NARRATOR: The nation's favorite celebrities.
We are special then, are we?
Oh, that's excellent.
NARRATOR: Paired up with an expert.
We're a very good team, you and me.
NARRATOR: And a classic car.
Their mission, to scour Britain for antiques.
I have no idea what it is.
Oh, I love it.
NARRATOR: The aim?
To make the biggest profit at auction.
Yes.
NARRATOR: But it's no easy ride.
There's no accounting for taste.
NARRATOR: Who will find a hidden gem?
Who will take the biggest risks?
Will anybody follow expert advice?
Do you like them?
No.
NARRATOR: There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.
- Are you happy?
- Yes.
Ecstatic.
NARRATOR: Time to put your pedal to the metal.
This is Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
Yeah.
We're on a celebrity road trip with two of Britain's favorite actors, Casualty consultant Patrick Robinson and All Creatures Great and Small's Christopher Timothy.
I'm seriously excited about this.
I know it's pathetic, but I really am.
NARRATOR: Christopher became the world's most famous vet when he played James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small.
First broadcast in 1978, it became an instant hit, regularly watched by 20 million people.
Patrick, as consultant Martin Ashford, is one of Casualty's longest serving cast members.
In 2013, Patrick swapped scrubs for sequins and danced his way to the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finals.
Patrick and Christopher are driving a 1974 British Jensen Interceptor.
I want to put my foot down.
Ooh.
NARRATOR: Steady.
Ooh.
NARRATOR: Our celebrities each have 400 pounds to spend in the battle to make a profit from antiques.
To help them along the way, furniture and silver expert Margie Cooper and auctioneer James Braxton are on hand.
JAMES BRAXTON: Is there a theory, Margie-- can you smell silver?
I can smell plate.
You can smell plate?
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
MARGIE COOPER: But I don't know.
I don't go around smelling silver, James.
NARRATOR: Oh, yeah.
They'll both be helping our celebrities sniff out bargains in this leff hand drive 1969 Porsche 911 T. So we're going to meet our celebrities.
JAMES BRAXTON: Patrick and Timothy.
MARGIE COOPER: Right.
No.
Christopher.
Christopher.
Christopher and Patrick.
Patrick.
Because he is a man of two Christian names, isn't he?
Yes.
Christopher Timothy, which is very confusing.
Christopher Timothy.
Christopher Timothy.
NARRATOR: Christopher Timothy.
Today's road trip begins close to the Welsh border in Ross-on-Wye, before heading North East, and then over the River Severn into Wales for an auction in Cardiff.
- No idea.
- Oh.
Oh.
Handbrake on.
NARRATOR: Whoopsie.
As the actors make their entrance, it's time to decide the teams.
Good morning.
Good morning to you.
My word.
Your James, I know you are.
Hello, Christopher.
How are you?
[INTERPOSING VOICES] Hello, Patrick.
Hello, Margie.
Nice to meet you.
Hello, James.
Hi, good to meet you.
MARGIE COOPER: Hi.
Can I choose?
Only on the grounds of.
I might be very hurt.
Only on the grounds of I want to learn to dance.
[LAUGHING] Ah.
Margie, OK. Great.
I'm-- I'm very pleased.
Very pleased.
- So am I, sir.
So am I.
Well, I've never driven one of these, so it's rather fun.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Oh, right.
OK. MARGIE COOPER: So you're going to take the Porsche?
Go on.
All the very best, my friends.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
Bye, Margie.
- Good luck.
- Bye.
Bye.
Not too much.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] - Good luck, man.
- Yes.
I'll see you later on.
NARRATOR: So Christopher and James will purr around in the Porsche.
While Patrick and Margie enjoy the Interceptor.
First stop for team Christopher is in the historic Hereford market town of Ross-on-Wye.
The town first attracted visitors in the 18th century as people escaped the industry of the cities to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Wye Valley.
In fact, it's said to be the birthplace of British tourism.
But these two are not here to take in the views.
Oh, no.
They need to look for antiques to take to auction.
First stop, this 16th century building home to Elizabethan House Antiques.
JAMES BRAXTON: Come on, Christopher.
Oh, yes.
Our first-- our first [INAUDIBLE].. CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Hello there.
How are you?
You must be Fred.
- I am.
- Chris.
- Hello there.
- This is James.
Hello.
NARRATOR: Owner Fred has given pride a place in his shop to this rather imposing contraption.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Fred, what's-- what's this?
FRED: It's a cheese press.
It's French?
That is extraordinary.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: And so how would it work?
How would-- The cheese goes underneath here.
JAMES BRAXTON: The blessed cheese maker do it, make it.
You can see there's still a ring down there.
And then you just press the thing down.
NARRATOR: The pressure drives the moisture out of the curds, which then unify into a single body, a block of cheese.
The blocks would then be kept in a cupboard at the top of the contraption, where their weight helps to press the next batch.
JAMES BRAXTON: Both blessed and resourceful is the cheese maker.
Amazing.
How much is on the cheese press?
FRED: It's 1,295.
JAMES BRAXTON: Really?
1295?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Now the art here is to see if you can do a deal.
For less than 400 pounds.
NARRATOR: Now that would be some discount.
But the press has given James a cheesy angle to work with.
JAMES BRAXTON: Have you got anything else associated with dairies?
FRED: Um.
I'll have to think.
Not furniture.
JAMES BRAXTON: Not furniture?
NARRATOR: We'll leave that one with Fred, allowing James to begin Christopher's education in antiques.
JAMES BRAXTON: Does that have legs?
How much has he got on that one?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: 48 pounds.
JAMES BRAXTON: Everything in life is negotiable.
NARRATOR: James Braxton's number one rule.
Well, I bow to your wisdom.
But dark furniture is not-- just not doing much at the moment.
That's why I thought [INAUDIBLE].. See, I've done my homework.
NARRATOR: Full marks for effort that man.
Yeah.
Standard China.
So it's sort of factory line.
Sort of-- So dismissed in a phrase?
It's [INAUDIBLE] No.
There's so much to learn and so little time.
NARRATOR: He's a keen student too.
JAMES BRAXTON: You've got a nasty crack there, haven't you?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Yeah.
But I think I only watched your program last week, a week before, when a crack was considered to be of no consequence.
Really?
NARRATOR: Oh, well, it's not an exact science, Christopher.
FRED You asked me about dairy-- dairy equipment.
I've got a milk bowl here.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: A milk bowl?
I know.
Read that.
Read that.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Patent hygienic milk bowl.
Advantages-- won't slop over, pours easily, prevents flies walking around the rim.
So a fly-- well, a fly can't walk on the edge?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: That's the implication.
JAMES BRAXTON: How do they know that?
I think-- CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: You got to clear away your glasses-- I think that's advertised as puff, that.
Won't slop, pours easily, prevents flies walking-- walking into the milk.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: How do they do that.
Well I suppose they're slightly committed, aren't they?
So they can't.
They just fall in.
They fall in.
Also, one of the great things is you can hang it up.
So it hangs up when not in use.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: How much is it?
FRED: It's 25.
Well, I've never seen one.
Neither have I And I like it.
NARRATOR: But remember, James's number one rule, everything is negotiable.
What's the best you can do on that?
It's got to be 20.
20 will do.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: 20?
I think we should just go for that.
I like that.
I agree.
NARRATOR: It worked.
A fiver skimmed off the ticket price of the milk bowl.
20 pounds is a great deal from Fred.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you.
- Good.
Right.
Well.
Blessed is the cheese maker.
- Bye.
- Bye.
FRED: All right.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: Off the boys go with the first purchase of their road trip.
These two are off to a flying start.
Meanwhile, Patrick and Margie are making their way through the idyllic Cotswolds, to Winchcombe, seven miles from Cheltenham.
MARGIE COOPER: So Patrick, did you suddenly as a little boy think, I want to be an actor?
I suppose it did-- it kind of did happen like that.
MARGIE COOPER: Was this a shock for your mom and dad?
PATRICK ROBINSON: Well, the sad thing about that, Margie, is that my mom passed away when I was 15.
MARGIE COOPER: Oh.
PATRICK ROBINSON: So my dad brought me up.
But in the end, my dad and I were estranged when I was from 20 until about 23.
I was homeless for like a year when I was in drama school.
There wasn't the encouragement from family.
Great credit to you, isn't it?
So I kind of kept going with with me.
I've had to have the confidence to believe that to do-- to be an actor, you have to believe that there is always a job for you.
Yes.
NARRATOR: Well, we have every confidence in you with the next job in hand, buying antiques in Winchcombe.
The town's name derives from the Saxon, for a valley with a bend.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Here we go, Margie.
I'm excited, you know.
- Are you excited?
- Yes.
Yeah.
Wow.
NARRATOR: Winchcombe Antique Center has 18 dealers on two floors in this delightful grade two listed building.
Hello.
NARRATOR: Ever helpful Richard is the owner.
Good morning, Richard.
Richard, yes.
Good to meet you.
- Patrick.
- Hi.
Nice to meet you, Patrick.
Nice to meet you, sir.
Have a good rummage around and see what you can find.
NARRATOR: Sounds like a plan.
We'll kick off.
Thank you.
Good luck.
MARGIE COOPER: Right.
What's are you looking at, Patrick?
I'm looking at the silver.
Ah, the silver.
NARRATOR: Ah, Patrick's already found the way to Margie's heart.
PATRICK ROBINSON: That is love.
MARGIE COOPER: That's a pretty thing.
That's measuring out your spirit.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Yeah, yeah.
You get that into your sight, right?
Wait till it gets clear.
Yeah.
MARGIE COOPER: Right.
You see, dagger and wheat sheaves is Chester, which is always highly rated.
Oh.
NARRATOR: Hallmarked with a ticket of 95 pounds.
MARGIE COOPER: So what's the absolute very best?
You're outside-- 75.
Oh.
Right.
It's a thought.
- OK. Is it a thought?
I think so.
Right.
It's a thought.
NARRATOR: But is it the thought that counts?
With one possibility already, these two are shaping up to be a right double act.
[LAUGHS] Stan Laurel, baby.
Stan Laurel, baby.
Oliver and Hardy.
Why don't you do something to help me?
OK?
NARRATOR: What are they up to now?
Yeah?
NARRATOR: It's time Patrick got down to business.
Ooh.
MARGIE COOPER: More stuff.
What about those two?
Yeah.
Oh, boys.
Yeah.
Old tea urns.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Their copper, aren't they?
MARGIE COOPER: Copper and brass.
And they've had quite a hard life.
Look, those are all-- yeah.
It's popped off a couple of times, maybe.
Welded off, yeah.
Well, it shows how hard life for her.
Someone's been carrying these back and forth.
The tap's been off on that.
Do you like them?
I do, actually.
MARGIE COOPER: Richard?
RICHARD: Yes.
MARGIE COOPER: For some unknown reason, Patrick likes those.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Well, each their own.
MARGIE COOPER: Are they going to be cheap?
Go on.
20 pounds.
10 pounds each.
That's the deal of the day.
It's worth more than that in scrap, I would have thought.
Well, then I would say that might get more than that at auction.
Yeah.
Two tea urns that could be used for putting plants in and things.
NARRATOR: Two urns for 20 pounds.
He's good once he gets going.
Think we might be developing a theme here.
PATRICK ROBINSON: I kind of like this and I thought, I wonder if it's pewter.
And it is.
See, I hate pewter, but I like the design of that.
But I was going to say I like the design.
RICHARD: I was going to put a ticket on that at 70 pounds.
Oh.
That's killed it.
RICHARD: What are you thinking?
MARGIE COOPER: It's a gamble.
Oh, well, you'd throw me out the place.
I mean, I'm looking at 35 quid.
That's exactly what I was going to say.
35 pounds.
I hate it, Richard.
RICHARD: That is close to being thrown out, isn't it?
35 and 20?
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.
PATRICK ROBINSON: 55.
MARGIE COOPER: Go on then.
Yeah?
Shake his hand.
NARRATOR: Patrick's just done his first deal of the road trip.
Two lots for 55 pounds.
MARGIE COOPER: Oh, gosh.
I'm worried about that.
PATRICK ROBINSON: I'm not, actually.
NARRATOR: Margie, too late for second thoughts.
Why not cheer yourself up with some silver?
What about that little single and double measure?
Shall we look at that?
PATRICK ROBINSON: Oh, yeah.
NARRATOR: Richard's already knocked 20 pounds off the ticket price of 95 pounds.
Margie will be very lucky if she can get a further discount.
MARGIE COOPER: What is the-- what's the-- your best on that?
RICHARD: The very best on the measure?
Richard, my dear friend.
RICHARD: Beautiful little measure.
40 is the absolute best, I think, on that.
NARRATOR: And at 40 pounds, that's better than half price.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Yeah.
There's a bit of weight to that as well, isn't it?
MARGIE COOPER: That's nice.
That's nice.
PATRICK ROBINSON: OK. MARGIE COOPER: That can't fail.
And we all-- all agree to 40.
So we bought the pewter.
Yeah.
We bought-- there was cheap copper things.
PATRICK ROBINSON: And we bought that.
RICHARD: All right.
- 40.
- Right.
- No problem at all.
40 pence.
That's brilliant.
Look at that.
Oh, sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry.
40-- 40 poundstone.
NARRATOR: Patrick leaves his first shop with a four-piece pewter tea set, two copper tea urns, one solid silver spirit measure.
All for 95 pounds.
Wow.
Meanwhile, apprentice antique buyer Christopher and his expert James are back on the road.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: I can't help but feel, James, that I-- I was a bit non-contributory in that last session.
Oh, no, no, rubbish.
To be frank, we both passed the lot that we'd actually bought.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Yeah.
I didn't even see it.
JAMES BRAXTON: I know.
NARRATOR: Well, let's hope nothing's missed at your next shop, located on the outskirts of Ross-on-Wye is Blank Canvas Antiques.
JAMES BRAXTON: Here we go.
NARRATOR: Dealer Andy normally sells to the trade.
Here's a perfect opportunity for the lads to sniff out some market fresh stock with their remaining 380 pounds.
How much for your butcher's block, Andy?
ANDY: That is 450.
Well, we can't afford that, can we, sir?
JAMES BRAXTON: We can't afford that.
Shame.
JAMES BRAXTON: How about Mr. Tiger [INAUDIBLE] here?
That's 850 pounds.
And what about your lantern here?
ANDY: Chinese lantern?
650.
NARRATOR: They might struggle in here.
JAMES BRAXTON: What about your cushions?
ANDY: 1,500 pounds.
NARRATOR: Antique and unique they may be, but at that price, they're not an option for our treasure hunters.
I've got great taste, haven't I?
It was bang on, Christopher.
And I reckon you've got the pocket for it.
NARRATOR: He hasn't.
They've only got 380 pounds.
This is going to be a tricky one.
JAMES BRAXTON: That is a beast, isn't it?
NARRATOR: There's plenty for James to admire, but Christopher has been drawn to a bedside cabinet.
But this is not-- Andy?
ANDY: Yes?
This isn't one of a pair, is it?
ANDY: No.
- No.
ANDY: Well, I do get pairs in occasionally, but they're quite hard to find.
They're so well-made.
NARRATOR: Ah, Braxton found the biscuit jar.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Would you do me a favor.
Would you pass me that bedside-- that bedside lamp.
You'll stick it on top.
See if it works.
JAMES BRAXTON: I'm liking your style.
And with the shade.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
Give it a bit of height.
Give it proportion.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Yeah.
Just a bit.
And-- and some felt on the bottom.
You realize now that you're breathing sweets all over your-- your glasses?
And why not?
Ginger nuts.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Oh, no, perfect.
Ginger nuts, the king of biscuits, as far as I'm concerned.
NARRATOR: Well, Christopher's doing all the work here.
Finding the oak Victorian bedside cabinet, priced at 150 pounds, and the bronze candlestick converted to an electric lamp stand at 75 pounds.
Could we do a deal here, Andy, for the two?
ANDY 210 to have a deal with you.
I don't want you to go away empty-handed, really.
JAMES BRAXTON: 100 for that and 60 quid for that?
ANDY: No.
I can do 200.
What are the chances of a profit on this-- on these, not this.
JAMES BRAXTON: They're both items of lovely quality.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: That's indisputable.
JAMES BRAXTON: But, you know, are the grand old houses of Cardiff stuff full of all this stuff?
I don't know.
Oh, I don't know.
JAMES BRAXTON: Andy, if we bought the bronze on its [INAUDIBLE],, what would that be?
That can be 60 pounds 60 quid.
That's kind.
I think we'll do that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Thanks a lot, mate.
Yes, thank you, Andy.
Thank you.
JAMES BRAXTON: God, talk about the tortures of purchasing.
Should be a delight.
We should be breezing in here.
I put on 10 years.
JAMES BRAXTON: Proffering our cards and say-- and say-- NARRATOR: Well, Christopher's definitely picked up the slack and leaves with the 19th century bronze figure lamp base for 60 pounds.
Meanwhile, Patrick and Margie are taking some time out from shopping and have made their way across Warwickshire to visit a family home with a remarkable history.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Hey.
MARGIE COOPER: Coughton Hall, here we come.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Wow.
MARGIE COOPER: So how did we get in?
[DOORBELL RINGS] Oh.
Am I wrong?
Oh.
We thought the whole door was going to open.
Hello, sir.
- Hello.
Welcome to Coughton Court.
Hi.
Thanks.
NARRATOR: Coughton Court is the ancestral home of the Throckmorton family.
20 generations have lived here since 1409.
Today it's a house full of treasures that has connections with dark and dangerous times, which even link Coughton to a potentially seismic event that would have changed British history forever, the gunpowder plot.
And guide Vic Avis knows all about the building and the family.
So what's significant about the Throckmorton family?
Well, the Throckmorton family are Roman Catholics and have been all the way through the ages.
And from the time of Henry VIII, really until almost the time of Queen Victoria, Catholics were persecuted in one way or another.
But the Throckmorton have, as I say, remained Roman Catholic right through that period.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Yes, there's a lot of history to the place.
There is a lot of history to the place.
That's right.
NARRATOR: In the 16th century, Catholicism was outlawed.
Catholic families had a stark choice-- loyalty to their church or Protestant monarch.
To continue as Catholics, the Throckmorton at Coughton had to do so in secret.
This is what we call the tower room.
Yeah.
This would be the ideal place for a chapel.
Because if the house was searched, they-- this would be the last room that the people searching would reach because they've got spiral staircase all the way up here.
NARRATOR: Records show Coughton was repeatedly raided by the authorities looking for priests or evidence of practicing Catholics.
And the 600-year-old house continues to reveal many secrets.
Tell us about this incredible thing.
This is a painting on canvas, which was discovered in the roof space about 1900, I believe.
It's dated 1596 at the top there, you can just see it.
Across the bottom, it shows all the coats of arms of Catholic families who were imprisoned during these Elizabethan times.
It is a kind of Catholic propaganda document, if you like.
So this would have been a secret document in its day.
You would be in trouble if it was discovered in your possession.
Yeah.
And is it the only one in existence?
VIC: It is unique.
There's nothing else like it.
NARRATOR: There's no doubt the Throckmorton and Coughton court played a crucial part in enabling Catholicism to remain alive throughout the Reformation.
However, they were almost undone when they became caught up in a treacherous plot by Catholic militants to kill the King.
I have heard-- and tell me if I'm wrong-- that the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes, the conspirators, had some kind of link here?
VIC: Yes.
The ringleader of the gunpowder plot was not Guy Fawkes, which most people seems to think, but a man called Robert Catesby.
And Robert Catesby was the nephew of Thomas Throckmorton of Coughton Court.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Ah.
NARRATOR: And it wasn't just Catesby.
Of the 13 plotters, four of the conspirators were related to the Throckmortonns.
VIC: At the time of the plot, in November 1605, the Throckmortons weren't staying here.
They were at another of their properties, and they actually left this house to one of the plotters.
NARRATOR: Ah.
The story often told is of the plan to blow up parliament, killing Protestant King James I, and that an anonymous tip off led to Guy Fawkes being caught red-handed with 36 barrels of gunpowder.
Now, what's not widely known is that in the early hours of the 6th of November, the conspirators family and associates gathered at Coughton to receive the news that their friends and loved ones were on the run.
Eventually, all of the plotters were caught and executed.
And the worst form of execution, which was.
VIC: Hung, drawn, and quartered.
NARRATOR: Records suggest it was at Coughton Court that arms, horses, and ammunition had been stored.
Ready for the uprising that was meant to follow the annihilation of parliament.
MARGIE COOPER: It did not drop them in it, though.
VIC: Well, the Throckmorton family managed to get away with it.
If they were involved, they said they knew nothing about it.
They were interrogated and they got away with it.
NARRATOR: For 400 years, bonfires have burned on November the 5th to remember the failed coup.
And the Throckmorton family still remain at Coughton Court to this very day.
Vic, thank you for showing us and talking to us about this incredible place and its inhabitants.
Fantastic.
Thank you very much.
I've enjoyed showing you.
NARRATOR: Back in Ross-on-Wye, Christopher and James are scouring the high street for more bargains.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: God, it's so lovely weather, isn't it?
JAMES BRAXTON: It's just glorious.
Here we are.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: After you this time.
JAMES BRAXTON: After me.
Thank you.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: Husband and wife Ian and Sally have only been in their new shop for a few weeks.
There's plenty of new stock for the chaps' remaining 320 pounds.
JAMES BRAXTON: Hello.
Good afternoon.
- Hello, James.
- How doing?
Hi.
Good to meet you.
I'm Chris.
Hi, Chris.
Nice to meet you.
NARRATOR: There is plenty of furniture and collectibles at one end of the shop and under the counter.
Well, what-- what's that interesting thing at the end there?
IAN: Card case.
JAMES BRAXTON: Card case, is it?
IAN: With the-- JAMES BRAXTON: With the [INAUDIBLE]??
IAN I think the cards were brought out that way before sliding the cards out.
What a clever system.
I like mechanical things.
So that would just irritate them up.
So you could put a stack of your visiting cards.
Would that be right?
IAN: I believe so.
[INAUDIBLE] JAMES BRAXTON: I like that a lot.
NARRATOR: Ian's asking 45 pounds for the clever novelty card case, which dates from the early 20th century.
It's silver and sports the London hallmark.
There's something early '50s about it.
[INAUDIBLE] which is when I was discovering Americans and cigarettes and girls and movies and stuff.
JAMES BRAXTON: And how much on him?
IAN: It can be 35.
NARRATOR: There's plenty of other goodies under Ian's counter.
JAMES BRAXTON: Hey.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: What?
Daffs.
Isn't that the Welsh thing?
Yes, it is.
Absolutely.
Blimey O'Riley.
It's just the national-- I love the dialogue.
I just love it.
It's just the national thing, isn't it?
Yeah.
The daffs?
The daffs and leeks.
NARRATOR: I'm no gardener, but that looks more like a Narcissus.
James is hoping Welsh buyers in Cardiff will like something he thinks is a daffodil.
This compact is engraved, "Love, to Peggy.
", and comes with the original outer cover and a ticket price of 85 pounds.
Are we gonna buy that?
I think we do, yeah.
But you must buy your thing as well.
It's got to be done.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: I think so too.
JAMES BRAXTON: Are we as one on this?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: We are as one.
JAMES BRAXTON: As one?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: [INAUDIBLE] Excellent.
- OK. - Yeah.
Fantastic.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very kind.
Thank you very much indeed.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: Ian's agreed to knock 10 pounds off each item.
So that's the calling card case for 35 pounds and the enamel compact for 75 pounds.
It's been a busy day and there's another to come.
So for now.
Teams, nighty night.
Morning has broken.
And our actors are back in the Interceptor comparing notes.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Are you pleased with what you've got so far?
I am.
And do you-- are you confident?
PATRICK ROBINSON: I don't think we'll get much money with the things we've got.
Man, I really don't.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Yeah.
I'm really looking forward to today.
And I can't tell you how exciting it is when an expert agrees with something you say, isn't it true?
You think, oh.
JAMES BRAXTON: Christopher is a real enthusiast.
I think he's a fan of the show.
He loves it.
And he'd say, it's just really easy.
Yeah.
Don't you like enthusiastic people?
I do.
NARRATOR: Yesterday, the former James Herriot hunted for all bargains great and small.
Christopher and James spent 190 pounds picking up a milk bowl, a bronze lamp base, a card case, and then an enamel compact, leaving them with 210 pounds to spend today.
I've got great taste, haven't I?
NARRATOR: And Patrick modestly liked everything Margie loathed.
I kind of like this and I thought, I wonder if it's pewter?
MARGIE COOPER: I hate it, I hate, I hate it.
NARRATOR: In the end, they spent 95 pounds on two cup of tea urns, a solid silver spirit measure, and a pewter tea set, leaving them with 305 pounds still to spend.
- Yeah.
Get into the property, man.
Morning.
Morning.
- Morning team.
- Good morning.
Good morning, morning, morning.
Good morning, morning, morning.
Another beautiful day.
Glorious day.
Aren't we lucky?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Beautiful.
Isn't it exciting?
Don't you think it's exciting?
Very exciting.
MARGIE COOPER: Right.
You're driving, mate.
Had enough of it this morning.
OK. Well, Margie, would you to step this way, darling?
- Have a good day.
- Good day.
See you later, my love.
Good day.
NARRATOR: Both teams are making their way to Gloucester.
Docks here on the River Severn have been an important thoroughfare for trade for nearly 2,000 years.
The first stop of the day is Upstairs Downstairs, home to over 20 dealers packed in over three floors offering rich pickings to both teams, but Patrick and Margie have arrived first.
MARGIE COOPER: Ah.
I think they're going to be arriving.
So we need to whiz around before they get here.
OK. Well.
Because they're going to be hovering.
Right.
I'm scanning.
Yeah.
NARRATOR: Meanwhile, Chris and James are taking in the sights.
It is clever there, isn't it?
Very clever.
Clever.
But it's such a shame.
I'd love to have seen a [INAUDIBLE].. Yeah.
And this working.
Yeah.
Instead, it becomes coffee houses, isn't?
And restaurant-- restaurantee.
JAMES BRAXTON: But nice though.
NARRATOR: All this dilly dallying around on the docks has meant that the other team have first dibs.
I've done quite well in the past with these little Victorian brooches and things.
That's quite reasonable.
If we maybe got two or three of those.
This one here?
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.
That with a little bird on it there.
What's that little brooch thing?
That.
That's quite nice.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Yeah.
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.
The locket.
PATRICK ROBINSON: That's [INAUDIBLE].. Oh, they're here.
They're here already?
Hopefully.
NARRATOR: Best get in there, chaps.
You've got 210 pounds left to spend.
I think Welsh.
That's not Welsh, is it?
That's-- could be over Wales.
JAMES BRAXTON: Could be over Wales.
It's this way, yeah?
Yeah.
NARRATOR: Patrick and Margie have enlisted the help of Robert, who's minding another dealer's cabinet.
MARGIE COOPER: Thank you, Rob.
ROBERT: Let's dive in here for you.
So what we got here?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: OK.
So how much?
MARGIE COOPER: What's the price on that?
Well, it's just got 14.
Yeah.
I know why she just got 14 because under my eyeglass I've seen something.
Yeah.
It's 14?
It is, but we've got a slight problem.
Because this is why you need one of these.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Damn, I can't see anything.
MARGIE COOPER: The enamel is chipped.
[INAUDIBLE] one of these eyeglass things.
NARRATOR: Even so, 14 pounds is still a great price for a late 19th century silver brooch.
You see, you know, isn't that interesting?
Look up occasionally.
Look at the biplane.
Isn't that fun?
Yes, it is.
Do you like that?
I do.
In fact, I like it a lot.
NARRATOR: James has spotted a model Second World War biplane.
[INAUDIBLE] isn't that?
Do you think it'll be expensive?
I don't know.
NARRATOR: The chaps need to snag a dealer of their own.
Can we also have a look at this one here?
Patrick's seen that.
ROBERT: [INAUDIBLE] then.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Oh, yeah.
MARGIE COOPER: Quite pretty as a locket.
I like that.
And that's has made me-- ROBERT: A little bit of history in it.
Yes.
MARGIE COOPER: It's lovely.
With regard on the top, which is lovely.
It's obviously meant for to look when someone's away.
And, you know, have a photo in the center of each-- on each side.
PATRICK ROBINSON: I like it very much.
Yeah.
It's sweet, yeah.
NARRATOR: Meanwhile, their rivals have roped in Vic to help them out upstairs.
We looked at this fellow.
VIC: The biplane, yeah.
The biplane is a Gloucester Gladiator.
It's a Gloucester Gladiator.
A Gloucester Gladiator.
NARRATOR: The Gladiator was the last British biplane fighter and was one of Britain's most successful pre-war exports.
It was manufactured with pride just six miles from where we are now.
This scale model is rather spiffing, don't you think?
VIC: I think that was probably made by an enthusiast.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
VIC: Probably made in the '50s, '60s.
What's it made of?
I think it's made just the same way as they would have made a biplane.
So I think it's wood.
And then, of course, bound in some type of canvas, I suppose.
Yeah.
And then treated with whatever.
VIC: And then treated exactly the same way because all the rudders and everything else work.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Right.
VIC: Yes.
It is for sale.
If you've got 1,200 pounds in your pocket today, you can take it home.
NARRATOR: Here we go.
It's inordinately generous of you.
VIC: Absolutely, yes.
Well done.
It's a-- What a shame.
It's fun, isn't it?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: It's fun.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yes.
Nice piece.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Have you noticed how much we've spoken about things that we don't buy?
I know.
We have.
NARRATOR: Let's chat, more shop.
ROBERT: I've just noticed a very rare right item actually in that cabinet.
Go on, dig it out.
It's not made of silver or gold, but.
Go on.
It's that.
Right.
That's actually a last rites cross, that is.
If you notice at the bottom it's got a skull and crossbones on it.
MARGIE COOPER: Oh, really?
ROBERT: Quite often that was pressed into the soldier-- a soldier that is dying.
They put that into his hand.
Really?
They-- basically, to read in the last rites just before he went.
Well, I didn't know that.
I didn't know that.
It's very rare, those.
NARRATOR: The skull and crossbones could also symbolize the location of the crucifixion, a place known to some as the place of the skull.
Rob's convinced this crucifix was used in the First World War.
MARGIE COOPER: Gosh, you wouldn't want to part with that, would you?
I mean, how many hands have held that?
ROBERT: Yeah.
But it's the history of it.
NARRATOR: Great object, but Margie only has eyes for the silver.
The locket has a ticket price of 59 pounds and the dealer is asking for 14 pounds for the brooch.
MARGIE COOPER: I'd like the very best on those two.
She won't take 45 for those two, would she?
ROBERT: I'll give her a try.
NARRATOR: While Rob acts as go between for team Patrick, Vic has wooed James and Christopher to a secret corner of the shop, and a bamboo table that's just come in.
I just think it's just so resourceful.
Because bamboo is one of those magical items that you can bend, you can steam it, you can joint it.
Amazing.
Incredibly strong.
Has it got a nice tiled top or is it lacquered?
It's got a lacquered top.
And-- [INAUDIBLE] that bit.
That's what it is.
So we have to put that piece back in.
Yeah.
But as it is, 25 quid.
NARRATOR: The table dates from around 1900.
It's damaged and has a rather tired appearance.
It'll be a gamble purchase even at 25 pounds.
It's quite a pretty top.
It's been bashed and everything.
And we got little birds here.
Rather exotic.
So pretty, isn't it?
JAMES BRAXTON: So pretty, isn't it?
You know, oriental, lacquer.
I quite like that.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: I do.
And I've got to say, what I'm thinking of, I'm trying to think in terms of our aim.
Would you clean it up?
Would you do anything to it between now and the sale?
JAMES BRAXTON: I wouldn't.
I would sell it [INAUDIBLE].
I think that somebody buying it could retrieve it.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: I agree with you.
I mean, knowing as little as I do, I agree with you.
And your enthusiasm convinces me.
So I think [INAUDIBLE].
Lovely.
Shake the man's hand.
Thank you, Vic, very much.
Thank you very much.
25 quid.
NARRATOR: Deal done.
A broken bamboo table for 25 pounds.
Let's hope buyers at auction are as enthusiastic about it as James and Christopher.
On the other side of the shop, Robert has news.
Very best she can do is 51.
51?
51.
I've never bought a 51 before.
So 45 is a complete no-no.
ROBERT: Yeah.
What do you think?
I think-- well, it's what you think.
I think it's worth it.
Do you?
ROBERT: 51?
MARGIE COOPER: 51.
ROBERT: Done and dusted.
Very funny price though.
NARRATOR: That's another lot purchased.
Two pieces of jewelry, 22 pounds off the ticket price.
Right.
So we've got four items.
One more shop.
But what about that cross?
That cross was lovely.
I think it's a really interesting story behind it.
You really want it?
I would love it.
Should we go back in?
Let's go back.
Right.
NARRATOR: Be quick.
There's competition behind every cabinet.
Look behind you.
Ah.
Ah.
These are very nice, aren't they?
Very, very nice indeed.
And those are very good.
Yeah.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Wait a minute.
I've seen you on the telly, haven't I?
How you doing?
I'm doing good, man.
How are you?
Very good.
You're looking-- you're looking a bit pleased of yourself.
- You're confident, aren't you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's best not to fraternize.
[INAUDIBLE] - OK.
Sorry.
Fraternize?
They look sort of confident, don't they?
But they're still buying.
I do.
But we-- but we have every right to be confident.
We have.
We're done.
We're done.
So let's leave.
NARRATOR: Shopping's done.
The chaps are off to explore Gloucester.
Thank you.
Bye.
NARRATOR: While Patrick still has unfinished business.
Where's that cross?
Beautiful cross.
Yeah.
[INAUDIBLE] - Hello.
Back again.
I'm back, Rob.
Yeah, we're back.
We've been out, come back in again.
And we just think we might quite like that, particularly Patrick.
35.
So, can we broker here a deal?
We can do it for 25.
But that would be-- those are quite rare.
Something I'm not going to argue.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Deal done.
Oh, lovely.
Thank you very much.
Fantastic.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: Patrick now has jewelry, tea urns, some pewter ware, and a crucifix.
A good selection for auction.
Back in the car, James is hearing how Christopher convinced a producer to give him the role of James Herriot.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: He said, the hierarchy are nagging me to cast an established name.
So would you like to play Tristan?
I was a father of five, I was broke, and I found myself saying, I can't believe I said it, no.
It's James Herriot or nothing.
Anyway, the months passed and through all sorts of machinations, I finally got the part.
It was the most joyous time and the most joyous job to do.
Yeah.
NARRATOR: Christopher and James have made their way across the city and to one of its best known landmarks, Gloucester Cathedral.
The site of the cathedral has been a place of worship for well over 1,300 years, and played significant parts in English history.
But James and Christopher are here to learn about a little known intriguing story with a transatlantic twist.
Former member of the cathedral choir Jonathan McKechnie-Jarvis knows all about it.
Have you've got time?
Would you like to come up the tower?
I'll be very, very happy to take you.
JAMES BRAXTON: OK. One, I'm fit and able.
I'm able.
Excellent.
Let's make a move.
NARRATOR: High up the cathedral's tower is some impressive 18th century musical machinery.
JONATHAN: Mind the step as you come in.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Mind the step.
JONATHAN: The fact is, if you go behind the scenes in almost any of our cathedrals, sooner or later, you will find some derelict bit of equipment, which has got its own story to tell.
What you're looking at here is a chime machine of 1762.
NARRATOR: Chime machines, also known as a carillion, were synchronized with the clock at the cathedral's bells to play tunes at intervals throughout the day and night.
JONATHAN: So this is really like a musical box, where instead of pins, we've got these cams, which would have lifted your lever like that.
And then there'd have been a tensioned wire running to the bell.
[BELL CHIMES] Wow.
You can hear it.
NARRATOR: This chime machine first played in 1762 when a young cathedral choir boy named John Stafford Smith would have sung in these stalls.
He went on to devote his life to music and gained the reputation of being a gifted organist and composer.
His musical talents gained him entry to an exclusive gentlemen's social club, where, in 1780, he penned a composition that has since become one of the most recognizable pieces of music in the world today.
[ORGAN PLAYING] At first, Stafford Smith's rousing tune was adopted as an anthem by his social club.
But the song caught on and became popular on both sides of the Atlantic.
JONATHAN: And here's a Memorial to him, which picks up on what he is best known as.
And it may just ring a bell, if you'll pardon the pun, because he wrote the tune which later became the Star Spangled Banner.
So how did the theme tune, if you like, for the gentleman's club, how did that and why did it become the American national anthem?
It seems it became a popular drinking song both sides of the Atlantic.
So it was quite a well-known tune.
Already?
JONATHAN: Already.
NARRATOR: In its first conflict since the War of Independence, America found itself in a bloody battle with the British.
In 1814, the British Navy attacked the Port of Baltimore on America's East Coast.
Despite an aggressive bombardment by the British, the Americans held their ground.
Suffering heavy losses, the British withdrew.
The sight of the American flag flying at dawn inspired American poet Francis Scott Key to write a song to celebrate the victory.
He put his lyrics to Stafford Smith's tune.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: So it was actually a popular song became the National anthem?
You can't really imagine God Save the Queen being a popular song, can you?
JONATHAN: No, you can't.
It hasn't quite got the same-- the same snack to it, has it?
No, it hasn't.
NARRATOR: It wasn't until a congressional resolution in 1931 that the Star Spangled Banner officially became the national anthem of the United States of America.
So but [INAUDIBLE] we have a little American corner.
And there's that link back to our chime machine and the tunes that it plays.
[INAUDIBLE].
Well, thank you.
Thank you so much.
JONATHAN: Thank you for coming.
Lovely to see you, James.
You must come again.
JAMES BRAXTON: Thank you.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Fantastic building.
NARRATOR: Meanwhile, Patrick and Margie are still searching high and low for treasure to take to auction.
How tall are you?
5'11".
Hey, you look bigger.
Oh, thank you very kindly, ma'am.
Cause I'm about 5'9".
I know.
You're a tall lass.
Yeah.
NARRATOR: Their next stop is a stone's throw from the cathedral and a shop with 40 dealers, Fab and Faded.
That's not the dealers, it's the name of the shop.
Wow, this looks all right.
It looks very, very nice.
It does look very nice.
Yes.
NARRATOR: And Dudley's the man in charge.
Hello, Dud.
Margie.
Dudley, hi.
- Patrick.
- All right, Patrick.
Nice meeting you.
MARGIE COOPER: This looks very nice.
Can we have a look around?
- Yeah.
Help yourself.
And if you need any help, just give me a shout.
Thank you very much.
NARRATOR: Patrick and Margie have 229 pounds left to spend, and there are two floors of cabinets to rummage through.
Wow.
You're loving this, aren't you?
I actually am.
Because I'm not really keen on shopping, but looking for various things that could produced quite a decent amount of cash.
It's quite interesting.
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.
You know.
Oh.
Model cars in the boxes.
Oh, model cars in the boxes.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Yes, not the big ones but the little old ones.
Look at that.
But they're not old.
2 pounds 50 each.
No they're not 2.50 each.
[GASPS] They are 2.50 each.
[LAUGHS] Because they're not very old.
NARRATOR: Well, at least he's trying.
But ever observant, Margie, has an item in her sights.
MARGIE COOPER: At the bottom of the stairs on the right hand side.
- Mm-hm.
There's a whacking pair of old Victorian industrial bellows What do you mean a whacking pair, how big?
Big, like nearly as big as you.
Stop it.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: That's 5 foot 11 then.
That's big.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Yes, let's see this big bellow.
MARGIE COOPER: Amazing.
I'll be as big as you.
Yes.
MARGIE COOPER: Well [LAUGHS] PATRICK ROBINSON: You're right, it's as big as me.
MARGIE COOPER: What would one do with them?
[LAUGHS] Oh my gosh.
MARGIE COOPER: I wonder what they were used for.
Wow.
MARGIE COOPER: I wonder If it's something to do with the pottery business.
NARRATOR: The big bellows have a rather large ticket price of 250 pounds.
Some 20 pounds more than what these two have left in their kitty.
MARGIE COOPER: It's a funny old thing isn't it?
I like it.
MARGIE COOPER: [LAUGHS] But I think the stenciling is probably later done.
Because it is a funny old thing.
Just thinking about it actually working.
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.
Even though it may be very crisp and leather.
And then God forbid it didn't sell.
[LAUGHS] I know.
MARGIE COOPER: [LAUGHS] Can you get it in your car?
[LAUGHTER] It happens, you know.
No I'm sure.
OK, well I-- - Come on.
--will be advised-- - Be a man.
- --by you.
Be a man.
And make the decision.
Easy killer.
[LAUGHTER] It will be up to y-- it depends what we can get it for.
MARGIE COOPER: Do you like it?
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: That depends on Dudley.
Right, are we having it or are we not having it?
DUDLEY: What were you thinking?
MARGIE COOPER: I was thinking 100 quid.
Go on then.
NARRATOR: That was easy.
We're buying it.
[LAUGHS] [MUSIC PLAYING] I must be mad.
Thank you, Dudley.
I mean that, about, is so un-me, I can't tell you.
[LAUGHTER] Gee.
[LAUGHS] Yes.
[LAUGHTER] Very excitable.
DUDLEY: [LAUGHS] These actors you know.
[LAUGHS] PATRICK ROBINSON: Oh, please.
No.
NARRATOR: Steady on.
Bagging those bellows certainly has Patrick all fired up.
[MUSIC PLAYING] You can pay for it and carry it out now.
PATRICK ROBINSON: OK. MARGIE COOPER: Because you look a big lad.
NARRATOR: Margie seems to rather enjoy having a man of muscle in tow.
DUDLEY: Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
MARGIE COOPER: [LAUGHS] Thank you for my bellows.
My giant bellows.
NARRATOR: Patrick and Margie have sealed their sixth deal of the road trip.
Reduced from 250 to 100 pounds.
Shopping complete, it's time for the teams to compare treasures.
What a fabulous trip.
Yeah.
What a majestic setting.
Anyway-- MARGIE COOPER: Absolutely.
JAMES BRAXTON: --1, 2, 3.
ALL: Ooh.
- Oh, Ah, mm.
MARGIE COOPER: My favorite.
[LAUGHS] [INAUDIBLE] My favorite.
MARGIE COOPER: That's my favorite.
Daffs for taffs.
Does this make you feel uneasy?
- Daffs for taffs.
- That is lovely.
Oh I'd like that.
That's really-- PATRICK ROBINSON: Isn't that nice?
--nice.
Bronze?
JAMES BRAXTON: Bronze.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Bronze.
JAMES BRAXTON: Feel the weight if you wish.
Never mind the quality-- PATRICK ROBINSON: Oh yeah.
JAMES BRAXTON: Feel the weight.
Feel the weight.
MARGIE COOPER: Nice.
Any chipping on your enamel, sir?
None.
PATRICK ROBINSON: [LAUGHS] Very pleased to say none.
Any chipping?
[LAUGHTER] How rude.
PATRICK ROBINSON: [LAUGHS] CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: It sounds like a villager.
JAMES BRAXTON: How rude, come on.
MARGIE COOPER: Very nice.
Show us yours.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Reveal, Margie.
MARGIE COOPER: Reveal.
JAMES BRAXTON: Oh-- CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Oh, wow.
JAMES BRAXTON: --look at this.
MARGIE COOPER: Right.
Blimey.
Job lots.
Is that pewter?
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah it is.
I think pewter might be making its way back.
- You do?
- We're going to-- MARGIE COOPER: [LAUGHS] --ratchet that in Vogue business.
Now, you see?
It's big in Cardiff if I hear.
MARGIE COOPER: [LAUGHS] Pewter, big in Cardiff.
I like your urns.
PATRICK ROBINSON: I love those.
MARGIE COOPER: [LAUGHS] PATRICK ROBINSON: I couldn't resist.
MARGIE COOPER: They've had a hard life.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Yeah.
How much were they?
BOTH: Uhh PATRICK ROBINSON: 20 quid?
They weren't 20 quid?
20?
Each?
No.
No.
Tenner each.
JAMES BRAXTON: That's a very good buy.
NARRATOR: The biggie is still to come though.
MARGIE COOPER: [LAUGHS] I think here should be all right.
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.
Double our eyes?
PATRICK ROBINSON: Yes?
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah, you can.
[LAUGHS] Blimey.
PATRICK ROBINSON: Ta-da.
That is a pair of bellows isn't it?
Most religiously, sir.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: It would look quite cool over a big-- in a large room over an inglenook fireplace.
Someone's going to want it.
Yes they are.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] JAMES BRAXTON: And how much did you pay for that?
PATRICK ROBINSON: 100.
100, 100.
MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.
- That's good.
- It's lovely.
Blimey.
MARGIE COOPER: Well done you two.
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Well done, well done all.
MARGIE COOPER: Let's wait and see what happens.
- Yes.
- I'm really impress-- [LAUGHTER] --seriously impressed.
Come on.
Yep.
Good haul, people.
Good haul.
NARRATOR: All very polite, but what do they really think?
Our stuffs pretty good, don't you think?
I think-- I reckon-- well I-- I think our stuff's really good.
I think, apart from big birth of the bellows.
Oh come on, man, it's a great laugh.
If that goes wrong.
I think the bellows are brilliant.
JAMES BRAXTON: They are good, aren't they?
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY: Yeah.
MARGIE COOPER: And the milk bowl, well.
I thought it was um-- Uh, yeah.
Well I didn't think it was what it was.
I just-- Thought it was a potty.
No it's a milk pan.
PATRICK ROBINSON: [LAUGHS] The fight is on, isn't it?
The fight is on.
It is on.
It is going to be a fight, don't you think?
Yeah, and it's coming to us very soon.
That's right.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: As soon as you get to the auction.
[MUSIC PLAYING] The teams have taken in a 220-mile road trip.
Starting in the Wye Valley, skirting around the Malvern Hills, before crossing the river Severn, heading into Glamorganshire, and to Cardiff, the largest city in Wales.
It was crowned the capital in 1955.
I've been lucky because Christopher is a real enthusiast.
Well I've seriously enjoyed the two days buying, but I'm doubly excited about this.
Really, really, excited.
Well I think Patrick the same.
Yeah he's enjoying it.
And we've had a lot of fun.
PATRICK ROBINSON: I kind of like-- the buying was fun.
But how auction experienced are you in relation to Cardiff?
At all?
I have never been to an auction.
NARRATOR: Well you're in for a treat today.
Our team's treasures are going under the hammer at Rogers Jones, and the man with the gavel is Ben Rogers Jones.
So what does he think of our celebrities hall?
BEN ROGERS JONES: Well, the bellows, we call items like that "antique slugs".
We call them antique slugs, because every time they move, they leave a trail of mess on the floor.
The bamboo table, um, if that's shabby chic, it's got a severe leaning towards shabby.
I'm afraid, we might struggle with that one as well.
The measure is quite nice, quite a nice novelty piece of silver, quite a reliable market.
The mechanical silver card case, that's quite nice.
Again, collectable silver in small form is doing well, and I would expect that to make between 40 and 60 pounds.
It's a nice item.
NARRATOR: Christopher and James settled with 400 pounds and spent 250 pounds on five lots.
Put on 10 years.
10 years.
NARRATOR: Patrick and Margie spent 271 pounds, but have a total of 6 lots.
Margie.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Well, it's time for our teams to take their seats.
There's plenty of interest in the cell room and online, too.
You may turn over your exam sheet now.
NARRATOR: Patrick Patrick and Margie's Solid Silver Spirit Measure is up first.
So I'm straight in at 60 pounds.
At 60 pounds instead of 5.
At 60 pounds 570?
At 70.
At 75.
80.
80 pounds, is there 5?
80 is on the book.
Any advance?
Last call that at 80 pounds.
Hammers up.
NARRATOR: Hey, a 40 pounds profit.
They've doubled their money.
That's Patrick and Margie off to a great start.
[INAUDIBLE] to-- NARRATOR: Well done.
Well done.
Next up, another piece of silver.
The first lot from Chris and James.
I'm straight in at 32 pounds.
Is there 5?
35?
38?
40?
42?
40 pounds on the book.
NARRATOR: Timothy [INAUDIBLE].
[INAUDIBLE].
50, even better.
At 50 pounds, 55, 55.
New bidder now, 55.
You get me back?
55.
One more 60.
60.
60 pounds, is there five?
All done, at 60 pounds.
Got to wrap it up then.
NARRATOR: A 25 pounds profit.
Now, now, dignity at all times.
Yes.
[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Patrick and Margie's locket and brooch up next.
Some haggling lowered the purchase price to 51 pounds.
40 pounds.
40.
Starting at 30.
30 pounds.
30.
30 pounds.
Is-- 35.
35 online.
Is there 40 now?
40, sir.
40.
Put it down.
Put it down.
45.
Just in time.
45.
50.
- Oh no.
I have 50.
I have 50.
In the room [INAUDIBLE] Put it down.
I'd put it down.
[GAVEL POUNDS] 50 pounds-- NARRATOR: They almost broke even just 1 pound shy of the purchase price.
At least the first lot of the day is a small one.
That is a disappointment.
That went too high.
[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: Next, Chris and James's milk bowl.
I'm straight in.
Above estimates.
It's 12 pounds.
At 12.
Is their 15?
At 12.
15, 18 with me.
18 pounds.
At 18 pounds on the book.
Said 18, didn't he?
Keep going.
18 pounds with me.
Is everybody done?
At 18 pounds.
And the hammers up.
[GAVEL POUNDS] 18 pounds.
NARRATOR: A loss of 2 pounds.
Both teams have had profitable and losing lots.
But Margie and Patrick are in the lead.
Say nothing.
Say nothing.
Just let them commence.
NARRATOR: The pewter tea set is up next.
It caught Patrick's eye.
Margie needed so convincing even at 35 pounds.
40 pounds.
40.
[INAUDIBLE] 40.
30.
20.
AUCTIONEER: 30 pounds.
20 if you like.
20 pounds.
Is there 5?
At 20.
20 pounds.
Is there a five?
Choose if you like at 20.
We've got twenty.
AUCTIONEER: At 20.
We're all done now.
At 20 pounds.
20 pounds.
NARRATOR: Ugh.
Sold for 20 pounds.
That's a loss of 15 pounds.
Perhaps Patrick should've listen to Margie after all.
Too late now.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Next up is the silver compact.
James loved the daffodil design.
Welsh-born Christopher thought it would do well in Wales.
I'm still uncertain about those doubts.
It's a gamble at 75 pounds.
Will it pay off?
Starting me at 50.
50.
Thank you.
Is there 5?
55?
60.
65.
70.
70 pounds.
Is there 5?
75.
80.
85.
90.
(WHISPERING) Keep going.
95.
100.
NARRATOR: Oh.
Hello.
10.
120.
(WHISPERING) Oh.
Lovely.
120 pounds.
At 120 pounds.
Is everybody done?
120 pounds.
To 230.
Yes!
NARRATOR: The gavel's down at 120 pounds.
That's a super 45 pounds profit.
How daft's that?
That'll do us.
Daffodils.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] --smug two.
That's all.
I'm loving that.
NARRATOR: Patrick and Margie are on catch up now.
Hopefully, there are some collectors keen on the next item, the last rites crucifix.
I've got 20 to start.
Is there 5?
20 pounds.
Come on.
5.
30 with me.
Is there 5?
5.
40.
5?
50.
5.
60.
5.
70.
- Oh my goodness.
75.
Is there 80?
At 75 pounds.
80 anywhere?
75 pounds.
Is there 80?
At 75 pounds.
All done?
75 pounds.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] Hey, that's a bit of OK. NARRATOR: A healthy profit of 50 pounds.
You're back in the game.
Back in profit.
Are we back in the room?
Back in the room.
Yeah.
[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: James fell in love with this table despite the damage.
Bought for 25 pounds.
Well, there's not an awful lot I can say about this.
It is standing up and that's-- [LAUGHTER] [INAUDIBLE] 20.
20 pounds.
20 pounds.
20 pounds.
Straight into that.
Bid me 10.
A fiver.
[LAUGHTER] 5.
I've got a 5 on line.
5 pounds.
Thank you.
8, anybody?
At 5.
- I was up.
All done.
5 pounds.
5 pounds.
Don't book a cruise as my dad would say.
We've been robbed.
NARRATOR: Chris and James's table was more boo than bam.
Sold for a 20 pounds loss.
So obviously-- I'm very sorry.
No.
You're not.
[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Bad luck but you still got one more lot to go to claw back some cash.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Patrick's pair of Victorian copper and brass [INAUDIBLE] up next.
Bought for 10 pounds each.
50.
20.
Bid me 30.
30.
At 30 in the room.
At 30 pounds.
Is there 5?
At 30.
At 30 pounds.
Is there 5?
35.
Is there 40, sir?
35 pounds.
At 35.
Is everybody done?
[GAVEL POUNDS] 35 pounds.
NARRATOR: This couple of characterful urns have earned Patrick a pretty profit of 15 pounds.
Well, it was better than nothing.
NARRATOR: And it keeps them in front.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Now it's Patrick and Margie's final lot, the Victorian Elm and leather bellows.
50 pounds.
50.
50.
[INAUDIBLE] me at 30.
30 pounds.
20.
NARRATOR: Oh, dear.
We've got some muscle here.
Don't worry.
We'll get it in your car.
20 pounds online, the bid.
That's the last call then.
I hope they don't want it posting.
At 20 pounds.
Everybody done?
20 pounds.
NARRATOR: Patrick may have loved them but it's an 80 pound loss.
At least it sold.
[INAUDIBLE] Very cruel.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: The winner of this road trip will be decided by the hammer price of Chris and James's 19th century bronze lamp face.
Nice.
60 pounds.
60.
60.
(WHISPERING) Go on.
Go on.
AUCTIONEER: 50 pounds.
I've-- 50.
Thank you, sir.
50 pounds.
Is there 5?
At 50.
At 50.
Nice piece at 50 pounds.
5 anywhere?
At 50.
At 50.
Where's 5 now?
At 50.
Is there 5?
50 pounds.
Is there 5?
50 pounds.
- Doesn't matter.
--50.
One more.
- All done?
- Doesn't matter.
At 50 pounds.
And the hammer's up now.
50 pounds.
[GAVEL POUNDS] 50.
[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: A loss of 10 pounds.
But it sounds like James has done the math.
James, did you lose money on that?
We did but it doesn't really matter.
It doesn't matter because we had the bellows.
Yes.
Well done.
AUCTIONEER: 70 pounds.
Is there two?
70 online.
70 pounds.
- [INAUDIBLE] AUCTIONEER: Everybody done?
[GAVEL POUNDS] NARRATOR: Well, the results reveal Patrick and Margie were doing well until the bellows blew them off course.
After auction costs, they actually lost 41 pounds and 40p, leaving them with a total of 358 pounds and 60 pence.
Christopher and James fared only slightly better but came out on top.
After costs, they were out of pocket too.
But only 7 pounds 54 p, giving them a final total of 392 pounds and 46 pence.
Well done.
Congratulations, Christopher, sir.
I don't care about winning.
Well do-- no, no, no, no.
Patrick, well done.
Well done.
Thank you.
- Off we go.
- Off we go?
- Bye.
- Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
So, Patrick, how's it been for you?
It's been great.
It's been fab.
I've had a really nice time.
[LAUGHTER] [MUSIC PLAYING]