Belfast 21 Bargain Hunt

Hello and welcome to Bargain Hunt

from County Down in Northern Ireland.

Whoa!

MUSIC: The Ace Of Spades by Motorhead

Today, the team is en route to Greyabbey,

a lovely little village on the shore of the Strangford Lough.

Right, Harry, we've got some teams to meet.

Let's go bargain hunting!

MUSIC: Two Tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood

LAUGHING: Oh, that was wonderful. Thank you, Harry!

The teams will be battling it out in the Greyabbey shops today.

The usual rules apply -

£300 and one hour to buy three items to send to auction.

Whoever makes the most profit is declared the winner.

It's that simple! Ha!

While I dismount, you have a wee look at what's coming up.

The Reds are brimming with confidence...

-You won't get that much off, surely.

-Let's see, let's see, let's see.

-OK.

-You're underestimating us.

-Sir, bring one more down.

..there's family tension with the Blues...

Well, it might just be one of these things

-where we buy one thing for your dad...

-And I get two things.

..but all is resolved at the auction...

-Who's the boss?

-Daddy.

..and the Reds are speechless.

But that's all for later.

Let's meet today's teams.

For the Reds, we have friends Lynne and Pauline,

and for the Blues we have dad and daughter combo Cleland and Gemma.

-Hello, everyone. ALL:

-Hello!

Oh, it's lovely to have you here, lovely to have you here.

Now, Lynne, you're good friends but how did you meet?

Well, Pauline was a very good friend of my mum and dad's.

She knew my dad way before she knew my mum, actually.

Ah... Oh! THEY LAUGH

So basically she was always...

When I was born, she knew me and was always in the house

and was the aunt... well, the "adopted aunt" that came to visit

with the bags of sweets and chocolates.

-Is she your favourite auntie?

-That was quite popular!

THEY LAUGH

So, when you're not having fun together,

what sort of work do you do?

So work-wise, we had a van security company for 20 years

-which we've just sold, literally in June.

-Right, yeah.

And then we've also ran a guesthouse for ten years,

so that's going to be my next focus.

It justifies my expensive habits, such as antiques.

Now, Pauline, I believe you also run a successful business?

Yes, I have four self-catering holiday cottages.

So, when you're not working, what do you get up to?

Antiques, auctions, restoration of old properties.

Well, I'm very pleased to have you along here today doing Bargain Hunt!

THEY LAUGH

Now, Lynne, I know that you're great friends

but how are you going to be out there, shopping for antiques?

I think we'll be great.

Pauline always had big collections of antiques and that was probably

where I got a lot of my taste and inspiration from.

So as long as we like it and it's pretty and practical...

-And cheap.

-And cheap!

THEY LAUGH

And maybe something of local interest -

-it's always quite popular in Northern Ireland.

-Yeah.

We've just given it all away, haven't we?!

THEY ALL LAUGH Well, it all sounds great.

But now over to the Blues, Cleland and Gemma.

-So when you're not hanging out with your cool dad...

-Yeah.

-..what do you do?

-I'm a senior recruitment consultant.

Tell me a wee bit about it.

I recruit for engineering and manufacturing,

-so I recruit for the whole of the UK and Europe.

-Wow.

But you've got some wee ones as well?

-Yes, two boys, Jacob and Ruben.

-Two boys.

So while you're out there being a high-powered businesswoman,

what happens to...?

Daddy has now turned into a childminder.

-So you help with the childcare?

-I do indeed. I retired last year,

so I've taken on the childminding of two children.

Tell me, before you retired, what did you do?

Well, I worked for 35 years in Shorts in Belfast,

-the manufacturer of aircraft.

-Oh, right.

-Very enjoyable.

I was sorry to go, but unfortunately it's a new stage of my life

-and I have to move onto it.

-Right, OK.

So what about your knowledge of antiques?

-Absolutely none.

-Absolutely none?

-No.

THEY ALL LAUGH

Oh, look, they're quite happy about that!

-Just here for the day out!

-Yeah.

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

-Probably not great.

-Not great?

-Who's going to be the boss?

-Dad.

Gemma just spends all the money, so I need to keep control of it,

-and we'll see how we get on.

-All right.

Well, I'm sure you're going to have a wonderful time out there,

but, before you go, I have to give you £300 for you.

-Thank you.

-And £300 for you.

-Lovely.

-Your experts await, so off you go!

-Yeah!

What a great bunch they are.

Lining up with their teams and ready to do battle are...

..Charles Hanson for the Reds...

And hoping to polish up a profit for the Blues, it's Ben Cooper.

Here we are in Greyabbey, a village full of antiques.

-Gemma...

-Yes?

-..what is it you'd like to buy?

Irish sterling silver.

I would like to find something quite retro.

Something local, maybe close to Belfast.

-OK, so something of local interest.

-Yes.

-Ornaments, that type of thing.

-Yeah.

-For gardens, garden seats.

-Yeah.

OK, teams, the pressure's on, your 60 minutes starts now.

Let's go shopping.

Come on, follow me.

Well, it's an eclectic shopping list today, teams.

Good luck!

Oh, the old snooker celebs.

The old snooker celebs, Alex Higgins.

So all three of these, Alex Higgins, John Virgo and Dennis Taylor.

-John Virgo's from England.

-He's English, yes, of course he is.

-I thought he was.

-Dennis Taylor.

Dennis Taylor with his upside-down glasses.

Well, they are local interest - do you like them?

Well... It's the first thing we've seen.

Yeah, we can put those in the memory bank.

-Hmm.

-Hmm.

By the look on Gemma's face, she might be a bit snookered with those.

Let's check in with the Reds.

-Have some flowers. There we go.

-That is a gift.

Ah, Charles, you old smoothie!

This I would date to around 1885...

-Oh. Uh-uh-uh-oh...

-..1890.

-Oh, what a shame.

-Damaged.

Well spotted, Lynne.

I like it because, without the damage,

I saw the price and thought,

"Wow-wee - £35? It must be worth more like 80 to 100,"

-but, of course, you saw that. Put the flowers back in.

-Gorgeous.

-There we go.

-Couple of flowers.

-We can always mental-note it, can't we?

-Yeah.

Come on, onwards and upwards.

-Bye.

-See you, bye-bye.

Never mind, Reds, it's still early doors.

Back to the Blues.

So, guys, when you look in cabinets like this,

very often you'll find things

which are going to be well out of our budget,

but there could be something interesting.

I can't see any Irish silver here.

There's something down there in the corner.

A George Best fiver.

What do you think? Do you know much about those?

Well, I don't know an awful lot about money, in one respect,

except we all know the name George Best,

who was one of the most famous footballers out of Britain.

He's certainly the most famous footballer out of Northern Ireland.

-Gemma, you're going quiet again. Are you not very sporty?

-No.

Well, it might just be one of these things

-where we buy one thing for your dad...

-And I get two things.

Probably! I can feel this sense that it might happen.

-You quite like...

-Can I look at that?

-You'd like to have a look at it?

-Yeah, yeah, please.

-Hi.

-A look at the five?

-The fiver, yeah.

-Certainly.

-Oh, it's in the cover as well.

-Oh.

-In the cover.

-Oh, right.

Of course, you could use this in any shop and just spend your fiver.

Yeah, and that's it gone.

I should think the majority haven't been used

and people might have framed them and saved them

because they would have been in very limited numbers

that they would have minted.

-The next thing is condition, cos it's not very old.

-Mm-hmm.

So these... I mean he died in 2005, so minted a year later in 2006.

So it's got to be perfect, and it is.

I think it's a good buy.

-Oh, now there's a turn up.

-Yeah.

-I wasn't expecting you to say that.

I think it would go for a good price.

It's certainly got every hope - it is local, it's sporting...

I think those things you just mentioned there,

-that he's been a local hero.

-Yeah.

-The best footballer in the world.

-Why would you not buy it?

-So we're going to go for it?

-Yeah.

Where can we start the bargaining here?

-There's £20 on it now.

-Yeah.

-14 would be my best, would be the best price on it.

-14...

13's not a great number for me, so it's not...

-What about 12?

-I can do 12 on it today.

Well done, thank you very much indeed.

ANITA: Very good, team, that's ticked all the boxes.

That's £12 for a fiver - bargain!

Ten minutes in and your first item purchased.

Reds, you're playing catch-up.

-Is this your shop, sir?

-Yes.

-Is it your shop?

-It is indeed.

-Can we go inside?

-Certainly.

-Thank you very much.

Wow. There's all sorts in here.

What appeals to you straight away?

I quite like these figurines, for £95.

-What do you think of these figures?

-I like them.

-They will date to around, guess what?

-1910?

Yeah, 1900 is our date.

Let me give the dealer and let's get them out.

-Agreed?

-Right.

-Yeah, please.

May we just take your figures out the cabinet here?

-Certainly!

-Is the cabinet open?

Certainly, just give it a little pull.

Lovely. I'll give one... I'll give you the great man.

-Is there a weight to it, yeah?

-Have a handle of him.

In the right place, they would be spectacular.

Oh, they'd look fabulous! What is the least you'd take for it?

You could have them... If I reduced the price by £20?

-75?

-75.

Well, we'll have to have a think about it, if you don't mind.

I don't mind in the slightest.

You sure you don't want to just...

-No, we'll go and have a look.

-Right, OK.

ANITA: Hmm, I think Lynne could have been tempted there.

Now, Blues, what is the plan?

-I'm sort of sensing, Gemma...

-Yes?

-..that you want to take a bit more control.

-Absolutely.

Now let's head into the antiques centre.

-Hopefully, we might find some Irish silver.

-Maybe.

It says it's open, it says, "Please come in." Let's go in.

-Right, guys. Now here's a big mix of stuff.

-Wow.

-Much more antique-y than the last place.

-Yes.

Is there anything now which is beginning to jump out at you?

Any Irish silver?

I don't see any Irish silver. One thing with Irish silver,

it's worth quite a lot of money and it's collectable,

-so you'd expect it to be in locked cabinets.

-Yeah.

-Most of these items, which look silvery, will be silver-plated.

-OK.

-Sometimes on copper, sometimes on nickel.

-OK.

Gemma certainly has her sights set on that piece of Irish silver.

Meanwhile, the Reds are keeping an open mind.

Keep believing.

-Hmm.

-Wow!

-Oh!

So, whatever jumps out at you, just yell.

I see a little till here.

-Is it a wee till, is it?

-It's a till.

Scottish Provident Buildings, Belfast.

Which actually is about to be turned into a very glamorous hotel.

-Hotel.

-Really?

-You could find a modern use for it.

My mother had identical when she had her drapery shop.

-What do you think of it, Charles?

-I like it.

-I think it's all about nostalgia.

-Yes.

It's got local interest and also you remember your mother...

-Uh-huh.

-..with something similar.

Let's just pick it up.

So, the reason we're going wild is because of that there, isn't it?

-Uh-huh.

-Yeah, that's simply it.

-Look at that.

And there's the interior. And let that drawer fall out.

There you are, look - inside, you can go out all the way like that.

-Inside, you've got the divisions...

-Brilliant.

-Lovely.

Completely untouched.

And I would date this to 1900.

I really think this is almost made for us.

-Local ladies, nostalgia.

-Yes, I agree.

-Lynne, go and find the dealer, OK?

-OK.

Both teams seem very keen on the "buy local" tactic today.

Oh, look out - the Blues are back on the move.

OK, guys, so here's more of an eclectic, as its name says, shop.

-Yes.

-Do you want to head in? Is there anything...?

-Er, no.

I really, really like this coat stand.

-Shall we lift it out?

-Yes, please.

-Right. Now...

-Do you think this all started life like this?

-No.

-No.

-It's been put together bit by bit.

-Yeah.

-So, upcycling.

-Yeah.

-From your Celtic cousins.

-Wales.

-Llewellyn in Haverfordwest.

-Yes.

-Looks like it's a hub off something. I'm not quite sure.

-Yes.

There's a long post which...

Who knows what the post had originally been?

-But on the top, these hooks put on.

-Yeah.

-What you're buying here is not an intrinsic antique.

-No.

Looking at the cast-iron, that is probably about 1890.

This limed pine, again I would have thought probably about 1900.

-The hooks look like 1920s, 1930s.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Now, you like it?

-I like it. I really do.

Why don't you head into the shop,

-see if the dealer wants to come out and do a bit of business?

-OK.

-Head in.

-No problem.

So, Cleland, how do you feel about it?

I'm not sold on it.

THEY LAUGH

Ah, but you did choose the last item, Cleland.

Lynne's back with a price for the till.

-Hello.

-I am really pleased with myself.

I'm going to guess. 55.

-He said he was looking 40 for it.

-Oh, yeah?

-And I said that we would pay 25.

-Yeah.

He went to 30, but I kind of stuck to my guns a bit.

-And 25.

-That's amazing.

-That's a good price, isn't it?

I think this was made for you,

and I think you've bought it for a price made in heaven.

Reds, that's your first item in the bag after 25 minutes.

I had a feeling that your business know-how would get you far today.

Let's see if the Blues are having any luck with that coat stand.

This is Trish.

-Hi, Trish. Hi.

-Hi.

Gemma, do your best.

-I really like the stand.

-Great thing.

-Yeah.

And I would love to get it for 20.

Ooh. Now...

OK. So we're at 45.

Would 35 be any good for you?

20. Please?

-Well, you're a lovely lady.

-Oh, yay!

-So we'll go 20.

-Oh, thank you so much!

-All right?

-20? Well, shake the lady's hand.

-Trish, thank you very much.

-Thank you.

ANITA: Well, there's no hanging about with you, Blues.

That's item number two bagged.

Now, how are the Reds holding up?

-Let's go bargain hunting.

-Exactly. We've had half the time already...

-Oh, right. OK.

-..and only spent £25.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

So, Blues, is it back to the plan?

Who knows? Maybe this is going to be the moment to buy the Irish silver.

-You'll both be happy.

-Yeah.

-Let's head into the courtyard...

-Yes.

..see what there is.

So, while they track down that bit of silver,

I want to show you a Bargain Hunt favourite full of Irish charm.

When it comes to Irish pottery, Belleek is a name to conjure with.

And this intricately detailed basket is a splendid example of it.

Belleek porcelain literally comes from the heart of Ireland.

The key ingredient is a soft, white clay called kaolin.

The Chinese have used it for thousands of years,

but it wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries

that it was used in European pottery.

In Northern Ireland,

amateur mineralogist John Caldwell Bloomfield

discovered local deposits of kaolin in the village of Belleek

and recognised its potential to make liquid pottery clay, or slip.

Bloomfield established his own pottery using this natural resource,

and set about putting Belleek porcelain on the international map.

My favourite pieces of Belleek are these wonderful baskets,

first introduced by William Henshall in the 1860s.

It is made of a wonderful, pearly, almost luminous white porcelain,

and is literally made up of hundreds of individual parts.

If we look at the base, we see these spaghetti-like strands,

which have been hand-woven and interlaced by a master craftsman.

The same spaghetti-like strands are crisscrossed

to form this open bodywork.

The rim is decorated with exquisite handcrafted flowers

and shamrocks.

And it's often said that you can see

the fingerprint of the artist

on the petals.

The Belleek back stamp is distinctive

and we can see it on this piece.

And we can see the Irish wolfhound, the round tower and the harp.

But Belleek baskets are marked differently.

We can see this tab,

and the tab bears the text "Belleek, County Fermanagh."

And this is laid on a three-strand weave.

The format of the text and the number of strands

enable us to tell the date,

and this one dates from the late 19th, early 20th century.

In the antiques world,

items, periods and styles go in and out of fashion.

Ten years ago, this basket would have achieved the high hundreds.

Today, it's a good deal less.

But my advice is, maybe this is the time to buy.

Because a thing of quality is a joy for ever.

And quality will always rise again.

Back to it. And, so far, the Blues have disagreed on sporting items

but settled for a George Best note and a hat stand.

While the Reds went down memory lane.

So, with just 20 minutes left, team, what are your thoughts?

The first time that we bought,

we think we bought really well, price-wise.

We've a couple of other items

we're hoping the other teams haven't spotted

and we can swoop in in the last few minutes and get the deal done.

I'm worried because we haven't quite yet found the jackpot

which the girls really want.

I have every faith in you, Charles.

Now, how's the Irish silver hunt going, Blues?

We want a bit of family unity,

-we want to find something that you both like.

-Yeah.

So is there anything which is catching you

or do you want to head inside the shops? What would you like to do?

That is really cool.

Hey, that's not exactly silver, is it, team?

I mean, it's a little pedal car.

Obviously, it's not a particularly old one.

Telltale signs you want to look for on things like this

-is things like the type of screws that are used.

-Screws, yeah.

The kind of plastics which are involved with it.

-And it says 1938 on the front. It isn't.

-No.

-So it's just a pedal car.

-Fun.

-But it's fun.

-Yeah.

-And your kids would like it?

-Love it.

Especially if it comes with that hat.

-The Cumbria Fire Service.

-Cumbria?

-That's nice and local.

-Not.

-THEY LAUGH

So what's on the car?

£95.

-There's no price on the helmet.

-No.

Whether it's being sold with it, you can ask the question,

because you seem to be more persuasive.

OK. So if I try and get both together...?

See what you can do. See if you can get both together.

-See if they are together.

-Right, OK.

-At the 95.

I think the man has just walked into...

-Hello. How are you?

-Not too bad, thanks. Not too bad.

We love this. What could you do for both together?

-125. And that's the helmet and the car.

-Ooh.

Well, for both together, we would go 70, for both together?

No, no. I suggest if we agree on £87.

-I think 82.

-Round it up to 85, and we'll have a deal.

-84.

-It's a deal.

-Perfect. Thank you so much.

-Not at all.

Well done. We've now got all three items.

The Reds are probably floundering somewhere in a state of panic.

I think we ought to have a cup of tea.

-Yes, some lunch.

-Some nice chairs down there.

Come on, let's head down.

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you.

-All the best.

Well, you two are a couple of cool customers.

It isn't Irish silver, but I'll settle for family unity instead.

Well done, guys. You deserve to put your feet up.

Now, Reds, you still need to buy two items,

and Lynne's eyeing up some prints.

I would be interested in those charts.

-You're admiring Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.

-Yes.

-Why?

-They're very stylish. And...

-Bring one of them down, come on.

The framing's amazing. Is it...is it recently framed?

Yes, the frames are modern.

-So that is winter.

-Uh-huh.

So they are period prints, or what appear to be stipple engraving.

They're nice, aren't they?

They're sort of classical, and these are period frames.

And we can see, it reads here that this print is around 1798,

after Sir W Hamilton, RA.

They're priced at 375.

OK, but maybe... We did well last time. Maybe we can ask again.

-It's our budget.

-But you won't get that much off, surely?

Let's see, let's see.

ANITA: I love your confidence, Lynne.

-Sir, bring one more down for us. Are they all the set?

-Yes, all four.

I can't believe we'd do this,

because we said we wanted to go retro - we're going full-on...

-Ask the question. How much are they?

-What could you do?

If I bring them below the 200, hopefully I'll sell them today.

-And so your best price would be...?

-195.

-Well, it's tempting.

-Uh-huh.

-Pretty good.

-He's been...

-That man's been so decent.

-Yeah.

We've only got ten minutes left.

-PRODUCER: You've got five minutes left.

-Yeah, we need...

Hold on. Hold on. I'm hearing we've got five minutes left.

-Oh, no!

-Oh, goodness. Oh, right, OK.

For the first time, fair warning.

-Second time...

-Yes, yes.

-Are we going to say...?

You're taking up all of my five minutes! Yes!

Another great discount, and that leaves you with £80 in the kitty.

Now, I don't like to worry you, but you need to get a wriggle on!

Listen to me. We've only got four minutes left.

-Four? Right.

-What have we seen that we like?

Well, we saw the vase first of all. And the spelter figures.

I loved the red vase.

-Well, I liked the spelter figures.

-Lynne?

-You only want the red vase

because that leaves you more money to spend.

No, the spelter figures.

-How much were they? They were £70.

-They were 70.

Come on. Let's get the figures. Come on. After you.

-Three minutes. Are they still there?

-Yes, yes.

-Yes, good.

-Yes. Could we...?

Your great nature - ask and ye shall receive.

Would there be any chance of a reduction?

-We have got £80 left.

-Yes.

-And we want to leave 20 for...

-For Charles.

I couldn't do 60. Honestly, you know...

Could you meet us in the middle, maybe?

I could come down slightly. I could come down to 68.

68 for the figures, I think, is not a bad price.

-We've got two minutes. Decision time now.

-Yes.

-We'll go for it.

-Yeah.

-Shake his hand.

-It's a deal.

-Thanks, sir.

-Thank you very much.

ANITA: That's it, teams.

Just in the nick of time, and with nearly all your money spent.

-Three down.

-Oh, great.

-The figures await.

-Job done.

-I think they're great and they're very stylish.

Let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

Their first item was the mahogany cash till.

Price paid, £25.

Next, the set of four engravings cost them £195.

And, finally, their two bronzed figures set them back £68.

Well, girls, did you have a good time?

-Fabulous.

-Brilliant.

-Fabulous.

You spent a LOT of money.

-LAUGHING:

-We did indeed!

Did you take a wee gamble, maybe?

Yes...

Oh, I like a team that takes a gamble!

-Now, tell me, what was your favourite item?

-The pictures.

Do you think the pictures are going to make you the biggest profit?

-Time will tell!

-THEY LAUGH

Lynne, what was your favourite item?

The wooden cash till. I love the fact that it was

for a Belfast building called the Scottish Provident Building,

and the auction house is right across the road.

-A local item.

-Yeah.

And the fact that we got it really, I feel, at a really good price.

So you think, as well as being your favourite item,

-it will make the biggest profit?

-I think so.

Well, you like spending money. CHARLES CHUCKLES

You spent a magnificent £288.

-Yes.

-I'm proud of you, girls!

Could I have a wee, tiny £12?

-There you are.

-This will be giving Charlie a challenge...

-Yeah. Anita, you're quite right.

-..but is Charlie up for it?

-Yes, he is.

-It is miserable, but I can guarantee you

-I'll buy you something rich in history.

-OK, OK.

-I promise you.

While Charlie goes off to buy his bonus buy,

let's check out what the Blues bought.

First up was the Bank of Ulster £5 note.

Price paid, £12.

Next was the upcycled coat stand for £20.

And, finally, they bought the small pedal fire engine for £84.

Cleland, Gemma, did you have a good time?

-Brilliant time.

-Marvellous.

-ANITA LAUGHS

Now, Cleland, tell me first of all, what's your favourite item?

My favourite item is the George Best £5 note.

-Ah, right. Well, you wanted a local item, didn't you?

-We did, yes.

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

-I think so.

-Gemma, what was your favourite item?

-It's the coat stand.

-Right.

-I just love it.

-You just had to have it?

Yes. I love it.

Is that the item that you think is going to make the most money?

No, I think it's going to be our fire engine.

-The wee fire engine.

-The wee car?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-Well, you spent £116.

-Yes.

-Could I have 184, please?

-Really?

-Yes. ANITA LAUGHS

-Right.

-There you go.

Which I will pass straight over to Ben.

-Thank you.

-Ben, that's a lot of dosh.

Do you know what you're going to buy?

I have no idea what I'm going to buy,

but probably I'm going to try the silver hunt.

We haven't found anything Irish, but I could find something silver.

Of course you will.

While Ben goes off to buy his bonus buy, we're off to the auction.

Today, we are in Ross's Auctioneers with auctioneer Daniel Clarke.

Daniel, it's lovely to be here.

We're delighted you're back again.

Reds first - Lynne and Pauline.

Their first item bought was this self-closing till.

What do you think about it, Daniel?

Well, I think it's late 19th century, early 20th century.

It's rather nice to see the Belfast connection,

HO Fielding of Scottish Provident Buildings,

a very prominent office block just opposite the City Hall in Belfast.

I think it's going to appeal to someone, perhaps,

who has a themed cafe or a themed bar or something like that

and I would expect it to make probably £60 to £80.

£60 to £80? That's wonderful, because they only paid £25.

It was Lynne's favourite item,

and it was the item that she thought would make the most money.

Well, let's hope she makes a profit on it!

Excellent, excellent.

Now, second item, chosen by Pauline, she loved these.

It's the set of four engravings.

Will your buyers like these engravings?

Well, you have the buyers who want to buy original art

and then, of course, there's people who are looking for something

of a decorative nature and prints, of course, fit into that category.

They're rather interesting because they are the four seasons

and they're very, very nicely presented, beautifully framed.

Because we have the complete set, possibly £100 to £120.

Yeah, well, they really pushed the boat out on these engravings.

They fell in love with them.

They paid 195.

So we might see a bit of a problem there.

It could be difficult to achieve that.

Their third item is the pair of figures.

Is this the type of item that your buyers will like?

Well, they are decorative.

You could see them gracing a mantelpiece somewhere.

They're not terrifically good quality.

I think these gilded hammers don't actually belong.

-Right.

-But they have a look about them.

You're obviously not going to be paying the price

that you would if they were bronze, so perhaps £80 to £100.

Well, they paid £68 for the pair,

so there is the chance of a profit on that lot.

-A slim margin. A slim margin.

-A slim margin.

-Possibly, yeah.

They may or may not need their bonus buy,

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

Lynne, Pauline, you spent a magnificent £288.

You only left Charlie a wee £12.

Charlie, what did you buy?

It was minimal, it was nominal,

but when you can buy rich history for only £12,

feast your eyes on this.

It's a book which was published in the year 1683.

And this book goes back to that humble age

of the time of Charles II.

It's called The Protestant Reconciler

and, inside, you'll see just on that title page

is the all-important publishing date in London for the year 1683.

-Have a handle. What do you think?

-Amazing.

First impressions weren't...

Yeah. But it's so invigorating.

-Did you give £12 for it?

-£12.

And what do you reckon it will make?

Well, £25, £35.

-It's a good find, yeah.

-It is, definitely.

-Are you happy?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Happy.

-Look at me.

Well, girls, you don't have 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

about Charlie's old book.

Daniel, Charles's bonus buy was this book.

Tell me what you think of it.

The Protestant Reconciler, and it's dated 1683, so it's very early.

It's a good old book.

It's an old book. I see the name John Moore of Hull written inside.

That was probably the person who originally owned it.

The condition isn't great.

It's probably used rather than abused

but, of course, that has to be expected with something of this age.

-I mean, I would put an estimate of £8 to £10...

-Yes.

..but I wouldn't be at all surprised if we could outstrip that

and maybe make 20 to 30.

Well, Charles only paid £12 for it, so we may have a profit there.

-Hopefully.

-Well, that's it for the Reds.

Now onto the Blues, Gemma and Cleland.

Now their first item was this Ulster Bank George Best £5 note.

George Best, one of Belfast's greatest sons.

Is it worth a lot more than £5?

Of course, George Best is a household name in Belfast

and pretty well everybody in Northern Ireland

has got a George Best £5 note!

SHE LAUGHS

But the interesting thing about this particular one is,

not only is it in pristine condition,

but it's also got the original sleeve,

and that makes it a little bit more special.

And I would have thought that it should make £10 to £15.

All right. Well, they paid £12.

This was Cleland's favourite item,

and it was also the item that he thought would make most profit.

Perhaps somebody will consider it a collectable thing for the future.

Excellent. Second item for the Blues was Gemma's favourite lot.

That was the coat and hat stand.

What do you think of that, Daniel?

Well, I think the one important thing about a hat and coat stand

above everything else is that it is functional

and, of course, this is very unstable.

The pegs look as if they've been removed possibly from a wardrobe

and screwed on.

-And I don't think there's an awful lot to recommend it.

-OK.

So I really can't see that making more than £10 or £20.

Right, they paid £20 for it.

The Blues' third item is the children's fire engines

with fireman's helmet.

Tell me, Daniel, what do you think of that?

Well, it's clearly reproduction and there's evidence

that the bar code has been rubbed off the bottom of it.

And, of course, the other exciting thing

is it's got the helmet with it.

I think for a young child

who is aspiring to get into the Fire Service in later life,

this will be very exciting.

It's a nice, jolly colour and I think it could sell jolly well.

Estimate on that, Daniel?

Say £60 to £80.

60 to 80. They paid £84.

But there is a glimmer of hope there?

There is. It's unusual and it's an exciting thing.

Well, it's all looking a bit shaky there, Daniel.

They may need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Gemma, Cleland, you spend £116.

You gave Ben 184.

Ben, what did you buy?

-Ooh!

-There you go.

-A little silver and enamel pillbox.

-Mm-hm.

You wanted silver.

As you can see, it's all tarnished around.

-It will polish up lovely, and, inside, a gilt interior.

-OK.

There's a little stamp to the side which says 800,

-so we know it's silver.

-OK.

-So it's continental.

The enamel is in perfect condition.

-What do you think?

-How much did you pay for it?

-What do you reckon I paid?

-30?

-50?

-No.

10.

-Yes.

-No!

-Yes.

-Wow!

Hopefully, it'll fly.

I want it to make about 40, 50?

-Do you think?

-I hope so.

Have a wee handle of it. It's a lovely thing.

Yeah, it's very nice. Yeah, good job. Well done.

Happy bunny?

Yeah...

Humph.

ANITA LAUGHS

Now, folks, I'm not going to hold you to any decisions at the moment.

Wait until your first three items have been sold

but, in the meantime,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of Ben's little pillbox.

Ben's bonus buy was this rather pretty enamelled pillbox.

What do you think of that, please?

A lot of people collect these things.

I don't think anybody is going to use it as a pillbox,

but it's a nice size.

I like very much the sunburst pattern on the top of it.

It's nicely gilded inside.

And the condition is lovely.

-I think £60 to £80, possibly.

-Excellent.

-Ben only paid £10.

-He got a very good buy.

Not a lot of money. Not a lot of money.

Are you wielding the gavel today, Daniel?

I'm the auctioneer today.

I'll look forward to the sale.

£80 in the room.

Well, girls, here we are at the auction.

The room is packed. The internet is active.

People are sticking their hands up, bidding for lots of things,

and your first item is that little self-closing till

-from the 19th-century.

-Uh-huh.

-That's a lovely thing.

-You paid £25 for it.

-It was Lynne's idea.

-It was your idea?

-Yeah.

Well, good luck on that because it's about to go under the hammer.

Mahogany till with the Belfast connection,

originally in the Scottish Provident Buildings.

I'll take 40.

40, I'm bid.

-50. 50 now.

-In profit, girls.

At £50.

At 60. At £60, I have.

New bidder at 70.

At £70 for the till.

At £70 I have now for the till.

At £70, you all out?

The bid's against you, sir, at 70.

I'm selling at £70.

-Hammer's down.

-Fabulous!

-£70.

Well done. That takes you to plus 45.

Well done, girls. What a good start.

Next lot, the four engravings bought for £195.

A set of four engravings,

The Four Seasons, beautifully framed and mounted.

For the four of them, could we say £100 to open, please?

-80 online.

-Yes, come on.

100 here. At £100.

It's in the room at £100.

-Internet, come back in.

-140 online.

140 online!

-£140.

-Go on!

-The bid's online at 140.

-At £140, against you, sir, we're selling now at £140.

-One more!

All done at 140?

-That's not bad.

-140.

-That could have been a whole lot worse.

-It could.

Now, you're -55.

That takes you, overall, to -£10, which isn't too bad.

After two items, you've got your third item coming up now.

And that'd the pair of figures.

Pair of spelter figures.

We'll say £60, please, for them.

50, anyone? £50, please.

40, I'm bid. At £40 for the spelter figures.

At £40.

-Come on, Belfast!

-At £40.

50 with the porter.

60. At £60.

HE MOUTHS

Five. At £65.

-Back with the porter at 65.

-Come on.

-One more, we need.

-At £65.

-One more bid.

The bid's with the porter at 65.

All finished?

At £65.

-Oh!

-65.

That is a sting!

That's -3.

Which takes your overall score to -13.

Are you going to take Charles' bonus buy?

It's the 1683 book.

-What do you think, girls?

-We'll take a chance, definitely.

-Are you going to take it?

-Yep.

-Yes.

It's coming up now.

The early book, dated 1683.

The Protestant Reconciler.

We'll open the bidding, please, at £10.

10, 20, 30. Any more?

-£30 now for the early book.

-Come on - we're in business!

At £30 now for the early book, at £30.

At £40, I have.

-At £40.

-Come on!

-At £40, I'm bid 50.

-Let's romp home with a profit!

At £50.

We have £50 now for the book, at 50.

At £50, are you all finished at 50?

All done at £50?

-Oh, high five!

-£50.

-Fabulous!

-Well done, Charles, that was brilliant.

-I felt it.

And fell done for taking the chance, girls,

because that is a profit of £38 on the book,

and that takes your overall score from -13 to plus 25.

-Brilliant.

-Well done, girls. Well done.

Are you all out?

Gemma, Cleland, this is the moment of truth.

-The moment of truth.

-Excitement.

-Excitement.

-How are you feeling?

-Great.

-Excited.

-I think we're going to do well.

-You're confident?

-Confident.

-Are you confident, Gemma?

-Totally.

Your first item, it's the George Best banknote.

-Local hero.

-Local hero.

-Paid £12 for it.

-Yes.

-Good luck.

-I think it's going to be good.

-Coming up now.

The George Best £5 note, complete with the sleeve.

Could we open the bidding, please, at £10?

-10, 20, 30, 40.

-Yes!

-40 now, any more?

-£40?!

At £40 for the George Best note. At 40.

At £40, I'm bid now for the George Best note.

At £40, you're all done?

All finished at £40?

I'm selling at 40.

Well done, well done.

The hammer down at £40.

That's plus 28 on our first item.

Go, you!

Oh, brilliant, congratulations.

-Second item coming up is the upcycled coat stand.

-Yes.

You paid £20.

Good luck. Coming up now.

The hat and coat stand.

Could we say £10 to open, please, for the hat and coat stand?

£10 anywhere?

£5 to open.

£5 I'm bid.

At £5.

- I'm sorry. - At £5 for the hat and coat stand.

At £5.

At £5, I have.

Any more? At £5, last call.

-At 10. It's the porter's bid.

-Yes.

At £10.

At £10, it's against you, sir, at 10.

It's with the porter.

I'm selling at £10.

-£10.

-Sorry.

So that's -10 on your second item.

Takes your overall score...

-Yeah.

-Still in profit.

-Plus 18, so not too bad.

-OK.

Your third item, the little pedal car with the fireman's helmet.

£84 paid. Good luck. Good luck. Coming up now.

Pedal fire engine, complete with a fireman's hat.

Could we open the bidding, please, at £40 anywhere?

£40. Say 30.

30, I'm bid.

At £30 I'm bid.

40, thank you.

-At 50.

-Come on.

-Climbing.

60. At 70.

At 80. The bid's here at £80.

-It's in the room at £80.

-And again.

At £80 we have now for the fire engine, £80.

At £80, I'm selling.

With you, sir, at £80.

Last call, at 80.

£80.

Paid 84, got to 80, so we're -4 on that.

But you're still in profit after your three items.

Plus 14.

Now, at this point, you have to make up your mind -

are you going to take the bonus buy?

-Gemma's not for it.

-No.

-But I'm going to make an executive decision.

-Oh.

-We're going for it.

-Are you?

-Go, you.

-Is your daughter in agreement?

-No.

-No?

-Who's the boss?

-Daddy.

Daddy's the boss.

Ben paid £10.

The auctioneer has estimated it at 60 to 80.

-No way?!

-Yes way.

It's still to be sold, right enough.

It's going under the hammer now.

Silver and enamel pillbox, pristine condition.

Could we open the bidding, please, at £30?

30 I'm bid. 40.

40 now. At 50.

At £50.

At £50.

At £50 now for the pillbox.

At £50.

Try 60, madam. £60 here.

We have £60.

At £60 we have for this silver and enamel pillbox.

All finished at £60?

-Oh, my goodness!

-£60.

The right decision to take Ben's bonus buy,

and you just made a profit of £50 on that,

which takes your overall profit to £64.

-Woohoo!

-That is absolutely wonderful.

Brilliant.

All finished?

Well, guys, did we have a good time?

-ALL:

-Yes!

We had a fabulous time,

and I have to say that both teams started off spectacularly

with wonderful wins...

..and then it all went a wee bit downhill,

but then you were rescued by your experts,

and each of your experts made you a little more money,

and both teams are going home with profits and folding money.

Yay!

I have to say that today's winners are...

..the Blues! THEY CHEER

Happiness, happiness?

-Yay!

-Well...

..I have to hand you over a quite spectacular £64.

Whoo!

Well done, guys. Well done.

But well done also, the Reds.

Yay!

Absolutely wonderful.

And I have to hand you £25.

Whoo!

What a terrific score, and how wonderful.

If you'd like to find out more about the show,

check out our website or follow us on Twitter

but, best of all, join us soon for more bargain hunting. Yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!