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 God, never a stroke.
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.
- Promise?
- Ecstatic.
NARRATOR: Time to put your pedal to the metal.
This is Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Today, we're taking a magical mystery tour with two of our finest TV journalists and one silver Beetle.
But every time I see a Morris Minor, I just say-- No, this is Herbie.
Is this a Herbie?
This is a Herbie, darling.
This is a Volkswagen Beetle.
Oh, right.
Yes, this is Herbie with a haircut because we've got a bob-- The bottom line is I do not like gears.
See I see no point in a gear car.
You see I love gears because I think you got much more control over the car than you have with a automatice car.
Oh, but you're a control freak, Angela.
You like it.
NARRATOR: Yes our strong female leads and friends are Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon.
We're like Thelma and Louise in this, aren't we?
We are.
We might never come back off this program.
NARRATOR: They started out reading the news in the '70s and have gone on to have long and venerable careers in television.
Gloria, I'm slightly worried the way you keep putting your feet to the floor.
It's as if-- I know.
And I keep doing that instinctively, don't I?
NARRATOR: Today's experts, dealer David Harper, and auctioneer Paul Laidlaw have mixed feelings about working with consumer champions.
We've got two icons, haven't we today?
Mind you I can't help but feel we're being infiltrated.
Why?
Well, this thing that you do, rip off Britain.
The sordid underbelly of the antiques world.
Yeah, yeah.
We picked up on this bit of likely lads.
Look at the way they negotiate.
NARRATOR: Celebrities and experts have 400 pounds each.
And they're driving through the Sussex countryside in the 1970s Volkswagen and a 1960s MG midget, or at least that's the plan.
Stand by.
It's losing all power.
Is it gone?
Well, it died.
NARRATOR: Get out and get under then chaps.
You want somebody obviously at the helm is at one.
NARRATOR: Crikey, our jalopies usually last a bit longer than this.
Give it a whirl.
Well, it's a steam engine.
NARRATOR: Now quickly.
Go baby.
Yeah, you can do it.
Come on.
It's got nothing.
NARRATOR: Oh, hang on.
Rescue could be at hand.
Are you in trouble, boy?
Yes.
Aren't you lucky?
I'm very good.
I bet glad to see us.
Lovely to see you.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] Hello.
Really lovely to see you.
What do you reckon to be give them a lift?
Oh I think they're pretty good looking boys.
Are they?
All right.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] Gloria, I think we scored, darling.
Get in the back.
NARRATOR: So the celebrities get them out of there.
Our trip starts out at Lewes in the South Downs.
And then heads North and East towards Kent before making for the capital and an auction at Chiswick.
I would say this is rather cozy in the back, wouldn't you?
We getting very cozy.
I know.
Well don't get too cozy now, not with my expert.
Are we together, Angela?
I think we are.
And I guess we're together then but you know I like big handsome men.
And you ended up with me unfortunately.
NARRATOR: Lewes, the County town of East Sussex sits within Britain's newest National Park.
Oh, now there's an encouraging sign.
This is where we're going?
NARRATOR: Angela and David are the first to squeeze from the beetle into a shop.
Hello.
Good morning.
- Hi, I'm Angela.
- Michelle.
- Hello, Michelle.
- Hello, Michelle, David.
Nice to see you.
Hi, there.
This looks very exciting.
Can we dive in?
- Yeah.
All right.
Where do we start?
Right, we will, we'll shout you when we want to deal doing.
NARRATOR: Now this is normally where our celebrity and experts set about doing a little bonding.
I love beautiful Georgian furniture because it's so beautifully made.
When did you last see a draw that had tongue and groove on the doors?
You know what this is my kind of woman.
This is perfect.
NARRATOR: Going well but then with a CV like Angela's, she's almost an expert herself.
That's a cake stand.
Yeah, I know.
It's heavily carved.
Yeah.
It's probably Indian.
Yeah.
From the Days of the Raj.
Yeah.
Oh, don't be silly it's lovely.
Yes.
Is it?
Of course it is.
No, I don't think so.
I don't think that's terribly old.
Let's see.
I bet you that's not very old.
Let's have a look.
Now I think you're actually probably quite right.
OK, delete that.
Yeah.
NARRATOR: I think we already know who's in charge here, don't we?
Please can I handle that.
This thing?
This one.
Isn't that lovely?
Look at that.
Oh my gosh.
Look at that.
Isn't that delicious?
How much is it?
It's 215 pounds.
You know actually that's not that bad.
That's not bad.
No, it's not bad, is it actually a Liberty piece?
Turn it on the other side.
It's a Liberty and Co. And there maybe a pair.
Might-- Definitely would have been a pair.
It couldn't have been one on it's own.
Is it mark Tudric on the base?
Tudric.
- Tudric, there it is.
There you go.
OK, let me have a look at the number.
So Tudric is a design purely made for Liberty.
NARRATOR: Save your breath, David, Angela already knows.
I would guess that's first World Warish.
It's lovely, isnt?
1915, the latter end of the art nouveau but look at the shape.
Oh.
NARRATOR: There's no profit to be had however nice, though it is.
I would have that in my home.
I wouldn't just have it on display.
I would handle that-- Yes, it's tactile.
It's a touchy piece.
It's much [INAUDIBLE] Yeah, let me have a stroke.
Oh go on.
Have a stroke.
[INAUDIBLE] I'm just going to hold on to this.
That's like a Teddy bear.
NARRATOR: This is all very well you too but what are you actually going to buy.
You see this is very cool and trendy now.
Look at that nest of tables.
Very G Plan that isn't it?
Very G Plan.
10, 15 years ago, it would have been put into a skip.
Now it's in a shop-- Oh it is G Plan.
It's vintage G Plan.
My goodness, she's good.
Look at that.
It's bang on trend, 1970s.
G Plan sticker is still on the bottom.
But what's nice about this Angela it's-- it's well made.
Unlike modern furniture today, it was made to last for a very long time.
NARRATOR: The distinctive but affordable designs of the range were first produced in the '50s by the GOM company of high Wickham and cleverly branded as G Plan.
Where are we selling?
London.
London?
Yes.
So we've got to bear that in mind, haven't we?
NARRATOR: Sounds like Chiswick might have that little nest coming its way.
What about Gloria and Paul?
A bit more room in the beetle now.
When I was very young, my mom, you know, she would haggle on everything.
She would say, is that the best you can do, could you not take a bit off for that.
And I used to be so embarrassed, I'd walk away.
But now of course, you know, ever since I became an adult, I've always haggled but then my children are embarrassed.
And so it sort of goes on.
NARRATOR: Those two could make a formidable team, you know.
A gypsy caravan on the right hand side.
What are these?
Hello.
Hi, how are you?
How are you doing?
No, we're just loving the caravans.
Gorgeous.
It looks like you live in an [INAUDIBLE] there.
Well, today we do.
How long will you stay in this spot?
Well, we've been here probably four days.
We're off tomorrow because we worked with a theater company last year put in there they're set with the horses.
Oh yeah.
They're doing two shows on Rodney Mash.
How long will it take you to get from here to Rodney Mash?
To get to that part can be a week, wouldn't it?
A week.
What a wonderful way though to amble along the road at your own leisure.
It's lovely when you can stop in a spot like this.
Fantastic.
NARRATOR: While Gloria and Paul are enjoying a chance encounter, their rivals are having their first difference of opinion, stand by.
Oh it's a jolly nice ginger jar, isn't it?
Yeah.
Pool stamp, actually I like that.
Maybe a bit traditional.
Oh, I don't know.
I love pool but for me that's just too traditional looking.
Really?
For me, it is.
NARRATOR: I think he's got a point, Angela.
I like it.
It's beautifully made.
Like it.
There's not a mark on it.
OK.
It's really good quality.
And I think, can I pop it with the G Plan [INAUDIBLE] Yes, do.
Yeah.
Because I think that's rather nice that.
Like that.
- OK, put them aside.
So what have we got so far?
We've got 75 and 35.
NARRATOR: Angela gets her way, of course.
What else is there then?
Oh, look at that for the bathroom.
Absolutely.
There is a market for that.
Really?
Yeah.
Needs a bit of a clean.
Does a bit.
It's held a lot of wet damp towels in its time.
It's a towel rail.
- Yeah.
I know it is.
That would come off, wouldn't It?
But look at its shape, Angela.
I know.
Look at that shape.
That's very 1950s, that isn't?
It is, isn't it?
You're right.
I think this is second generation art deco.
It is.
Because deco comes to an end at the beginning of the Second World War really, kicks off again after the war when the reinventing the style.
Should we put that with the table in the pot?
I think we're going in the right direction.
What it is?
18 quid?
- Yeah.
- 18 pounds.
Am I allowed to clean that up beforehand?
I think we can sneak and get a bit of it.
I'd like to clean that up because that could be quite nice.
OK, put that aside as well then.
We're going very 20th century, aren't we?
We are, aren't we?
NARRATOR: That's right.
It's all of at least 14 years old.
Now for a chat with Michelle.
So we've got the nest of G Plan tables.
And we've got the pool pottery ginger jar, right.
What is your best price on that and that?
The normal trade price would be 65 on tables and 33 on the ginger jar.
Oh, I'm not interested in that.
I had a much lower price on that in mind.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] No, not even going to think about that.
So what were you thinking?
Oh, now be careful.
50 and 25.
Yeah, that's OK. 75, you gave in too easily.
NARRATOR: Yes, it sounds like you could have pitched a little lower, Angela.
I think we've got a chance.
I do.
So we're going to go 50 for that.
50 for that.
25 for that, or should 20 for that?
I can't do 20.
You can't do 20.
All right, 25 then.
Yeah, that's fine.
Yeah, 75 for the two.
So I think basically you've done a deal.
But what about this?
OK, now Michelle, you're really, really going to have to help us out on this.
What's your best price on that?
How much is it?
It's 18.
I could probably do 15.
Oh, how about a tenner?
That's what I thought you were going to say.
Yeah, a tenner for that.
NARRATOR: She means business.
Good luck, Michelle.
Let's do 12.
No, tenner.
And then that makes it a nice round 85 for the three things.
OK. OK. Have we done it?
NARRATOR: Angela has.
Three items for 85 pounds.
So what's it like trying to keep up with the indomitable Angela Rippon?
She knows exactly what she wants, goes for it, and gets it.
There is no mucking about.
NARRATOR: Impressive stuff.
Time for the other two to get started.
On the edge of the Ashdown forest at Nutley.
Morning.
Hi, how are you?
Gloria.
- Hello.
- How are you?
Lovely to see.
Very good.
That's terrific.
So you've got all sorts of little niches and shops.
Lots of different people.
Yeah, lovely.
And where's yours, Maureen?
What do you specialize in?
This is my area.
I just have a mix of everything.
NARRATOR: That is exactly what they'd like to hear I'm sure, Maureen.
Paul is his usual thorough self of course and Gloria knows a thing or two about antiques.
Am I right in saying that this is a Majolica?
Indeed, we could go with that.
What's do you think?
It wants to be English.
And it wants to be 1860s or 1880s but more importantly, it wants to be nicer than that and fine.
I mean this is loosely decorative.
Yeah, so it's-- is it like cabbage leaves.
I don't know.
But the glaze is aren't particularly finely applied.
So put it back on the shelf?
This isn't the majolica we are looking for sadly.
Yeah.
NARRATOR: That's what he's here for.
Keep looking.
Pair of lampposts perhaps.
So they're just reproduction ones, are they?
Yes, and also the ticket says what?
495.
495 each.
We haven't got the money anyway.
NARRATOR: Foiled again, can Paul come up with anything better though?
This is a money box.
You could tell me that but it's the distinctive little stamp brass plaque that caused me to ask to see it.
And it says in this instance from the Decking of the Mauritania, the Old Lady of the Atlantic.
Now what happened is early 20th century when these great battleships and liners were being broken up, the teak from the decks was turned into little collectibles.
My problem is one, they're never that valuable.
And I must admit I would like us to spend some money here, sure some oomph.
And two, um, it's not in the best condition, is it?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: No.
PAUL LAIDLAW: It's a tad tired.
TIM WONNACOTT: The ticket price is 14 pounds, but Paul's also spotted a Wemyss pot.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Wemyss Ware, founded in Scotland in the late 19th century.
Colors are lovely, aren't they?
PAUL LAIDLAW: Well, do you know, the patterns that we recognize first and foremost, and I'm sure you'll have seen them, are the pigs with the big cabbage roses on.
Of course.
TIM WONNACOTT: Yes, by Karel Nekola.
That's what we recognize as Wemyss.
Identified with the Queen Mum.
Famously collected by.
Right.
Yeah.
Now there's nothing like the royal warrant or its equivalent-- - Yes.
--to bring you an audience.
I thought you came with that.
There may be a warrant out for me.
I thought that halo was above your head.
Let me just have a look on it.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Now, do you see any cracks or chips, which would be fatal?
Without my glasses, no.
Tell you what, give it a little tap, because if there's no resonance-- if it's got a crack, you'll get a real resonance.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Mm-hmm.
Do you like that?
PAUL LAIDLAW: I do.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: It's pretty There may be a problem.
What?
What is it?
Um, I guess you would put-- well, you're either going to have a very warm cup of tea or coffee in your hand or you might use it to store pencil, pens, things like that.
But that'd be an awful waste, wouldn't it?
PAUL LAIDLAW: It's a possibility that-- Jam.
--that's only-- ah, that's where we're going.
But what would it need if it were for jam?
A lid.
I suspect it may have had a cover possibly even with a little aperture for your preserves.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Right.
What price is on that one?
PAUL LAIDLAW: It is priced up at 65 pounds.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: 65, yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: I wonder what Maureen makes of the lid question.
Well, it hasn't got any damage around there though, has it?
I get that.
But many a thing lived in a china cabinet and never got put to it's set.
- So do you think-- - True.
Do you think, Maureen, that if it had had a lid on it, there would be a bit of damage here?
I think there might have been, yes.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yeah.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Is there a margin in there that you could erode to our benefit?
Yeah.
Of course.
How's 50?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Still a bit too high, isn't it?
I think it's-- for our purposes, I don't think it's a trade purchase.
MAUREEN: Right.
I think we can go for 40.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Could we settle on 35 to-- Bite the bullet.
MAUREEN: Let's stick at 40 at the moment.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: She's a hard one.
She's good, she's good, she's good.
D'oh.
We've met our match.
At the risk of walking out empty handed-- We're thinking 35.
We're hoping that maybe you'll meet us there.
Could we do 38?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I'll give you three quid.
I'm tempted, not.
Yeah, why would we quibble over a few pounds?
We're not that hard.
Have we-- have we just done a deal?
We've done a deal.
We've broken our dock.
38 pounds.
OK. MAUREEN: High finance.
Thank you very much, Maureen.
Thank you for meeting us in the middle there.
You're not getting your two quid back?
Hell yes I'm getting my two pounds back.
I would wrestle for two pounds.
Oh, we have to.
TIM WONNACOTT: Phew, that was a Titanic struggle.
Now, where are Angela and David?
Taking a well-earned rest from all of that it seems just outside Lewes in the tranquil village of Rodmell where Angela has come to see the country home of novelist Virginia Woolf.
Monk's House, now owned by the National Trust, is preserved exactly as it was when Virginia wrote many of her great works here taking inspiration from the Sussex countryside and the South Downs.
Look at that.
VICKY: Hi.
- I'm Angela.
Hi.
- Hi, I'm Vicky.
Nice to meet you.
- Hello, Vicky.
Hello, Vicky.
I'm David.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to see you.
This is heaven.
DAVID HARPER: Isn't it?
VICKY: I know.
ANGELA RIPPON: Look at it.
It's so stunning.
TIM WONNACOTT: Virginia's sister and fellow Bloomsbury group member, the artist Vanessa Bell, acquired a house nearby in 1916 followed a few years later by the writer and her husband Leonard.
Oh lovely beams, look.
TIM WONNACOTT: The sitting room is furnished with many items by Bell and her partner Duncan Grant.
In London she was very much part of the Bloomsbury set, wasn't she?
VICKY: Yes.
Yeah.
With lots of very famous friends.
VICKY: Mm-hmm.
Did they come here?
And if so, who used to come into this room?
VICKY: The whole Bloomsbury group kind of almost relocated.
So you know, around this table you would have had the likes of E. M. Forster, T. S. Eliot, Lytton Strachey, Vita Sackville-West.
I mean, it is-- Mm, they're big names, aren't they?
VICKY: Big names.
DAVID HARPER: Incredibly creative people.
ANGELA RIPPON: They sat in these chairs.
VICKY: They would have sat in these chairs, yeah.
There are photographs of the likes of T. S. Eliot and E. M. Forster here.
DAVID HARPER: The energy that must have been in this room with those names.
ANGELA RIPPON: Would you have loved to have been a fly on the wall and listen to the conversations.
DAVID HARPER: Uh, yes!
VICKY: Exactly.
Sometimes don't you just wish you could go back.
If beams could talk.
Yes.
TIM WONNACOTT: But a writer's life is by necessity a mostly solitary one.
And for Virginia Woolf, that meant many hours spent in this annex, which served as both writing room and bedroom.
Oh, what a pretty little room.
Where would she have written in here?
The chair that you see in the corner.
This one?
VICKY: Yeah, she would have put a board across the arms of that and she would have written on her lap.
- My gosh.
- So yeah, yeah.
- By hand, of course.
- By hand, yeah.
No typewriter.
She did have a typewriter, yeah.
But not here?
But no, she-- well, she was quite keen to write things by hand.
She'd also recite a lot, you know, what she'd written, make sure the rhythm was right, and she'd do that in the bath.
ANGELA RIPPON: What are those books with the bindings on the back?
VICKY: Yeah, so these-- it's a complete collection of Arden Shakespeare she was given in the 1930s as a gift.
And Virginia suffered frequently with issues of mental health and also, you know migraines, bad headaches.
And when she went through a period like that, she would find cathartic repetitive tasks to undertake, and one of them was covering books.
ANGELA RIPPON: We've got "Anthony and Cleopatra," "Henry V." What are they actually covered in?
It's actually marble paper.
We don't know whether it was something that she produced herself or something she purchased, but she was really keen on marble paper.
And you can see there that she's also just put hand labels on there as well and handwritten on them, so it's the only manuscript we have of hers in the house.
TIM WONNACOTT: There's a reminder of one of Virginia's most famous novels in the fireplace with tiles painted by her sister.
"To The Lighthouse," published in 1927, was soon followed by the more accessible "Orlando--" much of that book written in Virginia's garden hideaway.
Well, she had a lovely walk to work every day, didn't she?
- She did, yeah.
- Not a bad commute.
Through that garden.
Sun shining like today you can't moan, can you?
ANGELA RIPPON: Leonard had a saying for it, didn't he?
He would basically say that she had the regularity of a stockbroker on a commute to work, and it was-- it was a very regular lifestyle that she led.
So she'd be down here every morning 10:00 AM on the dot, and then she would go back in for lunch, then she'd go on a walk, you know, through the Downs, get some more inspiration, come back, work on her writings.
ANGELA RIPPON: So these are her glasses?
VICKY: They are her glasses, yeah.
Her pencil?
This is the-- I'm not sure about the pencil.
I can't-- you know, I don't know the history of the pencil, but the desk was definitely hers.
Not that she actually used the desk to write.
It just used to be somewhere to store papers.
TIM WONNACOTT: No, that was done in this chair with a view of her husband's beautiful garden outside.
But it wasn't all hard work for the troubled writer because the Woolf's and their Bloomsbury group friends were very fond of a game of bowls.
And at Monk's House, you can get on the green yourself.
ANGELA RIPPON: There's the jack.
We have to put the jack out first, don't we?
DAVID HARPER: OK. Ooh.
VICKY: Oh, that's close.
Ooh.
DAVID HARPER: Oh!
ANGELA RIPPON: No!
Come on, baby.
ANGELA RIPPON: Rubbish!
DAVID HARPER: Yeah!
TIM WONNACOTT: Nothing like a couple of vigorous ends after crafting another modernist masterpiece.
Oh, I can't-- she's knocked you further forward.
I'm even closer.
DAVID HARPER: Right, come on.
3.
DAVID HARPER: No.
4, 5.
DAVID HARPER: No!
6.
I'm closer!
TIM WONNACOTT: Oh, I do like a happy ending.
Girl power, hey?
That's it.
Girl power.
You are in the right place for girl power.
Yeah, that's true.
That's true.
TIM WONNACOTT: It's today's theme all right.
Night night, then.
VICKY: See you soon.
TIM WONNACOTT: Another day another motor.
It's probably better that I drive today because you don't have a great track record with old cars, do you?
PAUL LAIDLAW: Well, how very dare you, Harper.
Yesterday, MG, you driving, doesn't get a mile before the car gives up the ghost.
TIM WONNACOTT: It wasn't only the Midget that barely got off the grid yesterday though because Gloria and Paul managed just one pot for 38 pounds.
D'oh.
We've met our match.
TIM WONNACOTT: Leaving Gloria feeling more than a tad frustrated.
ANGELA RIPPON: How were your negotiating skills?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: We didn't have anything to negotiate.
ANGELA RIPPON: But you've got to sharpen them up.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: It's all very well if you've got something that you're haggling over.
TIM WONNACOTT: Angela and David, however, are practically in the home straight after acquiring a nest of tables, a Poole Pottery jar, and a towel rail for 85 pounds.
Give it a bit of a clean and that could be quite nice.
TIM WONNACOTT: Leaving them with just over 300 pounds to spend today.
ANGELA RIPPON: But David and I were very lucky because we went into a shop that was an absolute Aladdin's cave.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yeah.
ANGELA RIPPON: It was chock-a-block.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I was thinking about overnight.
I thought, at least if we don't spend anything we haven't lost anything.
ANGELA RIPPON: Exactly!
TIM WONNACOTT: Don't worry, Gloria.
You'll be fine.
PAUL LAIDLAW: We're in the same first shop.
It could handbags at dawn.
Can you imagine?
We've got Gloria and Angela who have been friends, I think, for about 30 years fighting to get in the door first.
Competent professionals.
Yeah, lose it, right.
TIM WONNACOTT: Later, they'll be heading into London for an auction in Chiswick, but our next stop is the Kent village of Otford.
[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT: Back in 1776, there was a battle fought around here between King Offa's Mercians and the Jutes of Kent.
But as you can see, things have calmed down quite a bit since then.
A rather comfortable bench.
It's very nice here.
In a rather leafy place.
Very nice indeed.
Now, what do you reckon?
I know.
Where are they.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Aha, they've got a new car today.
ANGELA RIPPON: They have.
TIM WONNACOTT: Well, the Healey has already gone further than the Midget at least.
What time do you call this then?
DAVID HARPER: I know.
- A lie in, was it?
PAUL LAIDLAW: We've got work to do have we not.
We've got two shops to go to today, haven't we?
Two shops and two things.
And you guys?
A man who boasts like that, there's something wrong.
- Shall we shop?
- Let's do it.
ANGELA RIPPON: Let's shop.
We're going to same shop, aren't we?
DAVID HARPER: Lead the way, madam.
TIM WONNACOTT: Gloria's been to Otford before, but she seems content to let Angela and David lead the way.
DAVID HARPER: Are we sharing this shop then?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I think we are, aren't we?
Is it first one in bags the bargains?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yeah, yeah.
Tell you what, there's another one down here.
Is there?
TIM WONNACOTT: Oh I see.
Something up her sleeve, hey?
Cunning.
- David Harper.
- Wendy.
- Hello, Wendy.
- Hello, Wendy.
I'm Angela.
Hello.
Good morning.
Grace, Hello, Grace.
Morning, Grace.
Angie.
And another name I don't have to remember.
Angie, oh, this makes my life much easier.
Hello, David.
Hello, nice to see you.
TIM WONNACOTT: So an awful lot of names and an awful lot of antiques too.
All to yourselves, though, since Gloria craftily swerved elsewhere.
See, this is rather interesting because this actually is a charity shop.
Right.
So it's a charity shop that stocks a lot of antiques.
Good morning.
Lynn.
- Morning.
- The manager.
I can see from your badge.
- Yes, I am.
Hi.
I'm Gloria, and this is Paul who's our expert.
- Hi, Paul.
- Hi, Lynn.
Lovely to see you.
I was just saying I love the idea this is a charity shop.
Yes, it is.
We rely heavily on donations.
We do buy things from auctions, but we have to buy very, very cheaply and obviously to generate as much profit as we can.
TIM WONNACOTT: Interesting.
I wonder what Gloria and Paul can do to swell the charity's coffers?
May we have a look in the cabinet?
Yes, of course.
There's a lovely little stick pin here.
We actually reduced it because we didn't seem to have a lot of interest in it at 45 because it doesn't appear to be hallmarked, yet it seems as though-- GLORIA HUNNIFORD: And it's got its original box.
LYNN: --it's old, and it's got it's original-- PAUL LAIDLAW: And that's what I like about it.
LYNN: Yes.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Oh, lovely.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Charles Packer, Regent Street retailer of London.
A little gentlemen stick pin.
Now, albeit unmarked, I'd be surprised if that wasn't, in fairness, the terminal only-- not the pin-- GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yes.
PAUL LAIDLAW: --high carat gold.
Now, legally if it's unassayed, unhallmarked, we can't describe it as gold.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Right.
But the convention at auction is to describe it as precious yellow metal.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Could that be a little sapphire?
Is that too light to be a sapphire?
PAUL LAIDLAW: That could be a very-- I think it's going to touch of the aquamarine rather than the sapphire blue.
And the price is 25 pounds.
I adore.
What do you think?
I love it.
PAUL LAIDLAW: And the truth of the matter is, under no circumstances would I haggle in a charity shop.
No, not in a charity shop.
So are you going to keep it in your hand or putting it back in the case?
PAUL LAIDLAW: I don't think we're going to rick anyone else snaffling our pin.
TIM WONNACOTT: Well played, you two.
Any news from the other shop though?
Lordy, what she's seen now?
Ha.
TIM WONNACOTT: Ah.
DAVID HARPER: They are definitely period.
ANGELA RIPPON: They are period, yes.
DAVID HARPER: They are art deco.
They're very-- they're very Busby Berkeley.
Aren't they?
Yes, exactly.
And we have a pair.
Yes.
So there are about 1930, 1935.
They're not in very good condition, though.
DAVID HARPER: They're not.
ANGELA RIPPON: That's the trouble.
DAVID HARPER: She's missing something.
ANGELA RIPPON: She's missing the fan.
Look, it's there.
There's a lump on the top there where there should be one of them.
I know, but be forgiving, Angela.
TIM WONNACOTT: Proving a bit of a hard sell, hey, David?
ANGELA RIPPON: They're not doing it for me.
You put them about 15 feet away, squint, and you're thinking, wow, there's a pair of beauties over there.
The closer that you get to them, it all goes terribly wrong.
But I'm thinking online these are the kind of things that people fall for.
ANGELA RIPPON: Why should we foist them on someone?
Because that's what we do.
That's our job.
TIM WONNACOTT: Oh dear.
It's not a consumer show, Angela.
Would you like to put them in a dark corner somewhere while I think about it?
I think I know what that means.
TIM WONNACOTT: Ha.
That's him told then.
Meanwhile, Paul and Gloria have got something else in mind.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Does that do anything for you?
Hmm, um, quite like it.
It's this whole cupcake thing.
Yes, yes.
Ladies sitting down to tea.
Yes, mm-hmm.
PAUL LAIDLAW: You've got a typical folding three-stage affair, yeah?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: And would this be hand-painted?
PAUL LAIDLAW: Yeah, well, that's why I like-- this is why I'm drawn to it.
It is lacquered in this rather subtle tone, but look at the decoration here.
Got these little finches, character marks.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Beautiful.
PAUL LAIDLAW: The artist has actually signed it.
It's beautiful.
It's going to date to 1920, 1930 in Japan.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yes.
PAUL LAIDLAW: That, purely in terms of decoration-- Yes.
--is an extremely uncommon object.
Very good.
25 pounds.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Whoa.
Oh, it's lovely.
Look at that.
Actually, I would serve you tea in that, Paul.
Yeah.
Is that an invitation?
A few fairy cakes on that.
Absolutely, yes.
Will I hide it just in case Angela and David come in?
Oh, I never even thought of that.
Yeah, absolutely do.
That's got David Harper written all over it, by the way.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I'll take it away.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Definitely.
TIM WONNACOTT: Normally, Paul, but right now he's considering a much more youthful item.
ANGELA RIPPON: It's a wine rack, isn't it?
DAVID HARPER: It's a wine rack stroke table.
ANGELA RIPPON: Yeah.
It's got no great age and-- No age at all.
No, I know.
I've got shoes older than that.
All right, it was made yesterday, all right?
ANGIE: If you're interested in that, that's actually mine.
DAVID HARPER: Is it?
ANGELA RIPPON: Oh, is it?
When did you make it?
TIM WONNACOTT: Cheeky.
Let's get it out of the window, shall we?
DAVID HARPER: So, well, first of all, Angela, do you like it?
ANGELA RIPPON: Um, in a conservatory it would look good.
It needs a good clean.
Yeah.
You could varnish the top, Angela, couldn't you?
Do you know what, I think our next stop has got to be to a supermarket.
I've got to get the rubber gloves and the cleaning stuff and get at this.
TIM WONNACOTT: Thanks to Angela we're going to have the cleanest antiques ever this time.
What's the best you can do on it?
35.
35.
30 quid?
I'd be happy at 30.
I'd be happy at 30.
I'd be delighted at 30.
What do you think Angie would be at 30?
And someone in Chelsea-- Angie's going to absolutely snap our hands off.
Is she going to snap it off us?
She's going to be so-- she's going to have such a good day she's going to lock up and go home.
Is she?
Yeah.
Yeah, 30.
ANGELA RIPPON: Yay!
TIM WONNACOTT: They're having a very nice time.
Quite the double act in fact.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.
Thanks much indeed, Angie.
Great pleasure.
Thank you.
Nice to see you.
- Yes.
- Thank you.
Thanks, Angie.
TIM WONNACOTT: Down the street, Gloria could be about to turn over a new leaf.
You may think I'm mad, but I love this lectern, Um, I think I'm a bit bonded to a lectern in anyway because we do so many sort of talks from a lectern.
But what I think-- I mean, that's got a Bible on at the moment, but like there's a recipe book here.
So imagine, you know, you could use it in your kitchen if you had a big enough kitchen.
I would love the kitchen big enough for this.
I know.
TIM WONNACOTT: Quite, Paul.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Look at the base of it.
Look.
PAUL LAIDLAW: It's a strange structure.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yeah.
PAUL LAIDLAW: It's almost like a rocket.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yeah.
PAUL LAIDLAW: It's a Victorian piece.
It's in a blondish oak.
Oak.
If it were desperately dark I'd maybe have an issue with that.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: It's actually on a sale price here.
Was 125.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Fair.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: It's now 70, which is a real good sale reduction.
PAUL LAIDLAW: You're tempting me now.
So how do you-- how do you think we would do with that at auction?
Um.
do you know, I could estimate that north of 80 pounds.
It's going to be the only one in any auction.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: It's in fantastic condition.
It's all right, isn't it?
Good, so can we have it?
I think we must have it.
TIM WONNACOTT: So with no haggling required, those three items will cost 120 pounds.
Isn't that great?
PAUL LAIDLAW: I'll tell you, it feels good.
TIM WONNACOTT: Suddenly, Gloria and Paul have almost all they need for the auction.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Meanwhile, the others are enjoying life back on the road.
David's quite a classic car enthusiast, and Angela, of course, was on that motoring program.
What's it called again?
I literally drove everything from Harley Davidson motorbikes to an articulated lorry and everything and anything you can imagine in between, including 1910 vintage cars.
DAVID HARPER: So have they had you on "Top Gear?"
No, but I don't think they will because I don't think Mr. Clarkson likes admitting that I was actually the first presenter.
DAVID HARPER: Really?
TIM WONNACOTT: These two are taking the relatively short road from Otford to the village of Brasted.
ANGELA RIPPON: How about that then, David?
DAVID HARPER: It's ideal.
TIM WONNACOTT: And an even shorter walk.
- Hello, I'm Angela.
- Hi.
Hi, how do you do?
I'm Hugh.
- Hello, Hugh.
- Hello, Hugh.
David Harper.
Hi.
My gosh, this is a-- this is a real antique shop.
HUGH: Yes.
TIM WONNACOTT: Yes, there are several fine things to be found in here.
ANGELA RIPPON: Everywhere you look.
Look at that mirror.
TIM WONNACOTT: Almost all of it is older and perhaps better quality than they've purchased so far.
That is a fab, fab table.
It is, yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: They have money to spend as well-- close to 300 pounds.
What do you think of its shape and design?
Well, its arts and crafts.
Definitely.
ANGELA RIPPON: It's light.
It's pewter.
I love the shape.
Isn't it interesting?
It's a good shape.
What do you think?
It's an interesting piece.
DAVID HARPER: How heavy is it?
Can I have a feel?
ANGELA RIPPON: Yeah.
It's off center in the middle.
Oh, it is very winky wonky.
Very winky wonky, but maybe it's supposed to be because how would you-- Could be.
You know, because it is arts and crafts-- ANGELA RIPPON: Hand-done.
DAVID HARPER: --it's totally hand-done.
How much you think at auction?
DAVID HARPER: 50 to 90 auction.
They want 88 for it.
DAVID HARPER: 88.
OK. TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile, back in Otford, Gloria and Paul are shopping around.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Where do you want to start, Paul?
Do you know what, I am very systematic, obsessively compulsively so.
I'm going to start the door and we're going to have a wee mooch, OK?
- Right.
TIM WONNACOTT: Familiar territory, but apart from the table the others grabbed earlier, it should all be in order.
Paul, I found something to keep you in check now.
I might just keep this by my side.
TIM WONNACOTT: They seem a bit more relaxed now that they've got a few things in the old bag.
I actually was awake last night through the night thinking, this would be the first time in this program when I'd go to auction and we've only got one small item, but today I feel happy because we find something we like.
TIM WONNACOTT: Which is good.
Even better is that Gloria's now doing more of the finding.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I must say.
Yes.
Wendy, I absolutely love this sewing box.
Look at it.
It's in beautiful condition.
WENDY: It is in lovely condition, yes.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Just imagine all the threads and everything in there.
- Yes.
Paul what do you think of this?
I've fallen in love with this sewing box.
Hello.
I walked past this previously.
It's very me.
I adore it.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] I shouldn't say that before we start.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Have you seen the condition of it?
Look.
It's not sat in front of a window.
No.
The color is strong.
The figure's all there.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: The ticket price is $245.
I'll be absolutely honest with you up front, we haven't got that much money left to play with.
I think I know what she will accept for it-- OK. --if you'd like me to tell you?
Yes?
Oh, tenterhooks.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yes.
She will take 180.
Now, see, if I had my positive auctioneers hat on I'd say that's worth 250.
At 250 we would make a little profit on that.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: We would.
Could we take a chance, do you think?
Looking at your face I think you're up for a [INAUDIBLE] punt, or you're not-- you know you've got a sale here, don't you?
Do me one last favor.
Go and ask-- say, look, they really want it, but it's 170.
That's not a big ask, another tenner.
I should-- I should say no, but I'll try.
Imagine if it came down to the last tenner-- Oh, I know.
--and we won it over that.
I know.
You'd go, whoa!
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yeah, I know.
OK. Wendy, she's come back.
Are you smiling, Wendy, widely.
Half smiling.
Half smiling.
How about 175.
It's a fiver, isn't it?
How about we shake Wendy's hand.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Thank you.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Magic.
WENDY: Thank you.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: You're a smooth talker, Wendy.
Come here, you.
Come here a minute.
I've got to give you a kiss for that one.
TIM WONNACOTT: But you discovered it, Gloria.
Anyway, now Angela's finally found a bit of quality.
Watch out.
What do you think of this?
Oh my gosh.
It's a little Mappin and Webb.
Oh.
ANGELA RIPPON: It's marked on the bottom.
Silver.
Champagne flute.
Oh my gosh.
Now, I like that.
DAVID HARPER: Can I have a look at the hallmarks?
ANGELA RIPPON: Yes.
DAVID HARPER: Let me find the hallmarks on this thing.
There we are.
- There we are.
Up here.
- Nice and-- - No, they're up-- - Oh, that is crisp.
Look at how crisp they are.
DAVID HARPER: We've got a mark for Sheffield.
ANGELA RIPPON: Yeah.
DAVID HARPER: The Lion Passant, the T for 1934.
1934.
So that is kind of mid period art deco, isn't it?
Yes.
DAVID HARPER: One solid silver champagne glass.
It's not a glass.
What do you call it?
- A flute?
- A flute.
Is it a flute?
I don't know.
Bucket.
What do they-- what do they call it?
I don't know.
It's for drinking champagne.
- Champagne flute.
It's for drinking.
- OK. My tipple, darling.
TIM WONNACOTT: It's a coupe, actually.
The ticket price is 85 pounds, but they can certainly afford it.
Could make a bit of money on it or we might lose heavily on it.
Yeah, it's one of those things.
But do you know what, I think it's one of those things that is so beautiful that if we were to put it in auction, whoever bought it would be buying something so beautiful and passing it on to someone else as a gift.
How nice to think that we made that possible for them.
DAVID HARPER: Oh, you're too nice.
Now, Hugh.
HUGH: Yes.
Everybody surely must own a Mappin and Webb solid silver champagne coupe.
I don't think they do.
I think it's a reasonably rare.
Oh, they're very common aren't they, Angela?
Far too common.
Oh, they're all the place, darling, yes.
DAVID HARPER: What kind of money can we do that for?
HUGH: Right.
73.
No!
Can do we make it nice-- how about-- I like noughts.
DAVID HARPER: So do I.
So what are you thinking?
60?
ANGELA RIPPON: At the most.
DAVID HARPER: Could you do 60?
No, but I'll tell you what-- DAVID HARPER: That was a quick answer.
Yes, that's right.
But I'll tell you what, we'll do 70 for you.
DAVID HARPER: 70.
Do you pay 70 pounds for a solid silver Mappin and Webb champagne coupe?
I think yes.
DAVID HARPER: It's very you, Angela Rippon.
ANGELA RIPPON: It is.
DAVID HARPER: I think we're going to have to have it, aren't we?
Shall we take it that it is sold then?
DAVID HARPER: It is.
- OK. - Get your money out.
- Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
TIM WONNACOTT: Well, cheers, everyone.
DAVID HARPER: Right, there's 80.
HUGH: Thank you very much.
DAVID HARPER: Thank you.
That means there's 10 pounds coming back to me, Hugh.
Thank you.
- Yes.
No, no.
Sorry.
Sorry.
No, no.
Thank you.
Yes, there was a bit of a pause there.
I didn't like it.
TIM WONNACOTT: So their shopping's now complete.
But what about their rivals storming towards the ramparts of Leeds Castle.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Is this our lucky day or what?
The shopping was great, and-- GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Oh my goodness.
Talk about the feel-good factor.
There's a castle.
PAUL LAIDLAW: What a prospect.
TIM WONNACOTT: The shopping's done too, and they're ready to explore.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: The stonework on the castle looks really clean, doesn't it?
PAUL LAIDLAW: It's joyous, isn't it?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Beautiful.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Like a movie set.
TIM WONNACOTT: There's been a castle on this site-- definitely in Kent despite its somewhat confusing name-- for over 900 years.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Thank you very much.
TIM WONNACOTT: And Gloria's come to learn more about the kings and queens who spent time here.
Hello.
TORI: Hello, there.
Hi, are you Tori?
Hi, I'm Tori, yes.
[INAUDIBLE] The castle looks magnificent on this gorgeous day.
- Doesn't it just?
- Beautiful.
- It's very [INAUDIBLE] Really beautiful.
TIM WONNACOTT: Once described as the loveliest castle in the world, Leeds has been associated with the monarchy since the medieval Queen Eleanor of Castile.
Here we are in the beautiful courtyard.
Yes, beautiful.
And I suppose you're wondering why it's called Leeds Castle.
Absolutely.
Well, it's named after the little village of Leeds, which is just here on the outskirts of the castle and not after the Leeds in Yorkshire.
It was built in about 1119 by a Norman soldier and then passed in the 12th century into royal ownership.
So how many kings would have lived here over the years?
Gosh, I would have to use quite a lot of fingers to count that out.
- Right, OK.
It's easier if I say how many queens there were here.
OK. We've had six queens that we know resided here or visited here during 300 years of occupation from about the 1270s.
Right.
And that takes us right up to Henry VIII.
TIM WONNACOTT: In the early 16th century, King Henry transformed the Norman stronghold into a Tudor palace for the use of his first wife Catherine of Aragon.
On one visit in 1520, 5,000 people stayed here en route to the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold for a meeting with the French king in Calais.
The Maiden's Tower was built to house the queen's maids of honor, and one of those was Henry's next wife, Anne Boleyn.
There's no doubt about the history the place has seen, but appearances can be a bit deceptive.
It says that this particular fireplace was installed in Henry VIII's time.
Well, that's right.
It does contain Catherine of Aragon's motifs here-- the dragon motif-- and her coat of arms.
And over here, again, we have a tiny little castle motif, which is very sweet, a Tudor rose.
So although it may not have been in this location, this room looks very medieval, but in fact, it dates to 1927-- No.
--when Lady Bailey came in and did a kind of wholesale renovation of the place.
TIM WONNACOTT: Lady Bailey was an American heiress who bought the castle in 1925 and set about creating her own version of history, sort of medieval meets art deco, adding several 20th century comforts including up-to-date plumbing.
That's amazing, isn't it?
No planning consent, I suspect.
No.
Well yeah, not such strict rules as we have today.
So all these beams and everything would be from 1920s, late 1920s?
They are, and they're carved by Venetian craftsmen.
And they're hollow so you can run cabling through them.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Oh, I see.
TORI: So it's all very, very practical.
TIM WONNACOTT: The last queen of the castle even installed a dance floor in Henry VIII's banqueting hall as well as preserving the treasures of previous rulers.
Over here we have a couple of objects relating to two of Henry VIII's wives.
We have here a missal said to belong to Catherine of Aragon.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Now, what exactly is a missal?
Well, a missal is a book that records all the liturgical texts and sermons for the religious year.
It's got this leather paneled binding.
And you can see the stamped portraits of the saints there.
And then if you have a look on the inside, you can see it's got a very beautiful, albeit rather damaged, frontispiece there.
And this book dates to 1527.
Beautifully done, aren't they?
It is.
It's very crisp.
Apart from the edges, the actual text is very crisp [INAUDIBLE] GLORIA HUNNIFORD: And the color.
I mean, look at the red.
The color's actually very vibrant, isn't it?
Yes.
Rubricated text.
Yes, that's it.
You know the words.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: And the box?
TORI: Well, this box is Anne Boleyn's missal box.
And of course, she was the second wife of Henry VIII and slightly less fortunate, I think, than his first wife.
So we have here this beautiful little box.
It was designed for carrying a very small version of the missal that we've just seen.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: A very small version.
TORI: Very small.
And it includes these hooks here that you can see which would be used to tie ribbon so that you would actually carry it around with you on your waist.
It's a wooden construction and it's been upholstered in brown velvet.
It has these iron bindings, which at some later point have been gilded.
So originally it would have been a lot plainer than you see today.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: We could have done with that box to take to our auction, couldn't we?
Yes, I think it's not for sale.
That would have raised us a few pounds.
The thing is they do do B can check in and enjoy it.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
It's a pleasure to have you here, and good luck with the auction.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Thanks.
TIM WONNACOTT: Now, I'm not sure many of their purchases would get house room in a castle, but let's have a butchers anyway.
Shall we go for it?
Let's go for it.
DAVID HARPER: OK. ANGELA RIPPON: Ready?
As long as I didn't break anything that's on it.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Oh right.
DAVID HARPER: Ta da!
Well, I see there's a towel rail.
DAVID HARPER: Yes, yes.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: That;s rather different.
Very nice ginger jar.
Yeah.
From Poole Pott-- Is that Porteirion?
ANGELA RIPPON: Poole Pott-- No, it's Poole Pottery.
DAVID HARPER: Poole Pottery.
ANGELA RIPPON: Table, which will take, I think is it 10 or 12 bottles of wine underneath?
Right.
And classic-- why are you laughing?
What are you laughing at?
ANGELA RIPPON: And classic G Plan furniture.
DAVID HARPER: Yeah.
What are you laughing at?
I'm not mad on that.
ANGELA RIPPON: You're not mad on-- I have to say I'm not mad on that.
ANGELA RIPPON: No.
Tell me what you paid for this.
OK, 50.
Uh, that was 50.
You were robbed.
[INAUDIBLE] 50 Great British pounds.
[INAUDIBLE] DAVID HARPER: I'm sorry, was that German he was speaking?
PAUL LAIDLAW: That's the piece.
- It is the piece.
- Isn't it?
This is our favorite piece, isn't it?
That's the piece.
ANGELA RIPPON: Yup.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: This is beautiful.
I love that.
ANGELA RIPPON: That is Mappin and Webb.
1934.
Yeah, yeah.
- Solid silver-- - Very nice.
ANGELA RIPPON: --champagne coupe.
That's a champagne coupe.
The decadence of it.
Well, exactly.
See, I thought it was holy communion.
I thought it was what you give the wine in.
DAVID HARPER: With champagne.
But that's our favorite piece.
I think we agree, yeah.
- That's our favorite.
- It really is.
- It's beautiful.
I like that.
- It's cracking.
Yeah, and in fairness, it's not got a lot of competition.
DAVID HARPER: Oh, thanks, Paul.
Thank you for that.
So-- Well, come on then.
Well, shall we be as impressed?
PAUL LAIDLAW: Yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: Yeah, follow that, you two.
I'm sure Angela and David won't hold back.
You've got a Victorian ladies sewing-- Oh, we looked at that, didn't we?
PAUL LAIDLAW: --table.
ANGELA RIPPON: We looked at that in one of the shops and I said-- - We did.
we saw that.
--what a very pretty piece of furniture, but it'll never sell for that at auction.
Do you remember?
What did we say?
We thought it might sell for about 50 pounds.
Yeah.
Oh look, look, look.
They've been to a cafe and had a cup of coffee and forgotten to take the mug back.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: This just shows you how little you know about Scottish pottery.
DAVID HARPER: Oh.
PAUL LAIDLAW: David Harper knows what that is.
I-- I actually don't.
Oh, is it Wemyss?
- Wemyss.
Wemyss Ware.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Wemyss.
- It's Wemyss Ware.
- The cat makers?
Yeah, see?
Give me a Wemyss cat any day.
The cake stand is very trendy.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Actually it's really-- it's got beautiful hand-painting on it.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Character marks.
And I think that's-- Japanese.
Yeah, got something going on there.
Potential.
And the converted bird bath or something?
Well.
It's a bird house, not a bird bath.
I mean-- It's been converted into-- I'd hang-- I'd hang, you know, peanut things off the side of that and put it out in the garden.
It would look lovely in my garden.
It's got a lot of cracks and [INAUDIBLE] to it.
Oh how little you know, Miss Rippon.
ANGELA RIPPON: Is it a pulpit.
- Lectern.
- Lectern, yeah.
- It's a lectern.
It's a lectern, yes.
You've stood at many of those.
I've stood at many lecterns in my life.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Exactly, so you should have known what it was.
Not quite like that.
Interesting.
So what's in the little box?
PAUL LAIDLAW: Ah, this is rather sweet.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Original little box as well.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Little Victorian stick pin.
Oh yes, yes.
Oh, that's pretty.
High carat wishbone form terminal set with an aquamarine colored stone and what I suspect-- Made by Charles Packer Yes.
- Is it 9 carat?
- In it's original box.
Run through some figures then.
So 40 on the table.
George IV sewing table.
175.
We've nailed this one.
They're going to love the cake stand.
50 quid!
50 quid!
The auction is going to be a riot, is it not?
It's going to be brilliant.
It's going to be out of this world.
It's going to be brill.
You can't call this.
TIM WONNACOTT: We hardly need inquire what they really thought after that lot.
PAUL LAIDLAW: Seriously, the two tables.
I mean, an auctioneer would just reject them.
You know, we don't do that.
There's a charity shop nearby that does.
Well, I think they were laughing at ours because everything that we've got is very saleable.
And that's the line I'm sticking to.
Nothing you'd swap, is there?
No.
Would you?
PAUL LAIDLAW: Never in a million years.
ANGELA RIPPON: I think we'll-- we'll do all right.
I really do.
Gets exciting now.
And you-- you've chosen well.
And so have you.
Good team.
What a team!
TIM WONNACOTT: Nothing left to chance though.
Well, let's see if this is going to work.
I hope it is.
Ooh look, that muck's coming off there.
DAVID HARPER: Look at you.
You're a domestic goddess.
ANGELA RIPPON: I know.
You really are.
Right, what shall I do?
Shall I do the towel rail?
ANGELA RIPPON: Why don't you have a go at that?
DAVID HARPER: Shall I?
A few minutes of preparation-- ANGELA RIPPON: Yeah.
DAVID HARPER: --makes all the difference to a sale.
Do you want to lend us a hand, darling?
No.
How's it look?
Ooh, look at that.
It's coming out terrific.
Yep, nicely, nicely.
We could go on one of those shows, you know, where you go into people's homes, couldn't we, hey?
We've got all the kit, haven't we?
We could top-to-toe a house.
ANGELA RIPPON: Clean the nation.
There's a show-- Clean the Nation with Angela Rippon.
TIM WONNACOTT: A must-see.
After starting out in Sussex at Lewes, our celebrities and experts have motored into London for an auction in Chiswick.
ANGELA RIPPON: Well, Gloria, you and I have worked together for many, many years, but I think this time I'm going to get the better of you.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I haven't forgiven you yet for calling my lovely lectern a bird table.
TIM WONNACOTT: I think they might be taking this a bit too seriously.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: And there are the boys.
ANGELA RIPPON: Hi!
Not broken down today!
- I know!
- How are you doing, both?
How are you doing, Gloria?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I'm not even mobile today.
Lovely to see you.
Oh.
Are we raring to go?
- I think we are.
- I think we are.
I'm feeling quite confident.
ANGELA RIPPON: Yes.
We already told Angie we're going to win, so there we go.
TIM WONNACOTT: They have an auction every week here, a very big range too, so hopefully almost all our purchases will fit right in.
I wonder what auctioneer Matt Caddick rates most highly?
MATT CADDICK: Pretty keen on the William IV work table.
It's a good old fashioned antique.
It's a very clean example, so that should work today.
The Poole Pottery-- this is a pretty boring pattern in my personal opinion.
Transfer decorated.
I think that even though it's a cheap estimate, it might even struggle.
I think it's going to be a fight between the Poole Pottery and the cake stand as to what's going to make the least money.
Practically and objectively they're just both a bit lackluster.
TIM WONNACOTT: Angela and David bought five auction lots for a total of just 180 pounds while Gloria and Paul spent 333 pounds on their five lots.
Now, enter the gladiators.
Oh I say, posh seats as well.
Could you not have got us a better seat, Angela?
I don't think so, dear.
We needed your influence, Gloria.
They're too posh for us I think.
Yeah, you're lucky they let you in.
TIM WONNACOTT: And they're lucky they let their nest of tables in.
I'm going to admit to you now, I love the nest of tables, and if I was allowed to bid I would buy them.
Hang on.
Now I'm confused.
What tactic is Gloria playing now?
I'm not allowed to buy today, otherwise I would buy them.
She's got her competitive face on.
And is there 50 pounds to start me?
Got to be.
MATT CADDICK: For the G Plan nester tables at 50 pounds start me.
DAVID HARPER: Go on.
MATT CADDICK: 40 pounds.
Not a hand.
Shall we start at 20 and see where we go?
Oh, starting at 20.
MATT CADDICK: Surely at 20 pounds.
Start me.
20.
There you.
Go on.
Blood from a stone at 20 pounds I'm bid.
Oh, miraculous.
MATT CADDICK: Well worth that.
Yes.
Is there 2 now?
For 20 pounds only.
A maiden bid.
Down in the dumps at 20 pounds.
I can't ask any more times.
- It's a bargain.
At 20 pounds.
DAVID HARPER: Give it another five minutes.
Oh, it's a bargain.
TIM WONNACOTT: So much for that plan.
Obviously in London they have no style.
- Exactly.
- Just the wrong room.
Just the wrong room.
I think someone-- someone paid 20 pound too much for them frankly.
TIM WONNACOTT: Next it's Gloria and Paul's wee Scottish pot.
We paid 38 quid for it and they've only put it down for 15 to 20.
Well, some would call that a come-hither estimate, a come-buy-me estimate.
A come-hither estimate.
Start me 10 pounds please.
10 pounds for the Wemyss.
I'll let you catch me up as well.
At that 10 pounds start me.
10 I'm bid.
And we're off at 10 pounds and 12 I'll take.
You do know that the Queen Mum collects this pottery.
The Queen Mum-- she's not here today, though.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I know.
MATT CADDICK: 12.
You've done enough.
12 pounds I'm bid.
At 12 pounds.
14, 16, 18.
Oh, that's going away.
MATT CADDICK: At 20 pounds.
20 pounds.
Injecting a bit of class has done the job.
At 20 pounds.
On the back wall then.
We finished all out.
20.
20 more than that.
Come on.
- 20 pounds.
20 pounds.
Well, you just doubled the value.
I can't believe it.
- Well, there you go.
That was better.
TIM WONNACOTT: Chiswick seemed less than impressed, I'd say.
I just think 20 pounds for tooth mug is just over the top.
Well, it is.
It's a very nice tooth mug, though.
DAVID HARPER: I'm speechless.
It depends on your teeth.
You see, now your teeth would have looked good in that mug.
TIM WONNACOTT: [LAUGHS] Now for Angela's jar for ginger or anything you fancy really.
Moderately estimated.
Start me at 20 pounds for it.
The Poole Pottery.
20 pounds for it.
I think it was collected by the King of Siam.
King of Siam collected this.
There you go.
10 pounds for it.
Give me 10 pounds for it.
Start me at 10.
DAVID HARPER: Come on You're going to make me really work.
5 pounds for it.
Oh gosh.
MATT CADDICK: 5 pounds start me.
No one wants-- 5 pounds I'm bid.
I'm going to go up in 1's now, aren't I?
Brilliant.
5 pounds.
6 I'll take.
At 5 pounds only.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: [GASPS] - That's a serious bargain.
- That's a sad day.
MATT CADDICK: 5 pounds then.
We're going to sell it.
All done for 5.
DAVID HARPER: Oh.
ANGELA RIPPON: Oh well.
Oh, I am so sorry about that.
Are you?
Do you still love it?
Oh, I really am.
TIM WONNACOTT: The auctioneer had that one right.
DAVID HARPER: Now up comes the absolutely delicious lectern.
Bird table.
Bird-- sorry.
I did get that wrong.
I'm going to strangle both of you on the spot.
TIM WONNACOTT: I think she means it.
Well, at least this thing's antique.
So 50 pounds to start me.
- Please somebody.
- Silence.
Tumbleweed.
40 pounds for it.
It's going in the wrong direction, Gloria.
It is going the wrong direction I have to admit.
I'm very disappointed.
DAVID HARPER: Go on, get further down.
Start me 10 pounds.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Now you're being really mean.
Now I'm bid.
ANGELA RIPPON: No, a tenner!
You got a tenner for it.
MATT CADDICK: At 10 pounds and 12 I'll take.
That's good-- good wood.
Cheaper than lump wood for your fire at 10 pounds.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I know, I'm telling you.
Start me at 12 now.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I know.
MATT CADDICK: At 12 pounds I'm bid.
ANGELA RIPPON: Oh, we got 12.
At 12 pounds.
ANGELA RIPPON: 12 pounds.
There we are.
Saying no unbelievably.
At 12 pounds.
In the room then at 12 pounds.
I can't believe I'm going to let it go at 12 pounds.
We'll sell it at 12, shall we?
12 pounds.
- No!
Excellent news.
Oh my goodness.
We was robbed.
TIM WONNACOTT: Not quite free speech for some lucky lecturer, but close.
When I arrived here today I loved you.
Yeah.
Now I'm beginning to think you're really mean at heart.
You're getting to know the real me, Gloria.
TIM WONNACOTT: Oh.
Next, this little treasure from Angela and David's bathroom collection.
10 pounds to start me.
For the towel rail at 10 pounds I'm bid.
I've got 10.
Thank you.
MATT CADDICK: 10 pounds.
12 there.
ANGELA RIPPON: Excuse me.
Excuse me.
14, would you like 14?
Got 16.
You've got 16.
Excuse me.
Yes?
At 20 pounds.
In the red chair at 20.
Is there any more now?
Double bubble.
If you knew how much time she's been at it-- if you knew how long I spent cleaning that so that it looks absolutely beautiful you would know that it was worth every penny of whatever you're prepared to pay.
100 pounds.
So just-- just to clarify, the patina's gone from the deco period.
22 is bid.
Oh, that's more like it.
MATT CADDICK: 24.
24 pounds.
In the red shirt at 24.
ANGELA RIPPON: That's good.
If only it was left original.
24 pounds.
Are we done on that then?
24.
It's stylish enough and goes.
Oh, well done.
Hey, result.
First profit.
Profit.
First profit, yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: Yes, dreams can come true.
But then Angela and David did only spend half their cash.
Now for Gloria and Paul's precious yellow metal pin.
Start me 20 pounds for it.
20 pounds for it.
10 pounds for it.
10 I'm bid.
12, 14, 16-- Oh, there you go.
MATT CADDICK: 18, 20.
20 pounds.
The lady's bid at 20.
2's the next than.
At 20 pounds.
We're going to sell it.
All done for 20.
22.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: 22, great.
MATT CADDICK: 24.
Shake of the head.
24 pounds.
Still in the stripes at 24.
We're going to sell it.
24.
- One below.
Well, there you are, you see?
One below.
TIM WONNACOTT: A Regent Street pin for a very good price.
Who'd like a shiny wine table of dubious vintage?
What part of the "Antiques Road Trip" did you fail to get when you bought this?
Future.
You've got some stiff competition.
I'm bid already at 10 pounds.
Well, that's-- Oh, there you go.
MATT CADDICK: 12 is the next bid.
10 pounds.
MATT CADDICK: 10 pounds here on the book, and 12 I'll take.
For this wine table at 10 pounds.
ANGELA RIPPON: It's very nice.
DAVID HARPER: Come on.
No.
MATT CADDICK: [INAUDIBLE] on the book.
At 10 pounds.
Someone be brave.
I cleaned it again.
We cleaned it.
MATT CADDICK: For 10 pounds.
No one drinks any more.
DAVID HARPER: Oh, really?
It's a sad age, I know.
It's crazy.
Are they all teetotallers?
MATT CADDICK: They drink too fast.
Yeah, they're drinking too fast.
There's no need to store it.
10 pounds.
- Oh, go on.
MATT CADDICK: 10 pounds.
No one else going to come in?
We've got to sell it.
10 pounds.
TIM WONNACOTT: After she put all that hard work in too.
Will Gloria and Paul's cake stand fare any better?
This Edwardian folding three-tier cake stand with Japanese lacquer decoration.
It's not lacquer.
Tell him the truth.
What's it worth?
Start me-- It's actually signed.
It's Japanese decorated.
Signed by the birds.
Oh, I can clean it for you.
Hang on.
Oh no, here we go.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: No, excuse me.
It is actually signed-- specially signed.
Got Japanese decoration on and it does fold flat.
Yeah, that's the way it goes, see?
It's beautiful.
MATT CADDICK: Very good.
I did mean to bring cakes for you all to eat and I forgot.
I'm so sorry.
TIM WONNACOTT: Oh, that would have been lovely.
So, the much talked-about signed cake stand.
Yes.
MATT CADDICK: Start me 30 pounds for it.
30 pounds for it.
Vintage tea parties all the rage.
20 pounds for it.
30 pounds [INAUDIBLE] - What?
On the internet?
Good heavens above.
2 I'll take.
You can fill it with cakes.
They've made a profit.
On the internet.
Good enough.
A maiden bid from the world wide web.
Yes!
At 30 pounds.
All done and out 30.
- Oh, well-- well done.
- Profit.
Profit.
- Well done.
TIM WONNACOTT: Another profit.
Good work, team.
Time for Angela's champagne moment.
ANGELA RIPPON: It is.
DAVID HARPER: This is our big, big spend.
ANGELA RIPPON: It's our big spend.
Yep.
And whoever gets it, it can bring real pleasure to their lives I think.
That will make me happy.
It will make me happy.
Mm-hmm, yeah.
It may not make a profit, but it'll make us happy.
Yeah.
We'll be happy because you're happy.
TIM WONNACOTT: If only she meant it.
What's it worth?
Is it worth 30 pounds?
Oh, of course it is!
MATT CADDICK: 30 pounds I'm bid.
- It is.
It's worth at least 30 pounds.
MATT CADDICK: And 2 I'll take.
At 30 pounds.
32 I'll take.
32.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: You're off.
35.
38.
[INAUDIBLE] MATT CADDICK: 40, 2.
40-- excuse me.
42 pounds.
45.
5, yes.
MATT CADDICK: 45 pounds in the doorway.
ANGELA RIPPON: It's worth a bit more than that.
Are we done then for 45 pound?
Think of the pleasure.
- More than that.
- All out then.
45 pounds.
I think we're done.
I'm going to sell.
- Solid silver?
MATT CADDICK: 48.
- 48 online.
That's smart.
- Shaking your head.
Oh no, don't shake your head.
MATT CADDICK: At 48 pounds.
The internet's come in then at 48 pounds.
We're done.
TIM WONNACOTT: Angela's still slightly ahead though with just one big lot to go.
Gloria's greatest gamble-- the sewing table-- will decide it.
What's your bet then?
Thank the lord we don't spend a whole load of money on Victorian brown furniture.
Oh, wait a minute.
It's the sort of thing which perhaps at a different auction with a different group of people-- Yeah, about 15 years ago.
50 years ago it would have done really, really well.
They are so mean.
They're not the price they used to be, are they?
I'm bid here at 90 pounds to help me on the book-- They've got 90 quid.
MATT CADDICK: --after 1, 2, 3, bids, and I'll take 100 in the room now.
90 pounds here with me.
90.
MATT CADDICK: On the book at 90 pounds.
Is that it?
It's such a shame, isn't it, at 90 pounds.
They don't make old money at 90 pounds, but that's a bid.
- It's beautiful - And it's going to sell at 90.
All done.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: It's perfect.
ANGELA RIPPON: 90.
Too soon.
90 pounds.
TIM WONNACOTT: Oh, it always was a tad optimistic.
Ready?
1, 2, 3.
Told you so.
TIM WONNACOTT: Aw, and they're supposed to be friends.
Just think of the fun they'd have had if they'd actually made some money.
Now, Gloria and Paul began with 400 pounds and after paying auction costs made a loss of 188 pounds and 68p leaving them with 211 pounds and 32 pence whilst Angela and David, who also started out with 400 pounds, made, after paying auction costs, a slightly smaller loss of 97 pounds and 26 pence.
So they're today's winners with 302 pounds and 74p.
Well.
Into the sunshine.
That was-- that was hot.
It was hot, but it was great.
Yeah, it was fabulous.
I loved it.
It was good fun, wasn't it?
It was great fun.
I really have enjoyed it.
And I love Paul.
DAVID HARPER: Aw.
I do.
ANGELA RIPPON: Do you?
How much do you think you can get him for him then?
I actually seriously thought of putting him up for auction.
ANGELA RIPPON: Did you?
[INAUDIBLE] Why not?
Because the makeup girl was at him all the time.
Yes, she was.
Well, I tell you what, I don't know how we can have so much fun by losing so much money.
So deal us the figures then.
OK, here we go.
We've done incredibly well by losing-- the B Team over here have lost almost 200 pounds.
Well done.
- Hey.
- Seriously.
- We get the loser's prize.
Seriously.
Yeah, well done.
That's great, Paul.
Well done.
And we, bizarrely, have actually won-- By losing?
--by losing almost 100 pounds.
Yeah!
Yay!
It really has been the most wonderful journey.
Angela.
Oh, we've had fun.
DAVID HARPER: Thank you.
Thank you so much.
ANGELA RIPPON: Very good.
Lovely working with you.
Lovely.
I'm going to recommend you two to everybody.
Really?
You can't hire us out, you know?
You never know.
But what are you going to recommend them for?
I'm going to have a new program called Who is the Best Loser?
Best Loser.
[INAUDIBLE] We're going to celebrate now.
Bye!
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Yeah, bye bye.
Bye.
- Bye!
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: I've got an idea actually.
ANGELA RIPPON: What's that?
GLORIA HUNNIFORD: Why don't you do the program again and again until we win, until we make money.
ANGELA RIPPON: Now there's a thought.
TIM WONNACOTT: You'd be welcome back any time.
[THEME MUSIC]