VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts with £200 each, a classic car and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Going, going...gone.

Yes!

I'm loving that bird.

VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

Yes!

VO: There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Don't I look handsome?

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

I'm going now.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah.

VO: It's a brand spanking new week and we're hitting the road with a right couple of gents.

Yes, it's antiques experts Charlie Ross and Thomas Plant.

CHARLIE: Let this trip begin.

Yes!

VO: Charlie is the old dog of the antiques trade, having clocked up a phenomenal 25 years running his own auction house, and is now sought the world over for his charm and wit, or so he thinks.

May I kiss your hand?

You may indeed.

VO: Undaunted is his worthy opponent, young whippersnapper and fellow auctioneer Thomas Plant.

His particular penchant is for jewelry, watches and silver.

Oh, yes, and hats.

VO: Thomas has taken the wheel today as our pair set off on their antiques adventure with £200 each to spend, and a natty little 1971 Triumph Spitfire to zip around in.

Those windscreen wipers don't look right to me.

THOMAS: Oh, no, they've broken already!

Hold on!

VO: That doesn't bode well.

VO: The plan is for our dear experts is to travel over 400 miles from Somerset, deep in the West Country, right the way up to Shropshire via North Wales, before looping back down to finish their trip in Bedford, Bedfordshire.

Today, we're beginning our journey in the village of Watchet.

Watch it!

Ha!

They'll meander the sleepy roads of Somerset, pop over to Devon, then finish up at the auction showdown in Frome back in Somerset.

Phew!

CHARLIE: # The future's not ours to see... # Que sera sera.

# VO: Well, maybe not.

Ah, well, first stop is in, whatsit?

Watchet.

THOMAS: Watchet.

CHARLIE: Watch it!

THOMAS: Watchet!

CHARLIE: Watch it!

VO: (LAUGHS) Now, this lovely village gets its name from Wacet - a natural blue dye found in the local cliffs and the harbor here is famed for inspiring one of Britain's most iconic poems - Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

I hope that's not a bad omen for our fellas as it's time to shop.

The Smugglers Cave!

This is where we are.

Come on Rosco, after you, age before beauty!

Ah, thank you!

BOTH: (CHUCKLE) VO: Standing by to assist is shop owner Simon and manager Candy.

Hello, madam.

I'm Charlie.

I'm Candy, welcome to Smuggler's Cave.

Candy, what a lovely name.

I'm Thomas and who else is this?

This is Simon, Simon's the owner of the shop.

Hello, Simon, nice to see you.

Hello, Simon.

VO: And trust old Rosco, he's straight in there with the girls.

CHARLIE: Candy!

CANDY: Yes?

Rosco is already in there.

Can I borrow you?

He's already in there.

You can!

Certainly!

VO: Smuggler's Cave lives up to its name - a veritable treasure trove of everything from kitchenalia to chests of drawers.

Surely there'll be some serious antiques for Thomas to get stuck into.

VO: Oh, dear, he's started with the hats already.

Do I need this for Rosco?

Up!

Oh, gee!

Oh, look at that!

So what we've got here is a cast iron water pump.

This is for the garden, isn't it?

Oh, isn't that wonderful?

Cast iron, Victorian, I would have thought.

Lovely handle.

Oh!

VO: Steady Eddie.

It's not light.

That could be my first purchase.

It's just up my street.

It's just something...

It's big.

It's bold.

It's £45.

Let's see what Simon can do.

Simon, I found this in the back.

Not everyone makes it back there.

Only weirdos!

Well... VO: No comment!

I've got a figure.

35.

What about £25?

30.

Can we do 28?

We are splitting hairs I know!

28 if it helps.

It does help.

You're a star.

VO: First purchase high and dry - well done, Thomas!

VO: Now let's see how Charlie's getting on with Candy.

And he's only after one thing, you know.

So no silver in the shop at all?

We've only got the Rhode Island Red bowl.

That one there?

Yeah.

Nice thing.

I will have a look at it.

Tell me the history of the Brabazon Rhode Island Red Challenge Cup?

Well, Rhode Island Reds are beautiful deep red hens that lay fabulous dark brown eggs.

They are very popular because they're quite hardy hens and they do lay very well, most of the year.

Unlike a bantam they won't go off... Are you a farmer's daughter?

CHARLIE: Yes?

CANDY: Well, yes... Well, there's a shock.

The way you were going on there...

It's a beautiful, beautiful cup actually, the quality is superb!

VO: Yes, Charlie, but it is £125.

I love the shape and the handles.

Would you take £75 for that?

No.

Can you get close to where I am?

I can say 90.

I tell you what, I'll pay you £85 for it, cash.

Alright, sir, you have a deal.

May I kiss your hand?

CANDY: You may indeed!

CHARLIE: Mwah!

VO: That Candy's a good egg, isn't she?

Yes!

My first buy.

Wonderful!

VO: Oh, hold up, Thomas is venturing to the bowels of the shop again.

What's this down here?

Is it more junk?

Oh!

Oh, my God!

It's like something out of a horror movie, all these creatures.

But this is a porcelain headed doll by Armand Marseille.

I got the A and the M, it's got the thing there.

Armand Marseille here.

Weighted eyelids, teeth.

This is real human hair.

VO: Yuck!

Armand Marseille began manufacturing dolls in 1865, creating a company which sat at the heart of the German doll making industry for the next 60 years.

At its peak, the company produced over 1,000 doll heads a day.

Ha!

The rarer examples of which can now fetch thousand of pounds.

Sadly, I don't think these fall into that category.

Has anyone else bought bits of body?

I can't buy bits of body!

THOMAS: (SIGHS) I'll get letters, saying you're a weirdo!

VO: The evidence is stacking up against you, Thomas.

(HAUNTING MURMURS) Right, Simon?

I'm trying to get something.

Oh, no, what am I doing?

What am I doing?

VO: I really don't know, Thomas.

I really don't know old fruit.

THOMAS: (SIGHS) What can they be?

SIMON: Dolls?

THOMAS: Yeah!

£60, sir.

THOMAS: Oh!

SIMON: For all of them?

They're horrible.

Beautiful.

They're not beautiful at all.

£60 is too much.

Too much.

50 if it helps, but I think you will do well with them.

£40 and that's a good buy.

Yeah, but it just looks so odd though, a man buying dolls.

It takes all kinds.

VO: Mm.

I'm going to think about it, do you mind?

But thanks, good offer.

That's a good offer.

You will do well.

Well, I don't know.

I don't know.

VO: While Thomas mulls over the dolls, Charlie's gone all Alpine.

It's a goat herder's.

Oh!

It's a goat herder?

I would say it's a goat herder's.

Is that definitely a goat's...?

Yes, it's a goat's foot.

(WITH WEST COUNTRY ACCENT) That a goat herder my lover.

And that's a goat's foot, high on a hill.

# On a lonely hill, Lay-ee-odl-lay-ee-odl-oo (HUMS THE TUNE OF THE LONELY GOATHERD) # Lay-ee-odl-lay-ee-odl-oo (CONTINUES HUMMING) Brilliant!

Now we know what it is.

How much is it?

Oh, come on, bird, stick a price... 40 quid.

CHARLIE: 40 quid, bird?

CANDY: Yeah.

It's one of those antiques that you have got to say to somebody, "Where are you going to find another one?"

I'm loving that bird.

(WITH WEST COUNTRY ACCENT) What do you think, my handsome?

(BOTH LAUGH) I tell you what, no haggling, I will give you 30 quid now for it now, cash.

Done.

I am loving you, bird.

VO: These two are getting on famously, aren't they?

Fab!

Look at that.

# High on a hill a lonely goatherd... # VO: While Charlie's all chipper, Thomas is, well, continuing his obsession for headgear and breathing apparatus.

For goodness sake Thomas Plant!

Where are you going?

Every time I see you, you have to have a silly hat!

This is a gas mask.

I do know it's a gas mask.

After all, I was wearing one in the war, Thomas.

You've bought what you wanted to buy?

I may have bought something, I may not.

Alright, bye bye.

What you need to do is look around and see what's missing.

VO: Thomas is feeling the pressure now though.

It's time to make a decision about...those dolls.

At 35, I'd like to see you take them to auction.

£30 and I'll take them off your hands.

Like a nutcase.

Yes, OK. Two items down.

Right, I'm going to give you some money now and I'm going to walk out of your shop.

VO: On your head be it, Thomas.

On your head be it.

VO: Meanwhile, Charlie is zipping up the road to another antiques emporium.

He's already bought two items, but seems hell bent on buying more!

Hello, my dear.

Hello.

How are you?

How do you manage to find such wonderful temperatures here?

Oh, God it's absolutely frightful, isn't it?

At least we don't have the snow.

Nice to see you.

Charlie is the name, and you are?

Janet.

Janet, nice to see you Janet.

May I look round?

Of course!

VO: Now don't forget you've only got £85 Rosco.

What a magnificent clock and candelabrum.

Aren't they splendid?

Very French!

That isn't priced.

No!

That'll be beyond my price range, but I just thought I'd admire it.

VO: Admire away old boy, but you ain't got the money for that beauty.

This is an interesting charger, isn't it?

VO: Now, this looks a bit more like it.

Is it Newlyn?

I wondered if it might have came from the Newlyn School.

VO: The Newlyn School was part of the arts and crafts movement, founded at the end of the 19th century.

Based funnily enough in Newlyn, Cornwall, it became famous for its beaten metalwork, particularly with fishy motifs.

I like these...

They're almost like owls, aren't they?

Or shrimps.

You're making it more Newlyn, aren't you?

CHARLIE: With shrimps on there?

JANET: Yes, I am trying.

How much is it?

Ah-ha, now you want to know, don't you?

I better ask.

I must ask the boss.

Let's just ask, I can't go out of the shop without asking the price of something.

VO: There isn't a ticket on it, so a spot of haggling might be in order.

It's got to be worth I would hope more than £10, which I'm going to offer.

VO: The owner of the shop doesn't seem to be available, so Charlie's going to have to reckon with Janet.

Look out, Janet.

How much do you want?

20.

What a temptress you are.

15.

Can you add 10 and 20?

16.

Oh, no, don't start doing that nonsense.

16?

No, 15.

Full and final.

Alright then.

CHARLIE: Happy with that?

JANET: I am.

You don't need to make a phone call?

He's not answering his phone.

Well, it serves him right if he wants 120 quid for it then, doesn't it?

BOTH: (LAUGH) VO: Three items already and it's only day one.

Rock 'n' roll Rosco!

Time to hook back up with Thomas in the little Triumph Spitfire.

I bought one lot, which you are going to die.

You're going to see it and you're going to think, "Thomas, what have you done?!"

VO: I wonder what that could be Thomas?

The boys are heading a couple of miles south to Sampford Brett where Thomas is dropping Charlie off to do a tad more shopping.

They've come to Keith Richards Antiques.

(VINYL SCRATCHES) No, not that one!

THOMAS: Greetings!

CHARLIE: Bye bye.

Treat that car properly.

VO: While Charlie finds his way to the shop, Thomas has an appointment 23 miles southeast in Stoke St Gregory, in the heart of the Somerset Levels.

One of the last remaining wetlands in Britain, the Somerset Levels have been at the heart of the basket weaving industry for centuries because where there's water, there's willow.

From man's very earliest days, we've grown and harvested willow to make everything from durable containers to fences.

Wickerwork was heavily used to package and transport goods.

It was a bit like the bubble wrap of its day.

Nestling in the center of the Levels is a company that still makes willow baskets, and all manner of other extraordinary wicker creations.

Now Thomas has come to meet Jonathan Coate, whose great, great, great grandfather started the company all the way back in 1819.

Hello, I'm Thomas.

Jonathan.

Jonathan, nice to meet you.

Jonathan, tell me, have you always been involved in this?

Yes, all my life.

And your family, it's your generation?

Yeah, I'm the seventh generation.

THOMAS: Seventh?

JONATHAN: Yeah.

What I'm really interested in, is the process.

Could you take me through the process?

Yeah, we certainly can.

That would be really exciting.

VO: The whole process starts with the raw materials, the branches of the willow, or withies, as they're called.

We've got some willow here.

This is as it would... Well, actually it was literally cut today.

VO: Before the willow can be used, it needs to be first boiled for 10 hours, then stripped.

Traditionally this was done by the women and children of the village.

They'd strip it with a brake which is basically a bit of spring steel which they'd have out in the garden, or by the back door and one rod at a time, pull it through the brake.

Turn it around.

THOMAS: All by hand?

JONATHAN: All by hand.

VO: Go on Thomas, have a go.

The butt end, push it right down in between the brake.

Right down, all the way down?

That's fine, back towards you.

That's it, you're a professional.

A professional here.

All the way in, yeah?

Yeah, that is it.

All the way out.

It comes off quite easily doesn't it, in the end.

Look at that!

VO: Once stripped, the willow can be made into baskets, and here, these come in many shapes and sizes.

You've got loads of coffins.

The mad thing is my grandmother was buried in one of these.

And I didn't know it was a wicker coffin, or I can't remember that I knew, and all I heard was the creaking of the wicker.

It was like someone arriving with a Fortnum and Mason's hamper.

No, that was grandma inside there.

VO: Thomas is keen to learn how to weave a basket, but Jonathan's latest commission is for a number of willow coffins.

Stiffen up Thomas.

This ones been staked up, so it's ready to put the siding on, so using one rod at a time we tuck that one in there.

VO: It may seem a bit morbid, but there's a reason why there's been a growing interest in wicker coffins over the years.

It's so quick.

VO: And that's because they're very environmentally friendly.

Right, OK, Thomas, your go.

Right!

Brilliant!

In we go, so in there?

Yeah, that's it.

THOMAS: In it goes.

JONATHAN: Yeah.

I don't think I'm ready yet for an apprenticeship.

I think I need a bit more toughening up on my hands.

Oh!

VO: Funny, Jonathan's not saying anything.

Best stick to the day job, eh!

VO: Jonathan's range is not restricted to coffins by any means.

The company gets some unusual commissions, one of which was a giant chess set for the showjumpers at the London Olympics!

So they were sort of decorated for decorating the jumps?

The jump we made was a giant table that the horses were jumping over that was checkered, and the pieces were just standing around to lead the horses into the jump.

Brilliant!

VO: And hidden away inside one of Britain's most iconic hats, more of Jonathan's handiwork.

We actually make these little baskets which go underneath the bearskins.

So the bearskins for the guards outside... THOMAS: ..Buckingham Palace?

JONATHAN: That's right.

Each one has got its little own basket inside.

I'm going to have a go.

VO: Oh, here we go... Thomas just can't resist a good hat.

Oh!

I've got a big head, nothing fits!

VO: Suits you, sir!

Actually I always feel sorry for them thinking God this is really heavy and they have to be uber strong standing up their core strength, but actually it's not too bad, if you got the right one.

VO: Jonathan's really not impressed, Thomas.

Meanwhile, Charlie's itching to spend some money in the eponymous Keith's shop.

Oh, and here's the man himself.

CHARLIE: Hi, Charlie.

KEITH: Hello, Charlie.

CHARLIE: Nice to see you.

KEITH: And you.

Can you show me around, you've got...?

Yes.

I have got this room here and another room just as we go through here as well.

I recognize that lady!

Yes.

Margaret Thatcher!

Isn't that wonderful?

Lead on.

Please do come through.

VO: Uh-oh, Keith's lured Charlie into the first class lounge.

That's glorious!

Glorious!

Glorious!

Glorious present here.

VO: It might all be glorious, old fruit, but quite out of your price range.

Back to economy for you!

I'm just going nip back in and reacquaint myself with Margaret Thatcher again, if I may.

VO: He always was one for the ladies.

How much is that?

In terms of... Erm?

It's 95 now.

It can be...£60.

Can it?

It can be £60.

That's ridiculously reasonable isn't it?

It's very reasonable indeed.

Yeah.

Oh, blimey.

That's within my budget just about.

CHARLIE: (LAUGHS) I think I've got to feel her.

This teapot's not for pouring.

VO: Almost as famous as Mrs T herself, was her alter ego in the satirical 1980s TV puppet show Spitting Image.

So popular was the show that it spurned a host of merchandise, much of which is now highly collectible.

This teapot was made in the pottery capital of Stoke-on-Trent.

Look at that.

(AS MARGARET THATCHER) Denis, come here!

VO: I think I feel a deal brewing.

60 quid?

Or 50 if it's going to help.

What a wonderful man.

You're the first man I've ever dealt with who's actually brought down the price without me asking.

I knew you were going to ask.

CHARLIE: 50 quid?

KEITH: Mm.

At 50 quid.

Are you sure you're happy with that before you shake on that?

Yes, I am.

I think that's wonderful!

VO: I hope that one doesn't backfire on you.

Nicely done though Charlie.

VO: It's been a bumper day for our Charlie.

Now both experts could do with a decent bit of shuteye.

Nighty night.

VO: The sun has come out at last for our esteemed experts and spirits are high.

# Oh, what a beautiful morning # Oh, what a beautiful day!

# VO: Yeah, long may it last.

It's very sticky on the old accelerateur.

Well, you know you'll get used to her.

If I was driving that wouldn't have happened by now.

CHARLIE: (LAUGHS) VO: So far, Charlie has pushed the boat out, spending a whopping £180 on an arts and crafts copper charger, a goatherd staff, a silver cup and a Margaret Thatcher teapot, leaving him with a mere £20 still to spend.

VO: Thomas, meanwhile, has struggled to part with his cash.

He's spent a paltry £58 on a Victorian water pump and those rather spooky dolls.

That leaves him with a gargantuan £142 to splash about.

VO: Thomas and Charlie are heading 34 miles southeast to the delightful town of Crewkerne in Somerset.

VO: Crewkerne's been a travelers' watering hole for hundreds of years, positioned on the Old London to Southwest Road, and is most famous for the sails that were made there for Nelson's flagship, Victory.

Pull in here!

Pull in, pull in.

Oh!

Well done!

I'm over here!

I'm going this way.

VO: With some catching up to do, Thomas is hotfooting it straight to Antiques Bazaar.

It's a huge trading center, home to the stock of 45 dealers, and presided over by a very welcoming owner.

Morning.

Good morning, how do you do?

I'm Thomas.

I'm Anthony, nice to meet you.

Very nice to meet you.

So I am going to sort of... You're welcome to have a look round, hopefully everything is labeled and I am here to give you a hand.

Thank you Anthony!

OK, good luck!

VO: So, how are you feeling today, Thomas?

What's quite lovely about this buying experience is that my last one, the first day was with Rosco and all I heard was... "Oh!

Candy!

"Will you let me have this?"

So I'm feeling quite relaxed.

I don't like sharing shops.

VO: Now don't get too relaxed there old boy, the pressure's on to get buying, you know.

I love that.

£750.

THOMAS: (TUTS) (SIGHS) Why do I like the expensive things?

VO: No need to rush, Thomas, we've got all day, mate.

I want to spend some money.

The wind has gone from my sails.

I'm really struggling!

VO: Hm!

Not as much as I am, I assure you.

Ah!

What are those?

So what I've got is a pair of prints here.

So you've got Queen Victoria and the other one is Prince Albert.

In the tiles on the floor is a name and it's got Baxter prints.

They're quite well framed.

They are a bit foxed, but they are Baxter prints.

Now are they £12 each or £12 for the pair?

VO: Luckily Anthony's waiting in the wings.

What have you found?

Well, a pair of prints, Victoria and Albert.

Now do you think they're £12 for the pair?

No, I would say definitely not.

Do you think we can have them for £12 for the pair?

I would think that would be a little bit unfair on them.

What could we do?

I could do them for 15.

£15?

£15.

I am sure you're not going to knock me on that, humble money £15.

Humble money?

Is that what they say?

Humble money.

Humble money, yes.

Humble money.

VO: Humble they may be, but thank the Lordy Thomas has bought something at last.

VO: Across the road, Charlie's arrived at another large emporium.

Good morning sir.

Good morning.

How are you?

I am fine.

The name is Charlie.

EDDIE: Hello, Charlie.

CHARLIE: And you are?

EDDIE: Eddie.

CHARLIE: Eddie.

VO: Steady Eddie!

I was extremely profligate with my spending yesterday, I come to your establishment and I'll own up with £20!

One £20 note is all I have in the world.

Oh, dear!

Oh, dear!

I feel sorry for him.

No, don't feel sorry for me.

There will something I can buy, won't there?

EDDIE: Have a look.

CHARLIE: Without a doubt.

No auctioneer should be without one!

That is the biggest gavel I've seen.

I should think you would break your rostrum if you brought that down and sold something.

VO: Put it down quickly before you do some damage Charlie.

Now talking of damage, what's he spotted now?

Here we've got an 18th century Chinese ginger jar.

Damaged?

Yeah.

Would have had a wooden lid, which is missing.

But that's not a problem.

It has got some nibbles out of it.

But it's priced at £6!

VO: Ha!

Crumbs!

That is within my budget.

I could even buy another piece of Chinese pottery to go with it.

In fact...

I think I'm allowed to buy like for like items.

I feel a bit of a collective lot coming on here.

VO: Time to do a deal, methinks.

I'm thinking of a way of solving my problem here, Eddie.

You are, are you?

Well, I thought I might go off to the Orient with a collective bundle of things.

That might be a way forward mightn't it?

Possibly, yeah.

VO: Look at him go, he's like a dog with a bone now.

Potty for pots.

You've never seen Margaret Thatcher there before.

VO: Now that's spooky.

No no.

I'm not going to buy her.

I've already got one of her.

Oh, dear, you're in trouble.

Yeah.

VO: So let's count up the pots then.

One, two, three, four damaged pots.

Would you be happy?

EDDIE: I'll be happy with that.

CHARLIE: £20 note?

EDDIE: Yeah, go on.

CHARLIE: You are the man, sir.

May I give you the order of the £20.

Your last chance to regret it.

You'll be alright.

That's alright.

Thank you very much.

VO: So while Rosco's completely spent out, the same could definitely not be said for Thomas.

Luckily he has another shop to go to.

He's heading into the county of Devon, just nine miles southwest of Crewkerne, to the village of Tytherleigh where he's pinning all his hopes on The Trading Post.

Hello VO: Let's see how he gets on.

What's your name?

Andrew.

THOMAS: Andrew, I'm Thomas.

ANDREW: Nice to meet you.

VO: Come on Thomas, you've still got £127 to spend!

Can you spy anything to buy?

VO: Shhh...!

Can you hear the sound of the sea?

Quite a nice shell purse.

Mother-of-pearl, brass fittings.

Very popular, very French, actually, we see a lot of these about, but they're quite popular things.

They're quite pretty, aren't they?

Just, you know, a nice jeweled item.

A jewel of the sea.

VO: Using shells to make purses became very popular at the end of the 19th century, when Victorians began to take holidays by the seaside.

This purse might well have been bought as a souvenir.

So, time to seal the deal with Andrew.

Andrew, what can that be?

30 on that one.

30, OK. You couldn't do it for 25?

Yeah, we could do, yeah.

Yeah?

It's a nice thing.

If we go to 20 that's got to be the rock bottom.

The rock bottom, OK. Well I think I'll have that for £20, thank you very much.

VO: At least you've bought something.

Well, that's Thomas's shopping all concluded.

Let's find out where Charlie's got to.

VO: He's continuing the rural Somerset theme and is heading six miles north to the lovely village of Shepton Beauchamp.

VO: Charlie's come to meet avid collector and archivist, Andrew Hall.

CHARLIE: Andrew.

ANDREW: Hi, Charlie.

CHARLIE: Good to see you.

ANDREW: Yes.

I know why I'm here, to see your lawnmowers?

That's right.

How many have you got?

1,100 at the last count!

1,100?

1,100.

VO: Phew!

Hidden away in no ordinary garden shed is just part of Andrew's vast collection of vintage lawnmowers.

It's listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world.

I don't believe it!

How many mowers can you get in a shed?

Well, in this one, just short of 600.

VO: The history of the lawnmower is tied up with two very British traditions, the great country house estates and the evolution of sport.

At the end of the 18th century, acres of lawn like those at Blenheim Palace were cut by over 200 laborers every 10 days, using scythes.

But as the Industrial Revolution kicked in, all that was to change with the invention of a new labor saving device - the lawnmower.

At the end of the shed is a particularly special example.

This in an actual fact is the oldest known motor mower in the world.

Is it really?

What a privilege to see it.

You can sit on it if you want as well.

Can I really?

VO: This lawnmower was painstakingly restored by Andrew, who rescued it from an old sporting ground.

The lawnmower has played a huge huge part, hasn't it, in all British sporting life?

That's right.

I think to be fair, the history of the lawnmower and the development of the lawnmower goes hand in hand with the development of sport.

Yeah!

Wimbledon, Lords... That's right.

..croquet lawns, the great lawns of England.

VO: In the garden, Andrew's ferreted out a few of the earliest mowers to show Charlie, one of which, dating back to the 1880s, played a key role in sporting lawns.

These early small machines had two purposes.

Yeah.

One was the line marker for tennis courts were not invented yet, so what they actually did was they lowered the cut on these machines, cut the lines out, where the line's out, ANDREW: with this machine... CHARLIE: Yeah.

..so at least you could see a difference in coloration.

And that gave you the line.

The second use of these machines, is they became known as lady's machines.

(LAUGHS) I like it already.

I like where you're going there.

BOTH: (CHUCKLE) They're manageable for a lady?

That's right.

VO: Larger machines needed a little more horse, or donkey power.

This presumably was pulled by something?

Yes, we've classed this as a small pony mower, or a donkey mowing machine.

So you would have a donkey, somebody leading the donkey?

Somebody would be leading the donkey with a carrot on the front.

CHARLIE: (LAUGHS) And then somebody on the back?

And somebody would be on the back.

That's hugely labor intensive isn't it?

It is, but don't forget, labor was cheap then to what it is today.

VO: By the Edwardian period, mowers were still a luxury with only the very rich being able to afford one like this, from 1907.

You know what strikes me first of all looking at that machine, it looks more sophisticated than the equivalent motor car.

Yeah, and more expensive too.

This machine in 1907 would be £125.

That's a huge amount of money.

I mean, that equates today to something like 15,000.

Extraordinary.

In those days, actually that would have bought you a house.

Well, it would, but you see the other thing is with motor mowers of this period, they wouldn't have been used by the gardener, they would have been used by the chauffeur because he was the person who knew about petrol engines.

Right, yeah, yeah.

The gardener wouldn't have had a clue.

Yeah.

VO: A chauffeur to mow the lawn, eh?

Those were the days!

Well, what an enlightening visit for Charlie, but it's time to leave Andrew's lawnmowers behind and motor off to meet Thomas.

It's the moment of truth, when our experts reveal their purchases to one another.

The boys have regrouped in the pub.

THOMAS: Rosco... CHARLIE: Yeah.

Rosco, are you going to reveal first?

Senioros prioritos I say.

How was your shopping?

Terrible, I don't want to talk about it.

I don't want to talk about it.

Get on with it, get on with it.

BOTH: (HUM FUNERAL MARCH) That's the Funeral March, by the way.

You don't want to be doing that too much.

THOMAS: Rosco!

CHARLIE: Yes.

Right.

I saw that in the shop.

So how much did you pay for it?

85.

Oh!

You're dancing a little jig there, aren't you?

THOMAS: Profit!

Profit!

Profit!

CHARLIE: One of these?

VO: Oh, Thomas likes that one, but what about a cup of tea with Mrs T?

Can I pick her up?

You can pick her up.

Can I pick up the lady?

The only time you'll pick up a lady.

The lady's not for turning.

£40 to £60 they make.

That cost 50 quid.

There you are.

You know, we're in the middle there.

You're in the middle.

By which time I'd got rather short for cash.

Yeah.

So I went random today and, without further ado, I bought an 18th century Chinese ginger jar, which is knackered.

Yeah, yeah.

A prunus blossom one which is later, but in good order, and a couple of random pots and the whole lot was 20 quid.

Oh, bargain.

Can you yodel?

No, I can't yodel.

Because I'd like to see you yodel.

# High on a hill was a lonely goatherd.

# Lay-ee-odl-lay-ee-odl lay-hee-hoo.

# That actually came into the bargaining.

Did it?

We sang it together as a duet.

THOMAS: You and... CHARLIE: Candy and I. I had a bit of a soft spot for Candy.

I bet you did!

VO: That Candy certainly made an impression.

Hm!

THOMAS: Right!

CHARLIE: Come on!

I didn't spend all my money I have to say.

Thomas!

THOMAS: I tried.

I tried.

CHARLIE: A weedy start.

The village pump!

The village pump.

Have a look.

Yup.

I would imagine you bought it for 25 quid, did you?

28.

Fine, isn't it?

THOMAS: Absolutely fine.

CHARLIE: You can't go wrong.

You've got a couple of Lebron prints, have you?

Baxters.

Baxters.

I hope they were cheap.

Yeah, they were really cheap.

They need to be cheap.

£15.

CHARLIE: For the two?

THOMAS: Yeah.

Sauce pot.

You sauce pot.

What have we got here?

Ah, well, this is the horror show.

Are you ready for this?

Has it got something in it?

THOMAS: It sure has.

CHARLIE: I hope it has.

It has.

Oh, dear!

THOMAS: (LAUGHS) Is that a bit of Armand Marseille?

VO: Top marks, Charlie!

It's just a do-it-yourself kit?

It's a do-it-yourself kit.

A do-it-yourself dolly kit.

I think that is worth... 75 to 80 quid.

I paid £30.

Thomas well done, old bean.

THOMAS: Well done, Rosco.

CHARLIE: May the best man win.

VO: All jolly cordial if you ask me.

But what did they really think?

It's all about Charlie's silver bowl.

I mean he's bought that so well.

It's going to fly away at the auction.

The next lot is the teapot.

It's fantastic.

I love those teapots.

Who's going to win?

Well, I hope it's Rosco cuz he spent all his money and wet Plant, has hardly spent £100.

So well done, Rosco.

Pretty obvious looking at Thomas's things that he's had a pretty tough time of that old shopping.

But he's played safe.

The village pump, 28 quid, will sell for 40 or so.

A pair of Baxter prints, like so many things, Baxter prints are just not worth what they used to be worth.

But at £15 the two, they are a safe buy.

It's going to be quite interesting, isn't it?

It's gonna be nip and tuck as the last gavel comes down.

We'll wait and see.

VO: All will be revealed very soon.

Shifty.

VO: It's been a very jovial first leg, kicking off in Watchet, meandering around the delightful county of Somerset, popping into Devon and now back into Somerset again for the chaps' first auction in Frome.

Right, come on!

Once more into the breach.

VO: Today's battleground is at the large rural auctioneers, Cooper and Tanner.

So what does auctioneer Dennis Barnard think of our experts' choices?

With regard to the case of dolls, they look a bit sad in there actually, just their heads and bodies.

Because there's so much work attached to them, I think £30 to £35 is probably top whack.

The Maggie Thatcher teapot, I know there's lots of them around but it is interesting, and I am thinking perhaps £60 to £75, something like that.

The silver cup is particularly attractive.

It is engraved which makes it less saleable, but I would be very surprised if it's less than £150 to £175.

I like it.

VO: Our experts began this journey with £200 each and over the last two days Charlie has spent every single penny on five auction lots.

Thomas, meanwhile, only managed to part with a measly £93 on four lots.

Dearie me.

Have you got butterflies in your tummy?

CHARLIE: I have.

THOMAS: Have you?

CHARLIE: I'm... THOMAS: Nervous?

Do you know, I've got that same feeling as when you're about to go out to bat.

Everything could all be over in a quick flash.

Yeah.

VO: Right chaps, concentrate, the auction is about to begin.

VO: First up is Charlie's copper charger, possibly Newlyn School.

Start me somebody at £10.

£10?

Ten we've got.

15, 15.

20, sir?

20, 20.

25?

Profit, profit, profit.

20 to you sir in the middle.

22, 22, 25, 25.

Look at that.

Look at that, I told you.

30 and two?

32, 35, 35, 38?

35.

Right there at 35.

Anyone else coming in?

At 35.

VO: A stonking £20 profit for Rosco's charger.

Well done!

Oh!

# I'm in the money.# VO: It's Thomas's pair of Baxter prints up next.

Who will start at £20?

Oh, go on.

Go on!

Ten then for these two pictures?

Five we've got.

Five we've got.

Who's got eight?

It's too cheap.

It's too cheap.

Eight, eight, ten there?

10.

12?

15?

12, 12.

Go on, one more.

At £12, you've all got this one wrong I think at £12.

Yours, sir, at £12.

Well, there you are, £12.

£3 loss.

VO: And sadly there'll be even more loss after the auction house takes its well-earned commission.

But they were Baxter prints at the end of the day.

And I tried to buy them for £12.

CHARLIE: Did you?

THOMAS: Yeah.

VO: That's the spirit.

Now it's Charlie's collection of damaged pots.

Now then, who's got £20 to start?

£20 I've got.

£20 start straightaway.

£20, five?

30, five?

Girls?

DENNIS: 35.

CHARLIE: Good girl.

THOMAS: Stop!

DENNIS: 40.

45?

40 with you, sir.

Well, you've got to bid on some of my lots now.

Anyone else coming in?

At £40?

VO: Rosco is on a roll.

Another £20 profit!

Well done!

VO: Very sporting!

VO: Now will Thomas scare the bidders off with his suitcase of dolls?

Who's got 20?

£20?

16 then?

16 for these dolls.

16 with the lady, 16, 16.

18 now?

18 quickly?

Go on, go on.

£16.

With you madam at £16.

Anyone else coming in?

That's it.

18, 18.

20 now, madam?

22, sir, 22.

24, madam?

24.

26 now, sir?

24 with the lady.

At £24.

Are we all done then?

At £24.

VO: I think Thomas has got the frights now.

Another loss.

It's not going well.

VO: Will Charlie's luck continue though?

It's his Alpine staff up next.

£40?

£20?

That would be a steal!

£20 we got.

20.

20, 20.

And five?

You won't find another one in this world I shouldn't think.

No.

25.

30.

There you are.

35, Paul?

35.

Oh, we're in profit, Percy profit!

45, Paul?

Are you sure?

42 if you like?

42.

45.

48?

£45 with you, sir.

45.

All done at £45 then.

VO: He's done it again!

# Odl-lay-hee-hee!

# Well, Thomas's luck has to turn surely and it's his mother-of-pearl purse up next.

Start me somebody at £20.

£20?

10 then?

Ten for the purse.

Ten we've got.

Ten with the lady.

Ten we've got.

15?

15 and 20.

And five?

Five.

Go on.

Go on.

30?

28, sir?

Have you got 28, sir?

Go on, he's got 28.

Yes?

28?

No.

25 for the lady.

28.

30?

DENNIS: £28.

THOMAS: Oh, £28!

Go on, one more.

Go on.

One more, one more.

All done at £28.

I'm still the auctioneer.

Thomas!

Sorry I get carried away.

You will get carried away, sir, if you're not careful.

VO: A profit for Thomas at last.

No wonder he's getting a little exuberant!

Still behind the game.

Go away, Rosco!

VO: Yes, play nicely children.

VO: It's Charlie's big purchase next, his silver cup for prize hens.

I know where I am going to start, I am going to start at just £100.

Who's got 110?

110 quickly.

110.

120.

130.

140.

I've got 135 on the book, John.

Have you got 140?

No.

DENNIS: 135.

THOMAS: There you are.

140.

140.

145 with my silver man.

Not bidding.

140 down here at 140.

Are we all done at £140?

VO: A stonking profit for Charlie.

It really looks like it's his day.

Profit Rosco they call him.

Profit Rosco.

VO: It's Thomas's last chance to catch up, but his Victorian water pump will need to make over £140 for him to stand a chance.

Let's start... £20 to start, shall we?

Garden feature, £20.

Straight in at 20.

And five, 30.

35.

40?

40.

Five.

Oh!

You're on fire.

50?

50.

Five?

55.

60?

60.

Thomas!

They're not threatening you, are they?

No, no, I promise you I've nothing to do with it.

You've got 65?

70 now?

70.

Five?

80?

80.

Five?

80.

With you, 80.

At £80.

At £80.

All done at £80?

VO: Not as much as he needed, but still a splendid £52 profit for Thomas.

At last he can celebrate!

Mwah!

Mwah!

Thank you!

What about me?

Oh!

VO: Lordy look at that!

Now, any takers for the last lot of the day?

It's Charlie's Margaret Thatcher teapot!

Start me at £20?

£20 for Spitting Image of Mrs Thatcher.

£20 I've got.

20, 20, 20.

20, with you sir at £20.

Who's got five?

Five.

30, five.

40, five.

50, five.

60, 70, 80, 90, 100.

Oh, Rosco!

£110?

100 with you sir.

100.

100.

Are we all done?

Anybody else coming in?

At £100.

VO: Ha!

The Iron Lady managed to turn our Charlie yet another luscious profit!

Well done, Rosco!

Pumps and Thatcher's to you.

Pumps and Thatcher's.

VO: Both our experts started this leg with £200 and, after paying auction costs, Thomas has made a decent profit of £25.08.

That leaves him with a respectable £225.08 to carry forward.

VO: That rascal Rosco, on the other hand, has triumphed today.

He's made a bumper profit of £95.20, which means he takes forward £295.20 to spend next time.

How was it for you, Thomas?

Go away!

You gloat!

I never realized you'd gloat.

I'm not a gloater!

No, well done!

You deserve it.

VO: You know you don't mean it.

We both ended up with more money than we started with.

And that's what we wanted to do.

VO: Next time on Antiques Road Trip, Charlie resorts to dressing up to get a deal.

(MIMICS TOMMY COOPER) Just like that!

VO: And Thomas, well, he just likes dressing up.

There you are.

I could look like a pirate now, couldn't I?

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