

James Bolam and Susan Jameson
Season 4 Episode 12 | 58m 41sVideo has Closed Captions
It’s a battle between celebrity acting couple James Bolam and Susan Jameson.
It’s a battle between celebrity acting couple James Bolam and Susan Jameson, who are travelling around Sussex with the help of experts James Braxton and David Harper. Along the way, James finds out the secrets of a 170-year-old brewing tradition and bird lover Susan gets up close and personal with a unique and fascinating Dodo collection.
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James Bolam and Susan Jameson
Season 4 Episode 12 | 58m 41sVideo has Closed Captions
It’s a battle between celebrity acting couple James Bolam and Susan Jameson, who are travelling around Sussex with the help of experts James Braxton and David Harper. Along the way, James finds out the secrets of a 170-year-old brewing tradition and bird lover Susan gets up close and personal with a unique and fascinating Dodo collection.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipTIM WONNACOTT: The nation's favorite celebrities.
We are special then, are we?
Oh, that's excellent.
TIM WONNACOTT: up with an expert.
We're a very good team, Julie.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: a classic car.
Oh.
TIM WONNACOTT: mission-- to scour Britain for antiques.
I have no idea what it is.
Oh, I love it.
[BANGING ON THE TABLE] TIM WONNACOTT: The aim-- to make the biggest profit at auction.
Yes.
TIM WONNACOTT: But it's no easy ride.
[GASPING] There's no accounting for taste.
TIM WONNACOTT: will find a hidden gem?
Who will take the biggest risks?
Will anybody follow expert advice?
Do you like them?
No.
TIM WONNACOTT: There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.
- Are you happy?
- Yes.
- Promise?
- Ecstatic.
TIM WONNACOTT: to put your pedal to the metal.
This is "Celebrity Antiques Road Trip."
Yeah.
Today's celebrity road trip is the Battle of man versus wife.
Or should I say, man versus road.
I think I'm fine with second gear at all.
I'm in third.
Oh, I beg your pardon.
TIM WONNACOTT: Veteran actor, James Bolam, is in the driving seat today.
Are you going to drive at this speed the whole time?
Yes.
OK. Don't you want to push the car too hard.
No, then.
Not like you, you know.
Quit tearing around the countryside.
TIM WONNACOTT: And our reluctant passenger is James' wife and fellow actor, Susan Jameson.
They're trundling along in a 1969 Morris Minor Traveler.
It's seat belt free-- all perfectly legal in classic cars which predate the law.
And they've had experience with a Morris Minor named Margaret before.
I used to drive a bit, because that's when we first met, wasn't it?
- Was it?
Yeah.
And she was named Margaret after Margaret Morris who's-- Casting.
--casting.
Casting lady at Granada.
At Granada.
That's right.
That's right.
I don't think she ever knew that we'd named a car after her.
TIM WONNACOTT: Actor James Bolam's stage and screen career has spanned five decades.
In the 70s, his sitcom, the "Likely Lads," attracted an audience of 27 million, [CHUCKLES] half the British population.
James is an antiques amateur.
But bird lover Susan has a bit more flair for collecting older objects.
Well have no idea what I'm going to buy.
Well you ought to know for some, some Verde-- I guess.
--fixtures and things.
I'd like a sculptor-- a Verde sculpture would be nice.
Ah, it's that little, little sculpture.
TIM WONNACOTT: Susan's also been a star of theater, television, and radio for over 50 years, from roles in "Coronation Street" to prime time dramas.
Today, it's all about competition.
Who's going to win?
How do I know who's going to win?
Well, I think I am.
You probably will actually.
OK, but if I win, you can do the washing up for a week.
What?
Yeah.
OK. What happens if I win?
Um, you can take me out for a meal.
Oh, cheers.
TIM WONNACOTT: Win-win for Susan then.
And the challenge is set.
[CAR ENGINE STARTING] But our young lovebirds aren't alone in their quest, heading their way are two of Britain's foremost antiques experts, James Braxton and David Harper.
And their chariot today is the 1971 Convertible Triumph TR6.
It's just a very strange car, this, isn't it?
Don't you think this just sums up the mid 70s?
It does.
We need big hairy chested medallions.
I know.
TIM WONNACOTT: That's more than we could take, thank you very much.
Anyway, back to the game in hand.
So do you know these celebrities then?
Well, not personally.
But I have been watching them all my life.
I particularly remember James Bolam from early days with the "Likely Lads."
You remember the "Likey Lads?"
I do know them definitely from "New Tricks."
- "New Tricks," of course.
- "New Tricks."
I know you don't have a preference.
You're fans of them both.
But I quite liked to go with James.
Fine.
OK, so I'll, I'll go with Susan.
TIM WONNACOTT: That's that sorted then.
[INAUDIBLE] will have 400 pounds to splash as their foray for trinkets and treasures takes them on a tour of the seaside.
They'll travel through the coastal county of Sussex before heading inland to an auction in Dorking, Surrey.
But first our duos must come together then divide and conquer, beginning in beautiful Brighton.
They're probably just stranded in a little paddle in the sea or something.
TIM WONNACOTT: No, no.
It's just that James is driving.
Good morning.
Good morning.
Good morning, good morning.
- Nice to meet you.
- Hello.
Hello, James.
Hello, James.
We were just saying-- That's enough, James, I think.
[LAUGHING] - Yes, it's very nice.
I know.
And it's all-- Very nice.
--ultimately warm.
I used to have an open car.
But I got rid of it, because you've got to keep it so tidy.
Well, exactly.
Because as you drive along, everything just blows out of the cars.
The cars, yeah.
So Susan and I together.
- Yes.
- You two are together.
Yeah.
The first couple to finish the shopping gets to choose the cars, in other words, the model.
Oh, I see.
[LAUGHING] So we really got a cracking then.
- Right.
- We're going.
We're good.
Are we going to be-- are we going to be fast, Susan?
No.
[LAUGHING] No.
Oh, no.
- Shall we run then?
- Yeah, come on.
[LAUGHING] Come on.
TIM WONNACOTT: He seems keen.
Brighton is most famous for its iconic grade two listed pier.
It opened in May 1899 at a cost of 137,000 pounds to build.
Three million people flock to see it every year.
But this foursome has no time for sightseeing.
I'm going to rub my lamp-- Oh, yes.
Well, whatever works for you, Susan.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Family-run Brighton Lane's antiques center is nestling amongst the alleys full of independent shops within the city center's historic quarter.
This shop is split over 2 units across an alley.
And it's an old haunt of James Braxton's.
So team James could be in luck here.
But James, you know this part of the world.
Is it full of treasure?
Full of treasure.
James, we'll take the far one.
- Right.
- Follow me.
[LAUGHING] He seems to know where he's going.
That's a bit worrying.
I know.
TIM WONNACOTT: So Susan and David have to be on the ball to take the advantage.
I think I'm going to need my glasses.
It's always a good idea to see, Susan.
That's the first rule.
- Well, I think yes.
Yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: That will help.
Where do you start?
I always start with the owner.
Turn on the charm, really.
Well, we'll try to.
I'll leave-- I'll leave the charm to you.
DAVID HARPER: Is there any in particular that you really like?
Silver ball, a sort of little sculpture-y things.
DAVID HARPER: All right.
And I quite like things that have a use-- DAVID HARPER: Good.
OK.
Practical.
--rather than just ornamental.
DAVID HARPER: OK. TIM WONNACOTT: When you're starting out, antique shops can be daunting, often rammed to the rafters with goodies.
So picking out a few specifics to look for can stop you being overwhelmed and save an awful lot of time.
SUSAN JAMESON: It's very expensive though.
You've got good taste-- expensive taste.
Is that normal?
Mm.
Um-- Do you have expensive taste, generally?
Mm, maybe.
Do you?
[LAUGHING] Except in men.
Oh, really?
Oh.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Moving on.
Next door, the shop's owner daughter, Livia Brennen, is trying to bowl the chaps over with an antique skittle set.
So your balls are there, are they?
These are your balls?
They just pull off.
[INAUDIBLE] That's quite nice.
TIM WONNACOTT: But contrary to Susan saying that she doesn't shop fast, she's already spotted a cutlery set that ticks both her boxes.
It looks like it could be silver and practical.
DAVID HARPER: OK, so tell me why you were drawn to that.
I like the patterning on it.
Yeah.
[INHALES SHARPLY] - Oh.
Oh.
I say.
Cutlery, is that-- Yeah.
And there's your chopsticks.
Oh, chopsticks.
Yeah.
And this is your little container.
You know, you say, keep your thumb on the blade and strike upwards.
Uh, no.
Where were you trained?
Mm.
You don't learn this in theater.
Shakespearean.
Oh, I see.
TIM WONNACOTT: Looks like David should keep on Susan's good side.
It's definitely Chinese or Japanese.
- Is it?
- Yeah.
I thought perhaps it was Indian.
No, I think it's going much further East.
Well, you got your chopsticks.
- Of course.
- Yes.
Silly me.
TIM WONNACOTT: But its shop assistant, Sev Levkovic, who's good side they need to keep on to get a good deal.
What are you thinking, Sev, material-wise?
I mean, it's a white metal.
But there's no hallmarks on it.
It has the sort of feel of silver.
It does.
And this is-- it's kind of the weight of silver.
But as you say, there's no hallmark on it.
And there's no identifying marks on it at all.
It's a real novelty thing.
Novelty works well in auction.
I would be interested in that if I was at an auction.
TIM WONNACOTT: Susan's instincts telling her she could be onto something if it's silver, as she suspects.
But they're not committing just as yet.
Back next door, the chaps have found something that could strike a note at auction.
What about your bugle down there, Livia?
Oh, I know.
I've just bought one in the other shop.
Have you?
Got a silver-plated line across the other side.
Oh.
That looks-- that's done service, isn't it?
Looks as if [INAUDIBLE].
[PLAYING BUGLE] Oh, it's got a very lovely tone.
Very good.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] I'm very, very impressed.
Nice tone, isn't it.
Very impressed.
A silver-plated one.
So that's-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] There's one across the other side.
- --silver bag.
- Toby.
Toby, can you go and get the bugle for me, please.
Look lively, lad.
Got a runner.
Got the runner.
Well done.
Got the runner.
I'll ask Sev for it.
TIM WONNACOTT: Livia's son, Toby, is hanging out with his mom for the day during half term.
The instrument in question is actually a pocket trumpet.
And funnily enough, it's right next to Susan and David.
And it looks like silver.
And it's practical.
Woo.
Toby, pop back a minute.
Is that going to your mom?
Yeah.
Is James and James interested?
Well, I don't know.
I think they might be.
Does that make you more interested, Susan.
Yes, it makes me more interested.
It makes me very interested.
TIM WONNACOTT: Playing dirty, I like it.
We've got a royal coat of arms there.
That's a very nice bit of kit isn't it.
Silver-plated.
I like this.
I like that.
It's been silver-plated.
And you see the copper coming through here.
So that's what we call in the trade bleeding.
M Give it a blow.
Well, I'll try.
[PLAYING THE TRUMPET BADLY] Oh, don't give up the day job.
TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile, team James, awaiting patiently for Toby and the bugle-- well actually, it's a pocket trumpet in the other shop.
[LAUGHING] Come on, Toby.
Oh-- [TRUMPET SOUNDS] That's probably Toby playing.
That's Toby playing the bugle.
TIM WONNACOTT: No, it isn't.
[PLAYING THE TRUMPET BADLY] Oh, Susan.
That is remarkably bad.
It's my embouchure.
TIM WONNACOTT: The silver-plated turn of the century pocket trumpet was made in Manchester by Joseph Haim, a prolific maker of musical instruments.
It also carries a royal coat of arms, which could help pull in the punters at auction.
So how much is this?
I know that the best is on that 125.
125.
Date-wise it's got to be late 19th, early 20th century.
And [BUGLE PLAYING LOUDLY] TIM WONNACOTT: Uh oh.
Looks like they'd been caught in the act.
Just, uh, just [INAUDIBLE] being on board day.
[LAUGHING] You're not having this.
OK, we were in a marching band.
What's that-- it's a cornet, is it or something?
You're not having this.
No, we fancy this.
Have you bought that?
No, we haven't bought it.
DAVID HARPER: Oh.
Not necessary.
[PLAYING THE TRUMPET] [LAUGHING] [PLAYING THE BUGLE] TIM WONNACOTT: It's a battle of the dueling bugles.
- Very good.
- Yeah.
Yeah, that's great-- [PLAYING THE BUGLE] [CHUCKLING] This has got great sound.
This is, this is, this is-- You know that sounds like some old car that's not very well.
[LAUGHING] I love it.
I think we need to find out a bit more about it.
- Do you quite fancy that?
- I do.
Livia-- Livia, can we have you?
You can have me.
TIM WONNACOTT: Susan's not only snatching the trumpet from under her husband's nose, but she's also taking Livia-- from them too.
Right.
We like this.
Talk to us about this.
Only just come in.
Right.
Hasn't gone out.
Right.
Being charitable, you can have it for a hundred pound.
Put it this way, I put it in the shop for more.
So you're getting a bargain.
OK, OK. Can't do a tiny bit less?
Tiny?
90.
90.
90, yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: Ooh, Susan's good, isn't she?
And whilst they're at it, they're trying to get a deal for the cutlery set too.
Any compromise between the two?
Being charitable, 140.
Well, what-- decision time.
Is it 140 or nothing?
Can we-- 140 or nothing.
OK, so 140 or nothing.
We've got 400 pounds.
Yeah, go on.
Let's do it.
- Livy-- - Yeah.
Absolutely.
- Thank you very much indeed.
OK, well done.
There you go.
TIM WONNACOTT: But whilst mom's busy, and with no ticket price, James and James are trying to put in a cheeky offer on the bugle.
Toby, 20 quid for this?
Well done.
Good man.
[LAUGHING] - Hey.
Yep.
TIM WONNACOTT: I'm not sure that's strictly aboveboard.
Meanwhile, the other team haven't finished yet.
DAVID HARPER: Can I show you something that I really love?
Yes, you can.
[TAPPING ON THE GLASS] I just think it's incredibly stylish-- a big lump of glass, hand-blown.
I don't like it.
I don't think the top goes with the bottom.
You know what, you are brilliant.
Because you're so right.
TIM WONNACOTT: Susan's definitely getting the hang of this.
That top is probably Venetian, could be Murano.
You're right.
That lacquered stand was made in China.
It's for-- that's too big and hefty to go with the glass.
They've been married together.
People do buy those Chinese stands.
And you'll be amazed at what these things can make, even though-- I am in your hands.
You're going to blame me if it all goes wrong though, aren't you?
- No.
[CHUCKLING] I like this, James, have you?
I think we've done a good deal there.
I think it's great deal.
We could do it-- Has this-- Toby, has this been ratified by your mother?
Has she approved the deal?
Yes.
[LAUGHING] There we are.
Toby, thank you very much.
What do you say to them?
Thank you very much indeed, Toby.
Thank you.
Fantastic.
Toby, thank you.
You've got all the Jameses.
And mom, thank you very much indeed.
Thank you.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: As Susan swiped the trumpet before they even got the chance to look at it, team James are left with just the military bugle for 20 pounds.
So that means the chaps could be getting cozy in the Minor if they choose rather than shivering in the open top Triumph.
Oh-- Oh, no.
There we are-- we finished.
We're all done.
- What's that?
- That's it.
You bought-- This is a bugle.
What is this?
It took a lot of negotiation, I can tell you.
And horn blowing.
We heard.
Not to blame.
Not to blame.
Lovely tone this one.
Well not what we heard, James.
Was it someone else playing or what?
[INTERPOSING VOICES] And so so, so we've won the car have we?
Well we're off.
We're all done.
Yeah.
Bye.
Do you think they might do the gentlemanly thing?
Well-- I doubt it.
[LAUGHING] That's for you to go, isn't it?
Go on.
Let's go.
TIM WONNACOTT: David's not given up convincing Susan that the glass bowl and stand is for them.
I'll try and capture with the price.
Livy, hello.
Hi.
Hello.
Oh, and Toby as well.
With Toby as well, [INAUDIBLE]..
There's a lovely bowl in the other shop.
A blue one-- you know the one.
The blue one.
I know the bowl.
125.
It's stunning.
It's a lovely bit of art glass, isn't it?
It's very pretty.
Can we-- can we split them?
Can you sell the bowl for 40?
You can have them both for a hundred.
What about 70 for the two?
Give me 90.
Make it 80.
And I'll have it.
80 for the two.
- Go on.
- Good.
Well done.
Thank you very much.
TIM WONNACOTT: That's three items-- the cutlery set, the silver-plated pocket trumpet, and the Murano glass bowl and stand for 220 pounds.
And to top it all, the Jameses have even left them the cozy Morris Minor.
Oh, bless.
Oh, my goodness me.
They're going for the public we're nice guys.
No, I think, they couldn't remember where it was.
[LAUGHING] - Do you think so?
TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile, team James are taking the Triumph TR6 north to Lewes, East Sussex, with the top up so the wind doesn't mess up their hair.
So have you ever played us up the elderly antique dealer?
No, no.
Missed all that.
Missed all that.
Yeah.
Especially, one does get involved in antiques in a certain way.
We do something like when the boat comes in-- Yeah.
--of course, you get all of these the First World War.
Yeah.
[INAUDIBLE] TIM WONNACOTT: Uh, but team James has still got plenty of money to play with.
Is there anything you're particularly interested in antique-wise?
Well, not really.
See at home, we don't have any sort of antiques really.
We always have dogs and cats.
You can't surround yourself with [FOREIGN SPEECH] And where do you put all those trophies and accolades then?
I don't get any.
I don't get any accolades.
Apart from the MBEs.
[LAUGHING] - Oh, well that.
Yeah.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Yeah, there is that.
With the break in their shopping, the chapter in Lewes to learn about a local landmark-- one of the oldest breweries in the UK, Harvey and Sons.
The Harvey family have been in the alcohol industry since the late 18th century.
John Harvey established the brewery here in 1838.
The business has since passed down through eight generations of the family.
And they're still in charge today.
Managing director, Miles Jenner, may not be related to the Harveys.
But he followed in his own father's footsteps, Anthony Jenner, who was once the M.D.
and head brewer.
Harvey's is the most beautiful example of a Victorian Gothic style-- very much a former landmark to this area of Lewes, and rather irreverently known locally as Lewes Cathedral.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: As trade increased, the original brewhouse became worn.
So they needed to replace it.
It was rebuilt in 1881 by a very famous brewery architect called William Bradford.
And he produced a typical tower brewery.
And the whole principle of brewing is literally dropping from the top to the bottom by gravity.
Yeah, wonderful.
TIM WONNACOTT: The brewery used to take water directly from the river Ouse and pump it up to the top of the tower using gravity to drop the water through the brewing process.
Even though the site has been modernized, traditional methods are key to this family-run business, which have been noted down through its history in special handwritten ledgers.
JAMES BRAXTON: So Miles, these are all brewing journals?
I mean, I have volumes and volumes, every single one handwritten at the end of the day's brewing.
Which is what has happened to the beer or-- MILES JENNER: It's the raw materials that have gone into the beer.
JAMES BOLAM: Right.
And any sort of notes of anything that has happened during the day that we should be aware of.
One year, this place is flooded, wasn't it?
Absolutely.
Yeah, yeah.
We have a flood entry in our journal.
[INAUDIBLE] We had two brews.
You've got flood brew at the top.
Flood brew, yeah.
And that all went out and was bottled as Ouse booze.
[LAUGHTER] JAMES BRAXTON: Of course, it was.
TIM WONNACOTT: Some of the journals date back almost 200 years.
One of the first is original founder, John Harvey's from the 1830s, detailing the odd brewing catastrophe.
A bad job today.
The pipes burst on the river.
And we had to brew from the river water.
First brewing today-- very thick and muddy.
[LAUGHING] - Oh, yummy.
[LAUGHING] So it is a piece of social history.
TIM WONNACOTT: It's not just problems recorded.
One of the previous head brewers also included personal highlights.
This morning, 12 past 7, my wife confined with a little girl.
So birth intermingled in the brewing records.
TIM WONNACOTT: Harvey's produce 36,000 barrels of beer every year.
Their traditional ales aren't pasteurized.
So the yeast remains active.
For the last 50 years they've skimmed off yeast from each brew to reuse it in the next batch, helping to maintain a consistent flavor.
And at the end of a day's shopping, it would be rude not to sample the local speciality.
We're going to try the best bitter, which is 90% of our volume.
[POURING] It was evolved, really, after the Second World War as a local brand.
Cheers to good health.
Cheers, cheers.
Good health, good health, good health.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] Isn't that dry?
That's really, really dry.
Very much characteristic of Sussex beer-- the good hot character but the sweetness there to balance it.
I think brewers, by and large, certainly of my generation, look for balanced beer.
And you lose your balance, you've had enough.
[LAUGHING] - Yeah, exactly.
It is very good.
JAMES BOLAM: It's delicious.
Well, we'll put those away.
Oh.
TIM WONNACOTT: James isn't happy with that.
The Idea of someone taking my beer out of my hand and throwing it down the sink.
Do we have to go, James?
I'm afraid we have to.
Afraid we must.
- Oh, dear.
- Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you for coming.
TIM WONNACOTT: Probably best they leave the car until tomorrow though.
No driving for us, James, is there?
No.
Shank's pony.
TIM WONNACOTT: While the fellas have been supping Sussex's special brew, Susan and David had been pootling along to Peacehaven.
So what about you and Jim, when did you meet?
We met on the lads-- "Likely Lads."
Oh, OK.
So what did you think then, when you first saw him?
Well, I thought he was a bit loud.
[LAUGHING] He thought I was a bit stuck up.
No.
You still get on really well together, don't you?
Yeah, yeah.
Really do.
Yeah, and it's great.
That's pretty special after all these years.
Mm.
TIM WONNACOTT: Susan and David are heading to this divine seaside town to spend some of the 180 pounds still in their pockets.
Now then, is there a competitive streak in your veins?
I shall win.
But I don't have a competitive streak.
[LAUGHING] - Confident though.
- No, no.
You have a great confidence there.
Well, I'm just being realistic.
Right, OK. Mm.
So you look at the competition your Jim-- - Yes.
- --and James Braxton.
Yeah.
And you're confident-- They got no chance.
I agree with you.
OK. TIM WONNACOTT: That's fighting talk there.
But they must shop well if they're going to stand a chance at auction.
Their next stop is the family-run Collector's Haven.
Here we are.
Look at this.
I like the sale.
TIM WONNACOTT: And manning the fort today is owner, Steve Newman.
- Well, hey.
- Hi.
Hello.
Hello.
Hi, there.
Right, OK-- so, well.
Treasure trove in here.
Dive in.
Dive in.
TIM WONNACOTT: Yet again, Susan's quick off the mark.
What have you got there?
Oh, what on earth is that?
It's, a lizard.
DAVID HARPER: Oh, nice.
It's sandal-- sandalwood.
- Is it sandalwood?
- Yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: Let's have a look at that.
Tell me why you were drawn to that?
- Because I like lizards.
- Do you?
[LAUGHING] Hang on, I'll put my glasses on.
Actually, it's really well carved, I've got to say, isn't it?
SUSAN JAMESON: It's lovely.
But do you know, I like this.
I'm not knocking him.
I think, he's really incredibly well done.
So, OK-- he's bonkers.
He's got no age to him.
SUSAN JAMESON: Steve is in such a good mood that we know we could get that-- Could get him for 3 pounds.
Yes.
Well.
I'm sure we can-- I'm sure we can let that one go.
TIM WONNACOTT: Susan's following her heart.
And she seems to be on a roll here.
SUSAN JAMESON: Oh, ho.
- Oh look at that.
Oh, another animal.
Inevitably.
These look like temple dogs.
That's exactly what they are-- Buddhistic, protecting, lions dogs.
Very tactile.
Do you like them?
They feel so nice in your hands.
OK. Let me have a feel.
They do.
Don't they?
And they are made to be touched and to be held.
Yeah.
They are sadly quite modern.
Nevertheless.
Nevertheless, they're very interesting.
Do you like them?
I do.
I do.
DAVID HARPER: Are they talking to you?
Yeah, they are.
DAVID HARPER: Seriously?
They spoke to me in there.
Really?
Have you been to the doctor, or?
- Mm.
OK.
They actually said it's going to happen more and more as I get older.
[LAUGHING] I like them.
DAVID HARPER: I like them actually.
But they'd have to be cheap.
They don't always have a lizard with them.
You see-- because you'd have a lizard in a temple.
TIM WONNACOTT: I think Susan will be getting her way with that lizard.
SUSAN JAMESON: What do you think, Steve?
Well I'd offer them to you for 25.
How does that sound?
(WHISPERS) Rubbish.
[LAUGHING] No, I don't think it's rubbish.
I think it's a reasonable place to start.
TIM WONNACOTT: She's on fire.
Who needs David?
Bearing in mind, we might almost certainly be having the lizard.
DAVID HARPER: Oh, right.
I'll take a very small profit of 20.
Will that suit you?
I think that's quite acceptable-- are we including the lizard in that 20?
Oh, I'll include the lizard in the deal as well.
Um, excuse me.
How on earth did she do that?
The dogs is the thing, you see.
They've been in my hands.
They told me how to do it.
TIM WONNACOTT: Whatever works Susan.
I think a spot of the Jameson charm helped though.
So that's 20 pounds for their fourth lot of the day, the hand-carved lizard and the pair of soapstone temple dogs.
Bye, bye.
Bye, bye.
Thank you.
TIM WONNACOTT: A fantastic first day for both teams in this husband versus wife challenge.
That was the best bit of negotiating I've seen in years.
Oh, thank you.
TIM WONNACOTT: And now all that's left is for the sun to turn its light off.
Nighty, night.
Another day dawns and both of our antiques amateurs and aficionados are raring to go.
[THUMPING] Oh.
TIM WONNACOTT: Oh, watch out.
That's the end of that car.
TIM WONNACOTT: They don't make them like that anymore.
Oh, dear.
[LAUGHING] We've got to get our act together today, me and James.
I think you have.
I'm not sure how much expertise was actually exercised.
Not a lot.
He Was quite an expert in the brewery, I thought.
Yes, I felt you spent rather a long time in there.
TIM WONNACOTT: But Susan was having a rather lovely time herself with David.
He's fab.
Good.
Yes, we're quite simpatico.
But I think I'm probably going to run off with him at the end of the day.
Fantastic.
Fantastic.
I knew you'd be glad.
TIM WONNACOTT: Liar.
While they bumble along in the Morris Minor Traveler, James and David are tearing it up in the Triumph TR6.
How did you get on with the lovely Susan yesterday?
Well, wasn't she fun.
I mean, she really is an absolute cracker.
She's a very nice, eh.
What an attractive lady.
I think she's one of these people just generally interested in life-- Yeah.
--and anything.
TIM WONNACOTT: Sounds like David is smitten with Susan too.
She's even charmed opposition James.
So you're cracking on, what a little negotiator.
Really?
The final chap was mauled by a lamb.
[LAUGHING] I'm yet to test James-- one, on what he wants to buy, and two, whether he's as good a negotiator as his wife.
Well, good luck on that one.
I doubt it very much.
TIM WONNACOTT: Crack negotiator and super charmer, Susan, and David have splashed out 250 pounds on a Japanese cutlery set, a silver-plated pocket trumpet, a glass bowl and stand, a hand-carved lizard, and a pair of temple dogs, as you do, leaving them with 160 pounds to spend today.
Team James has only spent 20 pounds so far on a military bugle.
So they've got 380 pounds spend wisely today, if James Bolen would rather take his wife out to dinner than have a week of washing up.
Ha.
Is this the right way, I hope?
Well, there isn't a satnav in this, believe it or not.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: It's back to the seaside for our treasure seekers who are descending on the coastal town of Bexhill.
James and David are catching some rays as they wait for Susan and James, again.
Where are they?
Go on.
Look at that moggy.
Isn't she gorgeous?
He is good, isn't he?
- Loving it.
- Lovely-- ah.
Lovely, [INAUDIBLE] - Oh, I say.
Lovely, one.
Good morning.
- Morning, morning, morning.
- Good morning.
Are you nicely rested?
Yes.
Hang on a minute we're all kind of like on trend.
Yes.
Well, you're dark and somber, aren't I?
[LAUGHING] - I like it.
I like it.
A man who means business.
Oh.
It makes me feel very confident.
Anyway, we start lucky.
We're in here, James.
Wonderful.
And they're off along the coast.
And you'll want that then, won't you?
OK. Shall I do the honors, madame?
I think you better.
My legs are to short.
[LAUGHING] Good luck, chaps.
- Yes, see you later.
- Good luck, good luck.
Not too much.
TIM WONNACOTT: Team James has the whole of the huge antique furniture and vintage fitting shop eras of style at their fingertips.
So we find the right place here, James.
Enormous variety here.
TIM WONNACOTT: There are 11 rooms inside and an outside garden area, so thousands of items to choose from here.
James Bolam's a keen golfer, and keeping an eye out for handy bits of kit is par for the course.
25 pounds.
You see, that's lovely, isn't it?
Lovely bit of design, isn't it?
Yeah, absolutely.
Marvelous.
You can have that on your golf bag, you see, While you're waiting for your partner to line up his putt.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
[SIGHS] You sit down and-- That's perfect, isn't it?
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: It's actually a three-legged folding shooting stick.
But it can be used for other outdoor pursuits, which could help at auction.
Good find, James.
What else have you got?
These are-- look at these, all carved.
Yeah.
And all carved as a single piece of wood.
Probably from somewhere like Nigeria or somewhere, isn't it?
I don't know.
I don't know.
I've never seen anything like it before.
Brilliant.
Yeah.
JAMES BRAXTON: You can see the sort of form of it, can't you?
That's amazing.
It's wonderful.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
125.
You can get it for a lot less than that, wouldn't you?
JAMES BRAXTON: (WHISPERS) Yeah, we'll get it for a lot less.
Do you like that then, James?
I do actually, don't you?
Well, I think it's unusual.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: James started out not knowing what he wanted.
But he's getting into the swing of things.
Susan's love of birds may have rubbed off on him, but a hefty ticket price of 295 pounds could put these bronze cranes out of their league.
- Egrets, cranes.
- Cranes.
I think, they're cranes, aren't they?
Cranes.
JAMES BRAXTON: They've got some good feet.
They're cemented into something.
I know they'll weigh a ton, I should think.
Oh-- you can't lift them.
They're rather splendid, aren't they?
JAMES BRAXTON: They're nice, aren't they?
JAMES BOLAM: They are.
I think they might be another candidate.
Do you like them?
Yes-- Sue would like them, I'm sure.
Would they?
Yeah, yeah, because she loves birds.
JAMES BRAXTON: Well, that's always good.
Always good to buy something that somebody else is slightly-- Yes, she should go, oh, I should've bought that.
Yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: So, with three potential items, the fellers find owner, Andy Towle, to try and strike a deal, starting with 125 pound African table.
Well, I could do that for 70 pounds if it helps.
TIM WONNACOTT: 70 pounds, yeah.
I think that's fair.
I think that's fair.
I think that's excellent.
Well, yeah.
We'll have a go at that.
That's [INAUDIBLE].
[INAUDIBLE] actually.
Yes, lovely.
Thank you.
TIM WONNACOTT: Well, there wasn't much negotiation there.
They must be pretty confident with what they've chosen.
Is there anything else you've seen-- I quite like those cranes.
The cranes out in the garden.
I don't think-- The one-- They're sold, I'm afraid.
Ah, they're sold.
They're sold, are they?
They are.
Sold those at the weekend.
Ah, well they are then.
So they're out.
TIM WONNACOTT: Well, that's that plan out of the window then.
So the fellow's head back on the hunt for a replacement.
We've got-- this is a wine cooler.
Silver-plated, it's not a lot of money.
If we're struggling a bit, I might introduce this as a candidate to James.
TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile Susan and David have edged east towards St. Leonards-on-Sea as they reminisce about the 60s.
So tell me about "Coronation Street"-- - "Coronation Street."
- It must've been fun.
Yeah, it was.
It was extraordinary actually.
We did the rehearsals and on the Friday, lunchtime, somebody turned up and gave me a brown envelope.
Oh, yeah.
Mm hmm.
And I thought, oh, and had a look inside.
There was 25 pounds in it.
25 pounds.
And then I discovered that it wasn't my wages, it was my expenses for the week.
- For the week?
- For the week.
You're kidding.
I've never had expenses before.
I'd never seen that amount of money all in one envelope before.
That's champagne expenses, madame.
I know.
It was just fantastic.
TIM WONNACOTT: Sadly for Susan, she has to spend her remaining 180 pounds on shopping, not champagne.
Ha.
Their next stop is the King's Road bazaar in the heart of St. Leonard's.
- Right.
- Right.
- Here we are.
- OK. Let's go do some seaside shopping.
OK. TIM WONNACOTT: This indoor emporium is home to 14 separate stalls.
Today, we're in the capable hands of store holder, Clive Minehan.
Hello, there.
Hi, there.
This is Susan.
- Hello, Clive.
I'm Sue.
Oh, yeah.
Pleased to meet you.
TIM WONNACOTT: With four lots already in the old bag, they're looking for something unique.
DAVID HARPER: We're looking to buy a good auction lot, which means probably small, good quality, a bit out of the ordinary, quirky-- a bit like Susan.
[LAUGHING] I mean, that's quite quirky.
Outside garden tap with a dog on the top of it if you like dogs.
DAVID HARPER: Well, I think we do like dogs.
We do like dogs.
DAVID HARPER: We've seen lots-- It's in keeping with everything else.
This is brass, yes?
It's definitely brass.
And look at the way it's patternated.
Yes.
Through years and years of age.
There's been lots of people turning that tap on and off.
Yeah, exactly.
TIM WONNACOTT: A 1930s tap may not be practical if you don't have an older pipe system.
But it still has a novelty value.
Anything to do with animals, particularly dogs and cats, people go bonkers.
Anything to do with animals is me.
It's not too dear either.
Have you been waiting for years to do that?
That's only one deer, isn't it?
I just realized it was sitting there.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: It's marked at 12 pounds.
But top negotiator, Susan Jameson, is on the case.
What can you do us on this little girl?
I'm going to leave this to you.
A crack-- a cracking deal on the little dog.
He's a lovely little dog.
I realize that is a fairly reasonable price, but if you can do us any favors at all-- We've got 12 pounds on that.
So if we went up to 15-- because it should be 20 to start with-- how does that sound?
Not too good.
TIM WONNACOTT: Nice move, Susan.
I liked your two dear joke.
I did laugh.
[LAUGHING] I suppose that's cost me a couple of pounds already, isn't it?
Yes, as I could say, that's a couple of quid on it.
Oh, no.
So should we call it a straight 10 then?
Any more?
Any advance on that at all?
9.99?
8?
TIM WONNACOTT: She's bringing out that Jameson charm again.
8.50.
I'd like to hang-- I like the last 50 pence.
8.25 8.30.
Uh, 0.28.
8 pounds 28-- you can have it for-- - 8.28.
- 8.28.
Nice number.
Thank you very much.
Pleasure to do business.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Susan, negotiator extraordinaire, has done it again.
With the 3 pounds and 72 pence saving, that's their final lot for Susan and David-- a 1930s tap at the bargain price of 8 pounds 28 p. - Bye, bye.
- Thank you so much.
Bye, bye.
Bye, bye.
TIM WONNACOTT: Back in Bexhil, it's good news for the chaps.
as the bronze cranes were only on reserve, Andy's changed his mind.
And they're up for grabs again.
What price on it?
[LAUGHING] 2.95 they are.
2.95.
Yeah.
JAMES BRAXTON: That's a biggie, isn't it?
That's a biggie.
It's too biggie for us, I think.
JAMES BRAXTON: They're quite solid, aren't they?
They are.
Very solid.
Yeah.
They're just a good thing.
Nice pair, James.
It's a lot of money.
JAMES BRAXTON: It is a lot of money.
2 and 1/2, it it helps-- It's a punt.
I don't think you could buy them for 250 if you went to a garden center-- OK. Well, let's go for it then.
- Do you think so?
- Yeah.
Good.
Yeah.
I think they're a good one.
I think it's a real punt, but I think they might do well.
TIM WONNACOTT: It's a massive gamble.
If the cranes bomb, they've had it.
And James Bolam will have a lot of washing up to do.
What about that folding stand?
Yeah, can we have the little folding?
Yeah, a folding for a tenner then.
JAMES BOLAM: A folding for a tenner.
- And I think-- - Perfect.
I think I've got the fifth lot.
All right.
I'll just see you say that.
All right, I say.
TIM WONNACOTT: We're on the edge of our seats.
It's got a bit of age here.
It's silver plate.
JAMES BOLAM: Right.
Oysters ready.
Oh.
The shallots cut.
[LAUGHING] Well I'm persuaded, aren't you?
Andy-- tenner?
I can't do a tenner.
What can you do on it?
I'll take a 20 quid, James.
20 quid.
So we-- That's about us.
Have we got any left?
Yes, we have.
Just about-- - But shall we-- shall we do-- - Yes-- - Then we're all done.
- Now, we're all done.
- Andy, thank you much indeed.
- Fantastic.
Thank you, Andy, very much.
Thank you.
TIM WONNACOTT: After a flurry of activity, the chaps have four items from Andy-- the African table, the cranes, the shooting stick, and the ice bucket, all for 350 pounds.
Confident buying, chaps.
I just hope it pays off at auction.
Thank you much, indeed.
TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile, Susan and David are belting towards Battle.
The town was formed after William the Conqueror built an abbey on the site of his most famous victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
But Susan and David are saving their fight to the finish for the auction room.
With their shopping complete, and as Susan's a bird lover, where better to visit than a Sussex shrine to the world's most fascinating and mystical of birds, the dodo.
So let's go and see some dodo birds.
Good idea.
Sounds good.
Good, I wish we could.
I know.
Wish they were still around.
TIM WONNACOTT: The dodo may have been extinct for hundreds of years, but one man is keeping their memory alive at the appropriately named Dodo House.
I think this is it.
I think it is.
[LAUGHING] How many can you count, already?
Oh, my gosh.
They're everywhere.
Oh.
Look at this.
You're a big dodo fan?
All birds.
TIM WONNACOTT: But it's 84-year-old, Ralfe Whistler, who's possibly the biggest doter of all things dodo.
[KNOCKING] Hello.
DAVID HARPER: Hello.
SUSAN JAMESON: Hello.
DAVID HARPER: Hello.
Hi, there.
Susan after you-- Welcome to the Dodo House.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Two dodos coming in.
TIM WONNACOTT: Ralfe built a career looking after wildlife reserves in the States.
But for the last 30 years, he's gathered the world's largest collection of dodo memorabilia, including a four-foot model, a dodo made of fabric and engine parts, and a sculpted wooden replica.
The extinct flightless bird evolved from a series of pigeon on Mauritius.
Over time, plentiful food and no predators meant they grew larger and their wings smaller, which wasn't a problem until sailors arrived.
So the dodo was first seen on Mauritius-- Well, maybe 1550.
We don't know exactly.
When did the dodo finally disappear?
Did the dodo disappeared about 1680 as far as we know-- Oh, gosh.
That was quick.
--a long time ago.
So the dodo had no predators?
It had no enemies to start with.
And then man came along with all its Yep.
--animals and with all its dogs, or cats, or rats from the ships-- Yeah.
--could eat the baby dodos.
And rats would take the eggs.
TIM WONNACOTT: Although dodos were any native to Mauritius, some were shipped back to Europe.
They did have a live one down in London on Piccadilly in the 1650s.
And you could pay 6 pence, or a groat, or something and feed it.
And that lasted for a few years on Piccadilly.
SUSAN JAMESON: Gosh.
So they were obviously thought of as exotic creatures.
RALFE WHISTLER: Well, yes.
They look so extraordinary.
And here's-- TIM WONNACOTT: The fascination with birds has been in his family for years.
Ralfe's ornithologist father, Hugh Whistler, had been given some dodo bones as a teenager, which had been found on Mauritius in the 1860s.
On his father's death in 1953, Ralfe inherited the bones.
DAVID HARPER: But these are genuine dodo bones?
These are genuine dodo bones as dug up by this chap who was a missionary.
He knew what he was digging up, this chap?
Yes.
He was determined to try and find out what had happened to the dodo.
Because he knew it had existed.
- Mm.
Mm.
RALFE WHISTLER: He sent them back to the Natural History Museum in London.
And the head of the Natural History Museum was a bird expert.
And he immediately confirmed that these were dodo bones.
A lot of people think, as they did then, that dodos never existed, that they were just a figment of someone's imagination.
Almost with the discovery of these bones, its memory is-- - Resurrected.
- --is resurrected.
- Yeah.
- Is that right?
Yes, absolutely.
It's like Lazarus.
It is arisen.
Yes, yes, yes.
And now the world knows about the dodo.
So these bones led to all this amazing-- And then for some unknown reason, after a bit, I decided to collect everything I could find about the dodo.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Once the dodo's existence had been proven, and the Natural History Museum had reconstructed the bird from fossilized bones, interpretations of what it may have looked like began popping up.
Most famously, the dodo appeared as a character in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland in 1865 and was illustrated by Sir John Tennille.
So people began to suddenly realize that it's not just in Lewis Carroll, it's-- actually was a real bird, not something completely made up.
Yes, yes.
And I think because of that, also reminds people just how easy it is to lose a species.
- Yes.
- Yes.
So the dodo has done an awful lot of good in that regard, I think.
Yes.
We must be so careful.
It's one of the quickest items ever to be made extinct.
Yes, terrible.
Well, let's hope the example of the dodo and people knowing about it make us treasure what we've got a little more.
TIM WONNACOTT: Yeah.
In the last 500 years, human activity has forced over 800 species into extinction.
It's commendable.
People like Ralfe remind us of just how precious creatures are and how careful we should be.
I'm just going to have one last dodo stroke.
[LAUGHING] [CAR ENGINE STARTING UP] TIM WONNACOTT: While Susan and David have been brushing up on the dodo, with some solid purchases in the bag, team James are taking the time to sample more of Sussex's specialties.
- Oh, splendid.
- Thank you.
Cheers.
Well done.
Well shopped.
- Cheers.
And you.
Very well shopped.
Here's to us.
Here's to us.
Here's to our win.
TIM WONNACOTT: As usual, the fellows are confident, even though, one could say, they're resting on their laurels.
Well they'd be looking at dodos now, won't they?
[CHUCKLING] That could be a symbol.
The result of their purchases are going to be-- Dead as a-- Dodo.
[CHUCKLING] TIM WONNACOTT: The boys may be old cocky now, but it's time for the big reveal.
Team James are up first.
That's quite a few items, isn't it?
But gosh we've got carved heads there.
Yeah.
JAMES BRAXTON: African.
Made out of one piece.
I quite like that.
Then we've got a standard kind of-- - A bucket.
- --wine bucket.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Silver-plated, I'm hoping.
JAMES BRAXTON: Yeah.
JAMES BOLAM: Yeah.
And then-- Oh, oh.
Oh.
And a shooting stick.
That's quite good, I've got to say.
And then we've got a pair of concrete birds?
No, bronze.
TIM WONNACOTT: So that makes five lots for the Jameses.
Susan and David also have five lots.
Prepare to be amazed.
Is that made out of one piece of wood, is it?
The stand itself is from China.
Then at some point, someone has put a 1960s-'70s Murano art glass bowl on top of it and married them together.
Hand-blown.
Hand-blown.
That is a lovely item.
What a tremendous piece of glass.
It's huge.
- We like that.
- We like that.
- We do.
Almost as big as our piece of glass-- - Yeah.
- --isn't it?
JAMES BRAXTON: The top is glorious.
But we love the tap.
Is it Chinese as well, is it?
DAVID HARPER: No, no.
It's an English one.
SUSAN JAMESON: It's British.
DAVID HARPER: Yeah, yeah.
JAMES BRAXTON: What's that?
It's a little clothes brush of some sort?
Nope, it's a Japanese cutlery set.
- No.
- Yeah.
Japanese cutlery set.
And I must boast here, because I said it-- I think it feels like silver.
We weren't sure.
It's true.
It's been verified.
Very nice.
TIM WONNACOTT: The cutlery set wasn't all marked.
But the in-house jeweler at the shop they bought it from tested it with acid and confirmed it is silver.
This isn't only a battle of man versus wife, it's also bugle versus trumpet.
3, 2, 1.
[BLOWING WIND INSTRUMENTS] Absolutely dreadful.
He's now gone deaf.
[LAUGHING] Pardon?
- Good luck the two James.
- Good luck-- - Yes.
- Very best of luck.
--David.
We shall see you.
Yeah.
TIM WONNACOTT: But what do they really think of each other's items?
Amazing that we've both got glass-topped.
Yes.
Yeah.
Not exactly tables but-- No.
Musical instruments.
Mm mm.
But I think they've got nice stuff, but ours is better.
I agree with you.
I like the little silver set.
And I like that dog.
But ace in the hole-- What?
- Lizard.
- Teamwork.
TIM WONNACOTT: I like their confidence.
But the other team aren't short of that either.
I think we're on a winner here.
I think we're on a winner.
No question about it.
I don't think their trumpet is going to do anything.
The tap looks very mail order to me.
[CHUCKLING] And their little table-- I mean, what use is it?
In the end, who wants a tiny pair of silver chopsticks?
Yeah.
Again, it's no use to anybody is it?
No, it's an ornament.
It may be silver.
[BLOWING RASPBERRIES] Silver schmilver.
Not even quietly confident.
I'm confident.
TIM WONNACOTT: I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see who wins.
Both our celebrities and experts who have taken 123-mile tour of the South Coast starting in Brighton and pulling up at their final stop at auction in Dorking, Surrey.
It's Jameses' turn in the driving seat again as they make their way to the market town in the heart of the Surrey Hills.
You're quite a poor loser, actually.
What do you mean a poor loser.
Well there you are, you see, you get a bit grumpy, don't you?
What?
So where are they, David?
Well, I don't know where they are.
But I think they like to make a late entrance.
Ah-- [INAUDIBLE] in the middle of the roundabout.
It's a great big silver cock.
JAMES BOLAM: Cock?
[LAUGHING] SUSAN JAMESON: It's very big.
TIM WONNACOTT: The 10-foot high sculpture celebrates the Dorking chicken, a bird associated with the town since the 19th century when it became one of the biggest producers of high quality poultry.
Not a lot of people know that.
Are you confident?
Definitely.
- Seeing the things we bought-- - Yeah.
And I've seen the things you've bought-- Yeah, why are we confident then?
And I'm definitely confident.
TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile, James and Susan are still struggling to find the auction house, as usual.
Yeah, well it's some sports center or something, isn't it?
Oh, it's a care center?
- Care center.
Don't go there.
No, not yet.
No, they'll keep you in if you go there.
Well, I'm more confident.
Really?
Yeah.
I'm always confident with my things.
TIM WONNACOTT: Finally, they've made it to Crow's Auction Gallery, who've been auctioneering for over a hundred years.
- Good morning.
- There we are.
Good morning.
Good morning, David.
It's nice to see you Partner.
How are you opposition?
Very good.
[LAUGHING] Good.
Shaking, shaking.
I've got her worried now.
Welcome to the the day of the lizard.
[LAUGHING] Yeah, I can just see the headlines-- you know, the day of the lizard.
- Lizard-- It breaks all records.
--triumphs.
Auctioneer of 30 years, Tom Loftus, has already taken a look at the two teams lots.
The piece I'm looking forward to selling most, I think, is probably the Murano glass bowl and the stand.
It's a nice lot.
The cranes in bronze, sadly, have been painted.
So a little bit of a loss on how to value them.
The shooting stick-- I'll be amazed if we get a bidder for it.
TIM WONNACOTT: Despite that confidence, it's not looking so good for team James.
It could be washing up for Mr. Bolam.
The chaps have five lots, spending a total of 370 pounds.
Susan and David parted with 248 pounds, 28 p, also for 5 lots.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] [LAUGHING] You all right there, James?
Room for a small one.
All done at 45-- TIM WONNACOTT: Here's where it gets exciting, first under the hammer is Susan and David's Japanese cutlery set.
Their Japanese nation are primed and ready with their finger.
What time is it in Japan?
I hate to say-- early.
[LAUGHING] Shame.
Intros with me here-- on my start is a slow start at 25, 8, 30, 2, 5, 8, 40.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] 40, 40.
Are you 40?
50 bid, and 5, and 60.
And 65, and 70 bid-- DAVID HARPER: Come on.
- 70 pound on the line.
- Come on.
- 75 Line one-- - Yes.
75.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Come on.
Against the room.
That's 75 pounds.
80 at the bid.
- Yes.
Yes.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] 80 pound to be sold.
One more surely.
On line, you're right.
80 pounds, all going down.
The hammer's up on our trade or down there at 80 pounds.
[BANGING GAVEL] Oh, 10 pounds-- 10 pounds, that's not bad.
--on paper.
TIM WONNACOTT: Goodness.
A strong start for Susan.
Let's see if team James's first lot, the military bugle, can better it.
12 bid [AUCTIONEER CHANT] 12 selling, at 12 selling, at 12 selling.
Had to be sold.
Selling at 12, selling at 12.
This is a cheap 15 bid, 18 bid-- JAMES BRAXTON: Oh, we got the [INAUDIBLE].. --one more.
One more.
Come on.
You can do it.
No more, No more.
Smile-- 20 I got.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Selling at 20, so disappointing but their selling at 20, selling at 20, selling at 20.
Being sold in the room, I sell that at 20 pounds.
[BANGING GAVEL] - Oh, dear.
- That's a loss.
isn't it?
- 0 profit.
It is a loss.
TIM WONNACOTT: That's certainly a blow for the boys, leaving them with a loss after auction costs.
But can that African glass top table top it?
Oh, here we are.
Now this Is my big bid choice.
Here we go at 15 to bid.
18 to bid.
20, I have.
20 bid, 20 bid, 20-- 25.
35.
Ouch, what did you pay for it?
70.
70.
AUCTIONEER: 40 bid.
40.
I'll be going up 45-- It's a beautiful table.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] DAVID HARPER: It's going.
It's going - 70 with me.
70 bid.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] 75-- 80 with me.
80 against you, sir.
Now, he's got it.
At 90, we're in profit.
At 90 pounds, at 90 pounds on the commission.
We're down selling at 90.
It's sold at 90.
- This is a result, James.
- All down at 90 pounds.
[BANGING GAVEL] - Enjoy it.
Enjoy it.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Brilliant.
20 pounds is a solid profit in the bank.
It's like being on an express train, isn't it?
Yeah.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Yeah, and you can't get off yet, James.
Next, it's time to see if Susan and David's glass item can do any better.
And it's the pick of auctioneer, Tom.
We like this.
With some size, with some character.
Quality there-- - They like it.
What can I say?
My best bet secures at 15 only.
18 to bid.
20 in the bid.
And 2, and 5, and 8.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Come on --the Morana like this.
At 32, and 5, and 8, and 40, I have.
At 40 pound been sold.
And selling at 40, selling at 40-- No, don't sell at 40.
Disappointing at 40 pounds, the Murano.
This one's buying the stand is worth that alone.
Now, come on.
Wake up at home.
You're out.
At 40 pounds-- He's trying hard, isn't he?
He's trying hard.
All done at trade then.
Selling away at 40 pounds.
[BANGING GAVEL] TIM WONNACOTT: Ouch.
A 40-pound loss will certainly hurt their chances.
David had been so sure of a profit.
No one else apart from me has good taste.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Oh, yeah, auctioneer Tom isn't sure if the two James's next item-- the shooting stick-- will even sell at all.
I don't know where they find these things.
A British-made, folding, three-legged, shooting stick.
[LAUGHING] I'm speechless.
[LAUGHING] Looks bloody uncomfortable.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Hey, James Bolam sat on that, I'll have you know.
Surely, that could add a few extra pounds.
5, I have.
8, and 10, and 12.
Oh, there you go.
15, 20 with me.
20 pounds.
surprise.
22 filled.
22 in the room at 22 bid [INAUDIBLE] by the lions all out.
This does want buying.
At 22 pounds, 25 bids-- I do not believe this.
At 25 pounds, 25 pounds, 25-- Phil, don't stop.
I'm going to put you in.
28, you're in.
28 pounds.
28 pound-- madame.
28 pounds, you're out.
30 pound bid.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Three times the-- There we are, you see.
AUCTIONEER: This must have been for nothing-- I told you.
I told you.
They wouldn't believe it.
30 pounds.
All done at 30 pounds.
[BANGING GAVEL] There we are.
[CLAPPING] Well done.
Well done.
TIM WONNACOTT: A fantastic five for team James as it's tripled its price.
You know James, this could be a new career for you.
- Well-- - --you realize that, don't you?
I need something.
TIM WONNACOTT: Now it's Susan's favorite lot-- the temple dogs and the carved lizard.
They need to make money to stand a chance of winning.
15, 18, 20 bid, 22.
At 22 pounds, 25.
28-- 28 pounds, 28 pounds, 28 pounds.
30 bid.
32.
At 32.
35 bid.
35 pounds.
Come on.
35 pounds.
35 pounds.
38.
38 pounds.
40 bid, 40 bid, 40 bid, 40.
Come on.
At 40-- you can do it.
Come on.
Come on.
At 40 pound, 40 pounds-- three pieces for the momey.
At 40 pounds.
To be sold at 40 pounds in the room.
All done at 40 pounds.
[BANGING GAVEL] - Marvelous.
Very good.
Marvelous.
Well done.
TIM WONNACOTT: An amazing profit, doubling their money.
And they're back in the game.
The day of the lizard.
The day of the lizard.
It's wonderful.
Yes, the lizard.
TIM WONNACOTT: Next it's the two James's silver-plated ice bucket.
A silver-plated, twin handle ice bucket or whatever.
Rather nice.
Circa 1900-- It's a what now?
Whatever.
That made 15, 18, 20, 2, 5, 8.
At 28 pounds, only 28 pounds-- - Come on, come on, come on.
- 20 pounds.
Your price.
30 bid, 30 bid.
3, 2.
At 32.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] 35 pound, 35 pound.
40-- 40 to the bid in the room.
JAMES BRAXTON: 40 pounds.
- Oh.
Selling at 40, selling at 40, selling at 40 in the room.
Disappointing.
Selling at 40, selling at 40-- Disappointing?
Maybe to you.
It's amazing for us.
Well done at 40 pounds.
[BANGING GAVEL] [CLAPPING] Well done.
Well done.
TIM WONNACOTT: Very well done.
They've doubled their money too.
It's looking quite close to call this one.
Now it's over to Susan and David's 1930s dog tap.
I'm sure I've seen it in a National Trust gift section.
[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Take no notice of him.
A lot of character this.
I rather like this little piece.
5 and 8.
Only at 8 pounds.
Only at 8 pounds, 8 pounds, 8 pound, only at 8 pound 10 bid 10.
12 bid, 12 bid, 12.
15 bid.
18 only.
18 pounds.
Selling at 18.
Selling at 18.
20 at the bid online.
- Yes.
- At 20 bid, 20 out.
The blue.
Come again, sir.
At 20-- is it going to be right?
It's going to be right.
DAVID HARPER: Yes.
At 2 bid-- [AUCTIONEER CHANTS] On line one.
At 25 pound, 25 pound-- come on, sir.
At 25 on line one.
I'm selling.
All done, all done at 25 pounds.
Very good.
[LAUGHING] Very good.
Ah, little dog.
TIM WONNACOTT: And a great profit.
We're now down to both teams' final lots-- the silver-plated pocket trumpet and the garden crane.
First, it's team James's crane.
They were a huge risk.
So they need to do well.
We have tell of an interest, I believe.
Yes.
And my start here with me at 30.
[LAUGHING] 30?
AUCTIONEER: 38, and 40.
At 40 pounds, only 40 pound, 40 pounds.
- They are bronze.
- 40, 50 bid.
50 bid, 50.
50 bid, 50 only, at 50, at 50.
60 bid.
70 bid.
80-- JAMES BRAXTON: It's going.
It's going.
At 90 bid.
90 on the telephone.
JAMES BOLAM: Yeah.
At 95-- 100, can I say?
Of course you can.
Thank you.
Yes 100 on the telephone.
At 100 pounds, I shan't dwell.
100 pounds telephone bid.
The line's all out.
Disappointing for these bronzes.
All done.
Make no mistake, selling against you on line.
100.
All done to the telephone at 100 pounds.
TIM WONNACOTT: Catastrophe.
It turns out that risky cranes have left their chances of winning as dead as a dodo.
Wasn't it, chaps?
- Oh, dear.
- Quickly.
- Tissues.
Tissues.
Hand them over.
Wait, I need a tissue.
[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Crikey, that's a whopping 150 pounds loss.
I think it was the concrete what did it.
[LAUGHING] [BLOWING NOSE] TIM WONNACOTT: Even if Susan and David made a tiny profit with their last lot, they would triumph.
It's their turn-of-the-century pocket trumpet.
So our star musical instrument is next.
Very nice, interest with me, with a telephone.
And away we go, interest in me.
And my start is at 80.
At 90, at 110.
120, 130, 140, 140, 150, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190-- SUSAN JAMESON: Oh, they did like it.
DAVID HARPER: They did like it a lot, didn't they?
Up to 220.
220 line 2.
JAMES BRAXTON: Well done.
[AUCTIONEER CHANTS] I'm absolutely astonished.
JAMES BRAXTON: So am I.
- At 220.
Bid at 220.
Selling at 220.
I'm gonna cry.
Selling at 220 to line two.
At 220 pounds-- telephone out there, coming or not?
DAVID HARPER: Come on.
Come on.
AUCTIONEER: Awesome timing.
At 220 on line two.
Keep on going.
But you're out.
220 line two.
Sell order.
Line two has it.
All done at 220 pounds.
[BANGING GAVEL] JAMES BOLAM: Fantastic.
And that's-- - That is amazing.
- That's great.
Well done.
TIM WONNACOTT: Susan's in shock.
An amazing achievement-- a 150 pound profit for them, tripling their money again.
That's wonderful.
That's absolutely-- DAVID HARPER: It rarely happens.
--what it did was have us all crying in a minute.
TIM WONNACOTT: Don't, you'll get me going.
Both our team started today's journey with 400 pounds.
The two James' took a massive gamble on their cranes, and it didn't pay off.
After auction costs, they lost 140 pounds, 40p, leaving them with a finishing total of 259 pounds, 60p.
[BANGING GAVEL] Susan and David managed to bag themselves a profit of 83 pounds and 82p after auction costs, giving them a clear win with 483 pounds and 82p.
All profits go to children in need.
It was close.
I'll give them that.
It really was close, wasn't it?
Yeah.
It was close-- Up until the cranes.
[LAUGHING] Oh, I'm sorry the cranes bombed.
I know.
That's very kind of you, Susan.
The cranes done us.
The cranes done you in.
Anyway, thank you.
Well done.
Well done the winners.
Yes, it's been great, great fun.
- Well done, well done.
- Thank you, James.
- Well done.
- Take care.
Bye.
- Goodbye.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS SHUT] TIM WONNACOTT: Come on, James, those dishes won't wash themselves.
I think David and I did pretty well.
It's quite nice.
I quite like the bartering.
It's nice-- jolly.
Oh, my.
There's a huge hole there.
[CAR BANGING AROUND] Oh.
Oh.
Poor old car.
TIM WONNACOTT: Perhaps he ought to get them a taxi, ey?
[LAUGHING] [MUSIC PLAYING]