Belfast 23 Bargain Hunt

IRISH COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS

Guess where we are today, folks.

Well, I don't usually make a song and dance about things,

but I couldn't resist a jolly wee jig.

Today, we're in Northern Ireland,

and this is the McGuigan School of Irish Dance.

We're ready, the teams are ready, so...

-ALL:

-Let's go bargain hunting!

CHEERING

The Reds and Blues will be shopping here,

one of Northern Ireland's largest antique shops.

Armed with £300 and one hour to buy three items,

the Reds and Blues are hoping for big profits at auction.

There's certainly enough to choose from in this antique shop.

Before we meet the teams, let's have a wee peek at what's coming up.

-The Reds bring on the charm.

-You're a very handsome man.

-Deirdre, isn't he very handsome?

-Oh, aye, indeed.

-Flattery'll get you everywhere.

-The Blues go a bit giddy.

-I really want to buy them!

And we're going to get them and make money.

And at the auction, there's belief with the Reds...

-Yes, profit! Profit!

-..and relief with the Blues.

LAUGHTER

But that's all for later.

Let's meet today's teams.

For the Reds, we have Deirdre and Andrea, who are good friends,

and for the Blues, we have sisters Nicola and Julie.

-Hello, everyone!

-Hello!

-It's lovely to have you here.

Now, Deirdre, you two have been pals for a long time,

but how did you meet?

-Well, I had a boyfriend at the time...

-LAUGHTER

..and she had a boyfriend at the time,

and they were friends, and we met, the four of us, together,

and then we both married.

-Uh-huh, yeah?

-She's still married to one, and I'm not.

-Oh, right! LAUGHTER

-But that's OK.

-Yeah, It's fine.

-Deirdre, you're retired now.

-Yes.

-What did you do for a living?

I did admin, I was a temp for a long time,

and I used to go to different places for short-term contracts.

-Right, OK.

-And then, when I retired,

I did some voluntary work with the deaf,

and then I do some work with the elderly, as well.

-So it's pretty busy?

-Well, now and again!

-LAUGHTER

Now, Andrea, tell us what you did for a living.

I was a clinical sister in oncology in a chemotherapy unit,

and I felt very privileged to actually work with these people and

these patients. They were very stoic, there were brilliant.

-Oh, yeah, you obviously enjoyed your work.

-Oh, yes, yes.

Very rewarding. Now, you've been friends for a long time.

How are you going to get on in the shops out there this morning?

-Well, we have different tastes...

-Oh, that could be a problem.

Well, we sort of... I can find something that she would like, and

-she might find something that I would like.

-Do you want to spend money?

-Yes.

-Oh, girls...

-We're not pastie supper girls, you know? We're expensive girls!

-LAUGHTER

Ah, excellent, excellent. Well, that's it from the Reds.

Let's go on to the Blues now, sisters Nicola and Julie.

Now, Nicola, you've had a varied career,

and changes during life. Tell us about that.

Well, I have had several careers, Anita.

I have been a nurse, and a midwife, and a barrister at law,

-but I still don't know what I'm going to be when I grow up!

-LAUGHTER

Oh! Plenty of time, plenty of time.

-Well, I hope so.

-What do you do in your spare time?

Do you have any spare time?

I am volunteering for a disaster relief charity, based in Cornwall.

We hand-deliver emergency shelter,

solar lights and water filters to families anywhere in the world,

if they've been affected by earthquakes, conflict,

-any sort of disaster.

-Wow, that is absolutely terrific.

Now, Julie, I know you're a busy lady as well.

You're a farmer, first of all.

-Yes, well, I married a farmer, so I've had to become one.

-You've had to become one?

-Had you experience in farming before?

-Well, I was from the country,

-and my brother had had one chicken and two pigs.

-LAUGHTER

How many animals do you have now?

We have...we're quite big farmers now, we have about 300 cattle,

-and we're getting a delivery of chickens tomorrow, about 25,000 chickens.

-25,000 chickens?!

Oh, that should keep you busy!

It will, it will, tomorrow will be a busy day.

Now, Julie, I believe you have some letters after your name,

you're an MBE. Can you tell us about that?

Well, yes, I received that about four years ago for services to

disabled people in Northern Ireland,

because I am involved with a horse riding charity for disabled people.

It was a team effort, it was a team effort,

there were a lot of people involved.

But how are you going to get on out there in the shops?

-Quite badly, probably!

-Oh, yeah!

-LAUGHTER

Well, I think Julie might be more business-like than me.

I would buy what I like, but we have to think about what sells.

-We have to get our commercial head on.

-Your commercial head on here?

-Absolutely.

-Well, girls, before you go shopping,

we'll have to give you some money.

The money moment, girls.

-£300 for you.

-Thank you, Anita!

-£300 for you.

-Thank you very much.

-Your experts await, so off you go!

We're going to have a great competition today.

And lending a little helping hand along the way are two seasoned pros.

It's going, going, gong for the Reds - it's Charles Hanson.

And measuring up with the Blues, it's Ben Cooper.

Now, what kind of things are you looking to buy, Nicola?

Well, I'm going to be open-minded, Ben, but I like the unusual.

Deirdre, what do you have to say?

Something nice and shiny, maybe gold or silver.

-You've got sport, baby.

-LAUGHTER

-Julie?

-I quite fancy some, maybe small furniture.

I like Oriental.

Something maybe full of Eastern promise?

-Like me, Turkish delight.

-Oh, I like that.

-ALARM RINGS

Right, teams, time to clock in.

Your 60 minutes start now.

-This way, let's go east, come on.

-Come on, girls. Wow.

-Wow.

-Wow.

-What an antique shop, hey?

I think, let's go straight through.

Wherever you turn, there's something different, isn't there?

-It's massive.

-It's gorgeous.

I think you may struggle to see the woods for the trees today.

First up, it's a vase for the Reds.

Do you like that? It's really quite moving, isn't it?

Oh, when you see what's on it.

-Look at the handles, look at the nice doggy handles...

-Yes.

..which are almost like molten and melting,

and then you've almost got, coming out almost this rocky

outcrop of a grotto, are these two classical figures.

And this is a vase that is very striking in design.

On the bottom you'll see that sunburst mark on there is for

Bretby, not too far from Derbyshire, and they were cutting-edge.

This is where the market is today. Do you like it? Have a handle.

-I do like it. It's quite heavy too, so it is.

-How much is it?

-It's priced at £180.

-180.

-Oh, my goodness me!

-Look at me, is it worth it?

-No.

-Deirdre, look at me!

-No!

-You're a lady of style.

-Not 180, no!

-LAUGHTER

I think it's expensive, let's walk on.

-It's unusual, as well.

-Well, there's no messing about here today, is there?

My goodness, aren't those absolutely horrible?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Nicola.

-Girls... Girls, girls.

-What would other people like?

Oh, goodness! So, it's obviously worth a fortune, then.

-Now, it might not be your thing or it might be.

-OK.

It's a little plate. It's made by the famous factory, Spode.

-Yep.

-Right.

Date-wise, it's got a little stamp in the press mark as well,

it's around about 1840, 1850, somewhere around there.

You can date it accurately. And you've got this nice ivy leaf

-pattern, and its £8.

-Wow.

-We could make money on that.

I'm just thinking of the price, and should we be looking for things

that are a little more expensive, or...? I don't know, it's...

-But the important thing is the profit...

-The profit, and what will it sell for?

-It's useful for anything...

-It's nice, and it's old.

It's old, it's useful, pretty colour.

Cocktail sausages at Christmas.

Oh, now you're talking, girl. So what are you thinking,

-are you thinking a yes or a no?

-I'm being persuaded.

By Jove, I think they like it!

-Julie?

-I would just like to have something in the basket,

because we've been in this shop for five minutes and haven't bought

-anything yet.

-Exactly, Julie - get one under your belt.

-I really want to buy something!

-Probably more than five minutes as well...

-And we're going to get,

we'll make money, somebody'll give us... We'll beat them down from £8.

-Absolutely.

-Well, why don't we head back down to the counter and see what we can get on the price?

-Good idea.

-Right, shall I take it, save you dropping it?

-Please do!

-Right, come on, girls.

Well, that all sounds promising, Blues.

Meanwhile, the Reds have gone a bit potty.

-Do you want to go now? Are you being serious? No, that's OK.

-LAUGHTER

You could put a nice plant in that.

Right, then, Julie, time to do a deal.

-Right...

-Thank you.

-..see what you can do.

Right, what's the least you'll take, Elizabeth?

-There's a wee chip in the bottom, so it's not in great nick.

-I like your style, Julie.

-I can do it for five.

-Five? OK, are you happy enough?

-Absolutely.

-It's a bargain.

-Happy now.

-Shake Elizabeth's hand.

-Thank you, Elizabeth. That's great.

-The deal is done.

-It is, delighted with that.

-First item bought.

-Brilliant.

-Well, you're not the last of the big spenders, Blues,

but at least that's one in the bag.

Meanwhile, the Reds are also checking out some porcelain.

-That's nice.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-It's a lovely shape of cup.

Look at the light, can you see in the bottom...

-There's a wee lady?

-..that silhouette of a geisha girl.

-Yes.

-Uh-huh?

-Country of origin? Have a guess.

-Japanese?

-Correct.

What we look for with any export tea set from the high seas are

six cups and six saucers. Is it all there?

There's one, two, three, four, five.

-Pity.

-So, really, guys, we're shipwrecked on that one.

-We're shipwrecked, with a splash, come on, let's go.

-OK.

-OK.

Shame. Never mind, team.

Still only 15 minutes into your shop, so no need to panic just yet.

Right, girls, use your eyes, they're the best tool you've got.

Julie, what do you think about wood, and this box?

-That's lovely.

-Do you know what it is?

It's a writing slope, so when you've got it down,

it's at a nice angle to do your writing.

Yeah, would that sell, do you think?

Yes, I mean, they do, there are collectors for them,

and they're one of those things which I know I've sold to people who

are trying to find something for that gentleman who's got everything.

-Everything.

-Absolutely. And men are so hard to buy for that...

-We are.

-..it's a nice gift to give.

-Is it Victorian?

-Victorian?

Yes, it would be later Victorian, you're looking around about 1880.

-I wonder what they would take for it.

-85's quite a lot.

-Will I have a go this time?

-You discovered it.

-Well, you might as well take a bit of ownership,

-you found it.

-Absolutely, absolutely.

-Right, shall I just give a shout and see if anyone's around?

-Do indeed.

-Anybody around to help us?

And, as if by magic, David's here to hopefully do a deal.

We found this box that we're quite interested in.

Now, I'm going to be very cheeky. Would you take £50 for it?

-Oh, God, no, definitely not!

-LAUGHTER

No, OK, well, what would be the best price you could give us?

-65.

-65?

-Yes.

-Go for it. OK.

Go on, David's been generous, shake his hand.

-Yeah, thank you, David.

-Well done, thank you.

Well done, girls, two items bought.

-Yep.

-Are you happy?

-Yes, I am.

-Yes, we're getting there.

-We're getting there.

-We are.

-You're more than getting there, team,

you've only got one item left to buy.

-Do you want to go up?

-Oh, absolutely.

-Come on, girls, lead the way.

I think the Reds need to take a leaf out of your book.

They still haven't bought anything!

-Oh...

-Here's your stuff...

-Lovely. Oh, look at that...

This is very much the almost Oriental room, isn't it?

-Yes.

-It's full of objects of charm and promise. What do you think?

-That's nice. Look at this, Deirdre.

-Right...

-That looks like a small porcelain table brush.

Let me see if the cabinet's open. Hold on. Let's have a quick peek in here. Good spot, by the way.

Isn't it really cute?

The cabinet's open as well. Take it out, there we go, look at that.

Oh, it's lovely. It's porcelain, is it?

It in good condition as well.

So, what do you use it for?

Well, you would use it for crumbs off your table.

-Off your table, off a big table.

-Would you?

-Not in my house, but...

-Table cloth...

-in fine dining, you would, uh-huh.

-What do you think, Charles?

-I think what appeals to me

is that gorgeous figure, that lady, lady...

-Yes.

-Very, very well-defined.

-She's very delicate.

-Look at this beautiful ornamentation.

It's hard paste porcelain,

so we know it's continental and not English.

-How much is it?

-It's 22.

-Crumbs. Get it, crumbs?

-Excellent, yes.

I think we'll sweep that joke under the carpet, eh, Charles?

To me, it's not expensive.

Is she marked at all?

-There's something on the back.

-I think, on the back there, there's a label...

-But I don't know what it says.

-Do you know, I thought it was French.

-It's Japanese.

-Ah!

-It says, "Made in Japan."

So, although it's French in style, and it is hard paste porcelain...

-Yes.

-..it's the Japanese imitating French porcelain.

-French, yes.

I almost feel it's always good to get the icebreaker.

We want to buy the first object,

and this, to me, should be the first one.

-Let me try and find the dealer, I'll call him over.

-OK.

Right, team, time to work your magic.

Here's shop assistant, Mark.

Can we ask you about this flapper?

-Do you like her?

-That's a lovely little girl, that.

-You're a very handsome man.

-Yeah, you're very handsome.

-LAUGHTER

-Deirdre, isn't he very handsome?

-Oh, aye, indeed.

-You're really handsome.

Flattery'll get you everywhere.

We love this,

-and, what do you think...

-Let me see.

-..you would take?

£22.

Special deal, £17.

Now, we normally give 10% for an item of that, so £17,

-you're doing quite well.

-What about 15?

-Please?

-Go on, then.

-Are you sure?

-Yep.

-Shake his hand, shake his hand.

-Deirdre, one down, shake his hand as well.

-Oh, sorry, thank you.

-We are grateful, Mark, thanks a lot.

-Thank you.

-OK.

-Good job, team, well played.

-We need another two.

-Come on.

40 minutes into the shopping now,

and the Blues seem to be taking things in their stride, with two

-items in the bag.

-Aren't those dainty? Gosh, you're gorgeous!

-LAUGHTER

The Reds, however, only have one item ticked off

their shopping list. Time to step it up, gals.

That's quite sweet, from the dog plate to the owl bookmark.

With a twit-twoo. Hopefully I'm no twit, but it might woo you!

-Oh, very good.

-Thank you very much.

-Oh, Charlie, these jokes get worse!

What we've got here, actually, is quite nice.

It's a silver bookmark, and it's £48, but, actually,

when it comes to collectables at auction,

-owls are always sought after.

-Yeah?

Solid silver, hallmarked Birmingham, with the anchor hallmark as well.

There's the anchor mark on the back,

and the date code is the year my brother John was born, 1983.

-Isn't that sweet?

-It is sweet.

-Have a handle of that. Like it?

I do like it. It's something that you would pass down...

-Exactly.

-..to your children, and your children would pass down.

-And you could also inscribe the back of it.

-Yeah.

-You know, I would guide it between 40 and 60, and I would

-hope the dealer might just edge down to 40.

-Do you?

-Who knows, maybe a bit less.

-Yeah, I think we should buy it.

-Do you?

So, I will go and find dealer Mark and see what he can do for us.

-OK.

-Good luck, Charles.

Right, Blues, you started off well.

Are you losing your way a bit?

Don't panic yet, girls, don't panic. Don't panic, Captain!

I think we're in the wrong room, I don't see anything in here.

-Yeah, too expensive.

-Shall we carry on through?

-Yeah.

OK, Charles, how did you do on a price for the bookmark?

-Hello.

-Hi, Charlie.

-I've seen Mark, I've done a deal, with your blessing.

-Good.

-OK.

-Good.

Have a guess how much.

-40?

-38?

-£38, sold!

-Good, very good!

Second one down, and I think, for £38,

-it's an owl that might just fly at auction.

-I think so.

-Happy?

-I'm happy.

-Two down, one to go.

-Come on.

-Thank you.

-Follow me.

-Good, good, that's more like it.

That's both teams level pegging at two items apiece.

Ten minutes left on the clock.

Well, it's not shiny, but it's certainly a Bargain Hunt favourite.

-Right...

-I noticed, is this Lalique, Ben?

-It is Lalique.

-Yeah. Now, that's obviously a famous name.

-Very pricey.

-Lalique is pricey, it's so collected, I know people who,

they run their businesses just on selling Lalique glass,

-because it is that sought after.

-Oooh! Well spotted, Nicola.

-OK, now, what do you seriously think about this?

-Right, let's...

You come round here. Let's just have a little look.

With Lalique, as with any other glass,

condition is the most important thing,

and when we look here,

it is perfect.

And then, all-important, on the base is the Lalique mark.

Can you just see it, just etched in on the base?

So it's not signed Lalique, with the Lalique signature,

this is one of the more mass-produced pieces.

-It's got 145 on it.

-It's a lot of money.

-I mean, are you wanting a gamble?

Well, we'll live dangerously. We've been a pair of cheap birds, really,

-up till now.

-Well, we'll buy a bird, then!

-Buy a bird? Why don't you...

We're right by the counter, why don't you ask at the counter and see who's there?

-Julie, you are going to take up the cudgel.

-OK.

-You do your wonders.

I will do my wonders. Hello, Elizabeth, we're back again.

-Are you happy with this? It's not...

-Yes, no...

-It's not as glittery as Julie wanted.

It's not as shiny as I, well, I'll just look at these, while we...

145's on it, so 125?

125... You couldn't go down, 120?

-120.

-120, well, thank you, Elizabeth, you've been very fair with us today.

So, are you going to make a decision - is this going to be the final moment?

-Let's go for it.

-Well, why don't you shake Elizabeth's hand?

Thank you, Elizabeth. Let's not break the bird!

-Oh, don't break the bird!

-Very good, team. LAUGHTER

-All three items bought with five minutes to spare.

-You've got three things.

-I think you've possibly talked more than anybody else I know.

-LAUGHTER

Quite often I say, "Let's go and have a cup of tea." No, I'm going to find a darkened room,

-and just let my ears clear from the white noise!

-LAUGHTER

-She's worse than I am!

-Great, girls. well done.

-Thank you, Ben.

-Thank you very much, Ben.

-You go for a lie down, Ben.

Right, Charles, time to get a move on. What's the plan?

Shall we go downstairs, look at some good jewellery?

-Yes.

-Come on, then, let's go, this way.

Come on, team - two minutes left!

I think we need a sense of urgency here!

Right, team, does anything in the jewellery case look appealing to you?

-Too many things.

-Too many things.

-So much choice, so little time.

-I like this wee brooch in here.

-Which one's that?

-And it's 15 carat gold.

-Which one's that, whereabouts?

-And it's got wee seed pearls.

-Oh, that's quite nice.

One minute - time to make up your minds!

Mark, hello. May we very quickly, for one last time, just view a bar

-brooch?

-It's in front of the cameo there.

-Right.

-Yeah.

-That's it.

-Oh, it is nice.

-Tiny, isn't it?

-That's lovely. 15 carat, Victorian. How much is that?

-88.

OK. Let's make sure it's actually hallmarked, so I'll pick it up like that.

OK, I can see the mark on here, Andrea, so it's 15 carat,

15CT. That's a lovely, lovely 15 carat.

There are 30 seconds left, team!

I'm putting the clock up!

It's priced £88, how much could that be?

-75.

-That's good, isn't it?

-Not bad. Um, we'd like...

20 seconds!

-A bit less, Mark?

-It should be 75, but we could do it for 70.

-Oh, thank you.

-Do you know what, I like it.

-I like it. Do you like it?

-Deirdre?

-Ten seconds!

-Quick, quick, quick!

-Thank you, Mark!

Sold! There we go, we've got five seconds.

-Thanks a lot.

-Thank you.

-Done it!

Good grief, I think I may need to go for a lie down, too!

Time's up, teams. CLOCK CHIMES

Let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

Their first item was the Japanese porcelain doll brush.

Price paid, £15.

Next, the little silver owl bookmark set them back £38.

And finally, the golden pearl bar brooch cost them £70.

Well, girls, did you have a good time?

We had a really good time, yeah.

-Well, you started off awful kind of relaxed and...

-Yeah, I know.

-LAUGHTER

..and then you were right at the wire at the very end.

-Yes, yes, yes.

-That's us.

-Is that you?

-That's us.

-LAUGHTER

Now, tell me, what was your favourite item?

-The brush dolly.

-Is that going to make the biggest profit?

I think it might, I think it might.

OK. Are you in agreement or was your favourite item completely different?

Completely different, I liked the little pearl brooch.

Do you think that's going to make the most profit?

I'm not exactly sure,

I think maybe Andrea's will maybe make more than mine.

All right. Well, you spent £123, ladies.

-Could I have £177, please?

-OK.

Thank you very much. Oh, and don't forget the coins...

-Thank you, Anita.

-..which I will hand over immediately to Charlie.

-Thank you very much.

-Quite a lot of money, Charlie,

-do you know what you're going to buy?

-Simply something macho...

-Oh!

-Oh!

-Oh!

-..for the ladies to be inspired by.

-LAUGHTER

-Oh!

-While Charlie goes off to buy his bonus buy,

let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

First up was the Spode creamware plate, price paid, £5.

The mahogany writing slope set them back £65.

And finally, the Lalique glass pin tray cost them £120.

Well, girls, did you have a good time?

-We've had a ball, a real laugh.

-Absolutely wonderful.

And, Nicola, what was your favourite item?

I think I liked the box best.

I love wood, and the patina was lovely on it, but...

-Is that the thing that's going to make the most profit?

-Mmm...

-I wouldn't like to put money on it, Anita.

-LAUGHTER

-Julie, what was your favourite item?

-Well, I think the little dish at the beginning.

I know it was cheap, but Ben picked it, so I think....

I mean, you started off quite cheaply and then you started spending money!

-We went mad at the end.

-LAUGHTER

What item do you think will make the most profit?

-The little plate.

-I think so.

-The little plate.

-You think so. So you're both in agreement.

-Sisters both in agreement here.

-Yeah.

-You spent £190.

-We did.

Perfectly respectable, girls. Could I have 110, please?

You could, Anita, you could.

-All right.

-All right. Which I will pass immediately over to Ben.

-Ben, do you know what you're going to buy?

-Well, I think...

we've been trying...thinking about silver, maybe some Irish silver

-might be a good idea.

-That would be lovely, that would be lovely.

Now, before I head to the auction for all the drama,

I'm off to Lisburn Cathedral to learn more about an audacious act of

violence that was to go down in local history.

In the early 20th century,

the suffragette movement was hitting the headlines across Britain and

Ireland for its provocative campaign.

Its cause - to reform the voting legislation of the day and give

15 million disenfranchised women the right to vote.

Large groups of women, led by Emmeline Pankhurst,

were a common sight in London at the time.

The suffragettes also had a huge following in Ireland.

One prominent member was Mrs Lillian Metge,

a housewife and mother from County Antrim.

She made the news for an act of vandalism against this church which

was to go down in Irish history.

On the 31st of July 1914, Mrs Metge and three other local

suffragettes attempted to blow up this building,

the Lisburn Cathedral,

in what was described as one of the most daring acts of the

"Votes For Women" campaign in Ireland.

To tell me more is Ciaran Toal of the

Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum.

Lillian Metge was a founder member of the Lisburn Suffrage Society in

1910, and, a year later,

the All-Ireland Non-Militant Irish Women's Suffrage foundation, and she

was involved in letter-writing and all sorts of activity.

She resigned from the Lisburn Suffrage Society in April 1914,

citing "administrative differences",

but, really, I think everyone knew that she was starting to turn more

towards the militant side.

After witnessing police brutality against fellow suffragettes,

Lillian decided more direct action was needed.

In her sights was Lisburn Cathedral.

Tell me what happened on the night in question.

Well, on the night of the 31st July, 1st August 1914,

a huge explosion was heard over Lisburn.

EXPLOSION

Originally, the people of the town thought that the gasworks had

finally went up, but soon it was discovered it was the east window of

Lisburn Cathedral. When policemen arrived at the scene,

they found suffragette literature dancing in the air and broken glass

on the floor.

Almost immediately, the local suffragettes are suspected, and at

8am the next day, the local police arrest Mrs Metge and three

accomplices at her home on nearby Seymour Street.

Did they have proof?

Well, this is quite interesting.

At the trial, there was pretty convincing evidence presented

against Mrs Metge herself. A local policeman reported following muddy

footsteps from the rear of the Cathedral through Castle Gardens,

across the convent and into the back of Mrs Metge's house on nearby

Seymour Street. It's only a couple of hundred metres away.

One policeman reported finding four damp overcoats with spent fuse wires

hanging in a cupboard under the stairs.

So it wasn't looking good.

How did it all play out in the end?

The last day of their trial coincided with a general amnesty for

militant suffragettes in the UK and Ireland.

If militants would cease their activities, end their hunger

strikes, they would be released.

Lillian Metge's activism all but ceased by 1920.

In 1928, the Equal Franchise Act was passed, giving over 15 million women

the right to vote. However, nearly a century on,

Mrs Metge and the suffragette movement's legacy still lives on.

Time to head to the saleroom.

Today, we're at Ross's Auctioneers in Belfast,

with auctioneer Daniel Clarke. Daniel, it's lovely to be here.

Very nice to have you back again.

Well, first our Reds, Deirdre and Andrea.

Their first item was this little crumb brush.

Daniel, what do you think of that?

Very unusual, I haven't seen anything just quite like it before.

And rather attractive, it's nicely decorated.

-What's your estimate?

-I think it could make £40, 50, maybe 60, even.

Excellent, excellent. They only paid £15.

So there's a sniff of a profit there.

Their second item was the silver bookmark in the form of an owl.

What do you think of that?

Well, I think some people are very superstitious about owls.

Other people collect them, so...

It's nicely engraved, it makes an ideal present for somebody.

-Mm-hmm. Estimate?

-£30, £40.

30, 40? They paid 38, so it's touch-and-go on that one.

-Touch-and-go, very much so.

-Their third item is this lovely

Edwardian, 15-carat gold, seed pearl brooch.

-What do you think?

-The seed pearls are beautifully balanced,

it's a nice size.

I like it. They're not as popular as they used to be.

I know, what a shame! I love those little brooches.

I think it'll make £40 or £60.

-£40, £60.

-Yep.

-They paid £70 for it,

so they liked it a lot.

It's a bit swings and roundabouts here.

Might not need their bonus buy,

but we're going to go and have a look at it anyway.

Deirdre, Andrea, you spent £123.

You gave Charlie 177. Charlie, what did you buy?

-Anita, it was a large sum, but I wasn't mean.

-LAUGHTER

-Are you ready, ladies? Here we go. I hope you like it.

-Oh, I do like it.

-Oh, yes.

-Look at that.

-It's almost like a butterfly with wings.

-It's very delicate.

-Yeah, it is. This is all the way from Derby.

-Oh, right.

-Royal Crown Derby, became Crown in 1890.

This is circa 1895, and what really makes this quite special is what we

call this reticulated design on the handles -

very hard to achieve in the firing process.

And I felt this was almost missed by the dealer in the shop, and I rate

it quite highly. Very aesthetic.

Have a handle, look at the design - very Persian, very exotic.

-And how much did you pay for this, Charlie?

-Well, it cost me £130.

Will it make its money, do you think?

I'm going to say to you, it will either make between 150 and 200,

-or it could make £70. It's one of those.

-Yeah, yeah.

-So it's a bit of a risk, but I love it.

-You did well, Charlie.

It might fly. Hold tight. It might flop.

Do you gals like it?

-We like it.

-But, gals, you don't need to make up your mind just now.

-OK.

-Wait until your other items have been sold.

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

Charlie's vase.

Charles bought this rather nice Royal Crown Derby vase, Daniel.

Is this your type of thing?

Well, the one thing I always think about Royal Crown Derby is it's

beautiful quality and the quality stands out.

It's very nicely marked. I think anybody who collects porcelain could

be very interested in this, and it should make £80 to £100.

OK. Charles paid 130, so he's pushed the boats out on that one.

That's it for the Reds, now on to the Blues - Nicola and Julie.

Their first item was this Spode oval dish.

-What do you think of that?

-I think it's probably part of a large dinner

-service.

-Yes, yes.

-It's transfer printed.

There's that small chip in it,

there's a glazing crack in it.

Daniel, it's getting worse and worse! SHE LAUGHS

It hasn't got an awful lot going for it.

Somebody would maybe pay £10, £15.

Yeah. They only paid £5.

-Well, they should be...

-They haven't paid a lot.

Their second item was the mahogany writing slope.

-Traditional antique. What do you think?

-Well,

there are people who collect boxes, and I'm sure they might like to have

this. It's nicely hinged, it's got a nice tooled leather insert.

So, £60, £80.

Mm-hmm. They paid 65, so they're on the cusp there.

Their third item was the little Lalique bird trinket dish.

What do you think of this?

Well, this is a late piece,

but it is very nicely marked and it's in the form of a grouse.

And that makes it interesting, maybe, to somebody from...

-Scotland?

-From Scotland.

-I like it.

-Uh-huh. Estimate?

I think it'll do £50 or £60.

They paid £120.

So, this may be the item that lets them down price-wise.

In which case, they'll need their bonus buy.

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

Well, girls, you spent £190.

That's not bad.

You gave Ben £110.

Ben, what did you buy?

-Oh!

-Oh, Ben.

We were on a mission for Irish silver,

and I know you went past, you said, "Oh!"

We gave you loads of money!

Everything else was loads more!

There was something other than that.

Clearly, I've failed...

That is absolutely no use to modern man.

THEY LAUGH

-Or woman.

-Well, I'll just get my P45, I'll just go!

I thought they were quite nice.

Poor little things. What is nice with them,

is there is really clear hallmarks for Dublin, 1812, the maker,

James Scott. What do you think I paid for them?

45 quid.

Bit less, I got them down to 40 on them.

And what... And what do you think those will go for at auction, Ben?

Well, they're not going to make an awful lot of profit,

but I do think they should get to the 50, hopefully 55 mark.

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

Wait until your first three items have been sold.

But in the meantime,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of Ben's sugar tongs.

Ben's bonus buy, a piece of Irish silver, Dublin sugar tongs.

Well, the big thing going for this set of tongs

is the fact that it's Irish.

Irish silver is very popular.

And I think there are people who will buy Irish silver

regardless of how nicely it's fashioned.

-What's your estimate?

-It should certainly make £20 or £30.

20 or 30.

Well, Ben has paid £40.

You never know, they might go the distance.

Well, I'm sure you'll do your best.

Are you our auctioneer today?

I'm the auctioneer today.

Excellent. I can't wait for the sale.

Well, girls, here we are.

The moment of truth at the auction.

Tell me, how are you feeling?

Good, confident, great.

All right, that's very positive.

Very excited.

Oh, you're very excited!

Well, that's wonderful, girls.

Well, your first item is coming up, it's that lovely little crumb brush.

Good luck, girls, it's coming up now.

Very unusual lot.

Shall we say £40?

I haven't seen a similar one.

40, 30, 20 and bid five.

Any more? 30 with the Porter.

The bid's at 30.

At five.

40 with the Porter.

The bid's at 40 now.

At £40 with the Porter, now, any more anywhere?

I'm selling at £40.

-Great start.

-£40, girls!

-That was wonderful.

-Brilliant.

That is a profit on your first lot of £25.

Let's hope we can maintain that good luck with your little bookmark.

Birmingham silver, could we say £30, 20, I'm bid, ten?

20, I'm bid, now, any more?

30 here. At £30.

-Keep going.

-At £30, the bid's here, five, take 40.

40 here. At £40, with you, sir, at £40.

All done at £40?

£40, that's plus two, girls.

Which takes your overall profit after two items to £27!

We're in business, we're in business.

Gold and seed pearl bar brooch.

Say, £30, £20, it's a very nice little piece, this, 20, I'm bid.

30, 40.

40, here, any more?

Lady's bid at £40.

-Come on!

-Come on.

-At £40, five.

50, sir, thank you.

-Come on.

-At £50, it's behind you, madam, at 50.

At £50 with the gentleman, here, at 50.

At £50 and I'm selling at 50.

£50, girls.

That is minus 20.

You're still in profit, but it's reduced your profit to £7.

What are you going to do? Charles paid £130.

Fly with me, come fly.

-Yes.

-Come fly.

-Well, whatever.

-Oh, no!

-Are you absolutely sure?

Yeah, we'll go for it.

They're going to go for it.

Charlie paid £130, and I have to tell you at this point

that the auctioneer has estimated it at

-80 to 100.

-Oh, no!

It's coming up now.

The Royal Crown Derby vase,

can we open the bidding at £100?

We'll take 50 to open, 50, bid, 60 now, any more?

70, at £70.

-At £70.

-Come on, come on.

-At 80, new bidder.

At £80.

-Come on.

-At £80, I have.

All done at £80?

Selling at £80.

That's minus 50.

-Oh, I feel so bad. Girls, I'm sorry about that.

-Give us a kiss.

They want to give you a slap, Charlie!

Now, girls, I'm afraid that takes you to minus 43.

Listen, that could be a winning score, Charlie.

That could be a winning score.

Promise me one thing.

You won't say a word to the Blues.

-No.

-Not a word.

-Not a word.

Well done, girls.

Well, girls, here we are.

-Tell me how you feel.

-Very nervous.

Excited, excited.

-Going to kill Ben.

-Oh, right!

You haven't forgiven him.

-No, no.

-We're going to see how bad things are and then we'll decide.

Oh, I see. I see.

But your first item is the Spode oval dish.

Fingers crossed, girls, it's coming up now.

What do we say for the Spode dish?

We'll open the bidding at £2, two I'm bid.

£2 I'm bid, four, at £4.

Any more? At £4, £6, thank you.

-Bid's here at £6.

-The girls are into profit!

At £6, the Spode dish.

I'm selling at £6.

£7 online, sir.

This is exciting!

I'm selling at £8.

Well, girls, we've just got very excited over a £3 profit.

But a profit is a profit.

Second item is that lovely Georgian mahogany writing slope.

Can we open the bidding, please, at £40?

40 I'm bid, 50.

60, any more?

At £60.

At £60 I'm bid now.

70, new bidder.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-At £70.

At £70, bid 70.

All done at £70?

I'm selling at £70.

£70, girls.

A small profit, but a profit nevertheless.

The Lalique is coming up now.

Nice piece. Could we open the bidding, please, at £30?

30, I'm bid, 40, 50, 60.

Another 70.

80, now, with the Porter.

It's back with the Porter at £80.

Five? 90 with the Porter.

At £90.

At £90, I'm bid now.

We have £90.

We're selling at 90.

£90.

That's minus 30, girls, bad luck on that.

But that takes your score to minus 22.

Now you have to make up your mind at this point

if you're going to take your bonus buy.

And double our losses?

It's up to you, girls, I can say nothing.

Yes, we'll go for it.

Are you going to, after all that carry on?

For a bit of craic.

-Well, ladies, let's see what happens.

-Oh, God.

Just no physical violence, please!

Coming under the hammer now.

We'll open the bidding, please, here at £20.

20, I'm bid.

30, at £30 with the Porter.

At £30, the bid's with the Porter.

At five. 40, with the Porter.

At £40 now, the bid's with the Porter at 40.

At £40, for the sugar tongs, all finished?

At 40.

£40.

£40.

Oh ye of little faith!

It wasn't as bad as you thought.

He knows more than we thought.

-You see?

-Final score, ladies, minus £22.

A loss of £22.

But that's not too bad in the grand...

I thought it would have been worse.

I thought the bird would have been worse.

It could have gone completely wrong, but no.

I think that's quite a respectable loss.

Girls, I have to ask you one thing, though.

Don't say a word to the Reds.

No. Shtum.

Well, girls.

Did we have a good time?

-Yes.

-You were brilliant, you were great sports.

Ben!

Well, I have to say, girls, you both started off terrifically well

with profits on your first two lots,

each of you. But I have to say, it all went south after that.

THEY LAUGH

So, the team with the smallest loss...

..is...

the Blue team!

-Yeah!

-Yes, yes!

THEY LAUGH

We'll just leave them to it, shall we?

THEY LAUGH

I didn't realise it was that wonderful, losing money.

Girls, in the end, your score was minus 22.

But well done, you were terrific sports.

Our wonderful Red team here.

In the end, you ended up with minus 43.

But the interesting thing is, you were in the lead...

..until you took your bonus buy.

But you were wonderful sports.

In fact, you were all wonderful sports.

If you would like to find out more about the show,

visit our website or follow us on Twitter.

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

-ALL:

-Yes!