[ENGINE REVVING AND MUSIC] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques expert-- Yeah.

Typical.

How about that?

NARRATOR: --behind the wheel of a classic car.

And go to scout Britain for antiques.

[LAUGHTER] The aim to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

They'll be worthy winners-- Yes.

NARRATOR: --and valiant losers.

We lost it.

NARRATOR: It will be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster.

[POP SOUND] [INAUDIBLE] the car!

[SCREAMS] NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[CHUCKLES] We are about to witness the genesis of a brand new road trip to some.

How excited are you?

I'm really excited.

NARRATOR: And a bit like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, our couple kick off from Kent, The Garden of England host houses and all.

Have you ever been in a car like this?

Not whilst it was moving.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Today, we present the fusion of delightful debutant, Stephanie Connell and venerable veteran, Charlie Ross.

Oh, gosh.

We're going backwards, matron.

Hold on.

Handbrake.

Oh, dear.

Look left.

Oh.

We're all right.

- OK. NARRATOR: Yes.

Clear left, Charlie.

I was hairy.

NARRATOR: Don't worry, Steph.

He'll calm down eventually.

Who is your dream roadtripper to be with?

- It's you.

- Don't be silly.

You're just saying that because I'm driving.

No, I'm not.

I'm not saying-- it's true, it's you.

NARRATOR: Crikey, I didn't see that coming.

Steph from Surrey, specializes in entertainment memorabilia.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: He doesn't like games.

She started out collecting stamps and became an auctioneer at the mighty Bonhams before deciding to pursue a career as a dealer.

Oh that's nice.

NARRATOR: Steph's also a real film buff-- No "Star Wars," no "Batman."

NARRATOR: --who loves the golden age of Hollywood.

Oops.

One for the blue Marial.

What's your favorite film?

Probably, "Kind Hearts and Coronet."

Oh.

Wonderful.

Oh.

I'm Alec Guinness.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Alec Guinness?

Did he play about eight different people?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Yeah, all the family.

NARRATOR: Auctioneer Charlie is of course, playing himself.

Likewise, the 1963 Hillman super minx.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: It's a good roomy Colt.

We have three kids between us.

We can put them on the back seat, Which is, sort of, full of antiques instead.

NARRATOR: Good answer, Steph.

You know the rules, do you?

You don't think we get 200 pounds-- We do?

--to buy what we like.

Yeah.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Then we have to take them to auction.

NARRATOR: I think she's ready.

Our par will set out from Sevenoaks with every intention of seeing an awful lot of Kent before taking the route both north and west, journeying through the Cotswolds and visiting Wales, then heading back east to finally finish up in Leicestershire at the delightful time of Market Harborough.

Today, we'll say, that's all folks, after an auction in Folkestone.

But we start out in the aforementioned town of Sevenoaks.

Whilst, if I've got some antiques to buy, so look after my little Minster.

What will do?

I'm going shopping.

[CAR DOOR BANG] NARRATOR: So while Steph moves on, somewhat gingerly.

All clear.

Off you go.

It's a bit [INAUDIBLE]!

NARRATOR: Like, the music, Sevenoaks is the home of Rotosound strings heard on the tunes of many great bands and especially The Home, groovy or what.

I mean, the music not Charlie.

Aha.

It must be mark.

MARK: It is.

Good to meet you, Charlie.

And lovely to see you too.

And you.

Thank you very much for having me to this fabulous part of the world.

NARRATOR: Fabulous shop too, Charlie.

Quite a bit beyond your budget though like that.

CHARLIE ROSS: This is a classic art deco cocktail shaker made of bakelite and silver plate.

And the thing I like about the luxury ones are the recipes are on here.

So you turn the top.

Do you know what's in a Manhattan?

Rye, Italian vermouth, angostura bitters, maraschino, and ice.

That is a classic statement of the art deco, period.

And I love it.

It's 680 pounds and I'm not surprised.

But unfortunately, the budget will not allow it.

NARRATOR: A little bit further into the trip and you might have had the funds, hey, Charlie?

Now what's he seen?

Woo, hoo, hoo.

I recognize this.

Maxims.

One of the most famous restaurants in Paris.

And this is an old menu.

And Maxims was featured in Franz Lehar wonderful opera, "The Merry Widow."

(SINGING) You'll meet me at Maxims where all the girls are dreams.

You'll always feel much better for meeting "les grisettes."

(SPEAKING) And that's the names of all the presenters who then dance the famous CanCan dance, da da, da da da, da da da da, in their frilly skirt.

It's wonderful.

NARRATOR: But "can-can" you afford it?

[LAUGHTER] CHARLIE ROSS: Mark.

What's the story behind that.

MARK: Well, that was given to a friend of mine in Barbados.

It was a Michael Winner's.

No.

NARRATOR: The late film director and restaurant critic.

MARK: And they were neighbors.

CHARLIE ROSS: And they gave it to you?

And well, not even give it to me, I did actually buy.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Which brings us nicely to.

CHARLIE ROSS: I quite like to buy it if it was ever so cheap.

MARK: We're looking at 90 quid.

CHARLIE ROSS: Oh, yeah.

If I said, I'd love to pay 30 quid for it, does it-- what about any good?

What about 30 quid.

It wipes its face for me then.

Does it?

If it wipes its face for you, who am I to argue.

I'll buy it because I love it.

NARRATOR: First blow to Charlie.

Now let's catch up with his young rival.

Oh someone driving around on a classic motorbike.

Here we go.

Was it a triumph.

CHARLIE ROSS: Never mind that.

How is the Mynx?

It's such a lovely car.

The sound of the engine just purring.

But I'm not adept at driving a classic car, obviously as it is my first time in and out of the gate.

NARRATOR: Oops.

Steph's off to her first shop in Wateringbury, where the stream of that name once powered three Water Mills.

Popular with amorous swans.

Oh sweet.

And today, where Steph takes her very first road trip dip, so to speak.

Let's get hunting.

NARRATOR: That's 200 pounds to spend, but you know that.

I really like this vase.

I think it's probably Scandinavian 1960s.

And this, kind of, nice, sort of, citrine, kind of, color.

Very fashionable, really practical, and really nice.

16 pounds.

Which is a good price for it.

But as it's quite modern, I'm not going to go for it.

NARRATOR: I like it.

The woman has principles.

So that is a very popular at the minute from a design point of view rather than an antiques point of view.

NARRATOR: 55 pounds though, a lot for steps.

The designs, kind of, reminiscent of a biplane.

And I know there was a maker of steps like this called Havely who made steps that was supposed to improve your servants working day.

But they're nice.

NARRATOR: Well, very promising.

Now with Charlie back in Sevenoaks.

He's already bought that menu.

Anything else?

Right.

Look at this.

Nothing really, is it?

What is it?

Where does it come from?

Well, it's a headrest or better so, a neck rest, and it's African.

It's probably 100 years old, no more than that.

I've seen them make a lot of money.

I've seen them make no money.

And do you know me, I love a gamble.

Mark.

- Charlie.

- Oh.

[LAUGHTER] I thought you weren't listening.

Now, it's a head or neckrest, isn't it?

It's a neckrest.

And it's African.

Can you tell me any more about that.

It's an Ethiopian piece.

Mainly for women.

Yeah.

Maybe because of the style.

Further when they do these elaborate hairdos-- Yeah --it would keep them off the ground when they was sleeping.

Something I wouldn't need.

[LAUGHTER] How old is it?

1910, 1920?

I mean, I'm also-- It quite firm.

65 pounds.

Are you?

Tell me what you'd be happy paying for it.

[LAUGHTER] You don't want to ask that question, I can tell you.

I'll tell you what I'd be happy paying for it.

Big 20 quid.

But, you know, I know-- Make it 25 and it's yours.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

I'll have a go at it.

I mean, it's a bit of social history.

Absolutely, yeah.

NARRATOR: Done deal then for two items.

65 pounds?

65, yeah.

NARRATOR: So with Charlie taking his leave.

Well, I'm going to have a little bit of lunch, then I'm going to have a sleep.

NARRATOR: Thanks for that.

What's up, Waterinbury, where Steph has those steps on her wish list.

That's the tip of it.

About 1818.

So the aesthetic movements like a late 19th century design movement similar to the arts and crafts inspired very much by Asian and the new, kind of, available Japanese artworks.

So they've never been seen before because you weren't able to import-export out of Japan.

People like Christopher dresser bringing those ideas over.

So it's very much inspired by that in bamboo.

It's pretty.

NARRATOR: Ah.

Something she saw in the window earlier.

It's this woodworking plane.

I don't know a great deal about woodworking tools, but I know certain planes can make over 1000 pounds.

So I'm going to take a punt, that it's interesting.

And take it to auction and see what happens.

NARRATOR: I think dealer Jackie can look forward to some plane speaking.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Hi Jackie.

Hi.

Now I don't know anything about it, but I know the market for woodworking tools is pretty hot at the minute, especially planes.

Yes.

So I'm going to take the plane if that's OK. Great.

And it's-- you know, it's 10 pounds.

So that, you know, there's no haggling at 10 pounds.

I'm also interested in the aesthetic movement table.

Yes.

And the ladder.

So could you tell me what your best prices are?

I can do a good price on the ladder.

It's 55 at the moment.

Yeah.

You can have that for 30.

OK. Yeah.

And what would you like to offer on the table?

I think it's 60 at the moment.

I was thinking about 35.

- That'd be great.

- Yeah?

All right.

Well then I'll take all of them.

Lovely.

Thanks very much NARRATOR: So three items for a grand total of-- 75 pounds.

[INAUDIBLE] for something.

NARRATOR: And Steph's made brisk work of that.

So while she stays it all away, will catch up with Charlie down at the farm.

Alexander.

Alexander.

ALEXANDER: I'm over here.

NARRATOR: Our auction is taking the afternoon off from shopping to visit a plantation near the village of St Mary's Platt and crack that yummy Kent speciality, the cobnut.

Very nice with port in the company of nut grower, Alexander Hunt.

Oh.

Charlie, very nice to meet.

Lovely to meet you too.

It's splendid being here.

How many acres you have here?

We've got about 80 acres here of potash farm.

And these are all Kent cob planted in about 1900.

So I'm surrounded by genuine antiques.

You are.

120 old years or thereabouts.

CHARLIE ROSS: Wonderful.

ALEXANDER: And we're still picking commercially about a ton and a half of nuts to the acre here, all these years on from planting.

CHARLIE ROSS: It's pretty labor intensive, isn't it?

Well, we've got the same three families that have been with me nearly 30 years.

Really?

And a bit of a race between us and the squirrels as you can imagine.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: The cobnut which was originally cultivated from the wild hazelnuts of the hedgerow has been a nutritious staple of the British diet for a very long time.

They were first recorded by Neolithic man.

Good grief.

Thousands of years ago.

Thousands years ago.

As a very early form of protein.

And of course, they could store them for several years as indeed we can.

And there are a few cob nuts from last year, which are brown and much sweeter and drier than the lovely fresh green cobnuts that I'm just picking off the tree there.

Yeah.

Look at the difference between the two.

They're extraordinary and presumably, a great difference in taste.

Great difference.

I mean, there's a huge market for the fresh green cobnut.

CHARLIE ROSS: Really.

ALEXANDER: And then they gradually become golden and nutty brown.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yes.

ALEXANDER: And then we can store the nuts for several years just in shell.

NARRATOR: After a long period of decline during which many orchards were lost, one of Kent's finest is in demand again.

They're especially good in Southeast Asian dishes, for example.

Plus the versatile cobnut can be used for everything, from cooking oil to cosmetics.

But it's still a very long way from the nuts victorian heyday.

They had a very big commercial use-- CHARLIE ROSS: Really?

--right up until the, sort of, 1930s when cobnuts were taken by their truckload by rail to the cotton and woolen centers of the Midlands and the North.

And they were used in the process of dyeing the camouflaged uniforms in both world wars.

So the cotton up played really quite a part in the wars?

NARRATOR: Kent's cobnuts together with the county's much more famous crop once attracted hordes of pickers down from London for a harvesting holiday.

ALEXANDER: In this parish, a cobnuts and hops were the two main horticultural crops grown.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah.

And there would have been hundreds, if not thousands of people employed for the picking of those two crops in August, September, and October.

Right, right.

Is it true they were called nutters.

Very much so.

And you're being a nutter yourself this afternoon.

[LAUGHTER] Alexander, I've been a Nutter for some time.

ALEXANDER: They're the finest nut in the world.

I'm beginning to agree with you.

Well, Alexander I've always been assaulted peanut man myself, but I have to say I am now a nutter.

Cheers.

NARRATOR: As if that was ever in doubt.

Now what about Steph in the Mint?

Oh, no.

Seems to have her firmly in hand whilst taking our route towards Goudhurst on the edge of the beautiful Kent Weald.

The ship blows.

Landed on her pink pumps, do we think?

With 125 pounds left to spend.

I'm in love with the stressor.

So really good antiques like this, it's what the current market is looking for.

It's very early Georgian but it has the original paint.

It's got that distressed look.

It's not overly large.

It's practical.

But it's a proper antique.

It's out of my price range.

Unfortunately, 950 pounds but it's worth every penny in my opinion.

NARRATOR: Mine too.

What about that?

It's very good value for money for 55 pounds.

It's a 1930s walnut standard lamp.

People would often, hey, why are you weighing up that for a standard lamp?

Because so it's got a lovely patina.

It's been PAT tested.

So that means it's been electrical tested for safety, which means legally it's ready to go.

So you can basically buy it, take it home and use it.

NARRATOR: PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing.

Not quite found what she wants though, has she?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Useful items.

The three leather-covered jewelry case boxes.

Early to mid 20th century.

But if you look inside, the quality is really nice.

So this one lined with watered silk.

These ones lined with silk and velvet.

I'm not interested in this one as much, because it hasn't got the individual compartments and it's a little bit large.

But these two, I am interested in.

William is it possible to speak to you about this?

Sure.

NARRATOR: Oh, why not.

So this one is priced at 75 and this one is priced at 38, what would be your best prices for them?

Together at 90 pounds.

What would be the best price for this one, individually?

30 pounds.

I think I would like to take the one for 30 pounds.

OK.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks very much.

NARRATOR: And with that little purchase, the heavy lifting is done for a while.

CHARLIE ROSS: Have you had a lovely first ever day on the road trip?

- Yeah.

It was absolutely brilliant.

- Yep.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: I'm in love with Kent.

CHARLIE ROSS: We stay here.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Let's stay.

CHARLIE ROSS: We won't go any further.

NARRATOR: But we've got a map and everything.

Anyway, not night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] The next day, the wet weather doesn't seem to have dampen the mood in the Mins.

Actually, it does remind me of a film.

And, of course, you being a film buff, what am I thinking of?

NARRATOR: The umbrellas of Cherbourg?

Hell or high water?

You're thinking of singing in the rain.

I am.

(SINGING) I'm singin' in the rain.

NARRATOR: Here we go.

(SINGING) Just Singin' in the rain.

The sun is in my heart.

And I'm ready for love.

(END OF SINGING) That's my favorite line.

Yeah.

He said driving into the ditch.

NARRATOR: Yesterday, Charlie bought an Ethiopian headdress and a menu, which once belonged to a famous film director.

CHARLIE ROSS: I met Michael Winner at Maxims a few times.

- Oh, oops!

- Yeah.

NARRATOR: Leaving him with 135 pounds to spend today.

While Steph picked up a plane, a jewelry box, a stepladder, and a bamboo table.

It's pretty.

NARRATOR: So she has just under 100 still available should she see fit to spend it.

Can you make the windscreen wipers go please?

That's my girl.

NARRATOR: Later they'll be back in Kent for an auction in Folkestone.

But our first stop today is in East Sussex at Rye, the ancient thank port on the edge of one named Nash, popular with both smugglers and artists.

Where Charlie having already dropped Steph off, has an appointment on the key.

What a glorious day for antique hunting.

NARRATOR: Yes, it's turned out nice, hasn't it?

CHARLIE ROSS: Greetings.

Is it Norman?

It is indeed.

Oh, lovely to see you.

NARRATOR: He still got 135 pounds to spend, remember.

He's fun.

I like him.

Yeah.

He's quite sweet.

He's got his original pads on him, hasn't he?

NORMAN: Yeah.

- Mark Hughes.

He's a post-war bear.

Got a little bit of-- A harsh shape the other day.

Yeah.

He got a bit of shape to him.

Do you know what I like about this?

The eyes.

Do you?

Yes.

The drawing brains on.

[LAUGHTER] This right.

- Dropped.

Sure.

I hope he did it yesterday.

I think it's beautifully done.

Of course, I'm of the age that remembers "Sooty" on television.

NARRATOR: Busy, busy.

Let's get busy for the 5 pounds.

Well, I think the price is a bit fair-- I know it's-- it's very underpriced.

I made a mistake there.

I saw you coming.

NARRATOR: I think he may be smitten with Ted.

One for the collectors, not the kids though.

It's very vintage.

It's very vintage.

I want something that's genuinely an antique.

Victorian will do but Georgian would be better.

NARRATOR: What about Maritime?

Rise pretty salty and the sail room very close to the seaside.

Ah.

Another boat.

A pond yacht.

I'm not sure on a stand whether it's actually sailable.

NARRATOR: Sailable.

Yup.

Get it.

They need to be about twice as long.

And not have a hole in the hull.

It's a bit of an advantage.

I-- I captain.

Amplifiers, radios-- there's a bakelite radio there.

They're quite collectible.

They're very collectible.

They're better in cream than in brown, I think.

But there's one here.

An old Bush radio.

Now that's the, sort of, radio my parents would have listened to.

It's got all the wonderful radio stations on it.

Here we go.

"BBC Light Programme."

it's got Reykjavik on there which is jolly handy and Moscow.

So you could just imagine turning that on and listening to Alvar Lidell reading the news, "Here is the BBC Home programme."

NARRATOR: Ask your dad.

He's awfully nostalgic today.

The front is lovely and in good condition.

It's a shame, most of the innards are missing.

I'm afraid that is a no though.

NARRATOR: Oh, well.

There's always know who.

Norman I can't see anything else I'm particularly in love with other than your small Teddy bear.

NORMAN: All right.

CHARLIE ROSS: With the authentic drawing within eyes.

NORMAN: It could be old drawing paints.

They could be-- they might be older than the teddy bear.

[LAUGHTER] When did-- when was the drawing painting invented?

Whoa.

Now that's a good question.

NARRATOR: It is.

Mid-18th century apparently.

Gird your loins.

I'm gonna make you a miserable offer for your teddy bear.

Just minute here.

All right.

I'm ready.

[LAUGHTER] You got hanky out.

Yes, of course.

[CHUCKLES] I'll tell you what?

You probably need one very guy.

[LAUGHTER] I think that will-- with any luck will make 20 quid at auction.

Will it, really?

Well, I think it probably will.

Hang on.

Stretcher bearers.

[LAUGHTER] This one?

Yes.

- So that means-- - No, no.

I want to pay a tenner for it.

- Really?

I'll be perfectly honest.

I'm not going to beat about the bush.

I think we can squeeze out.

CHARLIE ROSS: Can you?

- Yeah.

I'll feel sorry for it.

CHARLIE ROSS: You're a gentleman you feel Sorry for it.

NARRATOR: Thanks, Norman.

10 pounds for him.

CHARLIE ROSS: Thank, Norman.

Thank you.

CHARLIE ROSS: Oh.

Look at that.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: So while Charlie and furry friend apart-- Oh.

NARRATOR: --make sure he's got his belt on.

Come on teddy.

NARRATOR: What about Steph?

Well, making sensible use of local transport it seems in the Kent town of New Romney.

Where she's come to take a ride on what was once the world's smallest public railway.

DANIEL: Hello.

- Hello.

I'm Steph.

Nice to meet you.

Pleased to meet you.

Are you Danny?

Yeah.

NARRATOR: The Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch might be a mere 15-inch gauge but it was conceived and built as a proper line to carry passengers and goods, and not just a tourist attraction.

Just ask the general manager, right?

All right.

How did it come about?

Well, two guys who were into motor racing, they were into model steam railways and they decided that they would build the best railway system that the world had ever seen.

NARRATOR: Those two founders were the racing drivers Captain Jack Howey and his friend Count Louis Zborowski, the man who drove the original "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" cars.

The Count had already built a 15-inch gauge railway in the grounds of his Kent mansion.

He was about to bankroll the new project when in 1924 he died at the Italian Grand Prix.

DANNY: And then Captain Jack Howey really made it his life's mission that he was going to complete what he and his friend had set out to do.

And he spent the rest of his life here at New Romney owning.

Managing, and developing the railway.

"I've lost my friend.

I really will make this happen."

NARRATOR: The new railway opened in 1927 and was an immediate success.

So Howey soon set about extending it a further five miles to the Lighthouse at Dungeness making the line almost 14 miles long and requiring nine locomotives to carry the booming passenger numbers.

All of the originals with their evocative names are still in use today.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Danny, I understand that this was the only way for commuters to get into Hythe.

Well, that's right.

This whole area was very sparsely populated.

There wasn't a regular bus service.

So the railway was the way.

So that genuinely people could go about their normal business.

And we were still operating school services for two or three years ago for up to 150 children-- STEPHANIE CONNELL: Oh my god.

DANNY: --at one time.

That required a railway to always be available because we never wanted the school to not have its students in.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: When the war broke out in 1939, this part of the coast was in the front line.

And the railway certainly played its part.

There was even an armored train.

This in fact is the locomotive that was part of the armored train.

Oh, well.

Obviously covered in plates then and with a vehicle either side of it, which carried the army personnel.

And they would ride in it and claim to have shot down a plane or two.

But really the important thing was it gave confidence to the people who are running the railway that they had some protection.

NARRATOR: Now all aboard, Steph.

Time to get your uniform on, bid farewell to Danny.

Bye.

Nice to meet you, Steph.

NARRATOR: And say, hello, to driver Ian.

It's so loud when you were here.

NARRATOR: I wonder if she has a favorite train movie.

"The Railway Children," "The Lady Vanishes," perhaps or "3:10 to Yuma?"

How fast are we going now?

Eight miles an hour.

Eight mile an hour?

Oh, my gosh.

At 20, it's like [INAUDIBLE].

Oh, we'll get out to 20.

Don't worry.

NARRATOR: Meanwhile in Dymchurch.

Have I got grit in my eye or is that Trevor Howard?

Yes.

Yes.

NARRATOR: Oh lordy.

it's only been a few hours.

Trains can have that effect.

Even little ones.

I've been driving a train.

Oh.

Very, very exciting.

It's an exciting thing ever.

Ever?

Oh, thank you for the flowers.

- More exciting than my flowers?

- Mm.

Yeah.

Probably a little bit more exciting than your flowers.

Oh, well.

That is dissapointing.

NARRATOR: So with our duo reunited, let's get back to the shops.

CHARLIE ROSS: Look what I've got for you.

Kentish covenants covered in Belgian chocolate.

Yes.

Thank you.

A pleasure.

Let's try one.

What a good idea.

Let's try one.

Nice.

Oh, yeah.

Another one.

NARRATOR: Anyway when they're quite refreshed, they'll be arriving at the village of Appledore next to the level crossing.

More trains.

CHARLIE ROSS: Station antiques.

NARRATOR: Steph has 95 pounds left to spend and Charlie a wee bit more.

CHARLIE ROSS: Alight.

Alight first.

NARRATOR: 125.

Meet Anthony and Val.

CHARLIE ROSS: Hello.

Hello.

Oh, Mr. Ross.

Yes.

NARRATOR: Yes.

Your reputation precedes you, Charlie.

Now what will it be for Madam and sir?

I want to buy an antique.

But I don't want to lose money.

NARRATOR: Ah that I'll refrain.

Well, that's certainly an antique.

CHARLIE ROSS: Very original Georgian Tupperware.

Tin really.

Spice box with the compartmentalized interior for all your spices.

So you can put your mace and your other spices in here.

And you probably put your cinnamon sticks in the middle here.

And it's seen ages, it's 200 years old.

But it's not a Rolls Royce one.

The Rolls Royce ones have lids to the compartment with the names of the spices on them.

The price is 38 pounds.

Look at that.

It's got to make his name.

Now this of course is going to mean absolutely nothing to me.

H. L Number 41.

Well, they were obviously the finest spice box makers in the world.

NARRATOR: Hamilton Laidlaw What's Steph up to?

I've spotted an absolutely fabulous pair of candlesticks.

There are 950 pounds, but they are gorgeous.

They are what is called Adam revival.

So they're in the style or inspired by the architect and designer Robert Adam, famous for his work on many English and British stately homes.

They're very, very pretty.

But these ones were made in 1910.

Some pieces designed by Robert Adam can make a fortune.

So you work with Thomas Chippendale on some seriously important pieces of furniture.

Robert Adam and Thomas Chippendale sofas can make over a million pounds each.

But unfortunately, out of my price range.

I'll put them back.

NARRATOR: With a heavy heart.

Not that tricky sharing, a shop is it.

Some people make such a fuss of it.

CHARLIE ROSS: This is more like it.

A bit of military air here.

Oh.

If only I had Paul Laidlaw in my pocket, he would be able to tell me all about this.

I can tell you it's a swagger stick for use on the parade ground by the Sergeant Major.

And we can tell what regiment it is if we look at the end.

The honorable artillery company.

There's their motif which is a grenade.

NARRATOR: Actually, a pomegranate.

The French call them grenade.

Isn't that splendid?

It's certainly not silver, it's silver plate.

But it's the original top to the cane.

And I think the original ferrule, the bottom here, also in silver plate.

And they're very collectible for military dealers.

You can just imagine the Sergeant Major on the parade ground tucked under his arm.

"How are you horrible lot?

You horrible lot.

Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left right.

Attention.

Hoo.

Let's go and see Val.

Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left right."

- Charlie.

Attention.

[CHUCKLE] It's very scary.

Look what I found.

Oh, beautiful.

But no price.

VAL: 48.

Ah.

Have you got an owner that might be a-- Could phone him?

VAL: You can, darling.

NARRATOR: Oh.

Mr. Ross on the line for you, Tony.

Tony.

How are you?

Tony.

Well, you're not too bad at the moment.

You're probably going to be a lot worse when you're speaking to me.

[LAUGHTER] I-- I love your swagger stick.

I mean, I shouldn't be saying that, but it is.

It's fabulous.

The reason I'm speaking to you, I think it's priced a bit over 40.

Can you do anything on it for me?

Like, reduce the price.

Yeah.

This-- this is sounding promising.

You'll sell it to me for what you paid for it.

25 pounds.

I think that's so reasonable.

I'm going to do better than that.

I'm going to say as you're such an honorable, honest chap like the honorable artillery company, I will give you 28 for it.

How's that?

Thank you very much indeed.

NARRATOR: Very convivial.

CHARLIE ROSS: While I'm here, in the room at the back there is a Georgian [INAUDIBLE] spice box.

Six, seven compartments inside.

Not in great condition, but then neither will I be when I'm 200 years old.

VAL: No, darling.

[LAUGHTER] It's got 38 pounds on it.

28.

It's 10 off.

It's quite journey.

That's very sweet of you.

You look amazing.

56 pounds I owe you.

Is that right?

Yes, please.

I should pay you then, Madam.

NARRATOR: Really?

Over to Steph by the shiny stuff.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: There's lots of interesting silver in this cabinet.

But what's caught my eye is this set of silver teaspoons regency.

Because they're from 1813, they were created.

Designed by a gentleman called William Welsh.

or that's the hallmark on the back.

Their exit is silver.

So you'll see a lot of silver from Birmingham, or London, or Chester, but you don't necessarily see a lot of what we call provincial silver, in this case from Exeter.

So I think that they're interesting.

They usable.

They're quite a nice, smart design.

So people collect them because they collect the makers or they collect unusual places.

But also you could buy them as a usable item.

A good antique and a relatively solid investment, really?

So hopefully, if I took them to auction, their bound budget, a 95 pounds, they'd be successful.

Anthony, is it possible to talk to you about these spoons?

ANTHONY: Yes, of course.

I'll come along with.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Thank you.

So it's this set of spoons here and I'd like to know what the best price on them is.

ANTHONY: OK. Knowing this dealer, I would think he would do those for 80 pounds.

That would be his very best.

OK.

I'll take them.

I think they're lovely.

- Deeper.

Thank you very much indeed.

I'll get them wrapped up.

NARRATOR: So with the cash paid-- 70, 80.

NARRATOR: --and spoons count it.

CHARLIE ROSS: Allow me, Madam.

Thank you very much, Sir.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Oh.

Watch out Bertie.

CHARLIE ROSS: You still got Bertie?

NARRATOR: I think she means that teddy.

Already acquired a name.

Oh [CAR DOOR BANG] Up to the auction.

NARRATOR: He looks excited, doesn't he?

[ENGINE REVVING] Whoa, hoo, hoo.

NARRATOR: Don't forget the shut-eye.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Now, doesn't that just look glorious?

Proper British seaside with sun.

After setting out from Sevenoaks and staying mostly within the Garden of England, they finished up at Folkestone and Kent auction galleries with internet bidding and everything.

Are you excited?

Yeah.

Are you excited?

I'm extremely excited.

But I expect you're going to win.

Oh, I'm sure you're going to win.

NARRATOR: Charlie partied with 131 pounds for his five auction lots.

What do you reckon, Steph?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Charlie paid 40 pounds for this, which I think is a bargain.

And I wish I'd seen it.

It's great.

You've got film history, you've got Michael Winner's restaurant reviews.

It's perfect.

I would love to have bought this, but unfortunately I didn't see it.

So good luck to Charlie.

I think it will probably make 60 to 80 pounds.

NARRATOR: Steph spend a bit more.

185 pounds also for 5 lots.

Oh, Steph, 30 pounds.

I think that's about right for these steps.

They're quite well made.

I think they're probably late 19th century.

They're in amazing condition.

I think they're fit for picking apples, after all we're in Kent.

Apple trees don't grow very high.

And of course, if you walked up there, you could pick your apples.

NARRATOR: Steady, Charlie.

Now what does sell room manager David Lancefield make of their lot?

The Teddy bear, Yes.

He's got a sad look about him.

He doesn't even squeak.

[LAUGHTER] The set of six silver teaspoons, good condition.

Exeter, nice rare mark.

Now Maxim's menu, that's the one I like the best.

Edward VII used to go there, Brigitte Bardot, Cary Grant.

NARRATOR: Looks like there may be a film star in this auction.

Oh.

No, it's only them.

Steph debut.

NARRATOR: Beginning with her little box.

Under the hammer of auctioneer, Melissa Turner.

This is your first lot.

[WHIMPERS] [INAUDIBLE] Shall I hold your hand?

We'll start off with this one then at just 10 pounds here.

No, it doesn't matter where you start, darling, it's where you finish.

12 pounds online.

15, 18, 20 with me.

22, 25.

I'm looking for any bids at 25.

Come on, team.

For Steph.

28.

Looking for 30.

30 pounds.

Anybody bids at 30?

30 anywhere?

30, 32.

32.

32 anywhere?

Any bids at 32 pounds?

32 pounds.

That's just not bad, not bad, not bad, not bad.

One more.

- Lovely.

Thank you.

35.

Come on.

Come on.

38 now.

40.

No bids at 40.

I'll sell at 38 pounds.

Well done.

Smidge bit of profit.

Thank you.

Well done.

NARRATOR: Yes, we've had worse starts than that, Steph, believe me.

It is a little bit of profit.

Take the commission off that.

Yeah, it'll be all right.

NARRATOR: Charlie's swagger stick is next.

Attention.

10 pounds.

Thank you.

12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25.

No?

MAN: 25.

25 online.

28, 30 I'm looking for.

Come on.

Come on.

This is too cheap.

32, 35.

- That's better.

- You're in profit.

But it needs to be more than this.

40.

No bids at 40.

40, 42, 45, 48.

Matron, matron, we're taking off.

We're taking.

60, 65.

65 anywhere else?

Love it.

This auctioneer.

One happy chappy.

65 anywhere else?

60!

(SINGING) Double your money.

Yay!

Well done you.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Yes, splendid start, Sergeant Major.

I thank you on behalf of the honorable artillery company.

NARRATOR: Now, Steph's biggest buy.

Starting off with this one then at just 30 pounds.

30 pounds anyone?

- Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

30 pounds anywhere?

30, 32 online, 35, 38 I'm after.

Any bids at 38?

40 now.

42, 45.

45 in the room.

Looking for 48.

48 pounds.

Any bids at 48?

50, 50 pounds.

50 in the room.

You're getting there, Steph.

55 and 60.

60 pounds online now.

65.

Yes?

You see, I told you they'd go online.

AUCTIONEER: 70.

70 pounds.

Any winning bids at 70 pounds?

70 pounds, any winning bids at 70?

70 is what I'm after.

You're nearly there, Steph.

In the room at 65 pounds.

Last chance to bid now.

NARRATOR: That's a shame.

Just so short.

I tip my hat off to you for buying a proper antique.

NARRATOR: Charlie's spice tin, hot or not?

Start off with this one then at just 10 pounds.

10 pounds only.

Any bids at 10?

10 pounds, any winning bids at 10?

10 online.

12 in the room.

15 I'm after.

15 pounds online.

18?

Come on.

Spice.

Spice it up.

20 online.

22, 25 now.

Any bids at 25?

Nearly.

Spice up your life.

30.

Too late to spice up my life.

38.

40.

Anywhere, any bids at 40, 42?

It's a profit.

You have a profit.

Any bids at 45?

45, any more?

Oh, you're in good profit.

48 is where we're at.

50 is the next bid.

Any bids at 50?

No bids at 50.

We'll sell at 48 pounds.

That's amazing results.

I'm happy with that.

NARRATOR: And so you should be, Charlie.

I think that was tremendous.

You were worried about that lot.

I was.

that was my worried lot.

Yours, worried about naught.

NARRATOR: Steph's plane, will it take off?

Starting off with this one then at-- That's going to sell.

Just just 8 pounds.

Come on, it's cheap.

Big doe-y brown eyes there, begging.

Not mine, there.

Thank you.

There we go.

Look, there you go.

Thank you, whoever that was.

AUCTIONEER: 10, 12.

It's flying.

15, 18.

18 is what I'm looking for.

Any bids there?

No bids at 18.

I'm selling at 15.

15 pounds.

NARRATOR: Just what the doctor ordered.

That's good.

It's a profit.

Never turn your nose up at a profit.

I won't.

NARRATOR: Your Ethiopian headrest is next, Charlie.

Let's start off with this one then at 22 pounds.

Oh, she's 22 bid.

Oh, come on.

AUCTIONEER: 25 pounds.

Any bids at 25?

I'm losing money.

I'll sell at 22.

Oh, someone's not happy with me.

No, no.

I'm thrilled to bits with you, my dear.

NARRATOR: His first disappointment.

Oh, that was a shame.

NARRATOR: Come on, pickers of Kent.

These are good for apples, hops, or cop nuts.

15, any winning bids at 15, 15?

What do you think?

Everybody needs a step.

Come on.

Thank you.

18 now.

18 now.

Any winning bids at 18.

18, 20.

Looking for 22.

25, 28 I'm after now.

Any bids at 28?

Oh, come on, a little bit more.

28, 30, 32 now.

They're great for books.

32, 35.

35 in the room.

38 I'm after, 38.

Any bids at 38?

Currently in the room, 38.

40 now.

40, any bids at 40?

38 online then.

Looking for 40 elsewhere.

Oh yay!

That's profits, profits, profits.

NARRATOR: Yes, tiny steps.

That's how it starts, life.

I'm happy.

NARRATOR: Bertie's turn.

Just look at that piercing stare.

Starting off with this one then at 15, 20, 20 pounds here.

22, 25, 28, 30, 32, 35, 38, 40, 42.

He's on the run.

45.

45 pounds.

Any winning bids at 45?

45 pounds, any winning bids at 45 pounds?

45 pounds, any winning bids at 45?

45.

You've got-- You'll make a heck of a profit.

42 in the room.

45, 48.

48 in the room, looking for 50.

This is nearly a 50 pound teddy bear.

Any winning bids at 50?

Has he got a name?

Charlie.

AUCTIONEER: Charlie.

NARRATOR: Bertie as was.

50 pounds elsewhere?

Any bids at 50?

Well done.

That's amazing.

NARRATOR: I know.

I am, rather, aren't I?

What's my name though?

He's a bargain.

Bargain bear.

NARRATOR: Steph's last lot, a slightly tatty old bamboo.

Starting off with this one then at just 8 pounds.

8 pounds.

Oh, 8 pounds?

That's far too cheap.

It needs a little bit of care.

A little bit of TLC, this one.

Don't we all, dear.

Thank you.

There we go.

Someone's coming to your rescue.

8 pounds.

10 anywhere else?

Thank you, kind people.

10, 12, 15.

It's flying.

Oh, it's flying away.

20.

No, 20 anywhere else?

Any bids at 20?

It's the damage, Steph.

It's the damage.

Well done then at 18 pounds.

NARRATOR: Just needs a bit of TLC, like us all.

Now finally, we have Charlie's much fancied menu Parisian.

Let's starts off this at 50 pounds.

50 pounds, if you may.

Any bids at 50?

50 is what we're looking for.

Any bids at 50 pounds?

50, 50 pounds anybody?

Any bids of 50?

She talks fast, doesn't she?

45, 45, 45.

Any winning bids at 45 in the room?

Looking for 50, 55, 60, 65, 70.

70 anywhere else?

Any bids at 70 pounds?

70 pounds, any winning bids at 70?

70 is what I'm looking for.

That's not bad.

No, it's good.

Any bids at 70, 70.

No bids at 70?

I will sell at 65.

Last chance to bid now.

Even if you take commission off that-- It's a good profit.

Well done, you.

I've done all right.

NARRATOR: He's got the winner's glow about him, hasn't he.

- Well, that's it, Steph.

- That's it.

How was your experience?

It was great.

All the better for sharing it with you.

NARRATOR: Math time.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Steph started out with 200 pounds, and after auction costs, made a bit of a loss.

So she now has 157 pounds and 68 p. While Charlie, who began with the same sum, came away with a tidy profit, also after costs.

So he's sitting pretty on 268 pounds and 26 pence.

Time for a quick tour of the harbor, you two?

Is this antiques boat trip now then?

I think that's a new format.

Yes, I think so too.

NARRATOR: Steph definitely arrived, I think.

[MUSIC PLAYING]