Anglesey 15 Bargain Hunt

Today on Bargain Hunt, I'm going to be trying my hand at milling...

..putting these enormous Victorian cogs into action

and producing my own flour.

But before all that,

I'm off to an antiques fair on the island of Anglesey.

Will it be the Reds or will it be the Blues that make the most bread?

So, let's go Bargain Hunting!

Both of our teams have got £300 and one hour in which to buy three items

that hopefully will return them a profit

when they sell on at the auction.

Here's a taste of what's coming up.

On today's show, the Reds have some unusual ideas about antiques.

Not for sucking boils, is it?

THEY LAUGH

Sucking boils?!

The Blues are spoilt for choice.

-Look at the big one.

-Look at the medium-size one!

-Wow!

-Look at the leather one!

And at the auction, will the Reds make the most profit...

GAVEL BANGS

Get in!

..or will it be the Blues that come out on top?

GAVEL BANGS

-Yes!

-Yes.

But all that is coming up later.

So let's meet today's teams.

And for the Red team, we've got father and daughter Gwyn and Sian.

And for the Blues, we've got husband and wife Rob and Katie.

Hello. ALL: Hello!

So, Gwyn, I know that you're retired,

but tell me a little bit about your previous job.

My main job was being a policeman for the last 30 years, up to 1998.

I ended up in a crime prevention office around the island here.

And one of the nicest things I had happen to me there was, I had a

youth crime prevention panel, and they won a major award down in London,

and I was presented by Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne,

which was a great achievement for these kids,

which shows us not all kids are bad.

So, Gwyn, how do you spend your retirement?

I did run the, or was chairman of the local football club in the

village down the road here called Gaerwen, and I did that for a number of years.

And I like a bit of sea angling as well.

-So never a dull moment?

-Never a dull moment, always something to do.

Right. Sian, tell me a little bit more about your life.

I'm a mum of three. I did have a hairdressing salon and I gave it up

about 14, 15 years ago to become a mum.

I've just gone back into it for the last year, and it's really,

really busy. It's taken off really well.

Do you ever get any spare time? And if you do, how do you fill that?

I think I'm following in his footsteps.

I'm also chair of a local football club in Abergele.

I also do like to bake, and I do my nan's traditional Bara brith recipe.

And is it one of those things you spread with sort of butter, or...

Well, I don't put butter on, but I must admit, everybody says,

"It's lovely with butter, isn't it?" And when they say that, I'm like, "I have to have a piece with butter."

And what about your antique knowledge?

My... Ooh, minimal.

Yeah. So what's the team plan? What's the tactics?

My plan is to spend very, very...

I'm a bit tight with the money.

I'd probably spend high.

-OK. All right.

-Whoops!

Well, hopefully you'll find a sort of a happy medium.

-I'm sure we will.

-Oh, we'll agree on something.

-I'm sure we will.

-Yeah, yeah.

-So, good luck.

-Thank you.

I'm turning my attention to the Blue team, Rob and Katie.

So, Rob, tell me, what do you do for a living?

I work full-time as a youth pastor, so I work for a church in Liverpool.

It depends on the day what I'm doing,

so I can work in schools which can involve mentoring young people one-to-one,

or working with different groups of young people,

or perhaps on our premises running different youth clubs, perhaps.

So, yeah, it's...very interesting.

When it comes to sport, what's your game?

-Football.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, so I'm a big Liverpool fan.

So it pains me today to be wearing blue, but there we go.

-What can you do?

-Yeah.

ERIC LAUGHS

So, Katie, how do you fill the days?

Well, I've got three, or we've got three beautiful girls,

so they keep me busy. It's like a full-time job.

But beside that, I actually work alongside Rob.

But I actually do the children's work in our church, which, again,

is just really, really busy, but it's great and I love it.

What about spare time?

-I mean, how do you fill that?

-In my spare time, I love to sew,

so I like to sew things from bunting and cushions.

But it's a quite, quite a quick and unique way that I sew,

so I can draw pictures on my sewing machine with a special needle.

So I can applique camper vans and all sorts of things, so that looks really cool.

What about the world of antiques?

Yeah. Well, we wouldn't say we've got a lot of knowledge of

antiques, to be honest with you, but we go to a lot of car-boot sales,

a lot of charity shops,

and have filled our home with quite a few different things.

-So, yeah.

-What's the plan?

We think maybe not spend too much.

-But then again...

-Not too much, but if you see something...

-That's right.

-I don't know. If you see something, then you're

like... But I think it's in between, isn't it?

-Yeah, we'll see what happens.

-Right.

-OK. So before you can spend, you're going to need some money, aren't you?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-So there you are, £300, Blue team.

-Thank you.

-Not to leave you out, Reds, there's your £300.

-Thank you.

So this is where you go off and you meet your relative experts.

So I'll see you later.

-Great. Thank you.

-Thank you!

Well, it strikes me that we've got two very evenly matched teams here

today, so it could be that we're in for something of a close call.

So, with £300 at the ready, all our teams need now are their experts.

Looking to snap up a profit for the Reds, it's...

And just the ticket for the Blues, it's...

So, Gwyn, what are we looking for today?

Well, you know, Thomas, I'm looking for some old toys.

Something, people might say, "I had one of them at home."

-Right.

-And cuff links.

-Something functional.

-Silver.

-Silver?

-Trinket-y, Chinese-y.

-Something small, a piece of jewellery or trinket-y.

-OK.

Chinese, functional, silver, garden stuff. I don't know!

Reds, Blues, your 60 minutes starts now.

BIG GONG SOUND EFFECT

-Let's go!

-THEY LAUGH

-Let's go.

-Let's go.

-THEY LAUGH

With shopping lists that long,

it's a good thing that this antiques fair

has over 250 stalls and plenty to choose from.

And Gwyn is already on the hunt for the cuff links.

Why the cuff link obsession?

I bought a pair for £3 in a charity shop...

THOMAS LAUGHS

-..and I've seen them on Bargain Hunt for £60.

-Go, let's go.

-Does this happen all the time?

I think Sian has heard this story a thousand times before, Thomas.

Meanwhile, the Blues aren't hanging around.

They've already started the hunt for their silver item.

Are these sugar things?

Sugar nips, or sugar tongs.

-Oh, yeah, OK.

-Ooh!

-Yes.

Now those are very decorative, aren't they?

Now, where's the...? There's the silver mark.

-How much are they?

-35.

-Little bit steep.

-Little bit steep.

-So, something to think about?

-I think so, we know it's here.

-Should we think about it, yeah?

-Yes.

-I think we should.

-I mean, it's early days, isn't it?

-It is early days.

-I think so.

-Yeah.

The first minute!

Caroline's right, Blues, you've still got plenty of time.

It's great to see such eager teams.

Now, has Gwyn found something he's willing to splash out on?

Yeah, I quite like the fountain.

-So do I.

-Do you like the fountain?

-Not really, no.

-No, it's not quite your cup of tea.

No, I'm after a bit more blingy.

I don't think Gwyn's listening to you, Sian.

How much have we got on the...

..fountain, please?

-I'll take...

-It's got a bit of damage on the top.

-It's broken there.

-I'll take 20.

Take 20, and that'll be rock-bottom.

Could you go down to 15?

No. ERIC: Oh, Sian's not impressed.

In between?

-18.

-Oh...!

18?

Your call.

What do you mean, it's our call?!

-Well, we've only just started.

-You're in this together!

-Deal, deal.

-Look at him, he's just...

-Oh!

-Deal!

Thank you. ERIC: Too late, Sian - Dad's called it.

A steal, £18.

-Thank you very much.

-£18. That's nothing, isn't it?

£18 for your fountain.

-First item down.

-Fantastic.

-Let's move on.

-I don't think I'm going to let him be in charge of anything now.

-No!

Well done, Reds. One item in the bag and only three minutes gone.

But no time to rest,

and the Blues are still looking for that piece of silver.

Oh, wow! That's a bit...

Is that silver or is that plated?

-No, it's...

-It's not.

-No, it's not.

-It's not silver, it's not plated.

-Looks like a...

-It's not very good.

-No.

Very diplomatic, Caroline.

So Rob and Katie's silver hunt continues,

whilst the Reds don't seem to be slowing down.

So, I quite like these decorative tins.

-I agree.

-And these are German.

And after the war, there was a bit of rationing in Germany,

as well as in Britain.

You'd make a big cake, you put it in your tin, a quantity of cakes,

and then you'd lock it up for the week.

Perfect for a baker like Sian.

I need this in my house.

-Do you?

-My daughter just keeps raiding the Bara brith.

All the tops have gone.

-The Bara brith?

-The Bara brith.

-What's that?

Welsh fruitcake.

And do you feed the fruitcake?

-No.

-You don't sort of constantly put things on it?

Sometimes at Christmas, I might...

-Yeah, feed it with a bit of...

-..add a little bit of sherry, or...

-..bit of sherry.

-Yeah.

But this has got all the German national costumes

of the various areas and regions.

I like that, actually.

And there's another one here with...

..which is, um, very, sort of,

in the manner of Tyrolean painted furniture.

-There was a key on that one, wasn't there?

-This is a key?

-That's a key one.

-No, no, no.

-That's a key one.

-There's a key.

And, look, there's another a wooden one there, with another painted...

I quite like that one as well.

I think we want to inquire about these, don't you?

I think so. Yeah.

So, sir, tell me.

How much are all three?

Well, I normally do £20 a piece.

-Yes.

-So would 45 for the three be acceptable?

35?

£30, then.

-I can't do 30.

-Ooh!

-He's so naughty, your daddy, isn't he?

But do you know what, I'd... 35, I think.

I'll do 35, that's not a problem.

Would you meet us halfway between the 30 and then the 35, on £32?

-Well, shall we say 33?

-£33.

Then it's £11 each.

-I like that.

-I like that.

-I'm happy as well.

-You're happy with that?

-I am very happy with that.

-God, you're tight!

-I know I am!

-He is, isn't he?!

-You're tight!

HE LAUGHS

I've never met anybody so mean!

ALL LAUGH

-Can we shake at...

-£100.

-..at 33?

-So wonderful.

-Lovely. Thank you.

They may be thrifty, Thomas, but they're also fast.

That's the second item bought with only ten minutes gone.

Piece of cake!

But what's this? Have the Blues spotted the functional item Rob had

on his shopping list?

I love this.

-Oh!

-Do you know, I like that, too?

-Yeah.

-I love it.

Oh, good. Now, what do you like about it?

I just like it cos it's really quirky.

Yeah, it's quite different.

And I actually would have that on our fireplace.

-I would buy that!

-Would you polish it, or would you get Rob to?

-I wouldn't polish it. I quite like it the way it is.

-What's polish?!

Excuse me!

It's lovely. It's an arts and craft design.

You see these lovely copper...

-Oh, I love it.

-Yeah.

-..rivets here.

-I love it.

-That is beautiful, and this hammered effect.

-Love it.

Would you give 25?

-"Would you give 25?!"

-Would you take 25?

-No. That's a no for that, I'm afraid.

-OK.

-39.

Ooh, I don't know.

-It's a gorgeous piece.

-It's gorgeous.

-It's a nice piece.

-It's nice.

-It is nice.

It's very unusual.

-It is, it is unusual.

-But is it...

I think it would be better if it was, if you'd stuck at the 30

-without adding the nine to it.

-30!

-I can't.

-No?

-You can't?

-I can't.

-The lowest I can go to is 37 and that's it.

-Yeah.

-37.

-37.

-Ooh!

-What do you think, what do you think?

-Shall we do it? I really like it.

-Go on.

-Do you really like it?

-Yes. I love it!

-Good.

-Brilliant!

-Thank you. Thank you.

Phew! That negotiation nearly went off the boil.

Well done, Blues. First item down after 21 minutes.

Back with the Reds,

and there seems to be disagreements over the team's spending tactics.

Well, I think you want a piece of jewellery.

Well, I think I'd like something, yeah.

We don't want to spend too much, you know.

Oh, we've not spent much at all!

-Honestly!

-Nice cheap pair of cuff links.

-No, ring.

-Nine carat gold for about a fiver.

-Hmm, bit of bling

-or a little trinket-y something.

-What planet are you on, Gwyn?!

Has been done, has been done.

We sort of... Yeah. We need something...

I think we do, I think we do.

-..blingy.

-Let's go inside.

-Let's go.

-I'm afraid...

-And leave you with a pound, then? Will that be all right?

-That's perfect, I like that. Come on.

-GWYN LAUGHS

That's decided, then.

Time for the Reds to retire inside and start spending big.

Still outside, the Blues' search for silver is proving a little testing.

This one is a little scent bottle, smelling salt bottle,

but there's a silver lid on it...

-Yeah.

-..and glass base. I mean, people collect those still.

-Mmm.

-But it's been damaged.

Has it got the silver mark on there?

Yes. I believe so, I believe it's the S. Is that right?

-So, has it got the lion?

-Yes.

And what is the town mark?

-I'm testing you here.

-London?

-Oh, gosh.

-You haven't looked at it!

-Oh!

-No! You're not guessing!

You've got your hands full today, Caroline.

So the search for the silver continues.

Inside, Thomas is also quizzing the Reds about their antiques knowledge.

-What do you think that is?

-No idea.

If I do that, does that give you any clue?

It's not for sucking boils, is it?

-What are you saying, for sucking boils?

-Dear me. Cuff links, sucking boils...

I mean, honestly, cuff links, sucking boils?!

-Something to do with smoke?

-No.

-No!

-It's a toddy.

-Oh!

-Put it into a decanter or a bottle or a quantity of liquid.

-Oh.

-Yeah, it fills up...

HE IMITATES LIQUID GLUGGING

..over the glass, out it comes.

-Interesting.

-Never seen one.

It's in...

lead crystal,

made in this country about 1820.

Hand-blown, quite a stylish thing.

I love the rings on here.

Just a proper antique.

So how much have you got on the toddy measure?

-100.

-Do you think we could sort of bend you a little bit more?

Ratchet you a little bit more?

To £90.

£90.

Now, one caveat.

All of that...

Is it going to make a profit at auction?

-It's a gamble.

-It is a big gamble.

It's a proper antique.

85? Can you come another fiver?

Worth a try, Gwyn.

-It is an auction, and...

-Go on, then.

Go on, then! 85.

-Shall we go for it?

-Do you want to go for it?

-Shall we?

-Yes, yes.

-Yeah?

-We will.

-Positive?

-Thank you.

-Oh, my God!

A big spend from Gwyn,

and that's the third and final item bought, all in 27 minutes.

I cannot quite believe it, that we've got you

to spend £85 on an antique.

-It's amazing.

-So I'm going to put that down.

-Third and final item bought.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

Time for a cup of tea.

-Marvellous.

-Outside?

-Spot on.

On you go, well done.

Whilst the Reds head off for a cuppa,

the Blues are still sifting through the silver,

looking for their second item.

Now, that one, it goes with salts, doesn't it?

There's four salts.

-Is that right?

-That's right, yeah.

-And the mustard.

-Oh, OK.

-And how much are they?

-For the lot?

-Yeah.

I could do 90 quid on them.

-Right. 90 quid.

-Ooh!

ERIC: That's a lot of silver for your money, Blues.

But Katie's only just got started.

What is your, like, what is your

best, like, bottom, bottom...

LAUGHTER

-Bottom!

-75.

-75.

-How's that?

Ooh, I don't know.

-You don't think so?

-No, I don't think so.

-Not for the five.

-Not for the five.

Is Katie ready to walk away from this?

DEALER: Tell you how I'll do it,

I'll do 60 quid, and that's best, right?

-Ooh!

-That's going to give you a fair chance.

It's certainly silver, and as we would want it.

Have a look at the mark, yeah.

-It's definitely silver.

-Yeah.

-And there's the spoon, is the spoon silver?

-Oh, yeah.

Yeah. Now, that's a mustard spoon,

and a mustard spoon has an elongated bowl.

-And the salt spoons have a round...

-Right.

-..bowl.

So that's how you know it's a mustard one.

Would you take 50?

No, I can't. I've gone down to 60.

-Yeah.

-60's me best, I'm afraid.

-Your call.

-What do you think?

Your call, what do you think?

I'm stepping out of this. I...

Meet me halfway.

-55.

-55.

-Oh, I don't know! Do you think...

-Can't help you here.

Is it, is it, is it...

-53 and we're done.

-53.

-Go on, then, 53.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-Yes!

-Well done!

Oh, thank you.

That is great.

Nice bartering there, Blues.

That's just secured your second item and your search for silver in one

move. Two down, one to go, and 25 minutes still to spare.

Meanwhile, Thomas and the Reds are having a catch-up over a cuppa.

I'm pleased about that last one.

-You like it, do you?

-I thought that was funny.

-It's funny, isn't it?

-I can't believe we got you to spend some money!

-I know!

Well, well done, team.

-Yeah, brilliant.

-I think you've bought very well.

I think those Blues are going to be worried.

So here's to the downfall in Blues.

-Cheers!

-And to the experts, cheers.

-Oh, no, I don't know about that!

-Cheers.

Whilst the Reds have time to sit around and chat,

are Rob and Katie any closer to that final item?

Rob likes chairs.

Why, cos you sits down a lot? My husband does that.

-I just think there's something about them.

-Mmm.

What do you mean, there's something about them?

-Just...

-That is a lovely chair.

-That is a nice chair.

-Just think,

-who's sat in that chair? Whose house has it been in?

-Rob, sit down.

HE LAUGHS

-Try it out.

-Rob's sat in that chair.

Is it good?

-Well, one collapsed underneath me a few months ago, so...

-No!

-Yeah.

-Just completely, just went...

-No!

-I know. It was funny.

Is that chair still all right, then?

-It's been recently revarnished, I would say.

-Yeah.

Looks a little bit shiny.

-Yes.

-Yeah. I don't know.

And that looks like to me like a polyurethane varnish.

-Yeah, I don't...

-It's a shame.

-It is a shame.

-I would rather it be waxed.

-I don't like it.

It hasn't got a good pattern.

-Let's go, I don't like it.

-What about riding boots, do you like these?

No, I don't like horses.

You don't like horses? What's wrong with horses?

They're all right to look at, and I'm not a great horse rider.

-OK.

-No!

-So it's a no to the riding boots.

-No to the riding boots.

Oh, dear, the clock is starting to go up away from you now, Blues.

Time to saddle up and head indoors.

Oh, that's lovely.

-With the wooden strapping.

-Look at the small one, as well!

-Aw.

-Look at the big one.

-Oh, gosh.

-Look at the medium-size one!

-Look at the leather one.

-Wow!

Look at that one, that one's got, like, a...

Initials, somebody's initials.

A lot of people use these now as coffee tables, with the flat tops.

These with the wooden strapping,

-people tend to put a glass top on...

-Right.

-Right.

..onto those.

Thing is, it looks good.

-It looks fantastic.

-It's functional.

-And it's functional,

which is what you wanted, isn't it?

And it'll have an age to it as well, presumably.

It has got an age. That will be Edwardian, I would think.

-Oh, wow!

-Maybe up to 1920.

-How much is it?

-Say 85.

-How much?

-85.

-Ooh! Could we get it for 50?

-It's rich, dark and a bit expensive.

So, could this be the Blues' third item?

It's all down to Caroline's negotiating skills.

So, what's he said?

He's said... Well, there was a bit of a domestic going on because he said one thing,

-his wife said another thing.

-Oh, right.

But he's he won the day and he said 60.

-BOTH: OK.

-Do you think we could get him down to 55?

-Shall I go and ask him?

-Go on.

£55 would be a huge discount.

So, can Katie pull it off?

-50.

-No, no, no.

-55?

No, definitely not.

-59.

-OK, 59.

Yes! Oh, great.

Thank you.

Nice work, Katie. Every pound counts on Bargain Hunt.

-I did it.

-You did what?

-I did it for 59, £59.

-59?

-Yeah, 59.

-You mean you've done it already?

KATIE LAUGHS

-That's it, then?

-Yes.

That's it, Rob. So, with both teams finished early, I'm calling time.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

Gwyn and Sian got the stone fountain for £18.

Then the three 1950s German cake tins for £33.

And finally, the Regency glass toddy measure for £85.

So, Thomas, I mean, almost at the speed of sound, these two.

It was really at the speed of sound!

Brilliant, utterly brilliant.

So, Gwyn, what was your favourite item today?

My favourite was the first one in,

the boy and fish fountain.

And a good deal as well.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-What's the one item that's going to give you the biggest

-profit?

-I think it's going to be the fountain.

-Do you?

-I think so.

-OK, strength in your own convictions there.

-That's right.

-OK. What about you, Sian?

How do you see things panning out when it comes to your favourite item?

Well, my favourite, I think I'm sort of going for the one we got second, really,

which are the cake tins with the locks on.

And what about the biggest profit, though? Come on.

Well, I do think that may be our cheeky little last one.

-My...

-It's a toddy lifter.

-Oh, right.

Oh, quite rare, quite rare.

So, are you happy with your spend?

-Very happy.

-And how much was that spend?

-Total of 136.

-136.

So you're going to hand over to me...

-164.

-..164. There we go.

-Doesn't stay in my hand for very long. It goes over to Thomas.

-Thank you.

Thomas, £164.

That's a tidy sum, isn't it?

It is a tidy sum,

and I think we will be investing it in something which you really wanted

-but we didn't manage to get.

-A bit of bling.

-A bit of bling.

-Ooh!

-OK.

Well, while Thomas goes off to find that bit of bling as a bonus buy,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

Rob and Katie purchased the arts and crafts copper kettle for £37.

They secured the silver salts and mustard pot for £53...

..and spent £59 on the suitcase as their final buy.

So, Caroline, it was going quite swimmingly well, wasn't it?

It was indeed,

until Katie went off and decided to do the final negotiation on the last

item all by herself, without sharing it with Rob.

Oh, I see.

-But tell me, Rob, what was your favourite item today?

-I think it would have to be the case.

-The case.

-Yes. The suitcase. I really like that.

So some useful haggling going on there, yeah.

-Yeah, I think so.

-Oh, no!

ALL LAUGH

Well, despite that being your favourite,

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

-I think the case.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, I like the suitcase, as well.

-You do?

-Yeah, yeah.

So Katie, you agree on the case being the one that's going to give you the biggest profit?

-Yes.

-But what was your favourite item?

My favourite item was the copper kettle.

-Oh, yes.

-Very, very quirky.

Just love it.

Just really big and bulky and...

-Tactile.

-Yeah.

I really liked it, really liked it.

So what was the big spend today?

£149.

So you're going to cross my palm with £151, yes?

-There we go.

-OK.

-Caroline...

-Thank you.

-..£151 for a bonus buy.

-Ooh!

-Excited?

-I am!

-What are you going to buy?

-Ooh, you'll have to wait and see.

OK. Well, while Caroline makes up her mind on the bonus buy,

I'm off to a place of some great interest.

Today, I've headed over the Welsh border to Bunbury Mill in Cheshire,

to unearth the story behind this beautifully renovated water mill.

Situated close to the banks of the River Gowy,

this restored mill has milled most things from animal feed to flour,

and is one of only two working mills on the river.

This agriculturally rich area of Cheshire has a long history of milling,

dating back over 1,000 years.

In its heyday, the banks of the River Gowy were home to an estimated

20 water mills.

But over time, changes in agriculture, production processes,

and the arrival of cheaper foreign imports

saw the industry fall into decline.

And when a flood destroyed this mill in 1960, sadly, production stopped.

But it wasn't for long.

But over 50 years on, and the mill is still operational

thanks to the efforts of local people,

and in particular those members of the Bunbury Water Mill Trust.

And I'm here to meet one of the leading volunteers, Peter.

Lovely to meet you.

You too, Eric. Nice to have you here.

Tell me a little bit about how you've managed to restore

this remarkable water mill.

In 1960, there was a massive flood here that put the mill out of action

and it was going to be demolished.

But in the 1970s,

the local people in Bunbury persuaded North West Water to set up

a job creation scheme and restore it to working order again.

They did that. In 1977, it was opened as a heritage museum,

which it still is. And then later on in 2009, it was again closed down,

with no prospects for the future.

And, at that stage,

the local people again formed the Bunbury Water Mill Trust to operate

and run the mill and make it available to the public, with a team of volunteers.

Fascinating stuff, Peter.

-I'm keen to see what's going on in here.

-Great.

-So I'll follow you.

-Come on!

So, this is where it all starts.

And this is the...

enormous wheel.

That's right, Eric. It actually weighs about ten tonnes.

There isn't very much water in the River Gowy,

it's only a little stream, so this is an overshot wheel.

The water comes in at the top and it's not the force of the water that

drives the wheel around,

it's the weight of the water that fills the buckets

that takes it around.

The wheel is basically cast iron, but has got timber buckets on it.

There are 36 buckets, each made with three planks of wood.

But that will generate 16 horsepower, so we're told.

But I notice one thing.

Erm... It's not moving.

Well, no, cos the water's been turned off.

-Do you want to start it?

-I'd love to!

-Yes!

-Right, here you are, then.

Isn't that wonderful?

-So what happens next?

-Well, let's go and have a look at the actual mill stones over here.

-OK.

-Here we are.

-Oh, right.

So, what's happening here?

The grain goes into the hopper here, you can put some in if you like.

-Here we go.

-OK.

-There we are.

Into the hopper.

-That's it, lovely. And then the grain trickles down this sloping shoe...

-Yeah.

It goes into the eye in the centre of the wheel,

and the flour works its way out.

The flour comes to the outside.

-You can see the flour down there.

-I can see it.

And the flour goes down a chute, over the back here down to

the basement where it goes into the flour sack.

-OK. So can we go down and have a look at that?

-Sure, across here.

OK.

The water wheel is behind the big white wall behind me, so you can't see it from down here,

but it drives all this gearing that

eventually drives the shaft that

goes up through the floor here, and that's driving the millstone.

And it's going round faster than the water wheel is.

-Oh, right. So, having poured all the grain in...

-Yeah?

..it's now coming out here as ground flour.

-That's right, that's the flour that you've made.

-Really?!

-Let's have a...

-Have a feel of it and smell it.

Very distinctive, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

So, with the milling completed,

all that's left to do is to winch the sack of flour up to the top

floor, ready to be turned into bread.

-Great!

-Whoa!

-So there it is, the finished product.

-There it is.

Ready for delivery to the local baker.

Wonderful. Peter, thank you so much for everything.

It's fascinating stuff.

Well, let's now see if our teams can bag a profit at the auction.

Today's sale is in Nantwich, where I'm meeting auctioneer Chris Large.

Let's get down to business.

Let's talk about the Red team, which is Gwyn and Sian.

And their first object is this sort of composition stone fountain.

I think it's going to decorate any garden really nicely,

and it's already got that weathered look. I think the patina might help it.

I think, really, it's only going to make about 5, £10, this.

OK. Well, they paid £18 for it,

so I don't think they're going to be

-losing too much sleep on that one.

-No.

So, their second purchase is three cake tins.

Now, I say three. We're only showing two here because they are so big.

I'm assuming that these are what, in date?

I think these could be 1950s, 1960s, something like that.

Commercially, what do you reckon?

I think about 30-60 pounds.

-Ooh, right. Well, they paid 33 for the three.

-Did they?!

-So they're in with a real chance there...

-Yes.

-..of making a profit.

-And the third item is a toddy lifter, yes?

-Yeah, yeah.

I really like this piece.

-I do.

-It's got a really good colour to the glass.

-Mmm.

It shows that early lead glass.

I like the way it's cut, it's got that decanter shape.

I've estimated at 30-50 pounds,

I hope it's going to make more, though.

Yeah. So will they, cos they paid £85 for it.

But with the right collectors chasing it,

hey ho, in with a chance.

Well, having heard your verdict on those three items,

I think it's fair to say that they will probably need

Thomas' bonus buy.

So, let's find out what it is.

So, Gwyn and Sian, you left our

Thomas here £164 of bonus buy money.

So, Thomas, what did thou go forth and buyeth?

I know you wanted to buy some bling, so I bought you some bling.

So what we have here is an 18-carat gold

aqua and diamond ring with a...

not a matching brooch, but a gold brooch

-with aquas and half cut pearls in there.

-Right.

It's a pretty ring, isn't it?

-Pretty ring.

-Really pretty, and you get a bar brooch with it,

all rolled into one.

-What do you think of that?

-How much was it?

See, that's all you're interested in, isn't it?

That's all you care about...

ALL LAUGH

-..is the money.

-It's the money!

-How much do you think?

-80.

-A bit more than 80.

-105?

-£100.

SHE GASPS

-£100 for these.

-That's good.

-It is good, isn't it?

-It is. I would have thought that'd be more.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-Roughly how much do you think it would make?

-I think you're looking at 120, 180.

-So, a profit.

-Yeah. I would've thought so.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-All right. So remember, you don't have to make your minds up now anyway.

-No.

Wait till you've sold your first three items, and then make your decision.

But in the meantime, let's find out what the auctioneer had to say about

Thomas's bling buy.

I think it's a great present for a lady, isn't it?

Wouldn't she love that dress ring?

I mean, it's zircon, but it's got diamond chips round it. Real showy piece, isn't it?

It is showy, isn't it?

And thrown in, you've got a brooch. Brooches are not as popular nowadays, but thrown in, it's great.

I've estimated it at £80-120.

Thomas went and paid £100, so...

-Brilliant.

-..there's a real chance there, isn't there?

-Yeah, yeah.

-OK.

So, that's the Reds done, now to the Blues.

And this is Rob and Katie.

Erm...

And the first item is this amazing copper kettle.

Yeah, gorgeous, isn't it?

-It is.

-Great shape.

You do come across this sort of triangular form, and I have seen

this sort of industrial look before in the arts and crafts kettles.

They do appear at auction.

-What do you think?

-I've seen these make about £20-40 quite often.

They paid 37 for it.

They may be onto a profit, but don't hold your breath.

-No.

-OK. So, their second purchase -

four silver table salts and a mustard pot and cover.

They're Joseph Gloucester, Birmingham, 1911,

all nicely hallmarked up.

So, estimate?

I've estimated these at £30-50.

They paid £53, so I think it's £53 well spent.

But we'll find out later.

So, third item.

-I mean, that's quite a trunk, isn't it?

-It's a super one, isn't it?

-Mmm.

-Yeah.

It's built to last. It's built to withstand cargo ships, aeroplanes,

and yet it's in such great condition.

You know, I mean, look at this lovely patina, lovely honey colour to it.

I've conservatively estimated this at £20-30.

-I'm hoping it's going to make a bit more than that.

-Let's hope so.

-I mean, they paid £59 for it.

-Mmm-hmm.

I think it's fair to say that our Blue team would be well advised to

-look at their bonus buy.

-Yeah.

So now let's look at Caroline's bonus buy.

So, Rob and Katie,

you left our Caroline here £151 to go out and find a bonus buy.

Caroline, reveal all!

KATIE GASPS

Oh, that is so cute.

-I love it.

-Do you know what it is?

Is it a spoon?

It is a spoon, well done, well done!

But for what purpose?

-Sugar.

-No.

-Any other thoughts?

-Salt.

-Salt, you're right.

It could be salt, mustard, but it's lined with gilt,

which will protect the silver underneath.

It's a beautiful pattern.

It's called fiddle, thread and shell.

It's made in London, 1808.

-Wow! Can I hold it?

-So that is very, very old.

Oh! It's heavy.

Yes! From the reign of George III, and that's in really good condition.

It is, I like it.

How much did you pay for it, then?

What do you think I paid for it?

-Ooh!

-Oh, gosh.

-25?

-30?

-18.

-Oh, wow!

-18?

Yes. So I think there's a little bit of profit in that.

-You think so, yeah?

-You think?

-Yes, I do, yeah.

-OK.

-I like it.

-Yeah, yeah, like it.

-Did well.

Brilliant, thank you!

THEY LAUGH

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

Wait till you've sold your first three items,

and then make your decision.

But in the meantime, let's find out what the auctioneer had to say about

Caroline's George III silver spoon.

So here is Caroline's bonus buy.

Well, it's a lovely salt or mustard spoon.

Probably more likely mustard with the gilded bowl.

It's got just lovely features.

It's got a lovely crest there.

You got the shell there and the pattern.

I turn it over. We've got a nice clear set of hallmarks here.

I've estimated it at £20-40.

OK. Well, that'll please our Caroline

because she bought that for a very modest £18.

So, who's taking the sale?

-That'll be me.

-That'll be you.

-Well, we'll wish you all the best.

-Thank you.

Are you regulars at auctions?

I've been to one or two.

You have been to one or two, so you know what it's about.

Well, having been a policeman all these years, you know what life's all about, don't you?

-What about yourself?

-Only charity auctions as far as dinner's concerned, but nothing like this.

-OK. Nothing like this?

-No.

-Your first item's coming up.

It's the garden fountain.

Let's see if we can get you a profit. Coming up now.

And £10 I'm bid here with me on commission to start this off.

But 15, I'm looking for, from the room or the internet.

And £10 is all I'm bid for the stone fountain.

15, do I hear? At £10, I'm only bid for the stone fountain.

15, do I hear?

At £10, I'm only bid.

-At £10, I'm going to sell on commission.

-BOTH: No!

No further bids?

OK, sold for ten.

-Alas, that is a minus £8.

-Eight.

OK. We're on to lot number two.

-This is the three vintage cake tins.

-Yes.

Well, let's hope we're cooking on gas with this one.

Nice decorative pieces, these. Lot 215.

And for this lot, £20 I'm bid.

At £20 a bid is here with me to start it off on commission.

-At £20 is all I'm bid.

-Come on!

-At £20.

-Argh!

£20, 25, I'm looking for.

At £20, comes with a free piece of cake from the cafe

if you buy it.

At £20, it's bid on commission.

At £20, it's bid.

At £20, any further bids?

ALL: Ugh!

£20.

Yeah. It was minus 13, gives an accumulative bid there of

minus 21.

OK. Third item, this is your Regency cut-glass toddy lifter.

Rare object, collector's item.

You paid £85 for it. Here it is.

Lovely piece, this.

Lot 218. I have two commission bids.

£30 is my top bid straightaway, 35 clears it, though.

At £35, it's bid in the room. 40, I'm looking for.

At £35, on bid in the room, the commission bid is out.

At £35 on bid, and I'm going to sell.

At £35, any further bids?

-Argh!

-Oh, no!

So, minus 50, minus 71 in total.

OK, right.

-I want to know if you two are players.

-Definitely!

Because you've got your bonus lot to go for.

No-brainer. No-brainer.

You think it's a no-brainer?

-Argh!

-OK. Remember, Thomas paid £100, OK?

-We have faith.

-You've got faith, have you?

-We have faith.

-Good, good, good.

-I have one, two, three commissioned bids,

but don't let that put anyone off.

£105 is my top bid here.

Get in!

£105, 110 clears it, in the room.

-£110 is bid.

-Yes!

115, I'm looking for.

And £110 I'm bid.

110, 115, I'll take.

£110, any further bids?

-110.

-Argh!

OK. So, that's plus £10.

Takes you to minus £61.

-Wow!

-OK?

OK, not a score to be ashamed of.

Either way, you two, not a word to the...

BOTH: ..Blues.

You got it right, OK. Excellent.

Rob and Katie, are you sort of seasoned auction people?

-No.

-No.

-No?

SHE LAUGHS

No, not at all.

-I mean, have you been to auctions?

-No.

-No.

-No? Oh, right.

OK, well, your first item's just about to go up.

It's the arts and crafts copper kettle and it's coming up now.

I have commission bid here, £45 straightaway on commission.

For this lot, 50, I'm looking for.

I have £45 I'm bid on commission.

I'm selling at £45.

50 I'm looking for, to continue for this arts and crafts piece.

At £45 only. Any further bids?

OK. All right.

Not bad. Plus £8, right.

The next item,

you were both keen on.

It's the five-piece silver cruet set.

-Yes.

-So you paid £53, and what matters is what's happening now, and they're coming up.

And for this lot, I have two commission bids straightaway.

So my top bid here with me on commission is £40 and

I'm selling. At £40 I'm bid on commission. 45 clears it, though.

At £45, it's bid in the corridor.

-50 I need on the internet.

-Come on!

-50 is bid.

55, can I tempt you, sir?

-55. 60? 65?

-Yes!

THEY LAUGH

70 is bid. 75? 80.

75, my starter, in the blue.

At 75 pounds is bid in the blue.

At £75, any further bids at £75?

£75.

We have got ourselves a plus £22.

That's giving us a plus of £30.

And your third item is coming up now.

It's that very splendid 20th century travel trunk.

Let's see where it goes.

Lot number 246, the early 19th-century travelling trunk.

Really good order, this.

It'll make a room look super.

Lot number 246.

£40 is bid on commission straightaway.

At £40, 45, do I hear?

At £40, I'm bid on commission for the travel trunk. 45, do I hear?

At £40, the bid is here with me on commission.

I'm going to sell to my commission bidder, if you're all happy, at £40.

-Ooh!

-Aw!

Made £40, that's minus 19,

which gives us, still, plus 11.

Well, I mean, we're going to talk bonus buy.

Oh, shall we, we...

-Let's do it, absolutely.

-Yeah, definitely.

-Are you going to do it?

Yeah, course we are!

-Good.

-Let's do it!

-Remember, Caroline paid £18 for this.

I have commission interest, but don't let that put anyone off.

£15 I'm only bid for lot 252, and I'm selling on commission.

At £15 for this gorgeous little Georgian spoon.

-20 is bid.

-Yes!

-£20 is bid.

At £20, 25 I'm looking for.

At £20, it's bid in the room.

25, is there? At £20 I'm bid.

Any further bids?

Plus two.

OK. We're now in plus £13.

-Oh!

-So, lucky for some, you might say.

-Yes!

Lucky for some.

The main thing is, not a word to the Reds.

I am here to deliver the verdict today,

and tell you now that the winners...

..are the Blue team.

THEY CHEER

Now, as you know, it's a well-worn phrase,

but we don't have losers,

we have runners-up, OK?

I have to say, Reds, though, at minus 61, you were up against it,

weren't you? I mean,

you know, the toddy lifter deserved to do better.

Thomas did do his stuff, did he not?

-Yes, course he did!

-Yeah, and made a £10 profit.

-Yes.

But all things being equal, it's still minus 61.

So, look on the bright side, you came second, OK?

GWYN LAUGHS

-All good fun!

-So the winning score for the Blues today was plus £13.

Well, it was all going well, and, you know,

you had dreams of the golden gavel, didn't you?

And then, the trunk, the suitcase, whatever, I mean, in all honesty,

yes, there were people at home saying, "Ooh, that went cheap."

-Yeah.

-They will be saying that.

-Yeah.

And so, you know, you deserve better, but hey ho, that's the rules of the game.

So, Blues, I owe you a £13-worth of profit.

There we go, look at that.

-Yes.

-Eh?

-Thank you.

-I bet £13 has never felt quite so much, has it?

OK. So, well done, you.

And if you've had fun watching at home, then you can catch us on our website.

It's also the place where you can find out

how to apply to be on the show.

There again, you can follow us on Twitter at:

But better still, if you've had fun watching at home,

why not join us next time for some more Bargain Hunting? Yes? ALL: Yes!