[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

Yes, a good weight.

And it smells.

[HORN HONKS] NARRATOR: Oh!

Steady.

Behind the wheel of a classic car-- Good morning, my lady.

Good morning Poser NARRATOR: --and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Whoopsie!

Come on.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

They'll be worthy winners-- [HAPPILY EXCLAIMS] --and valiant losers.

[WHIMPERS] Will be the high road to glory-- It's about winning.

NARRATOR: --or the low road to disaster?

Oh!

Pothole.

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, yeah.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Welcome to Wales, or as they say around here-- [SPEAKING WELSH] Oh, yeah.

That's [INAUDIBLE] Yeah.

Welcome to Wales.

You all right?

Yeah, I'm very good.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Our experts, Roo Irvine-- who's been swatting up-- and Angus Ashworth who clearly hasn't bothered-- are set off on a jolly, rather glorious countryside of South Wales.

ROO IRVINE: The beautiful scenery, the lovely food, the friendly people-- ANGUS ASHWORTH: And, of course, they have dragons here-- the only place in the world with dragons.

NARRATOR: You can't move for them 'round here, actually.

Bit of a rocky start last time out for Angus.

He spent big but didn't quite pay off at the auction.

[BANGS GAVEL] Yeah, how was that for you?

It was painful.

NARRATOR: Roo, on the other hand, went a bundle on brooches.

I think that's a bit of a no-brainer.

NARRATOR: Her fortunes fared a lot better.

And she currently has quite a commanding lead.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: I thought it'd be nice to let you win, like, one, you know?

Thank you.

That's very gentlemanly of you.

But I didn't expect it quite to go as badly as that.

NARRATOR: Give yourself a good talking to the man.

Our militaria fan managed to whittle his 200 pounds starting budget down to a worrying 107 pounds and 50 pence-- [BANGS GAVEL] --while Roo, who started with the same amount, managed to grow her coffers to a tidy 226 pounds and 8p.

I think you're in a stronger position.

Because on average, you'll be spending about 20 pounds an item.

You can't lose much.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: I mean, you're only 150 pounds ahead.

It's nothing, is it?

NARRATOR: On the bright side, Angus, you're traveling in style in this Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, which befits someone of your stature.

Sources tell me that you're used to being driven around, Mayor Ashworth.

Oh.

I can't believe I'm sitting next to a mayor.

Where's your gold necklace?

It's a chain of office, not a necklace.

Oh.

NARRATOR: Yup, he's been cutting ribbons in Kirkbymoorside since 2015.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: We don't have a Rolls-Royce.

And I don't have a chauffeur, you know.

I drive myself in my van.

[CHUCKLES] Yeah.

NARRATOR: Man of the people, eh?

They started this trip in Northern Ireland, popped across Wales, and they'll journey down to England's south coast before heading back to a final auction in Clevedon.

This time out, they're heading for an auction in Carmarthen.

But we've got a bit of Wales to do before then, starting in Beulah, where His Worship is being dropped off at the door.

So how's that for service?

Oh!

I've spotted something already.

Have you?

NARRATOR: He's very keen this morning.

Better go and introduce yourself before you get stuck in.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Hello.

How you doing?

You all right?

Angus.

- Yeah-- Sean.

Sean, excellent.

This is my dad, Alan.

Hi, how are you doing?

You all right?

Yes, very good.

I brought him in special today.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Special?

Really.

Well, is he a hard negotiator?

Well, that's it.

NARRATOR: Blimey, you might have your work cut out in Kings Furnishings.

Lots of their stock in trade is in here, most of which is way over your tiny budget.

But let's have a gander at what you saw on the way in.

I like this-- Hudson's Soap, which are an old soap manufacturers.

It's like an advertising piece.

But it's a dog bowl.

And it says on here, "Drink, puppy, drink."

Lovely thing.

I don't even know if it's for sale-- looks like decoration.

It's got these plants in it.

I don't know.

They might come with it.

Let's lift those out and look at that.

Lovely flaking rust in there, traces of the old writing on there-- it looks like it's been touched up in paint at some point.

Heavy cast metal-- lovely advertising piece.

The only trouble, and the only worry for me, is, these have been reproduced quite a lot.

And they're very good at doing these cast metal reproductions.

So is it right?

NARRATOR: Looks like it's been around a bit.

It might be worth a punt.

I think that's a great auction piece, depending on the money.

It hasn't got a price on it.

So I think that's worth having a little chat about.

NARRATOR: Time to call in the chief negotiator, then.

Alan?

Oi.

Well, mate, whatcha found?

I've spoiled something, yeah.

I'm not sure if it's necessarily for sale.

Is it available?

It is available, Angus.

Yeah, definitely.

I won't charge you for the flowers if you give a few quid.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: I mean, that was my next question.

Do the pansies come with it?

Yes, I'm happy to do that.

So what would be the right price on this rusty old bowl?

I think 25 pounds is a good price for that.

25 pounds?

I'll definitely have that.

Lovely, thank you very much.

Let me get you some cash.

NARRATOR: First item in the bag, and nearly a quarter of his money gone already.

Now where's our more well-heeled shopper got herself to?

She's motored due west to the town of Cardigan, location of the very first national Eisteddfod, the Welsh festival of music and poetry, back in 1176.

Our Roo's first shop is the Cardigan Antique Centre.

Yeah, just leave the car there.

It'll be fine-- 3 floors of goodies on offer to sift through.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Everywhere I look, treasures.

NARRATOR: Let's get stuck in, then.

ROO IRVINE: This is catching my eye.

But my first instinct is, is it modern?

Is it an upcycling project-- which is just a no-go.

Give it a lift.

Well, I can't.

And to me, that looks like solid oak.

What's it say here?

"Arts and crafts adjustable oak lantern by George Everett, Croydon, 1925.

NARRATOR: Not Chippendale?

Seems to work, though.

ROO IRVINE: What I like about it, it's got that sort of Black Forest, almost sort of a Germanic feel to it, which is really quite popular.

You'll see the carvings of the bears and the animals.

And they fly like hotcakes.

It's beautiful.

It's authentic.

It's of the period.

And it's handmade.

NARRATOR: But it's got a ticket price of 145 pounds.

I've got the money.

I have to say, I'm in quite a nice position.

But do I want to lose all that profit and my lead by blowing that much on one item?

If I could get that for double figures, that could be interesting.

And I can guarantee you won't of seen another one on the road trip.

NARRATOR: It's certainly different.

Now, what else can you unearth?

ROO IRVINE: This is quite delicate.

And I have bought a few of these on the road trip.

Pipes are so collectible.

This is a military pipe, which I like.

I haven't bought one of those before.

It says here, "Enniskilling Fusiliers clay pipe."

They're actually an Irish regiment.

Look at the inside of that.

That is over 100 years of being smoked.

So I would say this is definitely late Victorian.

And it's got the little castle, obviously-- the crest, the crown, and the [INAUDIBLE] here.

But what a lovely piece of military history.

And at 15 pounds, that might be a nice buy.

NARRATOR: She's racking up a few potentials here.

Back in Beulah, with that hefty lump of cast iron squared away, Angus has been granted special access to the store's inner sanctum.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Well, this looks interesting.

Got a big box full of bits here.

ALAN: Very nice.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: What have we got?

ALAN: This is all that's come in, ready to be price out, Angus.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: OK. ALAN: We haven't been into it yet.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: It's a massive box of copperware-- a good flagon there.

ALAN: Got stamps on there, a little endorsement on top.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] ANGUS ASHWORTH: Just needs a real good polish-- 2 gallons.

ALAN: Yeah.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Excellent.

OK, what else have we got in here?

ALAN: This here, this is a ship's onion lamp, which a captain would have in his cabin.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

ALAN: And that's a very old one, an original.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: These are a couple of propellers.

They're nice.

ALAN: Yeah, they're nice.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: OK, wonderful.

So there's a few possibilities in there.

NARRATOR: He's like a kid in a sweet shop, isn't he?

Was there anything on the shelves?

Let's have a little look.

They're nice.

[INAUDIBLE] Yeah, I mean, the more sort of studio way rather than the early sort of bubble glass-- but nice pontil marks on there.

NARRATOR: They would usually be more Roo's kind of thing.

Gives you a bit of age to it, doesn't it?

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

So they're nice.

What sort of money are we looking at?

Hit me with some prices.

ALAN: This here, this has got to be 60 pounds.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: 60 pounds?

Right.

ALAN: It's an original one.

[INAUDIBLE] Lovely-- way out of my budget.

So let's park that.

This one here, I think we can do that for 28 quid.

That's a random price, 28.

OK, 28.

So let's think about that.

And the 2 propellers?

[INTERPOSING VOICES] ALAN: 12 quid?

ANGUS ASHWORTH: 12 pound, the pair?

OK. And what about the 2 glasses?

ALAN: You can have them for 5 pound, the pair.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: 5 pounds for the glasses and 12 pounds for those-- 17 pounds.

Do you know what?

I'm going to take the glasses and those.

OK, that's fantastic.

17 pounds?

17 pound, Angus.

Yeah.

Brilliant.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Nicely done.

He's scooped up 3 lots for the thrifty sum of 42 pounds.

Fiscally shrewd, I'd say-- or skint.

Now along the road in Cardigan, Roo's still on the prowl.

There's a clay pipe and that big lamp under consideration.

But now, she's found shinier things to get her mitts on.

ROO IRVINE: That is actually-- it looks like a fish knife.

But it's a butter curler.

I like bread with my butter.

Let's just say that's how much of it I eat.

And this would just curl the butter into beautiful little scrolls for the table.

This is very much for a lady who entertains.

And it is silver.

The blade is hallmarked-- brilliant.

And that is a solid silver butter curler.

Victorian-- now it actually says here "Sheffield 1865 by Richard Martin and Ebenezer Hall."

That's back in the good old days when gentlemen were called Ebenezer.

34 pounds-- that's not a bad price.

NARRATOR: Let's take your wish list to the man in charge, then.

Hello, Rupert?

Well, I've spotted this clay pipe-- Yes.

ROO IRVINE: --which I like at 15.

So I will definitely take that.

RUPERT: OK. ROO IRVINE: The butter curler-- what could you do on that?

RUPERT: [INAUDIBLE] ROO IRVINE: 15 for the pipe.

20 for that.

NARRATOR: So far, so good.

Now let's talk lamps.

RUPERT: There's an interesting story about that lantern.

Because my father's family had a builders and joiners business in Croydon in Surrey.

They built houses.

They furnished them.

So everything from the buildings to the decorative items within the building?

Yes.

That is one of 10 similar lanterns that were made to be given out around the family.

And this one, in Roman numerals, has an X on it-- number 10.

This is your grandfather?

Great-grandfather.

Yes.

Right, OK, wow.

So number 10-- the last one.

I'd like to think it's been perfected.

Any issues they had in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 were ironed out.

And voila, that is [INAUDIBLE] RUPERT: The ultimate.

NARRATOR: Well, now.

We know it's a family heirloom.

Asking for a discount is a bit tricky.

What could you do on that?

RUPERT: I think I'd go to 100, absolute death.

I wouldn't go below that.

But I'd do it to you for 100.

Right, so 35 for those two.

RUPERT: Yes.

ROO IRVINE: 135 all in.

Do 130 and I'll shake your hand now?

Oh, you've got me over a barrel.

Yes, let's do it.

Oh, you're such a good man, Rupert.

NARRATOR: Isn't he just?

3 items for her, too-- and a good morning's work, I think.

Best shift that motor now, though.

I think the traffic's backing up.

Taking a break from all that hustle and bustle, Angus has made his way down to the banks of the River Teifi, at Cilgerran.

He's here to find out about a particularly Welsh boat that's centuries old from a man who still makes them.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Hello.

MARK DELLAR: Hi there.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: You're speeding around on that, aren't you?

MARK DELLAR: We are, yes.

A tiny coracle, it is.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Brilliant.

Do you need a hand?

You all right?

I should be OK. ANGUS ASHWORTH: Seasoned professional.

NARRATOR: Mark Dellar has been building coracles on this stretch of the river for over 10 years.

But the design of these vessels is ancient.

They date back at least to Roman times.

Julius Caesar noted them when he invaded Britain in 54 BC.

MARK DELLAR: The coracle has traditionally been used for fishing.

But in flood times, postmen have used it.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Wow.

Yeah-- crossing the river to get the post through.

They've also used it for helping dip the sheep upriver.

They used to do that on a flat rock up there.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: So a very versatile craft, really.

MARK DELLAR: Yes.

It's a one-man craft, all handmade with local woods.

So the lath, which is the base of it, is made through willow.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: OK, yeah.

MARK DELLAR: And the top is hazel.

And it's all sourced locally within local woodlands.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

MARK DELLAR: And that's traditionally how they are made.

And then just a cover that literally forms over the frame?

MARK DELLAR: Yep.

Traditionally, it would have been hide to start with, with lanolins-- beeswax as well, to keep them watertight.

NARRATOR: The design of the boat differs depending on which river it's being made for.

And whilst the coracle is traditional to Wales and the West Country, similar types of craft are made and used all over the globe.

You go to places like Vietnam.

Yeah.

They're bowl shaped.

But they'd be probably five to 10 times bigger than that as well.

So it's more people-carrying across rivers and ferrying people across.

Parts of the world like Middle East, those sort of places, they are still used traditionally.

So in Vietnam, you'd probably have a bamboo frame with a water buffalo hide.

MARK DELLAR: Yeah, it's what materials are available to you at that time.

NARRATOR: The traditional Welsh coracle, the type that Mark builds, weighs only about 30 pounds-- meaning that it's extremely portable.

Each boat takes about 100 hours to make.

And it's a very skilled and labor-intensive job.

Welcome to the workshop.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: So here it is.

This the business end.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: I love that smell.

Of fresh wood?

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

MARK DELLAR: Yeah.

So that is halfway, 3/4 of the way completed.

And a traditional design for this particular river?

Yeah, you can probably see the shape better now without the cover on it, with the curves, the high back, then a nice open fronts so you can do the work with a net.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Quite a bit of work, actually, taking this willow down and then bending it and shaping it.

It is, yeah.

And that brings us on to the draw horse there.

So this is the willow.

We're starting to split and shave it down using the horse.

I'll jump on there quickly.

And you're shaving that down flat.

And then you turn it over again.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

So you work it from both sides?

Both sides, to get the thickness of the lath.

NARRATOR: Once the frame is constructed, it gets covered-- nowadays, with a lightweight nylon.

It's then coated with bitumen to make it watertight.

Time to put that to the test, eh, Angus?

Steady, boy.

So I'm just going to push you out slightly.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yep.

OK. And then you can give it a go.

OK. [MUSIC PLAYING] And are you meant to just spin 'round?

MARK DELLAR: No, you're not meant to spin 'round.

So it's about propulsion forwards.

NARRATOR: Come on, you're a military man.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: And you make it look so easy.

MARK DELLAR: A lot of practice.

If you're leaning forward and then sitting up on the pull as you're pulling back, that gives you momentum forward.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Propulsion forward, yeah.

NARRATOR: Do you know, I think he's getting the hang of this.

Nowadays, coracles are mostly for recreation.

But they are still sometimes used for their original purpose-- fishing.

MARK DELLAR: So you've got the pair.

You'd have the paddle-- yeah, exactly how we're sitting at the moment.

So we'd start here.

Half end of the net each?

Yeah, end of the net each.

And we'd open it.

So we'd paddle away from each other like that.

Yeah.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Yep.

Yeah, like that.

OK. And then as we've, drifting down the river, we'd lower it to the bottom of the river.

And then when you'd catch a fish, you would throw your line.

And I would close the net.

But it's not guaranteed.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: No, I bet they're quite elusive.

MARK DELLAR: And that's why they call it fishing and not catching.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

NARRATOR: Now while Angus has been messing about in boats, Roo's firmly on dry land and out for a spin.

Oh.

[PASSING TRUCK HORN] As I was about to say, these narrow roads do make me nervous.

NARRATOR: She's currently negotiating her way to the little town of Newport on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Her last shop of the day is in the Carningli Centre.

I wonder what they specialize in-- [INAUDIBLE] perhaps.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I keep saying, "I want to buy an enamel sign.

I want to buy an enamel sign."

Then I look at the price tag and I think, "I can't buy an enamel sign."

But you know, this one is actually taking my fancy.

Because it's not food.

It's not drink.

It's not tobacco.

Enamel signs are probably the only time you actually look for rust when you're buying something.

Because often, it's a sign that it's not reproduction.

It's not modern.

It is a genuine article.

When it spreads across the face, then that's not good.

That really is a condition issue.

And it's got it all the way down.

Now it goes to show the value of enamel signs of that size if it's priced up at 250 pound.

NARRATOR: A bit beyond the 96 pounds you currently have, though.

But keep looking.

They're not short of stock in here.

And there's sure to be something more affordable.

ROO IRVINE: Do you know, the auction we're going to happens to be in a certain place.

I can't remember the name of it.

What's it called?

NARRATOR: (SARCASTICALLY) Oh, very clever.

ROO IRVINE: Now that is very, very cool.

It's not an enamel sign.

It's metal.

But it's a beautiful piece of railwayana.

NARRATOR: Quite modern, though.

I don't think that's even retro yet.

Priced up at 75 pound, which I'm quite surprised at.

It's not the trendiest sign.

But enamel metal signs, you're looking to pay 200, 300 pounds for one this big.

But good-looking condition.

And I have to say it's not bad.

It's been in a railway station.

So it could probably do with a bit of a wipedown.

But aside from that, there's no chips, no huge amount of rust, and for people like me who can't speak Welsh, it's got it spelt out.

So Carmarthen-- and in Welsh, it's [CLEARS THROAT] Caerfyrddin.

NARRATOR: Just like a native, Roo.

ROO IRVINE: So at 75 pound, I think it's worth a punt if I can get just a wee bit shaved off it.

So I'm going to take this over.

Oh, no, actually I'm not.

Well, not yet, anyway.

But my peepers have suddenly come to life.

I've just spotted a brass toilet.

Obviously, it's nice to see that this antique shop has its own facilities.

NARRATOR: I think you might say that it's a bit wee.

Brass ashtray, 5 pound.

I have seen items like this fly online.

People will buy miniature brass pianos, adders, dogs-- because they're different.

They're not your brass candlesticks which you can see everywhere.

And the nice thing about the brass items is, they're handmade.

You can actually see where the person soldered the bowl to the side, cut that through.

It's not perfect.

It's asymmetrical.

But it's a beautiful thing.

I think Angus will love this.

I'm going to but this brass toilet for him.

Because his profits went down the U-bend.

But I'm sure it'll come back up.

NARRATOR: Delightful.

Should we do the business, then?

Oh!

One is easier to carry than the other.

NARRATOR: Put your back into it, girl.

Let's see what shopkeeper Jane can do for you.

ROO IRVINE: I've picked something very big and something very small.

These two items I've picked out-- it's 5 pound for the little brass porta-loo.

JANE: Yep.

And 75 on this.

JANE: Yeah.

ROO IRVINE: But it's still a wee bit rich for me.

I would be absolutely thrilled and over the moon to pick up the two for 50.

JANE: 65?

ROO IRVINE: 65?

Definitely not 60?

No.

That's fair.

Thank you so much.

Thank you very much.

That's a good strong handshake.

NARRATOR: So a fiver for the loo and 60 pounds for her station sign.

We'd best make tracks, then.

[IMITATES CRYING] Time to pick up her fellow traveler.

It's been a busy day.

I suppose tomorrow, you want me to chauffeur you as well.

That would be nice.

I am wearing heels, after all.

Yeah.

Well, then what about my heels?

You're cherry red.

Oh.

You're a fiery one.

NARRATOR: What happens on the road trip stays on the road trip.

Night, night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Good morning, my lady.

Good morning, Parker.

How's it going this morning?

I'm very well.

Thank you, ma'am.

I've put your tea there for you, ma'am.

Thank you.

Chamomile-- my favorite.

NARRATOR: Seems one of our trippers might have let the whole posh driving experience go to her head.

Parker, I'm reading the morning paper.

And there's something quite interesting.

I'm on the agony aunt advice section.

"I recently joined a new company.

I'm really willing to learn and go far.

But a colleague who has only been there one year more than me seems to be putting me down.

She makes me make her tea, bake for her, and is also beating me at the sales targets.

What do I do?

How do I get her fired?"

Well, that's just disgraceful.

I would say, take it like a man.

NARRATOR: I think we've created a monster.

Yesterday, Ms. Moneybags went on a bit of a spree, picking up a railway sign, a clay pipe, a butter knife, a large oak lantern, and a miniature brass toilet, as you do.

It's nice to see that this antique shop has its own facilities.

NARRATOR: Her riches have now dwindled to about 31 pounds.

Angus was more judicious with his shopping, bagging a couple of glasses, a cast iron dog bowl, and a brace of propellers.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Brilliant, thank you very much.

NARRATOR: So he's much better off with, just over 65 pounds to play with.

But he knows his place.

I've made you a fresh Yorkshire brack cake, my lady.

ROO IRVINE: Thank you.

Oh, that looks delicious!

Where would I be without you?

Well, getting the bus.

NARRATOR: Hmm, lordy.

Later, we'll be off to an auction in Carmarthen.

But first, Angus has dropped Her Ladyship off and continued on to Newcastle Emlyn, named after its 13th century castle.

, Not looking so new now but it's got a good patina on it.

His next stop is the Emlyn Antiques Centre.

Oh, looks a bit familiar.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Hello.

How are you doing?

Hi, Angus.

Lovely to meet you.

Hello.

Hello.

Lovely to meet you.

I'm Cathy.

This is Elisa.

NARRATOR: And I'm Tim.

Give us a shout if you need anything.

Thank you.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: They've got lots of really good bits and pieces in here.

And it's all very nicely laid out.

But with only 65 pounds and change left in his pocket, our man is going to have to shop a little canny.

Oh, I like that.

What a quality centerpiece.

Cranberry glass bowl, silver plated base, probably sort of Edwardian in date-- nice decorative piece.

I bought some small bits.

I'd like something chunky.

65 pounds.

(QUIETLY) That's all of my money.

I'm going to see if we can negotiate on that.

But it's going to need to be a big negotiation.

But you know, fortune favors the brave.

Let's go.

NARRATOR: Well, Cathy did say she'd look after you.

I found this.

Ah, yes-- bride's bowl.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

It's nice-- very decorative.

I don't know if I mentioned I haven't got a lot of money.

How cheap could it be?

CATHY: 65.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Have you had you hair done?

NARRATOR: You charmer.

We haven't had this long.

Yeah, you haven't had it long yet.

And it was in the window.

So it's the pride of the shop.

CATHY: If you want to just give me another compliment, I'll see what I can do.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Well, I can give you a cwtsh.

Oh, we love a cwtsh here.

NARRATOR: For non-Welsh speakers, that's a cuddle.

How does 50 sound?

50.

It sounds very reasonable.

And any other day, I'd probably snap your hand off.

Right.

But unfortunately, I'm gonna have to leave it due to budgetary constraints.

Does this mean I don't get my cwtsh.

You can still have a cwtsh.

Come on.

There's something else I've seen.

Let's go and have a look.

- OK.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Well, it's a novel negotiating tactic.

What else?

Just in this cabinet here, I've spotted this.

CATHY: Ah, yes-- lovely.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Silver hallmarked, oh.

Did a bit of coracle paddling yesterday.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Slightly wrong shape.

It's Birmingham silver, hallmarked.

Date letter-- that's going to be roughly 1920s.

Lovely date on it-- slightly bent out of shape.

But we won't worry about that.

You know what?

12 pounds for a silver oar-- can't argue about that.

It's a bargain.

I shall have that.

CATHY: Thank you very much.

I shall wrap that for you.

Thank you.

Well, let me give you some money.

CATHY: Super.

NARRATOR: He's really making his cash go a long way, isn't he?

And so, one cwtsh later, it's time to hit the road.

Now, it's no secret that Wales has a lot of sheep.

They outnumber the human population 3 to 1.

And, of course, the country's renowned for its wool production.

Roo's made her way to Dre-Fach Felindre to find out how this small village became the center of the Welsh wool industry.

Mark Lucas is the curator of the National Wool Museum here.

Hello there, Mark.

Lovely to meet you.

- And you.

Thank you for having us.

NARRATOR: They've been farming sheep for wool here since prehistoric times.

But in the 11th century, the invading Normans turned woolmaking into a profitable industry.

MARK LUCAS: They brought in Flemish weavers, in Pembrokeshire in particular.

And they brought more of a organization to the industry in Wales.

Mm-hmm.

MARK LUCAS: You also had the establishment of monasteries in Wales.

And one of the biggest orders was the Cistercian monks.

So in the medieval period, they were clearing their lands of villagers.

But sheep was more profitable than people.

Production over the following centuries became more organized.

NARRATOR: But the process of turning a fleece into cloth was still very much a cottage industry.

You'd have the cottage weavers.

The whole family would be involved.

The children would be spinning.

The wife would be spinning.

And then the husband would be weaving.

It's the only industry that encompasses the whole of Wales.

Right.

Every parish would have been involved in woolen production at some point.

NARRATOR: And such was the importance of the material to Wales that it features heavily in the national costume.

[SPEAKING WELSH] [SPEAKING WELSH] Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

So this is the traditional Welsh costume?

Yes.

So how did it originate?

It's a rural dress regularly across northern Europe, but then certain elements that make it Welsh.

And it's the top hat in particular and the shawl.

Right.

It's quite a lot of layers to wear.

MARK LUCAS: It is, yes.

It'd be very warm.

It died out around the end of the 18th century.

ROO IRVINE: Right.

And then had a revival, too, in the 19th century, when people were looking at their Welsh identity.

And Welsh nationalism was coming to the forefront.

NARRATOR: But at the same time as the country was harking back to its roots, the textile industry in Wales was becoming modernized.

The Industrial Revolution brought speed and efficiency to cloth production, but at the cost of a traditional way of life.

You went from a cottage industry, which was just churning out material for its local market, into big, massive mills, which were exporting all over the world and employing hundreds of people.

The industry then moved them to where we are today, which is in Dre-Fach Felindre.

And this village became the center of the Welsh wool industry.

We had 22 mills in this village.

It moved here for the fast-flowing water to power the machinery first.

And then when the mills started opening in this area, the railway lines arrived.

And they were able to cheaply transport their cloth to the industrial heartland of Wales in the South Wales valleys.

So steel workers were wearing flannel shirts.

And so the coal miners liked it.

Because it kept them cool, took away the sweat.

And then when it was cold, they also kept them warm.

NARRATOR: In its heyday, Dre-Fach Felindre manufactured so much fabric that it was nicknamed the "Huddersfield of Wales."

Sadly, the 20th century saw a dramatic decline in wool production.

But the industry still hangs on.

And the museum here continues to play its part in the story of Welsh wool.

ROO IRVINE: What about the here and now, today?

How is the wool industry looking in Wales?

It's shrunk considerably down to-- we only have 12 mills in production today.

Right.

But all those mills have never been busier.

Because people are looking more where their material is coming from.

ROO IRVINE: Are these machines still being used now?

MARK LUCAS: Yes, we run them.

We are a working museum.

So we have craftspeople here.

ROO IRVINE: Right, OK. MARK LUCAS: And we're trying to keep the skills alive.

NARRATOR: And sheep will be a feature of the Welsh landscape for many years to come.

Angus, meanwhile, is back on the road and feeling rather pleased with himself.

At the beginning of this, I only had 107 pounds, 50.

Actually, now, what have I got?

About 50 pounds.

The rest of my stuff's fairly low value.

But I can get something fairly chunky on this last shop.

NARRATOR: He's made his way to the little town of Rhydowen and Alltyrodyn Antiques to see if he can lighten that wallet a little more.

Hello.

- Hi.

- How are you doing?

You all right?

Yeah, pretty good.

Yeah, lovely to meet you.

Do you know, it is so refreshing to see what I call it a proper antiques shop with period furniture in it, lovely things hanging off the ceilings-- I'm going to enjoy this, I think.

Excellent.

NARRATOR: Yes, Chris's shop definitely has that traditional vibe going on-- wooden beams, stone walls, and a serious amount of copper.

Go on, son.

Fill your boots.

What is this down here?

Oh, my word.

That's heavy.

NARRATOR: Lift with your knees, Angus.

Well, some sort of press.

That's quirky and different.

Oh, it's a sign!

It's from Yorkshire.

I've got to buy this now.

"The 'Service' Patent; John Watts, Maker-- Sheffield."

It's almost like a vintage trouser press.

I'll wind that down.

You can see these metal straps forcing the pressure down on the press and pressing what's inside it.

Ticket on it there-- trouser press, 25 pounds.

That's my kind of money.

You know what?

That's different.

It's quirky.

And it's from Yorkshire.

I'm going to buy that.

NARRATOR: He didn't take much persuading, did he?

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Chris?

Yes.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Hi.

- Hi.

- You all right?

Yeah.

I found something.

It's a giant press.

CHRIS: Yeah-- big heavy thing.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: A bit, yeah.

It's got 25 pounds on it.

What could we do on that?

Is a little bit of, you know-- my daughter's got a Welsh name.

I don't know if that helps.

Well, there's always a little bit of wiggle room, isn't there?

- Oh, wonderful.

Excellent.

20 pounds?

20 pounds.

You know what?

I'll take it.

NARRATOR: And with 33 pounds 50 left for a rainy day, that'll be your shopping done-- and not a moment too soon, because look out.

Here comes the competition.

Oh, hello, you.

Hello, you.

You all right?

- I'm all right.

- Took your time getting here.

What have you been up to?

I've actually made you something.

You've made-- you haven't made me something.

NARRATOR: Yeah, 'cause homemade stuff always comes in a bag, doesn't it?

No need to go into the details.

Just try.

OK, let me break a little bit of that off.

ROO IRVINE: Welsh cakes.

Welsh cakes.

They're like a cross between a scone and a shortbread.

- Mhm.

- Nice.

So I'm going to go get a cup of tea and sit down and enjoy it.

- Are you?

- Yeah.

I'm all done.

I'll get to work, then, won't I?

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah, off you go.

Enjoy.

Bon apetit.

NARRATOR: Round 2 of tag team shopping, and Roo's up next.

She's got five items already and only just over 30 pounds left.

But there might be something in here to her liking.

Two things that catch my eye that could go with my little brass toilet are these, a pair of half gill measures.

Measures are very collectible.

Pewter, brass, copper, silver, silver plate-- for some reason, collectors go crazy for them.

These two are 12 pound 50 for the pair, which is not bad.

If you look here closely, it's got the name Birmingham.

And that's where you've got half gill.

So I think these two measures, and my brass toilet will make a handsome lot.

NARRATOR: Well, they're certainly brassy.

Time to get your money out, girl.

Hi, Chris.

CHRIS: Hi.

I found a couple of things-- these pair of half gill measures.

Now you've got 12 pound 50 on them.

Yep.

You've got to know I'll pay 12 pound 50 for them.

That's good.

ROO IRVINE: There you go.

CHRIS: Lovely.

ROO IRVINE: 12 pound 50.

Thank you very much indeed.

And I don't even need a bag.

Thank you, Chris.

- Thank you.

You've been a star.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: And with that final purchase, let's call it a day.

Now, whose turn is it to make the tea tonight?

I'm going to stick your dinner-- Yeah?

--in a popty ping.

A popty ping?

A microwave.

That is not real Welsh.

Popty ping.

NARRATOR: Time for some shuteye, I think.

Auction day dawns and the lure of the sale room beckons.

Are you going fishing or something?

Hey, what's wrong with this jumper?

It looks like you're fishing.

But I'm going to be reeling in the profits today, I think-- feeling very confident.

Oh, really?

Yeah.

You think you got it hook, line, and sinker, then?

NARRATOR: Hey, no need to carp on about it.

We started this leg in Beulah.

And after a tour of southwest Wales, we've landed in Carmarthen, here to sell their catch at Peter Francis Auctioneers-- and on the net as well.

It's going to be brill.

Roo coughed up 207 pounds and 50 pence on five auction lots.

I can't believe Roo has got a bit of militaria before me.

Lovely little thing-- Victorian clay soldier's pipe there.

It's the sort of thing I would buy as well.

But I'm going to be sitting on my hands today.

NARRATOR: Angus, who was a tad on the backfoot, managed to get his 5 lots for a modest 74 pounds.

I thought I was being really clever buying the first militaria.

I thought, "Angus, I've beaten you."

What did he do?

He went and bought the first glass-- [INAUDIBLE] He bought these two for a fiver.

I am insanely jealous.

NARRATOR: Green with envy, eh?

So what does auctioneer Ian Taylor make of our experts' haul?

[BANGS GAVEL] The silver hallmarked rowing oar my favorite item.

That should be a really collectible thing-- silver collectors and, obviously, rowing enthusiasts as well.

The novelty brass toilet ashtray, the two little potbellied tankards-- not the easiest thing to sell, a toilet, I suppose.

But we do have buyers for strange and curious things.

But it might end up going down the pan.

NARRATOR: [IMITATES CRYING] Time to find out, then.

Find yourself a perch.

And we'll get on with it.

How are you feeling?

I'm feeling very confident about today.

You should be feeling confident.

I have to say I'm feeling a little bit nervous.

NARRATOR: Angus is up first.

Can his cast iron dog bowl turn his fortunes around?

I do have two commission bids.

Oh, 2 commission bids.

I can go straight in at 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 pound with me.

NARRATOR: The fight back starts here.

IAN TAYLOR: 130.

I'll take 40.

At 130.

Are we done and finished?

Final call.

Gavel's up, then.

On the commission at 130.

[BANGS GAVEL] That was all right, wasn't it?

That's an amazing start.

Thanks.

NARRATOR: Yes, those absentee bidders lapped that one up.

Well done, Angus.

I'm really happy for you, Angus.

I'm so happy.

- Are you?

- I am.

- Thank you.

That is phenomenal.

That's lovely.

From a rusty dog drinking bowl.

NARRATOR: Roo's big oak lamp is next-- excellent provenance on this.

I do have two commission bids.

Two bids, come on.

Put me straight in at 35, 40 pounds.

At 40 pounds.

Come on.

More than that.

At 45 with me.

On the commission 42, 45.

Do you want 8, net?

At 45.

48.

50.

50 with me.

55 and I'm out.

- Keep going.

Keep going.

- Oh, look.

Internet's on it.

[INAUDIBLE] IAN TAYLOR: Both in the UK.

Any interest in the room?

My commission's out.

- Come on, room.

IAN TAYLOR: We've got 60 pounds.

Are you done and finished?

Selling to the internet for 60.

[BANGS GAVEL] Ah.

I'm OK. NARRATOR: Casts a bit of a shadow on your lead, Roo.

When you hear two commission bids, you get your hopes up.

You do, yeah.

NARRATOR: Can Angus squeeze some profit out of his Yorkshire trouser press?

I would actually warm that baby up.

And I would make my paninis in it.

A panini press?

IAN TAYLOR: 20?

20 is bid.

And my commission is out.

With the lady at 20.

That's OK. At the back at 20 pounds.

22.

25.

28.

30.

32.

35.

Interest in the room?

At 35 pound, back with my original bidder, then.

Lady seated, no interest online.

In the room at 35.

[BANGS GAVEL] I didn't expect it to do a lot.

But that's a nice little profit.

NARRATOR: I think Roo's starting to feel the pressure.

I would actually have it in my house.

- Would you?

- Yeah, I would.

Well, thank you, Roo.

I would, yeah.

I would accidentally drop it on your toe as you walked by.

Roo!

Arusha.

[INAUDIBLE] Oh!

Arusha.

That's when you're being naughty.

Yeah.

Now who's in the market for a railway sign?

Carmarthen station, perhaps?

This could derail you.

I have interest.

Oh, interest.

10, 12, 15 pound.

Oh!

At 15.

At 15.

Is there 18?

[INTERPOSING VOICES] At 15 pound-- thought this would do more.

18 online 20 with me.

20 with me.

It's your last call.

I'm selling it on the commission for 20.

[BANGS GAVEL] NARRATOR: She certainly hit the buffers with that one.

I would've thought you were clever buying that.

But-- Obviously not.

NARRATOR: Angus's glass goblets next-- treading on Roo's toes a bit with these.

20 I have.

Only at 20.

20?

I'd pay that.

20 pound.

Maiden bid.

22.

My commission's out.

The two at 22, then.

Final call.

[BANGS GAVEL] - Oh.

Well done.

That's a great profit.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: That's not bad for just a fiver [INAUDIBLE] There's the load to play for, though.

Yeah, yes.

NARRATOR: Well, we'll see if your brass bits and bobs can make you feel a bit more flush.

Who writes this stuff?

Lots of people want miniature toilets, don't they?

[INAUDIBLE] I got two commission bids as well.

Oi!

Come on.

- [INAUDIBLE] - 10 pound I have.

Oh.

IAN TAYLOR: At 10 pound.

12 online.

And I'm out.

I tell you what, that toilet is collectible.

Sure.

Sell at the 15.

Final call.

Nobody else wants it at 12 pounds?

[BANGS GAVEL] Oh.

NARRATOR: I think the bidders were immune to its charms, Roo.

If it makes you feel any better-- Go on.

--this was me, last auction.

NARRATOR: I don't think it does, actually, Angus-- his propellers next.

Would speed up your coracle to no end.

A little bit of interest in these.

Oh, a little bit of interest.

At 10 only.

I'll take 12.

12.

Oh, internet.

18 online.

I'm out.

There you go.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] We're at 18 pound.

20, fresh blood.

With the lady, 25.

28 we're up to.

30, yes.

32.

No?

Shake of the head in the room.

Are you sure?

Final call-in with the net.

Gavel's up.

Selling for 32.

[BANGS GAVEL] Anything to do with propellers does well.

NARRATOR: Props to you, old boy.

Now, what's next?

IAN TAYLOR: Lot 190 is the sweet little Victorian sterling silver butter curler.

This is by Richard Martin and Ebenezer Hall.

Oh, Ebenezer.

Ebenezer Hall?

That's my relative.

No, seriously.

Really?

IAN TAYLOR: 35 pound, I have to go.

At 35.

I'm looking for 8.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] 35.

Come on.

Honestly.

[INAUDIBLE] Seriously?

Seriously.

[INAUDIBLE] Happy at 40?

[INAUDIBLE] A relative of Ebenezer Hall right here.

Yeah.

I can't believe that.

NARRATOR: Angus [INAUDIBLE] have just bagged Roo her first profit of the day.

Roo.

NARRATOR: Angus's last lot-- his silver oar.

The auctioneer was a fan.

I think this is the best item I got.

I do have two commission bids.

I can go in at 35.

At 40 pounds.

- What?

IAN TAYLOR: At 40 pound.

At 40 pound.

42, 45, 48, 50, 55, 60, 65 and I'm out.

At 65 pound.

Commission's out.

At 65, 70.

Got a fresh internet bidder.

[INAUDIBLE] At 70 pounds.

You're quiet in the room, then?

It's at 70 pounds-- nice item.

Done and finished?

Love the item.

Selling for 70.

[BANGS GAVEL] Well done.

NARRATOR: Cracking result.

I think he's rowing away with this auction.

That'll be a tough one to beat-- not in terms of profit, but in terms of a "too good to be true" find.

NARRATOR: Lastly, Roo's turn to muscle in on Angus's turf-- a military pipe.

Interest in me at 10, 12, 15 I have.

Come on.

Climb.

Come on.

It's got to go for more on the internet.

20.

22 with you, sir, at the front.

And I'm out.

A little bit more.

A little bit more.

Come on, internet.

IAN TAYLOR: Final call.

I'm selling it.

Done and finished at 22?

[BANGS GAVEL] Oh.

And it's a profit.

But I'd like to have seen it do more.

I know.

NARRATOR: But it's a nice end to an otherwise rough day for Roo.

And tomorrow is my turn to win.

Please?

NARRATOR: Let's tot up today's totals first, though.

Roo started out with a commanding lead.

But after auction costs, she's made a hefty 81 pound loss.

So she only has 144 pounds and 86 pence for next time.

But Angus, who was on his uppers, made a huge profit after costs of over 160 pounds.

That boosts his coffers up to 270 pounds and 48 pence and puts him well in the lead.

Well, that's great, wasn't it?

Man of the match.

Thank you very much.

Well done.

[INAUDIBLE] where should we go?

I've got some serious shopping to do.

You have.

[MUSIC PLAYING]