(CAR HORN) VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... Howdy, li'l lady.

VO: ..behind the wheel of a classic car... Oh yes!

VO: ..and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

Looking for some bargains?

VO: The aim... MARGIE: Yay!

VO: ..to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners...

Yes!

It is my lucky day!

VO: ..and valiant losers.

I actually can't believe that.

Annoying.

VO: Will it be the high road to glory... Yo, yo, yo!

VO: ..or the slow road to disaster?

This is Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

VO: Welcome back to the antiques argy bargy between good chums, but fierce rivals, Natasha Raskin-Sharp and James Braxton.

And for round three, we're heading to the Midlands.

Sort of the waist of England, isn't it?

(SCOFFS) The waist... JAMES: Is it the waist of England?

The roly-poly middle section.

VO: I'm not sure it's ever been described like that before.

JAMES: Now, what is the Midlands famous for?

NATASHA: Well, it's all about... JAMES: Antiquey wise.

..ingenuity, and it's industrial... Yeah, exactly.

Exactly.

..so what're we thinking then?

I think lots of manufactured and made goods.

Weren't they workshop of the world?

VO: Should be ripe for the picking, then.

Last time out was all about using their noses... NATASHA: (SNIFFS) Oh, that smells good.

VO: ..as our antiques bloodhounds sniffed out some bargains.

They look quite good, don't they?

I think they would say it's a bit extra.

VO: And while not everything had such a fine bouquet... Oh, that's lovely.

Yeah.

Oh, that is strong.

VO: ..at the auction, it was the sweet whiff of success for both of them.

At 130... Rather cool.

VO: But at the final hammer...

Hundred pounds, you done?

VO: ..it was Tash who came up smelling of roses.

So, in our best of five battles at the auctions, that puts Natasha 2-0 up, giving James a lot of work to do.

You've changed.

How... how come you're winning.

I don't... Oh, it doesn't feel right, does it?

JAMES: New diet, what is it?

Raw carrots?

What's the secret?

NATASHA: I think it's - I've been manifesting.

You see, before I go to bed at night I manifest that I win the next auction.

You should try it actually.

You've obviously not been...

But, no, that's gobbledygook.

No, no, well, excuse me!

Is it?!

If I have been manifesting and it's been working.

VO: You can't argue with results, old bean.

But it's a fresh start today.

A crisp £200 each to spend, a super deluxe Daimler Sovereign to get about in, and just one burning question.

# What's in James's jug?

# What's in my jug...?

Woo!

I've got sweeties.

Oh my goodness.

Sweeties in your jug?

JAMES: Oh, it's nougat.

NATASHA: (GASPS) Delicious.

It's sort of nougat I think.

I have to pass that to you.

We know one another quite well by now.

You can feed me... Like that.

JAMES: Like that.

NATASHA: Ahh... Mm.

NATASHA: Mm!

That's amazing.

JAMES: It's good.

NATASHA: Get in with your nougat.

Yeah, of course.

That is good!

No, that's amazing... Oh, that's set us up for the day.

VO: Appetites sated, let's begin.

So far, our twosome have already explored south Wales and now they're heading northwards up the side of England, on the way to their final country of the trip, bonnie Scotland.

What do you have in your mouth?

It's a magical sweetie.

It's like a wine gum, but it has a soft center.

VO: We might need to take that jug off him.

This time out, they're touring the Black Country, heading towards Quinton in Birmingham, the city of a thousand trades.

But they start out in the country near Pattingham.

First port of call, Jones of Shropshire, and it's a big one.

This is bonkers.

Look at all... Oh!

JAMES: Isn't it?

Isn't it just?

NATASHA: Mind yourself, mind yourself!

Wheelbarrows everywhere... (LAUGHS) VO: The goods of 30 dealers are on offer here, both outside and in.

With everything from reclamation to retro to rootle through, our two have a lot of ground to cover.

NATASHA: (GASPS) What a good gnome!

VO: Oh, hello!

I'll admit it.

I would happily be the first to gnome bash.

But then there is something quite romantic about this handsome little gnome sitting on a fly agaric toadstool making a wish.

Why wouldn't I take it to auction?

The first reason, it's broken so the tip of the hat has gone.

But the second reason is for me, certainly, the most pertinent.

It's a gnome.

It's a gnome.

VO: Gnome snob.

James would never be that sniffy.

It's good... Good size that, isn't it?

I knew I would find you in the kitchen.

We've got some amazing things here.

I've never seen one of those before.

NATASHA: It's a kitchamajig.

You've never seen a kitchamajig?

JAMES: No, I... NATASHA: You've never lived.

Crushes, strains, whips and lifts.

Do you think a poached egg would be safe in that?

Ooh.

Would it do you think?

Or would it slip out?

No, I think it would be perfectly safe.

So is that what you're taking to auction?

JAMES: No.

It's a bit...

It's a bit small for me.

NATASHA: A bit small for you?

I might take that home to my kitchen.

I think you should.

Every kitchen needs...a kitchamajig!

JAMES: ..majig!

Yeah, price is dropping, callers.

Call now.

VO: Oh, just let me phone in my order.

You lot get back to the antiques.

NATASHA: What's that?

Sort of akin to a boot scraper.

Oh, it's a grave marker!

Wow.

My goodness, a bit macabre, isn't it?

I wonder who would've needed a grave marker, or why it would've been used?

Is it temporary, you know, in lieu of a headstone before it's erected?

Or is it actually for those who couldn't afford a headstone perhaps?

VO: Do you know, you're right on both counts.

Iron foundries produced a range of different designs so you could pick your favorite.

NATASHA: And it isn't in perfect condition but it has good age.

Victorian, it says here.

I totally believe that because the Victorians were the great cast iron mongers.

VO: They were rather fond of graveyards too.

£8 is the price for that.

NATASHA: I've never seen one before.

It caught my eye.

£8, just go with it, girl.

Just go with it.

VO: Let's go have a word at the till.

NATASHA: Mike.

Hi, how are you?

Yeah, good.

Thank you.

I'm amazed at the quantity.

I don't know how you keep up with it all.

There is quite a lot of stuff... Oh my goodness!

But something that caught my eye in among it all is a little cast iron grave marker.

Oh, I know the one.

I like the fact that it is old and a bit macabre.

Just a little bit, yeah.

But I like all those things.

I love that it's £8.

That's the...

Even better.

Even better.

I've precounted my money, Mike!

VO: That was easy peasy, wasn't it?

£192 still to play with.

NATASHA: Cheers!

MIKE: OK, bye.

Definitely one of the stranger things I've ever bought... ..but I like it.

(WHISPERS) Lead the way, lead the way... VO: Doesn't ward off vampires, Tash!

Back in the yard, James's eye is being drawn to some hefty objects, as per usual.

JAMES: (GRUFFLY) Look at this!

Here we are.

We don't need any other reminders of the fact that we're in industrial heartland here, the Black Country.

We've got a very workman- like pair of sackwheels here.

And then we've got this lovely fellow here.

I do like a trolley.

There's something about the slow rhythm and noise of a trolley.

VO: Whatever floats your boat, I suppose.

But will it pass the Braxton weight test?

Nice and heavy.

It probably dates from about the 1930s, 40s or 50s.

But it's a part of our industrial heritage.

This is made to move parts around a factory.

It's very well made.

We got this tubular metal here, got great wheels still working.

And we've got a lovely manufacturer's label of F Parr here, of Dean Street in Birmingham.

VO: But what we haven't got is a price.

I'm gonna go and see if I can do a deal on this lovely trolley.

VO: Off he trundles then.

(TROLLEY RATTLES) VO: I think Mike'll hear him coming.

JAMES: It's a lot quieter inside, isn't it?

JAMES: Hello, Mike.

MIKE: It is.

Are you alright?

JAMES: I've found this lovely heavy trolley.

MIKE: It's only come in yesterday.

JAMES: Oh... Oh, fresh goods!

MIKE: Yeah, exactly.

Yeah.

JAMES: Oh, excellent.

What could this be, Mike?

The dealer's asking 80 for that.

JAMES: £80?

MIKE: Yeah.

Not 40?

Unfortunately not, no.

JAMES: 50?

(INHALES) He needs a bit more than 50.

How much more than 50?

MIKE: 55.

JAMES: I'll give you 55.

VO: Got there in the end then.

£145 left to spend.

And you can use that for shifting future purchases too!

I'd love to chat away how happy I am to buy this, but... (TROLLEY RATTLES) I think it seems to be shouting me down.

VO: You said the noise was part of its charm, James.

Meanwhile, Tasha's motored on out into the countryside, communing with nature.

NATASHA: Ah, there's a wasp in the car!

Oh God, it's huge.

It's a bee.

Oh, there's a bee in...

There's a bee in the car.

OK. VO: It's alright.

Nobody panic.

So James is all about saving the bees.

So, come on, bee, James's jug.

Get in James's jug.

Come on!

VO: It's probably more scared of you than you are of it.

I have a chamois.

OK, come on now.

Come... Ah, it touched the chamois, it touched the chamois!

VO: I retract my last statement.

OK, go.

It's out.

It's out.

Go on.

It's out.

Whoa.

Quite the...quite the buzz.

VO: Well, I was about to say she's making a beeline... Ha-ha!

..for Halfpenny Green.

And as if she hasn't had enough of flying things, her next shop is on an airfield!

NATASHA: Oh, Halfpenny Antiques.

OK... What've you got?

VO: Well, quite a lot, as it happens.

50 dealers' worth of stock from across the ages, from very old right up to mid century modern.

Groovy.

And, if you find something you think will take off at auction, Claire's on hand for a haggle.

Our girl's barely grazed the surface of her budget.

Still £192 left.

So the sky's the limit.

This is Joan.

I know this is Joan.

But she's missing somebody, is she not?

You can't have Joan if you don't have Darby.

Darby and Joan, the old married couple that don't really do much, but they are quite happy in one another's company.

VO: The proverbial epitome of dull contentment, first mentioned in print all the way back in 1735.

She just looks as though she's bored to tears.

Maybe if Darby had been there, I would've happily picked them up as a pair.

Alas, she's just gonna have to stay looking that pensive on the shelf for a little bit longer.

VO: Meanwhile, the Darby to Natasha's Joan has moved on, pitching up at the Midlands market town of Stourbridge, supposedly on his way to the next shop, but I think he's been distracted.

JAMES: What a lovely day for a game of cricket.

I wonder if they'll let me bowl a couple of balls.

VO: Stourbridge Cricket Club, established in 1842.

JAMES: Hello!

JOHN: Ready?

JAMES: Oh!

Blimey!

Well, that came out of nowhere.

JAMES: James.

JOHN: John.

Hello.

Good to meet you, John.

JOHN: Nice to see you.

JAMES: What a place!

VO: Yes, some big names have played here, Richie Benaud, Imran Khan, and now J Braxton.

Bit of a demon bowler, this fella.

JAMES: You ready, batsman?

Well done.

Oh!

(CHUCKLES) A bit too much movement there, wasn't it, John?

Last and final... VO: I don't think any wickets were in danger there.

Good luck, Ronnie.

Hope you win tonight.

VO: Huh, yeah, back to the day job, James.

Over at the airfield, any sign of progress?

Oh...

If that's what I think is, and it probably isn't because it's me, but I hope it is what I think it is... VO: Well, what is it that you think it is?

A little Georgian brooch.

The reason why I've spotted that is because there is a suspicious looking black line, and it's a crack in the foil that backs this piece of rock crystal.

Foilback jewelry is so Georgian.

It wouldn't have been worn by the most rich and lavish and extravagant woman, but it certainly would've been worn by someone who was maybe trying to get a suitor to catch her eye and maybe she placed this just sort of south of the decolletage, shall we say?

So that eyes were drawn to an area that she could flaunt.

VO: Gosh, it's all got a bit saucy, hasn't it?

£28 is the price on that.

Yes, the foil is cracked.

And that's kind of breaking the illusion.

But actually that's helped me decipher exactly what it is.

I think it's too good to walk away from, especially because this is the kind of thing that happens to everyone else but me.

"Oh, I was just looking in a cabinet full of modern jewelry and I found a Georgian brooch."

It just never ever happens to me.

Honestly, today could be my lucky day.

VO: Here's hoping.

Now, back to Stourbridge, where James has finally made it to his shop, The splendidly named granddad's attic, a treasure trove of vintage and retro objects and interiors.

JAMES: Yo, spacey... VO: That's the vibe.

It's all carefully curated by David, looking far too youthful to be the eponymous granddad.

with £145, at his disposal, let's see what our man Braxton can get his mitts on.

JAMES: Look at this fella, look at it!

This is a dead parrot, isn't it?

VO: He's not dead.

He's just resting!

Monty Python springs to mind, doesn't it?

JAMES: The dead parrot sketch.

VO: Yes.

JAMES: Isn't that funny?

That is a big scale, isn't it?

Great color.

VO: Yes, the Norwegian blue!

Beautiful plumage.

So this would've come maybe from a theater or something.

Anyway, we'll let it rest in peace, shall we?

VO: And now for something completely different.

NATASHA: Oh... VO: Still loitering at the cabinets, Natasha?

NATASHA: Now in full brooch mode.

This is so sweet.

Silver?

Yes, sterling silver, marked proudly on the back.

But no one's ever going to buy this for its weight in precious metal.

What they're going to do is wear it because they love English bulldogs.

Honestly, their faces are just so grumpy.

They look as though they are having the worst time.

VO: This one's got a right strop on.

I like the fact that it's not shiny, high sheen, polished silver.

This patination for me, I think, is purposeful because it allows us to see every bit of detail that has been picked out.

I think this is post World War II, when the bulldog really became popular.

Really slim, really easy to wear, and, hey, really profitable?

VO: Could be.

Currently priced at £22.

NATASHA: I'm not a particularly doggy person, but doggy brooches I have bought and sold for a profit.

So perhaps I could do it again?

VO: Time for walkies then.

Go and have a chat about your brace of brooches.

Claire, hi, nice to see you.

NATASHA: How are you?

CLAIRE: Hello.

I'm good!

I'm in love with the variety of this shop.

And yet, of all the things I could've chosen, I've come up with two brooches.

One is marked up at £28.

It's the older of the two.

I think it's Georgian.

The other is mid 20th century silver Bulldog, £22.

So, in total, 50.

Is there any room for maneuver at all?

I think they're the same dealer, aren't they?

NATASHA: Yes.

CLAIRE: So I can do 44 for you.

44!

Hey, let's do 44.

Oh, that's great!

Thank you very much.

VO: So that makes 20 for the bulldog and 24 for the Georgian one, and £148 still in the kitty.

NATASHA: Oh, look at that, from the 18th to the 20th century, in the space of four centimeters.

VO: Meanwhile, over in Stourbridge...

Very tiny.

VO: ..James has had a good look round, but he's still coming up empty handed.

JAMES: David.

DAVID: Yes, James?

JAMES: I'm struggling, chief.

DAVID: You're struggling?

Have you got anything lurking in your office?

Um, let me just check... Come on.

..my secret...secret stash.

Oh, secret...

Dig away.

I might have something.

JAMES: Dig away.

DAVID: Give me a second.

D'you remember all these sweets when you were a child?

(SNIFFS) Oh, cola bottles.

I always used to love cola bottles.

VO: Focus, James, focus.

DAVID: I've got this lovely little Edwardian paint set.

DAVID: Well used.

JAMES: Ah!

DAVID: I think you might like that.

Great, great tin, isn't it?

So this is japanning.

And japanning was sort of like your lacquering, wasn't it?

DAVID: It was, yeah.

JAMES: On metal.

JAMES: And Birmingham was very famous for it.

DAVID: Mm-hm.

JAMES: I love all the gilding.

By appointment to HM the King.

So we know it's Edward VII.

DAVID: Yeah.

JAMES: And then we open it up.

And these are glazed.

Yes.

So this is ceramic, yeah.

Yeah.

JAMES: They are ceramic, aren't they?

So this is for watercolor sketching.

DAVID: Yeah.

There's your little water...water vessel.

Uh, here's your thing for mixing.

JAMES: Great thing!

DAVID: Lovely, isn't it?

Yeah.

What's your price on this, chief?

That would be £40.

Would 25 buy it?

DAVID: Well, I suppose, being as how the paints have all run out, I could do that.

JAMES: Oh, thank the Lord the paints have run out.

VO: Quite.

That leaves him with £120 in reserve.

JAMES: You never know, tonight I might do some painting.

Why not?

Why not?

Thank you, David.

You're welcome, thank you.

VO: I think that's a good point to halt proceedings for the day.

And back together in the car, thoughts turn inevitably to bedtime.

How do you sleep actually?

Are you quite a sound sleeper?

Are you a snorer?

Oh, huge snorer.

An expert snorer?

Think wildebeest.

Wi... OK. VO: Ha-ha!

And on that note, nighty night.

VO: Another glorious Midlands morning, and someone in the Daimler is full of beans.

Yo, yo, yo!

Was that you twerking?

Was that a top half twerk?

How do you twerk sitting down?

You don't need to ask the question, you've just demonstrated perfectly.

What do you twerk with?

Everything you've got.

All your might.

JAMES: Giving it all!

NATASHA: (LAUGHS) VO: Mind the suspension, James.

Yesterday our man didn't quite come in like a wrecking ball, only managing to bag a watercolor painting set and an industrial trolley.

Nice and heavy.

VO: He still has £120 for today's shopping.

Natasha fared a bit better, plumping for a couple of very different brooches and...this cheery little number.

Oh, it's a grave marker!

Wow!

VO: Her kitty is in a slightly healthier state, £148 left for her.

Now, time to talk tactics.

What do you do before you go into a shop?

Do you move the diaphragm a bit?

Do you...

Yes, move the diaphragm.

Twerk.

Uh... Star jumps?

I do, you know... # La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la # NATASHA: I do all that.

JAMES: Why?

I also have a hula hoop in the back.

VO: Be prepared, that's her motto.

Later our savvy shoppers will be off to auction on the outskirts of Winchester, but we start today in the town of Smethwick just to the west of Birmingham, where Natasha is taking a break from antiques to visit this magnificent building.

This is the Guru Nanak gurdwara, the oldest purpose built Sikh temple in the UK.

And offering a warm welcome, gurdwara president Kuldeep Singh Deol.

Hello, hi.

How are you?

Welcome to Guru Nanak gurdwara, Smethwick.

Thank you very much for having me.

But I believe first things first, there's some housekeeping involved, isn't there?

Yeah, we have to cover our heads.

OK.

Thank you for choosing such a vibrant scarf.

Love that.

We have to take our shoes off and we wash our hands as well.

NATASHA: Shoes off, and then it was the washing of the hands?

KULDEEP: Off to wash our hands.

Right, I'll follow you.

Thanks.

So this gurdwara's been here since 1961.

It originally was founded in a church building, and then ever since then it's grown and grown and grown.

It's a huge scale, this building.

Is it one of the biggest?

It is one of the largest places of worship in Europe, and possibly the biggest place of worship in the UK.

VO: The temple serves this area's large Sikh population, with a congregation of over 100,000 attending on a weekly basis.

But it's not just a place of worship, the gurdwara is a hub for the local community, offering a free kitchen, teaching spaces and other facilities.

And it's off to class for Natasha to learn about the traditional art of Punjabi embroidery from world renowned textile artist Ranbir Kaur.

NATASHA: Ranbir, hi.

How are you?

RANBIR: How are you, Natasha?

Delighted to be here, delighted to find you surrounded by color.

It's fantastic.

RANBIR: They look beautiful, don't they?

They do, but when you say they, what exactly are we talking about?

We are actually talking about phulkari stitch, which is from Punjab.

The word phul, the first word, means flower.

OK.

So that is why it is called phulkari.

In the olden days, the ladies, when the child was born, especially the girl, was born in their house, the grandmothers and mothers, they started to make phulkaris.

NATASHA: Wow.

RANBIR: For their weddings.

VO: It's believed that this Punjabi folk art goes back at least 1400 years, with skills passed down from mother to daughter.

It's not just flowers that feature in phulkari, designs also include geometric shapes, animals, and even scenes from everyday life.

And with a top class teacher for guidance, Natasha is giving it a go.

First, tracing her design onto fabric.

Tell me how you came to be interested in phulkari.

I started this at the age of eight.

My grandmother, my mother and my auntie, they were all into textiles.

And this is one of my grandmother's... NATASHA: (SOFTLY) Oh really?

Oh, how precious.

RANBIR: So this is all freehand.

Look at the vibrancy of that purple.

RANBIR: Yeah.

NATASHA: That is just... RANBIR: Beautiful.

NATASHA: ..incredible.

NATASHA: And that's part of the tradition, bright colors?

RANBIR: Yeah, this is her imagination of a peacock.

NATASHA: Oh, the peacock!

Oh, that's beautiful!

That was her imagination, yeah.

NATASHA: I'm done.

What do you think?

I think you are brilliant, yes.

NATASHA: (CHUCKLES) Now it's time for you to start the embroidery.

Oh, I was worried you were going to say that.

Right, OK. VO: To make your phulkari authentic, you'll need to use this traditional silk floss brought all the way from India.

And as you haven't learned the skills at your mother's knee, this is going to be a bit of a crash course, Tash.

RANBIR: Do a simple one from top to end, then again top to end.

So you're approaching this as if you're teaching, like, under fives... RANBIR: Yes.

NATASHA: Yeah, I get that.

We all have to start from somewhere, isn't it?

VO: As well as teaching, Ranbir exhibits her work all round the world, and here at the gurdwara she's been running a project with local Punjabi women called Rags to Riches... ..the centerpiece of which is this magnificent artwork.

It tells the story of how they came to the UK and using their sewing skills in the local textile industry to make better lives for themselves.

RANBIR: This group started with three first and ended with 15.

NATASHA: Oh, really?

RANBIR: Yeah.

RANBIR: And I think, when I came to this country, my aim was to keep our Indian culture alive.

RANBIR: And we should.

Yeah.

NATASHA: Absolutely.

NATASHA: Well, Ranbir, it's taken me long enough.

I'm personally quite happy with that.

Are you?

That's good.

If you were gifted that, would you be impressed?

RANBIR: I will be because I know how to do it.

I can finish it.

VO: A very diplomatic answer!

Let's head off to meet the ladies whose more skillful sewing created that fabulous banner.

Hi, hello.

Hi.

I'm Tasha.

Nice to meet you all.

I loved learning about the tradition of passing from grandmother to mother to daughter.

Is that how all of you learned the skill?

WOMEN: Yeah.

I passed it on to my daughter and my granddaughter, who will be 18 on Sunday.

NATASHA: Oh, that's lovely.

WOMAN: Yeah.

NATASHA: And do you feel that the 18 year old granddaughter... Was he very interested when you started?

She was very interested.

NATASHA: Slightly reluctant?

She's made a few bucket hats.

So she's brought phulkari to bucket hats?

WOMAN: Yes.

NATASHA: Festival style.

That's it.

VO: Sounds like this centuries old tradition is in good hands for the future.

Meanwhile, Mr Braxton has moved on, arriving at the town of Walsall for one final bit of shopping, where he's off to the 3 Elephants Antiques Arcade, hoping to address the elephant in the room.

This is last chance saloon.

I've got a lot of money and I need quite a few items.

VO: Well, I think you've come to the right place.

They've got antique goodies galore and more cabinets than you can shake a stick at.

And with Vicky on hand to offer advice, you'll be burning through your remaining £120 in no time.

That's nice.

Looks like oriental porcelain.

So lots of English factories were doing things in the Chinese taste.

And these are Chinese immortals, sort of elders, sages, whatever.

And this would be mid 18th century.

Have we got any marks?

Yeah, we've got marks.

So this is Spode.

VO: Founded in Stoke on Trent in 1770 by Josiah Spode, who developed the formula for bone china.

No price on this.

This would've had fruit on it and these were the dessert plates.

So you would have a knife and fork to chop up your fruit.

Oh, that's a shame, isn't it?

Look, the last one has been oven baked.

So that's been left on a stove, got really hot and then somebody's put something greasy like butter, and then it seeps through the glaze and gets into the body and then discolors it.

Shame, that, isn't it?

VO: But apart from that, what do you reckon?

Really nice.

VO: Let's call it a maybe and keep looking.

Meanwhile, our other expert is still hanging around the Birmingham area, popping in to Quinton for her last shop of the leg.

NATASHA: Is it just me or does this look tiny?

(LAUGHS) VO: Size isn't everything, Natasha.

Oh, wow.

Look at this treasure chest.

It's about the same size as a treasure chest!

There must be more, actually... (CHUCKLES) No!

You hit the wall.

It's a dead end.

(GASPS) I think this is the smallest shop I've ever been to.

VO: So small, in fact, that owner Chris has had to wander off to give you room to browse.

But it's not lacking in the quality department, some really nice things in here.

That £148 of yours is gonna come in very handy.

Come on.

Incredibly sweet.

VO: I thought you weren't a doggy person, Tash.

NATASHA: It's a little pencil and watercolor of... ..oh, I'm going to get shouted at if I get this wrong... Is it a King Charles cavalier... slash springer spaniel?

VO: I think you covered the bases there.

I think this has come from what you would call an autograph book.

And quite often these were passed around First World War hospitals and the like.

People were passing the time as they were convalescing.

And they weren't necessarily getting autographs of famous people, more notes and signatures from people with whom they were sharing a company or a ward, something like that.

And quite often people buy those, go through them and pick out key doodles because essentially this is just a sophisticated doodle, and that would probably be why the person who did this didn't sign it or date it.

VO: One other thing it's missing is a price.

Interested?

I already have a dog item.

Why not make it two and make this the dog themed auction?

VO: Doggies do well.

Over to Walsall, where James has collared Vicky for a bit of assistance.

I'm looking at this rather nice bracelet at the top.

VICKY: There you go, James.

When something's yellow and glistening like this, we always hope it's gold, don't we?

Well, we do, of course!

Unfortunately it's not gold.

I wish it was.

But it's what we call Pinchbeck.

Yeah, which is a sort of fool's gold... VICKY: Yes, it is.

Yes.

JAMES: ..isn't it?

Yeah.

VO: Devised by Christopher Pinchbeck, a London watchmaker working in the early 1700s, his gold effect alloy allowed ordinary people to get that luxury look on a budget.

It never tarnishes.

It will stay like this forever.

JAMES: Isn't that clever?

It's not gonna fit me, is it?

VICKY: You're close.

But you can see the general effect.

It's rather stunning, isn't it?

VICKY: It is.

JAMES: I'm interested in that.

VICKY: Well, we have 55 on it.

OK, hold that thought, Vicky.

VICKY: OK. JAMES: Let me go on.

JAMES: And I'll keep marching on.

VO: Huh.

One for behind the counter, I think.

Back in Quinton, and having barely moved an inch, Tash is making more discoveries.

They're the same.

So some tiles there, some tiles there!

These ones have a label.

"Lewis F Day arts and crafts tiles.

£50 each."

Yes.

And luster tiles.

Yeah.

They're so arts and crafts, and actually Lewis F Day, his name is one that would crop up alongside William Morris, William DeMorgan.

VO: Yes, this designer was an influential figure in the late 19th century decorative arts.

NATASHA: I mean, these couldn't be more arts and crafts if they tried!

(CHUCKLES) Don't think they're all identical.

This one, slightly different pattern.

There's some like ribbing on the leaves on that one.

Oh, there's a nice strong one.

Right, hold on.

This one is a Corker.

Look at that.

The color, purposeful I'm not sure, but it's slightly more pale in the flower head.

And the outline is just throwing it into sharp contrast.

That's fantastic.

Oh, that's my favorite one thus far.

VO: Well, before you get too carried away, there's the small matter of cost.

One, two, three, four.

Five, six.

Seven, eight.

Ooh.

That is £400.

I don't have £400, so I think what I'm gonna have to do is say to Chris, "How many of these fabulous tiles can I get for my budget?"

VO: Let's get him in then.

It is his place after all.

Oh, Chris.

Hi.

Thank you for giving me the run of the shop.

Pleasure.

I appreciate it greatly.

And I love everything.

I wonder what you're gonna make of my taste.

There are a couple of lots I want to present to you.

So the first is on its own, the little dog.

I wonder what's your best price on that.

I can do that for £20.

20.

I like it.

VO: That was the easy one.

Time for the tiles.

Now, you want £400 for eight?

I can't afford that, but I'm wondering for my £128 how many you'd be willing to let go?

I can do four.

I can do four.

No problem.

NATASHA: Are you sure?

CHRIS: Absolutely, yes.

NATASHA: Four tiles and a dog.

Fantastic.

And I'm all in.

VO: Yep.

A very generous discount, but that's wiped out her budget.

She seems happy enough though.

Oh, I love them all.

I love them all.

VO: Back to James, who's building up quite the collection of potential purchases.

Any more for any more?

JAMES: Look at this.

This is rather fun.

Any utilitarian object could be sleeved or covered to make it a luxury good.

And this is a matchbox cover.

The matchbox would've gone in there so you would've been able to strike.

It should have some hallmarks.

Here we are, leopard's head.

Uh, London.

We know it's silver.

And that's a date letter for 1909, so Edwardian.

it's made by Charles Dumenil, who did lots of what they call toys, little, little bits and bobs, that were sold at jewelers.

VO: £75 is the price on that.

If that's cheap, sort of 30, £40, I'll buy that, because it's got a good weight, it's got nice decoration.

and generally for a matchbox cover of over a hundred years, it's lightly bashed.

VO: Let's take it to the till and have a chat with Vicky.

JAMES: I've found another item.

Oh, lovely.

Yeah, it's a nice piece.

Little matchbox cover.

VICKY: Silver.

You've got the bracelet, haven't you?

I have.

It's just here waiting for you.

JAMES: Excellent.

I'd like that.

And I've seen a nice dessert service, the sort of faux Chinese one with the immortals on it.

VICKY: OK, the Copeland Spode.

JAMES: That's the one.

VICKY: Yeah.

JAMES: And I'll tell you what, Vicky, I've got 40, I've got 80, I've got 100, 120.

I'm slightly at your mercy.

Will 120 buy all three?

Well, as it's you, James, and you've been so pleasant and so lovely to us this afternoon...

Very kind.

You're making me blush, Vicky.

Um, I think so, yes.

JAMES: That's very kind.

Let's put it there.

Well, thank you.

Thank you very much indeed.

VO: Quite the deal, making the dessert service £60, 30 each for the matchbox cover and the bracelet, meaning James is cleaned out as well.

And as everyone is now skint, I'd say the shopping is done!

What are we having for supper, chaps?

In Birmingham you have curry.

Shall we go and have a curry?

I've been so unlucky because I've tried to be adventurous in curry houses recently... ..and I keep choosing the wrong one.

I say, "This isn't too hot, is it?"

and when you get it, I'm just sort of all over the place, I'm sweating, I'm gasping.

No, come on, I'll find a nice spot and I'll phone them in advance, I'll say, "I'm bringing along a very mild mannered gentleman to your establishment."

We hear he likes it hot.

VO: And if you survive that, shuteye!

VO: It's auction day, and for our experts the pressure is rising.

NATASHA: Words of wisdom for auction three, Mr Braxton?

Who wins this sets themself up well for the rest, don't they?

Yeah, OK. Crucial tipping point.

VO: Oh yes.

Having mooched around the Midlands, our antiquing adventurers have headed south into the countryside near Winchester.

Once again, we're at Andrew Smith & Son auctioneers, with eager bidders in the room bids on the book and lurkers online too.

Our master of ceremonies today is the inestimable Nick Jarrett.

Selling at 90 if you're done.

VO: Tash breezed through her entire £200 stash on five auction lots, but what tickles Nick's fancy?

NICK: The Lewis Day tiles are good arts and crafts objects.

They're bold floral painting.

We've said 100-150.

That may be a little punchy, but I think with a good following wind they should do quite well.

VO: James also maxed out his £200 budget on his five items.

What's hot, Nick?

NICK: The Regency Pinchbeck bracelet is a nice thing, it's elegant.

It's obviously got age, but I think it has a contemporary feel and I think it will appeal to people.

We're saying 40 to £60 for it.

It may do better.

VO: All sounds very promising, and a busy saleroom to boot.

This is your one, James... JAMES: Do you think so?

I hope so.

VO: Only one way to know for sure.

Fingers crossed.

First under the hammer today is Tasha's morbid little curio.

Have you ever seen a Victorian grave marker?

I've never seen one.

Where'll I start you?

At £5.

Yeah, he's not digging it.

NICK: £5 for this.

The world is not digging it either.

We've got £5.

Oh, go on, one more.

NICK: 10.

NATASHA: Oh, 10.

JAMES: £10.

15 and it's an auction.

Too much of a curio.

Make it an auction!

£10 note.

You all finished...?

£10 is not anything to write home about.

It's double your money.

No it's not, I paid eight!

VO: Pay attention, James.

It's still a ghost of a profit.

So I haven't seen one before, but if I see one again, I'll just keep walking!

VO: Trolley time.

James's big old industrial lump is next.

Well, we've got a bid of 10.

At £10.

15 anywhere else?

Didn't you pay 55?

At £15.

20 can I say?

20 at the back.

Someone's come in from their local shop.

New bidder, 25.

30.

And five?

NATASHA: Yes... NICK: At 35.

40.

45.

Oh, we're so close.

50.

At £50.

In the room at 50.

No, no, keep going, keep going.

NICK: I will sell now.

At 50... (SOFTLY) Ah, so close.

VO: Yes, a little loss, but the wheels haven't come off just yet.

Gave me a bit of a... (EXHALES DEEPLY) ..heart palpitation, that.

VO: Tash's Georgian brooch now.

She was so pleased when she found it.

Where do we start me for it?

£40.

Oh, he's got...

He doesn't have any bids.

NICK: I've got 45.

NATASHA: Oh good.

NICK: At 45.

50 in fact.

At 50.

And five now.

Oh good.

Come on, internet.

55 online.

All done.

This'll sell at 55.

Oh, I'm pleased.

VO: I don't blame you.

Short but very sweet, that was.

I didn't think it would make a fortune, but it did have the age.

JAMES: No, you did well.

NATASHA: I spotted it!

Yes, chuffed.

VO: Next up, James's watercolor set.

Anyone fancy a dabble?

Well, I've got fiver online, which I think is light.

We've got 10 now.

20. at 20.

Five.

30.

Oh, lovely.

30 it is then.

Go on, keep going.

At 30.

And five.

40.

Oh, James.

And 45 now.

50.

NATASHA: Yes... NICK: And five.

At £50.

It's quality.

It's the last chance.

At 50 I'm selling it... NATASHA: Nice.

JAMES: That was good.

VO: That's put a bit of color back in his cheeks.

Celebratory stroke of the thigh?

God, that's terrible.

JAMES: I mustn't do that.

NATASHA: (SCOFFS) JAMES: Yeah.

NATASHA: What's next?

VO: That will be your bulldog brooch.

Here's hoping owners are watching.

People will pay six, seven, £8,000 for those dogs.

Wow.

So why not pay £30 to help me make a profit?

I've got 20 for it.

I'll take five.

At £20.

Five, can I say?

At £20.

Come on.

I think it's an internet lot.

I feel like it's an internet lot.

NICK: £20.

JAMES: Struggling.

Oh, I know.

At 20.

All done?

Put it down, put it down.

£20.

You done?

So churlish.

JAMES: Sorry, it's alright.

NATASHA: That's terrible.

I had to...me.

I just...just, I need this leg.

VO: That's not the British bulldog spirit though, is it James?

JAMES: The gloves are off.

NATASHA: Yeah!

I hope you do brilliantly in this next lot, James.

I hope you do absolutely brilliantly.

VO: Well, that'll be his Pinchbeck bracelet.

The auctioneer was a fan.

NATASHA: Ooh, that's nice.

JAMES: Look.

Well, where do you start me?

40 for it?

Oh, James.

I'm jealous, I'm jealous.

NICK: 85 we have online.

85.

That came out of nowhere, didn't it?

Cracked it.

Cracked it.

I thought it was a nice item.

At £85...

Yes... Hello!

VO: No tarnish to his reputation with that.

Well done!

You see, this is what people do, they congratulate their friends... NATASHA: ..when they do well.

JAMES: I know.

I do.

VO: Another canine offering from Tash, a wee doggy doodle.

I've done something that all auctioneers do.

What?

I added a title to a painting that didn't have a title.

And I looked up, is there a nickname for that breed?

And apparently it's known as the comfort breed, so I called it...'Comfort'.

Ah, that's lovely.

I got £15.

Oh.

That's not great.

I paid 20.

At £15.

All done?

NATASHA: No.

More.

NICK: It's at £15.

JAMES: (WHISPERS) The yeti.

NATASHA: Oh, no.

20.

At 20.

Lady's bid in the room.

New bidder.

(WHISPERS) Come on, come on.

Online at 25.

Keep going.

Wee Comfort.

Last chance at £25...

I was convinced that would make more.

VO: Cold comfort, you might call it.

I tried my favorite trick, adding a title.

I know...

They didn't go for it though.

Oh, to be fair, terrible title!

VO: Well, let's see if we can get a fire going with James's next lot, his matchbox cover.

At £35.

40 now.

It's moving along.

At 45.

50.

At £50.

And five.

60.

NATASHA: Ooh... NICK: 65.

70 now.

NATASHA: This might swing it.

80.

And five.

90.

And five.

100.

Think you've had your winning leg.

140.

150.

160.

He's just saying numbers.

170.

180.

He's practicing counting.

NICK: 190?

200, can I say?

Please.

Go on.

200.

And 20.

It's not slowing down.

220.

240.

At £240.

Selling at £240.

260.

Go on.

Come on.

At £260.

If you're all done...

I have to say, all that bidding came from Chechnya.

NATASHA: Oh, interesting!

JAMES: Wow!

VO: The beating heart of the luxury matchbox market, obviously.

NATASHA: That's amazing!

JAMES: (WHISTLES) NATASHA: Hey!

James.

JAMES: I wasn't expecting that.

VO: Last up for Tasha, those arts and crafts tiles, her absolute faves.

Here they come, here they come... Oh, they're lovely.

I've got a bid of 60.

I'll take...£100.

NATASHA: Ooh... JAMES: See?

Straight in.

NICK: £100.

10 is it?

110.

120.

NATASHA: Yeah.

JAMES: (INHALES SHARPLY) NICK: £120 then.

At £120.

Oh, I need a couple more.

130.

NATASHA: Go on.

NICK: You all finished at 130?

I went all in for those.

VO: Well, they still made a profit by a hair's breath.

NATASHA: Oh, I wish I'd taken them home.

I was in love with them.

VO: And finally, that touch of class that your nectarines deserve!

It's James's dessert set.

The bidding online has got up to 90.

Oh, you've cracked it, James.

I'm on lucky ride.

I can't see you for dust.

At 90.

Five.

100 now.

And 10.

120.

130.

140.

150.

At £160.

170.

180.

£190 now.

JAMES: Go on!

NATASHA: How does it feel?

NATASHA: (CHUCKLES) JAMES: Feels good.

NICK: At £200, are we done?

NATASHA: (SIGHS) Ah... NICK: £200.

It's going...

I feel immortal.

You... (LAUGHS) You are a god.

VO: Absolutely peachy.

Well done!

You have smashed this leg.

How are you feeling?

Absolutely terrified.

VO: There'll be no holding him back now.

Natasha gave it her best shot, but after auction costs she came up a bit short, with a final tally of £196 and 80p.

But today was all about James.

After saleroom fees he finished with a whopping £528 and 90 pence - wow.

So that huge profit goes to Children In Need and means James is back in the game, trailing Tash with two auctions victories to one.

(DRAMATICALLY) Ladies and gentlemen, James Braxton!

Do you know, I always think there's a certain modesty in wearing victory lightly.

You cracked it!

JAMES: You may follow in my wake.

NATASHA: (CHUCKLES) subtitling@stv.tv