The Travelling Auctioneers

>> We're hitting the road in our trusty travelling auction house.

>> Whoa-ho!

>> Your tools are gonna be shaking around.

On the hunt for treasures hidden in homes all across Britain.

Whoa.

This is pretty full.

>> That's huge.

And our mission -- to find these unloved and forgotten gems, give them a new lease of life, and make them into money.

>> Oh, wow.

Look at that.

Transforming has-beens into must-haves.

>> It's a job well worth doing.

>> Master restorer Will Kirk.

>> Glue, glue, and good as new.

And finding value in those overlooked objects, auction supremo Christina Trevanion.

>> Is that a Fender Strat?

>> It is.

>> Here we go.

Everything we find... >> ...and fix... >> ...will go under the hammer in our travelling sale room.

�850, �900.

>> Popping up in the most surprising of places, we bring the auction to you.

>> �2,200.

[ Gavel bangs ] You know what we say -- Have gavel, will travel.

>> We're in West Sussex today.

It's like a second home to me.

The fact about Sussex is, I spend 70% of my time in Sussex.

>> That's not a fact about Sussex.

That's a fact about you.

Sussex is the sunniest county in the UK.

>> Is it?

>> Yeah.

Even though you know this county, I am having to give you the facts.

>> Well, how about beaches?

Sussex has loads of those.

And the couple we're going to see today, Jo and Dan, live next to one of them.

>> It was Jo's inheritance which enabled them to make the dream move.

But they also ended up with a lot more.

>> The reason we're able to be here is because I had lost both of my parents.

So, we sold their house.

But I have inherited umpteen boxes like you wouldn't believe, because there must be 50 boxes of items that are just memory upon memory.

>> We have tried on numerous occasions to open the boxes.

All we end up really doing is shuffling them around the loft.

But it is something that must happen.

>> Jo's grief has meant that they've been unable to deal with all that stuff for six years -- quite a challenge.

>> It'll be really tricky today, I think.

>> When you've got so much stuff, it just sometimes feels a bit overwhelming.

>> Yeah.

>> But you don't want to get rid of it because you feel like you're letting the person down that you've inherited it from.

>> But, then again, you can't keep everything.

>> No, you really can't.

>> I must admit.

It's time now for us to move on and for those items to go to new homes, where they'll be loved and cherished all over again and not sat in a taped-up box.

>> Well, let's hope we can turn the contents of some of them and the garage full of unwanted furniture into cash at auction.

>> I hear that they have a loft.

>> Yes.

>> You know what happens in lofts?

Spiders!

>> Oh, no, no spiders, Christina.

However, that's the sort of era that you'll find a Picasso hidden in the lining of the wall.

>> Let's hope so, yeah.

>> And whatever treasure we discover will go towards making the family's life a bit better.

>> We got three children -- Sam, who is nearly 24, Gemma in the middle at 21, and Ethan, who is 15 1/2.

>> And hopefully some of those items will make a difference to the house or to the family.

>> I would particularly like to get a section of the garage back and one day turn that section into maybe a games room or -- >> Yeah.

>> Sadly, Dan's about to miss all the fun.

>> Having to go to work before we get started.

Doesn't this look gorgeous?

>> Mind the fence.

>> [ Laughing ] Mind the fence.

Okay, I'm minding the fence.

>> Perfect parking.

Oh, it's always nice to have plenty of room for the van.

Shall I knock?

>> Yes, do, absolutely.

>> Good morning!

I'm so excited!

Please, come on in.

>> Thank you very much.

>> Oh, bless you.

You must be Jo.

>> Yeah.

I am.

Well, Christina, this is my daughter, Gemma.

>> Hi, Gemma.

My goodness.

Thank you for letting us invade your home.

I have to confess.

I'm a little bit anxious.

>> Yes!

>> There are no antiques in here.

>> They're all floor to ceiling in the garage and in the lofts.

>> Alright, we better get going then, don't we?

>> Yeah, you go that way.

>> That way, okay.

>> I'll go that way.

>> Alright, perfect.

>> See you in a bit.

>> Right.

>> Well, I see what they mean about the garage.

No car is squeezing in here.

>> This looks suspiciously like a loft, doesn't it?

Let's have a little look what's up here.

Alright.

Oh, my goodness.

Oh...my...goodness.

That is a lot of boxes.

I'm going to need some help.

Jo, Gemma, are you there?

>> Hello, Christina.

>> Hello.

>> Oh, there you are.

>> There's quite a lot of boxes up here.

If I start shipping them down to you, if you could take them into the house, that would be marvelous.

Then we can unpack and have a good look.

Operation Loft is up and running.

>> Thank you.

>> And Project Clear the Garage is close behind.

Oh, that's a nice oak bedside table.

Think there's only one of those, then.

What's this?

Alright, so, they're side tables, very modern, but can be quite handy.

Oh, what is that?

Hold on a second.

Well, this could be promising.

Oh.

That is a lovely table.

I think solid oak.

Does it extend?

Yes, it does.

Look at that.

Whaa!

So, that's one side -- whaa!

-- and that's another one.

My word.

Now, this is really good.

Many people living in smaller houses, smaller flats, they don't need a massive table all the time.

So, it's quite handy having a smaller table like this.

And when you've got friends coming over, you can just flap it open.

That is really nice.

Although it needs work.

But the inside bit there, that has been used a lot more than the outside panels because you can see there's a huge difference in color there.

These have obviously been tucked underneath.

This top has been cleaned and cleaned, and a lot of that lovely color in the varnish has been removed.

So, it looks very odd at the moment.

However, I definitely think that this is worth cleaning and polishing up till it matches both sides.

Someone's going to love this.

>> You bet.

Once restored, I'll give out an auction estimate of �40 to �80.

Well, when I get back to ground level again, anyway.

The only way to walk in this loft is not to walk.

It's to crawl.

Okay.

Alright.

How do I turn around?

I mean, I've never seen so many boxes.

There are just so many boxes.

>> I think a lot of these items, we'd be happy knowing that they were being cherished, loved, looked after, repaired, enjoyed by other people... >> Absolutely, absolutely.

>> ...because they are in our loft accumulating dust.

>> Right -- books.

Oh, "Adventuring into Manhood."

Blimey.

"Kno--" [ Laughs ] "Knotting."

[ Laughs ] >> What we know we have at the moment is a lot of sort of memorabilia, yesteryear.

>> We've got scouting items, as well, which is interesting.

With our obviously scouting background, we have quite a lot of badges.

That's in a box.

I met Dan through scouting.

>> Through Scouts, yeah.

>> And yeah, I met through Venture Scouting.

We're still scouting now, 30 years on.

>> Well, it's about time I got my woodwork badge.

So, here goes.

First, I have to get our mobile workshop up and running and then seek some assistance from the auctioneering department.

>> Come on.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

>> One and two and three and four and five and lift.

Come on.

>> Okay.

Solid oak -- you can tell.

This is just the perfect-size table, isn't it?

>> You're very strong.

>> I am very strong.

>> I underestimate.

>> Yeah, alright.

>> Thanks a lot.

>> See you later.

>> I'm going to give it a new coat of polish.

But before that, I have to thoroughly remove the old rot and dirt that's built up over the years.

Now, the methylated spirits I'm using and the fine steel wool is breaking down any dirt and old polish on the surface, and I'm using some tissue here to clean it up.

It is quite dirty, and I'm not surprised because it's been in the garage for quite some time.

Now, if I don't use this to remove that dirt, all I'll be doing with this is breaking it down on the surface and sort of just moving it around to another area, whereas I need to break it down with this and take it off the surface with this.

>> It's looking better already.

Jo tells me the table used to belong to her grandparents, but she's not nearly so sure about an awful lot of what's in the loft, which makes me feel like a bit of a detective.

There you are.

Guess where I found this.

>> I have no idea.

>> In one of the very many boxes.

>> I can't honestly thank you enough for being here to hold my hand through this process.

So, thank you so very much.

>> Oh, bless you.

>> Mom passed away 12 years ago, and my dad passed away through cancer now 6 years ago.

And so, selling their house was a huge struggle, and clearing all those boxes, which are now literally the boxes of, quite frankly, emotional baggage I haven't been able to deal with because of all the memories and all the emotion that it brings up.

I'd love to think there was some higher-value item in there buried somewhere.

I really don't think that's the case, genuinely.

But, to be honest with you, who knows what we'll find?

>> Right.

Should we cheer ourselves up?

>> Yes, let's.

>> Let's look at some sparkly things.

>> Oh, yes!

>> So, I found this.

>> Oh, wow.

>> This is a 2-stone diamond ring.

It's stamped 18-karat in platinum.

>> Oh, my gosh.

>> So, set in 18-karat yellow gold and then in a platinum setting.

And these two little diamonds here are what we call "illusion set."

And that would certainly make a lot by itself in the auction, maybe �50 to �100.

Do you know where it came from?

>> There's one guess in that my mom always said that she had been proposed to before my dad proposed to her.

[ Both laugh ] She used to talk about a soldier.

I know nothing more.

But that could have been the ring, which could be why it's in its box.

>> And never been worn.

Not so much a skeleton in the closet as a skeleton in the loft.

>> Well, yes, absolutely.

>> I'm giving it an auction estimate of �50 to �100.

>> Nice.

The dining table is ready to sparkle now, as well, with a new coat of polish.

I'm going to be using a fairly dark-brown shellac polish here.

And this is quite often used in French polishing.

It's a natural polish.

One of the great things about shellac polish is it's quite easy to remove it if you have made any mistakes.

So, the methylated spirits I use to clean the table is also what I would use to thin this down or to remove this off the surface, whereas if it was a synthetic polish, once you got onto that surface, you're going to have to really sand it back -- incredibly hard to remove it or clean it back.

I'm going to apply this polish with a rag rather than a brush.

And this is going to allow me to really work the polish into the surface of the wood.

That's not too bad, actually.

As a first coat of polish, the color is very close to the outside panels, which is really good.

What I don't want to do is I don't want to rush this.

I mean, you really need to build up those layers of polish to match in with the sides.

If you put on too much, you're gonna look really artificial.

But at the moment, so far, so good.

It doesn't look too bad.

>> Jo will be happy.

Make that happier.

So, then I found this, which is a silver cigarette case.

>> Okay.

>> And there are some initials there.

Is that Dad's initials?

>> Uh, it could be my granddad's, maybe.

Leslie Brown would have been my granddad.

>> And there we go.

Now, have a look through there.

Is that gold?

>> I wouldn't have the foggiest clue.

>> Carry on.

Keep going.

Keep going.

>> Well... >> Oh, is that gold?

>> I'd have thought plastic.

>> You're absolutely right.

Put it down.

>> I'm doing well so far, then.

I'm surprised.

>> What looks like gold in there?

>> That one, maybe?

>> Is it stamped?

Is it marked?

>> Oh, my gosh, Christina.

Oh, there is a little, tiniest... >> Yeah?

>> ...mark.

>> Mm-hmm.

And it's gold.

>> It is gold.

>> Yeah, stamped 585 of 14-karat gold.

>> Wow.

Okay.

>> So, that by itself, it's a rather lovely, little curved-link bracelet.

I'd say it's probably worth about �300 to �500 at auction.

>> I'm stunned.

>> Solid gold.

>> You know, I'd given it to a charity shop.

No!

Jo, no!

[ Both laugh ] All sitting in your loft.

Do you want to go see if I can find some more?

>> Yes, please, most definitely.

>> Okay, alright.

>> My gosh!

>> I think the hardest part is not knowing what we have and understanding where Jo is with this emotionally, because there's many items there that, quite frankly, we don't know whether we should even have them, because they've just been found in my father-in-law's loft.

We don't know if they're fit for sale or we should be making the most of them and having them out on display.

>> Well, I hope they will approve of my handiwork.

>> Oh, my goodness.

Wow.

How are you getting on?

>> Hi, Jo.

>> I can't believe the difference.

We've had so many roast dinners around this table.

Oh, my gosh, it looks so different.

>> How are you going to feel about this going to auction?

>> I'm okay.

I'm okay.

You know?

I mean, this is it.

We have loved it.

But maybe now it's time for somebody else to love it all over again.

Honestly, my dad particularly would have just thought this was wonderful.

And one of the last things he said to me, he said, "Joanna, you're gonna have a lot of fun dealing with all this stuff and selling it online."

And I said, "Believe you me, Dad.

I'm not going to have any fun at all."

And, actually, you and Christina have brought some fun into what is an extremely emotional process.

So, I can't thank you both enough from the bottom of my heart.

>> An absolute pleasure.

>> I feel that Jo has been incredibly brave today.

She's put off this process for so long, but I think just starting has been incredibly important for her, and it's been part of her healing process, I think.

>> So far, we have found some furniture with potential, as well as diamonds, gold, and silver hidden away in Jo and Dan's loft.

>> There's still a long way to go, though, if we're going to make a significant dent in things.

And I think I need to see the famous garage.

Oh, my goodness, what have we got in here?

Plants, a lot of tools.

This looks like a Will kind of area.

My goodness, a lot of tools.

Look at these.

Saws and -- oh, that's cute.

Look at that!

That is a little index-card holder, isn't it?

Imagine Miss Moneypenny or Mr. Moneypenny opening it up, rifling through names and addresses of spies.

Those are always really popular at auction, but that just looks a bit sad, doesn't it?

Let's take this to Will and see what he can do.

Sorry, tins.

Okay.

Right.

Oh.

Look how sweet this is.

>> What is that?

>> Well, I think originally it was an index-card holder, wasn't it?

So, you would have all your cards in there with all your names and addresses.

It's your little black book there, Will.

>> That is a big black book.

>> [ Laughs ] But it's looking a bit sad.

>> It looks like it's been in the bush for about three years.

>> It does a bit, doesn't it?

>> I think whatever I do would definitely be an improvement.

>> I think you're absolutely right.

>> I'm thinking of changing the front of the bottom drawers... >> Yes.

Good idea.

>> ...to oak front so then it ties in with everything else.

>> I will leave it up to your beautiful imagination, Will.

>> You leave it with me.

>> Perfect.

Enjoy.

>> Thanks.

>> Upstairs is next on my list.

Alright, what have we got here?

Alright, no antiques in there.

And in a contemporary home... No antiques in there.

...some things... No.

...can find themselves surplus to requirements.

Whoo!

Well, you're a bit of a surprise.

Look at you.

Well, believe it or not, this is a design classic.

I wonder where it came from.

I'm going to have a chat with Jo and Gemma, find out.

I'm just appearing down your stairs with a chair.

Did you order removals company today?

>> I don't remember.

>> Trevanion Removals have arrived.

Now, what do you see when you look at this chair?

>> My sister.

>> Oh!

>> Yeah, because my sister and my dad restored the chair.

My dad was very, very practical.

That's what I see when I look at it.

>> Oh, a lot of love.

>> Yeah.

>> Is it ever used?

>> No.

>> No.

>> Do you want to know what I see when I look at this chair?

>> Yes.

>> Please.

>> A design icon.

>> Okay.

>> This type of chair is called, and it just trips off the tongue, so be prepared.

It's called a No.

14 Bentwood Caf chair.

>> That's quite a title.

>> It is quite a title, isn't it?

This chair was designed in 1859 and basically used steam wood to create this wonderful shape that you've got going on in the back of the chair here.

And it was the first piece of mass-produced furniture.

The No.

14 chair, designed by a German-Austrian cabinetmaker called Michael Thonet, won a gold medal at the 1867 Paris World Exposition and has been praised ever since for its elegance and practicality.

Have you been to Paris, ladies?

>> Have in the past with the Explorer Scouts.

We all went up the Eiffel Tower.

Gemma can speak a bit of French.

>> Oh, can you?

>> Not very well.

>> Well, and they do actually still produce this chair.

>> Oh.

>> So, the good news is, it's a design icon.

The bad news is, it's not rare.

>> No.

>> My auction estimate is �20 to �40.

Okay, let's pop it in the auction.

Now, importantly, do you have another five just hanging around the house anywhere?

>> Unfortunately not, Christina.

>> Oh, Jo!

>> I'm so sorry.

>> I'll go see if I can find any, just in case.

>> Thank you so much.

>> None spotted in the garage, either, Christina.

Oh, I haven't seen one of these in ages.

Oh, my gosh.

Now, these are really retro.

That is really cool.

I need to get out to spin.

The game of foosball has been around since the early 20th century, with a Frenchman, an Englishman, and a Spaniard amongst its various inventors.

These are really rusty.

My gosh, look at that.

Now, I know these things are very in vogue at the moment, but in this current state, with all the rust, I mean, it looks quite tarnished.

But if I can find someone to have a look at this, maybe clean off that rust, get a good, old scrub down, and maybe modernize it slightly, I'm sure it's gonna catch someone's eye at auction.

>> A restored vintage foosball table could make �100, and this one is earmarked as a fixer-upper.

And it looks like more boxes have arrived.

My goodness.

Oh, that's rather nice, isn't it?

Look at that.

Very lovely.

What's on the back of that?

Good.

So, we've got Watcombe pottery, and then in pencil on the back Italian scene from nature and then signed.

Now, it looks like there might be -- yes!

-- another one.

Here we are.

They're so grubby that I'd like to say this is a moonlit river.

But the reality is, it might be the sun.

The Watcombe Pottery, near Torquay, was established in 1869.

And they made these chargers.

They also made things like terra-cotta busts and all that sort of thing, which were very fashionable at time.

And then they started enameling them with these rather lovely scenes.

These are nice.

I think you would have hung them on your wall.

It's nice that you've got a pair.

I think at auction we might be looking at �20 to �30.

But they could do with a bit of a clean.

>> Unlike these filing drawers you discovered and put my way.

They need more than a clean.

For a start, they need new fronts.

Now, this oak panel here was destined for the bin.

It's actually come off the side of an old chest of drawers.

I'm going to cut the two new drawer fronts out of this one piece of wood.

I'm using the original top-drawer face here to make up a template.

I'm going to make sure that my piece of wood is absolutely flush with that solid bit of metal on the back.

Otherwise, if everything is slightly not so square, when you start cutting it, you're going to end up with more of a diamond shape rather than a rectangular shape.

Never rush this because if you've taken off too much, you can't really press "undo."

>> Good luck, Will.

Mind your fingers, as well.

Meanwhile, the next stop for me is the hall cupboards.

Look at this.

What on earth?

Is this some kind of army uniform or something?

What's that?

Hmm.

And... that.

Oh, okay!

These are little scout-y things, aren't they?

Oh, this might be that scouting stuff.

Ugh!

Right.

That's colorful, whatever it is.

What is that?

Is it something to do with scouting?

>> It most certainly is.

That, Christina, is a campfire blanket.

So, when we're running campfires, we tend to run them wearing something similar to this and display all the badges.

And it helps to keep the children's interests while we're singing songs around the campfire.

>> So, you'd actually wear this.

>> So, this one's actually got a collar on the top.

So, if we use Gemma as a model.

>> Aw!

Good work, Gemma.

Good work, good work.

>> There we go.

>> That's incredible.

I love that.

>> Yeah, then people will gather badges from, like this one, all over the world, from different scouting functions and jamborees.

>> 1973, National Scout Jamboree.

>> Yeah.

>> Gemma, did you become a Scout because it's what Mom told you to do, or is it something you genuinely really enjoyed?

>> Well, I did get dragged into it by her, yes.

>> Well-done, Mom.

Well-done, Mom.

>> Couldn't escape.

But yeah, no, I definitely do enjoy it.

Dan actually inherited it from one of our lovely scouting founders, pretty much, really -- amazing gentleman.

And when he passed, he left this to Dan in his will.

>> Genuinely, I've never seen anything like this before.

I don't know how it would perform in the auction market.

I can only assume that because you've got some 1960's, 1970's badges on there, that blanket is totally unique, isn't it?

>> Yeah.

>> I'm going to give it an auction estimate of �500 to �1,000.

>> You know, we as a family would obviously give back to our scout group, as well.

So, you know, that's what I'd like to happen to the money.

>> I mean, it does just seem a shame for it to be sat in the cupboard, doesn't it?

Brilliant.

Are we happy to put this into the auction?

>> Yes, let's.

>> Certainly not going on the campfire is this little filing cabinet, and Will's replacement drawer fronts are looking like a great improvement.

>> Thanks, Christina.

I'm using a pencil here just to mark out where the curve, the edge of the new drawer face, is going to begin.

I need this to match in with the original top two drawers.

It has a really nice curve on the edge there.

So, this line here is where that curve is going to start.

It's going to wrap around the outside edge, and it should match perfectly with the other two.

I must admit I wasn't completely convinced when he found it, but it's definitely coming along.

>> Whoever acquires that at the auction might also be interested in this stamp collection I've discovered.

>> Christina, I found even more.

>> No more stamps, Jo.

>> Even more stamps.

>> Why are there so many stamps?

>> They're not mine, Christina.

Basically, the collection was my great-uncle's, and he was quite an avid collector, as far as I'm aware, but... >> It's quite incredible, isn't it?

I think from memory, as well, I've seen another couple of boxes -- surprise, surprise -- in the loft.

>> I'm so sorry.

>> Got "stamps" written on the side.

So, I think I might have to go back and get those, as well, because this is quite a phenomenal collection.

There might be one in here that may be a misprint.

Maybe you had one letter which was transposed or something... >> I see.

>> ...that might be incredibly valuable.

>> Oh, let's hope so.

>> Let's hope so!

>> In for a penny black, in for a pound.

Can you go and grab those other couple of boxes?

>> I will, Christina.

>> Unless we find something especially unusual, I'll be putting an auction estimate of �30 to �50 on these.

What about you, Will?

Is the end of the restoration in sight?

>> Everything has now been sanded back, and this is ready for polishing.

That is going on perfectly.

You can see the lovely color and the oak coming through now, all that figure in the grain of wood.

It's made a massive difference, just that light sand back and polish.

There is one little problem I will have to deal with, however.

The new oak panels on these drawer fronts are completely different colors, so they stand out quite a lot.

But once I've put one thin coat of polish over everything, I can then use my pigments to tie and match that color with everything else.

They're available at most DIY shops in all colors.

It's trial and error to mix the right shade and then apply, with a few coats required to match exactly.

Then, once it's all dried, I just have to pop the handles on top and bottom.

Well, there we are -- last handle on.

Huge transformation.

I think looks pretty great.

Can't wait to get that to auction.

>> I'm giving it an estimate of �20 to �40.

Now time for one last look in the garage.

Oh, what are these?

Oh, I love these.

These are awesome.

[ Gasps ] Look at this.

Imagine the hours of fun you could have with these.

Oh, look.

And all sorts of different trays, as well -- my goodness.

This is a building-block set, and I think they're just magical, really.

In the 1840s, there was a chap called Friedrich Froebel.

Now, he was a pioneer of the kindergarten movement, and he developed a building-block set but made out of wooden blocks.

And he just believed that by children creating three-dimensional structures from a two-dimensional plan really just helped their development a lot.

Froebel's blocks were an influence on the 20th-century Bauhaus Design School, as well as several famous architects.

I don't know whether the plans are at the bottom of this box, but you could basically create and imaginate until your heart was content.

And they're great.

They're always popular at auction because they're still very usable and still really, really fun to build with.

They don't make a huge amount of money.

The fact that you've got the original box and the trays do seem to be complete is great.

And I would suggest an auction estimate, maybe �20 for them?

I think they're really cool.

>> Yes.

A great find, Christina.

Rich, hi.

Time now to welcome Rich, who's come to give the table-football game a bit of specialist TLC.

>> Wow.

>> What do you think?

>> It's had a life, hasn't it?

>> [ Laughs ] >> Yeah, we could do something with that.

>> It's really nice.

And I'm sure that someone would love that in their house or in their bar or something, because these are quite popular now.

>> They are very popular.

>> Thanks, Rich.

It's all yours.

>> Cheers, buddy.

>> I can't wait to see it fixed.

>> The football table's looking very tired and needs to have some vibrancy put back into it.

When we do the work, we have to be careful that we're not too vigorous with it, because if it compromises the joints, then that will involve a lot more work to make the structure more sound.

>> Rich's first task is to strip everything back, asking the players to leave the field so that he can give the casing a light sand and then a thorough clean.

>> The next thing I'm going to do is try and remove the rust from the chrome poles, and we're going to do this by using wet tinfoil.

>> It's a neat trick.

He's basically making aluminum oxide, and they look better already.

For the chaps themselves, though, Rich doesn't want to overdo things.

>> The players are slightly discolored from sunlight.

However, in order to try and keep the integrity of the original football table, we're just going to give them a cleanup.

>> The sad casing will get a lick of paint, though.

>> Once the work's done, it's going to hopefully make a reasonable amount of money.

But just the fact that I've saved it from going to landfill is good enough for me.

>> Hear, hear.

We'll be adding it to the potentially profitable jewelry, several items of furniture, the stamp collection, and that bit of scouting history.

>> But now our time is up.

>> Jo and Gemma, does it feel like a whirlwind has been through the house?

>> A little bit.

[ Laughter ] But, honestly, you've made this process just so much better.

>> Well, we're very excited about the auction, aren't we?

>> We are.

>> Well, take care.

>> Thank you.

>> Bye-bye.

>> Thank you.

Safe journeys.

Thank you.

>> Well, today was a really good day, meeting lovely people in the process.

>> Absolutely.

And making some new friends in the form of spiders.

>> No spiders today.

And I'm not covered in glue.

So, a good day for me.

>> No, that can't be right.

You've got to have some glue somewhere.

[ Both laugh ] >> Several weeks later, we're back.

It's auction time, and we're in the east of the county.

>> Do you know the more time I spend in Sussex, the more I absolutely love it?

I mean, you've got the sea.

You've got beautiful skies.

You got great villages.

>> Not to mention some rather special auction locations.

>> We get to go to a castle today.

>> I know.

Do you know, I love a good, old castle.

>> Nothing better.

Yes, we're headed for one of the oldest important brick buildings still standing in the country, the almost-600-year-old Herstmonceux Castle.

Oh, it's beautiful, Will -- classic 15th-century architecture.

>> No dragons or damsels in distress yet, but I can see a knight in shining armor.

>> He's right here.

>> [ Laughs ] I think every auction house should have a drawbridge.

I wonder how Jo, Dan, and the family are feeling about the big day.

>> Hopefully, fingers crossed, some things will sell, and we don't go home with everything.

That's the only worry, isn't it?

But... >> Looking forward to a little bit of room in the garage now -- space for the bikes, space for the lawn mower.

One day there might be space for the car.

>> [ Laughs ] >> I think that might take a few more sales.

But today's auction is certainly going to be a very good start.

>> Alright.

There we go.

Are we on level ground?

Yes.

Gavel.

>> We'll be hoping for good prices, though, not least for the football game, which has been totally transformed.

>> Oh, my goodness.

>> Wow.

>> Hey!

>> Wow.

Hiya.

>> Wow!

>> Guys, look at that.

>> I can't believe how different it looks.

>> It doesn't actually look like ours.

>> This has been sent off for restoration.

And we've had it all painted up.

The rust has been taken off.

So, I'm hoping today we're gonna get some football fans, and will be striking to... [ All groan ] ...finish.

I don't know, anyway.

>> See what you did there.

>> Did there.

[ Laughs ] >> Likewise for all the other lots going under the hammer today, enabling Jo and Dan to clear the clutter and make some cash.

>> There we are.

Very exciting.

>> Very exciting.

>> We've got 30 lots in the auction for you today.

And actually looking in front of me is like looking into your garage again.

>> It is a little, isn't it?

>> Yeah.

>> So, with the help of the team from Eastbourne Auctions, let's get cracking.

Starting out with a gold, platinum, and diamond ring -- high hopes for this one.

>> And I have interest here with me at �45, and �55 is bid with me here, at �55 and �65.

�70 I'm out.

At �70, �75.

Thank you.

Looking for �80 now.

�80 is bid.

And �85.

Thank you.

It's climbing at �85 here, and �90 is bid.

Who has �95?

Online at �95.

Bid me �100 now.

�100 is bid.

Thank you.

At �100 I have.

�110 is now bid.

At �110.

I'm looking for �120 but selling if we're all settled at �110.

�120.

Thank you.

Just in time.

Last-minute bidding at �120.

>> Sneaky bidding.

>> Over here on my right at �120.

Come back to me at �130.

Thank you.

Back at �130, looking for �140.

Selling if we're all settled at �130.

Thank you, boxes.

They're beginning to pay off.

>> That's a strong start, isn't it?

>> Goodness, me.

>> Up next, we have those clever German building blocks Christina found.

>> Bid me �20 for them.

�20, hours of fun should you need it.

�10, then.

Bid me �10, somebody.

�10 only -- surely �10 I have at �10.

Thank you.

The bid is in the courtyard at �10.

I'm looking for �12.

If not, I will sell to you, sir, if we're all settled, at �10 and selling at �10.

[ Gavel bangs ] Expect another promising architect in a few years' time.

You're set, 413.

Thank you.

>> Thank you.

>> Next, the silver cigarette case that once belonged to Jo's grandfather.

How about it for �30?

�30 is bid straightaway in front of me at �30.

Where's �32?

At �30 and looking for �32 but selling to my maiden bidder then, if we're all settled and finished, at �30 and selling at �30.

Business is brisk with a long way to go.

>> Everything sold so far.

I don't want to speak too soon.

>> Oh, my gosh.

>> Don't want to jinx it.

Now, for the 14-karat-gold bracelet that could have ended up at the charity shop.

Bottom estimate, �300.

>> Where are we starting with this?

I've got 23, 43, 60 with me to start at �360.

Looking for �380 now.

>> Oh, my goodness.

>> At �360, �380.

�400 is bid with me at �400, looking for �420.

�420, I'm out.

At �420, at �420, �440, �460 is bid.

At �460, here, sir, against you.

�480 I have.

Online at �480.

Looking for �500 now.

At �480 for a brass bracelet.

It's not bad, is it?

Selling, then, at �480.

>> Well-done, Christina -- the best result of the day so far.

>> Lovely.

>> Thank you.

>> You can all go back home now and just be looking through all those chains -- >> Yeah, drawers open.

>> Yeah, I know.

I know.

>> The first of Will's restorations, the little filing chest.

>> So, I cleaned back the surface dirt.

I stained it to match them with the other bits and bobs, gave it a lick a polish, and it functions, and it looks really nice.

>> Oh, you are so modest.

It didn't have any drawer fronts on it.

>> Anyway... >> "Oh, I just whipped up a couple of drawer fronts and put those on, as well."

>> Oh, I did, didn't I?

Completely forgot about that.

Hold on.

I spent a lot of time on this.

And because of that, I want to see some really good money today.

So, please.

>> Who will start me at �20 for it?

�20 is bid.

Thank you, sir.

At �20 I have, looking for �22 for me now.

�22 I've got online.

Don't worry.

You're safe.

�22 I've got online.

�25.

Looking for �28 now.

Otherwise I will sell to the room at �25.

>> Top man!

>> Thank you, sir.

File that under "V" for "very good purchase for someone."

More Will work -- his transformation of the dining table that once belonged to Jo's grandparents.

Was looking a bit sad and a bit tired, but Will has done an incredible job.

>> Thank you.

>> At �30 I have.

Thank you.

At �30 is bid.

Online at �30.

I'm looking for �32 now.

At �30 I have, looking for �32, but I'm selling.

If we're all settled, I will sell at �30.

Another nice piece of furniture saved.

Thanks, Will.

>> Someone's going to love it again.

>> Here we go.

Rich's unmissable restoration of the football table is up next.

>> And what am I looking for?

I'm looking for �40 for it.

�40 I have straightaway, at �40.

Looking for �42 now.

Looking for �42.

Otherwise I will sell.

Make no mistake.

This seems very reasonable for this, still at �40.

Looking for �42.

But I will sell.

I have a bid, and I'm selling at �40.

>> It's a funny, old game.

We're off to Paris next.

Well, almost -- that modern classic that Christina spotted.

>> �10 I'm looking for, for the caf chair at �10.

Anywhere at �10?

Any interest at �10?

�5, then.

�5.

�8, sir?

I've got -- well, I've got �5 online.

You were too late.

�8 I have.

Thank you at �8.

With you, sir, at �8.

I'm looking for �10 now.

Come back to me online at �10.

�8 and selling to you at �8.

>> The lucky bidder just needs five more now.

>> And after Paris the world -- the stamp collection, plus vintage suitcase.

And I'm looking for �30 for them.

And �30 I have straightaway at �30 only.

And �35 is bid.

Looking for �40 now.

And �40 I have.

Thank you.

Is bid at �40.

At �45 is bid.

Thank you at �45.

Looking for �50 and �55 is bid.

At �55 and �60 is bid.

Thank you at �60.

It's climbing at �60.

Where's �65 now?

The bid is at �60 and looking for �65.

We're all settled and finished at �60 and selling at �60.

>> Well, that did well.

It went for double the estimate.

It's been that sort of day... >> At �60.

At �42.

>> ...with Jo and Dan's family funds already way above expectations.

>> Selling at �160.

And, finally, there's been a lot of interest in this one, the campfire blanket.

Historically, really rather important, isn't it?

>> Yeah.

>> Detailing all the different places where this blanket has been and, of course, very personal to you guys because you were very big in the scouting world, all of you.

>> Yes.

>> If you ever need anything doing, these are the family to ask.

[ Laughter ] They're incredible.

And I have interest at �480, �500, �520 with me at �520.

>> Wow.

>> �520, �540, �560, �580, �600, �6-- I've lost count!

>> Oh, my goodness.

>> At �600, �650, �700, �750, �800, �850.

>> Oh, my gosh.

>> That's perfect.

>> �880, �900 is bid online at �900.

At �900, and it's keeping climbing at �920.

�950 is bid.

At �950.

>> Oh, my gosh!

>> �1,000 is bid.

At �1,000 I have online.

I'm now looking for �1,100.

This is an absolutely unique piece at �1,000, �1-- >> It's still going up!

>> �1,300 is bid.

�1,400 is bid.

>> There's no contestant here.

>> At �1,400, looking for now �1,500.

All settled and finished at �1,400.

>> Yes!

>> What an incredible result.

>> So happy with that.

>> That is amazing.

>> And also definitely worth a round of applause.

>> The money from that is being donated back to the Scouts group.

So, it's very kind, very generous.

>> Thank you, everybody.

Thank you.

>> And also to you all, thank you very much for turning up.

>> Oh, and thank you to you, Christina, because you've done a really great job today.

>> Oh, yeah.

>> Thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> I think today's been a really good day.

Nearly everything sold.

I hoped that the brown furniture would have sold for a bit more, but the Scout blanket really caught me off guard.

I had no idea that would go for so much money.

>> But what did it all add up to?

Here we go.

Honestly, what a day.

>> Unbelievable.

>> What a day, Christina.

>> So pleased.

>> Amazing.

>> Do you want to know how much you raised today?

>> Oh, my gosh, yes.

Do I need a drum roll?

>> I think we probably do.

>> Come on.

Come on.

>> Well, after fees and commission, today you've raised �2,427.

>> Fantastic.

Isn't that fantastic?

>> That's great, isn't it?

They smoothed over the journey, and they've made what could have been a very hard, emotional experience a very happy one.

>> Amazing, amazing.

>> Amazing.

>> Yeah, to make that much money.

>> From here on in, we can continue, hopefully, moving bits and pieces out of the garage.

>> Hear, hear.

It's time to hit the road.

>> One, two, three, four... >> Now.

This is it now.

[ Engine starts ] Well-done.

>> You just -- you've got it, haven't you?

This van and you.

>> Oh, I'm a van whisperer.

>> Yeah.

[ Laughing ] You are a van whisperer.

>> Bye, castle!

Off we go, ready to rescue more items currently gathering dust and turn them into profit.

Shining