NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.
[HORN] With 200 pounds each.
I like.
I like.
I like.
[SCREAMS] NARRATOR: A classic car.
[HONKS] [LAUGHS] NARRATOR: And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.
Yeah.
[HONKS] NARRATOR: 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.
NARRATOR: So, will it be the high road to glory?
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Or the slow road to disaster?
Pull out the ignition.
NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."
[THEME MUSIC] (SINGING) Yeah.
NARRATOR: Welcome to the start of another antiques road trip.
In the hot seats today, we've got Kate Bliss and Paul Laidlaw.
Following in [INAUDIBLE] footsteps, Simon Templar's car.
"The Saint."
I know.
That's pretty iconic, isn't it?
Roger Moore drove it.
NARRATOR: Their carriage for this trip is a classic 1967 Volvo P1800s.
This vintage set of wheels was made famous in the cult '60s series, "The Saint."
I'm getting driver envy.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Don't worry, your turn will come.
Our road trippers are Herefordshire-born fine art valuer and gemologist Kate.
Is that your death.
NARRATOR: And Carlisle-based auctioneer and military expert Paul.
[WHISTLES] Oh, nice beard, Paul.
But which expert will turn out to be a saint at the end of this road trip?
We'll see.
Little birdies have told me, watch Kate.
She's lovely, but she's competitive.
Moi?
PAUL: [LAUGHS] Competitive?
Never.
NARRATOR: Yeah.
Our experts each have 200 pounds in their pockets.
They kick off their journey on the west coast of Wales before crossing into England and heading for the south coast, before meandering along to Kent and finally ending up at auction in the Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds.
Today's trip starts off in the Welsh town of Cardigan and ends up at auction in the Somerset town of Crewkerne.
KATE: See, look at that for a name.
[INAUDIBLE] How do you say that?
[INAUDIBLE] PAUL: We're definitely not asking for directions.
And that's not just that man thing in me.
NARRATOR: Cardigan was once a major seaport with over 300 vessels registered here.
Today, it's home to Paul's first shop of the trip, Cardigan Antique Center.
Quaint.
PAUL: This must be you.
First shop of the road trip.
Hey.
Looks good, you know.
Go on then.
On your bike.
PAUL: [INAUDIBLE] 75% [INAUDIBLE].. Do you know, that would be just you're luck, Laidlaw.
Get out of here.
NARRATOR: Now, now, Kate.
PAUL: Have a goodun.
KATE: OK. PAUL: See you later.
KATE: See you later.
- Hello there.
- Oh, hello.
Good to meet you.
I'm Rupert.
Pleased to meet you.
I'm Paul.
Good to meet you.
PAUL: What's the lay of the land in your emporium?
Should I work my way down, or work my way up?
I don't mind, as long as you look at it all.
You rest assured.
I'll see you in a minute, Rupert.
NARRATOR: It doesn't take long for something to catch Paul's eye.
PAUL: Have a look at that.
Here we are.
Don't have to be an expert, because thankfully, our dealer is.
An Elizabeth I half-groat tuppence, 2d.
MM is your mint mark.
This period, they don't necessarily strike the year of minting on the coin.
They use a symbol.
And if we look above the queen's profile, there's a tiny little symbol of a bell.
And we know that that dates that coin between the years 1582 and 1583.
What do you think that's worth?
NARRATOR: Not tuppence.
PAUL: So what's that, 420-year-old.
200 pounds.
Good worth 200 pounds, isn't it?
It'd be 500 pounds.
No.
Price tag, 35 pounds.
These things, for my money, are incredibly good value.
NARRATOR: Just as well, Paul.
You're going to need all the help you can get.
PAUL: Oh, but here's Kate Bliss.
Terrifying.
I don't mind telling you.
Much respect.
So I better stop blathering and get my proverbial think-around.
NARRATOR: Talking of Kate, she's at Newport, who's Welsh name, [WELSH],, means town by the beach.
It's home to Kate's first antique shop, the Carningli Centre.
Hello there.
Hi.
I'm Kate.
- Hello.
I'm Ann.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, lovely to meet you.
Hey, what a shop!
ANN: Thank you.
Is it all right if I have a quick look around?
Please do.
KATE: Thank you.
It's absolutely stuffed with everything from tools to railway [INAUDIBLE] to teapots.
I think I'm going to need a week.
NARRATOR: You'll have to be a bit quicker than that, Kate.
KATE: You got enamel signs all over the shop in here.
You can't miss them.
But this is probably one of my favorites.
I think firstly because I love the shape of it.
It's very slim, so you could fit it on very tight wall space.
And with enamel signs, a lot of it is about color.
And you've got this striking yellow and blue, which I love.
We've got 195 on that.
Well, um, if I buy that, I can't buy anything else, really.
And I'm not going to blow my whole budget on the first shop.
NARRATOR: No.
That would not do.
Well, now, this looks interesting.
If I pull it out carefully.
It's very dusty.
I think it's been here for some time.
This is called a Gladstone bag because the person who invented the design of this was a huge fan of Gladstone, who was prime minister at the time.
The bag is relatively slim when it's shut, but when you open it up, the frame allows you to open it really wide.
Now, as you can see, it's seen better days.
Filthy inside.
And the clasps are really rusted, which is a real shame.
But I think this is rather neat.
There isn't a price anywhere.
I'm going to have to go and find Ann.
Ah, Ann.
What do you think of this?
I think this has been forgotten about, Ann, in a dusty corner.
Yes, it has.
KATE: It's just such a shame those clasps are so rusty, isn't it?
I've been meaning to clean it up, and never quite got round to it.
KATE: You haven't got a price on it.
If I said a tenner, a straight tenner, because it needs a little bit of work.
15.
KATE: 15.
I don't suppose you've got any polish in the shop, have you?
ANN: There might be some in the workshop somewhere.
KATE: Say if I went to 12, could you throw in a bit of leather feed?
If I can find it.
KATE: Great.
Well, I think I found myself a little bit of a project.
NARRATOR: I think you have, Kate.
KATE: 12 pounds?
Brilliant.
Thank you very much indeed.
Super job.
- Thank you.
KATE: Lovely.
Well, it'll look great in the classic car, anyway.
NARRATOR: Well, let's leave Kate to go polish her bag.
Back in Cardigan, Paul has found something that reminds him of home.
PAUL: This is a Scottish influenced piece of jewelry, though not a Scottish made piece.
Open brooch centered by a pair of thistles.
A citrine colored flower on one, an amethyst colored on the other.
And a set of English assay marks, Birmingham, 1902.
That's a good looking brooch.
NARRATOR: And it sports a price tag of 75 pounds.
Did that come in cheap?
Could that be a lot less than that, or not?
We can do a good deal on that.
PAUL: I think it's a 20 pound brooch, because I'm going to sell this on.
- Yes.
And hopefully-- Make a profit.
Make a wee bit on it.
RUPERT: I think 20, we probably may be making a loss on it.
It has sat here in the cabinet for a while.
If you could squeeze to 30.
PAUL: I'm going to put this back, but that's not because I'm saying no, and talk about something else.
It's all about branding, is it not?
It is.
PAUL: And here we have the name in Scandinavian silver design of the 20th century, Georg Jensen.
Imported into this country in 1948, which I like, because of course the Jensen brand is as strong today as it's ever been.
NARRATOR: It's 120 pounds on the ticket.
PAUL: How big a deal can you do on that?
I think we can do 50% on that.
60 pounds.
Is there more slack if I buy two pieces?
The brooch and the spoon?
RUPERT: Where do you see yourself with the two?
Well, I want to offer you 50 pound, the pair.
RUPERT: Could I squeeze you to 60 for the pair?
See, there's two things.
What happens if they're three?
NARRATOR: Hey.
Steady on, Paul.
PAUL: I'm seduced by your hammered coinage.
So we've got a forgery here.
That's right.
Dating back to the 17th century.
Charles I half groat, a contemporary forgery.
And then we've got the royal arms on the reverse.
And here, I assume you've got a-- RUPERT: It's a very dodgy portrait.
PAUL: Of Charles I.
And I'll tell you what, that's a hanging offense back in 1640, isn't that?
RUPERT: It is.
PAUL: That as a curio, I love it.
What's not to like?
It's 8 pounds.
Who's going to argue with that?
NARRATOR: And don't forget the genuine silver groat you spotted earlier.
PAUL: Which is crisper.
What could the pair of those be, in the context of the bigger purchase?
So now we've got a coin purchase.
RUPERT: Yeah.
PAUL: The Jensen purchase, and the brooch.
NARRATOR: The combined ticket price of that little haul is 238 pounds.
I can do those for 25.
So we can screw those two down to 80 quid buys the four.
- 80 quid.
- 80 quid-- Bought the four.
Buys the four.
NARRATOR: A very generous discount for Paul.
Wow.
Rupert, that was fun then.
RUPERT: 80 pounds, then, please, Paul.
PAUL: 80, Rupert.
Oh, that's lovely.
Well, thank you very much, and I hope they do well.
PAUL: Well, I hope so, too.
But it's been a pleasure, Rupert.
RUPERT: Thanks very much.
Bye.
NARRATOR: I wonder how Kate is feeling.
Really good, now I've got one purchase under my belt.
I haven't spent a fortune.
But I'm quietly confident if I can give that Gladstone bag a little bit of TLC, it might do all right.
NARRATOR: Kate's on her way to St. Davids, the smallest city in Britain.
She's going to find out about one of Wale's most-revered sons.
KATE: Wow.
Look at that.
NARRATOR: The stunning St. Davids Cathedral is an important place of pilgrimage for Christians.
It lies on the site of an ancient monastery that was founded in the 6th century by Saint David, the patron saint of Wales.
How super to meet you.
And you, too.
And you, too.
Gosh, that's breathtaking, isn't it?
- Isn't it?
- That view!
Isn't it stunning.
That is not what I was expecting when I came through that archway.
It is quite amazing, isn't it?
NARRATOR: The dean of St. Davids cathedral is the Very Reverend Jonathan Lean.
Tell me a little bit about this St. David.
Well, we don't know a huge amount about Saint David.
We know he established his monastery here in the 6th century.
They lived a very ascetic life.
But David had a tremendous influence over people, and still today, you know, that influence still remains.
And I think the thing that resonates with people most of all are his last words to his followers, which were, be joyful, keep the faith, do the little things that you heard and saw me do.
NARRATOR: The original monastery and present-day cathedral were built in a hollow, which offered some protection from marauding raiders.
Well, you can't see the sea anywhere.
- No, I know.
- Is it just over there?
Well, it's on three sides of us.
It's surrounding the peninsula.
Wow.
The sea is only just over there, and you can't actually see it.
NARRATOR: But the location didn't always stop the attacks.
Well, I think when the luck ran out, unfortunately, raiders would have come in, and they would have ransacked the place.
NARRATOR: Fortunately, the only invaders today are pilgrims and sightseers, like Kate.
Isn't this stunning?
KATE: Oh, wow.
It's amazing, isn't it?
Isn't it incredible?
Yeah.
NARRATOR: This magnificent cathedral was built in the 12th century, over 500 years after the saint's death.
So all that time afterwards?
So the cult must have been so strong, you know, that it inspired people to build this great building all that time afterwards.
KATE: Wow.
So what have we got here?
Well, here we are now at the shrine of Saint David, which was substantially destroyed at the Reformation.
And we've restored it in 2012.
And the central figure here, of course, is David himself.
And wherever you see an image of David, you always have that dove on his shoulder.
So why is that?
Why the dove?
Well, there are quite a number of miracles associated with David's life, and there's a very famous story of him speaking at a very important synod.
And because people couldn't see him, he spread his handkerchief on the ground and stood on it, and the ground rose beneath him.
And he was such an inspirational speaker that as he spoke, so the dove came and settled on his shoulder as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
KATE: And that's beautifully depicted here, isn't it, without painted panel.
It is.
It is fabulous.
KATE: He must have been very magnetic, for people to follow him so strongly.
Well, I think he must have been a very charismatic character.
He traveled widely.
Obviously, an amazing preacher.
It's incredible that his legacy still lives on, after all these centuries.
You know, people still follow the cult of Saint David and are still attracted by his message.
KATE: And he has become, of course, the patron saint of Wales.
Of Wales.
Absolutely.
NARRATOR: And every year, St. David's Day gives the Welsh a great excuse to sing.
And perhaps one of the most well-known of all the Welsh hymns is the the tune come round there.
And I thought we'd just have a little go at a bit of the chorus.
Really?
In Welsh?
In Welsh.
Are you game?
NARRATOR: What do you say, Kate?
KATE: You know, I love singing, but I've never sung in Welsh before.
So this is a first for me.
Well, I'll start off, and you-- and you come in in each little bit.
OK. (SINGING IN WELSH) Well done.
That's fantastic.
I won't quite give up the day job yet.
NARRATOR: Nonsense.
Meanwhile, military maven-- expert to you or me-- Paul is in the Carmarthenshire town of Newcastle Emlyn, famous for its ruined castle, and he's in his element.
PAUL: The medieval fortifications in Wales are exceptional, are they not?
NARRATOR: They are indeed, Mr. Laidlaw.
But I suspect their treasure has already been plundered.
Fortunately, Emlyn Antiques is just over the horizon.
PAUL: Good afternoon.
- Oh, hello.
How are you doing?
I'm Paul.
I'm fine, thank you.
Hi.
I'm Lisa.
- Good to see you, Lisa.
It has got a nice feel about it, has it not?
I shall [INAUDIBLE] mooch, and I'm coming to you, yeah?
Great.
See you in a bit.
Thanks a bunch.
Thank you.
PAUL: Holy Moses.
You know what they are, don't you?
NARRATOR: Stocks.
PAUL: They're stocks.
OK?
So you've been a bit naughty, and you get clamped in irons.
And ultimately, in the town square, you're asked to stick your [INAUDIBLE] through there and your hands through there.
And so the story goes, they pelt you with rotten fruit and veg, do they not?
[INAUDIBLE] stocks.
850 pounds.
The things you find.
NARRATOR: What a price.
Anyway, Paul, onwards and upwards.
PAUL: [INAUDIBLE] stand, yeah?
Not to everyone's taste.
English majolica.
Actually, it's rather-- it is rather nicely molded, is it not?
I quite like that.
[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: Steady.
Yes, we do.
B and F. England.
And a shape number, 1948.
For my money, I'm going to suggest Burmantofts.
NARRATOR: The right answer is Burmantofts, the famous Leeds-based factory.
PAUL: If it had, as it did when it was retailed, and nice, big jardiniere or cachepot there, that would still be quite a good thing.
But you know what?
I don't see no issues with it.
And someone out there has got a pot for it.
But I don't see a price tag.
I see a bit of seller tape.
It's probably only worth 40, 50, 60 pounds.
No harm in asking, though.
NARRATOR: Time for dealer Lisa.
Lisa?
I've have a word with the owner, and he had 40 pounds on it.
PAUL: Is the owner present or on the phone or what?
No, he's in the building.
Shy, though, obviously.
He's my husband.
NARRATOR: Oh, lordy.
Well, I've got to win you over, because he's going to be putty in your hands.
- Definitely.
- Clearly.
Yes, definitely.
PAUL: Does he want to sell it?
Does he want his shot or not?
LISA: At the right price.
20 quid.
25.
20.
I'm gambling that it goes in an auction that's on the internet, and someone out there goes, I've got-- I've got the pot.
PAUL: Exactly.
LISA: Yeah.
Could you stretch to 22?
Meet me in the middle.
I will never quibble over 2 pounds.
Fabulous.
In that case, we've got offer and acceptance.
Great.
Thank you very much.
A deal.
A deal.
NARRATOR: That's one down.
Anything else?
PAUL: I spied a little silver object down there.
NARRATOR: He's a little magpie, is that Paul.
PAUL: There's not a lot to it.
However, when was the last time you saw an Edwardian silver whistle?
NARRATOR: Well, as it happens-- [WHISTLES] It's quite substantial.
They're not always big as that.
RGW Sheward owned this back in 1902.
My word, this is where I ingest no end of Edwardian germs.
Let's hope they're long dead.
NARRATOR: Botulism?
[WHISTLES] Careful.
You'll be getting sent off.
PAUL: What's the price tag on that?
28 pounds.
I think it needs to be cheap.
If it's cheap, then I have no choice but to buy it, because I can't walk past a bargain.
Then I'll buy it.
If it's 20 pounds, which I think is probably about right, I will walk away.
How does that sound?
That sounds irrational, doesn't it?
That's a first, Laidlaw.
NARRATOR: You said it, old bean.
PAUL: One Edwardian silver fob whistle.
No idea, to be honest with you.
But you know I'm going to ask.
Can't help myself sometimes.
LISA: What were you thinking?
PAUL: 15 quid.
Could you squeeze a little bit more?
Yikes.
It's going to be tricky, isn't it?
18.
LISA: OK.
I'll stick my neck out.
Well, look.
Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
Two things.
Yes.
NARRATOR: That's a Burmantofts jardiniere stand and a whistle for a total of 40 pounds.
PAUL: There you go.
LISA: Lovely.
Thank you.
Great.
Yes.
- Wish me luck.
Thank you.
Bye bye.
NARRATOR: Well, you have been a busy boy, haven't you?
Do you need a lift?
Do you know we're steaming up.
It must be all the excitement.
NARRATOR: Passion.
This is well.
It's time for a rest.
So nightie night.
Woo.
NARRATOR: Vroom vroom.
Someone's been at the coffee.
KATE: Day two.
Nice, bright sky.
Bodes well, I would think.
I think so.
I hope so.
KATE: I hope so.
And?
And so, a pitty purchase.
OK. Yeah.
Good to get one under my belt.
NARRATOR: That's right, Kate.
You've got a lovely old bag, though it needs some love.
I think I've found myself a little bit of a project.
NARRATOR: Leaving her 188 pounds.
As for Paul-- I went crazy.
NARRATOR: Yeah, you did.
You bought the silver whistle, the brooch, the Burmantofts jardiniere stand, and the Jensen spoon.
And a couple of half groat coins, as you do.
As a curio, what's not to like?
NARRATOR: He's got 80 pounds left to spend.
You don't hang about, do you?
[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: Since leaving Cardigan, our experts have been winding their way around the beautiful Welsh countryside, and their next stop is Pembroke.
This ancient town is famous for being the birthplace of Henry VII.
KATE: I think this is me, just here.
- Is this it?
- Wow.
What a building.
Whoa, looks good.
Looks good.
PAUL: Cheers, Kate.
OK. Have fun.
NARRATOR: Kate's visiting Pembroke Antiques Center, which is housed in a rather impressive former Methodist chapel.
- Hi there.
- Hi.
Nice to meet you.
I'm Kate.
Richard.
How are you?
Hi.
Fantastic.
You've got quite a bit of stuff in here.
RICHARD: Yes.
Yeah, there's a lot to be getting on with.
Yeah.
Can I have a good look around?
Yeah.
Carry on, and let us know if you need anything.
We'll be more than happy to help.
Great.
Thank you.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: Is there anything here that will turn Kate's head?
Now, this is quite an interesting piece of furniture.
It's late Victorian, typically dark mahogany.
But it's actually called a Wellington chest, named after the first duke of Wellington, which dates it right back to the early 19th century.
The Duke of Wellington would have taken a piece of furniture like this with him on his battles, and they're known as campaign pieces of furniture.
Seven drawers, one for every day of the week.
But this is the best bit.
Behind here, this decorative support, is a little hidden lock.
And once that's locked, nobody is going to get the Duke's valuables.
NARRATOR: Very nice, but priced at 750 pounds.
It's not in Kate's budget.
Hey, you know, ever since I was a kid, I've loved model toys.
And in the diecast market, there's a huge variety.
It's the ones on the bottom shelf here that really interest me, because these are by Dinky.
Now, Dinky Toys were produced by Meccano way back in the pre-war period in the 1930s.
And it's often those really early ones, those pre-war examples, that are the rarest and the most collectible.
Now, these ones aren't pre-war.
There's a couple I quite fancy.
Richard, could I bother you just a moment?
Would you mind just fishing out a couple of these-- Yeah.
No problem.
--for me.
That'd be great.
The plane nearest the front, just in this corner.
That one.
Yeah, please.
So what we have here, it's clearly marked on the bottom.
We've got Dinky Toys.
There we go.
And the model.
Now, the Viking model is certainly not rare, but this is a nice example, because the transfer lettering across the top is still in really good nick, and you've got your little painted red propellers at the front there.
And often, these go missing.
You've got quite a few of these, don't you?
Yes.
I think you've got four models of the Viking.
RICHARD: We do.
KATE: Could you do anything for me on that?
You've got a price of 28 on the bottom there.
Yeah.
What would be your-- your best on that?
It's a little bit rubbed, isn't it?
Yes.
20 reasonable enough?
Is 15 cheeky?
NARRATOR: Cheeky?
We could go to 15, bearing in mind we've got a few of them there.
NARRATOR: Well, maybe not.
Well, I'll tell you what, actually.
How about this for a plan.
I do notice you've got a little twin engine fighter there.
That one is quite play-worn.
Yes.
So you can see, he's quite rubbed.
The silvering has gone across the top there.
But he's still got his little propellers.
NARRATOR: The ticket price on this fighter plane is 15 pounds.
If you like, I'll take the two for 20.
Yeah.
That's fine.
KATE: Would that be all right?
- Sounds good.
Yeah.
KATE: Two for 20?
Yeah.
KATE: Fantastic.
That's brilliant.
Thank you very much indeed.
Let me find you some money.
Super.
20 for you.
RICHARD: Here we are.
Brilliant.
Thanks for that.
Thank you very much, Richard.
RICHARD: OK. That's lovely.
RICHARD: Cheers.
All right.
Bye.
RICHARD: Bye now.
NARRATOR: Well, Kate is off to a flying start today.
Who writes this stuff?
Meanwhile, Paul has made the short trip to Pembroke Dock.
He's here to learn about its role in the longest battle of the Second World War.
And to tell him more is local historian John Evans.
- Paul.
- John.
How are you?
Welcome to Pembroke Dock.
Thanks very much.
Now, John, surely the war is all going on in the east and the continent.
And here we are, on the west coast of Wales.
Well, the battles-- the land battles are in the east.
But here, we're we talking about the maritime war.
The Battle of the Atlantic.
We relied upon the Atlantic convoys to bring all our supplies over here during the Second World War.
Without that, we would have lost the war.
So we are alone early in the war with occupied Europe there, but we need a lifeline of supplies from America to keep up the fight.
The German U-boats were sinking our merchant shipping-- Right.
To the tune of perhaps 2 and 1/2 million tons in 1940 alone.
NARRATOR: To help counter this threat, squadrons of flying boats started to patrol the Atlantic Ocean from their base here in Pembroke Dock.
So back in the Second World War, this is an airbase, in a sense.
It was an air base from water.
NARRATOR: This incredible footage was shot by flying boat pilot David Bevan John in the summer of 39, weeks before the outbreak of the war.
So give me an idea, how many craft flying from here?
There was one moment recorded in 1943, there were 99 flying boats here.
It's hard to think now, but they were everywhere here, in this station, on the moorings out here, taking off, landing.
The sights, the sounds must've been incredible.
NARRATOR: This natural harbor was the perfect location for the RAF to base their flying boat ops.
JOHN: To operate a flying boat, you needed sheltered waterway, and you needed a long-- because they were heavily laden.
They were big aircraft.
The most famous of them all was the Short Sunderland, four engined, very large aircraft, which had a very long range.
And you needed the range to get out into the Atlantic.
PAUL: And so when you say large, what are we talking about here?
JOHN: 112 foot wingspan.
85 feet long.
Weighing, with all equipment on board, 27 tons.
You needed a large aircraft to carry the fuel and the armaments, to go way out in the Atlantic, to protect the convoys, and to search out the u-boats.
How far would they have to travel from Milfordhaven out west?
JOHN: You could do sort of a couple of thousand miles.
The flight would probably be, at a maximum, 14 hours.
The crew could be up to 12 or 13 on board.
NARRATOR: The average age of an RAF pilot in 1940 was about 20 years old.
The Sunderlands were used on reconnaissance, search and rescue, and anti-submarine sorties.
But you had depth charges, which were the naval depth charge which had been adapted to drop from the air.
You would track across the submarine, hopefully to drop, say, three depth charges each side of the u-boat.
So when they exploded at a certain fixed depth, they would rupture the hull of the u-boat and send it to the bottom.
The success rate was very high.
And in fact, the Allied aircraft sank more u-boats than the Royal Navy did.
Is that right?
NARRATOR: But attacking u-boats wasn't without risk.
How many Sunderlands were actually downed in their attacks against the u-boats?
Do we know?
We do know, and if you go through the record books here of the losses, they are considerable numbers.
NARRATOR: But the stakes were incredibly high.
JOHN: Churchill said that his huge worry was the Battle of the Atlantic.
If we'd lost the Battle of the Atlantic, we would have lost the war.
And here is was a sharp end of flying boat operations.
NARRATOR: Eventually, the Germans stranglehold on merchant shipping in the Atlantic was broken, in no small part thanks to the bravery of the crews from the RAF flying boat squadrons based here at Pembroke Dock.
Without them, we wouldn't have got to 1945 and V-Day.
NARRATOR: Fascinating.
Kate has made her way to the pretty Pembrokeshire town of Narbeth, famous for its annual food festival.
She's visiting Narbeth Antiques with a whopping 168 pounds still to spend.
KATE: Hello there.
- Hi.
Hi.
Or can I say [WELSH].
Is that how you say it?
- Yes, it is.
- [WELSH].
- Well done.
Well done.
- I'm Kate.
- Hi.
I'm Zara.
Oh, very pleased to meet you.
Can I have a little look around?
- Absolutely.
- Brilliant.
Thank you very much.
Do you know, when I see a little cabinet like this, I can feel it pulling me like a magnet.
Oh, I like the look of this.
So, we have a little teapot.
Oh, great.
Look at this.
So on the bottom here, we've got Royal Staffordshire Pottery and AJ Wilkinson.
Now, a lot of people may not have heard of Wilkinson Pottery, but if I said Clarice Cliff, a lot of people would have heard of Clarice Cliff.
This is just in the '30s, the turning point when Clarice Cliff came to work for the Wilkinson's factory.
And it was just before her range of pottery, her vibrant designs hit the shelves.
So let's check out the price.
What have we got here?
75.
Well, originally, it would have been made as part of a tea set.
And of course, the other piece is in the set are now missing.
So as it's on its own, I might be able to get a good deal.
NARRATOR: Well, there's a maybe, then.
Paul is also on his way to Narbeth, but he's got a boot full of goodies.
So in theory, I can take it easy.
Drop a gear.
Chill, Laidlaw.
Will I?
Absolutely not.
NARRATOR: That's the spirit, Paul.
He's visiting Malthouse Antiques, and he's still got 80 pounds to spend.
There's a lot to see in here, but Paul's eye for militaria has been caught by a curio from the time of the Boer wars.
PAUL: It's simple.
As circular silver dish as one could find.
Inset into the bottom is a copper coin.
Now, engraved on the dish is Kruger's Last Coin.
President Paul Kruger of the ZAR, the Zuid South African Republic.
And he was demonized by the British press, of course.
And there he is-- there's his currency, the poor Boers currency, being mocked there.
Kruger's last penny.
And what is the purpose of that dish?
For all I know, it's a little ashtray.
What a slight that is, you know?
That's what we think of your money.
I think that's an interesting little curio, a fascinating little find.
40 pounds.
Do I think that would make a profit at auction, at 40 pounds?
No, I do not.
I think it's worth 30 to 50 pounds, there or thereabouts.
And do I need a there or thereabouts lot?
No.
I've got 5 good ones already.
NARRATOR: Best call it a day, then, Paul.
But over at Narbeth Antiques, Kate's feeling the pressure.
I've only got two items so far.
And if I know Paul, he will have been in, bought his items, and gone and had a cup of tea by now.
NARRATOR: And I think his kettle has already boiled, dearie.
Look at these.
Now, it's quite unusual to get sets in luggage.
I don't know what it is about luggage.
Why am I looking at luggage?
You've got two great little cases here.
These lovely leather mounts here.
These strap work and corners.
You've got a great little chrome clasp there.
Let's just check that it all works.
Yep.
That snaps tightly.
Now, I think that is just great.
And very commercial, actually, in today's market.
And we've got the big sister as well, which is even better.
Ah.
It says AF on here, which suggests there's something the matter.
Oh, I can see exactly what it is.
The little clasp that is actually missing.
But hey, it'd be criminal to split them up, wouldn't it?
I mean, what a great pair.
Now, do I have luggage?
Something else over here.
NARRATOR: Oh, that looks better.
You often see these, actually, turning up in sale rooms, but you don't often see them in such good condition.
This is known as a leg of mutton case.
And you can see exactly why.
But it was actually used for a gun.
It's got its original brass clasp here.
NARRATOR: Hooray!
Which all fits together really nicely.
Look at that.
The price tag here says 45.
For a lovely case like that in good condition, I don't think that's too bad.
NARRATOR: Time to talk to Zara.
KATE: Can we talk prices?
ZARA: We can.
KATE: OK.
So you've got a pair here of lovely cases.
And I love the chrome mounts.
But I do notice that this one is really badly damaged.
Yes.
So what could you-- could you do anything on those two?
You've got 35 on that one.
Yeah.
You've got 45 on that one.
ZARA: The best on these would be 60.
KATE: That's the absolute rock bottom?
Possibly.
Possibly?
OK. Well, on that possibly-- OK. Let's bring the gun case in, because I love this.
You've got 45 on it.
ZARA: Right.
KATE: Here.
If I took this as well.
ZARA: OK. Um, ooh.
What could you do?
OK.
I think that's priced quite well.
How about 100 pounds for the three items?
I have actually seen a teapot downstairs as well, to throw into the mix.
ZARA: I think the teapot is priced at 75?
KATE: It is indeed.
Yeah.
So how about 130.
Is that your death.
Oh, Kate.
KATE: Could you-- if I said 120?
We'll meet at the middle, at 125, Kate.
You've been very fair.
125.
Thank you, Kate.
Thank you, Zara.
That's super.
Let's find you some money.
That's for you.
- Thank you, Kate.
KATE: Wonderful.
- Thank you.
Good luck.
KATE: I love your shop.
NARRATOR: So that's 35 pounds for the travel bags, 40 pounds for the gun case, and 50 for the teapot.
I'm off on me [INAUDIBLE] now.
Oh.
NARRATOR: Steady, now.
Don't shoot too soon.
That's both our experts, shopped up.
So well done.
What's the mood in the Volvo?
KATE: There's an air of optimism, I think.
[INAUDIBLE] Or hope.
Cherish it, because that might go rapidly.
NARRATOR: Killjoy.
Let's hope not.
Time for some shut eye.
Morning, from a rather wet Somerset.
KATE: Have you been here before?
PAUL: No.
Have you?
KATE: No.
Well, I think I might have gone a long time ago.
Except it's changed a lot.
And you remember it being the most amazing event ever?
Incredible.
Let's hope.
NARRATOR: Today is the end of our wonderfully Welsh antiques odyssey.
Our experts started their journey in Cardigan before meandering around the southwest corner of Wales, then nipping across the border for an auction in the Somerset town of Crewkerne.
Lawrences have been in the business since the 1960s, and there's a good turnout today.
Paul spent 120 pounds on five lots, and Kate splashed out 157 pounds, also on five lots.
So what do our experts make of each other's goodies?
Now, this is just my kind of thing.
It's small and neat.
It's silver.
And I think it works.
Wait for it.
[WHISTLES] Oh, yeah.
That woke everybody up.
I mean, that could do well.
That's gorgeous, is it not?
You love that.
I love that.
Wilkinson's.
However, where's its friends?
Where's the milk?
Where's the sugar?
And that's a problem, believe me.
NARRATOR: Today's man with the gavel is my old mate Richard Kay.
What does he make of it all?
The classic bag is a very nice example.
It's in good condition.
It's not damaged.
It's in pretty good shape.
And all the clasps and the handles are secure.
So it's a nice, useful piece, and people do like collectible vintage luggage.
The Burmantofts stand is a good, big piece of pottery.
It's been well made.
It's by a collectible factory.
And perhaps it's not going to be bought for its use as a jardiniere stand.
It has tremendous late-19th century decorative sort of arts and crafts appeal.
NARRATOR: On that note, we'd better take our seats.
Hey, it's pretty busy.
It is, isn't it?
Yeah.
They're all here for whistles.
You know that.
NARRATOR: Right.
Down to business.
Kate's finished polishing her old bag.
Bids here, start me at 10 pounds on this one.
10 pounds is bid.
At 10 pounds.
At 10 pounds.
It's an opening bid.
Oh, come on.
Come on.
10 pounds on my book.
At 10 pounds.
Absentee bidder at 10 pounds.
Oh, [INAUDIBLE] bidder.
10 pounds, if you're done in the room.
Last time.
What did they say, that that had the most margin in it.
NARRATOR: That's taking the shine off things.
But not to worry.
It's early days.
And all the elbow grease I put into it, as well.
NARRATOR: Next up, will Paul be left whistling in the wind?
Bids here.
Start me at 25 pounds on this.
- Yes.
- Is he still-- [GASPS] RICHARD: 35.
40 now.
40 pounds bid.
At 40 pounds.
It's in the room.
I'm out on my book.
It's 40 pounds bid, and I'm selling at 40.
KATE: That's about right, I would say.
Last time.
[INAUDIBLE] Yeah, I think you're right.
[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: Well, that's Paul off to a flying start.
OK, so you're ahead of the traps and round the first bend, and I still haven't started.
This is going well.
NARRATOR: Can Kate catch up with her two Dinky airplanes?
10 pounds starts me here.
10 pounds is bid.
At 10 pounds, I'm bid.
Please let it not be another [INAUDIBLE].. At 10 pounds.
I have on my book at 10.
I'll sell at 10, if you're done elsewhere.
12 pounds now.
I'm out.
It's 12 pounds.
Bid in the room at 12 pounds.
And I'm selling at 12.
Last time.
I don't think fortune is smiling on me.
NARRATOR: Crashed and burnt.
Chin up, Kate.
And I know I'm biased, because they're my pieces.
But I think that slipped through the cheaply.
Yeah.
No two ways about it.
NARRATOR: Will Paul keep up his winning streak with the Edwardian silver brooch?
I think if you had a sticky one, this might be it.
Yeah.
I would say.
But with Laidlaw luck, who knows?
20.
22, I'm asked on this.
[INAUDIBLE] At 22 pounds.
At 22.
KATE: 22 is pretty good.
RICHARD: At 22, I'll sell.
Are we done in the room?
Just get the hammer down, sir.
Get the hammer down.
I'm selling this one at 22 pounds.
Last time.
KATE: Whew.
- [INAUDIBLE] That's close.
That's pretty good.
- That's fair enough.
NARRATOR: Never mind.
It's only a small loss.
Interesting that my first lot of leather hasn't made a profit, and now I have two other leather items to go.
NARRATOR: And look what's up next.
Start me here at 30 pounds on these.
30.
- Oh, that's not bad.
30 I have.
30 pounds is bid.
At 30 pounds.
35, now.
35.
Gentleman's bid by the cabinet.
40 now.
40 pounds.
It's the lady's bid now at 40.
Selling this lot at 40 pounds.
- Oh, one more.
- Are we done at 40, then?
KATE: One more.
- I'm selling.
Last time.
A profit.
NARRATOR: Well done, Kate.
You're off the mark.
I'm a sucker for leather luggage.
NARRATOR: The next lot is Paul's Burmantofts jardiniere stand.
Fair to you of its type it's a cracker.
But-- Where's the rest of it?
Bids start me here at 40 on this one.
40 pounds I have.
That's pretty good.
At 40 pounds.
At 40 pounds.
I'm selling it at 40.
It's on my book at 40 pounds.
I'll sell at 40 pounds, then.
Are we done elsewhere?
At 40 on the book.
God bless the commission bidder.
I know.
NARRATOR: That's a decent profit, Paul.
Hey, we're not having any flurries, though, are we?
[INAUDIBLE] Not yet.
Not yet.
NARRATOR: Well, can Kate get back in the game with her third leather lot?
Bids here start me at 18.
Oh, crikey.
RICHARD: 20 pounds is bid.
22.
25.
30 now.
There you go.
Decent bidding [INAUDIBLE].
Oh, you've got [INAUDIBLE] over there.
s pounds.
Any more?
50 pounds, you coming in?
It's '50 pounds.
- One for luck, sir?
- 55.
PAUL: Oh, it keeps going.
You're in.
60.
It is a-- did I say it was a nice one?
RICHARD: 75.
80.
85.
90.
90 pounds.
It's on my left this time.
Selling this one at 90.
That'll do.
ANNOUNCER: At 90 pounds and selling.
All done.
So it can happen.
It can happen.
NARRATOR: Bravo, Kate.
That's a stonking profit.
That's it now.
I've had me-- I've had me luck.
NARRATOR: How will Paul's Jensen spoon fair?
I love your spoon.
But it's whether the name-- What is it with you and buts?
[INAUDIBLE].
Start me here at 35.
40 pounds is bid.
Ooh, you're ahead.
You're ahead.
RICHARD: 40 pounds is bid.
At 40 pounds.
45.
50.
50 pounds.
It's still on my book at 50 pounds.
Absentee bid at 50 pounds.
Are we done at 50 then?
Last time.
Very good.
NARRATOR: Well, that's another great profit.
I just thought I got back in the game.
I'm not so sure now.
I think you did.
You've got to [INAUDIBLE].
NARRATOR: Time for tea?
It's Kate last lot.
So off the period.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's a wee joy.
But-- RICHARD: Bids start me here at 15 pounds.
15 pounds.
18.
20.
5 now, at 25 pounds.
At 25.
- Oh, come on.
That's crazy.
Against my book at 25 pounds.
I'm selling it at 25 pounds.
All done.
Are you kidding me?
They didn't get it.
NARRATOR: Ouch.
Oh.
Never mind.
You win some.
You lose some.
[INAUDIBLE], Kate.
I'm going to [INAUDIBLE] with the auctioneer.
Don't give me that.
NARRATOR: Last up we've got Paul's half groat coin.
Bids here start me more than a groat.
20-- two.
25 pounds is bid.
25 pounds is bid.
25.
The bids on my book at 25.
But is it going anywhere?
[INAUDIBLE] interesting.
30 pounds.
Thank you.
At 30 pounds.
Clears my book at 30 pounds.
[INAUDIBLE] Elizabethan silver, doesn't it?
I know.
30 pounds.
At 30 pounds, then.
Last time at 30.
Ooh, it's a cheeky fit, though.
All done.
NARRATOR: That's really groat.
[INAUDIBLE] of the proceedings.
What a roller coaster.
I think you might have a length, Laidlaw.
But I'll give you this one.
Come on.
NARRATOR: Kate started this road trip with 200 pounds.
After auction costs, she made a loss today of 11 pounds and 86 pence, leaving her with 188 pounds and 14 pence to spend on the next leg.
Paul started with the same amount.
After sell room fees, he made a rather nice profit of 29 pounds and 24 pence, meaning he carries forward 229 pounds and 24 pence.
And he wins the first leg.
Well, that was exciting, but I think you're ahead, Mr. Laidlaw.
Not by enough for comfort, Kate.
[THEME MUSIC]
