The Travelling Auctioneers

-[ Chuckles ] -We're back on the road in our trusty traveling auction house.

-Go, go, go, go.

-Come on, van!

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

-Finding value in those overlooked objects.

-Auction supremos Christina Trevanion.

-Oh, that's brilliant.

-And Izzie Balmer.

-Ta-da.

-Transforming has-beens into must-haves, restorers JJ Chalmers... -I'm delighted with that.

-...and Robin Johnson.

-Look at that.

Doesn't she sing?

-Our mission?

-To give those unloved and forgotten gems a new lease of life.

-And make their owners some much-needed money.

-We've probably got about �1,500 to �2,000.

-Everything we find... -...and fix... -...Will go under the gavel in our traveling saleroom.

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

-I've got to start this at �700.

-I can't believe it.

-At �1,500, sold.

-[ Laughs ] -You know what we say.

Have gavel, will travel.

-Welcome to Scotland.

-Thank you very much.

Today, we're in the beautiful Scottish borders, on our way to Ettrick Bridge, near Selkirk.

-This is where William Wallace was proclaimed overlord of Scotland.

-Overlord?

-Yeah.

-Oh, I like the sound of "overlord."

-He's a big deal.

-They made a movie about him.

-Did they?

-Yeah.

-He had the funky face paint.

-That's the one.

-Yeah.

-I can see I've got my work cut out here.

-We're going to meet Alan and his niece Katie.

After working on his family farm for nearly 60 years, Alan is now looking forward to... [ In Scottish accent ] freedom!

See, I do know my Scottish history.

-Are you keeping that then, or is that going?

-Going, I think.

-This farm has been in Alan's family for nearly a century.

-I think farming was always in my blood.

I enjoyed being on the farm and looking after the stock.

-Which is lucky, as he's worked on it since he was six years old, but has now reached an age where he's ready to retire.

-I've been healthy enough up until now, so it's just, things are taking a wee bit longer to do things.

It's not so easy.

-Wrestling sheep.

-Wrestling sheep.

-Sadly, with none of his family able to take on the responsibility of the farm, Alan has made the heartbreaking decision to sell it.

-Don't have a lot of time to sit down and really think about what's happening.

It's just, carry on and get things sorted out.

-For niece Katie, who spent every childhood holiday here and now brings her own children all the way from Aberdeenshire to stay, it's also going to be a wrench.

-I'm a bit gutted, to be honest.

The farm has been a huge part of my life and my family now.

So we come here pretty much every single holiday.

We come here for New Year, summer holidays, the Tattie holidays, our favorite holidays.

-Alan's wife is a busy nurse, and with just a couple of months to clear the house and farm before the new owners arrive, Katie has come to help.

-It's quite a short timeline.

You think to start with, it's plenty of time, but then all of a sudden, the days disappear, the weeks disappear and the months disappear.

Adding to the stress, Alan and his wife moved to a nearby cottage after closing the old farmhouse doors 15 years ago, leaving behind three generations of belongings to now sort through, and in a very short space of time.

-1973, this paper.

So that's been sat there for a while.

-Awhile.

50 years.

-We have so much stuff in the sheds and in the house.

It's very overwhelming.

The big furniture pieces have all got hidden drawers and they just go on and on and on.

-It sounds like we've got a job on our hands today.

-It just sounds like there's, every nook and cranny is just full of stuff.

-Yeah.

Are we going through here?

Is this actually the drive?

-Are we going to fit through here?

This was made for horses and carts.

This is so cool.

-Well done.

All these barns.

-This must be a real treasure trove, I'm reckoning.

-You know, places like this are my Kryptonite.

-It's certainly a beautiful setting, but I think it's going to take our combined superpowers to get through all of these buildings today.

-Here we are.

Hello.

You must be Alan.

-Yes.

-Lovely to meet you.

I'm Christina.

And Katie?

-Yes.

-And what a lovely corner of the world.

-Especially on a day like this.

-Yes.

-We've got lots of barns, but we've also got the house, as well.

-A full house.

[ Chuckles ] -A full house, three levels.

-Everything that's in the house here is -- -Has to go.

[ Laughter ] -Okay, we get it, Katie.

We get it.

Surplus to requirements, shall we say?

I mean, we're here -- supposed to be here for a day.

-Well... -Thank you for your work.

[ Laughter ] -I mean, it feels like a week would be more fitting.

-Right.

Should you start inside?

-I'll go get into the outbuildings.

-Yeah.

Okay.

Well, I'm going to start in the loft.

-Start from the top.

-If in doubt, start in the loft.

-Gravity will help you work your way down.

Christina needs to find items amongst three generations of clutter over three floors.

-What have we got in here?

-And there are multiple barns and outbuildings for JJ to hunt down forgotten objects in need of a little TLC.

-We need to get cracking and make hay while the sun shines.

-Starting in the attic.

This is epic.

Oh my goodness.

Look at that.

That is a proper space hopper.

[ Gasps ] Still has some air in it.

Look at that smiley face.

That's, like, one of the original ones, the iconic ones.

Oh, that is cool.

What have we got?

We've got jigsaw puzzles.

We've got games.

We've got loads more games.

Vintage games and toys can be quite sought after by collectors, and some can attract big bids at auction.

This is a great little room to start my search.

Gosh, there's so much up here.

The wobbly spinning top.

Oh.

That's fab.

This attic is every kid and big kid's dream.

That's a little Japanese clockwork toy.

I'm guessing we wind them up and watch them go, but I don't think he's going to work, sadly.

Nonetheless, he will still have a value.

I certainly think that we've got what looks to be forming a really nice little group lot, potentially, for our auction.

I'm going to group these retro toys together with a low estimate of �10 to �20 to draw the bidders in, but I hope they could go for quite a bit more.

-Selling the farm might be the end of an era for Alan and his wife, but as this place and his family are so important to him, he's kept a piece of land and a small cottage, which he hopes to renovate for Katie.

-It means that we can still come down to the farm.

-And enjoy the freedom, really.

But maybe not do as much on the farm as did before.

So we've already got an architect looking at doing it up, drawing plans up for this cottage.

-But that's going to require some serious money.

-And with so many spaces to explore, we'd better get cracking.

Look at this place.

I'm gonna have fun in here.

So much farming trinkets, bits and pieces.

Oh, this is cool, a butter churn.

That's a ring missing.

Lo and behold, it's here.

It appears to be in working order.

It's got all its parts.

The lid just looking a little bit worse for wear.

Needs a couple of wee fixes.

I just think it's a lovely-looking object.

Somebody would go for this.

And it's the perfect reason to unload the van and set up my alfresco workshop.

Right.

This is just a really nice-looking item.

Some of its appeal comes in the fact that it's got a bit of age and it tells a story.

I'm going to take some of these bits off so that I can get a closer look at it, and I can decide just how far I'll take the restoration.

The first job is to remove the metal fittings so I can get to the wood underneath.

Ah, it's coming.

Easier said than done when it's been rusting in a barn for decades.

Just trying to loosen up some of these screws with a bit of oil.

It should penetrate down into the thread.

This one, there's so much rust on it.

I'm just trying to give it a little bit of persuasion.

Lubrication, patience, and a good whack with a mallet should do it.

You just need to move a tiny bit.

Come on.

[ Groans ] That's it.

Yes.

And then it moves freely.

With the metal off, I can now see how much work is needed on the wood.

Cool.

It's going to need sanding back, but first, I'm going to soak the metal parts in white spirit to degrease them and lift off the years of grime.

Just leave that.

It'll do the hard work for me.

Freeing me up to hunt for another project.

-That's going to look great, JJ.

Right.

I've moved down to the main bedroom, which is like, well, going back in time.

What are these?

Let's have a look at these.

These look like -- yeah, gas masks.

I find these really sinister.

Doesn't look like these have ever been out of their boxes.

And there's more here as well.

"Elizabeth.

Michael."

-Come see if you're needing a hand with anything.

-Hi, Alan.

Always.

Always another pair of hands, very welcome.

Now, I found some gas masks.

Who do they belong to?

-Well, I think they're -- Grandfather and Granny were here and there'd be six kids at the time, so I think that's some of their gas masks.

-This one's dated, can you see, "September 1937."

In the 1930s, the country was living under the shadow of the Great War and memories of horrific battlefield gas attacks.

The British government feared that poison gas might be used on civilians in future conflict, so distributed over 40 million gas masks before the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

And then you've got ration books as well.

I love these.

Now, whose was that?

-I'm not sure whose that helmet belonged to, but there's nothing left on the inside.

There would have been padding.

-Old gas masks should not be worn.

Some were made with asbestos, which we know today to be dangerous.

Old helmets are safe to handle, though.

I mean, did you play with this as a child?

-I think it must have played with it, played soldiers upstairs.

-Yeah, exactly.

-It's quite overwhelming, the amount of stuff we've got.

-Some of the things haven't seen daylight for -- since the '50s, and other things, I think, well, I can remember seeing grandmother or mother even using them back in the '60s.

It does get sentimental sometimes, seeing things like that.

-I'd think we'd put these together as one group with the gas masks, the helmet, ration books, and the flask there.

And I think you've probably got one quite interesting little lot there, maybe at �40 to �60?

-Yeah.

-We'll pop that into the auction, and I will keep on looking.

These items are great pieces of family and social history, but with drawers and boxes of objects pre-dating World War II, I don't think Alan realized the true scale of the job at hand.

There's so much.

-Fear not, Christina.

I'm on the case.

Oh, this is too much.

I'm in heaven.

-Well, it didn't take you long to find a workshop, did it?

-That's a Yankee screwdriver, made in America, hence why we call them Yankees.

I could get lost in here.

Must focus.

What is this?

Wow.

Ding-dong.

That is a proper... Oof!

...old bell.

I think this could be something quite exciting.

It weighs a ton.

And quite valuable, if the weight is anything to go by.

Just as well I had my porridge.

-Ooh!

-Hello, pal.

-What have you got there?

-This is our Second World War artifact.

Would you believe it?

1940 Air Ministry.

-Yes.

-This was the early warning system.

Britain was on its knees at that point, fighting the Battle of Britain.

-And, you know, these were used on airfields and you would ring it.

There's this wonderful picture that I've seen somewhere that says, "Don't come and tell.

Ring the bell like hell."

[ Bell clanging ] If the Luftwaffe were coming in, you had to get to your plane.

You had to get in the sky.

You were no good on the ground.

-Yeah.

-There are very few of these that survive, because sadly, so many of them were scrapped.

-Yeah.

-If we turn it over... because I think this is bronze, if you look at it there.

[ Clangs ] Very interesting.

I mean, I've seen them kind of go for �600 to �1,000, something like that.

-Wow.

-But as a barn find piece, I think it's quite nice that it's a bit grimy and a bit grubby.

-Right.

-Good find.

Very good find.

-Give it a -- just a little blow.

-Yeah.

[ Laughs ] -So on the advice of a very wise lady, I'm going to keep the barn look and just go for a light clean-up.

Right, I've got a brand new paintbrush, and I'm going to be like my old hero, Alan Grant from "Jurassic Park."

I'm going to excavate some of the rubbish off of this, though not too much of it.

It's just thinking about what it was used for, but more importantly, who used it.

I mean, you're touching history.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

Churchill said that right after the Battle of Britain.

He's good for a quote, isn't he?

-John Donne wasn't so bad either.

"Ask not for whom the bell tolls."

-I think Christina might be asking me to hurry up.

Right.

I think, like Goldilocks, that is just right -- the adequate amount of cleaning without tarnishing it or removing any of its history.

I think Christina will be delighted.

-I am, and I'd estimate it up to �1,000, but there's still so much more to get through.

-Yep.

We need to keep up momentum.

-And next on my list, the guest bedroom.

And what have we got here?

[ Chuckles ] I knew I'd be able to find some jewelry somewhere.

Here we go.

This looks good, doesn't it?

What's in here?

Ah!

So we've got this Victorian, probably Vulcanite chain here.

And these were really brittle, so they often broke, so it's quite nice to see one of those in good condition.

Vulcanite was used in Victorian jewelry to imitate jet, a more expensive and similar-looking stone.

It was often known as mourning jewelry because of its association with Queen Victoria, who wore it after the death of her beloved husband, Albert.

We're starting to get a bit of a group together here of similar types of jewelry.

Ah, there we go.

I've got a pair of earrings as well.

So a collector of Victorian mourning jewelry, I think, would find these quite desirable.

Oh, that's rather lovely.

Look at that.

A rather beautiful Victorian little collarette necklace.

Based on their age, I think some of these may have belonged to Alan's grandmother.

The collarette necklace could be worth around �15 to �20, and the mourning jewelry, I'd estimate at �20 to �40.

Also heading to auction, that milk churn, war memorabilia, retro toys and a big, bronze bell.

-And we've unearthed a writing desk... -That is wonderful.

-...bowler hats and vintage crates.

-It's just like a time capsule.

Just like walking into a slightly abandoned museum.

It's incredible.

We really are racking up items to go under my gavel, but we can't rest on our laurels, as not only does Alan need cash to convert the cottage, he also needs to clear this old farmhouse for the new owner's imminent arrival.

-Alan loves to hoard, and he looks at me as if to say, "Can I keep it?"

And I'm like, "No, just throw it out."

We emptied one drawer and there was 19 Bibles in one drawer.

We had to do a lot of Hail Marys when we threw that out.

-I'm sure all will be forgiven for such a good cause.

-And understandably, it's hard for Alan to let go of his family's possessions and memories.

-What's this?

-Uh... Do you know what that is?

-A poopy pot.

-I'll leave that one to you, Katie.

But it's good to see everyone's mucking in to tackle the enormous task of clearing this house.

I haven't even been in here.

This is an entrance hall.

Oh, Lord.

What is this?

What have we got?

Yeah, I'm just going to... Oh, my goodness.

Katie, can you help me just move this out?

Because it's very heavy.

Have you got it?

-Oof.

Thank you.

-Yeah, it's really heavy.

Let's just move it out here.

Ooh.

Katie, do you know what this is?

-Yes, it's a sock-maker.

-It's a sock-maker.

-Yes, with half a sock still in it.

-Oh, yes.

Look at that.

There is actually half a sock still left in it.

So somebody started to make a sock, and then thought, oh... -I think it would have been my great-granny.

-My uncle, he remembers her using it and making socks.

-Really?

-Yeah.

I think this is early 20th century, and this is a circular knitting machine.

Now, I, in my entire career, I have never seen a circular knitting machine before in the flesh.

It's really quite incredible, and in my experience, quite niche, quite specialist machines such as this do tend to command quite high prices at auction.

I need to do some more research, but a rough estimate, this could fetch �200 to �400 at auction, maybe even more.

It's a great find.

So tell me, how are you feeling about this whole process?

This must be a real wrench for you.

-Yeah, we do spend quite a lot of time here.

Now, my kids get to love the farm as much as we did when we were younger, growing up.

It was very sad for it to go out of the family, but it will be good to see it get a new lease of life and new people coming in, and yeah.

-Katie and her boys will still be able to visit, of course.

Alan's pouring the cash made at auction into the cottage renovation fund.

-I don't need any motivation, Christina.

I'm like a pig in the proverbial in this farmyard.

With my bell all spick and span, I can turn my attention back to the butter churn.

Right, I've made the decision to go ahead and strip the barrel back, expose the nice, lovely wood that's underneath this kind of yellowy varnish.

So hit it with the power sander, make my life a little easier.

An electric sander is great for covering large surfaces.

You really need a bit of oomph rather than elbow grease to bring a surface like this back to life, especially because it's been out in a barn for who knows how many years.

That would just look so much better in its natural color.

Next up is the cast iron metalwork.

I'm using this handy wire brush attachment from a drill in order to strip it back to its original glory.

Now I'm just going to knock that ring back into place.

The truth is, this whole barrel has just shrunk ever so slightly, mainly because it's not been used.

So it's not been moist, and therefore, it's just a slightly smaller size.

So now I can just knock that ring down, held tight.

This is actually a similar technique to how the churn barrel would have been put together many years ago.

Same with this one at the top.

Now just got to reassemble.

And having steeped my screws and bolts, they're now back on like a dream.

A great result, if I do say so myself.

There we go.

It is worth all the effort.

It's not as good as new, but that's not the point.

It's still got its character, its charm.

It functions.

But now it just looks great.

Ready for auction.

On to something else.

-Amazing job, JJ.

This will make an incredible decorator's piece, and should be worth between �80 and �120 at auction.

Meanwhile, I'm still searching high and low, and have made my way down to the first floor.

A very cool wardrobe.

Oh, here we go.

We have got what looks to be the sporting cupboard of the house.

We've got some golf clubs and a lot of fishing rods.

Oh.

This -- I think this is... a Hardy rod.

Now, Hardy, of course, the great fly-fishing firm who made rods such like this.

They're very sought-after.

And this says -- Yeah, so it says "The Murdoch Palakona."

The Palakona rod, created by Hardy's in 1882 revolutionized fly fishing.

These hexagonal-shaped rods built from split bamboo were strong, flexible and stress-resistant.

That's really rather lovely.

Really rather lovely, and quite sought-after.

In a group lot with the other rods, this could get between �50 and �80 on auction day.

Now, also in this cupboard -- which is turning into something like out of Narnia, it's quite extraordinary -- there are -- well, there's a golf bag containing quite a few different golf clubs.

So some of them I can see have got names on, and some of them are hickory-shafted, which is all looking quite encouraging.

I can already see one that is stamped for St. Andrews.

That's the birthplace of golf.

Old sporting items are always popular at auction.

Grouped together, these golf clubs could be worth between �30 and �50.

Right.

I could do with some air.

And with so many outbuildings to search, it's time to give JJ a hand outside.

Wow.

What have we got in here?

We've got typewriters.

We've got many, many televisions.

But this has caught my eye.

This is quite cool, isn't it?

Essolube crate there with glass oil bottles.

And what look to be -- which is really quite nice -- the original oil bottles.

They're the real McCoy, but particularly grimy too.

Luckily, I know just the man for this job.

I'm coming through.

My white card is about to die.

-Oh.

-Well done.

-I made it!

-This is mocking.

What's this?

-This is, I think, a crate of Esso oil bottles.

And these are all amazing, faceted glass bottles, all branded, which have got oil in, and a proper barn find.

Everybody loves a barn-fresh find, don't they?

-Yeah, they do.

Although, you know me, I do like to clean things.

-Yeah.

No, I think that's okay.

We've got six of the bigger bottles and then you've got two of the slightly smaller bottles.

Right, I'll leave you to it, if that's okay.

-Please do.

And stop touching it.

-Sorry.

I'll keep clear.

-These bottles have a beauty about them, but the dirt is deeply ingrained on the crate.

First things first.

This thing is caked in oil, dirt, grime.

I'm just going to need to actually shovel it out of there using a scraper.

Got some gloves on, because this is dirty work.

Let's get in amongst it.

Basically just mucking out the stables.

But this is so worth it, because there's definitely a market for this.

Whether it's kind of automotive, historic agriculture...

It's quickly becoming apparent this scraper isn't cutting through the oil and grime.

But I have a plan.

Hello, sir.

I spotted a pressure washer around the back there.

Any chance you could be kind enough to just give this a good blast for me?

-Yeah, that wouldn't be a problem at all.

-Of course it's not.

No stranger to a little muck.

-No, so we can get that cleaned.

-And whilst Alan is cleaning the crate, I can focus my attention on those bottles.

Little bit of white spirits, just to break down the oil, and then give it a good boogie, as we used to call it.

It's important to get rid of all the oil and liquid safely, as it could be toxic to the buyer.

And as luck would have it, Alan has just the thing.

Wherever did these come from?

-Used in the dairy units.

-Of course.

Ah.

Soapy, hot water, and a good scrub.

How very James Herriot.

Rinse and repeat.

And my work here is done.

Delighted with that.

Eight clean bottles sitting in their frame, Expertly cleaned by Alan as well.

A real team effort.

And that is looking sweet for auction.

-Great job, JJ.

Now they're all clean, those should fetch between �60 and �100 at auction.

And as time's running out, I'm heading back to the barns to see if I can find one last item.

What have we got?

What have we got?

We've got lots of cans, petrol cans, fuel cans, but I would say they are a bit tired.

They are a bit sad.

Their condition leaves a lot to be desired.

They're a good barn find, but I would hope they would fetch at least �100 at auction.

Another fuel-inspired lot that could fire up the bids on auction day.

Not bad for something left behind in a barn.

In just one day, we've managed to make a significant dent in thinning out three generations of possessions and farming goods.

-Hidden away in various attics, bedrooms and barns, Christina's found some real historic gems like gas masks, a sock-maker, and some Victorian jewelry.

-And I think the milk churn you restored and the long-forgotten bell you discovered are going to be huge hits at auction.

Great work, team.

Well, I'll tell you, I'm feeling part of the family now.

-That's me shut up shop.

Can I steal Christina back, please?

-No!

No.

They're my new family.

I'm staying.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Right, well, she's had fun.

I've had fun as well.

Thank you very much.

It's just been amazing, delving into all of it.

-Thank you so much for your help.

-Oh, it's a pleasure.

Absolute pleasure.

We will see you at the auction in a couple of weeks time.

In the meantime, best of luck with packing up everything else.

-Yes.

-[ Laughs ] Katie, I'm leaving that in your very capable hands.

-We won't take the weather with us.

-Yeah.

-Bye!

-What a day on the farm.

-What a day on the farm.

What a gorgeous day, as well.

-Yeah.

-But we have, I think, hopefully managed to sort the wheat from the chaff a little bit.

-Wrong type of farm, it's a dairy farm.

-True, true.

-We've managed to sort the cream from the milk.

-Cream from the curd?

I don't know.

-Three weeks after our farm visit, and the big day is upon us.

And we're back in Bonnie Scotland.

Auction day.

-Oh, auction day.

Ooh.

-I'm excited.

-Good, so am I.

-I'm excited, because there's so many curiosities in this lot.

-Yeah.

-Kind of feels like we cleared a shipwreck or something.

-Yeah, it does.

Yeah, it does.

-Yeah.

-We're on our way to Dalkeith Country Park and Palace that's seen many a monarch visit, including George IV and Queen Victoria.

This is beautiful, isn't it?

-What a lovely orangery.

-Is that what it is?

-I believe so.

Our auction will take place by some 18th century stables, known today as Restoration Yard.

Quite fitting, really.

-That's incredible.

That's a very fancy orangery.

-[ Groans ] -Right.

Very nice.

-Yeah.

You approve?

-I do, yeah.

I really do.

Oh, my goodness.

-I'll get your rostrum.

-Aw, thank you.

Alan's beloved farm has been in his family for three generations, but in just over a month, he'll be passing it on to some new owners.

-But he's not going far.

He's kept a corner, a piece of land and a cottage to live in, and another cottage for niece Katie to stay when she visits.

Money raised at auction will go to renovating the building so family can stay in comfort.

It's a lovely idea.

How are we both?

-Alright.

-Yeah?

Enjoying the weather again?

-Yes.

-How are you feeling for today?

-Quite excited.

-Yeah.

-You're excited?

-Excited.

-For what?

-I'm excited to see what the sock-maker goes for.

I love the sock-maker.

-Something as random as that.

-Yeah, I know.

-Butter churn's under here.

Would you like to see it?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-I feel like a magician.

-Ooh.

-There we go.

-Looks a lot different than the last time we've seen it.

Scrubs up well.

-Yeah.

Well, tell you what, why don't you guys go and get yourself settled, grab a cup of tea, and I'll come and join you in a wee minute, alright?

-Brilliant.

-Fantastic.

-With 15 outbuildings and sheds to empty, plus the old farmhouse.

Alan and Katie have done a champion job finishing the clearout.

There are 70 lots going under my gavel.

There are several items in today's auction which I hope are going to do really well for Alan and Katie.

That incredible circular sewing machine or knitting machine, and then, of course, JJ's butter churn that he spent so long, bless him, working on, and the bottles.

So all in all, it's going to be a really interesting auction.

Helping me with today's auction are Scott and Caroline from Thompson Roddick Callan Auctioneers and Valuers.

-Along with these cheery folks sat outside, we also have two online bidding platforms opening up our lots to buyers around the world.

And I have to say, as we take our seats, I'm very excited about some of the pieces we have for auction today.

-Welcome to our auction!

Today we are selling the farm.

It feels a bit like a farm dispersal sale, so thank you very much for trusting us with your beautiful collection.

Are you ready?

-Yes.

-Good.

Alright.

And we're kicking off with one of my favorites.

We have the vintage tin plate and other toys, to include the spinning top, a Japanese clockwork circus toy, a space hopper.

Oh... -Why you didn't come in on that space hopper, I'll never know.

-Should have done.

Bid me �10.

The space hopper is worth that all day long.

�10 is bid.

Rightly so.

�12 against you.

�15.

Thank you.

At �15 here.

�18 is against you, sir.

�20, I have.

At �20.

�22, �25, �28 and �30, �32, �35, �38.

-Old stuff I used to play with.

-Oh, it's worth it, I promise.

Thank you very much.

�40 is bid, at �40.

�42 is against you, sir.

Thank you anyway.

At �42, I have.

Online at �42 now.

Looking for �45.

At �42 -- �45.

Thank you.

Where's �48?

Now at �48.

Where's �50?

At �48, and �50 is against.

Thank you, at �50.

Where's �55?

�55.

Determined bidding here at �55 and �60 is against.

At �60, I have.

�65.

Thank you.

At �65, and �70 is against.

Now at �70.

Where's �5?

Fair warning at �70.

What a start to the auction.

-Big surprise, that.

-Yeah.

-Next up, it's one of JJ's, the old butter churn.

Given some TLC by the great JJ Chalmers.

-If I'm being honest, I got carried away with this one.

I set out just to put one of these steel bands back on it.

Next thing you know, I've taken the whole thing apart into all of its component pieces and finished every single one of them individually.

So it is in working order.

-�70, bid me, somebody.

I'm looking for �70 for the butter churn.

�70, I have.

Thank you, sir.

I see you at the back at �70.

Where's �5?

At �70.

I have at the back of the room at �70.

Any further interest or I'll sell to my maiden bidder at �70.

Amazing job, JJ.

Something rotting away in a barn has now gone to a new home.

-Now let's hope that collection of golf clubs you found hidden away in a wardrobe get the bidders in the swing of things.

-Did you use these?

-No, no.

Never played golf.

Where did they come from?

-An aunt, an uncle maybe?

-At �110, I have.

Now looking for �120.

�120 is bid, at �120.

Looking for one �130.

�130.

Thank you, at �130.

And selling it for settled at �130.

-I'd say that's a hole in one.

Christina is on fire today.

-And hoping to catch a bidder's eye, there are more sporting items up for grabs.

It's the fishing rods, to include the Hardy, Shakespeare landing nets, a gaff, etc.

Bid me �50 for them.

�50 is bid straight away, at �50.

Where's �5?

At �50, I have.

Looking for �55 now.

Fair warning, if we're all settled, at �50.

-Good job, Christina.

Now I'm keen to see how much Alan's war memorabilia goes for.

This stuff's fantastic.

-Bid me �40 for them, please.

I'm looking for �40.

�40 is bid straight away.

At �40, thank you.

Where's �2?

At �42.

Where's �5?

�5 is against, at �45.

Where's �8?

At �45.

We seem to have settled and finished then.

�48.

Just in time at �48.

Where's �50?

That's it.

�50 is bid.

Thank you.

Where's �5?

At �50, and �5 is bid.

Thank you, at �5.

Now at �55.

All finished.

Fair warning at �55.

-No one's rationing their bids today.

That's another great result.

-And next up, it's another one of JJ's.

Now we have this rather magnificent and very clean Essolube oil crate with original bottles there.

JJ?

-You've got essentially a complete set, eight bottles within it, and a couple of extras on the side as well.

This is just a wonderful little curiosity, I think.

So please, I've put my heart and soul into this one.

Get your hands up.

-[ Chuckles ] -We already have interest at �28, already online.

At �28, �30.

Thank you, sir.

Straight away at �30.

Where's �2?

At �30 in the yard.

Thank you.

�32, �35, �38, �40, �42, �45, �48, �50.

At �50.

�55, at �55.

And �60 bid online, now at �60.

Thank you anyway.

So at �60 now.

Looking for �65.

-Now the local interest has dropped out, two online bidders push up the price.

At �90, looking for �95 now.

The bid is at �90.

Fair warning at �90.

Selling then, all settled at �90.

-Sold!

Well, I'm happy.

-After all that work.

-With bids coming in online, clearly the people are loving the farming life.

And over the next half hour, there's sale after sale with more fishing items reeling in the big bucks.

-At �70.

-The bowler hats find a new home, as does the mourning jewelry... -At �45.

-...the vintage boxes and a collection of old oil cans.

-We're all settled at �95.

-And the oak rolltop desk, all tallying up to nearly �500.

-Amazing.

-What an auction!

And it's not over yet.

Up next is the one I've most been looking forward to -- the circular knitting machine.

I've never seen one before.

I've never sold one before.

This is an auction of firsts for me, Alan.

Now, where are we with this?

I've got to start this at �200 with my commission bidder here at �200, looking for �220.

�220, �240 with my commission bidder.

�260, �280 with my commission bidder.

�300, �320 with my commission bidder.

�350.

I'm out now at �350.

�380, at �380.

�400.

Now looking for �420.

-Imagine if it had a full sock in it.

-�450, now looking for �480.

�480 is bid.

Thank you.

At �480.

Round it up to �500.

�500 is bid.

At �500.

I have �550.

�600 I have.

-I can't believe this.

-Wonder if they'll go any more.

-�650 is bid, at �650.

�700, new bidder at �700.

Now looking for �750.

�750 is bid, Alan, at �750.

Now looking for �800.

Fair warning.

All settled at �750, and selling.

�800 is bid, at �800.

For Alan's granny's knitting machine, at �800.

-I mean, it's amazing.

It is amazing.

-At �800, I will sell.

Fair warning at �800.

Incredible.

-Well, Christina's sewn that up -- a tidy sum towards the renovation fund.

-I wore socks for that.

-I know.

-You'll never have to knit another sock.

-Hidden treasures.

-And last but not least, it's JJ's Second World War RAF scramble Bell.

JJ, you did things with this, didn't you?

-Well, apart from find this in one of the outbuildings, I've done very little with it, very much as Christina ordered me to.

Particularly the lovely chrome motif on the front.

And the date 1940 -- as Christina was saying, such an important date, aging this to the Battle of Britain.

This is worth what it's worth as a piece of history.

It doesn't need my input on that.

-Thank you, JJ.

I have an internet bid here already of �400.

Here at �400, �420, �440, �450, �480, �500, at �500.

�550, �600.

�650 is bid, at �650 is bid.

�700.

I have on my right hand platform here at �700.

�750, �800, �850 is bid.

�900.

It's climbing.

At �900, I have.

�950, I have.

I'm now looking for �1,000.

�1,000, I have.

At �1,000.

Now looking for �1,100.

Come back to me if you'd like it.

�1,100.

�1,200.

At �1,200.

Now looking for �1,300.

�1,300.

They're back.

Thank you for your bidding.

At �1,300.

Now looking for �1,400.

Determined bidding at �1,400.

Now looking for �1,500.

At �1,400.

Selling to my online bidder at �1,400.

-Oh.

-A ring-a-ding-dong.

What a find.

-And what a sale from Christina.

I'm delighted.

-Absolutely delighted.

-Surprised at that.

Yeah.

-I'm so glad that that wasn't sort of missed, passed over by someone.

-Yeah.

That's incredible.

-Did you enjoy that?

-Yes.

-It was such a good experience.

-I have never sold a circular knitting machine before in my life, ever.

I'm not entirely sure I'll ever sell one again, but �800.

�800 for a circular knitting machine.

Just extraordinary.

-We are over the moon and can't wait to share with Alan and Katie just how much cash has been raised.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-How are you feeling?

Because the auction was pretty intense for me.

I'm not going to lie.

-It was great.

-It was good.

-Did you enjoy it?

-Yes.

-You said you were excited, and that you loved every second of it?

-Yes.

Loved it.

It was great.

-Ohh.

Can you believe that incredible scramble bell?

-Yeah.

I'm really delighted about that, personally, because it just feels like it was worth that.

-Yeah, because you polished it?

-Well... No, no.

I mean, many a hero has touched that over the years.

-Very true, yes.

You have added to its history, JJ.

Would you like to know what you have raised today?

-Absolutely.

-So after fees and commission, today, you'll be going home with just slightly over �3,460.

-Oh, that's amazing.

-That's good.

That's good.

-That's amazing.

-Are you pleased?

-Definitely.

-Amazing.

So that will go in the kitty, hopefully, for Katie's restoration project.

-Yes.

-Katie to be able to visit with your children.

-Yes.

-Right.

-Well, you'd best go and get on with all that.

-Yeah, exactly.

-Thank you so much.

-Absolute pleasure.

-Such a pleasure, guys.

Take care.

Thank you.

-Today's been amazing.

We've raised so much money with stuff that's just been laid around for years.

-People probably think, oh, that's just rubbish.

But you never can tell.

Things can be quite valuable in the end.

-Which that auction has definitely proved.

What a day.

My goodness.

-Do you know what?

Alan and Katie had a lovely day.

-Oh, good.

Oh, it's lovely to see them again.

-Yeah.

-It did feel a little bit like a farm sale at times today.

-Yeah, I was expecting, like, "our next lot is a pile of dirt."

-Yeah.

[ Laughs ] -"Coops for the chickens."

-[ Laughs ]