Voiceover (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... What about that!

VO: ..with £200 each, a classic car, and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

Can I buy everything here?

VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

Feeling a little saw!

This is going to be an epic battle.

VO: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

So will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

The honeymoon is over.

I'm sorry!

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

VO: It's time to hit the road again with two of Britain's best-loved auctioneers, who've been getting on like a house on fire.

Charles, we are having a ball, give me a high five.

Exactly, yeah exactly Mark.

VO: Auctioneer Mark Stacey has been in the antiques game for 30 years, and when he wants something he'll do anything to get it.

Please, please please.

VO: Unconventional antiques oracle, Charles Hanson, has his unique way of getting a bargain.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Happy?

Yes.

VO: Both our pros set forth with £200.

We're now beginning the home stretch on day four and the gap is getting even wider with over £200 between them.

Mark made big losses at the last auction, leaving him with less than he started, and has just £161.18 in his pocket today.

But Charles forged ahead again, scooping a rather grandiose £393.98 for his next spending spree.

You are looking very laid back.

What more can I do, Charles?

I am £120 behind you.

What is the point in being miserable about it?

VO: Quite right, although Mark, you are actually more than £200 behind Charles!

At least he's looking good in the passenger seat of the 1973 convertible VW Beetle.

MARK: I need to put a big P into profit.

To be or not to be in profit.

VO: That certainly is the question.

Your biggest P which you will always hold onto, Mark, is a P for passion.

And yours is P for personality.

VO: Our two savvy antiques specialists are part way through a gigantic jaunt from the north of England, down through the east, to the south, up to the west midlands, down, up, down and then up again, finishing in Flintshire in Wales.

Leg four starts in Stratford-upon-Avon and ends in Wotton-under-edge in Gloucestershire.

Stratford's known worldwide as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Now what do you know about Stratford, Charles?

It is probably one of the most visited towns in England.

Absolutely.

To quote Shakespeare, "My kingdom, my kingdom for something that will make a profit."

VO: Wasn't it a horse?

Mark is first off the shopping blocks, just outside the town, at Stratford Antiques run by David Wilkes.

Good morning.

Hello Mark.

How do you know my name?

And you are?

David.

David.

Lovely to meet you David.

VO: The center has 12,500 square feet so there should be plenty for Mark to choose from, but it seems losing all three legs so far has knocked his confidence.

This is a little bit how I feel at the moment... ..a rabbit trapped in the headlights.

VO: Mark's keen to catch up with Charles so he phones the auction house to see if he can get some insider knowledge.

Lovely, take care.

Bye bye.

He says they have a very big silver and jewelry section and they are groaning, to use his words, with ceramics and glass.

So that might be a good thing.

That is all very positive.

And he just re-iterated anything quirky, unusual, fresh to the market is going to do well.

VO: So, quirky, silver, jewelry, ceramics and glass is a good place to start.

That looks quite nice actually, a lot of nice wear on the bottom.

And actually I quite like that with the fish overlay, actually.

What date would you say that was, 50s?

50s, yeah.

£25.

Do you think they would be open to severe negotiation?

DAVID: What are you thinking?

I think I would like to buy that for £15.

DAVID: I probably could do 18.

If we could do 15 I would love to buy it.

Well, let's do 15.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

And I promise I'll carry on looking and see if I can find another item or two.

VO: That's a tenner off the asking price for a 1950s Murano vase with a silver fish overlay - it's glass and it's quirky so should fit in well come the auction.

Oh!

VO: And true to his word, Mark's sought out another item or two, a fair few items in fact.

All sorts of things in here.

Various jugs and teapots.

Silver plated trays.

I mean, it is not in great condition, but it might just be the sort of thing that you know attracts attention.

VO: Back to David again.

I mean, what are you hoping to get for that?

I don't know, £10, something like that.

God, I need to sit down.

£10.

What are you thinking, Mark?

I was thinking a fiver.

Yeah, well, we're not going to argue.

Oh, shake hands David.

Let's do a fiver.

OK.

Thank you.

Cheers.

VO: Mark's ticked another box for the auction, picking up a collection of mainly 19th century silver plate for a fiver, and along with his £15 Murano vase, he's spent a grand total of £20.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome thank you.

VO: Just a few minutes away, Charles is heading into Stratford's center.

Home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, Charles has come to hear how this theater company, after facing great tragedy, has helped redefine how we interpret the works of Shakespeare, growing into one of the biggest theater companies in the world.

Here to explain more about its eventful origins is events director, Geraldine Collinge.

Good morning.

GERALDINE: Hi.

CHARLES: Charles Hanson.

Really nice to meet you, welcome to the Swan Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare company.

Can't wait to go inside.

GERALDINE: Come on in.

CHARLES: Can't wait.

VO: The Swan Theatre stands on the foundations of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, where the roots of the RSC began.

Opening in 1879, this was the first full scale permanent theater in Shakespeare's hometown, commissioned by a local family to commemorate Britain's greatest playwright.

GERALDINE: The initiative very much came through the Victorians who were wanting to celebrate Shakespeare.

So yeah, Dickens was involved in campaigns in Stratford and for us it was the Flower family, the big brewing family who gave lots of money, land and their support, they kind of spearheaded the campaign to get the theater going.

VO: The theater became the venue for staging the annual festival of Shakespeare's plays in Stratford, and slowly grew in popularity.

The organizers even took their productions across the Atlantic for the first time in 1913.

But then tragedy hit.

A terrible fire destroyed most of the building.

A new theater was built next door but the company always had the intention of restoring the original building, which they did in the 1980s, recreating the feel of the Shakespearean era.

GERALDINE: What's really great about these theatres is that they have a thrust stage so the thrust stage comes out into the audience, the audience is all around it, it is very much how theater would have been presented in Shakespeare's time.

So like it was at the Globe or the Rose, the theatres along Bankside.

CHARLES: So here, you can almost be in that 360, you can see every angle, the rawness of the play, is borne out to you and I suppose you are very much part of it, aren't you?

Yeah, no absolutely.

VO: A big turning point in the company's history came in the 1960s when the now legendary theater director, Peter Hall, took over as artistic director.

He created Stratford's first fully-fledged ensemble company, modernized the way plays were performed, helped bring in new audiences, and opened the theater all year round.

This is considered the time the company as we know it today began, and with the Royal seal of approval, became the Royal Shakespeare Company.

So the 1960s was a period of real innovation?

It was a really formative time in that amazing things were happening.

This production of the War of the Roses that this dress is from was groundbreaking.

They cut bits from the texts and made a new show from those stories.

We didn't do that, we treated Shakespeare as you know, we kind of revered him.

VO: The RSC has become one of the world's largest theater companies, staging over 1,000 performances each year, attracting over a million visitors to Stratford and luring the world's biggest acting talent, from Judi Dench, to David Tennant, and Patrick Stewart.

So this costume was worn by Judy Dench in 2003 in All's Well, and then these were worn by David Tennant when he was here playing Hamlet.

(CHARLES TUTS) So again, very modern dress and some of the more traditional.

CHARLES: What great names have been here.

I've really enjoyed it.

Thanks so much.

Thanks a lot.

VO: Now the chaps must make their way just a few miles south west of Stratford to Long Marston, still in Warwickshire.

This pretty village is home to an antiques center based in a 13,000 square foot barn.

High five.

See you later.

See you later.

VO: Mark's got just over £140 left to spend and Laura Scott will no doubt be happy to help him part with some of it.

Ring for attention.

Hello.

Hello.

I'm Mark.

Hello Mark, I'm Laura.

Nice to meet you Laura.

What a lovely day.

It is beautiful, isn't it?

What a lovely day for finding a bargain.

I hope so.

I hope so too.

VO: Well, get on with it then.

I am looking for silver, silver plate, good ceramic, jewelry.

Or something that is quirky, or some Chinese stuff; it would be lovely to find some antique Chinese items.

There is still a big market for that.

VO: Mark's very focused and with over 40 experienced dealers selling a variety of antiques, furniture and collectables he should be able to tick an item off his wish list here.

Now, when you first look in this cabinet you see lots of collectable items, but then in amongst it you have things like this fan, this is all painted on feathers.

Look at the detailing of the flowers, almost certainly I would call it Cantonese.

I mean that is absolutely exquisite.

I would have thought this is carved bone, actually.

And the date on this 1870/1880, all the little sticks here are in good condition.

Gosh, that is absolutely beautiful.

Priced up at £110.

I mean that is very nearly all my remaining money.

Laura, can I have a word?

Of course.

Is it possible you can have a word with the dealer and explain my plight to them.

I really would like that but I really need their very very best.

Very, very best.

OK. As it is you.

I will find out what I can do for you.

Please.

VO: The fan is rather unusual and Mark was looking for antique Chinese items, but can he get it for the right price?

Oh Laura, how did you get on?

I can get it down to 80 for you.

It would help if you could get me to 70... or less.

I can do 70 for you.

Oh... And it is a bargain at that.

Stop it.

Gosh I'm getting so hot I need to sit down and think about this.

OK. OK. VO: £70 for a hand painted, 19th century Cantonese fan could go down well in the right auction room, but it's a risk, so is he going for it?

Let's go for it.

Brilliant.

VO: So, that gives Mark just over £70 left to spend.

LAURA: Thank you very much.

Well, let's hope I make some 'fans' out there anyway!

VO: Ha ha.

Meanwhile, Charles has made his way to Evesham, across the county border in Worcestershire.

The riverside town of Evesham is on the northern edge of the Cotswolds.

Charles is here to visit Twyford Antiques Centre, ran by Andy Mayhew.

Afternoon to you sir.

Nice to see you.

Your name is?

My name's Andy.

VO: Charles has almost £400 to spend on this stretch of his journey, but like Mark he wants to buy right, so is calling the auction house for some inside advice.

You are saying buy perhaps China, glassware, jewelry and silver, and hopefully we can't go wrong.

'I think that is about right.'

See you in a short while.

VO: Right, they've both got the shopping lists so now best get cracking.

That is quite sweet, isn't it?

I love him because he's just novelty value.

I know when we see a man with a big tummy we think a Toby jug.

And this man is almost based on that great Yorkshire man Toby Philapott.

He used to drink lots of beer.

And on the back of Toby Philapott, we invented the Toby jug.

VO: I think you'll find it's Toby Philpott, not Philapott!

But the problem is triangular hats with yellow enamel has got a chip on this corner here.

Hence why he's quite cheap, isn't he?

VO: Yeah, onwards and upwards.

That's quite stylish.

VO: Tom Cruise eat your heart out, eh.

I could be...

Sorry.

VO: Or more like butter fingers.

I would love to call it 30s, but it isn't.

I suspect this vintage cocktail shaker is more like 1960, even 1970s.

What I could call it is art deco style.

This cocktail shaker, it has got a bit of style about it.

Tell me, what is the best price?

£10.50... ooooh, £7.50?

CHARLES: £5?

Make it six.

Go on I'll take it.

I think at £6, it could be shaken not stirred, OK. VO: Smooth Mr Hanson - don't stop while you're on a roll, boy.

When I picked out the man with the portly tummy, the Toby, I also noticed two interesting cats.

ANDY: They are quite collectable.

Yes they are.

These are Lorna Bailey.

The number of times I've been asked, "Charles what are the antique of the future?"

These are.

VO: Staffordshire-born Lorna Bailey found success in the late 1990s with her range of modern art deco designs, with cats like these her specialty.

They are quite neat, aren't they?

They are.

On the label it says they are from the heroes and villains series.

They are not very old and there is a chip on the back of the hat.

I think they are a good pair.

What's your best price?

£20 for the pair.

You wouldn't do 15 would you for the pair?

I can't get down that low, I'm afraid.

Meet me half way?

Go on £17.50.

Are you sure!

Give me a paw.

Go on.

There we are.

Are you sure?

Yeah yeah.

Lovely.

VO: So, despite his huge budget, Charles seems to be playing it safe, spending just £17.50 on the Lorna Bailey pottery cats and £6 on the art deco style cocktail shaker.

With that, both the chaps can put their shopping lists to bed and get some shut eye.

VO: Morning has broken, the sun is shining, the roof is down and they're ready to dig in for the day.

# Heigh-ho, heigh-ho it's off to work we go.

# VO: Well, Charles is anyway.

I do like you.

I think you are an expert with a difference, you're one of a kind.

But you're my sort of guy.

Well, Charles, you are certainly one of a kind.

And you're my kind of guy too.

Oh, thanks Mark.

VO: Who said bromance is dead?

Yesterday, Charles barely scratched the surface of his budget, spending just £23.50 on a cocktail shaker and pair of Lorna Bailey cats.

So he's sitting pretty with £370.48 for today.

Mark seems to be going for broke after splashing £90 on a Cantonese fan, a silver plated selection, and a Murano vase.

He'll have to shop smart today with just over £71 left.

I bought three lots, Charles.

Have they got a sniff of a profit?

Not a chance.

Get out of here, Mark Stacey.

VO: Mark may be losing his confidence, but if he gets the right bidders at auction, he could overtake Charles in a flash.

After starting in Stratford, the fellas are now approaching the hamlet of Little Alne, near Henley in Arden, at the core of Warwickshire's countryside.

After speaking to the auction house, both the chaps are on the hunt for bits of silver, jewelry, ceramics, glassware and the unique.

We're going to the same shop together so why don't I focus on like the silver and porcelain and you perhaps look at the works of art and furniture?

Should I do that Charles?

VO: Sneaky Mr Hanson.

But Little Alne's Fabulous Finds should have enough for them both, with their eclectic collection of furniture and collectables from the 1800s to the 1960s, ran by owner Caroline Howard.

CHARLES: Why don't you park in the lines?

Park in the lines instead.

I haven't got time to park in lines, Charles.

Hungry for shopping.

Well, me too.

I'll see you later, Charles.

First come, first served.

See you later.

VO: Now now, boys.

I see the rivalry's heating up here a bit.

Charles!

Yes.

Where are you going?

I am finding something to control you with.

Right, get up those stairs.

Sorry!

I'm sorry.

I'll see you shortly, Mark.

VO: Cor, Mark is quick off the mark to spot something, which could go with his Cantonese fan.

This I probably think is late 19th century.

The label says late 19th century but it is in terrible condition.

It's... it has all been cracked here and restored.

And you've got the dragons.

Ah, he's lucky, he has just literally just now spotted a really good Chinese blue and white vase.

This could be a real bargain.

It could be his match winner.

You've got the primrose border which matches there but you know up on a... Mark?

If you don't want it, I'll buy it.

Thanks Charles.

Pleasure.

VO: Nice try Charles, but Mark's not giving up that easily.

The thing I like about it is it is only marked at 50 quid.

It has got a good decorative look and perfect it would be a few hundred pounds.

VO: And now Mark's got a theme in mind.

This is another Chinese vase, much smaller of course.

But it has got this four character mark of emperor Kangxi, late 19th century.

Bit of restoration again.

Marked at £5.

I am buying Chinese things because the market is still quite strong, particularly over the internet.

If the price is right there is a profit to be made there.

VO: Meanwhile, Charles has been trying to uncover owner Caroline's fresh goods.

Is there much in here you can perhaps give me a narrative on?

Eh... this.

That's nice.

Has it just come in?

It has indeed.

Just come in.

Tell me, this I think, Caroline, is an olive wood blotter.

Yes.

So it is part of a late Victorian desk set.

And you would have had blotting paper for your quill pen.

What's its sweetest price?

Sweet Caroline.

Sorry.

Alright.

Sorry, sorry!

I think... it has got to be worth 50, hasn't it?

OK.

Yes.

What is next?

Em, this is another thing that has just come in.

Oh, wonderful.

Yes.

This is a pretty silver, almost cartouche shaped tray with a hallmark for London and it must be about 1917.

So it is what we call George V in period.

What's your best price?

I should think 110.

Yeah.

It is a nice piece.

It is quite light, isn't it?

I don't know.

What would be the absolute bottom?

I think, how about... As it's you, 90.

If I bought the two together, Caroline...

Yes?

What would be your very best?

He's sitting on cash about 400 quid here.

Oh really?

Oh!

Hey!

Hey that's confidential.

Absolutely not.

That's interesting to know.

Ooh, controversial.

VO: Devious more like.

Go on, give me a price, Caroline.

Trying £100.

70 and 30.

We are very close.

We are very close.

I was thinking 120.

If I say to you I really hope to try and acquire one more object... OK. ..could you do 100?

Yes, OK. CHARLES: You sure?

CAROLINE: Yes.

I am going to buy the two... OK. ..for £100.

That's fine.

Thanks a lot and I'm going to keep going.

VO: Meanwhile, Mark's enlisted the help of shop assistant Ronnie Potter.

Thank you Ronnie, come in.

Now this is wrecked this vase, I mean there is damage and restoration everywhere.

And I think it has got potential but I really need to get this for...

I'm sorry, a really bargain basement price.

I'm actually on less money than I started with at the beginning of the week.

Right, OK. And he is £200 ahead of me.

So... Well, we can't have that.

VO: Mark, the violins are out especially for you.

And I have got a little vase over there as well.

OK.

Which is marked at a fiver.

I need special special prices.

We can't go any lower than 25.

Oh!

£30 for the two vases.

Oh, I can't do it Ronnie.

VO: But while Charles continues to quiz Caroline for any more new stock, Mark has sought out yet another damaged Chinese vase.

OK, with a six character mark on it this time but look, it is all smashed.

Such a shame.

That one's 55.

Chinese, famille rose is the pink and the blues and the yellows.

But the cover has suffered a lot of restoration.

See, I think it's rather attractive in its own way but it is damaged.

VO: With a potential price of £30 for the first two vases, Mark needs to see if he can negotiate a great deal for the three, now that Caroline's managed to escape Charles' clutches.

MARK: If I take all three... CAROLINE: Oh yes.

What is the very best?

CAROLINE: Can I scrape 50 out of you?

Is there any way we could do them for 40?

I think you might be in luck today.

Are you sure?

Well, I would like to see you try and catch Charles up, shall we go with that then?

Go on then.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

VO: So, that's £20 for the two blue and white vases, an incredibly generous discount.

Then another 20 for the famille rose vase, leaving Mark virtually penniless.

With Charles rummaging around the upstairs store room, Mark heads north east to Coventry, legendary birth place of St George, the patron saint of England.

This historic city has had three different cathedrals over the last 1,000 years, two are now left in ruins.

Mark's here to find out the story behind the adversity they faced.

Brenda Williams is the cathedral's tour guide.

Hello.

Hello Mark, I'm Brenda.

Nice to meet you Brenda.

Brenda, why are we standing out in the courtyard looking at what looks like an open piece of ground?

Well this is the only remains above ground of the first cathedral of Coventry.

VO: Coventry's first cathedral was built in 1043 by the Lord of Coventry and his wife Lady Godiva.

The Lady is famed for her legendary naked horseback ride through the streets of Coventry, to convince her husband to lower heavy taxes imposed on the locals.

Try that today.

BRENDA: This started off as a church attached to a Benedictine priory that was endowed by Earl Leofric and his wife Lady Godiva.

They were very rich landowners in Anglo Saxon times.

And to ensure their place in heaven, they gave lots of money to the church.

Within 100 years it became a cathedral.

It was obviously a very wealthy...

It was enormously wealthy and it prospered throughout the centuries.

VO: That was until the 1530s when King Henry VIII had made himself Head of the Church of England and was closing 800 religious buildings throughout England and Wales, known as the Dissolution of the monasteries.

It was a highly lucrative business, stripping places bare of treasures and selling off land, such as Coventry's first cathedral.

It was sold to a gentleman called John Hailes.

No.

And he eventually sold it off for building materials, like a quarry.

No, gosh.

VO: Coventry's second cathedral began as the parish church of St Michael in the 11th century and was renamed Coventry's Cathedral in 1918.

But it wasn't long before disaster struck again.

MARK: So why is it this ruin?

It was destroyed in the Blitz in November 1940.

In one night, almost half the buildings in central Coventry were destroyed, amongst them this beautiful Cathedral.

MARK: Why was Coventry so heavily bombed?

It is possibly because a short while before Hitler had been giving a speech to his followers in Munich, and the RAF interrupted him.

And it is thought that in revenge he would completely destroy a British city and he chose Coventry.

VO: It was the most devastating bombing raid on Britain so far.

King George VI made the journey to Coventry to witness the ruins for himself, where three quarters of the city lay flattened.

But out of the wreckage came inspiration.

BRENDA: The Cathedral stone mason Jock Forbes, when he went up to the tower to look down upon the rubble, he saw two of the old medieval roof beams had fallen in the shape of a cross.

These burned-out beams were tied together to form the charred cross.

Which is what we are looking at here.

This is a replica, the original, as you can imagine, is very fragile and is held inside the Cathedral.

It is very moving, isn't it?

It is.

VO: The third Cathedral was commissioned almost immediately.

A competition was held in 1950 for architects across the commonwealth.

It was won by British architect Basil Spence and the new St Michael's was built in just seven years, opening in 1962.

It contains not only the original Charred Cross, but also the very special cross of nails.

Brenda, this is amazing.

Here we can see the high altar cross and within it you can see the cross of nails.

These nails which were picked up from the ruins, symbolize Coventry's work for reconciliation and they are also nails that represent the nails that Christ was crucified with.

VO: The crosses are sent to conflict zones across the world.

Out of the ashes of adversity came a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

I have thoroughly enjoyed myself, thank you so much, Brenda.

You are very welcome, Mark.

VO: Back in Little Alne, Charles has got £270 left, so is still on the hunt.

Caroline, just one more thing.

Yes?

Just noticed this on the floor down here.

Is this yours?

Yes, I've only had it in about two weeks.

OK. VO: He does seem to have a nose for fresh stock.

This, I am almost certain is a Staffordshire pottery, what I would call a platter.

OK.

Transfer printed.

Blue and white.

It is very neoclassic with these loreal leaf sprays around the exterior.

I love these almost round medallion flowerheads.

It has been really well used and there is also a huge chip on the side there as well.

Caroline, hit me.

Usually, something this size would go for about 60.

Oh!

I know.

Really?

CAROLINE: Yes.

CHARLES: What's the best price?

Shall we say 40?

Would you take £30 for it?

Alright then.

You sure?

Yes.

I think I can just do that.

VO: Charles seems to have played it safe again, with his £30 platter, the silver tray for 70 and another 30 for the olivewood blotter - a total of £130.

Thank you.

Caroline, thanks a lot.

You are welcome.

Give me a kiss.

Thanks so much.

I am so...

I am so grateful.

Thank you.

See you soon.

Bye bye.

VO: Now Charles has finished shopping, he's hitting the road, but there's one last stop to get him in the zone for the auction...

Sometimes it's good to take all the mental strain out on the assault course.

VO: Careful!

Blimey O'Reilly!

Sometimes, Mark, you've got to be strong armed in the auction and grip hard like this, Mark.

VO: Do stop monkeying about.

Sometime Twinkle Toes in the shops.

VO: Mind the shoes!

Oh!

Mark, may the best man win at auction.

VO: Snazzy socks!

Two... three.

VO: Oh crikey!

This is the life.

VO: He's such a child that boy.

OK, now back to business and time to look at the fellas' finds.

Charles bought an art deco style cocktail shaker, a pair of Lorna Bailey cats, a pottery platter, a Victorian olivewood blotter and a George V silver tray - all for £153.50, less than half of his budget.

Mark has the 19th century Cantonese fan, a 1950s Murano vase, a box of mixed silver plate, two Chinese blue and white vases and a 19th century Chinese famille rose vase, costing £130 all in.

So what are your thoughts on the competition, chaps?

Charles, Charles, Charles, I am so so disappointed in you.

Cocktail shaker, I think you might have had one too many cocktails if you bought that for £6.

The olivewood panel or whatever it is, they are very mass produced of course, they are tourist items.

I love the pearl platter, a real antique, Charles, well done.

I think Mark has bought really well and his Chinese famille vase is wonderful.

He has bought a wonderful fan, Cantonese, full of eastern promise, the better you buy the more luck you deserve to make.

Mark has done that and I'm just convinced this time it might pay dividends.

VO: So, this could finally be Mark's chance to overtake Charles at the fourth hurdle.

Our two road trippers started their sojourn in Stratford and they're now nearing Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire.

MARK: I am weary, Charles.

You are weary.

I'm weary.

I just feel you would be really, really unlucky and I mean that sincerely Mark.

Well that's kind of you Charles.

VO: Mark may have lost the last three auctions but it could be about to change.

You have gone for the big one.

And that is the oriental objects.

And I kid you not, I wouldn't be surprised if you made a small fortune.

I think my star lot, Mark, in the auction today will probably be the silver tray.

But it is quite light, isn't it?

Yeah OK, thanks for that.

It is quite light.

And you paid 70 quid?

Yeah.

Yeah I could be in trouble.

VO: But when you're over £200 ahead, you'd need to be in serious trouble, boy.

The chaps are now in the hands of Wotton Auction Rooms, who've been trading in the area since the mid 19th century and are now based in a former Tabernacle.

MARK: We are here.

Do you know what I feel like saying?

Tell me.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today... to watch another annihilation of Mark Stacey.

Get out of here.

VO: Auctioneer Philip Tauvenheim has over 1,000 lots to get through today, but he's made time to give the experts' items a once over.

There is one very nice blue and white meat plate, I think that's a fantastic plate.

There is a very nice honest silver tray, very plain, very simple, I think that will work as a good hall piece.

There is a little mixture of Chinese ceramics, which again, could do very well but we have got a bit of a condition issue there.

VO: Speaking of condition, Mark has had more bad news.

At the auction's viewing the Cantonese fan was damaged.

It has an insurance valuation of £60 so even if it doesn't reach that in the sale, Mark will receive a minimum of £60.

I feel very sorry for you because it was one of those objects that could really have risen.

It could have flown yes let's be honest, but never mind.

VO: Mark's taking it very well and it's the first of the experts' lots to go under the hammer.

Can you see it?

£40 to start?

£40 for the fan?

30 will you?

At £30 I am bid, thank you.

30 we are in, at 30 I am bid, 35.

Bid 40, bid five.

Bid 50.

50 it lodges, at £50 I am bid, five anywhere now?

Anyone moving it on now?

Five I am bid.

£55 I am only bid.

£55 and it goes then... VO: It may be a £15 loss in the sale, but he'll still receive the insurer's full value of £60, giving him a shortfall of £10.

That tells me that had it been perfect, there would have been a lot more interest in that.

VO: So, let's hope Mark's 1950s Murano vase can put him into profit.

How much was it?

15 quid.

Cheap.

15?

Not 50?

Cheap.

No no one five.

£20 I am bid.

At £20.

Where do we go?

Come on net, come on net.

£20 I am bid.

At £20 I am bid.

Any advance on that?

You all happy at that, £20 and the maiden bid.

It is quite cheap, Charles.

VO: Less than he was hoping, but it's still £5 profit for Mark.

Half the auctioneer's value price.

But anyway Charles, I haven't lost money on it, which is something.

You've made money.

VO: He has indeed.

Next it's Charles' first item, the Lorna Bailey cats.

What will we say, £20 the lot?

£20 the lot?

£20 I am bid, thank you.

Let's go.

20 I am bid, at £20, 25 on the screen.

30 in the room.

30 I am bid.

35 on the screen.

£35 I am bid.

Let's go.

Come on.

At £35 are you in?

40 I am bid, thank you.

Oh, that's great.

At £40 I am bid.

Back in the room.

Still you madam at £40 this time then.

VO: That's a fantastic gain of £22.50.

I feel like I am the cat and I got the cream.

You certainly have Charles.

VO: But can Charles' cocktail shaker stir up as much interest?

Do you enjoy cocktails?

I do enjoy cocktails but I wouldn't want one out of those.

£20 the lot.

20.

10 if you must.

Come on.

£10 we are bid and 15 on the screen.

I'm in trouble.

20 in the room.

You are not in trouble.

At £20.

25 new buyer.

At £25 I am bid.

It is a serious decision, 30 I am bid.

At 35 I am bid... Come on internet, come back in net.

Come back in.

Cocktail, £35 then.

VO: It's cocktail time for Charles with a pretty profit of £29.

Mine's a Harvey Wallbanger.

That is good, isn't it?

That is good?

It is fantastic, Charles, I am over the moon for you.

It was a right corker.

VO: Up next - Mark's mix of silver plated items.

I think it will make £32.

MARK: £32?

CHARLES: Your guess?

MARK: Very precise.

CHARLES: Your guess?

MARK: 35 CHARLES: OK. 20 for the lot?

15 the lot I am bid, thank you.

15 I am bid, 20 now then, 25 I am bid.

Commission bid has it now, at £30 I am bid.

Five anywhere now?

At £30 I am bid.

Any advance on it?

That is a massive profit.

Still cheap.

£30 and it is sold at 30.

Well done.

30.

Well thank you.

Thank you.

VO: That's a fantastic 500% profit, which could help Mark catch up.

Now, auctioneer Joseph Trinder takes over the gavel as we go to Charles' olivewood blotter.

The reason I bought this lot was because it had nice color... And it was cheap.

It was quite rich in pattern.

And it was cheap.

I can start straight in at £20 I am bid.

Oh no.

At £20 I am bid.

25, thank you madam.

Come on.

Come on.

No.

Five anywhere.

The hammer is up.

Against you you are all quiet.

At £30 I sell at 30.

VO: Well, that one's wiped its face at least.

Mark continues his Chinese theme now with his pair of blue and white vases.

Internet bids could be popular for this lot and at this auction online bids are shown on the screen.

This is the sort of lot where, in the current market, the oriental market, just speculating, it cost you 20, and I wouldn't be surprised if it made £200.

It could.

It would be nice, wouldn't it?

It could.

Start, at 20 I will take.

20 is bid, thank you straight in there.

Watch it go now, Mark.

Five from the screen.

30 back in the room.

35 on the screen.

35 thank you is bid.

40 will you sir?

40 again there.

The net is going wild, Mark.

50 is bid.

Again on the screen, it builds again here.

At 50 and five, thank you.

On the net and 60 and it climbs here.

At 60 on the screen.

65 The room is quiet.

The net is bidding here.

At £70 I am bid.

Five I am bid.

80.

It continues here on the net.

And £80 is bid.

Five anywhere?

Well done.

Five I am bid.

85 again here.

On the screen... You are doing fantastic.

..you are all quiet, the hammer is up, at £85 this time.

Yes!

High five, high five, fantastic.

VO: Another amazing profit for Mark.

Will it be enough to win this leg?

Next it's Charles' George V silver tray.

It's a favorite of auctioneer Phillip's, and Charles believes it could be his star buy.

Start me here for a good piece of silver at £30 start surely?

Oh crikey.

At £20, surely for silver?

And £20 is bid, thank you £20 I am bid.

There's 30.

Yeah.

35 thank you.

40 is bid.

45 is bid.

But no more.

It is here then at £45 this time.

50 now?

It is still cheap for silver there.

In the room, at just £45 this time.

That tray to me was an absolute bargain.

Look at that, I lost £25.

Hey.

Welcome to my world, Charles.

VO: So, Charles' first loss today.

Now, finishing Mark's Chinese theme is his last lot, with his famille rose vase and cover.

Who will start me with that one?

£20 start for the vase surely?

£20?!

A £10 start for the vase.

We've got 20 on the internet.

You have got 35 on the internet.

20 do I see?

20 I am bid.

The net is going wild.

Oh, I'm behind.

I looked at my screen and I see £50 is bid.

I will go from there.

Can I come back in with you sir at £50?

No.

He is out.

It is here then on the net.

That is really good, Mark.

At £50, five anywhere?

You are all sure then?

At 50, takes it away.

I'm now in profit I think, which I'm pleased about.

VO: You should be!

Another substantial profit is a step closer to Charles' lead.

That's if Charles doesn't widen the gap any further with his final item, the Staffordshire meat platter.

MARK: I think... CHARLES: Yes?

This is one of the best lots you bought.

You being serious?

Yes, because I love printed...

I can start you here, straight in at £90 I am bid here.

£90!

Five from you now.

Let's go.

£90 is bid.

95 I have.

95.

100 here.

It's history.

110?

110 I am bid.

120?

120 is bid.

130 I have.

What is going on?

140 will you?

No it's here then, at £130.

Come on!

The hammer is up, we go £130.

VO: Wow, that's a huge £100 profit.

I think you've had an amazing result, well done.

VO: Mark opened today's leg with £161.18.

He picked up some decent profits, so after auction costs he's made £70.90 putting him back in the black with £232.08, well done.

Charles already had the lead with £393.98.

He's also managed to garner a good gain of £76.10 after auction costs, so is walking away victorious again with £470.08.

So that is the secrets, Mark, of the road trip.

MARK: What?

CHARLES: You make money.

VO: Harsh.

Well, thanks for pointing it out to me, Charles.

You do.

That is what the show is all about.

You are still making more than me but at least I made a profit.

Yeah, exactly.

My car won't start.

The car's flat as a pancake.

VO: Oh, Lord.

Take the handbrake off and do it that way.

It's not going, Mark.

The car is as flat as a pancake.

Turn it on.

I'm trying it's flat.

It's flat.

VO: I hope it starts before they need to go uphill.

Next time, it's the end of the road for this pally pair.

I don't know what I am going to do without you, Charles.

VO: Charles Hanson fights to retain his victory.

My tactics are to not hold back.

VO: And despite his many losses Mark Stacey's still congratulating himself.

Big round of applause I think.

subtitling@stv.tv