NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

Yes, a good weight.

And it smells.

NARRATOR: Oop, steady.

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

Good morning, Parker.

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.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Will it be the high road to glory?

It's about winning.

Or the low road to disaster?

Oh, pop off!

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] Beep beep.

It's a glorious day to wander through Wales in the company of antiques experts Roo Irvine and Angus Ashworth.

Does it seem like the sun always shines, innit?

Sun shines on the righteous, as they say.

Oh!

That'll be a hedge then.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Mind the Roll-o, Roo.

That Silver Shadow might be your run around for this trip, but they don't come cheap, you know.

The iconic mascot, you know what she's called, don't you?

ROO IRVINE: Mm-hmm.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah, what's that?

The iconic mascot.

[LAUGHTER] ANGUS ASHWORTH: Spirits of ecstasy.

Well, that's what I feel every time I'm in the car with you, Angus.

NARRATOR: She wasn't feeling very ecstatic at the last auction, was she, when her sizable lead took a bit of a nosedive.

Oh, no!

AUCTIONEER: At 15.

Come on!

NARRATOR: Angus, meanwhile, was playing with a very tight budget.

12 pounds for silver all.

Can't argue with that.

NARRATOR: But he squeezed out every last drop of profit and has let ahead of his rival.

I was very confident about my items, but, I mean, they exceeded all expectations.

I don't think either of us were expecting that result.

Yeah, but I'm a little bit worried.

You know, have I peaked too soon?

NARRATOR: It's a common problem.

Roo, who started out with 200 pounds, has seen her finances shrink down to 144 pounds and 86 pence.

Some room for improvement there, I'd say.

But Angus, who started with the same amount, is now well in the lead with 270 pounds and 48p.

So, well done.

I think the money should burn a hole in your pocket.

Yeah.

It should burn baby burn until there's nothing left.

[LAUGHTER] My advice.

I suggest you follow it.

You know, you are this lovely sweet lady.

But there's a dark side to you, isn't there?

You know, it just comes out every so often.

Yes.

[CAR HORN] Yeah.

There we go!

NARRATOR: Our two started this trip in Northern Ireland.

They're currently doing Wales.

And they'll journey down to England's south coast before heading back to a final auction in Clevedon.

On this leg, they'll head over the border for an auction in Wotton-under-Edge.

But first, we kick off proceedings together in Ammanford.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Well, I'm looking forward to this one.

I've got absolutely stacks of money.

You, not so much.

No, you are officially Mr. Moneybags, and I am Mrs. Empty-Pockets, nearly.

Well, I best let you go in first upon the bargains.

NARRATOR: What a gent, eh?

This former church hall is now home to Ammanford Antique Center.

Most of the antiques action takes place in this one main room.

So let's try to stay in our own lanes, eh, chaps?

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Oh.

I always like to find something local to the area that we're in.

And these, these are very interesting.

Got here three miner's tokens.

So each miner would have had their own little disk with their number on.

As they go down to the mines, they'd hang that on the board, so they know who's down there.

When they came out, they'd take it back.

Very collectible.

Quite a niche market, though.

Ticket price, 65 pounds.

You really need to know which are the rare tokens are or not.

Not my area of expertise.

So I'm going to leave those, but nice to see a bit of local history in the hearts of coal mining country.

NARRATOR: Expertise.

[LAUGHTER] Medals are more your forte, eh?

ANGUS ASHWORTH: "Women's Own Cookery Medal."

I mean, that's fantastic.

NARRATOR: Not your usual gong in the services.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Pressed metal.

It's only semi-precious.

Got a laurel on the back.

That would have been engraved somebody's name.

Lovely panel in here.

We have two ladies carrying a steaming bowl of food out from the kitchen.

So it's a nice decorative piece.

NARRATOR: Presented by the Popular Woman's Magazine, they also gave one night for handicrafts.

Age wise, it's probably 1950s, '60s, that sort of era.

Not a huge amount of age.

It's been made, obviously, for some sort of competition, maybe a local agricultural show or something like that.

5 pounds.

I'm having that.

NARRATOR: So decisive.

Ha.

Now, how's our less well-off shopper doing?

Now you don't come across that often.

Bing Crosby signed letter.

Look at that.

Stamped from Los Angeles, April the 10, 1946.

Sent to Mr. Lionel Williams in Garnant, Carmarthenshire.

That's lovely.

Bing Crosby of Hollywood.

See, this is so collectable.

NARRATOR: Didn't he sing, (SINGING) "Brother, can you spare a dime?"

Something you can relate to, Roo.

Ha.

"Dear Mr. Williams-- Due to material shortages, I'm not going to be able to send out any more photos until we can obtain photo stock, envelopes, and cardboards.

Our next picture release is "Road to Utopia."

Oh, no.

So that's quite sad.

The person wanted a signed photo from Mr. Bing Crosby, and he's got none left.

Priced at 60 pounds.

It's nice.

Is it going to make money auction?

No.

But I am touching Bing Crosby's handwriting.

This made my day.

It's almost the equivalent of a white Christmas.

NARRATOR: So Bing's not the thing.

Anything else in that cabinet?

These round Germanic, very 1940s style glasses.

If I have a look here-- see, it's 10 karat gold plated Harrods spectacles.

25 pound.

But they're in their original case.

Yeah, if you want something kind of mark that this is 10 karat gold plated, then that's where you've got it.

One twentieth dash 10.

NARRATOR: They're high spec specs, then.

You can see where some of the gold plate has come off, but that's a sign that these have been really well worn by the person who owned it.

This could actually be my first buy.

NARRATOR: Worth a look, then.

Now see how your oppo is getting on.

[LAUGHTER] ROO IRVINE: I spotted you.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: I was trying to hide.

You all right?

- What are you doing?

This is my turf.

No, I'm on this side.

You're on that side.

Oh, I find that-- This is no man's land in the middle.

Oh, really?

Well, you know, all the quality's on this side.

Well, I've already found a few things.

What about you?

You need to find a few bargains.

I've got my eye on a couple of things already.

Have you?

Mm-hmm.

And they're not breaking the bank.

NARRATOR: Right.

Enough of the mind games.

Back to the hunt.

ROO IRVINE: I'm just going to climb on the shop stock and lift this top hat down and box.

Very importantly we have a cardboard box with it.

We'll have to do the mandatory trial.

NARRATOR: First Bing Crosby, now Fred Astaire.

A little bit small.

That's the trouble of these vintage top hats.

They had smaller heads back then.

"By warrant to his majesty, the king."

Looking at the crown, that's probably George V, possibly Edward VII in date.

They've become really popular, actually, at auction, recently, for a number of reasons.

Probably the races.

People like to wear them to all the races.

But condition is key.

So you've got this silk work here.

And what you don't want is any moth holes or anything in there.

So the top's the most important bit and the rim.

This is in good order.

We turn it underneath.

It is starting to get a bit threadbare on the boards there.

We've got the case with it, which is nice.

All the maker's details there.

What's really good, Henry Heath.

I'm going to let you into a little secret because many people don't know this.

My first name is not Angus.

It's Henry.

NARRATOR: Ah.

It's a sign.

No price on it, though.

I've spotted this on here as well.

A little tan leather traveling case, lovely.

And what we've got here is you see this little cup.

Turn this out.

Telescopic cup that locks into place.

And you've got a lovely silver plated, with gilt interior, traveling cup.

Lovely!

What have we got on that?

22 pounds.

Not a lot of money.

Tempted with that.

Also very tempted with the top hat.

Put the right type of headdress back on.

Let's go see what we can do.

NARRATOR: You'll need to talk to Deborah, then.

- Hello.

- Hey there.

How are you doing?

You all right?

OK, not too bad.

Good.

I found a few bits.

Right.

Top hat which hasn't got a price on.

OK, yeah.

This little traveling cup-- Yeah.

--with 22 on it.

And-- - OK. A little medal there.

Yeah.

Five pounds.

What can we do on prices on-- - Right.

- --on the top hat?

How much is that, first off?

The top hat is 40 pounds.

40 pounds?

Yeah, with the original box.

And if we did a deal for the whole lot?

55 for the three.

You know what?

I was only going to buy two.

I'm going to buy all three-- - OK. - --off you.

- OK. - That'd be wonderful.

Thank you very much.

- Thank you.

NARRATOR: That works out at 30 pounds for the topper, 20 for the cup, and a fiver for the medal.

And with him out of the way, our Roo gets the whole place to herself.

She'll like that.

ROO IRVINE: Ah.

Spotted something.

Don't you love it when they lock the cabinet so I can't get in?

NARRATOR: Never get between Roo and her trinkets, eh?

Ah.

There's the neck to it.

ROO IRVINE: I do like a brooch, but what attracts me is this huge piece of mother of pearl.

It says it's a cameo sterling silver brooch.

But I think of cameos as more the portrait, that lovely silhouette that you get of the Victorian lady.

Having said that, the lovely iridescent colors are gorgeous.

So it says sterling silver there, which is fine.

It's marked, but it's not British hallmarked.

And it's got a huge chunk of beautiful iridescent mother of pearl.

Look at the colors.

It's almost like a mermaid's tail.

Absolutely glows.

It's got 25 pound on it.

That could be quite a nice, safe buy.

I can't take too many risks.

I don't have a huge amount of money to play with.

But I think I found my cabinet here.

It sparkles, and the prices are good.

NARRATOR: Dive back in, then.

These are the sweetest little silver napkin rings I've ever seen.

Birmingham 1928.

So you're right in the middle of the art deco era.

In terms of design, they're quite nice.

We've got some engraving on it.

But you've got the British hallmarks here that you're looking for and the date later.

And at 15 pound?

You can't argue with that.

NARRATOR: I wouldn't dream of it.

Shall we consult with Deborah?

Hi, Deborah.

Hi there.

I found three items that I quite like, actually.

DEBORAH: Right, OK. ROO IRVINE: So I've got this silver mother of pearl brooch, which is priced up at 25.

Right.

What's the absolute best you can do on that?

DEBORAH: 20 on the brooch.

ROO IRVINE: And these glasses you've got at 25.

DEBORAH: Yeah.

What could you do on those?

DEBORAH: 20 again.

ROO IRVINE: 20, OK. DEBORAH: Yeah.

So that would make it 20, 20, 40, and the 15.55.

DEBORAH: Yeah.

Would you ever take it down to 45?

Oh, dear.

You're a hard bargainer.

Yeah, OK. - Yeah?

Yeah, yeah.

- Oh, you're a star, Deborah.

- OK.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: So that works out.

15 pounds for each of her three purchases.

Lovely to meet you, Deborah.

Take care.

Bye bye.

NARRATOR: A very productive morning all round.

Feeling hungry after all that shopping, Angus has made his way to the coast at Llanelli.

He's down on the sands of Burry Inlet to find out about the local culinary speciality that's been harvested here for centuries.

Hello.

Angus.

How are you doing?

Hey, I'm Rob.

I heard you're the man to talk to about cockles.

Well, I know a little bit.

NARRATOR: Robert Griffiths has been gathering cockles here for 20 years.

So I'd say he is quite an expert.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: What actually is a cockle?

It's a mollusk that lives in the sand, just underneath.

As big as the shell is, that's how deep the cockle is.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: What do we look for in a cockle?

Is there a specific size or age or what?

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: Well, ideally, we like year-old and over.

You can tell the edge of a cockle by looking at the shell.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: OK. ROBERT GRIFFITHS: When you look at the shell, it has growth rings.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Oh, I see.

Yeah, it's got real bands on the shell.

It's quite a difference from one of these little, tiny baby cockles there.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: Yeah, he's last year's.

So he'll be that size in six months.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Wow.

That's quite a growth rate.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: Oh, they grow well.

NARRATOR: Cockles are found all over the British Isles, but the calm waters of this estuary are the ideal conditions for them to grow in abundance.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: So you gather them just like this by hand raking through the sand?

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: Yes, it's the same method now it's been done since Roman times.

All by hand.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Wow, OK.

So you've got your rake, your riddle, your bucket, and your bag.

And that's it.

And that's it.

A lot of hard graft.

And a lot of hard graft, yeah.

[LAUGHTER] I can hear this noise, crackle it like a crackling pop noise.

What's that?

That's the cockles singing there.

[LAUGHTER] I know it sounds daft.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

But cockles make a noise when they're out of the water.

And you can hear it.

It's like a hissing sound.

Yeah.

And that's when you can tell we're by cockles because they sing to you.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Well, now you've found them, Angus.

I think you should earn keep.

Start here.

End here.

Oh, OK.

So each section at a time.

Yeah.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: Pull 'em in.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: Start again.

- Wonderful.

Right.

So I'll start left to right.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: Too deep.

ROO IRVINE: Too deep?

You'll never pick 'em up like that.

OK. Too much sand.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: The whole idea is to float them out.

There's an art to this, isn't there?

There's a knack to it.

ROO IRVINE: Yeah.

NARRATOR: Yeah, better show how it's done, Robert.

So you bring the rake through.

Yeah.

Like this.

Yeah.

You start to see them.

It pushes 'em out.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: And you put them in the middle then.

ROO IRVINE: Yeah.

Oh, I see.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: And then-- ANGUS ASHWORTH: And then to sieve it out.

You take your water with you, and you wash your cockles.

I'm presuming that lets all the little-- All that-- --young ones out.

All the small ones.

All the baby spat gets-- fall through.

Falls through, and that lives to grow.

And that lives to grow.

And that's what you're left with.

And you do that till you've got 14 of those.

And that's your daily work there.

Well, I've only filled about a fifth of that.

Yeah, well, you be a long time.

But I'll be back by the time you finish.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: I think you've got enough for a light snack, Angus.

Nowadays, it's mostly men who do this backbreaking work.

But traditionally, this was a job for women.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: The men went to work in the steelworks in the pits.

And women came to the sands to subsidize incomes.

They used to pick Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Yeah.

Then they used to boil the cockles and take them all round South Wales at the valleys-- ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

ROBERT GRIFFITHS: --for the basket trades.

Selling them in markets, local markets, pubs.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: OK. ROBERT GRIFFITHS: Wherever they could sell them, you need.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Is it still as popular today?

Yes.

It's very popular.

You go look at Swansea Market.

Place is full of cockles.

And it's what Swansea market was built around, was the cockles.

So it's always been popular in Wales, always.

NARRATOR: Lovely.

Now at the end of a hard day's work, it must be time for a Welsh breakfast.

Bacon, laverbread, which is a local delicacy made out of seaweed, and of course, some freshly picked cockles.

What do you think of it?

It's all right, isn't it?

A bit different but very traditional, isn't it?

Yes.

It's a very traditional meal.

My father and I used to go every Saturday morning to the market and buy the cockles and our bread for the breakfast baker.

NARRATOR: Anyone is allowed to pick a few cockles for their own consumption, but commercial gathering is heavily regulated to stop the stocks of these tasty morsels from depleting.

What's the future hold, then, for the cockles?

It all depends how long the cockles stay here.

But the markets for cockles is huge.

It's getting bigger every year.

Now it's sold to all the posh restaurants in London.

A lot of the cockles go to Holland, Spain, France.

So it's for everybody now.

It's not just for the working man.

It's for everybody you now.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: It's an acquired taste, the laverbread, isn't it?

- It is.

Yeah.

But the cockles are good.

Yeah.

Cockles are very nice.

I must have picked some good ones.

[LAUGHTER] [MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: So while Angus has been digging around at sea level, Roo's headed for the hills.

ROO IRVINE: This is some gorgeous scenery.

It's really beautiful.

I fall in love with the people, even the antiques, but not the narrowness of the roads.

No, no, no.

Wales can keep that.

NARRATOR: She's taking the scenic route down to Swansea, Wales's second city.

The name comes not from swans, but from Sweyn Forkbeard, the first Danish king of England who allegedly founded the city.

Roo's here hoping to conquer her next shop, Room for Antiques, which is something you should always make.

She has a smidge under 100 pounds to play with.

And as they say, if you want to get ahead, get a-- Fits my petite, little bonce quite nicely, I think.

I love a good Victorian top hat.

But you know, they're just not in vogue anymore.

They just don't make the money.

NARRATOR: Blimey.

Keep that to yourself when you next see Angus.

That's very sweet.

Nothing exciting, but that's a Victorian papier mache snuff box or a pillbox.

It's got a bit of mother of pearl, but not jumping out at me.

But I still find it amazing that the Victorians made so much furniture, tables, trays from paper.

Quite clever they were.

That's not exciting me.

I bought a few things which are nice and small and delicate and pretty.

I want something that's got some oomph now.

NARRATOR: OK. How about that for oomph?

ROO IRVINE: That vibrant red just jumps out at me.

That looks like West German pottery.

And thankfully, they're always really well marked.

There you go.

West Germany.

It's even got the specific product number as well.

These were actually called fat lava.

That thick, oozy, luscious glaze actually makes it look just like lava.

And West German pottery is known for its reds and its oranges and melting colors.

NARRATOR: You know that's why it's called lava?

There were over 100 potteries producing this style of ceramics, all made after 1949 when Germany was divided into East and West.

40 pound.

That's not a bad price considering the weight of what you're getting there.

I think I need to see what I can do with the price to make it tasty enough for me.

Let's go find out.

NARRATOR: Yes, let's.

Paul's your man to speak to.

Paul.

I found a nice piece of West German pottery.

And I never usually buy pottery or ceramics, but I have to say, I like the glaze on that.

PAUL: Color is lovely, isn't that?

ROO IRVINE: It is.

Now you've got that priced up at 40.

Yeah, I do.

ROO IRVINE: What could you do on this?

What cracking deal can you give me?

PAUL: I can't take an awful lot off it.

I'm going to say probably 38.

Oh!

Right.

Sorry.

Involuntary noises there.

NARRATOR: She'd be no good at poker.

PAUL: How about I just round it up to 35?

OK, I'll tell you what.

I'll go for 35.

That's fantastic.

It's a good deal.

Lovely.

Thank you very much, Paul.

NARRATOR: Her biggest purchase so far.

But she's managing to eke out those pennies quite nicely.

Off I go.

Let's hope I don't trip on the way out.

NARRATOR: Don't even joke about that in those heels.

Ha!

Now let's reconvene with your chum for a spot of sightseeing.

This is the best way to see a beautiful country.

In a lovely car and with a-- ANGUS ASHWORTH: Charming companion.

No, I was going to say charming steering wheel.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Charming?

Night night.

It's our trippers' last day in the land of song, and they've really got a taste for the place.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: I've sampled a few things.

I've had the traditional Welsh breakfast.

But I don't think I'd rush to have it again.

No matter where I go, always like to eat the local dishes, drink the local drinks.

What is the local Welsh drink?

Maybe it's a laverbread smoothie in the morning to get you going.

Oh, no.

I'm not having that.

NARRATOR: Sounds delicious.

Yesterday, our Roo tucked into the shopping, bagging a big bit of West German pottery, a mother of pearl brooch, two silver napkin rings, and a pair of posh specs.

They're 10 karat gold plated.

NARRATOR: And worn.

She has a little under 65 pounds for her shopping today.

Angus, on the other hand, still has well over 200 pounds to play with after picking up a traveling cup, a top hat-- I'll have to do the mandatory trial.

NARRATOR: --and one other little thing.

I think you deserve this.

Is it food?

ANGUS ASHWORTH: It's not food, but it is food related.

I got you a medal because you deserve a medal.

But it's a cookery medal!

Woman's own cookery-- that's lovely!

Yeah, I wish it didn't have to go to auction because then you could wear it with pride.

I think, actually, this is not even going to the auction.

I'm having it.

I'm having it.

Glove box closed, in my pocket.

NARRATOR: Naughty.

All their goodies will eventually go to auction in Wotton-under-Edge.

But before that, we're alighting in the town of Bridgend.

Time to part company, I'm afraid, Roo.

- Well, have fun.

- I'll see you later.

Ah!

- What?

I need the medal back?

What medal?

The medal that I gave you.

Come on.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: You've got to watch that one, you know, Angus.

Bridgend Antiques is his first shop of the day.

Let's go to work.

Now then, how are you doing?

Angus.

Nice to meet you.

JULIAN: Pleased to meet you mate.

Have a look around.

We've got a bit of everything.

Great.

Brilliant.

I'll give you a shout in a sec.

NARRATOR: Densely packed is how I'd describe Julian's shop.

It won't take long to look round it.

But to make a decision, that's another matter.

This is going to be tough.

There's some good bits in it, some good bits.

NARRATOR: There are.

That's one of them.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Nice little leather case.

What's it got inside it?

[GASP] Well, that's a little vanity case.

That's nice.

It's got a strop for sharpening your cut throat razor, not that I need one.

Got the clothes brush.

I could do with this, actually, for the road trip.

Keep me looking smart and prim.

All your containers there.

Lotions and potions.

That is a nice tan leather traveling case.

And you know, you think, now look at all that extravagance.

But it's no different to taking a bag away now.

But it was done in style.

Goes very well with somebody with a tan leather cased traveling cup.

Got ticket price, 34 pounds.

That's not bad, is it?

That is a very strong possibility.

NARRATOR: Let's stick it on the list, then.

What else?

That's nice.

Not normally my sort of thing.

I don't do sort of ceramics.

But this is a lovely bit of what I call slipware.

This lovely glaze on it there.

This is actually a marriage pot.

So "George and Edith Dean married May 6, 1939."

What a lovely wedding present.

Impressed potters marks there.

"Clay pits."

Ewenny?

Ewenny?

I'm good at local knowledge here.

Yeah.

That's our local pottery.

It's only about a mile down the road.

They're still going today.

They have been going since perhaps the 15th, 16th century.

There's been six different potteries down there.

What sort of money is on this because it doesn't got a price tag.

The recommended retail I've got on that in my shop here is 120 pounds.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: The issue is I'm going to Wotton-under-Edge.

Well, that's our local history from our local area.

Let's be honest, you've got to take coals to Newcastle in this game.

So you might struggle there.

You haven't got anything that would be ideal in Wotton-under-Edge, would you?

I have got.

Well, it's a local bit of history.

It's from Stourbridge, which is about 30 miles down the road from Wotton-under-Edge.

NARRATOR: I think it's a bit further than that, Julian.

It's all the local history from the 16 and 1700s.

All the local dignitaries.

I've got all the prices, all the local farms, all the indentures.

It's all handwritten.

It's a piece of history.

NARRATOR: Priced up at 125 pounds.

They're certainly unique.

What would be the best on that?

Because it is quite a chancy lot.

And it's one of those that could just make-- Well, that is a gamble.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: --20 pounds or it could-- JULIAN: It could make 20 pounds.

It could make 500 pounds.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

But this is history.

You will never see this again.

I'd do this for 80 quid.

80 quid.

OK. Well, there is one other thing that I definitely would like, a lovely vanity case.

34 pounds on it.

What could that be?

JULIAN: 100 quid the lot.

100 pound the lot.

Well, fortune favors the brave.

I'll take the pair of them.

- OK.

Thank you.

You enjoy reading that tonight.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: Yeah.

NARRATOR: Ha!

So 20 pounds for the case and 80 for those ledgers.

Here's hoping there are some [INAUDIBLE] willing to make the 70-mile trip to the auction.

Roo, meanwhile, has traveled to Wales's south coast in the village of St. Donats.

Its imposing 12th century castle is now the home of a very forward looking school.

She's here to find out how its students created a boat that has rescued thousands of lives at sea from Peter Howe, the principal at the United World College of the Atlantic.

So what is the UWC?

So UWC is a group of schools and colleges around the world.

And the idea is to bring students of high promise and potential together to live and learn.

1962 is the foundation year of the movement, and it began here at Atlantic College.

1962 is the height of the Cold War.

And so this was really a mission of peace, to bring together both sides of the conflict.

So the first students from the Soviet bloc, the first students from Maoist China, came to Atlantic college.

NARRATOR: The college's first headmaster was Desmond Hoare, who had served as a rear admiral in the Second World War.

He believed, along with military colleagues and ambassadors from around the world, that future conflicts could be avoided by bringing young people together in education.

PETER HOWE: He felt if students served together, that would help them see that brighter future.

So all students here were involved in a rescue service.

So we had beach rescue, sea rescue, and cliff rescue as the three rescue services when the college began, which is how the boat was designed.

NARRATOR: With Hoare's naval background, the school had many maritime activities.

And right at the start, students were tasked with making a boat for sea rescue.

Roo's off to the boat has to meet Michel Creber, who runs the inshore rescue boat training here at the college.

The initial safety boats were fully inflatable zodiacs with a fabric floor.

And the Bristol channel is quite a rough stretch of water.

And it's quite rocky as well.

And some of those boats were damaged on the rocks.

Desmond Hoare sent the boys up to the castle and said, grab a table from the tower, and bring it to the seafront.

And they glued the top of the table onto the bottom of the boat and took it out and gave it a try.

ROO IRVINE: Unusual invention.

MICHEL CREBER: Yeah.

Yeah, it was crude, but it was effective.

It was quite bouncy.

But it made the boat much stiffer and less flexible in the waves.

NARRATOR: Over the next few years, under the guidance of the headmaster, students developed this extraordinary boat in their spare time, giving it a V-shaped hull and adding other refinements.

Prototypes were built, taken on the water, and tested to destruction.

Gradually, the design of the rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, took shape.

In 1969, there was a round Britain power boat race.

So 2000 miles all the way around the British Isles.

And one of the teams was let down by their commercial boat builder.

So they phoned up Desmond.

And he got two boys out of their maths exam, and they thought they were in real trouble.

And he said, we need to make a boat.

It needs to be 21 feet.

It needs to go all the way around the British Isles for a race.

And you've got to build it in three weeks.

ROO IRVINE: Three weeks?

MICHEL CREBER: Yeah.

I'm intrigued.

How did the boat do in the race?

MICHEL CREBER: They set off on day one, and some boats dropped out.

Then on day two, some more boats dropped out, and our boat kept going.

As the race progressed, we became the darlings of the race and the underdog.

And-- What was the end result?

MICHEL CREBER: And out of 43 boats, we came 19th.

NARRATOR: The potential of such a fast, lightweight, and virtually unsinkable vessel was noticed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Hoare sold them the patent for a single pound.

And in 1970, the first fleet of RNLI RIBs entered service.

And to find out just how effective they really are, Roo's taking one out for a spin.

How are RIBs being used today?

So they're prevalent all over the world now.

The military use them.

They RNLI use them.

And they're a staple of any rescue organization.

The great bits of kit.

Would you say the RIB is the go-to rescue solution on the sea?

Yes.

NARRATOR: From its humble origins, the RIB has gone on to save thousands of lives.

And in honor of the college that created it, the RNLI's fleet of RIBs are known as Atlantics.

You know what?

I think I'm being very brave saying this.

I think I'm ready for some more speed.

Why not?

Ah!

Oh my goodness!

This is amazing.

This is so much fun.

NARRATOR: And off she goes.

Roo to the rescue.

[LAUGHTER] Traveling at a more sedate pace, Angus is on his way to the historic town of Cowbridge.

The cattle connection goes right back to the Romans, who had a fort here called Bovium.

And it's also home to Capel Jones, our man's next shop.

- Well then, how are you doing?

- Hi, yeah, nice to meet you.

Yeah.

Nice to meet you, too.

This looks impressive.

- Thank you.

Making socks.

Socks?

Yep.

They're not very warm socks.

RUBY: They will be.

- OK. Well, I'll have a look around and see what I can find.

Give us a shout if you need help with anything.

I will.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Aside from Ruby's knitwear, there's lots more to admire in here.

And with 115 pounds left to play with, is there something calling to you, Angus?

Oh, it's not, is it?

Oh, can you believe it?

It's another top hat.

NARRATOR: There's a lot of them about.

It was designed like that to travel in your case because it's a collapsible top hat.

How cool is that?

What you've got to watch out for, though, is on these collapsible ones is the condition.

Quite often their sort of springs go, and they don't fill out properly.

But this one does.

It's probably sort of early 20th century, certainly that sort of Edwardian era.

And then to collapse it.

Done.

Oh.

Do you know?

I would have been tempted with that over the other one.

But I can't have two top hats, can I?

NARRATOR: Two hats would be an extravagance.

Something else?

What is this?

You may wonder.

Well, I'll tell you what it is.

It's a knife sharpener.

You've got two sharpening blades there.

You put your knife in.

Pull it back, and that sharpens it.

It's got this lovely sort of cutlery style handle on it.

And this is actually called a pistol grip handle because it looks like the shape of what a pistol would be.

The other lovely thing is it's a silver handle.

Silver hallmark there with the Sheffield Assay Office mark there.

We like Sheffield, don't we?

NARRATOR: Loves a bit of Yorkshire, does our Angus.

Mount it on a wooden block.

So you'd sit it on your table, sharpen your knives before dinner.

30 pounds.

Not bad.

Little ding on it there.

But I think that's all right.

It's a bit different.

I'm going to have a go with that.

NARRATOR: Let's have a word with Ruby, then.

How's that sock coming along?

Good.

Good on the heel now.

Yeah.

Well, I bet you did your cardigan as well, didn't you?

Yep, took me a while.

Yeah, but it looks wonderful.

I think it's fantastic work you've done on it, though.

NARRATOR: Watch out, Ruby.

He could be asking for a discount.

RUBY: The owner's got 30 quid on it.

Right, yeah.

I saw that.

Yeah.

OK. Straight to business.

- Yep.

Right, OK. Yeah.

And he's not in the shop at the moment.

Right So I'm afraid we're only be able to do the 10%-- 10% --we usually do for customers.

Yeah.

How good your maths?

Is that 20 quid?

Right?

25.

25.

That's a bit better than 10%.

So you know what?

Let's have it at 25 pounds.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: How sweet.

Looks like the old Ashworth charm paid off in the end.

And that purchase wraps up his shopping.

Now where did you park the car?

Back on terra firma at last, Roo's made her way to the nation's capital, Cardiff.

She's come to the pumping station to get her hands on one last bit of booty.

But it looks like everyone else has gone home.

I was so busy enjoying the high seas that I forgot about the last shop.

But now I've got half an hour to buy one more item before the shop closes.

So yeah, I was a bit foolish.

So I better get to it.

NARRATOR: Yeah, you better had.

But with three floors crammed with hundreds of dealers, you couldn't have picked a worse shop to panic-buy in.

Right.

Now it's about to become a bit of a homing beacon.

So you rule out anything modern, vintage, retro, and just look for the antiques.

Records, no.

NARRATOR: Oh, lordy.

There's also the added wrinkle of your limited budget.

Only about 65 pounds left, remember?

Want my advice?

Run.

Victorian shopping arcade downstairs.

Oh, look.

Some more West German pottery.

That is lovely, but that is not going to be affordable.

Back to where I started.

Yes.

Am I going to get some ancient Greek pottery for under 60 pound?

Probably not.

NARRATOR: Definitely not.

There must be something around here.

Can I have a look at this little mother of pearl dish?

Is that 20 you've got on there?

SUE: Yeah, it does look like 20.

Yeah.

20, yeah.

ROO IRVINE: I do like it.

And it's quite rare that you'll find such a large piece of mother of pearl.

It's a nice little dish, that one, isn't it?

It is, it is.

I just wish the condition of the inside of it matched that luster on the outside.

SUE: Maybe a little clean, and it might come out.

NARRATOR: That'll remove the patination.

Ha!

Here we are.

I've got a bit of spray for you.

OK. Are you OK for me to try this?

You go for it.

ROO IRVINE: 11th hour, limited budget, and a offer to dust your antiques.

How long are you staying?

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: About three more minutes, by my reckoning, Sue.

I think that is actually cleaning up quite nice.

NARRATOR: Oh, yes.

That's a yes, then?

Looks like I'm giving you 20 pounds.

OK, that sounds good to me.

Perfect.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Mission accomplished, and just in the nick of time, too.

Two minutes to go.

She did it.

NARRATOR: And relax.

Time to say "hwyl fawr" to Wales and all those tricky to pronounce place names.

Where's the auction again?

I thought it was Wotton-under-Edge.

Wotton-under-Edge.

But I think locally it's Wotton-under-Edge.

Mm, interesting.

NARRATOR: Try not to upset the locals, eh?

Best to get some shut eye first.

Night night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] It's auction day in Wotton-under-Edge, and our experts are dressing for success.

ROO IRVINE: Angus, you're looking very smart today.

Thank you.

I thought I'd make an effort, you know.

I've got a bronze tie to go with your beautiful jacket.

And you even had a haircut.

Well, you know, I've got best up my game.

You're always looking amazing, so.

Oh, thank you.

Well, I have to say you're looking very good, very confident.

So do you think you might win?

[SPUTTERS] [LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Courage, Angus.

After scouring the shops all over Wales, our two have crossed the border and arrived in the Cotswolds.

They're selling their wares at Wotton Auction Rooms and on the internet, too.

Angus forked out 180 pounds on his five auction lots.

Bless him.

Good on Angus.

I absolutely love these ledgers.

I do have a thing about old writing, and this is 1700s.

It is almost a piece of art.

But these are not local interest.

This is about two hours away from where we are.

I love it, but I think it's going to make a big loss on this one.

Not good for his balance sheet.

NARRATOR: Roo was a little more cautious spending 100 pounds exactly on her five lots.

My word, look at this.

If Roo was a pot, this would be Roo.

Bright, colorful, vibrant.

A West Germany studio pottery vase they made after the war and actually relatively inexpensive.

These are my tip for the future.

I think these could be really sought after.

But at the moment, they don't do a lot of money.

NARRATOR: You heard it here first, folks.

Let's gunner the thoughts of Philip Taubenheim, today's man on the podium.

The spectacles are good.

They're nice, simple gold wire work.

The Harrod's name, of course, will help.

I think those would go quite well with the top hat, in a way.

You could change your whole character with that.

They will sell.

They're fine.

The knife sharpener is a problem to me because I've looked at it quite carefully.

And we've got a knife sharpener, and we've got a silver handle.

But they were born differently.

The whole thing has been been put together.

So that's going to be a struggle, I think.

NARRATOR: Well, let's find out, shall we?

There's a couple of chairs going spare.

Here we are.

I tell you what.

We're certainly whizzing through the auctions.

NARRATOR: And we're putting on the Ritz.

Angus's topper is up first.

- You would suit a top hat.

- Do you think?

Absolutely.

As opposed to my flat cap?

Yes.

[INAUDIBLE] at 20 pounds.

There you go.

That's good.

You're almost in profit.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: 20 pounds on bid.

With the room, 25 on bid.

30 with you.

He's a good auctioneer.

He's pushing it.

He is.

The auctioneer's working the crowd.

Yes.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: You're all happy enough with that?

At 30 pounds we go.

Then at 30.

NARRATOR: I think that's got a bit flat.

Oh.

Hmm.

NARRATOR: Part two of our disguise kit now, Roo's gold plated bins.

- I like-- - These are my favorite.

You too?

- Yes.

20 pounds.

Anybody have a go at them?

Oh, they're lovely.

At 10 pounds-- 10 karat gold plated?

- Rough.

- 10 pounds, our only bid.

At 10 pounds.

15 anywhere now?

10 karat gold plated?

--spectacles there.

At 10.

15 on bid.

It's an online bid.

15.

15, 15.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: Where do we go from there?

Oh, they've got to do more than that.

At 15 pounds a bid.

Do I see 20 anywhere?

We're all out.

The room is out.

ANGUS ASHWORTH: He's trying his best.

One more.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: At 15 pounds.

10 karat gold plated.

Pounds.

NARRATOR: It doesn't matter how many times you say it, Roo.

Oh, that's a shame.

I thought they would have made 30.

Mm.

NARRATOR: Everything's gone for cost price so far.

Can Angus's combined travel set do any better?

30 for the two.

Go on.

30 pounds on bid for the two.

At 30, we're away.

At 30 pounds.

- You're in.

The lot at 30 pounds.

35, is it?

35 on bid.

35 on bid for the two.

At 35.

Not dear, is it?

No, it's not dear.

No.

You tell 'em, Angus.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: At 35 pounds.

All done.

Oh, no.

No.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: Commission bid at 35 pounds.

You're happy enough with that?

35 pounds it goes, then.

Not really.

NARRATOR: You're traveling in the wrong direction, Angus.

You win some, you lose some.

Yeah.

You know?

NARRATOR: Well, let's see if Roo can win some with her silver napkin rings.

Put them in.

20 pounds for the two.

20 for the two.

20 for the two napkin rings.

- Come on.

- We have bid 10.

At 10 pounds of early bid-- - Wait.

10.

That's good.

15 were bid.

At 15 on bid.

- They're lovely.

They're very sweet.

20 anywhere now for the napkin rings?

At 15 pounds on bid.

At 15.

Do I see 20 anywhere?

At 15 pounds.

All over in all directions.

At 15 pounds.

I seem to be making what I spent.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: It's a bit of a common theme today.

I thought the people of Wotton would get behind a Yorkshireman and a Scots woman.

NARRATOR: It's not who you are.

It's what you buy.

So will anybody from Stourbridge turn up for these?

You're a man of the land.

You should know what's near where.

Well, I do, yeah.

But it's-- south of the Humber, I'm not really interested.

50, I'll take.

30 if you will.

- Stop crying.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: Put 30 pounds on bid.

Oh, at 30?

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: 35 on bid.

At here on 35 on bid.

At 35 bid's there.

40 I'll take.

40, 40, 40.

Oh, I'm getting excited.

I'm getting excited even though I'm losing money.

At 45.

Anybody taking it on?

You're sure?

Quite content on this.

No mistake at 45 pounds.

And we go.

Well.

You know, that could have been a lot worse.

NARRATOR: Lesson learned, then.

It ain't local history if it ain't local.

You know what?

I'll take the whole loss.

NARRATOR: It's the first of Roo's mother of pearl pieces next, her brooch.

20 pounds were bid online there.

At 20-- - Oh my word.

Straight in it, 20. Who comes back in now?

25 in the room on bid.

At 25 on bid.

30 on bid.

At 30 pounds now.

It's a nice piece.

At 30 pounds.

Your eyes in the room at 30 pounds on bid.

Anybody coming back in on this one?

At 30 pound.

You've actually made a decent profit.

You've doubled.

- And we sell it.

30.

30 pounds.

I'm getting goody, now.

NARRATOR: Finally, our first profit at the day.

Well done, that woman.

That was a good result, that one.

- Thank you.

- Doubled up.

NARRATOR: Time for that cookery medal now.

Just check Roo's pockets after they say.

- An internet bid at 5 pounds.

- Yes!

- There we go.

- Yes!

The next increment is 10.

Yes.

Maybe they're quite rare.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: At 5 pounds.

At 5.

Anybody taking it on?

At 5 pounds.

10 pounds.

10 pounds on bid.

Well done.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: At 10 pounds of only bid.

At 10 pounds on bid.

We're all done?

Happy without it?

10 pounds it goes.

Yes.

100% profit.

NARRATOR: That's served up Angus's first slice of success.

Do you know the scary thing is that's almost made as much as some of the things I bought that are made of silver and of really high quality and have antique value to them, as well.

NARRATOR: Like your post-war German pot, for example.

At 10 for the Germanic vase there.

At 10 pounds of only bid.

Then at 10 pounds on bid.

At 10 pounds on bid.

15 anywhere now.

- Oh.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: At 10 pounds on bid.

- My cheeks are stinging.

- 10 pounds on bid.

At 10 pounds.

- Oh, it's lovely.

It's a big size.

Oh.

At 15 on bid.

At 15 on bid.

- Huge size.

- Oh, 15.

It's creeping up.

It's creeping up.

It's oversized vase.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: At 15 a bid.

The large Germanic vase there at 15.

All done with it?

Happy enough with it?

At 15.

Ah!

NARRATOR: Quite.

Maybe you're just ahead of your time, Roo.

I felt for you there.

NARRATOR: Angus's last lot, genuine antique or Frankenstein's knife sharpener?

20, 20, 20.

20 pounds, we're away.

If you say the number enough times, someone will bid.

Yeah.

25, surely.

From Sheffield.

--in the room anywhere now.

It is a maiden bid at 20 pounds.

At 20 pound.

Oh.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: At 20 pounds, it goes.

It sells.

At 20 pounds.

And it's sold.

That's quite-- I thought-- - Bit of a loss.

--that would have made more.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: It's not gone awfully well for Angus today.

People of Wotton have obviously got those sharp knives.

NARRATOR: Yeah, that'll be it.

And to end, Roo's mother of pearl part two, polished up.

5 pounds on bid.

10 pounds on bid.

It's up at 10.

It's a lovely thing.

It's almost like a miniature bathtub.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: At 10 pounds of only bid.

Little dish there.

Can you think of a purpose for it?

At 10 pounds of only bid.

Oh!

Yes, that would've been good.

PHILIP TAUBENHEIM: Anybody moving it?

The 10 pounds of only bid.

15 anywhere now?

You're right.

No mistake on that-- 12 anyone?

10.

NARRATOR: Oh dear.

I don't think either of our two have been bathed in glory today.

Tomorrow's another day.

We might find some treasure tomorrow.

And you know-- - Here's hoping.

--turn our fortunes around.

Let's go.

Preferably me.

NARRATOR: Before you get ahead of yourselves, let's tot up today's antics.

Angus made quite a lot of the auction fees, leaving him with 205 pounds and 28 pence for next time.

After costs, Roo made a smaller loss, but her coffers have now depleted to a mere 114 pounds and 56p.

Well, certainly both have their work cut out next time.

Well, not the best of days.

I mean, technically, you won.

But-- It doesn't feel like a win because it wasn't about who made the most.

It was about who lost the least.

Yeah.

So I'm a winner loser, and you're a loser loser.

[LAUGHTER] You cheeky monkey.

Come on.

[MUSIC PLAYING]