

-No.

-Oh, yes. Is it old?

Yes, it's 1910.

How much did you pay for that then?

It was marked almost three figures, but I paid £55 for it.

Yeah, but how much will it make at auction?

Well, they are collectible, it is collectible.

It's not so in your face as in flowery and Art Nouveaux,

it's quite stylish, £65-£70.

I do see a small profit in this.

-OK.

-You don't have to make your minds up now, do you?

-No.

-You have to wait until you sell your first three items.

-Of course.

-But, in the meantime,

let's find out what our auctioneer has to say about charming Tom's

WMF photograph frame.

Well, here it is, that's what Thomas came up with.

I think he's done a good job there.

WMF, which is German.

-Yep.

-Photograph frame.

Roughly about 1900.

I think it's not pure Art Nouveaux, in my eyes.

No, you're right, it's a bit of a compromise, isn't it?

Yeah. I think that compromise helps it, sort of,

become a bit of a today's item rather than a yesterday's item.

I think that's going to make £50-£80.

I think Thomas bought well, he paid £55 for it.

We hope it's going to do well when

it comes to the auction today. So who's

-going to be the auctioneer today?

-It's me today, Eric.

-It's you?

-Yes.

-Is it really?

-Yeah.

OK, well, in Philip Serrell, we trust.

At £35, back of the room.

So, Ron and Sam, are you regulars? Do you do lots of auctions?

-We've been to one or two.

-We've been to one or two, yes.

One or two. You wouldn't say you were seasoned.

-No.

-Definitely not. Definitely not.

-Your first lot is coming up now.

It's that little plated miniature of a mouse looking down the spout of

a kettle. You paid £7 for it.

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

-Here it comes.

-Start me at £1 someone.

Come on. Yes, the lady bid.

£1 I'm bid. At £1 bid.

It's your bid, madam. At £1, I'll take 2 anywhere.

At £1. 2 bid.

£2. 3. At £3, 4.

4 bid. £4. 5, 5 bid.

-Keep going. Keep going.

-At £5, here's the bid and done then at £5.

And done.

It's nothing to lose too much sleep, a minus £2.

Let's not lose sleep. OK.

Second item coming up,

it's the glass pendant with the sort of flower head in it which you paid

£4 for and either way let's see what it's going to make.

-It's coming up now.

-Who's got a fiver for the pendant?

Fiver anywhere?

-Fiver for the pendant?

-Come on.

-If you don't bid, I can't sell it.

-Who's got a fiver?

£5. Thank you.

£5, £5.

You're mad. At £5, any bid at 5.

5 bid, £5.

£5.

I sell then at £5.

Done, thank you.

Your lucky day there.

OK. You're plus one.

It ends with a minus one.

Here's your third and final item,

it's the continental little trinket box for which you paid a huge and

princely sum of £5.

Either way, let's see if there's a

profit in it because it's coming up now.

A couple of pound to start me someone.

2 anywhere?

2 anywhere for the trinket box?

2. I'm bid at 2. 2 bid, £2.

£2. Be quick.

At £2 and done.

Then at 2. Away 5.

5 bid. At 5, 8, 10, 10 bid.

£10. 10 and done. Thank you.

£10.

You've just made yourself a £5 profit.

That has given me a plus total of £4 for the three.

So the big question is whether or

not you want to go for the bonus buy?

We do like it, but we're going to give it a miss.

-You're going to give it a miss.

-Yes.

-OK.

-Sorry, Caroline.

-That's fine.

OK. Remember Caroline paid £149 for this.

Nice object, deserves to do well.

Bid me £50 to start.

£50 I'm bid. At 50.

50 bid. At 60, 60 bid. 70, 70 bid.

At £70. I'm only bid at 70.

Is there any more?

At £70. There's the bid.

At £70 and I sell then at £70 and done.

Thank you.

-Oh.

-It was worth more. It was worth more.

It was worth more, but so many

things we've been looking at today have been worth more,

some have surprised us.

-Yes.

-You're leaving us in a

positive mood because you're £4 ahead of

the game. All right.

OK. It goes without saying, not a word to the Blues, OK.

All right, fine.

-Have you done lots of auctions?

-No.

-Never? Oh, right.

OK.

Sit back and enjoy the ride.

-We will.

-Here's your first item, ladies.

It is your cast brass figure of

Indian deity for which you paid a bullish sum of £130.

Yeah. Well, let's hope this girl performs for you, OK.

Speculative lot, bid me £100 to start me.

Come on, ladies.

I've got 50 on the net bid. At 50, 50 bid.

At £50. I'm only bid at 50. 50 bid. At 50.

I'll take 60. At £50 only. Only at 50. 50 bid.

-At 50, on the net.

-Come on.

On the net at £50 and I sell to the maiden bid and done then at

50 and done, thank you.

-Ah.

-OK.

Hey ho. So you're minus £80.

OK. Here comes your second item, it's your Charles Horner golf pin.

You paid £45 for it, let's see what it's going to make, coming up now.

£20 I'm bid. At £20 I'm bid.

At 20, 20 bid.

At 20, here's the bid on the net, at £20, I'm only bid at 20.

It doesn't seem a lot of money, really.

At £20. I'm only bid at 20.

20 bid and 5.

£25. I'm only bid 30.

30 bid. At £30 in the room. At 30, and 5.

One more. At £35, just try one more.

You'll get him out of trouble. 40, 40 bid.

At £40. It's your bid, sir.

45. At £45.

Here's the bid at £45.

Any more at all? At £45 and done, thank you.

-Ah.

-I think the expression is it sort of washed its face, isn't it?

Either way, we're still in minus £80.

We have our third item coming up and it is that lovely little enamel

butterfly. Paid £48 for it.

So let's hope this one flies away.

Who's got £30 to go?

30, I'm bid at 30.

A cheap lot. At 30, bid 5.

35. 35, 40. 5, at the back.

45. 45, 50, 50 bid. You're out, David.

60 now. Go on.

At 60. 60 bid.

At 60. 60 bid. £60. Any more?

At £60 and I sell then at £60 and done, thank you.

£60.

Well done, you.

You made yourself a nice little £12 profit there

which takes you down to a slightly more respectable minus £68.

-OK.

-OK.

Right, so we're at the crossroads, decision time.

Is it going to take much deciding?

No. I think I'd like to go for it.

You're going to go with the bonus lot.

-The WMF piece?

-The WMF piece.

OK, It's coming up now. Remember, Thomas paid £55.

£100 for it, quickly.

Well, bid me 50 to start.

Straight in, bid 50, 50 bid.

At 50. 60.

70. 70 bid.

80. 80 bid.

-At £80.

-Go on.

Go on. At 80 bid here.

At 80 bid.

At £80 and I sell, on my right.

Nice lot, at £80, and it's done then at 80 and done, thank you.

Ah.

£80.

So a positive £25.

It's getting better, isn't it?

It's taken your total to minus £43.

-Never mind.

-It's not too bad, is it?

-No.

-Right, ladies, I think well done.

I mean, you know, just keep the expression neutral and not a word to

-the Reds.

-Oh, definitely not.

-OK.

-Before I say anything, have we had fun?

-Yes, definitely.

-Really had fun.

-Sadly,

there has to be a runner-up and there has to be a winner.

And I can tell you today that the winners are...

-the Red team.

-YES!

-Yes.

It wasn't a huge positive on their part.

-No, no!

-But it was more of a minus on yours.

In all fairness, ladies, I don't think you're going to be

praying to your Indian deity, are you?

-No.

-I mean, that was a big, big hit, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-I mean, so much so that you ended up with minus £43.

-I know.

-Well, congratulations either way.

Thank you. Even more congratulations to you fellas.

I've got to say, you did play a very tactical game today, didn't you?

-We did.

-We did.

-Yeah.

-A little bit, yes.

-You did, yeah.

You could have gone with your bonus buy and you didn't.

-Yes.

-You would have lost big time on that, wouldn't you?

-We would, yes.

-The result could have been entirely different.

-Yes.

-So you've got to be commended on using your nouse there.

OK. So let me present you with your earnings.

-Thank you so much.

-The princely sum of £4.

Well, that's all from us. But, in the meantime,

you can catch us on the website or follow us on Twitter.

But better still, why not join us next time for some more

-Bargain Hunting, yes? ALL:

-YES!