Malvern and Leominster 16 Bargain Hunt

Today, the show is coming from Leominster,

a sleepy market town in Herefordshire.

But don't be fooled, there's more here than meets the eye.

This place is steeped in history and folklore

and Morris dancing has played an important role

over hundreds of years, in driving away the evil spirits,

and guaranteeing a good yield when it comes to the crop.

Well, as the Reds go head-to-head with the Blues,

who will end up with the biggest yield in antiques?

Well, there's only one way to find out.

-Let's go... ALL:

-Bargain hunting!

Well, there's plenty for our teams to choose from here.

Either way, you know the rules.

£300, one hour,

and three items that will hopefully give them a profit

when they sell at auction.

Meanwhile, here's a taste of what's coming up next.

The Reds are feeling confident...

-Inquire?

-Yeah, I'll give it a go, why not?

-Right, off you go.

-There's no hanging around for the Blues.

We've only got ten minutes left.

Well, we're going to have to make decisions.

At the auction, there's plenty of excitement for the Reds.

And surprises for the Blues.

And I'll give Morris dancing a go.

But all that is coming up later, so let's meet today's teams.

And we're keeping it in the family.

For the Reds, we've got father and son, Richard and Jack.

And for the Blues, we've got mother and daughter, Maya and Sharon.

-Hello. OTHERS:

-Hello!

Hello. Now tell me, Richard, what do you for a living?

I'm a theatre manager in Cannock, Eric.

So, have you actually been an actor?

Many, many years ago, Eric.

I was in a play with Ralph Fiennes when I was at school,

A Man For All Seasons.

But I think I decided a long while ago that what skills I did have

were placed at the other side of the stage

rather than treading the boards.

I'm told you're quite a collector.

Yeah, I've got quite a music collection, Eric.

You know, probably 700-800 albums,

full catalogue of Frank Zappa material.

And I've also got a collection of 1970s football silk scarves,

which my wife absolutely adores.

I'm finding that difficult to believe, forgive me.

OK, she's not quite as keen as me

-and they are actually in a suitcase in the loft.

-Yeah.

But one day, one day, I am hoping that they will adorn the house.

-Now I believe you.

-OK.

So, Jack, you share any of the same interests as your father?

Well, yeah. I mean, obviously, little things like watching TV.

-He's got me into Bargain Hunt, for one.

-Yeah.

But sports - sports was a big thing that, kind of,

my dad's always passed down to me.

I'm a huge football fan, a big Liverpool fan.

I didn't follow in his footsteps with Southampton.

But I also, like, love running. So, you know, me and my brother

would always go out running, and my mum.

So, I'm always kind of just doing anything active, really.

I believe you've actually done the marathon?

Yes, yeah, last year. So, me and my brother kind of...

He dragged me into it, I suppose.

That was basically what took up the whole of last year.

Actually, halfway around, when I was with my brother,

-he actually asked me to be the best man at his wedding.

-No!

Yeah, which was lovely going through the Isle of Dogs,

but then at the same time, wasn't really quite the time

to be talking about those things.

Listen, boys, what about tactics? You must have discussed this.

-We're going to buy things we like, Eric, I think.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

Yeah. You know, it's not hard.

-We'd like to win, we'd like to make profits...

-Yeah.

But more importantly, buy things we like.

OK, all right. Well, wonderful.

Now, Maya, tell me, you're retired these days?

-I am, yes.

-So, how are you filling the days?

Grandchildren, obviously.

I follow the local rugby, the local team, plus the national team.

And also, we play darts on a Thursday night

for our ladies' darts league and I'm the treasurer of the league.

And Sharon here is captain of our team.

And I believe you're also something of a big music fan.

Absolutely. I love Tom Jones.

Been to all his concerts and I actually managed to kiss him once.

-You did?

-I did.

-Oh, very good.

-Lives long in the memory.

-Right!

So, Sharon, how do you get on with your mum?

We get on very well. We're very close.

We only live four doors apart.

So, what about your hobbies? Are you big on music?

Not so much music, I like jigsaw puzzles.

-The bigger, the better.

-All right, OK.

-My biggest one so far is 4,000.

-No!

-But I'd like to do bigger.

But I need, you know, more space.

-You both obviously get on well together.

-Yes.

I instinctively can feel it between the two of you.

Mother and daughter bond.

So, you're going to have to bond on tactics, aren't you?

I get overexcited and she calms me down.

-I rein her in.

-Oh, I see, right.

-I rein her in.

-Yes.

-OK. Before you can start,

-you're going to need some money, aren't you?

-Yes, please.

-OK.

-I'm going to give you £300.

-That's very kind of you, thank you.

And not to be outdone, Reds, there's your £300.

-Thank you.

-At this stage, I've got to send you off

to meet your experts. So, we'll catch you later.

-Great.

-Thank you.

And we've lined up a couple of talented folk for today's teams.

Helping out the Reds, it's me old china, Caroline Hawley.

Aiming for a bull's-eye for the Blues, it's Thomas Plant.

So, Rich, what are you looking for today?

Right, I'm looking for things

that we're going to... That we like, Caroline,

but I'd like to buy some silver, some Deco, maybe.

Right, OK. And what about you, Jack?

I mean, I'd like to get something with some actual, real history.

-OK.

-So, something that's actually really old.

-I'm looking for something wooden. I like wood.

-Wooden?

I like wood, I like the feel of wood.

-Good. And what about you, Sharon?

-Something nautical.

-Nautical!

Right, teams, you've got 60 minutes, and your time starts now.

-Right, in we go.

-As the teams hit the antique shops

in Leominster High Street, let battle commence.

-Where are we going to go?

-That way.

-That way?

-Yes.

-Were you going to say that way, Sharon?

-Yes.

-Were you?

-I was, I was!

-Off you go. I'm leaving you, bye-bye.

-Bye!

So, while Sharon and Maya are galloping away,

it seems the Reds are off to a good start, too.

Do you have a similar taste, do you think, in antiques?

-I mean, when we...

-I think...

-When we watch things like Bargain Hunt...

-Yeah.

-Then we'll quite often agree on what...

-We have.

What we think is good and what we think is bad.

-Good, good, that's a very good sign.

-And things that we like, you know...

-OK.

-Oh, this is old and silver.

A pair of Victorian salts.

-Oh, that fits your criteria.

-Yes.

-Over 100 years old.

-But, I mean, it's over 100 years old.

-Yeah.

Very often, they have blue glass liners...

-Yeah, where's the liners? Yeah.

-To stop the salt corroding the silver.

-OK, right.

-Which it does very, very badly.

So, they might well have had liners.

And they'll be quite light in weight, I think that it's...

-It's not a bad price...

-Yeah.

-40-ish.

And the Blues might have found something

from their shopping list, too.

-I like the wooden bowls.

-What do you like about them?

I just like the look and the feel of them, they're solid.

Do know what that effect is called on there?

No, I don't. What is it?

Adzed.

-Adzed. It is!

-Is it?

-It's called adzed when it's all rough like that.

-Right.

-Yeah.

-I just really like it.

-Sometimes you get tables,

which has got this adzed effect to it.

Yes, it's £58, which is a rather expensive fruit bowl,

-I would believe.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-But I just like it.

It's just to say the sort of thing that I like.

-I like it as well.

-Good.

-But I think at 58, it's...

-I think there'll be other things, though.

-Move on.

So, off they go in pursuit of more wood.

That rocking horse is rather nice, isn't it?

Do you think?

-£280.

-Oh, I see! Too expensive.

You have got expensive taste!

Back to the Reds who are still browsing for silver.

What about cigarette cases? How do they do?

Not brilliantly, because people don't use them

for cigarettes any more. And they tend to be, very often,

not worth much more than their weight in silver.

OK, that sounds like a no.

But onwards and upwards.

So, while the Reds keep wondering, I wonder how the Blues are getting on.

-Yes, yeah.

-It's a very small little stool, isn't it?

-It's a very small little stool!

-£58.

-Yeah, that's too...

It's quite lovely, the elm, the wood.

-Would you get any profit, on that though?

-No.

-THEY LAUGH

-OK.

Oh, I love this egg...

-Eggs, there's just...

-Egg weighter there.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Oh, isn't that lovely?

-Oh, that's nice, Sharon.

-I like that.

-Yeah, yeah.

This an Edwardian dozen egg rack, £34.

-Not really.

-If we got it lower in price...

-We got it lower, yes.

-Possibly.

-That could be a possibility, couldn't it?

-Yeah, yeah.

-34. What were you thinking?

-I was thinking 20.

-Yeah, it was between 15 to 20, I was thinking.

-Yeah.

-We could bargain later, maybe.

-Well, you could go and bargain now!

-Oh, could I?

-Yeah.

So, what are you waiting for, Maya? Haggling skills at the ready.

-What's the verdict?

-£20.

-£20.

-Oh, that's not bad.

-And what have you said?

I said I'll come back and speak to you.

-So, I think at £20, I think that's rather charming.

-Yes, I think...

-I think it's charming, don't you?

-Yes.

-Yes, I do. And it's wooden.

-And it's wooden.

-Yes! And I like it, and we like it.

Well done, ladies.

Just under 15 minutes in and you have your first purchase.

That's what I like to see.

She's brilliant. Your mother's hilarious!

Now, how are the Reds getting on?

I start to feel the pressure after a little while.

-Are you feeling the pressure, Rich?

-I am! I am feeling a little...

-Oh, it's only going to get worse. It is going to get worse.

-I am sure.

Hey, Dad, there's a 1930s Art Deco clock over here.

-Is there? Let's have a look.

-Oh, yes, he said Art Deco.

-Oh, yeah.

-It's not the nicest Art Deco piece I've ever seen.

No, it's not quite what I meant, Jack.

-My God, you try and please some people!

-I know!

Never mind, Jack.

Back to the busy Blues

and Sharon has spotted something from her wish list.

What does it say on here? It says "brass ship's bell", dated 1939.

With bracket, it says, "with later hanging".

So, this is later, this is brand-new,

can you see it's brand-new?

-Right, I see.

-Yeah.

-You want my honest opinion?

It's nautical, and it's £95, but I don't think...

A, it's not homogenous, as in it all goes together.

-Right.

-Or I think it's a sort of, what we would term as...

-The old and the new.

-Well, yes, it's a bit of a mix.

-Put that one back.

-It's heavy.

At least we found something nautical to begin with.

-We found something nautical.

-Yeah, and I'm sure

there will be other things.

It might be nautical, but it's not nice.

That's the attitude! Keep on looking.

Meanwhile, are the Reds any closer

to finding their first item with this brooch?

I would put my money on that that that's jet.

-OK.

-From Whitby. Not far from me.

Well, myself and my wife, we were in Whitby a couple of years ago,

we were looking at jet and we never bought any and we kicked ourselves

for not doing it, to be honest with you.

Ah, well, there are lots of copies of jet.

I mean, jet hit the peak of popularity in the mid-19th century.

-Yeah.

-When Queen Victoria's husband died

and she went into a prolonged period of mourning,

jet was perfect for mourning jewellery,

but there are lots of people that copied it.

French jet, do you know what that is?

No, no, I'd only ever heard of Whitby.

Right, French jet is not jet at all. It's glass.

-There were copies made in bog oak, or vulcanite.

-Mm-hm.

Jet is a form of fossilised wood.

-OK. Can I have a look at it, do you mind?

-Yeah.

-OK.

So, is that something that you might be interested in?

You see, I like it, I mean, it is slightly chipped.

-Just a tiny smidgen.

-Tiny little chip.

-Yeah.

So, is that 10 or is that 16?

Wishful thinking, you want it to be a tenner.

-Oh, obviously I want it to be a tenner.

-I think it's 16.

-OK.

-But we can ask.

-We can only ask.

I think we should ask,

it would be nice to get one under our belt.

-Yeah.

-We both like it.

Right, well, do you want to go and see if you can enquire?

-Yeah, I'll give it a go, why not?

-Right, off you go.

-There you go.

-Is he a good haggler?

-I think he probably will be.

Off you go, Jack, and good luck negotiating

with Nicola from Minster House Antiques.

-Would she go for ten?

-12.

12? 12?

-11, cut it in the middle?

-11? 11.

-11's fine, let's go for it.

-OK. Sorted.

-Safe, thank you very much.

-£11 I got it for.

-Ooh!

So, not bad, a fiver off.

-That is brilliant.

-Chuffed to bits.

-Close enough.

And I am sure that's jet.

Well, the lady on the phone said it was jet, so...

Yeah, and that is for nothing.

-Honestly, that really is.

-Brilliant.

I was in Whitby recently and they are so much more money.

-I remember how much they were.

-Brilliant.

-Fantastic.

-Great, good boy.

-One done.

-Yes! Brilliant.

-Let's go get number two.

-Let's go.

So, we're just under the halfway mark and both teams

now have one item in the bag.

-We won't be able to afford that.

-I know, but isn't it gorgeous?

Gorgeous, but at £295, maybe a little bit too pricey for our Reds.

It's old, but it's not in great condition.

-It is old.

-No.

-The condition worries me, to be honest with you.

-Yeah. We need old and good.

-Old and good.

-Keep looking.

So, what have the Blues spotted?

That... Is that an inkwell in the middle, looks like a capstan?

Yes, it does.

-Nautical, you see.

-It is.

It's a capstan inkwell.

-Would you like to have a look at it? And it is silver.

-Yes, please.

-Cabinet 56, I'll go and get the key.

-Thank you.

-I like it, do you like it?

-I do like it.

Right, here we are, it's this one here, Stan.

-Down below?

-No, the top one, actually.

-Ah, right.

There we are.

So, you've got the anchor mark there for Birmingham,

the lion passant for the silver.

1914, 1915.

Yes, it's got a monogram on it. Slightly dented in places.

But it is a capstan. £75.

What do you think?

I think £75 is a little bit too much, Stan.

Well, we'll see if we can squeeze it down a bit for you.

-Would you mind?

-I'll certainly have a go.

Let me have it, I'll make a phone call.

That would be good, you know, maybe, maybe you could be

really, really cheeky and ask them if it could start with a 4?

So, while the Blues are waiting for a price,

what have the Reds stumbled across?

-And there we go.

-There we go.

Look at that, that's a proper job.

Now, that's a lovely wooden-bound trunk.

Look at the inside, oh, gosh.

I mean, the hinge may have gone a little, but...

That's all metal.

-It's wooden-bound there, which is nice.

-Hm.

Has it got a handle at your side?

Yeah, it's got a handle on my side, it's got a handle on your side.

-A handle on both sides.

-Yeah.

-It's got the locking mechanism,

-I mean, I don't know whether...

-I don't think...

-It's only going to be decorative, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's functional, someone's going to use that.

-Yeah.

It's a nice condition. It's a nice colour.

-It is, it is a nice condition. I like it.

-Right.

-I like it, I really do.

-What about price? How much is it?

Well, it says, it was 78 and it's on sale for 48.

-Right.

-I mean, how much do you think we should be paying for this,

-Caroline, would you say?

-I think it needs to be a bit less.

OK, Dad, do you want to have a go at getting this one?

-Yeah, I do. I like it.

-Give it a go, then.

Are you a good negotiator?

Whether I'm as good as Jack, we shall see,

-but I'm going to give it a go, Caroline.

-Good! Bon chance!

Brilliant, I'm off. Thank you.

So, whilst Richard is off to clinch a deal,

will it be good news for the Blues?

-Yes, we can do it for £45.

-Whoa!

-Oh, excellent! Thank you.

-What are you going to do?

-I'm going to shake the gentleman's hand.

-Do that.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you.

-Well done, Blues.

So, that's the second item ticked off your list.

Back with the Reds and has Richard secured a deal on the trunk?

-We're going to do it.

-OK.

-Thank you very much.

-£40, then.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Cheers.

-It's done.

-It's done?

-Good!

Could only get it for 40,

I tried to get it a little bit cheaper, but at the end of the day,

me and Jack, we both like it.

-Brilliant.

-And if 40's the price,

then they'll just have to buy it for 50.

-Brilliant!

-Yeah.

-That's the attitude, Reds.

And your second item is bought.

OK, guys, what you want to do now?

Do you want to stay here or do you want to go somewhere else

-for the third one?

-I think we bought two things here,

-let's go and give another shop a try.

-Right, OK.

Right, we've got 20 minutes to get the last item.

-Or more!

-Here we go, then.

So, are you pleased with how it's going Caroline?

These guys are doing really, really well.

They've got two fantastic buys

and I'm sure the third one will be equally good.

With the Reds now in the same antique centre,

the Blues are heading upstairs.

So, how are things going, Thomas?

So far, spent £65 on two items, which is pretty good going.

They've both got what they wanted, which is very good.

What's the third item going to be?

Could it be this bamboo umbrella stand?

-That is lovely.

-It is a nice thing, isn't it?

-Yes, I like that.

-We can always come back to it, have a walk around.

-Come on.

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

Meanwhile, what does Jack have his eye on?

What have you spied there, Jack?

-A spyglass with a leather case.

-Ooh!

-Read that.

-By Ross of London.

And it's owned by a Major-General Napier of the Gordon Highlanders.

-And how much is it?

-£160.

Do you think we should keep looking?

-We can always come back to that, can't we?

-Yeah.

-We've got...

-We'll put it away.

-We've got money to come back to that if we need to.

Those are pretty, those lovely, lovely brass

in enamel-inlaid candlesticks.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Do you like those?

-I don't.

-No, no!

-Because I don't like candlesticks.

-I can see,

-they were met with a disgust!

-Yes.

Anything else in this cabinet you like?

-The dolphin.

-Royal Crown Derby dolphin paperweight.

It's £95.

-It's quite expensive.

-It is quick expensive.

Of course, if you slashed down the price, you might get a profit

because there are lots of collectors out there

for Royal Crown Derby paperweights.

But I don't know if the dolphin is a rare one.

I think it's quite a big risk to spend the thick end of £100.

I think I'd rather try and do a deal on the...

-The...

-Umbrella stand.

-Umbrella stand.

-The sticks, the umbrella stand?

-I really like that.

-Do you like that, Sharon?

-Yes.

Shall we walk around and see if we see anything else

-on the way round?

-Walk round this way, shall we?

Hm, I'm disappointed about the candlesticks.

Never mind, but hurry, Thomas, your team is running out of time.

Back to the Reds and are things fairing any better?

-Oh, you found your Deco!

-Just seen this little bit of Deco.

-It's got....

-Ah, it's got the glass liner.

It's got the glass liner, which isn't always there, is it?

-No, not at all.

-I don't know if these things still...

-Ah, they still turn!

-They still turn nicely.

See, that is very contemporary.

The black and the chrome.

-I think that looks great, yeah.

-It does look great.

I'm... I wish it was sort of...

-What?

-40 quid cheaper!

-Yeah.

But yeah, looks great.

-120, to me, seems steep.

-I know.

I mean, I mean, if we could get it for significantly cheaper...

I was going to ask the question, do you think 80 would be a goer?

There's a chance, you haven't got many others,

-because we are going, going, going.

-Yeah, no, well...

We've got very few minutes left.

-I will see what I can do.

-Right.

Go on, Jack, good luck.

OK, brilliant, I really want to look into this...

-Yeah.

-And I really need the very, very bottom price

that we can do on this.

Well, it says £120, the very, very bottom price

would be £90 to you, sir.

You see, we were looking at 70 or 80, do you think there's any way?

-Hmm...

-I mean, really, 70 is what we were looking at.

I'll see if we can squeeze it down a bit more for you.

That would be fantastic.

120, said 90, they're saying 70.

-Your powers of persuasion have won.

-There we go, fantastic!

-It can be 75.

-75, I think 75 would be brilliant.

-Is that a deal?

-It's a deal.

Brilliant, Reg, you've done it.

Three items in the bag, with only five minutes to spare.

I couldn't get it for 80.

-But I did get it for 75.

-Oh!

-So, not bad, hey?

-Brilliant.

-That's pretty good!

-That's really good!

-Excellent, well, done, you!

-I'm pleased with that.

-Brilliant.

All the items got, and I'm delighted,

-because we only have five minutes left.

-Great!

-Ha-ha!

-As many as five?!

-Yes!

Well, we're going to have to make decisions.

So, with only minutes to go,

will they go back to the stick stand that was priced at £75?

We need a really good price on that.

-You want to come with me?

-Come on, then.

-Yeah?

We've got this.

-And we like it.

-Very much.

-And it's £75.

-It is.

-Can we offer 30?

No, but seeing as I gave you 45 before, I can make it 45,

-but that would be the best.

-Yes?

-What do you think?

-What do you think?

-I think we should go for it.

-I like it.

-Yeah?

-Come on, three items.

-Yes!

-Yes? Third item sold? Yay!

-I think that's brilliant.

-Well done, Blues,

you've clinched your final deal in the nick of time.

Teams, your time's up!

OK, come on, let's go and get that cup of tea.

-Yes.

-Yeah, come on.

-Right.

Let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

First, they got lucky with this horseshoe-shaped jet brooch,

costing them £11.

And on their travels, they found this trunk, bought for £40.

And finally, this Art Deco-style desk stand was picked up for £75.

Caroline, they spread the net far and wide, these two, didn't they?

They did, indeed, yes. Yes.

But it was quite specific what you were looking for, wasn't it, Jack?

Yeah, we had an idea in our minds at the start,

and we pretty much stuck to it, I think, we did pretty well there.

-Yeah, I think so.

-Mmm.

And then you brought your secret weapon with you.

-Here he is, Jack the haggler!

-Indeed.

I mean, what a bargainer! Is it second nature to you?

It's just years of trying to skimp off him, I think, most of the time.

I'm trying to make sure I'm paying as little as possible!

Tell me, Jack, what was your favourite item?

Er, my favourite item, the trunk.

The trunk that we got for the second item, I think that was really cool.

-You like that?

-Yeah, I thought that was good.

Which of the three do you think's going to give you

-the biggest profit?

-I think probably the jet brooch.

The jet. Richard, what about you, favourite item?

Favourite item is the Art Deco desk stand, definitely.

But in terms of profit, I think possibly the trunk might, you know,

I think that could surprise.

-That might surprise you?

-Yeah, I think so.

-OK.

So, what was your total spend?

£126.

-Yep.

-£126, which means that you're going to give me...

All right for this. £174, is that correct?

-Yes, there you go.

-174.

Caroline, you can work wonders with that for the bonus buy, can't you?

Thank you! I can indeed, and I've got my eye on something.

-Oh, have you indeed?

-Mmm.

So, while Caroline goes off in pursuit of the bonus buy,

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

First up, will this wooden rack turn out to be a profitable nest egg

at the auction? Price paid, £20.

Next, they signed a deal on this silver Capstan inkwell,

costing them £45.

And finally, this bamboo umbrella stand was bought for £45.

So, Thomas, a steady buy,

and focused, wanting something nautical,

you know, tick. And the other items, you know,

they both seem to be very functional and useful things, yes?

Very functional, very useful.

-I think these two are quite careful with their money.

-Mmm.

So, Maya, what was your favourite buy?

The umbrella-cum-stick stand, I like that very much.

And what do you think is going to give you the biggest profit?

-I think maybe that one, actually.

-You think so?

-Yes.

I think it could actually fly out, I like it.

So, Sharon, your favourite buy?

My silver nautical item.

-Oh, right, the capstan ink stand.

-That's the one.

-Right.

-You did find something nautical after all.

-I did, yes.

Well done, you. But what's going to give you the biggest profit?

I think the egg stand, or the egg holder.

-Oh, right. Yeah, again, a functional object.

-Yes.

So, what was your total spend, ladies?

£110.

£110, right.

So, you're going to give me £190.

-I am.

-OK. Thomas, £190, it's yours.

Well, do you know what, I think I've learned from these two

how to be careful with one's money.

So, I might not spend it all.

-Oh!

-Ooh!

-Right, OK.

While Thomas goes off on his careful spend,

I'm off to explore a little bit of local history.

THEY CHEER

Well, Morris dancing might appear to be

one of those age-old English traditions,

but like so many folk customs,

its origins appear to have been lost in the mists of time

and I'm here to find out more.

Putting me through my paces is Mike Salter,

who's a bit of an expert on the history of Morris dancing,

and who's also the leader of the Madcap Morris dance group.

Sticking... Partner!

On the side...

So, take me back in time to how it all began.

The first records of Morris are mid-15th century.

Nobody knows, really, how it started,

but one theory that bears some weight is that it's a result of

one of Edward III's sons, known as John of Gaunt,

who married a Spanish princess.

-Yes.

-The Spanish had a tradition of a fighting dance,

commemorated a victory over the Moors in the mid-12th century.

-Mm-hmm.

-So, this is a dance where people clashed swords together.

And, indeed, swords were used for Morris in this country

until at least the 18th century.

Whilst the earliest records place Morris dancing

within the royal courts, by the 17th century,

it was performed as a popular folk dance in the parishes.

But changing attitudes and the loss of patronage

led to the decline of Morris dancing during the 19th century.

Until Cecil Sharp, a music teacher from Somerset,

started the revival of this popular folk dance.

Fortunately, Cecil Sharp came around and discovered the Headington Morris

in 1899.

And he got interested in their dances,

and collected the dances from the Cotswold area.

The interest generated by his collection

of over 100 Morris and sword dances from across the country

definitely kept the tradition alive.

At least until the two World Wars claimed the lives of many

of those revival dancers,

and Morris dancing was again on the verge of extinction.

And then, more recently, in the '60s and '70s,

there's been, like, another boom,

and the Welsh Border Morris that we perform is part of that.

The essential thing about the Border Morris

is that the original collected dances are actually quite simple,

as indeed would be the costume.

Whereas the Cotswold Morris and the north-west Morris

are much more complicated forms of dance,

because they had better patronages, you know,

from the lord of the manor, or from, you know,

people paying the teams to perform, and that sort of thing.

Now, the thing is, Mike, when I think about Morris dancers,

I think of Morris men.

Currently, in the UK, there's something like about 700 sides,

or teams, of which roughly probably 40% would be mixed -

so mixed teams are in fashion now!

-Cross over!

-THEY CHEER

So, how long have you been Morris dancing?

Er, about eight years.

-Eight years.

-About that.

-Right.

-Yeah.

I just love dancing, and I discovered this,

-so I had to do it as well.

-Sue, what about you?

I'd seen other Morris dancers and thought I really liked it,

and I like the fact that it's Border,

and it's with sticks and very much flamboyant and fun.

Turn around!

Goodness me, that was great fun.

I'd love to stay, but I've got to find an auction somewhere out there.

When you've got to go, you've got to go.

Well, from Herefordshire, we've moved back

into the county of Worcestershire. We're at the Malvern Saleroom,

and I am with the proprietor and auctioneer,

none other than Mr Philip Serrell.

-Mr Eric Knowles, how are you, sir?

-I'm very well, thank you.

-It's lovely to see you, Eric.

-Well, thank you, too.

-We've got to be, again, very businesslike, Phil.

-Yep.

The Red team today is Jack and Richard.

And they have bought, for starters, a little Whitby jet brooch.

-Do you want to have a look?

-Yeah. I quite like that.

And I don't know if this is by accident or design,

but there's quite a big horse and hunting fraternity around here,

so that might actually just go on someone's wish list.

We put £5 to £10 on it.

If they have a result, it could make 15 or 20 quid.

OK, well, they're going to need a result,

-because they paid £11 for that.

-OK, yep.

Second item is, wait for this...

-They're everywhere these days, aren't they?

-They are, aren't they?

But I think that's quite cool, isn't it? Erm...

We've put £20-40 on that.

It's a bit of a plain Jane, I thought,

but I quite like the wooden banding to it.

-They paid £40 for it.

-Mmm.

It seems to be the going rate out there, retail, isn't it?

Yeah, it is. Very much so, very much so.

-But it's all there, isn't it?

-Either way,

their final purchase was this Art Deco ink stand.

Would it be called Art Deco?

I go in for calling things like this sort of art moderne.

-Yeah.

-Erm...

-It's a bit later, isn't it?

It is. Certainly the 1930s.

Yeah. I love the calendar in the middle, I love the inkwell.

But the fact that the pen holder doesn't have a pen

just, for me, kind of holds it back a bit.

And that's, for me, why I put £20-40 on it.

I might be being a bit mean, but it's just, you know...

It's missing something.

Well, they paid £75 for it.

I think you are being a bit mean there,

but the proof will be not in the pudding, but in the selling.

Absolutely right. I'll try and do my best.

Well, after all that, will they need their bonus buy?

Well, let's take a look.

Well, you did leave our Caroline here £174 to go out and spend,

and spend she did.

So, Caroline, show us your spend.

Ooh!

-Do you know what it is?

-Is it a vinaigrette?

It is. Tiny little vinaigrette.

-It's a really small one, isn't it?

-Really beautiful.

And the silver mark here, it's marked for Birmingham.

1783.

-Blimey, that is old.

-That is old.

-That is old, really old.

That is old, isn't it? That is ancient.

Inside here, there would be a sponge impregnated with oils,

so a lady could hold it under her nose

to take away the foul-smelling sewers.

-And there's the sponge still inside.

-Oh, wow.

How much did you spend on it?

Well, I think I did quite well, though I say it myself.

I paid £100.

-OK.

-OK, and what do you think it'll make, Caroline?

-I think it could make as much as 150, or even a bit more.

-OK.

Well, as always, fellas,

you don't have to make your decision

until you've sold your first three items.

But in the meantime, let's find out what our auctioneer has to say

about Caroline's Georgian gorgeousness.

So, here it is, Phil, one bonus buy.

This is clearly

if you only needed a short sniff and not a long sniff,

because it's one of the smallest vinaigrettes I have ever seen.

I have never seen one as small as that.

Vinaigrettes used to make three figures all the time, all day long.

I see this at being sort of perhaps £60-90.

She paid £100.

It is tiny.

-It is, isn't it?

-Do think that might sort of make it,

for want of a better term, stand out that bit more?

-Well, I hope it does.

-Well, I've said it before, but time will tell.

So, that's the Red team.

Meantime, let's go over and see what the Blue team bought.

This is Maya and Sharon.

And that's quite an egg stand you've got there, isn't it?

It is. I mean, we can't afford that many eggs in our house.

But I can see that having a certain amount of desirability,

but I can't see it beyond £5-10.

OK, well, they paid £20 for it,

so they may be taking a hit on that one.

I think with item number two,

they're going to stand a slightly better chance.

Yeah, well, it's a capstan inkwell.

It's hallmarked Birmingham, 1911.

I mean, I see that making £40-60.

Oh, well, they paid £45 for it, so, I mean,

that could readdress the balance if the eggs don't do their stuff.

But their final lot I find very pleasing.

Well, I love that. I mean, you're the expert, Eric, but those to me,

they're clearly not,

but they're very reminiscent of Moorcroft tiles.

Bamboo furniture, it's collectible.

It's nice that it's got this drip tray here,

whether it's original or not, I don't know.

But a lot of them have either rusted away or rotted away,

and I've put what I think is a fairly mean £50-80 on that.

Well, they paid 45 for it.

I think you're fair to say

that there could be a reasonable profit in that,

but will they or will they not need their bonus buy?

Well, let's found out what it is.

Thomas, you went and spent. Well, what did you spend on?

-Ooh!

-I got you this... This is really...

-Ooh!

This is a novelty inkwell in the form of a rugby ball.

It could be a football, but I think

-it more looks like a rugby ball, really.

-Rugby ball.

And cos you've got the stitching here,

and it's a novelty inkwell where you dip your pen in the ink there.

Made in Britain, 1910-1920.

See on the base, we've got a registered design mark here.

It's in stoneware, it was a grand total of £88.

-Ooh.

-Yeah. A lot of money, actually.

A lot of money for a novelty thing like this.

But it is... I've never seen one since

and I don't think I'll see another one for a while.

So, how much do you think that would make at auction, then, Thomas?

Well, this is a chancy lot, because I paid £88 for it,

-as you know. So, that's quite a lot of money, £88.

-Yes.

So, it could make a small profit.

But then again, it could fly and make 120, 130,

140 if there is that collector in the room.

-Which we hope there is.

-Fingers crossed.

-Maybe a bidder online.

Somebody's left a bid because it's so rare.

Well ladies, do remember that you don't have to make your decision

until you've sold all three items.

So, in the meantime,

let's find out what the auctioneer has to say

about Thomas' novelty inkwell.

Well there it is, Phil.

It's an inkwell.

I think that's going to appeal to someone

who collects sports memorabilia. I quite like that.

I think it's going to make probably, I don't know, £60-90,

-that sort of region.

-You've seen one before?

-No, never ever.

-Neither have I, neither have I.

-Paid £80 for it, did our Tom.

-Yeah.

I think it's one of those things, you see it,

and you either buy it on the basis that you know

you'll probably never see another one again.

-So, you on the rostrum today, Phil?

-Indeed I am.

We're in a pair of very safe hands.

£40 to start. 45, 45...

GAVEL BANGS

-How we feeling, boys?

-Good.

-Yeah.

A bit nervous, but...

-Who knows?

-Great expectations?

Well...

I expect things to sell, and I think we'll make a profit, but...

We might surprise ourselves, Eric. We just might surprise ourselves.

Good, good. I think if you think positive, things will happen.

-Absolutely.

-OK.

Lot number 373 is a little... A lovely little jet brooch.

I don't know, maybe £10 to start. Quick, quick. Who's got a tenner?

£5, quickly.

Five, I'm bid, five, eight, ten.

10 bid... Yes, 15.

-15, 20, 20 bid.

-Yes!

At £20, I'm only bid at 20. Any more at all?

At £20 in the second row, and done then at 20, and done.

-Thank you.

-Nice!

Nice once, there we go!

Well, that's a good start, you're £9 ahead.

So, second item coming up, it's the travelling trunk, paid £40 for it.

Bid me for this lot, I don't know, who's got £30 to start me?

-Come on.

-It's more than 20, come on.

-Tenner to go?

Ten I'm bid, at ten, ten bid, don't hide.

At £10, I'm only bid at ten, ten bid.

At £10, this is no money at all for it.

Ten, I'm only bid.

At £10 and I sell it at ten and done, thank you.

Ooh!

£10.

Minus... They're in a minus 21 situation at the moment.

-We'll that's my age, so that's all right.

-OK!

-379 is...

-Here's your third item coming up,

it's your Art Deco inkstand. Paid £75 for it.

Start me at £30.

30 I've got here, at 30, 30 bid.

At £30. I need five.

35. 35, 35.

You're out, the net's in. You're going to have to go 40 now.

Go on, 40! 40 bid.

-Come on, then.

-At 45.

-50, 50 bid.

-Yes! Keep going!

-£50, I'm only bid at 50.

At £50 in the room and I sell, then.

Oh! Dear!

So, £50 sell there, minus 25, we had minus 21,

we've now gone to minus £46.

So, are you players, when it comes to the bonus buy?

-We're going with Caroline.

-Yeah.

-We're going with Caroline.

-You're going with Caroline, OK.

Lot number 385 is this really sweet little vinaigrette.

I've got a £60 bid, at 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 bid with me.

-At 110, 120, 130, 140.

-Yes!

150, 160, what do I know?

170, 180. 210, 220.

You'd better have another one!

230, 240.

-Just one more.

-Come on!

250, 260, just one more.

-One more, go on!

-Keep going!

-At 260, with me at 260.

-280.

-Fill it up!

280 bid with me, any more?

280 and done, thank you.

-Well done.

-Goodness me!

-You are a genius.

-Brilliant. You are a genius.

-You are a little genius!

You were minus £46, all right?

You just sold that for 280, you made a £180 profit, OK?

Take one from the other, and you're then in a positive of £134.

-Unbelievable.

-Yeah!

-Decent, very good.

-Thank you, Caroline.

Talk about good things come to those who wait.

-Yep. Let's hope so.

-What a clever girl, eh?

-She is, genius.

-Genius. Absolute genius.

-You know, not a word to the Blues.

-No.

Ladies, are you regulars at the auctions?

-No, never been before.

-Oh, you've never been?

-No.

No? OK. Are you feeling a sense of excitement?

-Yes, absolutely. Excited. Really excited.

-You are?

That's what we want, the excitement factor.

-We want the excitement factor.

-We do as well,

-because we're just as excited, aren't we, Tom?

-Always.

Wooden 12-division egg stand.

Put it in the bidding, start me off, who's got a tenner to go?

£5 to start me.

Oh! Mary Berry would need this.

Five, I'm bid on the net at five. Five, I'm bid.

-£5, here's the bid.

-Come on, get it going!

At five, five bid, £5. Is there any more at all?

And I sell, then, at five and done. Thank you.

£5, do you like that?

It's not the end of the world. OK? Everything else to play for.

So, that's your second item coming up now,

-it's the silver capstan inkwell, for which you paid £45.

-Yes.

Let's see where we go.

Bid me £50 to start.

Ah, 50 I am bid.

-Gone.

-Yes!

-Capstan silver inkwell.

-Into profit.

-50, I'm bid at 50, 50 bid.

At 50, £50 only.

A cheap lot. £50, any more?

At £50 and I sell then at 50 and done, thank you.

OK. Right, so you've made a £5 profit

which takes us to minus £10.

-Just minus 10.

-So, we're chipping away at that.

So, here comes your third and final item,

-it's the bamboo sort of hall stand.

-Yes.

£45, you paid for it, I think that was a good buy.

Bid me £100 to start.

Who's got £50 to bid me?

-Surely?

-Come on!

-Come on.

-Surely, surely, surely? £50, anywhere.

I think this is an absolute snip at 50 quid.

-Who's got £30?

-Go on!

30 I am bid on the net, at 30.

35, 35.

Look at the tiles on the back, at £35 I'm only bid.

Is there any more at all?

And £35 and I sell then at 35 and done, thank you.

Oh, dear!

You paid £45, sold it for £35, minus 10.

You were already at minus 10, so we're now at minus 20.

-What about the bonus buy?

-I can't advise you!

No, you've got to make your own minds up.

-Got to make your own mind up.

-OK.

Remember exactly what it cost?

Tommy said...

It cost £88, but Tommy said he'd never seen one like it before.

I haven't, no.

-OK.

-So, as we're on a minus situation, anyway...

-I love your logic.

-Hey, that's what I like.

-Welsh rugby.

-Fighting spirit.

Lot number 413 is this really cool...

I think it's probably an inkwell.

But it's a football or a rugby ball.

Bid me for that, start me, who's got £100?

Bid me £50 to start.

Come on!

-Bid me £20 to start.

-Oh, no! Come on.

-Surely?

20, I'm bid at 20. 20 bid.

Internet, this is for you.

At £20, only bid at 20, 25 on the net, 30 is it now.

30, five.

At 35, 35.

At 35. Any more at all?

At £35 and I sell, then, at 35 and done, thank you.

Oh!

Sadly, that was a loss of minus £53.

We were already minus 20, we're now at minus 73.

So, you were very brave going on the bonus buy, I've got to say,

and not a word to the Reds, OK?

Well, I think we had a fun little show today.

I really do, because all teams, you bought good and interesting objects.

And so, it's hard to say who's the runner-up,

but we do have to have one.

And so, the runner-up today, I can tell you, is our Blue team.

-ALL:

-Oh!

I'm so sorry.

If we'd have just had a few more sporting memorabilia enthusiasts,

it could have been all so different, couldn't it?

It could. But we've enjoyed it.

You have enjoyed, and that's all I really need to know.

I have to say that your final total was minus 73.

Don't dwell on that, just dwell on the fun factor.

And Reds, what do we say?

I mean, it really was down to that bonus buy today, wasn't it?

-Brilliant.

-Yeah.

-Caroline, absolute genius.

Yeah, at £280.

She paid 100 for it.

-£180 worth of profit.

-All down to her.

You can see what I'm talking about.

I mean... So, full marks all round.

So, in total, you did yourself £134 worth of profit.

-Thank you very much.

-OK?

-Lovely.

So, despite the result, a splendid time was had by all, yes?

-Yes.

-Brilliant.

-Well, that's it from us but in the meantime,

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

But better still, join us next time for some more bargain-hunting, yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!