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

What a job.

NARRATOR: With 200 pounds each.

You with me?

NARRATOR: A classic car.

Buckle up.

NARRATOR: Had to go to scour Britain for antiques.

Oh, sorry.

Aha.

NARRATOR: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat, there'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

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

Have a good trip.

NARRATOR: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah.

Look lively.

We're off on an antiquing expedition in Lincolnshire with swashbuckling auctioneer Paul Laidlaw and glamorous dealer Margie Cooper.

But which is which?

I don't know much about it.

Airfields links East Coast.

I've got to bring the water up.

Fabulous cathedral.

Oh don't.

All Lincoln-- No you're not going to start with all this war stuff I have.

Come on.

NARRATOR: Cripes.

My tactic is that you [INAUDIBLE] on set yet, I will just be hovering behind, ready to snatch.

Is that the best you can do?

I'll take it.

Don't you dare.

NARRATOR: The fight is on.

Our pair are all set for their thrilling escapade.

Each have 200 pounds in their pocket and they have the super lovely Morris Minor 1000 convertible to pad around town and city.

Quintessentially English, is it not?

Yes.

Great car.

Absolutely great car.

And this is a nice one.

No roof.

NARRATOR: You are observant, Paul.

Our past road trip kicks off in Hemswell Cliff in Lincolnshire.

They'll gallop around Yorkshire, take a spin around the midlands, before concluding in Shrewsbury Shropshire.

Today, our cheeky chumpsters are headed for the village of Hemswell Cliff in North Lincolnshire and will auction in the North Yorkshire town of Harrogate.

Lovely.

I reckon we may end up in the same shop this morning.

Sniffing around.

Talking about military.

Oh, no.

Please.

- Aren't we smelling it?

You don't mean-- You're not still buying that old rubbish, are you?

What?

NARRATOR: Crumbs.

This is going to be interesting.

There is a sign.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Right.

PAUL LAIDLAW: What is that I see?

MARGIE COOPER: We got, like, four-- TOGETHER: --centers.

That'll be the left.

Shall we divide and conquer?

Definitely PAUL LAIDLAW: I'll just abandon you by the roadside.

NARRATOR: Charming.

Once part of RAF Hemswell, the home of the Lancaster bomber, this is now the site for Europe's largest antique center.

Let's begin with Paul, in his Martin Bell suit.

This is the cool corner.

You can see that.

Buying on trend.

Gramophone horn converted to ceiling light shade.

[LAUGHTER] This is where it's at, at the moment, from a popular interior design point of view.

Sadly, however, the prices are bang on trend, as well, and I see no profits here.

So I'm off.

NARRATOR: Where's our lovely Margie, then?

MARGIE COOPER: There's Noddy.

[LAUGHTER] That's happy memories.

I'm the Noddy era.

Oh, I love Noddy.

Absolutely adored.

Him.

Still like him.

NARRATOR: Boy, less nostalgia.

How about some buying.

What's Paul found, the old fox.

There's an old chap.

No.

Two questions.

Is it bronze?

And is it old?

Now just because you spy that little treasure in the cabinet, and it's dark chocolate brown, don't assume for a moment it's necessarily metallic bronze.

What do we look for?

We'll look for that, a coppery hue.

That is bronze.

First box ticked.

Good news.

NARRATOR: It's priced at 35 pounds.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Now is it old?

Now I like it to date to the late 19th or early 20th century.

And if it does-- (WHISPERING) do you know what?

I think it does.

I think we could put it under the umbrella of the Animalia school.

And this is a group of sculptors that-- focusing on a very naturalistic depiction of animals and wildlife.

NARRATOR: Let's find manager, Penny.

How you doing, Penny?

- Good, thank you.

- Wee fox.

Yeah.

35 pounds.

It's nice, isn't it?

- Yeah it really is.

Will there be a wee bit of slack in that or not?

Yeah, I think so.

I think he'll be all right with straight 30.

Sounds all right to me.

Can I leave that with you?

PENNY: Yeah, of course you can.

NARRATOR: One item bought, but still more to see.

How's Margie getting on?

Oh, that's-- that's an old gardener's watering can.

Ten pints in there.

Gosh, would you believe that?

Ten pints in there?

Oh, it's got a really good old look about it, hasn't it?

About 80 years old, I would think.

And look, 12 pounds.

I wonder if the people of Harrogate would like that, and give me a small profit.

That's one to think about.

So I put that down there.

I just put that down and I've spotted this Victorian teapot.

That's the sort that you put over a witches cauldron, which my husband would say, perfect for you.

NARRATOR: [LAUGHTER] Cheeky devil.

How good is that?

Gosh.

That's well over-- that must be about 120 years old.

I mean, it's impossible to damage it, that's why it survived.

NARRATOR: That's ticketed at 20 pounds.

Looks Japanese to me.

You know, I think I'm going to go for these two.

They could either go together, or I could sell them separately.

But you know, I just feel they're going to make a profit.

Do you think I'm mad?

NARRATOR: No comment.

Let's go.

Oh!

NARRATOR: Oh Lord I thought you said they were impossible to damage.

[CLUNK] MARGIE COOPER: Oh no.

NARRATOR: For goodness sake.

OK, Esme is here to help.

Esme, over to you.

Would these be your choices?

I don't think so.

Very unusual.

NARRATOR: Very diplomatic, Esme.

Mind the spout.

ESME: The best price we can do on this watering can is ten pounds.

Thought you might say that.

And this one has to be 18.

And nothing for two together?

No, sorry.

MARGIE COOPER: So it's 28.

ESME: Yes, please.

MARGIE COOPER: Thank you very much, indeed.

ESME: Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: The Victorian watering can for 10 pounds and the Victorian kettle-- looks Japanese-- for 18.

MARGIE COOPER: Oh, looks very good in here.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Are you familiar with the concept of trespassing?

MARGIE COOPER: [LAUGHTER] PAUL LAIDLAW: Whoa, I thought you-- MARGIE COOPER: I'm allowed to go where I want, I was told.

How's it going?

All right.

You sure on buying?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Bought a couple of bits.

Are you finished?

Why are you sniffing-- interrogate-- you come in here, you're trespassing, you interrogate me.

I'm going now, because I don't want to spoil your chances.

[LAUGHTER] I've secured mine.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Aww, you secured your future of profitability.

- See ya, darling.

- See ya later.

MARGIE COOPER: Bye.

NARRATOR: Cheerio, darling Margie.

Now, what's next for Paul?

PAUL LAIDLAW: This is what-- I have tried these in the past.

That just looks like, slightly comical.

Copper and brass jug.

Well I can tell you who designed it.

That was designed by WAS Benson, perhaps the most prolific, and certainly one of the most important, English designers of the tail end of the 19th century.

NARRATOR: William Arthur Smith Benson is credited as a genius of the arts and crafts movement.

Prove it, Laidlaw.

Prove that it's the work of the great W.A.S.

Benson.

Well, if you know what you're looking for and where to look, it says there, "Benson's patent" on the handle.

It's small.

It's hardly visible.

It's polished.

But that's what it is.

And this is one of a series of his patent hot water jugs.

A whole series of these, and it's lined.

It has an enameled vessel within.

And it was an insulated jug, it just kept-- it was like a thermos, wasn't it?

But when you know the background to that, the importance of the man, does that not talk to you?

And does it not seem cheap at 15 pounds?

NARRATOR: Looks splendid.

Let's find Penny to check cash.

Penny, I'm back.

I won't keep you.

I'm interested in that.

See what we can do on the price.

13 pounds sound all right?

It's going to have to be all right.

Yeah.

Yeah, we're going to do it.

We're going to take up on it.

NARRATOR: Success for Paul.

The rather lovely W.A.S.

Benson copper hot water jug and the Animalia bronze fox for a total of 43 pounds.

Good stuff.

Meanwhile, Margie has made her way to the North Lincolnshire town of Barton-upon-Humber.

It's back to school for Margie.

She's going to learn about one of the most important schools in the world, set up by a founding father of modern day education, Samuel Wilderspin.

Margie's meeting with John French to find out more.

Hello, you must be John.

You must be Margie.

That's right.

Welcome to the Barton Wilderspin National School.

MARGIE COOPER: Thank you very much.

JOHN FRENCH: Can I show you round?

MARGIE COOPER: Love to.

NARRATOR: Built in 1844, and still wonderfully complete, this former church school is unique, as it's the only surviving Wilderspin school and playground.

So John, who is Samuel Wilderspin?

He was born in 1791 in Hornsey, London.

Really?

His father taught him initially.

And he couldn't understand why children on their way to whatever schools they were in those days-- Sunday schools or dame schools-- cried.

And eventually, his father had to send him to school, and he learnt why these children were so unhappy.

They were caned, for instance, for not knowing what they hadn't been taught.

MARGIE COOPER: Aw.

NARRATOR: As a young man, Samuel became a teacher.

And in 1818, found employment at England's first infant school in Westminster.

From this, he managed a second infant school in Spitalfields in London.

A curriculum hadn't been established, so Samuel experimented with ideas of his own.

It was a very poor area.

And when Wilderspin and his wife went to this place, they found a room full of children.

Probably 200 little darts, and they were all crying for their mother.

And he said, well what can we do?

We can't-- they couldn't quiet them down.

So he took his wife's hat, put it on the stake, and went down on all fours.

And he went into this room, and the children were quiet.

And he realized that you have to attract the-- gain the children's attention.

He didn't believe in corporal punishment at all.

The cane was completely banned in his schools.

He believed in love.

That was his method of getting over to children.

And he also realized the importance of play.

NARRATOR: In the early 19th century, Wilderspin helped set up the Infant School Society, which believed that poor children should be given the principles of virtue and kept from a life of crime.

JOHN FRENCH: For the next 20 years, until 1844, he toured the country, helping found infant schools.

And he actually helped promote and found hundreds, probably 2000 infant schools in this country.

NARRATOR: Wilderspin then moved to Barton and created his model school, which he helped design and equip.

He taught here with his wife and daughter, and used it as a base for his promotion of enlightened education throughout Britain.

Children all over the world have Samuel Wilderspin to thank for playtime.

He was the pioneer of the playground, and believed that school should be a place of education and fun.

JOHN FRENCH: This is the gallery, one of Wilderspin's inventions.

And he realized that children had to be in a position to see, and be seen.

And this would accommodate 150 children.

MARGIE COOPER: Gosh.

JOHN FRENCH: The lower steps are only six inches high.

They're for the young children, the really young ones.

MARGIE COOPER: Little legs.

JOHN FRENCH: Little legs, that's right.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.

And what are these?

JOHN FRENCH: These are the lesson posts, the teaching posts, the lesson posts here.

And the children would gather round and be taught in small groups.

So where are all the desks?

There weren't any desks in here.

The children would be encouraged to sit on the gallery.

Or there's benches around the wall, there.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.

JOHN FRENCH: Or they would be gathering around the lesson posts, the teaching posts here.

MARGIE COOPER: So his idea-- Samuel's ideas have been beneficial to us all.

JOHN FRENCH: Very much so, yes.

In most schools, in fact all schools, Wilderspin's ideas are there.

Really.

The basis for modern teaching lies with Wilderspin.

NARRATOR: Now has Paul in the Morris.

This is a competition, make no bones about it.

But I find it hard-- you don't want to hear this-- but I'm going to find it hard to see it as, such because I love Margie to bits.

Aye, we're just two, happy-go-lucky antiques-y types.

And a quaint car, having fun.

NARRATOR: Let's see if you feel the same at the end of the week.

Huh.

Paul's journeyed his way to the Lincolnshire town of Gainsborough.

Pilgrims Antique Center has been in business for over 30 years.

Paul has 157 pounds left to spend in here.

Hello there, MICHAEL: Afternoon.

Afternoon, it is.

How are you?

Fine, thank you.

I'm Paul.

I'm Michael.

[MUSIC PLAYING] This is a sweet little Georgian single compartment caddy.

Caddys commonly have two compartments, or three.

You could have green tea, gunpowder tea, an aperture for a mixing bowl.

But this, one variety of tea.

And I think it's near-cubic nature lends it charm.

NARRATOR: And it's priced at 35 pounds.

Quite cubic.

Anything else?

That's all right.

MICHAEL: Yes, it's better than you'd, think as well, that one.

Innit.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Really.

MICHAEL: Yeah.

Well, I'll let you discover it.

These Victorian, leather-bound portable desks, jewelry caskets, whatever-- I adore, but they're always too worn for me to live with.

But you've got the one that was looked after.

Exactly It's a portable writing box.

So, stationery, I assume, in the drop down lid.

Hinge intact.

Never the case.

Now, does that self-support if I drop?

MICHAEL: It does, yes.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Pen tray.

Are these portable inkwells?

MICHAEL: They are.

PAUL LAIDLAW: With the sprung lids.

Wow.

What?

NARRATOR: Look at that, he's getting excited.

PAUL LAIDLAW: The price on that is 30 pounds?

25.

[LAUGHTER] Right, OK. And the wee caddy, is it 30 or no?

MICHAEL: I can't quite remember.

Give me-- give me-- I'll be two takes.

NARRATOR: That tea caddy from earlier is still a hot contender.

PAUL LAIDLAW: 35 on the wee Georgian caddy.

MICHAEL: Right.

That can be 30.

Round it off.

30.

Yeah.

Michael.

I'm not a fool.

Michael, thank you very much indeed.

You're welcome.

I am going to settle my debts.

NARRATOR: That last purchase from Paul concludes today's shopping.

I think this car suits our style.

It does.

A bit cozy though.

You don't like that?

Not much room for my legs.

Yours look a bit-- it's a funny angle.

NARRATOR: Get some rest, you two.

Nighty night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Good morning, campers.

Ready for another fun-filled day?

PAUL LAIDLAW: How did you sleep Margie?

Oh, very well, very well, I am a very, very good sleeper.

This is good.

Yeah.

I'm not exactly a calm person, but I sleep well, which amazes me.

[LAUGHTER] You'd think I'd be up all night, worrying about you.

NARRATOR: Another day in paradise with this pair.

Paul's been working like a trooper.

He has the Animalia bronze fox, the arts and crafts hot water jug, the George III tea caddy, and the Victorian leather-bound stationery box.

This is my kind of material.

NARRATOR: Leaving him 102 pounds for the day ahead.

Margie has the Victorian watering can and the Victorian kettle.

You think I'm mad?

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: She has 172 pounds left to spend.

What'd you buy?

I'm not telling you.

How much did you spend?

28 quid.

On two things!

[LAUGHTER] Yes.

28 quid.

Ohh, you're coming over all canny and shrewd.

NARRATOR: Lovely Margie is dropping her road trip pal at his first shop of the day in the West Yorkshire town of Ossett.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Spa Farm Antiques.

MARGIE COOPER: Here we are.

That looks very nice to me.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Doesn't that look amazing, Margie?

MARGIE COOPER: Ooh, I love the architectural stuff.

You smell that?

Coffee and cakes.

Don't.

NARRATOR: Spa Farm Antiques does look rather wonderful.

Hi Paul, so lovely to meet you.

I'm good.

I'm good to be back.

I know.

'Cause I was here a few years ago.

I know.

You were, and it's really nice to see you again.

It really is.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: He's definitely patrolling the premises.

Now, what's this?

That's the Second World War.

Or pre- Second World War RAF officer's cap.

They are quite glamorous things, because one thinks of what this chap may have seen.

It's got some initials there.

GHW 1845.

That clearly isn't a date, that must be a service number.

But it's lacking a patent leather chinstrap, and that's a problem.

NARRATOR: And priced at 45 pounds.

Oh, a quandary.

I never buy anything you'd have to apologize for.

"Sorry, it doesn't have a chinstrap."

Ahh.

NARRATOR: Blimey.

Let's leave him to it, and check in with our Margie now.

Not too sure about yesterday's purchases, so I've really got to shape up today.

Because you really can't trust Paul Laidlaw.

You know, when I leave him-- like I've just done-- going into the shop, you know that you've really got to be on your mettle.

Otherwise, he's going to beat you.

NARRATOR: We're accompanying Margie to the West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield.

Serendipity Antiques is next for Margie to have a good old rummage.

So you must be Sam.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Plenty to look at here.

SAM: Thank you.

MARGIE COOPER: It's going to take me ages.

SAM: It might do.

MARGIE COOPER: And are you around if I want you?

SAM: Yeah, if you need any help, just give us a shout.

We've got three floors, and you can just wander around.

And watch the haunted room upstairs.

A haunted room?

Yeah.

Ohh.

NARRATOR: As long as it's a friendly ghost, she'll be all right, Margie's got 172 pounds weighing down her blazer pockets.

Now that's a lot of brass.

This is the haunted-- the haunted room is quite small.

Feel the atmosphere.

Is there anybody there?

I shouldn't laugh, because I don't disbelieve.

But I'm not sure I believe, either, so I'm going.

NARRATOR: I don't blame you.

Now, what's this?

MARGIE COOPER: Ah.

A piece of Royal Dux porcelain here, which looks very attractive.

You can tell by the colors, the lovely greens and creams.

And there should be a lozenge mark underneath, and there it is.

NARRATOR: This raised triangle of clay is one of the most distinctive marks found on porcelain.

So you look at it.

Yeah we've got a bit of a flaw here.

That's the trouble with porcelain.

You've really got to keep your eye out.

NARRATOR: It doesn't have a price tag.

Where's dealer Sam?

Sam?

If it was perfect, I'd be looking around about the 300 quid mark.

Good pieces of Royal Dux are-- Yeah.

- And it's a centerpiece.

- Yeah, but it's nice.

[INAUDIBLE] It's only the tail.

OK, because it's damaged, I'd be prepared to let it go for 60 quid.

MARGIE COOPER: So is 60 your final word?

Because I really like it.

Well, I've got 40 quid in it.

I'd let you have it for 50.

That would be-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] I love it.

We'll have it for 50.

- OK. - Thanks, Sam.

You're welcome.

NARRATOR: Nice work, Margie.

While she browses on, let's return to Paul over in Ossett.

PAUL LAIDLAW: There we have, apparently, old binoculars.

Five pounds.

They look pretty standard.

Prismatic field glasses.

But it's all about markings there.

That says Dienst glass, 6 by 30, a serial number, and then DDX.

Dienst Glass.

German Third Reich Wehrmacht issue binoculars.

The Second World War.

NARRATOR: This is right up Paul's Boulevard.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Look at what else I've got in my hand.

Ta-da.

We've got the IDF versus, arguably the Luftwaffe here.

Because these could have been carried by a Luftwaffe chap.

And together, don't they make an interesting lot at auction?

You got a lot for your box, now.

You with me?

NARRATOR: Yes, sir.

Walk this way.

NARRATOR: [SPEAKING GERMAN] Time to chat with that lovely Judith.

Hello there.

Hi, juice, how you doing?

I found stuff.

I found stuff.

Amazing.

Amazing, but with a problem.

Right.

Depending on the price.

OK Mm-hmm.

They're meant to have patent leather chinstrap.

And then you've got an old set of binoculars, which you can't argue with the price over.

Yeah.

Can you do me a deal on the two of them?

JUDITH: What were you thinking?

Keep that as it is, because it's cheap enough.

Yeah.

Well a long way off that.

Is 25 too far away for reality?

I think so.

I think I'd rather take 30 for that.

And I think that at that price is absolutely fabulous.

Why don't you and I agree that that's absolutely fabulous.

And I give you the money.

That sounds good.

Yeah, definitely.

NARRATOR: And there we have it.

He sniffed out some militaria in the guise of the World War Two RAF cap, and the German Wehrmacht binoculars for a total of 35 pounds.

Back to Margie in Huddersfield.

Oh look.

It's a toddy ladle.

A Georgian toddy ladle.

And that has survived roughly, just roughly, there's some hallmarks in the middle there.

That's late 18th century.

So that's 220 years old.

It's got a twisted horn handle.

And it's for scooping out mulled wine, you know, toddy.

Pouring into your glass.

Every Georgian house of some note would have one.

NARRATOR: Ladles date back to the Romans.

But it wasn't until the 18th century that a companion to the newly created soup tureen was needed.

And then, in turn, a smaller ladle for punch, or hot toddy.

Oh Sam.

How much are we talking about, Sam?

SAM: Georgian toddy spoon?

Yeah Good condition, 60 pounds.

Yeah Well, it's not in good condition.

There's a few-- MARGIE COOPER: Little split.

Yeah.

Can I come back at you?

Would you be offended?

No, I'll never be offended.

You're a very charming lady.

I would never be offended.

So how about 45?

Yeah, That'll be all right.

That'll be all right.

NARRATOR: Our Margie doesn't hang about.

I'll put it with your items, Margie.

While you're passing that shelf, I've actually seen some pens.

Can we just have a quick look?

Yeah, of course you can.

Yeah, OK. NARRATOR: Could there be a trio buy in the offing?

Do you mean these?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I do, actually.

SAM: Well, they're on my 20 pound shelf.

MARGIE COOPER: 20 pound shelf.

I like it.

SAM: Parker 45, original in its box.

And then we've got these here, which are-- what's that one?

Has it got a name?

They've only just come in.

But this is-- That's an old one.

Yeah, this is an early Edwardian.

I think it's serpentine.

It's a paint propelling pencil.

Oh, that's nice.

You've got a Parker pen there with a 14 karat nib.

NARRATOR: That's two boxes of pens, priced at 20 pounds each.

So how much are we saying for the lot, then?

A little parcel.

And then I'm going now.

30 pounds for the two.

Yeah, that should be all right, shouldn't it.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: And that swift purchase gives her three lovely lots, for a total of 125 pounds.

The town of Pontefract in West Yorkshire is where Paul's next headed.

He's come to learn about the favorite sweetie namesake of the town, the Pontefract cake.

But there's an intriguing link to modern day democracy, too.

- Hi, is it Dave?

- Yes, Dave.

Welcome.

- Good to see you.

NARRATOR: Dave Evans, curator of the Pontefract Museum, is going to enlighten us further.

PAUL LAIDLAW: What's its origin?

How far back does this sweet, or foodstuff, go?

Well, as far as we know, licorice goes back thousands of years, and it starts out as a medicine.

Particularly good for stomach upsets and chest problems.

NARRATOR: It's widely believed that licorice arrived in Pontefract either from crusaders returning from their campaigns, or with 14th century Dominican monks, who settled at Pontefract Priory.

So it's not native to the British Isles?

Licorice itself isn't, no.

It grows in most places around the world, but we're right at the sort of northern extreme here of where you can grow it.

PAUL LAIDLAW: And what part of the plant's the good bit?

DAVE EVANS: Surprisingly, it's the root that's used to make the licorice.

It grows very deep, and that's why Pontefract is so successful in growing it.

Because it has very deep, rich, well-drained, soil.

So the roots grow down four, six feet.

And then you leave them to grow for about five years, then dig the root up.

NARRATOR: Pontefract guarded the growing of licorice.

And laws passed forbidding anyone else from growing the herb.

By 1700, Pontefract is growing lots of it, particularly around the castle area.

NARRATOR: In 1760, local apothecary, George Dunhill, was the first to add sugar and create a sweetie that could be chewed.

Dunhill's Hill's discovery made Pontefract licorice world famous.

Most of the fields in the area were involved.

And by the end of the 19th century, around 100 tons of licorice was being produced.

But when the sweets really take off, in the middle to later 19th century, production runs way ahead of what Pontefract can cope with.

And they start importing it, mainly from Spain and Turkey.

Quite why they were called cakes is lost in time.

But since the 17th century, Pontefract cakes featured the local castle stamped into every sweetie to signify quality.

This stamp would go on to play a critical part in a political first, too.

OK, what have we here?

Well this is a ballot box that was used in the first British parliamentary election held by secret ballot, which was a by-election here in Pontefract in August 1872.

And its connection to licorice is that they close the boxes, locked them, and needed to seal them.

And they needed to seal them with something that was common across all five polling stations.

So they used wax and the Pontefract cake stamps from the local company Wilkinson's.

PAUL LAIDLAW: What a survivor.

And what a history.

So we've gone from medieval medicine, through Georgian sweets, to Victorian politics, all by virtue of this little sweet.

DAVE EVANS: Quite.

Amazing.

Well, it's been fascinating.

And I'd love to cap it all off with a sweet.

Do you fancy going and getting some?

Yep, we just happen to have a few here.

Oh.

[LAUGHTER] As if by magic.

Do you like these things?

DAVE EVANS: Yes, in moderation.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Well, one for you and one for me, yeah?

Cheers, eh?

DAVE EVANS: Cheers.

NARRATOR: Let's leave them to chomp on their sweeties.

Margie is off to the village of Dodworth in South Yorkshire.

I'm hoping that this shop is going to be good.

Quite exciting, really.

You never know what you're turning up to.

NARRATOR: Margie's visiting Locked in Time, with 47 pounds burning a hole in her pocket.

Hi David.

Hello, Margie.

I love the shop.

Yes, thank you.

NARRATOR: Right.

What's right for Margie in here, then?

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh gosh.

Keep your food warm.

25 quid.

Cover a meat dish.

A good Edwardian house would have these of all different sizes to keep the food warm when it's coming from the kitchen.

That's really nice.

That's called a key pattern.

Very old pattern.

It's called a key pattern.

You've got all that lovely engraving.

Still a useful item, but you know the problem.

Who wants to clean it?

And who wants to use it?

It's lost its use.

NARRATOR: Moving on, then.

I've just found these.

And these are rather nice brass church sticks.

And they look lovely.

I mean they're in every church that you go in to.

Good age.

They'll be mid-Victorian.

And alongside are these little brass candlesticks, with the pushers that push the candle out, there.

And they're probably earlier.

Georgian, that's probably late Georgian.

Not worth a lot of money, but if I can buy them cheaply, I could put them, maybe, with one of the things I bought yesterday.

Like maybe the kettle or something.

NARRATOR: They don't sport a price, though.

Let's see if David is up for a deal.

So running out of time, running out of money.

So how much?

I'd say about 35 pounds.

Yeah, you're near.

I'm near, am I?

Yeah.

25?

- Yeah I think that's-- - Is that all right?

You sure?

- Yeah.

Absolutely sure?

NARRATOR: Blimey, Margie doesn't waste her time.

And those candlesticks are the final purchase of this first leg.

So now, let's catch a lift with our chirpy road trippers.

Harrogate, here we come.

Feeling good, then?

Yes.

Feeling good, optimistic.

What?

Optimistic.

I don't want optimism from the opposite camp, Margie.

I want despondency.

No, that comes after.

NARRATOR: Oh, blimey.

Time I think now, for a bit of shut eye.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Get set.

It's auction day.

And we're in the heart of Yorkshire, the Victorian spa town of Harrogate, to be precise.

A proper tea and bun destination.

You excited?

Yep.

Nervous?

Yep.

Always nervous auction day, and you don't help.

NARRATOR: Thompsons Auctioneers is hosting today's showdown.

Oh.

- It's big enough.

- It is.

Plenty to see.

- You going for a mooch?

I am.

Which way are you going?

Stay away.

NARRATOR: Let's have a refresher on how our road trip buddies have fared.

Margie's spent 178 pounds on five lots.

Paul, well, he's been a bit more frugal, spending 133 pounds, also on five auction lots.

Now for the verdict on one another's buys.

Margie has gone and bought brass candlesticks and a watering can.

Crazy, yeah?

Surely madness.

On the contrary, shrewd.

For me, these steal the show.

Belton pair ecclesiastical brass candlesticks.

And frankly, I think they're worth more than the 35 pounds she paid for the whole lot.

Well this is a typical Paul Laidlaw lot, isn't it?

Which puts you into a quandary and slightly worried.

To me, it's just an officer's cap from World War Two.

But I think these might be the things that are going to make the lot expensive.

Military, obviously.

World War Two.

Absolutely not a clue.

35 pounds.

Going to be a worry, I think.

NARRATOR: It's a general sale today.

What does auctioneer Kate Higgins make of Paul and Margie's purchases?

Go on, Kate, spill the beans.

KATE HIGGINS: The retro Parker pen-- there's a pencil and three other pens.

We find a lot of people do collect fountain pens and what have you.

We do have other lots in the sale today.

I expect it to probably do 40 or 50 pounds.

The RAF peak cap by Burberry and the binoculars.

It's one of my favorite lots in this week's sale.

I think, you know, you get a collector on that, it should do 80 to 100 pounds.

All right, let's take our seats.

They're convertible.

They are very comfortable.

Well there's nowhere to hide now, Margie.

Absolutely.

NARRATOR: Let's get jolly well started then.

Paul's George III tea caddy is up first.

Here we go.

Come on.

I am 25 bid, 30 now, 35, 5 40.

40 with the lady, five anywhere else.

Ladies bid here.

- It's lean.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

On my right, now at 45, anywhere.

I shall sell at 45.

- Well done.

- That's a profit.

- You're in - It's a start.

Yeah NARRATOR: It certainly is, Paul.

Long may the good fortune continue.

I would like to do more than that, I don't mean telling you.

How greedy am I?

NARRATOR: Couldn't possibly comment.

Margie's Victorian watering can and brass candlesticks combo lot is next.

Commission starts at 25, 30 now.

With me here at 25, 30, 5 40 in the room 45, 50 55, 60.

60 here.

Gentleman's bid here at 60.

Do I see 5?

I shall sell at 60.

That's OK. NARRATOR: Well done, Margie.

That result places you ahead of Paul.

Two profits over two lots.

Gosh.

We're on a roll, Margie.

NARRATOR: Here's hoping.

Time for Paul's arts and crafts copper jug.

I'm 10 bid, 15 now.

15 we have.

Do I see 20?

Do we see them going 20?

Somebody's picked up on it.

35 40.

Your bid, sir, at 40.

5 anyone else?

In the room at 40 pounds.

I shall sell at 40.

That's very, very good.

NARRATOR: Marvelous result.

You're firmly back in the lead, Paul.

And that was my weak lot.

You did well to spot the name, because you could hardly see it.

NARRATOR: He's not just a pretty face, Margie.

Let's see how your Georgian silver toddy ladle fares.

Commission starts at 25.

30 now.

35 40.

Standing at 40, 5.

45 seated now.

Oh, please.

Oh no 50, 5 55 still with you, sir.

60 now.

I shall sell at 55.

8565.

Wee profit.

NARRATOR: Someone's got a real bargain there.

On the other hand-- It's not over yet, mate.

I'm counting no chickens.

NARRATOR: And you certainly can't in this game.

Paul's Victorian leather band stationery box is next to go.

Lots of boxes in the world, aren't there?

Steady, Margie, steady.

Stationery box.

10 pounds 10, 4, 8, 10, 15, 20, 5, 30, 5, 40, 5, 50.

We're safe.

Standing bid at 50.

It's still cheap.

Gentleman's bid here at 50 pounds.

I shall sell in the room at 50.

That's a gift.

It's a profit.

[INAUDIBLE] Yeah.

NARRATOR: Great result, Paul.

Are you going to do that with your mustache, when you plead?

Be contemplative.

Hmm.

Hmm.

NARRATOR: Oh, blimey.

Margie's propelling pencil and gold nibbed fountain pen are next.

Commission starts at 60.

Do I see 5?

It's too much.

50 pounds.

Too much, you said.

KATE HIGGINS: On commission at 60 pounds.

I shall sell at 60.

Aww look at that face.

Double one double four five.

Ladies New York's 1 pound-- NARRATOR: Well done, Margie.

You've overtaken big beardy.

Hey, we're doing well today, aren't we?

NARRATOR: It's the auctioneer's favorite, Paul's RAF cap and the Wehrmacht binoculars.

Watch out.

Here we go.

Come on.

I can't look.

Commission starts at 75.

Enter now.

With me here at 75.

Do I see 80 anywhere?

Oh, it's all on commission.

KATE HIGGINS: I shall sell at 75.

21856.

Yeah, that was fair enough.

NARRATOR: Your expertise has paid off, Paul.

Nice finds.

[INAUDIBLE] we are doing all right, aren't we?

Oh my word, we're doing all right.

NARRATOR: Swimmingly Margie's Victorian kettle is next to go.

I think it's a nice kettle.

Do you?

I hope somebody else thinks so.

On commission at 20.

Do I see 5?

25 we have.

30 now.

In the room, I shall sell at 25.

That's not a loss.

NARRATOR: Come on, Margie, it's still a profit.

I'm happy.

NARRATOR: And that's all that counts, Margie.

Paul's bronze Animalia fox is next.

Commission starts at 60.

5 now.

With me here at 60.

Do I see 5?

On commission at 60 pounds.

I shall sell at 60.

That's double your money.

I'll take it.

NARRATOR: This auctioneer doesn't hang about.

Well done again, Paul.

I'll take it.

You've done very well with that.

NARRATOR: Nine out of nine lots making profits.

Well done, indeed.

But can Margie's last lot, the damaged Royal Dux figurine, make it a clean sweep?

20 pounds.

20 for it.

20 we have.

Do I see 5?

25, 30.

Nope.

On my right at 30.

5 anywhere else?

In the room at 30 pounds.

I shall sell at 30.

585.

You scared me there.

Well, that is a blow.

NARRATOR: The first and only loss of the day.

Bad luck, Margie.

Margie, four profits.

Four profits.

You've got five.

I know, but if I could give one of them back, I would.

Oh, little liar.

Little liar.

NARRATOR: He jests, Margie.

Will you take me for a coffee?

Of course.

With my profits, I'll buy you a bun, as well.

Come on.

NARRATOR: Who will be triumphant at the first auction, then?

Let's work out the numbers.

Margie began with 200 pounds and after all sale room costs, made a profit of 10 pounds and 60 Pence.

She begins her second leg with 210 pounds and 60 pence.

Paul also kicked things off with 200 pounds and he has soared into the lead, with a profit of 88 pounds and 40 pence.

Paul claims the first leg and has a delightful 288 pounds and 40 pence for next time.

All right.

Better than all right, nine out of ten.

- Yes.

- Yes.

- Yes.

- Could you do more of this?

Yeah.

Could do.

- Show me, then.

Yeah.

See you tomorrow.

NARRATOR: Can't wait, road trippers.

[MUSIC PLAYING]