[CAR DRIVING BY] TIM WONNACOTT: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

[TRUMPET BLOWING] With 200 pounds each-- I like, I like, I like.

[CRASHING SOUND] [SHOUTING] TIM WONNACOTT: --a classic car, [BEEPING] [LAUGHING] --and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

[HONKING] [TAPPING GLASS] The aim-- to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

They'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

It's fine.

TIM WONNACOTT: So will it be the high road to glory-- [LAUGHING] --or a slow road to disaster?

Pull out the ignition.

[CAR ENGINE STARTING] TIM WONNACOTT: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

Yeah.

Today's experts Paul Laidlaw and Kate Bliss are winding their way through the Somerset countryside.

That's right amazing.

Man-made what?

KATE BLISS: Yeah, lovely.

TIM WONNACOTT: Their carriage for this trip is a classic 1967 Volvo P1800S [CAR SWERVING] for super.

Oh ho.

Breathe in all once.

[LAUGHING] Woo.

OK, we're in one piece.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: It's only the second leg of their road trip, but our experts are already enjoying a healthy rivalry.

Just get the hammer down, sir.

Get the hammer down.

TIM WONNACOTT: And Paul just about shaved ahead on the first leg.

Ah, well I thought I'd let you have the first one, you know, lull you into a false sense of security and all that.

[LAUGHING] So I go all cocky now.

Wade in deep.

KATE BLISS: Yeah.

I've got the touch.

I can do this.

TIM WONNACOTT: Kate's initial 200 pounds has sadly shrunk to 188 pounds and 14 pence.

But Paul, who began with the same amount, now has 229 pounds and 24 pence to spend today.

So hey, you must be pretty chuffed with yourself after that auction, Mr. Laidlaw.

Oh, behave yourself.

That is no margin that-- TIM WONNACOTT: They kicked off their journey on the West Coast of Wales before crossing into England.

And they're going to head for the South Coast before meandering around to Kent, and finally ending up at auction in the Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds.

This leg will eventually end up at auction in Winchester.

But our first port of call is the city of Bristol, otherwise known as Bristol.

Ha.

The home of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's famous ship the SS Great Britain.

Today's first shop, Odds and Tod's, is a joint visit.

Standby.

Well done.

We're here.

Marvelous.

Right, then.

Say, hi.

Meet the natives.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Let's hope their friendly.

Ah, hello there.

Good to see you.

Nice to meet you.

Hi, I'm Kate.

Hi.

- Paul.

Nice to meet you.

Good to see you, lads.

Yeah.

Can we have the look around.

Yes, you carry on.

Have a look around.

- Is it big enough for both us?

- Hmm.

[LAUGHING] I don't know about that.

But I'm going that way.

And I'm going in the opposite direction.

TIM WONNACOTT: Quite right.

Divide and conquer.

Don't get under each other's feet.

Oh, come on.

Every aisle I turn.

TIM WONNACOTT: Now, now.

There's plenty of space for everyone.

This place appears cavernous.

Woa.

Where do you start?

It's absolutely jam-packed.

But very quickly, if you know what you're looking for, you can sort of filter everything in your head.

And I'm already homing in on the areas where I think, potentially, there might be something for me.

Somebody's bus pass.

TIM WONNACOTT: Not mine.

I can assure you.

What's that you found, Paul?

That's an army officer's tunic.

Indeed, it's the 19th century.

See the collar badges-- referred to in the army as collared dogs-- I wager, North or South Staffordshire regiment.

I'll tell you something else, see the knots-- sometimes called Austrian knots on the cuffs-- it's not gold.

It's silver.

Volunteer unit.

Regular army units.

Gilt-colored insignia.

Volunteer units is a point of distinction.

White metal fitting.

This [INAUDIBLE] to do well to deduce, with it on handled it.

TIM WONNACOTT: Only one way to find out more.

See a healthy layer of dust on it.

He's been there a while.

Yeah, he's been there for a while.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Expensive?

50 pounds.

Oh, we have a tempter.

It is Victorian.

But it does have a problem.

These buttons are nothing to do with it.

And they've not been stitched on.

They've been put through.

Take those off, and you're gonna end up with a hole.

And you're also going to end up with a big bright scarlet spot.

Oh, that's frustrating.

Give me-- think about it.

OK, I'll just put that out of the way for a minute.

Cheers, lad.

You're a good man.

TIM WONNACOTT: Anything else for Paul to get his mitts on?

That is way more than an aluminum ashtray.

It says here, made from a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine piston.

And this is one piston from one cylinder and a Merlin engine.

TIM WONNACOTT: And the Merlin powered Spitfires and Hurricanes during the Second World War.

An interesting find.

If you've ever heard one running and going past you.

[IMITATING A CAR] Evocative beyond belief.

This is the line folks, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

There's proofs for you.

Who said that?

Ah, it's Winston Churchill, of course.

Who is he talking about?

He's talking about the pilots of the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm that won the Battle of Britain.

And here's the punch line-- the bit that sells it to me and hopefully to someone else-- "as used in the Battle of Britain, August to October 1940."

You want that, don't you?

Oh.

[GIGGLING] TIM WONNACOTT: Settle down, Paul.

Price-- 48 pounds.

Les?

That's got a big price tag on it.

You got slack in that?

30.

You-- 25.

Thank you very much.

Great.

TIM WONNACOTT: That's one in the bag for Paul.

How's Kate getting on?

Do you know, in a shop like this, you've really got to squeeze into the tight spaces.

And I've come into the nether regions here to see what I can spot that other people might have missed.

Paperweights are, in a way, one of the best kept secrets in arts and antiques.

Because they're such a specialist area.

Now, there's two here that have caught my eye.

This one shows the art of making cadence in paperweights.

It's a technique called mille fiori, which is from the Italian, which actually means 1,000 flowers.

And this technique goes way, way back thousands of years.

Now, I've spotted a date in one of those canes-- 1952.

And then on the other side, in one of the tiny little stars, 1977.

Now, that says to me, the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

And that of course, is why it's been done in red, white, and blue.

TIM WONNACOTT: And the other one?

You've got a beautiful organic swirling pattern inside and a lovely color.

Turn it upside down, and you've got a clear name here for Medina.

Now the Medinan factory started in the 60s in Malta and was really making art glass forms for the tourist industry.

I love the color of that.

It's not antique.

But it's an art form in glass, which has gained popularity.

So I am going to go and see Les about these two.

TIM WONNACOTT: (WHISPERING) Let's keep this quiet.

The ticket prices for the paperweights are 6 pounds for the Silver Jubilee and 10 pounds for the Medina.

Hi, Les.

All right, then.

I've just extracted these from vinyl cabinets there.

What could you do on these for me?

I'm looking for some 13 pounds.

OK, is that your absolute death?

[LAUGHING] I'll do another pound-- 12.

12 for the two.

All right, well I'll have a little think about that if I may.

Yes, that's all right.

Is there anything else you could pop in with those for me just to boost them up a bit-- Is there anything else you've seen?

--that might be a little bit more value.

I've seen a little Victorian glass dump wait.

TIM WONNACOTT: Let's take a squint.

So this is the one I was talking about, Les, here.

TIM WONNACOTT: Dump wait-- [SCOFFS] which could be used as paperweights or doorstops, got their name because they were made from the remnants of bottle production that otherwise would have been dumped.

And this one's priced at 38 pounds.

Could that go in with the other two?

And if so, what sort of money?

What do you want to pay?

What do I want to pay?

As little as possible.

Yeah, well no.

I would pay 25.

Go on then.

25 on the three paperweights.

- Well, are sure, Les?

- Yeah.

- Fantastic.

- Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

TIM WONNACOTT: Well, that's Kate off the block.

Super job.

There we go, Les.

Thank you very much.

That's for me.

Thank you very much indeed.

I'm going to put that one in my pocket.

Thank you very much.

Bye.

See you then, bye.

TIM WONNACOTT: Now, what's Paul up to?

What a bizarre kite-like object I've spied up there.

That is arguably African, ethnic, tribal art.

But first and foremost, it's a lifesaver.

Because that's a shield.

Is distinctive form allows me to tell you it comes from the Sudan-- I think, the Southern Sudan-- the Toposa people.

And they have these hide shields with wings, top and bottom.

Call them serifs.

It's authentic in its construction and appears to have some age to it.

Is there a market for it?

Absolutely.

Do I want it?

Oh, yes.

Do you know what it's priced at?

There's some sort of faded label on the back.

TIM WONNACOTT: Let's find, Les then.

Les.

- 95 pounds.

No.

I'll tell you what-- You can make me an offer.

Let's have a conversation as well, right.

And then I'll go-- yeah, oh, yeah.

See the uniform that we looked at?

Yeah.

That thing, because someone has put holes in the front of it, is ruined.

But it's got some badges on it.

So it's of some interest still to someone.

I'm offering you 20 quid for the uniform and 20 quid for the shield.

[SCOFFS] Oh, come on.

What can you do?

40 pounds on the uniform.

Will you take 20 quid to the shield?

40 pound on the shield.

That's less than half price.

Would you do 70 quid the pair?

75 pounds.

And that's it.

[CLICKS TONGUE] 75 quid, is it.

- Cheers.

- Amazing.

Thank you.

I'm only thinking about how we got to get that down.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: So that's 100 pounds for the piston ashtray, and the army tunic, and the tribal shield.

Oh, wonderful.

I shall settle my debts.

20, 40, 70, 80-- 100 pounds.

- Thank you very much.

Les, thank you.

Pleasure doing business today.

Absolute pleasure.

See you next time.

TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile, Kate has made her way to the Clifton area of Bristol.

She's meeting Laura Hilton, manager of the Clifton Bridge Visitor Center.

So here we are.

Wow, look at that.

Woa, it certainly catches the wind up here.

Yeah, just a little bit, just a-- [LAUGHING] That is a phenomenal view, isn't it?

And the bridge just looks really majestic laid out below you, doesn't it?

TIM WONNACOTT: This iconic bridge spanning the Avon Gorge has connected Bristol to North Somerset since 1864.

And so you've got Bristol all that way-- Yeah, you can see practically the whole of the city from here.

TIM WONNACOTT: It was designed and built by the famous 19th century engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

But 20 years before construction started on this bridge, a local woman Sarah Guppy made her own grand plans to span the Avon Gorge.

So this wasn't particularly encouraged in women at the time.

Was it-- we're talking the late Georgian period, aren't we?

I mean, women really were expected to sit, and sew, and play the piano, and be very social.

Yes, that's right.

So at this time, women really were expected to be the wife, be the mother, look after the household-- in high society, to be a socialite, to throw parties, to entertain people, to really just help to promote their husband, and, you know, entertain his business contacts.

TIM WONNACOTT: Sarah Guppy would not be constrained by the conventions of etiquettes of the time.

And the death of a local merchant might have been the catalyst for her bridge designing.

In 1750, a man called William Vick left 1,000 pounds in his will to build a toll-free stone bridge across the Avon gorge.

And this is really the beginning of the story here.

TIM WONNACOTT: 17 years later, Sarah designed and patented a bridge for crossing the Avon gorge.

Although the design was submitted by a female, it didn't stop expressions of interest in a local newspaper.

"the plan invented by Mrs. Guppy of Bristol appears to be capable of being performed expeditiously.

As soon as a subscription is set on foot for such a bridge, I intend setting down my name for 50 or 100 shares."

Unfortunately, Sarah Guppy's bridge was never built.

LAURA HILTON: There was a major issue with the positioning of the bridge.

Sarah had designed something that would work at water level.

The admiralty had a decree that all bridges must be over 110 feet high so that ships-- warships-- in times of trouble, would be able to leave port quickly and get out to sea.

TIM WONNACOTT: Unlike Guppy's bridge design, the Clifton bridge was built high above the gorge.

Although there is no evidence to suggest that Brunel was influenced by Sarah Guppy's design, she did have ties to him.

So we know that Sarah Guppy was good friends with the Brunels.

And in fact, Sarah Guppy's son, Thomas Guppy, ended up working with this Isambard Kingdom Brunel on the Great Western Railway and two of his ships, the SS great Western and the SS Great Britain.

TIM WONNACOTT: However, Sarah Guppy did leave an engineering legacy in her own right.

So Sarah and her first husband were in America.

And they discovered their technology for shipping barnacle repellent nails.

And they purchased this invention, improved on it, and brought it to the UK, and patented it.

Then they sold it to the Royal Navy for 40,000 pounds.

And in today's equivalent, that would been millions of pounds.

TIM WONNACOTT: Sarah Guppy had broken one taboo-- the female sex being involved in engineering design.

She also found a solution for another-- how Georgian ladies could keep fit.

Because for women to exercise in public, it was very much frowned upon at the time, wasn't it?

Well of course, she couldn't exactly put on her jogging pants and go out round Clifton.

TIM WONNACOTT: Her invention was ahead of its time.

If you imagine a four poster bed that then turns into a multi gym.

It had pull up bars.

It had steps in it.

It meant the women in the privacy of their own homes could get fit.

So this and a little private gym, essentially.

TIM WONNACOTT: Although there are sketches of Sarah Guppy's designs, we sadly don't know what the great lady herself looked like.

There are no known images of her.

After the death of her first husband, Sarah was beset with misfortune.

She married again.

Her second husband was a gambler.

And because he had access to the bank accounts, all of that money that she'd accumulated from her patents just got gambled away.

What a sad story.

But how nice that we can look back today and recognize her achievements.

Yes.

And I think if she were alive today, she would be a very well respected engineer with a great career.

TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile, Paul has made his way to the stunning city of Bath, famous for its seven crescents.

He's visiting his second shop.

- It's Alex?

- Yes.

Good to see you.

Hello, Paul.

This is Off the Wall?

Certainly is.

PAUL LAIDLAW: It gives some first impression, I'll give you that.

ALEX: Thank you.

PAUL LAIDLAW: So have a mooch, find something, come back and see you?

ALEX: Yeah an explore.

Seems like a plan.

We'll do that.

Yeah, see you in a bit.

See you in a bit.

TIM WONNACOTT: Anything tickle your fancy?

A pair of little child's moccasins, surely.

Buckskin, a bit of cotton, a bit of plush velvet, and glass beads.

The label says Iroquois, Native American people.

And a sophisticate can pin down from the patterns and styles of the beadwork and so on what part of America such pieces come from.

Very highly collectable.

But of course, still being made today.

So what do we look for?

Well, the first thing is, what are they made of?

Any nylon or synthetic threads in there, or natural materials.

I put it to you, that they're probably 19th century.

And certainly no younger in the early 20th.

Price-- all of 68 pounds.

Frankly, I've sold these for 3,500 pounds a pair.

But they were early, and fine, and super.

They don't sell dear at 68 pounds.

Worth a point?

TIM WONNACOTT: One possible.

Moving on, though.

What else?

I spotted this year earlier.

But I feel lazy, being tempted by it.

TIM WONNACOTT: Pray tell all.

Because this wouldn't be the first time I'd bought such a thing.

TIM WONNACOTT: No, it isn't.

And as you know, it's not just any old ashtray.

Because this stone is stone recovered from the Houses of Parliament.

The Houses of Parliament were bombed during the Blitz.

And during their reconstruction work, some bright spark came up with the idea, rather than throwing that stone away, make things from it and sell those objects in need of war charities.

This is one such.

This cast led plug here shows the clock tower.

"This stone came from the Houses of Parliament."

I love that.

Prefer if it was not another ashtray.

Prefer it was bookends, paperweights.

But for 26 pounds, it's a profit in that auction.

And I should buy it.

But I've done it before.

And it's putting me off.

I don't want to be seemly and boring.

TIM WONNACOTT: Hardly likely to do that, Paul.

Kablooey things is that I'm half interested in-- OK. --and see if there's any slack in your price.

The moccasins.

Right.

Well, I've got 68 on them.

I could come down a little bit.

Help you out.

OK. About 55.

It's not enough.

But it's reasonable.

The other thing-- one House of Commons ashtray.

Yeah, at 26 pounds.

Yeah.

Interesting item.

Yeah.

Well, we could do a little bundle price.

OK, yeah.

50 and 20.

So 70 altogether.

OK, I'm going to make you an offer.

60 for the two.

I can do that.

Yeah, we can shake on 60.

You've done it then.

[INAUDIBLE] So-- You have hell of a place.

[LAUGHING] Thank you, thank you.

And you're two wee things lighter now.

TIM WONNACOTT: That's 40 pounds for the moccasins and 20 pounds for the ashtray.

Great.

That settles my debts.

Thanks very much.

Pleasure.

All the best.

TIM WONNACOTT: That concludes today's shopping for our duo.

KATE BLISS: Sheep lying down.

That means rain.

TIM WONNACOTT: No, it doesn't.

Cows lying down means rain.

Nighty, night.

KATE BLISS: Well a lovely morning forest.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Majestic.

TIM WONNACOTT: No sheep standing up.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Sun's one to crack open.

Yeah.

On the shopping front, I've-- mm, let's put it this way.

I've got plenty of money left.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: You certainly have, Kate.

After buying that big old dump and the other two, you've got 163 pounds left to spend.

How about you?

You spent lots?

Oh, I've spent a good deal wack of what I had.

Oh, have you?

TIM WONNACOTT: No, that you did, Paul.

But you landed the ashtrays, the officers coatee, the African shield, and the moccasins.

And you've got 69 pounds left to spend.

I mean, I would never have found that thousand pound lot for 150 yesterday if I'd have given up.

Get out of here, Mr. Laidlaw.

You're probably double bluffing me.

[LAUGHING] I saw which, kid.

I saw when.

TIM WONNACOTT: Our experts have headed for the coast.

KATE BLISS: That is the sea.

Not a bad prospect.

Look at that.

Oh, ho.

TIM WONNACOTT: Today, Kate is dropping Paul off in a rather windswept Weston-super-Mare.

I don't care how cold it is.

I'm getting out of this thing.

[LAUGHING] - Good luck.

- Have a good one.

Bye.

See you later.

TIM WONNACOTT: The town is famous for its two piers.

Sadly only one, the Grand, is still in use today.

Paul's next stop is Violet Antiques.

Sounds fragrant.

Where's Violet?

[BELL TINKLING] There here we go.

Hi, Paul.

Angie, good to see you.

And you.

What a nice neck of the woods.

Yeah, it's not bad, is it?

Yeah.

And this feels good.

Good.

You like it.

- Yeah.

I'll have a wee rummage.

Yeah.

Come and see.

TIM WONNACOTT: You're being watched, Paul.

The pickings looking a wee bit dire.

[LAUGHING] Not sure about-- how you doing?

Oh.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Down, boy Introduction's over.

Time to get back to work.

And what's caught Paul's eyes so quickly here?

A watercolor.

PAUL LAIDLAW: I shouldn't buy a picture.

I don't think you should buy pictures or furniture.

- No.

- What?

- No, because I do well with it.

- Do you?

- Yes.

- Do you?

I do actually.

But you retail.

You create your environment at auction.

It's harsh.

- Yes.

TIM WONNACOTT: Still tempted though, aren't you?

I quite like-- That's nice.

It's a good work.

You've got to look past the 50s frame.

Oh, yes And see that in a fabulous period gilt frame.

And it's a nice watercolor.

Hm.

TIM WONNACOTT: Yeah.

It appears to be by David Cox, the influential 19th century water colorist from Birmingham.

But can that be cheap or not?

TIM WONNACOTT: Hey, you don't beat about the bush, do you Paul?

It's got a ticket price of 105 pounds.

I have had a little while.

PAUL LAIDLAW: OK. 40.

You'll be selling me that for 40 quid?

I'd buy it for 40 quid.

Deal.

I've done it.

[CHUCKLING] But a breath ago I said don't buy paintings.

[LAUGHING] - You've done it now.

- Look at that.

I have done it now.

I've bought a painting.

There we are, we did.

It may need a bit of space, no?

I haven't a gist.

Thank you very much.

I've had fun.

40 pounds.

Thank you very much.

And I hope it goes well for you.

I'll take the luck.

Thank you.

Bye.

See you.

TIM WONNACOTT: Let's leave Paul to enjoy the sea air in Western.

Kate, meanwhile, has made her way through the beautiful Somerset countryside and is headed for the town of Cheddar, renowned for the cheese of the same name.

Mm, tasty.

Her next stop is the rather jauntily named Ain't Too Proud to Browse.

- Hello, there.

- Oh, hi.

Hi.

You must be Jules.

- Yeah.

I'm Jules.

- Great to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

This is like a TARDIS in here, isn't it?

JULES: Yep, yep.

Yeah, it certainly is.

I'll have a rooch.

JULES: Go.

Have a rooch.

- Thank you.

JULES: Yeah.

Hey, look at this.

Now, I'll bet this has seen some action.

Here it just fits in here under the eaves.

It's so long.

So it's made of copper.

And it's known as a coaching horn.

Because its use was to announce the arrival of a coach when it came into a busy town.

And the coachman would simply put this to his lips and blow a warning signal.

And it would basically say, get out of my way.

Now, the ticket price on this is 35 pounds.

It's a fair retail price.

It's obviously seen some action.

It's got somewhere-- a few dents.

But it's got its nice brass mouthpiece there.

Should we give it a go?

[BLOWING HORN] TIM WONNACOTT: Bravo, Kate.

Not bad.

Still working.

Hey, this is great up here.

What a lovely building.

Now, I've just spotted in here a nice little pin dish.

And it's very distinctive actually.

You can see that dark blue glaze, and then the lovely flower on top.

If I run my fingers over the pattern, you can feel that the detail here is raised.

And that's what's known as tube lining.

And if you turn it over, you can see the name Moorcroft.

And that factory was one of the best at it.

Now, Moorcroft has really been a buoyant market in recent years.

It's just starting to go down a little bit.

But pin dishes like this are still really commercial.

So I think this is worth a chat.

Ah, just the man.

Yes.

[CHUCKLING] You found something?

I have.

I found this in in one of your cupboards upstairs.

What could you do for me on that?

TIM WONNACOTT: It sports a ticket price of 40 pounds.

I think we could go down to 20.

20.

OK. And if I said I'll take the coaching horn as well?

TIM WONNACOTT: Under 35 on that.

Could you chuck that in and say 30 for the two?

Uh, oh-- how's about 35?

Or can you stretch that out?

Could you do 32?

32.

- Meet you in the middle.

- Yeah.

- Yes?

- Deal.

- Great.

- Deal.

That works for me.

Let me give you some money.

I couldn't resist her.

I know I need lessons on the coaching horn.

There we go.

And there's the two.

Thank you so much.

Oops.

- Lovely.

- There we go.

- That's for you.

- Wonderful.

- Great.

- Thank you so much, Kate.

Now, the question is, will it go in the car?

TIM WONNACOTT: Neatly done, Kate.

[CAR DRIVING AWAY] TIM WONNACOTT: Meanwhile, Paul has found himself in the town of Bridgwater.

He's come to hear the much forgotten story of a local man credited as the father of the modern Royal Navy, and to find out why so little is known about him.

Fortunately, David Seaborne is an expert on general at sea, Robert Blake.

I get Drake in the Tudors.

And I get Nelson in the Napoleonic.

But I'm lost in the middle.

Tell me more.

Well, the one man stands out in the 17th century is Robert Blake, general at sea.

It was largely due to Blake that the Navy became organized in the way that it was.

So was Blake a Naval man from his youth?

Oh, no.

Absolutely not.

He became a very effective soldier in the Civil War.

PAUL LAIDLAW: An army soldier?

He's fighting on the land?

DAVID SEABORNE: He was an army man.

So which side was he on?

Oh, very much on the parliamentarian side.

Most famously he defended Thomson for, off and on, 10 months against three royalist attacks.

This was what made him a bit of a national hero at that stage.

TIM WONNACOTT: Blake's success on land was duly noted.

DAVID SEABORNE: He's-- almost out of the blue-- appointed general at sea.

There were three generals at sea.

And he was the leading one.

TIM WONNACOTT: It was hoped Blake could transform the fortune of the Navy.

The parliamentary authorities wanted to see military discipline in the Navy.

And the Navy were an ill disciplined lot.

A vice admiral had defected to the royalists.

And they suspected the loyalty of their admiral.

But they could trust the army.

A whole lot of new regulations come out-- lists of things that are not to happen.

Can you give me some examples?

Anything from stealing to spying, from cowardice to sleeping on duty.

And for most of these, the punishment was death.

PAUL LAIDLAW: My word.

This is what Blake did.

He instilled discipline into the Navy.

TIM WONNACOTT: Blake took part in several campaigns at sea, being badly wounded during one.

However, it would be his actions against the Spanish merchant fleet that would cement his place in Naval history.

They hear news that the Spanish treasure fleet is anchored in the Canary Islands-- Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

And this was what like was good at.

Naval operations against land targets or ships at anchor.

The English fleet sail into Tenerife.

And by the end of the day, all the Spanish ships were either burning or on the bottom.

TIM WONNACOTT: So Blake was triumphant against the Spanish at Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Although, he was losing his own battle with wounds inflicted during earlier campaigns.

By that time, Blake knew he was dying.

Blake's one last wish was to be able to die on English soil.

TIM WONNACOTT: Cromwell gave Blake permission to return home.

And as the ship's come up Plymouth sound, he dies.

He breathes his last.

So he never did get his last wish.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Oh, my word.

TIM WONNACOTT: Although robbed of his dying wish, Blake did receive a state funeral.

David, why did I not know this story before today?

Because three years after he's been buried as a national hero in Westminster Abbey, the King is restored to the throne.

And for political reasons, all the great achievements of the Commonwealth period were airbrushed out of history.

Because they were Republicans after all.

TIM WONNACOTT: Though the royalists were keen for us to forget all about Blake, his memory still lives on today.

This is very special-- and we're very proud of it-- Blake's sea chest.

His very own?

His very own sea chest.

So this I could call 17th century campaign furniture?

Indeed.

Would you like to see inside?

May we?

Oh, my word.

It's not simply a chest or trunk.

It's a secretariat.

It's his desk.

DAVID SEABORNE: It's a mobile office.

PAUL LAIDLAW: What a piece of furniture.

And this would have been on the ship upon which he died, approaching England.

Yes.

TIM WONNACOTT: Blake may well have been forgotten down the centuries.

But the fighting force he helped create would continue to be renowned around the world.

But in an ironic twist of history, this Republican's beloved Navy would eventually come to be known as the Royal Navy.

Let's catch up with Kate in the Somerset countryside.

Now I've got three lots under my belt.

I haven't spent a great deal of money on any one lot.

So from that point of view, I'm sitting quite pretty.

But I would like to get something of really good quality if I can.

TIM WONNACOTT: Fingers crossed then, Kate.

Lemon Tree Antiques is in the quaint village of Blackford.

Hello, there.

Hello, Kate.

[LAUGHING] How are you?

- Hi.

Hey, great.

- Nice to see you.

Thanks.

This is quite a place you've got here.

Yes.

It'll take you a little most to look around.

TIM WONNACOTT: That it.

Well, Les has got lots of goodies in here.

KATE BLISS: Is it all right if I have a bit of a mooch?

Yes, of course, Now, we've got a real mix in this stick stand of walking sticks.

But what's caught my eye is this parasol, or umbrella if you like.

And it's the handle actually in these parasols which is often the most commercial piece.

And here you can see we've got some lovely gilt decoration here-- very elegant.

Obviously, a lady's piece.

And you've just got a little bit of ray scroll work there to give you a little bit of detail and decoration.

But here's the treat, if you open it up-- TIM WONNACOTT: Careful, don't jinx your visit.

It's bad luck to open it all the way.

TIM WONNACOTT: Like so many things.

Look at that.

So you've got some lovely embroidery work there inside, beautiful colored silks all in really nice condition.

But you've got an outer coating as well to keep the showers away.

I think this is probably post-war.

The handle looks French, and possibly a little bit earlier.

I think that's worth a punt on the right money.

Well, I'm going to tuck it back for now.

TIM WONNACOTT: That's what they all say, Kate.

Oh, and have a look at this.

Now, brass isn't something that I would normally go for.

And in fact, it has suffered a little bit of decline in the marketplace.

But this is interesting, because you've got quite a good set here.

Pair of fire dogs as they're called matching the fire dogs.

You've got your firearms, your poker, your tongs, and of course, your shovel.

And these are very much in the Georgian style.

I've got a set at home that I still use with the wood burner.

So they're still actually very practical items.

Les, are you about?

How can I help?

You've got some great stuff in here.

But most of it, I have to tell you, is unfortunately out of my price range.

But I have landed on this set of brass firearms and the dogs there.

So it's a good set, isn't it?

But I can't see a ticket price.

What are you looking for on that?

Well, that's only just come in, Kate.

And we haven't actually put a price on it.

We were gonna put 100 pounds on it.

Oh, what could you do?

A little bit better.

You, lass, got me.

Just for me?

How about 75 quid?

[INHALES SHARPLY] Oh, I have seen a little parasol just around the corner, tucked in your stick stand.

What would be your best-- Um.

--if I took the parasol as well?

75 quid.

I can't go any more than 70.

- Is that any good to you?

- OK. God-- - Oh-- - You drive a hard bargain.

Good man.

I knew you'd see sense.

- 70 quid.

- Let's give you some cash.

- Yeah.

- That's for you.

Thank you.

Now, I've got to stagger out with this.

I'll give you a hand, dear lady.

Brilliant.

TIM WONNACOTT: Oh, who says the age of chivalry is dead?

Well, I mustn't forget me brolly.

TIM WONNACOTT: Definitely not.

It just cost you 10 pounds.

And you paid 60 for those fire dogs.

Time now to find Mr. Laidlaw.

I do like this car.

It has a sort of understated style.

Yeah.

KATE BLISS: Just like yourself.

[LAUGHING] Quite.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Now time for some shut eye.

Good morning from the beautiful city of Winchester.

Well this is rather smart.

Isn't it just?

Wealthy clients.

That's what we need-- big bidders.

Come on.

TIM WONNACOTT: It's the end of our experts west country wander.

They started their journey in Bristol, before sauntering through Somerset and ending up in Hampshire.

And its Belmont's Winchester cellroom which is our final destination for this trip.

Paul bought five lots for 200 pounds, and Kate also bagged five lots but for 127 pounds.

So what did our Kate and Paul make of each other's booty?

This stuff shouts Paul Laidlaw, does it not?

TIM WONNACOTT: Yes, sir.

So that this jacket doesn't get lost in the showroom, he's bought the dummy.

So this is beautifully shown off to fulfill its potential.

That is the Laidlaw marketing machine that I am up against.

I've got a sweat on.

That's scary.

25 pounds.

I think you could arguably bid 25 pounds each for those and think you've done well.

TIM WONNACOTT: Auctioneer Jonathan Pratt has cast his eye over our experts' lots.

Go JP.

David Cox is a very well known artist from the early 19th century.

There are lots and lots of fakes of David Cox.

We have to be very careful when we sell this.

We think it's right.

Sadly, it's not going to go flying away.

Because the market just isn't strong enough for Victorian watercolors.

Moorcroft pin dishes-- it's a pretty safe bet.

It depends how well it is bought it, of course.

But it's a nice quality thing.

It's a modern collectible.

I would have thought certainly 30 to 50 pounds.

But the things they bought today, I think will do just fine.

TIM WONNACOTT: Fingers crossed then.

And it's standing room only.

[BANGING GAVEL] Pretty packed room, I would say.

It's filled with genteel with.

Hm.

No garden gnomes.

Or gnomes.

TIM WONNACOTT: First up, can Paul smoke a profit out with his ashtrays?

I was quite happy with my military and ashtray lot.

Where you?

Then I bought them.

[INAUDIBLE] is the one I'm most worried about.

I've got 40 pounds on commission to start.

We're at 40 pounds, looking for 5 now-- Crikey, that's better than I thought.

Any interest at 45?

40, 45, internet, 50 with me.

Again, it's 50 pounds against-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] JONATHAN PRATT: Do I hear 55?

60 with me.

--profit.

JONATHAN PRATT: We're getting into 60 internet.

65, 70 with me.

Still 70 pounds on commission.

It's 75.

80 on commission.

[GASPS] Oh, blimey.

Against you, 80 internet.

85 pounds internet.

And I'm out now.

It's 85 pounds.

Is there 90 on the net now?

90 pounds now on the net.

Still going at 90.

I'm selling 90 pounds.

All done.

[BANGING GAVEL] TIM WONNACOTT: Balls off to a scorcher.

Oh, what do I know about ashtrays?

TIM WONNACOTT: Kate's pinning her hopes on her first lot.

Straightaway at 15 pounds on commission.

15 on commission.

Look at-- [INAUDIBLE] 20, 25.

30 at the back of the room.

Yes.

35, 40-- That'll do.

45, 50, 55.

Not bad.

That's not bad at all.

--by the bed.

65 for the lady.

70 with the gentleman, waving.

Ladies out.

75 on the net now.

It's going to go one more, sir.

80 in the room.

That's a strong price.

again, the internet is 80 pounds.

In the room then, your bid, sir, 80 pounds.

[BANGING GAVEL] They like Moorcroft down here.

TIM WONNACOTT: That's a stoneking profit for Kate.

Well, come on.

I had to catch you up.

And, boy, did you.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Next, will Paul walk away with a proft for his moccasins?

I've got 15 pounds to start on commission.

Looking for 20 now.

20, 25-- - Bidder in the room.

- 30.

And I'm out now.

Standing at 30 pounds.

35 internet bid now.

Next in.

35 pounds.

Any more at 35 pounds?

Anyone else want to join in?

They're a bit small.

But they're comfy.

[LAUGHING] It's 35 pounds.

Do you want to go one more?

Go one more.

- I'll go one more.

- One more.

40 pounds-- That's a hell of an auctioneer.

40 pounds.

Didn't take much to convince him.

It's 40 pounds.

Fair warning.

[BANGING GAVEL] Thank you.

Well, you can't win them all, Paul.

Not a big step backward.

But no flyer either.

You are Mr.

Positive, aren't you?

TIM WONNACOTT: Kate's paperweights are next.

KATE BLISS: Not sure whether I've done the right thing putting all these together.

I absolutely hope it was the wrong thing to do.

[LAUGHING] 25, 35, 45 on the commission at 45.

That's all right.

I'll 50 notes.

He's got 55 with me.

60 behind at the back.

[INAUDIBLE] 60 and I'm out now.

60, 65 on the net.

70.

Still hand in the air at 70 now.

Against the internet 70-- [INAUDIBLE] Oh, that's brilliant.

Keep it ongoing.

85, 90-- you say, no?

Can't convince you?

Can I convince you?

oh you're thinking about it.

90.

- He's good.

90 pounds [LAUGHING] 90.

95 on the net.

It's a definite no this time.

95 pounds, fair warning [BANGING GAVEL] [SUPRESSING LAUGH] TIM WONNACOTT: What can I say, another great showing.

What a [INAUDIBLE] Wait, that's not bad.

TIM WONNACOTT: Will Paul's African shield turn a profit?

I've got 25 to start.

25 pounds.

Looking for 30 now.

30, 35 with me.

Internet.

40, 45 with me.

50 on the net now.

And I'm out now.

It's on the net, 50.

55.

Any more?

55 pounds then, on the net?

[INAUDIBLE] is just going to make me a little bit.

55 pounds now, I'll sell.

Fair warning.

[BANGING GAVEL] That's all right, yeah.

That's profit.

Nevermind all right.

It's an insult.

TIM WONNACOTT: Every little bit helps though.

I want the ethnographic profits.

[LAUGHING] I want the Moorcroft profits.

Give me it all.

TIM WONNACOTT: Will Kate leave Paul in the shade with her parasol?

[CHUCKLES] 25 with me.

Look at the 30.

30-- - Come on.

Don't go quiet.

35 with me.

40 and 5 with me.

[INAUDIBLE] 45 pounds.

50 and 5 again with me on commission at 55 pounds.

He's very good.

Oh, he's very good.

Anyone else joining in the room?

60 on the net now.

And I'm out now at 60 pounds.

And selling on the net 60.

[BANGING ON GAVEL] That's all right.

That is all right.

I say it's all right.

It's not all right.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Wow, it looks like Kate's got the Midas touch today.

I'm on a roll.

Damn.

No, I shouldn't say that.

Touch wood.

Touch wood.

TIM WONNACOTT: Will Paul catch up with his watercolor?

Commission here 20 pounds, I have.

Kate, nobody here's gonna bid.

It's worth a punt.

30 pounds against you.

Internet 30-- 5 and 40 I have.

Against you 40 pounds-- That's a break even.

[INAUDIBLE] It's going.

JONATHAN PRATT: 45 pounds.

Anyone else now at 45 pounds?

Selling to net 45.

[BANGING GAVEL] - OK. - Fair.

Took a punt.

Didn't get one.

TIM WONNACOTT: A small faded profit.

Oh, I could done with some glory though.

I peaked with the ashtrays.

You did.

I never expected that.

TIM WONNACOTT: How 'bout Kate's fire dogs and arms.

At 20.

Made a bid 20-- PAUL LAIDLAW: Oh, no.

- Oh, come on.

- 25.

That's it.

I'm out now.

It's on the net at 25 pounds.

30 I'll take.

Any other bids in the room?

Oh, come on.

JONATHAN PRATT: 30.

Thank you-- in the room.

It's surely one more.

35.

KATE BLISS: Come on.

JONATHAN PRATT: Yes, yes.

3-- 4-- [LAUGHING] There we are.

Go on.

KATE BLISS: Creeping.

- 40 pounds.

It get at 40 now.

Are you really sure?

KATE BLISS: One for luck.

JONATHAN PRATT: Do you want to ask the wife?

No.

[LAUGHING] It's 45 pounds.

And selling on the net now, 45.

Fair warning.

[BANGING GAVEL] TIM WONNACOTT: Me my big mouth.

[LAUGHING] TIM WONNACOTT: Well, you win some, you lose some.

Not in fashion at the moment, maybe.

Well, thank goodness.

[LAUGHING] Thank goodness.

TIM WONNACOTT: So can Paul finish with a flourish?

30 pounds to start with me at 30.

35 internet.

40 in with me 45.

I'm out now.

It's 45.

The dusty lots this time.

50 in the room now.

55.

60-- OK, so they don't mind the dust.

Against the internet at 60.

65, 70 in the room.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] In the room at 70.

Against the internet at 70.

In the room then, the gentleman's bid 75.

You see, I'm not unhappy at that.

JONATHAN PRATT: 80 pounds in the room again-- I'm happy, I know.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] 85.

90 in the room.

90 pounds against you.

95.

--to the moth holes.

Shall I announce it?

[LAUGHING] 100 against you internet.

100 pounds.

110.

He's out now.

110 pounds.

Are you sure, sir?

One more-- Are you sure?

Last chance at 110.

[BANGING GAVEL] Oh.

Thank you.

Good price.

TIM WONNACOTT: Bravo, Paul.

That's a brilliant profit.

Nicely done.

With militaria, I just can't compete.

Oh, you're right.

It was all the military, it was spitfires and scarlet cortese.

TIM WONNACOTT: Finally, it's the coaching horn.

It works.

I can tell you.

[LAUGHING] It does.

20 pounds to start with me.

At 20 now.

Number 5 now.

It's 25-- 30 with me.

Against you, internet 30.

At 30 pounds.

Hail a taxi with it.

30 pounds.

[LAUGHING] He's trying hard.

He did.

I'll take that.

TIM WONNACOTT: And Kate ends on a profit too.

Well done.

We did OK.

I'd come here again.

[LAUGHING] I'll see you then.

Let's go and get some air.

TIM WONNACOTT: Paul started the day with 229 pounds and 24 pence.

After auction costs, he made a profit of 78 pounds and 80 pence.

And he ends the day with 308 pounds and 4 pence to spend on the next leg.

[BANGING GAVEL] Kate started the day with 188 pounds and 14 pence.

After her auction costs, she made a profit of 127 pounds and 20 pence, which leaves her with 315 pounds, 34 pence to spend next time.

And that great profit sees Kate edging ahead on the second leg.

Hey, well, that was good fun.

Oh, what?

High benchmark set there.

Sun shining.

- I know.

Results.

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