[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: The nation's favorite celebrities.
We are special Lan, 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 scout Britain for antiques.
Really, you want to get ahead?
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.
Promise?
NARRATOR: It's time to put your pedal to the metal.
This is Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Yeah.
We're in the beautiful West country for a celebrity road trip with stage and screen stars John Nettles and Barbara Flynn.
BARBARA FLYNN: Do you know the last time you were in a car together?
JOHN NETTLES: On film.
It's many many years ago [INAUDIBLE] and we were about to get married [INAUDIBLE].
And you didn't drive.
No, no that's true, that's true.
I had put my leg over do the gear and the clutch at the same time, do you remember?
Yes, I do remember that.
It was hysterical.
NARRATOR: We'll have none of that on this program.
Thank you.
This is not the first time John and Barbara have shared the screen.
They played a married couple in the 1970s epic TV saga, A Family At War.
But John's probably best known playing roles as a detective in "Mid-somer Murderers" and "Bergerac" Our celebs are in a 1965 Mark 2 Jaguar.
JOHN NETTLES: This is a lovely, lovely thing.
NARRATOR: Isn't it just, though it looks more "Morse" than "Bergerac" Over 4 decades Barbara has carved out a distinguished career on stage and screen, from the "Beiderbecke Trilogy" to open all hours cracker and the film "Miss Potter".
Barbara and John each have 400 pounds to spend in the battle for antique glory.
It's one of my favorite things [INAUDIBLE].. Are you good at haggling?
No, no, I'm a complete coward.
I'm very English.
[INAUDIBLE] thank you very much.
Yes, everybody be nice to each other.
I'm not to argue about it.
NARRATOR: I'm not sure our experts will stand for that.
But they're jolly excited about their 1949 Triumph Roadster.
Now this car I believe was the car that "Bergerac" had-- Really?
In "Bergerac", yeah.
It is.
So it's going to be a great surprise.
Well, I hope so, yeah and what a treat.
NARRATOR: Great idea.
Auctioneer James Braxton loves anything old if it's got great quality and design.
While Christina Trevelyan specializes in antique jewelry but claims no expertise on John Nettles.
JAMES BRAXTON: I hear your mother is a fan.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: I'm afraid I'd rather blame John Nettles for one of the worst family holidays, when we went to Jersey hoping to get a glimpse and I was a fairly stroppy teenager at the time.
Poor old mom I think had to go solo in search of John.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Today our celebrities and experts start their road trip in Chudleigh and meander the highways and byways of South Devon before nipping into Dorset finishing at an auction in the cathedral city of Wells in Somerset.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: The small market town of Chudleigh will be a delightful starting point for a happy reunion between John and that lovely Triumph Roadster.
The worst car I ever have on screen was the a Triumph Roadster, the "Bergerac" Series.
And it's the worst machine in the world to drive.
NARRATOR: Uh-oh.
There we are.
Oh, hey.
Oh, no.
Oh, he looks absolutely ecstatic.
This is his car.
I better not sit on it.
I take back all.
I take back-- BARBARA FLYNN: This is your life.
I take back all those said about it.
It's a wonderful car.
Good morning.
How are you?
I'm all the better for seeing you I can tell you that.
Do you recognize that at all?
I do recognize that.
Yes, a lot of my DNA is on that, I would think it's very nice.
, It's very nice I love it to pieces.
Have we thought about who's going with who, and what we want?
NARRATOR: I'm going with you, there's no question about that.
[LAUGHTER] Tradition means there's no question about who drives the Roadster.
The car pre-dates seatbelt laws, which is why John and Kristina aren't wearing any as they head straight down memory lane.
And did you have to do a lot of driving?
Endless driving.
Didn't have that much of a script 10 series of '"Bergerac" we only had about three scripts.
Is it 10 series?
Gosh.
So we had a lot of car shots.
NARRATOR: You'd never catch us doing that John much.
But It was unbelievably, unbelievably popular.
I mean, it was a fantastic series, isn't it?
It was.
NARRATOR: John lives in Devon these days so he knows this patch, but what about the world of antiques?
JOHN NETTLES: Not a tiny little bit, but I like silver work-- work and so on.
- Good.
OK. And glassware.
I know what I like, but that's quite different from what is valuable in the auction room.
NARRATOR: So John has definite tastes and admits he's rubbish at haggling.
Let's go.
NARRATOR: I wonder how that'll work out.
So what about Devon metal detector.
This is our first shop.
Oh this looks good.
NARRATOR: The name's a tad misleading.
It's also a second hand shop with all sorts of interesting bits and bobs.
Hello, I must say-- oh, hello.
My name is Phil Lurking behind the cabinets, Phil.
How are you well?
You're looking terribly tanned, where have you been?
Just came out from [INAUDIBLE] Oh, lovely.
Oh John's from Cornwall.
And the unfashionable parts, and also on there myself.
Oh, yeah, well great.
[INAUDIBLE] beautiful, beautiful.
Now I thought when you're in Cornwall it was called snozzle.
It is called nozzle.
Yeah, snozzle, don't snozzle.
NARRATOR: Crikey, I'm not even going to ask.
On with shopping.
You take that end and I'll take this end.
Let's go, get rummaging.
NARRATOR: OK, but no snorkeling please.
John's keen on military history, and even wrote a book about the Channel Islands during World War II.
He's quick to find a military item.
Oh, what are you found?
These are from the Great War which declares itself to be the Great War for civilization 1940 19.
What do you think?
Have a look.
Well, the key for medals is that they have to be in good condition.
And these look like they're in absolutely mint condition.
Look these ribbons have barely been touched they're still incredibly fresh, aren't they?
The interesting thing you've got the miniatures over there as well.
So these would be of your miniatures or dress ones which which you would wear instead of the large.
Oh, I see, yeah.
And if we look around-- can I just give you those for a second?
If we look at what should happen.
They are actually named as well PTI private WH Jay Blake Devon R. There's a Devon Royalty.
There's a Devon-- certainly Devon regiment, yeah.
Yeah, and they suffered enormous casualties in the First World War.
Did they?
Yes, particularly at the beginning of the war, the demands on the suffering was great.
So that's yes particularly poignant that.
I mean I wonder whether he survived that would be certainly interesting, and I think that's the key for metal collectors, is that there's something for them to research they've got that historical aspect as well as having something tangible.
They've got something to research as well.
So I think that's why the market is quite popular.
And it's got a huge emotional resonance.
NARRATOR: The document that comes with the medals has few clues about private Blake.
I think they're interesting, should we [INAUDIBLE] come up?
- I think we should.
- Yeah?
OK.
So Phil we were interested in, we've got some medals here.
Do you know where they came from?
Nothing whatsoever, no only what's on there.
But I do have something else here, which might interest you.
Right.
It to do with the First World War.
It's a picture of the royal engineers riding squad.
First riding squad royal engineers aldershot 1918.
Yes right at the end of the war.
And they still have some horses there.
I don't think they're related whatsoever but it could be an interesting.
Combination.
And I think that's a composite set.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Yes, exactly.
So Phil what are we talking about for the group because we've obviously got the medals and now we've just introduced a picture?
PHIL: 85 and 35.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: OK. PHIL: So that's 120.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: So 85 for the medals and then 35 for the picture.
PHIL: But we can do a really good deal 75 pounds for the lot.
OK. That's an absolute steal.
NARRATOR: I wonder what John let's not haggle Nettles thinks.
It's a reasonable price, so quickly steal it.
Well, can I-- can I squeeze you any more?
NARRATOR: Watch and learn John.
We said 70?
What, we said 50?
No we did not.
Just any-- I'll do 70.
70 pounds?
Super.
Excellent.
NARRATOR: So the first lots agreed at 70 pounds with Christina's help.
I think that's terrific.
NARRATOR: Meanwhile Barbara's comparing notes with James.
BARBARA FLYNN: I like well-crafted things no matter what they are, the shape, and form.
JAMES BRAXTON: And quality of materials?
BARBARA FLYNN: Definitely.
NARRATOR: So classy things for a classy girl.
I think these two will get along fine.
BARBARA FLYNN: You're sitting next to a Leo, I don't I don't lose either.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah, you're sitting next to a fellow Leo.
BARBARA FLYNN: Are you?
When is your birthday?
JAMES BRAXTON: First August.
BARBARA FLYNN: No.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
BARBARA FLYNN: I'm the fifth.
JAMES BRAXTON: Fifth.
BARBARA FLYNN: Well, that's all right then.
We're on the same page.
NARRATOR: Barbara and James have left Chudleigh and they're heading 10 miles down the road to Ashburton.
Ashburton is a place full of traditions most notably its ale tasting ceremony, which goes back over 700 years.
Apparently lots of beer has to be drunk in order to test its quality, of course.
Barbara and James aren't distracted by such things though although you'd be forgiven for wondering.
It's nice.
Where are we?
I don't know, Ashburton.
Ashburton.
NARRATOR: Top marks team.
They're straight into Etcetera Etcetera, which has five rooms full of wires dating from the Georgian era to the 1980s.
Looks like these two have spotted something already.
Is that the Newland?
That's very nice.
Global arts crafts, it's not detailed enough for Newland.
NARRATOR: Impressive knowledge.
Onwards and upwards.
Moving on.
That's quite an oriental looking handle.
That looks pretty lovely to me.
NARRATOR: This lady knows her stuff.
What will her eagle eye pick out next?
JAMES BRAXTON: That's very nice, isn't it?
BARBARA FLYNN: It is.
I got rid of one a long time ago, and I think I really regretted it because it's that little book that you don't want to lose in a big bookcase.
And you've got them handy on a desk.
This is a bit of a bargain, isn't it?
28?
NARRATOR: Talk of books makes James wonder how Barbara learns her lines.
Do you learn it visually?
Or not?
Or-- Yes, I sometimes write it out, I sometimes, but if it's well It's easier to easy to perform but it's all different.
That's really why I love it, because it's never the same.
Never the same.
I love-- I love variety and I love you know to to stretch and do different things.
I've been so fortunate I've done a lot of comedy and tragedy quite life because they're very close.
Yeah, I bet they are.
As we know in life, yes.
But it's-- it's-- oh I've got a great job.
NARRATOR: So far Barbara's playing the role of antiques hunter with the greatest of ease.
BARBARA FLYNN: It's quite honest.
It's quite stable, it's not at all rickety.
JAMES BRAXTON: Put some books in.
Just perfect, isn't it?
I like that.
I think it's good find.
It's a possibility.
NARRATOR: Sounds positive for the book trough.
Back in Chudleigh Christina's found some silver, surprise, surprise.
Whilst you were hunting over there.
JOHN NETTLES: You were hunting over here.
I was hunting over here, and this is probably a little bit girly for you.
JOHN NETTLES: Oh no.
What are they?
Are they button?
They are buttons.
Yes, exactly right.
They're little buttons.
Now originally there would have been six, unfortunately we only have five.
But these are some of the nicest buttons I've ever seen.
They are solid silver.
We've got to make his mark down here, and also a nice hallmark which tells us they are Birmingham and they date to be 1091, so Edwardian.
They're very pretty, aren't they?
They are very pretty.
That's silver, isn't?
Solid silver and there are button collectors, and I just think these are really rather dinky.
And then I also found these, which I think are basically sort of the poor man's version, which is in silver plate.
But still very sweet.
Have a look at those.
So it's all gone a bit floral, hasn't it?
We've gone from warfare to flowers.
This is very sort of yin and yang, isn't it?
NARRATOR: Teamwork will get you far in this game.
If we put those buttons with those buttons, how much could you do those for?
20 pounds, and I'll give you those.
Oh, Phil.
Yeah, [INAUDIBLE].
I've also got this which might be of interest to you.
What's that?
Maybe a sponge went in there for-- Oh very possibly.
Could've been.
Yes very possibly.
JOHN NETTLES: Wait a minute, in the bathroom?
For stamps.
Oh for stamps.
To have it on your desk.
For the bath.
I don't know if it's sitting on the side of the bath, it's fun.
Do carry on.
NARRATOR: It's only easy when you know this chunky little piece was made by Saunders and McKenzie of Birmingham in 1930, and the interior is silver gilt.
So what's on that Phil?
That's marked at 20.
They're [INAUDIBLE].
30 pounds for the three.
Couldn't ask for better than that, could I?
What do we think?
NARRATOR: No, he's never going to make a haggler.
I think that's brilliant.
NARRATOR: With the two sets of buttons and the silver pot at 30 pounds and the medals and the army photo at 70 pounds John and Christina have their first two lots in the bag.
It's around 100.
Pleasure doing business with you.
NARRATOR: Back in Ashburton Barbara and James are still at Etetcetera Etetcetera.
The book troughs already a hot favorite, and James has his attention on something else.
Talk about something well-made.
Feel the weight of that.
That's a beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful.
Now that is-- To that lead.
It's heaven.
Isn't it lovely?
It's just a really lovely item.
It has a key.
It's got a lovely weight.
Look, look this is gorgeous for a start.
That's a lovely detail, the wood is in lovely condition.
NARRATOR: James has found a Georgia The Third mahogany tea caddy dating from around 1780.
It's had a little restoration and a replacement key.
The lock and key were vital in the days when tea was a precious commodity, take it price is 95 pounds.
It's an object of beauty, but it should be.
It should be about 50 or 60 quid.
NARRATOR: Ouch that's going to take some haggling.
Will dealer Robert proved to be a soft touch?
And I had to buy it off a little old lady who needed the money to feed her children.
NARRATOR: Not a soft touch.
Well, With that little old lady in mind can we-- So we've got 95 so I think it's going to be 75 pounds, because there's not a lot of leeway in there.
And then the trough?
It's very, very cheap, isn't it?
28.
Always could be cheaper.
Oh, yes I think so.
You know one would have to have a very brown furniture type.
No, no, no, no if you fill it with colored books it'd look fantastic in any house.
Yes, but-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] But not everyone knows that, not everyone knows that, that's the trouble.
NARRATOR: Seems Barbara's no soft touch either.
And there'll be 20 pounds.
20.
NARRATOR: So far the book troughs down from 28 pounds to 20, and the caddy is reduced from 95 pounds to 75 making a total of 95 pounds.
John would have shaken hands long ago, but not Barbara.
I don't know whether maybe 80 would be in any way discussable.
NARRATOR: I don't mind a discussion.
Good.
I'm not sure about the outcome.
NARRATOR: Nor am I. Shall we call it 85 pound for the two.
How does that sound?
It's better, isn't it?
Well, yeah not for me, but NARRATOR: Gosh he's good.
In an auction situation, It'd be rather lovely to see it.
JAMES BRAXTON: Come on Robert, can we do 80?
It'd be rather lovely, go on.
It would be a lovely round number which you could possibly see your way.
OK, we'll do it for 80 pounds for the two.
Splendid.
NARRATOR: So in a haggling tour de force Barbara's secured her first two items the book trough for 15 pounds and the caddie for 65 pounds.
- Thank you.
- Thank you very much.
OK, bye-bye.
Thanks a lot.
Good luck.
That was fun.
NARRATOR: It was, wasn't it?
John and Christine are back in the car though heading 30 miles South to Slapton Sands.
John's knowledge of military history should stand them in good stead in this area.
In 1944 it played a pivotal but little known role in top secret American training for the D-day landings at Utah Beach.
But dreadful Allied errors resulted in more casualties than on Utah Beach itself.
JOHN NETTLES: Dean, there you are.
NARRATOR: Local man Dean Small is John and Christina's guide.
Dean what exactly happened here?
This beach was used as part of the practice landings for D-day in a big operation called Operation Tiger.
This being the beach chosen to simulate Utah Beach in France.
It had been planned for many, many months.
Thousands, 30,000 I believe acres of local land were evacuated farmland, homes, et cetera.
NARRATOR: On the 27th of April 1944 British forces bombarded the coast with live fire in order to simulate real battle conditions.
The plan was to stop firing just before the American troops practice their landings at Slapton Sands.
JOHN NETTLES: The bombardment was to soften up the coastal defenses.
Absolutely, absolutely.
JOHN NETTLES: And after that the troops should come ashore, and so the landing craft came around that point out there up to the beach.
DEAN SMALL: Yes.
JOHN NETTLES: And what happened then?
DEAN SMALL: At a certain time they would have arranged for the bombardment of the shoreline and the hills in the distance, but the last moment they changed that time that didn't filter down through to the men that were landing on the beach.
So unfortunately the first wave of men that landed on the beach were landing on a beach that was under-- under fire.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Oh, my goodness me.
NARRATOR: The exact number of casualties isn't known.
But in another phase of Exercise Tiger tank carrying vessels assembled along the coast in Lyme Bay, and disaster struck again.
The early hours of the morning about 2:00 AM radio frequencies were confused, and the Germans picked up on it and a flotilla of e-boats attacked in the early hours of the morning.
NARRATOR: The vessels were poorly protected and three were hit by the German enemy boats.
Many of the troops on board were drowned, estimates of total casualties during Exercise Tiger vary, but a generally thought to be well over 700.
JOHN NETTLES: Was there any kind of inquiry into this?
DEAN SMALL: It was kept completely secret.
There was no doubt about it, they had to keep it secret.
They didn't want the Germans to know obviously about the imminent D-day landings, and so they were trying to protect that.
JOHN NETTLES: And there were no leaks?
DEAN SMALL: No, no, yeah, I mean-- I mean amazingly so.
NARRATOR: Some lessons were learned, and when D-day came fewer Americans died at Utah Beach than had died during Exercise Tiger, though of course casualties elsewhere were high.
Long after D-day the tragic events of Exercise Tiger remained virtually unknown.
It was Dean's father Ken who brought the story to the wider world.
DEAN SMALL: He used to beachcomber on this beach regularly in the early 70s.
And during that time he came across bits of shrapnel, bullet heads, tunic buttons, belt buckles.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: They're all military things.
All military things, and he couldn't understand why.
It didn't make any sense.
NARRATOR: The finds prompted Ken to start asking questions.
And gradually he pieced together the terrible reality of what had happened.
He also made another find that was quite remarkable.
[MUSIC PLAYING] CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Good Lord, so your father found this?
Yes.
This is the ultimate metal detecting find, isn't it?
It's quite amazing, isn't it?
Absolutely amazing.
DEAN SMALL: This is a Sherman tank Duplex Drive.
So it was an amphibian sized tank it was designed to float in the water.
And could be launched off a large ship either out at sea or cross rivers, lakes, et cetera.
NARRATOR: The discovery of the tank resulted from Ken Small chatting with a local fisherman.
He told him that there was this object on the seabed that they would often snag the nets on, and he was-- Dad was so curious eventually you persuaded this fisherman to go and have a look.
And that's when they realized you that it was a Sherman tank.
NARRATOR: The 32 ton tank was 3/4 of a mile out at sea, and 60 feet below the surface.
But having uncovered the tragedy of Exercise Tiger Ken was determined it should become a Memorial to the lives lost in 1984.
It was salvaged.
There were no dead bodies in there, but was there anything else inside?
Yeah, it was fully operational inside, and this is the rangefinder from the tank.
JOHN NETTLES: It's in good nick, isn't it?
It is in amazing condition, yeah.
There were two of these, the other one was actually given to the driver of the tank who my dad met.
Really?
Yeah, his name was Boris Johnson, and now his son has it.
NARRATOR: Sadly Ken died in 2004, but thanks to his total dedication the lives lost in Exercise Tiger are regularly commemorated and have a permanent Memorial.
Barbara and James are hitting the road once more.
Barbara any of your roles prepared you for this antique hunting?
"Cranford" I suppose you could consider that we were I suppose a lot of us could be considered to be rather antique ourselves.
My parents loved antiques, and so I've got a great fondness for it.
Yes.
And a great respect for true craft.
NARRATOR: They're heading for the sea, the resort of Paignton to be precise.
Paignton's residents are sometimes referred to as pudding eaters.
Thanks to a centuries old tradition of creating giant puddings to mark the granting of the town's charter.
Once again Barbara and James are not succumbing to local habits focusing instead on the stock at Pimlico Antiques collectibles, snappy dressers, you name it, and Paul's the man.
BARBARA FLYNN: Hello, hello.
PAUL: Barbara, welcome to Pimlico.
Thank you very much Paul.
Hello James, welcome to Pimlico.
Hello.
Thank you.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: There's a lot to consider.
Quite useful, isn't it?
Like you're traveling toilet mirror.
Doesn't go with our flash purchases so far.
NARRATOR: Barbara was keeping standards high.
Eminently practical these, aren't they?
They are, gosh I remember those.
But I'm not sure got some hold there.
I know, I know.
It's done a life already, hasn't it?
NARRATOR: Try again James.
Barbara did you play the violin?
My sister did.
It was deeply-- Painful?
Painful, yes.
NARRATOR: If at first you don't succeed.
I like the glaze there, I love the glaze on this one.
This is more that lovely eggshell.
Sort of matte, isn't it?
NARRATOR: The pottery charger features enameled orange lilies and there's a Japanese inspired one too.
They're priced at 25 pounds each.
JAMES BRAXTON: 25 pounds?
25 pounds, it's a good price James.
NARRATOR: Tried telling Barbara.
Too much for us.
For the two or for one?
10 or 15?
Do they cost you a king's ransom?
Or were they part of a mighty house?
No, James, no, James.
No, no, they're not a king's ransom but for the two I would let you have them for 20 pounds.
NARRATOR: 30 pounds off sounds good to me, but I'm no Barbara Flynn.
BARBARA FLYNN: 18.
- I think this I think-- 18.
You see Barbara's been to Egypt, she's-- Oh, stop She's top-- top haggler.
But-- this is not mine, but I-- it could be-- 15.
15.
15?
No, I like the the better price the 18 that you suggested the first time.
Well, I don't know I wasn't really concentrating on this.
NARRATOR: Oops that could cost you.
PAUL: The 18 will give me my money back.
JAMES BRAXTON: Would it?
PAUL: Yes.
JAMES BRAXTON: Really?
PAUL: Yes.
JAMES BRAXTON: On the two?
PAUL: Because I like you 18 pounds.
Oh.
PAUL: There you go.
You're welcome.
Thank you.
No need to kiss me.
OK. NARRATOR: So with another strong haggle the pair of charges are reduced from 50 to 18 pounds, and Barbara and James have their first day shopping all wrapped up.
Best to get some shut eye now because tomorrow is another day of shopping and haggling and fun.
Nighty, night.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's a new day and John's acting confident.
There can't be any competition Oh really?
No, no, no, no.
You wait till you see what we've got.
Well, we'll give you a good run for your money.
It'll have to be a good I tell you to beat us.
NARRATOR: Well, let's assess the prospects.
Yesterday Barbara and James set their sights on great craftsmanship Feel the weight of that.
It's beautiful.
NARRATOR: Acquiring a tea caddy, a book trough, and a pair of charges for a total of 98 pounds.
Barbara's been to Egypt's she's top top haggler.
NARRATOR: It leaves them with 302 pounds still to spend.
That was fun.
NARRATOR: John and Christina did some yin and yang shopping, buying medals and a military photo, plus a group of pretty silver.
John was a less than tough negotiator.
But I couldn't ask for less than that.
NARRATOR: But Thanks to Kristina they secured their two lots for 100 pounds leaving the duo with 300 pounds for today.
Great pleasure of doing business with you.
NARRATOR: Whatever John's failings as a haggler Christine as rather smitten.
He is the most unassuming, most lovely, most modest person I have ever met in my life.
He is just a delight.
Really?
And knowledgeable.
And how's Barbara to shop with?
She's interested and her mother was great auction goer down in Heastie, so she was always coming back with treasures and bargains as she did.
NARRATOR: Treasures and bargains, hey?
Follow that James.
Now that we're winning.
BARBARA FLYNN: Winning, oh you wait.
JAMES BRAXTON: John hasn't been winding you up about any purchases, has he?
A little bit just listen.
Just a little bit, yeah.
But I'm staying, cool.
NARRATOR: As they cruise towards their first shop of the day James is curious to know what Barbara gets fired up by.
I mean but it's always the writing that I love.
I was very fortunate to work for Andrew Davis, and they both believe that being a man eater and any woman eater doctor, and a very, very tight little way.
I still get letters about that one.
Do you?
Yeah I do, I do.
NARRATOR: Yeah, and I'm still waiting for a reply.
Oh this is a beautiful Devon village.
It is picturesque, isn't it?
NARRATOR: Well, they're in picturesque territory, making their way north east through Devon towards Honiton.
Unlike Ashburton with its ale drinkers and Paignton with its pudding eaters, Honiton's ancient tradition involves the gentry throwing hot pennies to the poor.
Well done.
Let's go in here.
NARRATOR: Honiton is also homed Upstairs Downstairs and Lombardo's adjoining shops with one owner selling just about everything from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
And we're feeling the pressure now because we really really want to get ahead.
NARRATOR: Barbara dive straight in with the dog's head carving on a walking stick.
That's a very fine dog's head, isn't it?
Quite humorous.
It's nice.
But owner Barry is keener to sell the stick stand.
The most interesting thing here would probably be the Colebrookdale JAMES BRAXTON: Oh this is the we're talking about, is it?
NARRATOR: The cast iron stick stand comes complete with a drip tray and it's stamped Colebrookdale dated 1843 and has a ticket price of 295 pounds.
JAMES BRAXTON: For somebody who collects walking sticks to have a signed and dated sticks down would be rather nice for them.
BARBARA FLYNN: Does after it all.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah, how much are you selling that for then?
BARRY: I could let you have that for 200 pounds.
NARRATOR: 95 pounds is a decent discount, but not to Barbara.
Would you throw us out if we offered you 175?
BARRY: No, I wouldn't.
No, no, I wouldn't because you're very nice people.
So 175 you might consider, which will be great.
I couldn't consider if you can squeeze another tenner.
JAMES BRAXTON: Another tenner?
I'm not sure.
We can do it.
JAMES BRAXTON: I'm not sure I think we should walk out of this shop.
It's not Egyptian way.
Go because we don't [INAUDIBLE] time is against us, isn't it?
I know time is against us.
What a shame.
Time is against us.
NARRATOR: With there's no deal, time to find something else.
John and Christina have also made their way to Honiton, they're headed for Bel-Ami.
Oh how pretty.
NARRATOR: Which has seven rooms packed with antiques and collectibles.
They have 300 pounds to spend so it might be Christmas has come early for owner Sue.
John look this is what I need for driving around in our car.
Look.
Oh, blimey.
- Oh let's ask her, isn't it?
- Do you think?
Oh you'd be a hit.
Hello, is it for sale?
SUE: No.
Oh.
NARRATOR: John staying focused on serious shopping.
Oh Christina, that's very pretty.
What have you spotted, my love?
Flowers.
Oh that's pretty.
It's very pretty though, isn't it?
Are you an art lover, John?
I know what I like, and I like that very much.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Oh OK.
Very much indeed, it's beautiful.
NARRATOR: John's found an oil on board painting of flowers it's signed by the artist, but the name's not familiar.
And there are no clues as to its origins, it's priced at 45 pounds.
Are you drawn to sort of Modern Art, or you're drawn to more traditional?
No I'm a figurative man myself.
A figurative man.
I like this stuff.
To me it looks very sort of Japanese or aesthetic in style, that sort of very minimalist look.
It's very spare, it's not got that Victorian sentimentality.
No, it hasn't at all.
It's a nice composition, altogether very pleasing aesthetically.
Like it?
I do, I do, I do.
NARRATOR: So the paintings are definite may be, and there's more browsing to do before decisions can be made.
A stone's throw away art is also on the agenda for Barbara and James.
They've just come in.
This is a good find, is it?
BARRY: Well, I should think there would be an investment for the future.
They are whether-- We're talking about tomorrow Barry.
They're seaside resort, they look sort of would you say west country.
Yeah, definitely Cornish, aren't they?
Look.
Well, that sort of fishing yeah, don't they?
Yeah.
BARRY: They are St Ives, but they've got a lot of history on the backs.
Done a lot of exhibitions in different places.
Have they?
BARRY: Good exhibition of the artist, yeah.
Rod Pearce.
NARRATOR: These oils both on board signed by Rod Pearce feature two scenes from St Ives, and the pair are priced at 285 pounds.
Rod graduated from Chelsea art school in 1964, and his works hang in a number of private and corporate collections.
So these could make a good buy.
I like the way he's done the seagulls, slightly canaletto.
BARBARA FLYNN: And the light in the as well.
Yeah, lt's very good in that one.
An auction, I would expect these to make anywhere between 80 and 120 to be frank.
How about 80 pounds Barry?
BARRY: I would do for your top estimate, your 120.
80, It looks like 80 every day.
80 then is good.
Before you said 85.
JAMES BRAXTON: If you want to sell them to me at age five, I'd very happily give you 85.
BARBARA FLYNN: Would you?
I'd give him 80.
NARRATOR: Oh, she's tough.
JAMES BRAXTON: So I think we'll take them at 80, should we, Barbara?
- Yeah, that's good.
That's lovely.
Thank you, Barry.
If you leave another 20 quid on the floor when you go that would be much more appreciated.
I'll tell you what 10.
80 Plus 10, and then you're in the money.
That's 95, isn't it?
No, no 90.
Is it?
90, OK. Are you happy with that?
Well done Barry.
I have lost a few little pennies but I don't mind that because you two are absolutely beautiful people.
NARRATOR: True, true so cracking teamwork gets Barry's maths back on track, and a very generous reduction on the paintings from 285 pounds to 90 pounds.
Wow, fancy another go at the stick stand?
Come on Barry what can you do, mate?
I think 150.
BARRY: You did mention about 175 so.
I was doing 155.
I want it some more so.
155.
175.
Now, because it was me because it was my fault because I said five could you be a very forgiving man, and make me look better in the eyes of James Braxton by getting it for- Darling I can make you look better.
Oh, no, no, no, no, but still 170.
That's so nice of you Barry.
OK, 170.
Yes?
Oh my goodness I didn't ask your permission.
NARRATOR: So with the stick stand reduced from 295 pounds to 170 pounds, and the painting snapped up for 90 pounds Barbara and James's shopping is all done.
Really good, hey.
Yeah, really pleased.
Why are we walking down here, the car's over there.
I don't know.
NARRATOR: Back at Bel-Ami John's got his eye on something.
Oh, Christina.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Yes?
JOHN NETTLES: Take a look at this.
What is this?
Right, let's have a little look at this.
What have we got?
We've got a lamp.
This is quite unusual, oh, John this is lovely.
You know I've got a good eye if you look underneath here we've got the most wonderful Corinthian capital here.
And it's got this lovely sort of fluted stamp very classical, very, very classical.
It looks to me like its silver plated rather than silver, but really lovely and obviously it works as well, which is fantastic.
JAMES BRAXTON: It's good.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: So what have we got on this?
Have you looked at the price before you've called me?
JOHN NETTLES: No, no, I haven't looked at the price.
Was very naughty and I haven't done it.
NARRATOR: Prices and profits are key to victory John.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: 155 pounds, that's quite a lot.
We really want to be getting it for the region of maybe 60 or 70 pounds really in order to make a profit at auction.
But it's is a lovely thing.
Let's have an chat and see.
JOHN NETTLES: So listen we're going to have to haggle a little bit, aren't we?
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Yes.
Do your best slash worst.
NARRATOR: John's in charge of haggling now, standby.
Right, John.
Now, we're very fond or fond-ish of this thing.
It's a really lovely piece, and it's-- and but it's a little bit, if I may say beyond budget at the moment I was wondering if it gave us a kind-- Oh always terribly good, isn't it?
Possibly-- possibly allow us a little.
NARRATOR: That's quite a performance.
Could still do with a little help from his expert though.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: What do you think you might be able to do this on?
SUE: Well-- CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Bearing in mind he's played a policeman.
He's got his handcuffs in his back pocket.
SUE: I know, I know.
I could probably let it go for about 80.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: 80 pounds.
JOHN NETTLES: It-- 5-- less 80-- do you think?
What's your absolute best on it?
SUE: My absolute, absolute best I could take off another 10, but I wouldn't want to go below that.
So 75?
- Yeah.
- Oh, yes.
Is that OK?
[LAUGHTER] Well, it's lovely.
What's your thoughts?
My thought is yes.
NARRATOR: A team effort to kiss a hefty discount on the lamp and shade from 155 pounds to 70.
But there's still the case of the 45 pounds oil painting to crack.
I-- would I be really pushing if I said sort of 80 pounds for the two, would that be completely out of the way?
Did you buy this with other things, or did you buy?
I did and I've probably made my money so I'm going to say, yes, OK. CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: 80 pounds for the two?
SUE: For the two.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Really?
JOHN NETTLES: You're wonderful.
I know I know.
Thank you so much.
Would you be would you be happy to do it 80 pounds for the two?
Yes, you can have 80 pounds for the two.
Sue, I think I love you.
NARRATOR: So do I.
With a little help from Christina John the supposedly hopeless haggler has actually bagged a total of 120 pounds off the lamp and painting.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: And he seems pretty chuffed.
Well done.
What a lovely lady.
What a lovely lady.
[LAUGHTER] JAMES BRAXTON: John and Christina.
I'm pretty sure we will have a battle on their hands, but-- We will have battle, aren't we?
NARRATOR: Nothing wrong with that, but first Barbara and James are leaving Devon behind to step back in time in Lyme Regis in Dorset.
The towns at the heart of the Jurassic Coast and famous for its fossils since the early 1800s all thanks to Mary Anning, a poor local woman who made discoveries which helped transform scientific understanding about the age of the earth.
To find out more Barbara and James have come to Lyme Regis Museum to meet Paddy Howe, museum geologist and fossil expert.
BARBARA FLYNN: Hello.
JAMES BRAXTON: It is James.
James pleased to meet you.
Welcome to Jurassic Coast.
PADDY HOWE: She came from a very poor family.
This was really considered the sort of slum area of the town if you like.
But very keen, very observant, very driven.
NARRATOR: Mary's family collected and sold shells and fossils to help make ends meet.
And in 1811 when Mary was just 12 she and her brother Joseph made the world's first discovery of a complete ichthyosaur.
JAMES BRAXTON: Wow, goodness me.
This is about 70% of the skeleton of an ichthyosaur.
And it's about the same size as one that Mary and Joseph found.
BARBARA FLYNN: Wow.
PADDY HOWE: And Joseph found the skull and he showed Mary where to find the rest of it the following year.
But from that point on, he wasn't really into the fossils in the same way that Mary was.
BARBARA FLYNN: She took it over.
Had a huge tail so it must have swung pretty quickly.
Very, very powerful swimmers.
One of the most sturdy bones, the biggest vertebrae right in the base of the tail.
The tails is sort of this was engine, Yes.
It's the tail.
So it's all powered-- it's all powered from here.
And this bigger than a big great white shark, so pretty ferocious thing you wouldn't want to be in the water with this.
NARRATOR: Mary went on to discover and study thousands more fossils acquiring a detailed knowledge of anatomy her finds include another first the plesiosaur.
The fossils stimulated scientific and religious debate about the age of the earth, and the gentleman scientists of the day flocked to Lyme to see her.
Here is this woman who's discovering all these fossils, and she brought it forward I mean that's an incredible thing.
PADDY HOWE: It's all the scientists of the day, they're all working with her, getting the knowledge from her, getting-- getting the information, getting the finds from her, and using that to push the science forward.
So she really is seminal in-- in paleontology.
NARRATOR: Mary's contribution is widely recognized now but in her lifetime, things were very different.
As a woman she couldn't join a major scientific institutions, and many of the so-called gentlemen were happy to take credit for her ideas.
Mary's private writings suggest she was all too aware of the injustice.
PADDY HOWE: This page just titled Woman.
And what is woman?
Was she not made of the same flesh or blood or-- PADDY HOWE: The same flesh and blood as lordly man.
Lordly man.
JAMES BRAXTON: Lordly man.
Lordly.
Lordly.
PADDY HOWE: And it carries on, yes and was destined doubtless to become his friend, his help mate and his pilgrimage, but surely not his mayor.
BARBARA FLYNN: So biblical.
PADDY HOWE: For his not reason her.
So I think here she is really expressing that anything a man can do she can do equally well, and that she's as good as any man.
NARRATOR: Mary Anning never knew how greatly she'd come to be admired, but today Barbara and James are getting a chance to follow in her footsteps.
Paddy is lined up some promising stones for them to have a go at fossil finding.
It's a quite ordinary sort of gray rocks there.
They are some of the most dull rocks you see on the beach, and they are not round like most pebbles.
They're quite angular so you have almost sharp edges or flat edges.
A good skimming stone.
Yes, actually yes.
Look at that.
BARBARA FLYNN: Oh my goodness.
PADDY HOWE: That's not bad, is It?
Does not have a go?
You bet you.
JAMES BRAXTON: Go on get bashing.
OK. PADDY HOWE: You'll have to hit it quite hard.
OK. PADDY HOWE: Think you Mary Anning, OK?
Well.
I'm not making JAMES BRAXTON: Should I have a go?
I'm feeling lucky Paddy.
Remember viewers safety in the workshop, OK. Oh, are you all right?
No.
NARRATOR: Go give it some welly James.
BARBARA FLYNN: It's not as easy as it looks.
JAMES BRAXTON: It isn't easy, isn't it?
NARRATOR: No, it isn't, which is why Paddy believes in the here's one I made earlier principle.
PADDY HOWE: I hit it just there, and-- JAMES BRAXTON: That is amazing.
BARBARA FLYNN: That's incredible.
PADDY HOWE: Isn't that lovely?
NARRATOR: Extraordinary and at 65 million plus years old the oldest antique yet on the program.
John and Christina are still focused on shopping and their tooling up the road to their next stop in Cullerton.
Hey, look at that.
We could have fossil.
I think they've been fossil hunting, haven't they?
We could take that and say we found it.
NARRATOR: But for me Kristina and John are at Cullerton Antique Center where Vera and George our masterminding operations today a variety of dealers offer everything from furniture 12 bundles of fluff.
Here's Katy.
Oh, Katy, hello.
Oh look at you, Katy.
How much is this?
Would you do a deal on the dog?
Hello Katy.
But she's hardly antique.
Oh, Katy do you want to come antiques hunting with us?
What do you think?
No?
No.
NARRATOR: Even without Katy assistance Christine is quick to sniff something out.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: John what do you think about a milk churn?
A milk churn?
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: Do you remember these?
LMD London Midland Dairy.
JOHN NETTLES: That sounds amazing.
Do you remember those?
I mean would they have used those for deliveries?
Yup, we did with glass bottles with cardboard tops.
Very good, oh that's excellent.
Yeah.
- What do you think?
JOHN NETTLES: Yeah, yeah lovely.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: I mean I think we would want to be getting it for 5 or 10 pounds, what's on it?
Oh 30 32 pounds.
Ah but it's in the sale.
Oh sale.
So there might be some flexibility.
Is it haggling time?
I should go and strong arm George and see.
NARRATOR: Looks as if John's embracing the art of haggling.
That is a milk churn.
You taught me a lot and I recognize that right away.
Is it state the bleeding obvious day?
Yes.
[INAUDIBLE] the sale price at 32 pounds.
I'm not entirely sure it's that collectible because it's a bit late isn't it for milk churn collectors.
Was it 1960s?
Yeah, I wonder-- and this is-- '50s Yeah, late '60s '70s.
I don't know, you probably remember them slightly better than I do.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I'm not sensitive.
I'm not sensitive at all just noticing the 70s before my time for my time.
CHRISTINA TREVELYAN: We were hoping maybe 5 or 10 pounds might buy it.
What's your thoughts George?
I think churn a bit more like this.
10?
That's good isn't it?
What do you I think?
That's very good I'd pay 10 pounds for that.
Would you?
I'd pay more for that.
NARRATOR: No, no, no, no, No John sush.
No, it's not worth 10 pounds no, no, no.
I think 10 pounds is very fair.
Yeah.
Yeah.
In which case thank you.
NARRATOR: So Christine has managed to steer John away from a haggling disaster, and with the milk churn their shopping is finished.
One good churn deserves another.
NARRATOR: But well everything turned sour when they reveal all to the opposition?
Well, that's right, Thank you, thank you.
Oh well.
That looks nice.
That's a nice-- very nice tea caddy.
That's very sweet.
Very heavy.
What did you pay for that?
Aha 65 pounds.
Did you?
65.
Very nice I like that.
Some pictures in the front there.
Oh, lovely so little street scenes.
Yes.
Where's that?
St. Ives I think.
Oh lovely.
The quality of life.
Great sky.
It's a nice school, isn't it?
Straight from the trade.
NARRATOR: That'll be news to them John.
How much did you pay for these pics then?
We pay quite a lot of money for that, didn't we Barbara?
Yes we did.
We did.
170 pounds.
Oh, wow OK.
It's signed Colebrookdale dated 1843.
Oh very nice.
So we want two stick obsessives to turn up and fight for that.
170 pounds for a piece of Colebrookdale, that's very good.
Well done, and you please [INAUDIBLE]??
[LAUGHTER] Delighted-- delighted Yes, delighted.
[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Your delight is delightful, but what about John and Christine's buys?
There it is.
Look Ta-da.
Now this isn't in interesting ensemble, isn't it?
It is interesting.
Yes.
So talk me through it.
These are the medals from the First World War.
Yes given to a lowly private but nonetheless valuable.
Very, very, very, valuable you'd understand, but these are special favorites.
That's the win.
What about your ghastly picture?
Ghastly?
Well, it's not quite the same as yours.
It's a different school of thought about painting entirely.
- Yes.
Do we need to see it from the front?
It's going to be very interesting.
What did you pay for your pictures?
They were really-- it was-- OK guess how much we paid for our picture?
About 2 pounds.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] How much?
We paid 10 pounds.
OK, we feel like we overpaid.
It's beautiful.
Execution, the subject matter, the color difference, the background color, Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
NARRATOR: Crikey that's crushing so what's the bottom line?
Would you swap or not?
Would you swap?
I-- I-- I'm not sure I would actually.
There's no been to be that snooty about it.
I'm getting very attached to these things because they've been with us now really, haven't they?
And that you know good luck.
Good luck.
Yes, very best of luck.
Well, NARRATOR: It was gloves off in front of each other what will they say in private.
I didn't like the picture.
I didn't like the picture.
I wouldn't give it [INAUDIBLE].
I have to say I did love our things on the table, I thought they look really classy, They look handsome, didn't they.
Clean and nice, and kind of singular and instantly individually appealing.
I rather liked what they have I have to say, of course not good as what we've got.
Well of course.
Do like their sticks stand a lot.
Yes I did, I did, I did too.
I did too.
But we'll look forward to tomorrow with confidence.
Oh good no quiet confidence.
Isn't it awful to be so competitive.
I know it is It's the name the game.
NARRATOR: Hit the nail on the head Barbara.
And as auction day dawns the celebs are still in fighting spirit.
I think we're away.
I think we're flying.
In the final analysis when push comes to shove, Oh yeah, people have to put their hands in their pockets.
I think they'll pay more for our stuff than for yours.
Good luck John the best of British.
NARRATOR: The result hinges on an auction in the Somerset Cathedral city of Wells.
Construction on the cathedral began around 1175 but our teams are forsaking its glories in favor of some auction action.
What a great car.
Isn't it a great car?
Hello Hello Hello, guys.
Come on.
Losers NARRATOR: [INAUDIBLE] hold monthly sales of antiques and collectibles auctioneer Alan Meechan is the man with the gavel today, so which lots look like winners to him?
I like the Cornish paintings, a pair is the modern painter Rod Pearce.
Some of his paintings have been known, I'm talking about a single painting I've been known to go up to 1,000 pounds, but we'll see how things take us in the course of the day.
The milk churn, you're in the land of milk and honey.
A lot of farmers here.
So let's hope they turn up today and they're not sunbathing.
NARRATOR: Each of our teams started with 400 pounds.
Barbara and James strove for craftsmanship and style in their five lots, and despite some hard core haggling spent 358 pounds.
That was fun.
NARRATOR: John and Christina's five lots turned out to be an eclectic mix of militaria, girly things, and more.
But they didn't splash so much cash, a mere 190 pounds.
I think that's terrific.
NARRATOR: Our experts and celebs are sitting comfortably.
So let the games begin.
Yes, you too.
Here we are.
Here we are.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
NARRATOR: First up is Barbara and James's pair of St. Ives paintings, which the auctioneer thinks have potential.
Rather nice ones, these.
I've got plenty of bids on it.
Going straight into 120 pounds, 130 I'm looking for.
Fantastic.
Bingo.
Bingo.
130 I'm looking for.
120?
Are we all done, all finished?
No, keep going.
Did someone say something then?
No?
120 pounds.
I'll sell at 120.
Sold at 120.
Well.
It's a profit.
It is a profit.
NARRATOR: It's not a grand, but it's a decent start nevertheless.
OK, as far as I'm concerned, we're all on the same teams.
I would have loved you to have made a lot more money.
We feel the same.
NARRATOR: Not a convincing performance, Barbara.
Now, how will John's much ridiculed floral painting perform?
AUCTIONEER: I can see small bits here.
Somebody's bidding something.
AUCTIONEER: Looking for 20.
Got 15 pounds already.
20 anywhere?
At 15 pounds.
At 15 pounds.
Sold at 15.
That's 5 pounds up.
Some little working profit.
It's a little, yes.
A little drab.
NARRATOR: A fiver's not to be sniffed at.
I'd be jolly pleased with 15.
It's a warm up lot.
NARRATOR: Now it's Barbara's book trough, her first find.
18 pounds, I'm going in at.
20 into the room.
At 20, 22, 24.
How about 25?
26, 26 currently.
28 anywhere?
All done at 26 pounds it would seem we are.
We're happy with that.
We're happy with that.
Are we?
NARRATOR: 11 pounds helps Barbara and James build a respectable pot of profits.
I tell you what.
In this business, it's all about small gains.
NARRATOR: How will John and Christina's milk churn fare now?
40 pounds?
40?
What?
20 then?
Go on.
20 I've got.
Thank you, sir.
25?
Any advance to 25?
25 bid.
30, can I tempt you with 30?
People with taste.
I like it.
The toast of milk.
Are we all done?
All finished at 25.
- 25.
- Yeah!
Well done.
Well done you.
NARRATOR: John and Christina have more than doubled their money with that one.
There's money in junk, isn't there.
Yeah.
See, that's the kind of unnecessary comment we can do without.
It's a triumph.
NARRATOR: Barbara and James took a pricey chance on the stick stand.
Now is the moment of truth.
I'm starting the bid at 120.
Take 10 to 130.
At 120 pounds?
130, 140, 150.
Sir, I've also got 150 here.
So it's 160.
160 is in the room.
170 I'm looking for.
At 160 pounds.
Firm final warning at 160.
NARRATOR: No stick enthusiasts here today.
So it's a loss of 10 pounds.
If it's any consolation, I think it was a risk worth taking because it was a good looking thing.
NARRATOR: The medals and military photos struck a real chord with John.
Will the bidders feel the same?
60 pounds?
60 anywhere?
World War I?
AUCTIONEER: 40 anywhere?
30?
Yeah, 30 I've got.
30 pounds.
30 is bid.
Looking for 35.
Go on.
Keep going.
Keep going.
Keep going.
35 pounds?
30 I've got.
Firm final warning at 30.
Tissue?
Tissue.
We bought those with our, we bought those with our hearts.
NARRATOR: Sadly, it was not to be.
Our hearts were in the right place.
Exactly.
NARRATOR: James liked the look of the pottery chargers, but there's no knowing how they'll do.
AUCTIONEER: At 45 pounds, I'm starting the bidding at.
50 into the room.
Fantastic.
50, 55, 60.
60 I'm at.
65 I'm looking for.
65, sorry.
70, 75, 80, 85, 90.
No, 85, it's with you sir.
90 I'm looking for.
At 85 pounds, I think we are finished.
Firm final warning.
James!
That's very good.
NARRATOR: That is an incredible 67 pounds profit.
Well spotted, James.
We're in the room.
We're in the room.
Back in the room.
We're in the room.
NARRATOR: John and Christina's lamp has classically good looks.
But can it command a handsome price?
Starting the bidding on it at 55 pounds.
60 into the room.
I have 55 pounds.
Come on, ladies and gentlemen.
Any, you must have all seen it.
It's all over there.
Look, right in front.
There it is.
- There it is.
Lovely thing.
Go on, go for it.
Firm final warning at 50.
Oh, 60.
Believe it or not, I'm going 65.
70.
It's lovely.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
It's beautiful.
AUCTIONEER: At the moment, you've got it.
70 I'm at.
70 in the room.
75 anywhere else?
At 70.
What a wonderful lady.
She is a wonderful lady.
Well done, my love.
Well done.
Well done.
Thank you so much.
I'll get John to sign it.
Yeah.
I'll buy you a plug.
Yeah, I'll get you a plug.
NARRATOR: It was a valiant try.
Good effort, team.
Barbara and James loved the craftsmanship in the tea caddy.
Will anyone pay a premium for it though?
Straight in at 45 pounds.
50 into the room.
50, 55, 60, sir.
It's in the room at 60.
65 I'm looking for.
60 I have.
It's 65 I'm looking for.
65, new bidder, 70 sir.
Go on.
Yes!
Tea, tea.
70, 75.
BARBARA FLYNN: Tea, you need it.
- No?
At 70 pounds.
Are we all done?
Are you allowed to bid?
No, I'm not bidding.
I'm not allowed to.
70.
I'll take your bid if you want.
I can't.
AUCTIONEER: 70 I have.
- I would.
At 70.
Are we all done?
It's all right.
It's all right.
We ended up plus.
James, it's more stressful-- it's so stressful.
NARRATOR: Stressful but worth it.
That's another fiver for Barbara and James.
John and Christina's buttons and silver jar make up the last lot under the hammer, and they're hoping for a grand finale.
- We've got bids on them too.
- He's got bids.
He's got bids.
25 pounds I'm starting at.
30 into the room.
30, well I've got 35.
Looking for 40.
Got to be more than that.
AUCTIONEER: 35 pounds, looking for 40.
At 35.
Got no buyers left in the room.
Commission bids are out.
40 I have.
All done?
I think we are.
Oh, he's bidding.
45, new bidder.
50, sir.
You sure?
Go on, they're lovely.
Your wife's going to talk about you when you leave.
45 over there.
They are pretty.
They're very pretty.
Go on, 50.
Come again.
I have to beg you.
55?
And you, sir?
Are you still bidding?
50 pounds.
At 50 pounds here, seated at the front.
Sold at 50.
Well done.
They are lovely.
They're very lovely.
NARRATOR: Boosted by a little extra sales patter, the jar of buttons made a very useful profit.
But where does that leave our teams?
That was very close.
Shall we go-- - Very close.
- --outside and do the maths?
- I think you can.
- Did you keep count?
My brain's completely fried.
NARRATOR: Well, a clear head and a calculator can reveal that John and Christina's profits were up and down like a yo-yo.
But after commission, they actually lost 34 pounds and 20p, so end the trip with 365 pounds and 80p.
Barbara and James had their moments too.
But thanks largely to the pottery chargers, they're the victors on this road trip, with profits of 20 pounds and 2p, and the total of 420 pounds 2p.
All profits, no matter how small, go to children in need.
Oh my goodness.
That was full of highs and lows, wasn't it.
It was.
It was.
That was incredibly good fun.
- I've done a bit of adding up.
- Have you?
You've done the sums?
Yeah, and I can reveal-- Yeah?
--that Christina and John are today's losers, I'm afraid.
So we, it was cruel.
It was cruel.
Continuing a long tradition, I'm sorry to say.
I knew it.
You're a champ.
Well done.
A valiant attempt.
Valiant.
Valiant.
There wasn't a lot in it.
Anyway, to your cars.
To the cars.
Bye.
- Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
Bye bye.
Very lovely, weren't they.
BARBARA FLYNN: It's been very, very enjoyable.
JOHN NETTLES: It has been.
Boy, are we lucky.
And I've loved my driver.
And you.
Oh, thank you very much.
It's been fantastic.
NARRATOR: It certainly has.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
