VO: The nation's favorite antiques experts, £200 each and one big challenge.

Well, duck, do I buy you or don't I?

VO: Who can make the most money, buying and selling antiques, as they scour the UK?

I must be mad.

VO: The aim is, trade up and hope that each antique turns a profit.

But it's not as easy as it looks, and dreams of glory can end in tatters.

What am I gonna do?

VO: So will it be the fast lane to success or the slow road to bankruptcy?

Should've just kept my money in my pocket.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

VO: All this week we've been on the road with Mark Stacey and Margie Cooper and there's been some fierce competition MARK (MS): Oh, are you teasing me?

MARGIE (MC): No, I'm not... You're playing with me, aren't you?

I am teasing you, I am playing with your emotions.

VO: Mark took the early lead and hung on tight, until it all unraveled yesterday.

£80 down.

VO: After a sticky start, Margie's been pulling in the profits and now finds herself back in contention.

Bye.

Good luck.

Thank you.

VO: From his original £200, Mark's had plenty of ups, and then one enormous down, leaving him with £281.86 to spend today.

Well done.

I'm pleased with that.

VO: Meanwhile, Margie also started the week with £200 and a few smart buys later, she now has £245.86 to play around with.

I thought it was going to go for about 80-90.

Yeah, well think again.

VO: Our experts started their week in Chilham, Kent, and have traveled over 250 miles across southern England where they face their final showdown in Torquay, Devon.

We kick off in Hele, near Exeter and will conclude at an auction in Torquay.

Holding up traffic as they motor along in their 1960 MGC, Mark and Margie are heading into their final day.

With only £40 separating them, our pair are on a mission.

MS: To get on our hands and knees, get in that dust, get in that dirt, and find something.

VO: Overlooking the pretty village of Hele is the local paper mill, fed by the soft waters of the River Culm.

VO: The Victorians built it to make high quality writing paper - since then it's produced the paper for £5 notes and now makes the paper for tea bags!

VO: No tea for our experts though, there's shopping to do... in one of the largest antiques emporiums in the South West of England.

VO: Mark's been here before and knows the owner Chris Strong - so he's keen to use his insider info to get ahead of the competition.

Hello Mark, how the devil are you?

MS: Nice to see you again.

CHRIS: Yes.

MS: Are you well?

CHRIS: Yeah, fine.

The thought of coming back to your place terrifies me, Chris, because it's so big and you've got so much to look at and it's so confusing.

Well, I have got a special room.

Have you?

Well it's... it's my sorting office, so it's fresh stock coming in, so... Can you show me, Chris?

I'll allow you to go up there.

No-one else can.

Oh, wonderful.

Going to the sorting office.

VO: What a relief - going round the rest of this place could have taken hours and hours.

VO: Ah... We're surrounded by lots of things here which I think have been here probably for decades.

I have found something.

Now, we all know what this is.

This is Wemyss pottery.

From Scotland.

Very, very fragile pottery.

It chips and flakes and breaks very easily and it's had a little bit of a chip there.

Chris, can you come round here a sec?

How cheap can that be?

CHRIS: Ooh... MS: And I mean cheap.

Please.

It's Wemyss, my boy.

It's what?

What's Wemyss?

I thought it said "wem-is".

Erm... you can have that for 30 quid.

I'm sorry to be mean and I know you'll forgive me.

I mean, how close can we get to £10?

Nowhere near it.

25.

OK. Well, we're getting closer, we're getting closer.

So I'm gonna hang onto this, because I know we'll... OK. ..we'll squeeze a bit more blood out of you.

Got the old taxidermy here.

Oh dear.

That one's gonna escape - he's got the glass off.

I always think that these places are sort of like men's haunts.

I don't think it's really the place for... for women.

Dear me.

VO: Yep, Mark seems quite at home and now he's unearthed something else.

This has got a church influence, because of all this gothic decoration, and then when you look closely it's got traces of writing on it.

So it says, "Congregational Church, "founded in 1790.

Rebuilt in 1883."

I think it's very good for interior design.

If you've got a big Gothic house, be great in the kitchen.

Chris does know his stuff, and I'm not going to pick this up for a song.

Not even a Sunday school song.

VO: The gothic frame is priced at £120, but Mark and Chris might not be singing from the same hymn sheet here.

MS: How much is it, Chris?

Erm... 80 quid.

MS: Oh, gosh, Chris.

CHRIS: That is such a good deal.

I was thinking I'd probably put something like 50-80 on it.

Ah.

I would've said 80-120...

So, we're not a million miles away, but...

I'll do another tenner then.

So, 70?

Mm.

But don't ask for any more.

MS: Am I pushing you?

CHRIS: Yes.

MS: Can I ponder it a moment?

CHRIS: Course.

Cuz I really do like it, actually.

VO: Margie's grabbed Chris now.

She's found a little corner with something more up her street.

It's quite nice that, isn't it?

Not very old.

Well, it is old.

So, this set, 80 years old.

The Sailor's Tear.

"He thought of those he lov'd the best, "A wife and infant dear; "And feeling fill'd the sailor's breast, "The sailor's eye - a tear."

Oh.

Aw!

You can have it for 20 quid now you've said that.

Oh, no.

It's not gonna make much, is it?

CHRIS: Oh, here we go.

MC: (LAUGHS) CHRIS: Alright, 15 quid.

MC: 10.

CHRIS: And stop whining.

No.

MC: (LAUGHS) Oh Gawd help us.

I quite like that.

Alright, a tenner.

Oh.

I'm losing money.

VO: So the deal is done at a tenner and Margie's snapped up her first purchase of the day.

VO: Mark's praying Chris will be kind to him too.

MS: Christopher.

CHRIS: Yes?

Don't know why, but that thing is talking to me, downstairs, the churchy thing.

I would say so.

And I do like the Wemyss, right, so what I'm thinking... if I may... 100 quid the two?

No.

Just to tempt you, is there any way we can do the two for 80?

No.

Can we get close-ish to that?

100.

No, that's a bit too much, Chris.

Split it then.

Cuz we've got... we've got 70 on the other thing... We'll split it.

..and you already said 25 on that.

CHRIS: We'll split at 90.

MS: 85.

CHRIS: 90.

MS: Come on, 85.

You want to really.

Come on, 85.

Go on, for me.

Well, seeing as I've had it for so long.

MS: Thank you.

Thanks a lot.

CHRIS: Alright.

Phew!

VO: Margie's trip to Fagin's is over - she now has a treat in store.

She's traveling fifteen miles south from Hele to Kenton... to Powderham Castle.

Gosh.

This is lovely, isn't it?

A beautiful day to see a beautiful castle like this.

VO: She's here to meet the estate director, Simon Fishwick, who'll be her guide for today.

MC: Simon?

SIMON: Hello.

I'm Margie.

Lovely to meet you.

MC: Yeah.

SIMON: Welcome to Powderham.

Thank you very much indeed.

VO: Powderham Castle was first built back in 1391, and 600 years later, it's still in the same family - with each generation leaving behind startling evidence of their power and wealth.

VO: Their forefathers arrived from France during the 12th century and apparently married into money.

SIMON: So, this is Sir William Courtney... MC: Oh, that's him?

..up in the portrait up here.

This is called a swagger portrait.

By the sheer size and scale of it.

It was done to impress.

It's done in a grand style, grand setting, but the interesting thing is the table in the middle... Yeah.

..which he's resting on, is that table over there.

That is wonderful, isn't it, to see that.

VO: Along with works of art, the first Viscount also commissioned some staggeringly beautiful and unique - pieces of furniture.

So, this is the ante room.

This is where the women would withdraw to after dinner, so the men could then sit and enjoy themselves, and talk and things like that.

The main interest in this room are these two magnificent bookcases.

They are the first example of brass inlaid work in this country.

Really?

They are very, very interestingly made, and the first time I opened them I almost had a heart attack.

Go on, show me.

Because just watch this.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh my goodness.

The whole thing moves.

And you just... Good gracious me.

Yeah, and that huge pillar, when I was opening it I thought the whole thing was gonna fall... You thought it was gonna just collapse.

Yes.

Gosh, it's like a piece of engineering, isn't it?

Yes.

VO: Each successive generation made additions and changes to the Castle.

The third Viscount added a huge, grand room to the library... but where is it?

SIMON: There is a door somewhere.

Let me show you.

Is something gonna move?

MC: Ah.

SIMON: A secret passage.

Oh, my goodness.

(GASPS) VO: The castle is full of secret passageways, designed for the servants to have discreet access into the grand rooms.

This is the music room, which was built for the third Viscount, to celebrate his coming of age.

Designed by James Wyatt and unfortunately, as per nowadays, it wasn't quite ready for his party, so he had to have the party in marquees in the park.

But obviously it's a spectacular room.

So, nothing... nothing changes does it?

No, no, no.

VO: Well, it was definitely worth the wait.

But now, for Margie, sadly, it's time to leave Powderham Castle behind her.

Meanwhile, Mark's praying he'll find a bargain.

He's traveled to Newton Abbot to St Leonard's.

But this is no church any longer.

It's been reincarnated into an antique hunter's paradise, with a host of interesting items.

VO: But will any of them receive reverend Mark's blessing?

MS: This is a tile topped table.

The tiles form the county of Devon, including Torquay, down here, which is where, of course we're going to hold the auction.

But it says "not for sale".

That's a good start, isn't it?

See, "Not for sale.

Display only."

I m... That's not for sale either.

It's a bit frustrating really.

VO: Come on Mark, this place is huge!

There's got to be something.

# Hallelujah!

# Hallelujah!

# Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

# Hallelujah!

# It's very plain.

It's got this quite nice sort of textured ribbed base to it and it's marked underneath Doulton Lambeth and it says £54, which we are gonna totally ignore, because there's no way I'm paying anywhere near £54 for it, but...

I think if I shout over the top of the wardrobes, do you think Derek will come running?

Shall we give it a go?

Derek?

Hello.

I'm here.

DEREK: Hello.

MS: How are you doing, alright?

DEREK: Yes, fine thanks.

MS: You in a happy mood?

DEREK: Yes.

MS: Cuz you might not be after I've made you an offer on something, DEREK: Right.

MS: ..but...

But I quite like this because it's quite contemporary.

But I don't like the price.

But I think they would estimate at something like £20-30.

Erm... 32, how's that?

Well, that's above the estimate.

I mean, that's a good discount, but I don't... you see, I honestly don't...

I think that will struggle to give me a profit once I've paid commission.

We'll say 30 then.

MS: OK. £30.

DEREK: If that's convenient.

If you're happy with that.

VO: Surprise, surprise, Mark's not happy with that - even with £24 off the asking price.

I do like this, but £30 is too much, so I'm gonna be absolutely fair with Derek and I'm gonna put my offer, a £20 note... ..in the vase and see if he takes it.

Derek?

I do want to buy this, but I've left my offer inside there, which you can have a look at in a moment...

Yes.

I'm gonna go off to the gentlemen's room, and when I come back - don't be rude - you can say yes or no.

Is that fair?

Yes.

See you in a moment.

Yes, certainly.

And I do mean I'm going to the loo.

VO: Hurry Derek - you haven't got long.

(TICKING) (FLUSHING) What am I meant to say?

Yes or no?

Well, Derek, what do you think?

Deal's a deal.

Thank you very much.

VO: I hope he's washed his hands.

And I don't know about you, but I could certainly do with a lie down, which is just what our dear experts need too.

Night-night.

Day two finds our two experts contemplating the end of their journey together.

MC: Are you gonna miss me when I'm gone?

MS: Who said that?

I think it'll take me a while to get to know how to finish a sentence again, without you interrupting.

VO: Huh.

Yesterday Mark spent £105 on three lots - a broken Wemyss marmalade pot, a Gothic pine frame from a chapel and a Royal Doulton stoneware vase - leaving him with £176.86 to spend today.

CHRIS: See you later.

MS: See you again soon, I hope.

VO: Whilst Margie spent a tiny £10 on an Adams cup and saucer decorated with a galleon, leaving her with the gargantuan sum of £235.86 to splash about today!

Good, well you at least bought something.

I know.

VO: Our experts have left Newton Abbot behind, and are heading for the town of Ashburton, the southern gateway to the Dartmoor National Park.

And with just one day's shopping left, the competition is really hotting up.

MS: But I'm excited, aren't you?

MC: I am, yeah, it's like the end of the road.

We're at the end of the road.

VO: Thanks to its position in the wilds of Dartmoor with its rich deposits of tin, the town of Ashburton has long been a prosperous place.

Oh, this is all messy.

MS: This could take some time.

MC: You wanna try driving this.

I'm so relieved, Margie, it's nearly over trying to get in and out of this car.

Well done for eventually reversing.

VO: Huh!

No time to waste now - these are the very last three shops of the week!

VO: While Mark heads into one... MS: Hello.

DEALER: Good morning.

MS: The Shambles?

DEALER: Indeed.

That's what I feel like this morning.

VO: Look it too.

Margie's made a beeline across the road to Apollo.

Maybe this place might have everything she could possibly desire!

We've got Aladdin's lamp here.

Hey, do you think I might need this?

What shall I buy?

VO: And it doesn't take long before she spots something grizzly.

Ooh!

Oh look at him.

He's cute, isn't he?

I love desk blotters.

And he's got Brunnen written on the side.

And he's a little Swiss... carved wooden bear from the early part of the 20th century.

£35.

Hmm.

He's got a bit of a chipped ear.

I've picked him out because these little bears are quite popular, but it's gonna have to be, erm... considerably cheaper.

VO: That's one to BEAR in mind.

Ha!

VO: Now what's in the cabinet?

MC: A little hunting flask.

Glass.

You've got your nice little case here.

Which is nicely worn, but in good condition.

Nice little glass bottle.

Just enough to put a bit of whisky in there, or whatever you want.

In there, and then you get your little collapsible little cup, so you needn't swig it out the glass.

It is plated.

If it was silver it would be a fortune.

And the price on it is... £38.

So, if I can get that down to... to say, 20...

I'll have a little go on that.

VO: Across the road, Mark's found something to "lurve".

"Cast iron frog, AF" it says.

AF means as found.

And you can see, unfortunately, its back foot is missing.

What a shame.

Don't you think that's rather amusing?

So, I think that in somebody's pond that would look rather fun.

Maybe you could dip his leg in something and hide it.

Oh, you go to sleep little froggie.

I wonder.

Am I leaping into profit, or leaping into the unknown?

Oh, I might be hopping mad after the sale.

Could go on forever, these puns, you know.

But it really could...

I mean, I could croak it on this auction with this.

VO: That's quite enough of that!

Time to shave a few of the £58 off the asking price.

Ribbet.

Rob, I mean, I've rather fallen in love with your cast iron frog here, with the missing flipper.

So, I want to pay £20 for him.

Cash.

Erm...

Unfortunately you're not going to buy it.

Oh... really?

No, you're not.

No?

No.

Oh well.

I'm sorry about that.

And what sort of price were you hoping for?

The lowest I'll go on it is £45.

Oh.

Gosh, that's not a lot off, really, is it?

If I went to £30, what could you come down to, if at all?

We'll do it for £30.

Can we?

Oh, Rob thank you.

It's OK. Oh, Rob thanks, I rea... Do you know, that's really kind of you Rob.

But you've got to carry it out yourself.

(LAUGHS) I think I can do that.

VO: So a quickfire buy for Mark, who decides to pop along the road to another shop, little realizing he's been spotted.

MC: Oh, look who's there.

Don't look now.

Look at him, he's going...

He was only supposed to be going to one shop and look at him.

VO: And then, he spots something too.

Hmm, those look quite interesting.

Let's go in.

Are they pewter coasters, or...

Yes.

They're unusual.

Art nouveau.

They look very much art nouveau, don't they, with their sort of stylized marigolds or whatever they are.

DEALER: Yeah, I think we've got six of these.

So, you would have placed these, you see, on your table.

That would've been in the center, and then you could put those for you to put your plates down for six people.

And you've got the six, and, as you say, on some of them there's signs of wear, so they've... People have had a jolly good dinner party round this.

DEALER: Yeah, I think they've been well used.

Oh, and there's a little... buckle here as well.

And what's this?

Now, this is generically called a nurse's buckle isn't it?

That's right.

Just a little bit different with the dragons.

Yes, and actually if you look closely, I think it's got actually Prince of Wales feathers there as well.

Yes.

And actually the bottom has got daffodils, I think.

My only problem, of course, is sentimentally I quite like it, being Welsh, but is that going to fly in Torquay?

I'll have to have a ponder, you know.

VO: In Apollo, Margie's fallen for the bear desk blotter and the hunting flask - but can she get a good deal from Dani?

DANI: It's got 38 on it.

MC: Mm.

Have you got a rough idea of where you're aiming at?

I'm looking at, like, £20.

It's a very good thing.

It is nice.

Erm... and that's a very kind offer... MC: Yes?

DANI: ..however... MC: She's well mannered.

DANI: However... MC: What were you thinking?

DANI: 25.

25.

Yeah.

So, what if I bring this little chap in as well?

DANI: Original ticket price at 35.

MC: Yeah.

I mean, quite frankly, his ear's a bit chew... someone's chewed his ear.

DANI: But bears are always popular and...

I think 15's the farthest I can go for him.

Because, you know, I've got to...

I can't.

I can do...

I can do 20 on him... Mm.

And as I say, 25 on that, and I think you'd do, erm... MC: Well, if I could walk out of this shop with the two of them... DANI: Yep?

MC: ..for... ..for 38...

..I'd, you know, think I've got a chance.

I can do 40.

Yeah.

And that's it?

And that is absolutely bang on, I'm afraid.

Right, well I'm gonna go there.

DANI: Yeah?

MC: Thank you, Dani You're more than welcome.

Or not.

Right.

Yeah.

VO: Yes, Dani, I sympathize completely.

VO: Do you know, I think our Margie seems to be getting the hang of this!

That's lovely.

Thank you very much, Margie.

MC: Thanks very much indeed.

DANI: Thank you.

VO: But she's not finished yet.

Robert?

ROBERT: Hello, how are you?

MC: Margie.

Nice to meet you.

Yeah.

Under a bit of pressure, now.

VO: You certainly are, Margie.

VO: But don't worry - Rob might have something to tempt you... a Victorian extendable book stand, made of mahogany.

Yeah, pretty, aren't they?

That's quite a nice thing and it's not damaged.

Nice.

And it's how much?

ROBERT: £38.

I don't know how I do it so cheap.

It would have to be something really annoyingly cheap, like 20 quid.

20?

MC: Yeah.

ROBERT: OK.

I'd like you to win.

MC: Would you?

ROBERT: Yeah.

Did you say that to Mark as well?

No, I didn't like him very much.

VO: Well I never - ha!

blatant favoritism!

VO: The man in question is still with Mike and Theresa, considering his buckle and coasters.

MS: ..two items.

THERESA: OK.

The safer one for me, to be honest with you, is the coasters.

I think if they were going into auction, they would estimate them at something like £20-30 So, I need to try and get them for about 15.

What about 18?

Oh!

16.

16.

You've got a deal.

Thank you so much, that's my fifth item.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

VO: Well, that was painless!

So with his final purchases in the bag, at last Mark can afford to relax.

No such luck for Margie - it's her turn to head along to Ashton House Antiques.

I do hope you're keeping up!

VO: And straightaway she picks up something Mark put down.

Typical.

Then we've got the good old nurse's buckles.

So, what, it's 1980s?

Erm... early 70s I think.

Is it?

I'm trying to see the mark.

'71, '72, something like that.

Yeah, yeah.

But I think you've got the dragon, you've got the Prince of Wales' plumes and daffodils at the bottom.

Just in case there's any doubt that it's Welsh.

(THEY CHUCKLE) MC: So, it's 68?

Yeah.

It's not very old, but I know it's the silver content.

So what, you know, how much do you think we could... do a deal with that?

If I said that was £40 to you.

Mm?

Hopefully that would be salable to somebody apart from a scrap dealer.

Right, yeah.

And make it an attractive item to... For someone to keep.

For someone to buy, yes.

So, you're not going to fly at 38, are you?

OK. 38, yes.

Oh, you're very sweet, thank you very much.

You're welcome.

VO: Phew!

that's Margie's shopping all finished at last.

VO: Meanwhile, Mark's got the wind in his hair and his foot to the floor.

He's traveling 20 miles north to the city of Exeter, ..where he'll be visiting a guild hall that is over 500 years old.

Waiting to meet him is project manager Mike Walker.

Hello, is it Mike?

Yes, Mark, hello, good to meet you.

How are you?

Welcome to Tucker's Hall.

Well, I'm very grateful to be here.

I can't wait to go inside.

Do come in.

Thank you.

VO: Tucker's Hall was built back in 1471 for the Guild of Weavers, Tuckers and Shearman - a group of craftsmen who controlled the business of the clothmaking industry in the south west.

A tucker was someone who softened woven cloth by beating and trampling on it in the water.

The trade was so prosperous, it turned Exeter into a great city, with the guild's reach stretching out far beyond our shores.

MIKE: Some people have described it as the first cash crop.

Instead of just making cloth for you to wear, or your family, this was something you could sell.

You weren't just bartering it for a pig, or a loaf of bread, it was a cash crop.

MS: It was a quality... MIKE: Yes.

And it went all over the world, the cloth.

The East India Company sold Devon cloth to Cathay... to China, not sure where, but as far as that.

It went to the eastern seaboard of what's now the United States.

All throughout the Baltic Devon cloth was found.

They wanted Devon cloth to be seen around the world.

VO: Such a powerful guild was determined to maintain high standards - so the hall also functioned as a court for any members who stepped out of line.

The court would sit in session, a bit like a criminal court, I suppose.

Ah, right.

OK. And any... anyone who transgressed was invited to represent themselves... ..and be judged, and the offender, once found guilty, I guess, was invited usually to pay a contribution, and this was the fine box.

Money in there.

Then there were three keys.

Sadly one is missing... Oh, yes.

..but the under warden, the head warden and the master each had a key And I suspect what happened was, on a regular basis, perhaps once a month, they came, unlocked, emptied and took the money out.

Do you mind if I just check... No there's nothing in there.

Sadly not, no.

There might be a bit of a candle in there, nothing much more.

VO: The fine craftsmanship - as a display of wealth and power - is carved into every detail of the hall.

The paneling, erm, put in between 1634 and 1639.

Really, I think an expression of "we've arrived and we're a powerful organization, "we're beginning to become wealthy, "we are controlling the cloth trade" and this is a demonstration of that.

Here is some of the artifacts of the cloth trade... Oh, yes... ..that have been carved in, and this is called a sleigh.

That's part of the weaver's loom.

MS: This carving is still so crisp.

MIKE: It looks good, doesn't it, yeah.

I mean, you could have said that was done a few weeks ago.

VO: Eventually, the cloth industry was to disappear from Exeter but luckily this hall has survived 500 years of history - not to mention a near miss in the bombing in the Second World War.

I've had a really fun afternoon.

Thank you so much.

Yeah.

Thank you for coming.

VO: Now Mark has a pressing engagement with Margie.

VO: It's time to reveal to each other what they have bought.

First up, Margie's cup and saucer.

Well, it's not that old, Margie, looking at the mark on it, Adams ware, I mean that's certainly 20th century.

Well, I'm not worried about that, am I.

How much did you pay, Margie?

£10.

Well, it's not a lot of money, is it?

Well, I won't bore you with The Sailor's Tear.

You don't want me to read it to you?

MS: No.

MC: Alright.

VO: Something tells me they're not his cup of tea.

VO: Ta dah!

It's Mark's Gothic frame.

"Founded 1780, rebuilt in 1883."

And then it's got various things about the... when the services are and when the Sunday school classes are.

But, it's in that wonderful gothic frame.

Well, it's most unusual, and what did you pay?

I paid £70 for that.

That's... it's a very, very nice thing.

I think that's very cheap.

VO: Anyone for a tipple?

MS: Is it silver topped?

Unfortunately not.

It would be way out of my budget if it was.

Edwardian?

I would think so.

Very nice.

Yeah cuz it's... ..and what did you pay for that?

£20.

Well, that sounds very reasonable to me.

VO: Mark's Doulton vase is next.

It's...

I just thought it was a nice little piece of Doulton stoneware.

Yeah.

I love the colors.

Erm... one of a pair, yeah?

Possibly, yes, but I think it would stand on its own in a small apartment or something like that.

I thought it was very decorative.

Very nice.

1900, 1910, something like that.

MC: How much?

MS: 20.

Oh, fair enough, isn't it?

Which I think there's a...

I don't think there's a huge profit in it.

No.

I mean, I would be happy with anything over £30.

MC: I always like these.

These little... Oh, little Black Foresty things.

MC: Yeah.

MS: Is he all perfect?

Ah, he is.

He's got a little bit of a teeny chew... MS: ..nibble... MC: Yeah.

Never mind his leg is gone.

Oh, no he hasn't, but I only paid... £20.

Oh well, that seems reasonable.

I mean...

I...

I mean, it seems reasonable to me.

VO: Will Margie find this jar sweet?

But I just thought it was a nice, commercial little piece.

And I think it was very cheap.

Well, it must have been with all... with this damage here.

Well, it's not a lot of damage, Margie.

I mean, a lot of Wemyss - I don't know if you handle china a lot, but a lot of Wemyss is restored, and it was £15.

Which I think is very reasonable.

That should double its money.

I mean, I should get £30 on that... Well, you obviously know all about Wemyss.

I should get 30 quid for it.

Yeah.

It's lovely.

Very colorful.

Very nice.

Good.

Now, you've probably seen this, because I saw you coming out of the shop.

Mm-hm.

Oh, yes, I did.

Yeah, I did.

And it's early 1970s, so it's modern.

Mm.

But I think it maybe coincided with Prince Charles's investiture.

Well, it's a bit late for that.

Well, no, it was ni... early '70s.

No, it was 1969.

Was it?

Well hang on.

How old was he, 21?

Yeah, but it was 1969 when... MC: Are you sure?

MS: Yeah, I... MS: I'm Welsh, Margie.

MC: Oh, yes, I'd forgotten.

I think I know when the Prince of Wales was invested.

Wasn't he born in '49?

'59, '60... so he's 20?

It was 1969, Margie.

Was it really?

VO: Ooh - is it me, or is this getting a bit tetchy?

MC: I paid... 38.

Well, I think it's a jolly good item.

Yeah, it's lovely And I'm glad one of us bought it.

VO: Mark's coasters now.

How many have we got here?

Ah, six of those, as I just said to you, Marjorie... Yeah, well, I didn't hear you... And one of these, which is seven.

Yeah.

Very nice.

It's rather nice, Margie, isn't it?

And how much did you pay for those?

£16.

Mm.

A little sliding book rest.

Yeah, it is.

Very nicely carved, late Victorian?

Erm... a little bit later, I think.

Do you think?

Mm, I think it's sort of about... 1910.

Well, I thought it was a bit earlier than that, actually.

MC: Oh, that's nice.

MS: It doesn't matter... Well, that's an added bonus.

Er, he was very nice and he let me have that for £20.

That's not bad.

VO: Last up, Mark's little precious.

Unfortunately, he's lost his back foot.

MC: (LAUGHS) Which is, I suppose another thing I fell...

But it's damned heavy, you know.

And I just think he has the sweetest face.

I mean, look at him, Margie.

Oh, you're really pleased, aren't you?

MS: Yeah.

MC: I'm pleased you're pleased.

VO: Hmm.

Well go on then, let's hear what you really think.

His church piece, yeah, the pitch pine piece, well he's really excited about it.

I'm not sure I would've spent £70, but he really loves it and if you really love something you've got to go for it.

I mean, the cup and saucer, I mean...

I don't really know what to say about it.

I mean, I know ceramics.

That would be the sort of thing you'd find in a job lot of ceramics.

I can't see a profit in that, I'm afraid.

VO: The final leg of Mark and Margie's road trip began in Hele near Exeter and will conclude at the auction in sunny Torquay.

Our experts have certainly had some tense moments - but as they head towards to the auction, their spirits are high.

VO: It must be the sea air!

MC: I can almost smell donkeys.

(SNIFFS) Can you smell donkeys?

Sorry about that, I think it's my breakfast.

VO: Pooh!

The final showdown will take place at the West of England Auctions.

We've got to do it, Margie, let's get in and see... see what our fate is.

We've got each other.

We have, yes, if all else fails, Margie.

VO: So what does auctioneer Warren Hunt think of our experts' choices?

The Edwardian hunting flask with the little plated top to it, it's nice, but it's not going to make a lot of money.

The worst in today's auction I think might be the gothic sign.

If the lettering was on there, the sky was the limit on that item, but unfortunately heavily rubbed out.

I don't think it's going to do very well at all.

VO: Now, Margie Cooper spent £108 on five auction lots, including an Edwardian hunting flask and a large Adams cup and saucer.

Alright, a tenner.

I'm losing money.

VO: Whereas Mark Stacey spent a little more, £151, on five auction lots, including a 19th century gothic pine frame - ha!

- and a cast iron model of a frog.

Go to sleep little froggie.

VO: Huh.

Could turn out to be a toad.

Well, this is it, no going back now.

There's only £40 separating our two experts.

This really could be anyone's auction.

Just got to be hopeful.

At least we've got each other.

We've got each other.

I'm not quite sure what a consolation prize that is, Marjorie, but we have got each other darling.

VO: First under the hammer is Mark with his art nouveau coasters.

WARREN: Start the bidding at £5.

MS: £5?

Start me at five?

Five is bid, thank you.

Can I see six?

Got a six is bid, eight?

10?

12, 14?

16.

18?

Are you all done at 16?

(GAVEL) MS: Well, that's a loss, Margie.

That's a pretty cracking start!

VO: Not a great beginning there.

A break even is a loss, actually, once the auction house takes off its commission.

It could have been worse, I think.

But it should have made a profit, Margie, they were nice.

VO: Margie's cup and saucer are up next.

The ones Mark hated.

Five is bid, thank you, sir... Got a fiver.

It's creeping up.

Five, opening bid.

Can I see six?

Six is bid.

Seven?

Eight?

Nine?

10?

12?

14?

16?

18?

£16, can I see 18?

Yes!

£16.

Are you all done at 16?

(GAVEL) MS: I just can't believe it.

MC: Great stuff.

VO: A bitter pill to swallow for Mark, because Margie's made a profit!

Who would have believed it.

Nobody.

VO: Mark's frame is next - the auctioneer wasn't keen on it, but what about the bidders?

WARREN: Gothic pine frame there.

Shame the writing's been slightly rubbed out.

Oh, thanks for selling it(!)

30 straightaway, do I see 35?

MC: There you go.

35 here, 40?

MC: There you go.

45?

50?

MC: There you go.

At £50, are we all done at 50?

MC: (SIGHS) VO: Well done that lady for getting a bargain, but a big blow for Mark.

Margie's catching up.

It's a general sale - it should've made more in my opinion, but that's the way it happens on the day.

VO: Margie's flask is up next.

Five is bid, thank you.

Six sir?

Seven?

Eight?

Nine?

10?

12 madam?

14?

16?

18?

20?

22?

24?

24 new bidder.

26?

28?

£26?

(GAVEL) MC: Oh.

VO: Another small profit for Margie.

Steady gains.

I think that should have made more, you know, because you had that lovely little top on it, which collapsed.

But they didn't show it.

And it was in the fitted case.

VO: Now, will someone love Mark's frog as much as Mark?

14?

16?

18?

20?

22?

24?

26?

28?

30?

32?

34?

36?

38?

It's a profit anyway, Margie.

MC: There is.

MS: At last.

Well, I paid £30 for that.

MC: Yeah.

MS: And it went for 38.

VO: A well needed profit.

Someone's keen on animals out there.

Anyone for a bear... hug?

30?

32?

34?

38?

MC: Black Forest.

MS: Well done.

WARREN: 40 VO: Wow!

The bear's quite a hit!

42?

Can I see 44?

WARREN: New bidder at 44.

MC: My word.

MS: Well done.

48?

50?

52?

54?

56?

58?

60?

You never know.

65?

65?

You never know.

70?

WARREN: £65.

MC: 20 quid... All done at 65?

(GAVEL) MC: You never know.

£45 profit, Margie.

Somebody wanted it.

Well done.

Several people wanted it.

VO: That has completely turned the tables.

Margie's edging ahead.

Well, would you believe the little bear?

Well done.

Romped home.

VO: And she's up again, with the buckle that Mark might have bought.

20?

Two?

24?

26?

28?

30?

Two?

34?

36?

38?

40?

Two?

At £40?

Are you all done at 40?

(GAVEL) I would've thought that should have made more than that.

I thought that was a better lot.

VO: Sadly, after commission, that is actually a loss.

£40 Margie.

Now, that's a disappointment.

I'm surprised at that.

VO: It's Margie's last lot now, her bookstand.

Start me £10?

MS: Oh, come on.

MC: (LAUGHS) Start me at 10, got to have 10?

10 is bid, thank you sir.

And 12 is bid.

14?

16?

18?

20?

22?

20 at the front here, can I see 22?

Surely it's worth a bit more than that.

At twent... 22 is bid.

24?

26?

28?

30?

32?

34?

That's more like it, Margie.

32 in the front.

Are you all done at 32?

(GAVEL) MS: Well done Margie.

That's the last one.

Gosh.

MS: £12 profit.

MC: What a relief.

VO: It's another solid profit for Margie.

Well done.

Thank you love.

VO: Margie's now well ahead.

But Mark still has two lots to go.

VO: His Doulton vase is next.

30?

32?

34?

36?

There you go.

£34, can I see 36... ?

Well, that's a reasonable profit.

MC: There you go.

WARREN: 38?

40?

42?

WARREN: 44?

46?

MC: There you go.

48?

50?

55 madam?

60?

55, are you all done at 55?

MC: There.

MS: I wasn't expecting that.

(GAVEL) MC: Has that cheered you up?

MS: A little bit.

VO: An excellent profit and our pair are once again neck and neck.

That's your best of the day and you thought it was a bit boring, didn't you?

It was.

D'you know what I'm gonna do now?

MC: What?

MS: Buy boring.

VO: It all comes down to the last lot of the day.

If Mark makes the profit he hopes for, he'll be the winner.

VO: Tension!

MC: And we are so close.

This is gonna be the decider.

VO: Hold on to your hats, the deciding lot is Mark's Wemyss-ware.

Start me at £20?

Oh, come on.

MC: Come on.

WARREN: Got to be worth £10.

MS: Oh, come on.

10?

10 is bid, thank you madam.

Can I see £12?

There's a £10 opening bid.

Oh, this is silly.

12 is bid.

14?

MC: There you go.

16?

18?

£18, can I see 20?

At £18.

Gosh, this is cheap.

Are you done at 18?

MS: This is for nothing.

(GAVEL) MC: (SIGHS) That's absolutely for nothing, I'm afraid.

VO: Maybe because it was broken, Mark!

There you go, Margie, that's it, it's all over.

It's over.

Bar the crying.

VO: Now, let's see where that leaves us - and remember, all profits go to Children In Need.

Mark Stacey started the final leg with £281.86 and made a loss of £5.86 after auction costs, leaving him with exactly £276 at the end of the journey.

I'll have to have a fan.

VO: Whereas Margie Cooper kicked off with £245.86, today, and made a profit of £38.78 after auction costs, leaving her with a total of £284.64, just nudging her into the winning position by a mere £8!

VO: Ha!

MC: I can't believe it.

Eight quid.

I won by £8 and I've beaten Mark Stacey on my first series.

I cannot believe it.

I'm delighted.

VO: Oh, Margie.

You'll have ME going in a minute!

MC: (GIGGLES) Ho-ho!

No wonder you're smiling.

Can't believe it.

We've had our highs and lows, haven't we?

Pff!

What a journey!

Shall we walk off into the sunset together?

MC: Definitely.

MS: Hand in hand.

MS: Are we still talking?

MC: I think we are.

VO: What a week it's been.

Our Road Trip rookie Margie has defeated a Gaelic goliath in Mark, but it wasn't always plain sailing... MS: Oh, look at the cows.

Oh no, they're horses.

VO: There was panic aplenty...

I'm in desperation and I haven't got a clue.

What am I gonna do?

Bit panicky now.

Beginning to panic.

Just getting a bit panicky.

Time's up.

Very funny!

VO: And some unconventional bargaining...

I have never sold a pair of police...

So, if you can stand a bit closer, darling.

Oh, I see.

I haven't got BO.

Let's try it again, shall we?

I've never sold a pair of policeman's... DEALER: Handcuffs.

Thank you.

I'll try it again.

Where's the money?

(THEY LAUGH) VO: Despite the odd testy moment, Margie and Mark have struck up a friendship, as they've wound, wend and shopped their way from east to west.

MS: You know what they say - the sun only shines on the righteous.

VO: Next week we're with veteran Road Tripper Thomas Plant and new boy Mark Hales.

Thomas will try anything to melt the dealer's heart.

Halfway at 65.

Oh, you do drive a hard bargain.

I'm only trying.

VO: Although it doesn't always work.

40?

DEALER: (LAUGHS) VO: Mark may be new, but he doesn't mess about striking a deal.

Yeah, wrap it up for me, that's brilliant.

VO: And he's a real animal lover.

So, an animal in distress, what do we do?

We give him a home, don't we?

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