♪ >> 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.

♪ The blue van is back on the move.

Whoo-hoo!

>> We are off.

>> Let's go, let's go.

>> This morning, we're in Shropshire, home of rolling hills, patchwork fields, and even some local household names.

>> This is home turf for me.

>> Is it, now?

>> Yep, it is.

>> Local lass driving around in a lovely car with a handsome guy.

What more could you want?

>> Where's the handsome guy?

>> [ Laughs ] >> Ah, you know I love you, really, Will.

>> I mean, this is so Shropshire to me.

This is high hedges, open roads, cloud... >> Nice country air.

>> Lots of trees for you to admire.

>> Exactly.

Lots of wood.

♪ >> And hopefully some hidden treasures, too.

We're en route to see husband and wife Chris and Sue Dewhirst, who are about to make a move of a lifetime.

>> And we're going from Shropshire to Cornwall.

>> In the summer, we used to find ourselves just constantly going down there.

It was our happy place.

>> They're saying goodbye to the house they once shared with their only son, Matthew.

In July 2012, he was in rugby training when tragedy struck.

>> And at 20 past 4:00 in the afternoon, I got the call to say that I needed to come down to the pitch.

And so I immediately phoned Chris, and we both made our way down there.

♪ By the time we got there, um, Matthew had died, and the air ambulance were there and the police and lots of other people.

Matthew was 17 years old.

He died from something that we now know to be called Brugada syndrome, which is young, sudden cardiac death.

You don't expect to see a young person die like that.

But literally, he just collapsed on the pitch.

>> Matthew was a gentle giant.

He enjoyed making people smile.

>> Well known in the area for their charity work, Sue and Chris have spent the last 10 years raising awareness of the condition which took Matthew's life.

>> We just wish that other kids, you know, 14 upwards, even younger, actually realize they are not superhuman.

They could become part of this problem, because 12 a week are dying, if not more.

>> Whatever money they can make at our auction will go to fund ECG heart screening for children.

This test costs just £50 but could really save lives.

>> So it's our job to help them.

We have just one day to sort through their belongings and get everything ready for auction.

>> Let's get cracking.

[ Knock on door ] >> Come in.

>> Ooh!

Hi.

>> Hiya.

>> Hello!

>> Welcome to us.

>> Thank you very much.

>> Good to see you.

Good to meet you, too.

>> Now, I believe there's quite a lot of things that you need our help with.

>> There's an awful lot we need your help with.

>> Okay.

Whereabouts?

Give us a bit of a guide.

>> Everywhere.

>> So we are going to have a wander at will.

>> Please do.

>> Fab.

Alright.

Let's get cracking.

>> What's in here, then?

>> I'm on the hunt for items that could make some decent money at auction.

What a lovely three-piece suite.

>> Very nice.

>> Furniture.

Starting downstairs.

Ooh.

Looks like Poole Pottery.

So we got some Poole Pottery here and here.

>> While I'm keeping an eye out for any fixer-uppers that I can bring back to life.

Ooh, look at this.

That's really nice, isn't it?

>> Oh, hello.

Do you know who it's by?

>> Yes.

>> Who's it by?

>> Mousey.

>> It is, absolutely.

Robert Thompson of Kilburn.

>> Nicknamed Mousey, Mouseman.

>> Mouseman.

>> Mouseman.

>> Yeah.

>> Apparently liked to be called Mousey.

Yeah.

[ Laughs ] That was his informal name.

>> This is a really nice oak cheeseboard or breadboard?

>> It is, absolutely, a cheeseboard.

Robert Thompson was an early-20th-century carpenter.

At a time when handcrafted woodwork was being replaced by mass-produced items, he went against the grain, working with traditional tools and English oak to produce beautiful handmade pieces.

The quality of his work is highly regarded and very collectible.

Now, do you know why he started carving mice on things?

>> I don't know.

>> In 1919, apparently, there's a reputed conversation between two wood-carvers, and he was -- I think he was carving a screen or something at the time, and it came about, one of them said to the other, "We're as poor as church mice."

And that was when he started putting mice in his work.

>> Really?

>> Yeah.

So, that was in 1919.

So it can't predate that.

>> Funny enough, I used to carve wooden mice in university, and I was equally as poor as a church mouse.

>> [ Laughing ] Oh, really?

>> So, there we are.

>> I think we can all relate to that at some point.

>> Really nice.

You could sand all these scratches and these cut marks out, but I think it's sort of integral to the piece.

So a light clean, a wax, and a bath gets it gorgeous again.

♪ >> With a little Will Kirk elbow grease, I'd value the cheeseboard at £100 to £150.

>> You've got a lot of faith in my waxing and buffing capabilities.

>> I have.

Do not let me down.

>> No, no, of course not.

>> But if you crack on with that, I will crack on with the animal menagerie.

And if I find anything else, I'll bring it out to you.

>> You know where to find me.

>> I do.

Absolutely.

♪ >> I'll leave you to find more salable items indoors while I take a closer look at that cheeseboard back at the van.

>> Boys and their toys.

Have fun.

>> It's quite dry on the underside, but the top is quite tacky, so I presume it has actually been used.

This needs a light clean, really.

It doesn't need anything too invasive to get some life back into it.

The wood needs some waxing to give it some extra shine and protection.

But before I get buffing, I need to degrease the cheeseboard first.

I'm going to use a combination of white spirits, a bit of turps, and some linseed oil -- a homemade solution of my own concoction.

The solvents will take the dirt and grime off, while the linseed oil will bring out the color and grain of the word.

Great for the cheeseboard, but not for my hands, so it's gloves on.

I actually learnt how to make this at university.

It's one of the first things that they taught us, cleaning furniture.

I think a lot of people overclean their furniture, which can remove a lot of the original polish and the finish.

But already you can see how the linseed oil is nourishing the wood and it's cleaning it up really well.

That light clean has already done so much.

It's taken off that surface, but it hasn't affected the wood or the sort of polishing marks underneath.

That mouse was really dirty, but now it's looking handsome once again.

Right, well, I'm going to let that dry.

And when it's ready, I'll give the cheeseboard a good old bath, ready for many more years of cheese action.

>> So, a storage pot.

We got "Poole Pottery" there.

Quite a modern mark, but nonetheless, we've got a nice little group.

And while you're polishing your wood, I'm still scouring the first room for any potential goodies.

How cute is that.

That is a little 19th-century elm, possibly, looking at the grain there.

It is an utterly charming little thing.

Sue, come and tell me about this stool.

>> Well, I believe it was made by my great-grandfather on my mother's side of the family.

>> Right.

>> But it has got a few knocks, and it looks as though it's been eaten a bit by the worms.

[ Both laugh ] >> It has been some woodworm's rather delicious lunch, hasn't it?

>> Yes.

>> And dinner and breakfast the following morning.

>> Yes, and it looks as though somebody has caked on some stain and varnish.

>> Unfortunately, at some point, we've got a bit of a loose leg there, as well.

>> Yes.

Is it something that you think Will could help with?

>> Well, we'll find out, won't we?

I'll go and take you to him.

>> Jolly good.

[ Chuckles ] >> This little stool needs a lot of attention -- a job for a man in a van.

Will?

Hello.

>> Hey.

>> [ Chuckles ] I found you a little stool that might need a little bit of TLC.

>> That is very sweet, isn't it?

>> But I'm assuming you can't do anything about the woodworm on the top.

>> No.

>> Kind of done and dusted now.

>> Been and gone.

>> Yeah, literally, they've eaten most of the top.

But it's character.

>> Exactly.

>> We do have some issues with some wobbles and some loose joints.

Work your magic, won't you?

>> Work my magic.

>> Thank you.

♪ A hard sell in its current state, but once you've got the stool fixed up, I could see someone paying £30 to £50 for it.

>> Well, I'll do my best to get it up to scratch.

>> You do that, because every penny we make at auction will go to charities who provide heart screenings.

>> We know that by helping them, they're going to be able to help thousands of other young people, men and women, and also help those that have lesser cardiac issues from becoming chronic.

>> So I'm determined to uncover some forgotten riches in order to raise as much money as possible.

Right, on to room two.

So, what have we got in here?

There's a box here, which is just full of coins.

And found the 1914 to 1918 Great War medal.

The First World War medals were always named.

Second World War medals, not so much.

So this one was named to GNR, so that would be gunner.

"T. Dewhirst" -- so this must be one of Chris' ancestors.

See, also, these would have been issued in three -- what was commonly known as Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred.

Automatically issued to veterans or their relatives from World War I, the medals are named after three animal characters from a popular Daily Mirror comic strip of the time.

Pip was a dog; Squeak, a penguin; and completing the three, Wilfred was a baby bunny.

They were issued as a pair or trio, depending on service, and are the most likely medals to be found in your drawers at home.

Oh, there we go.

There's another one -- "Gunner T.

Dewhirst."

There's the other one.

Hello.

That's really sweet that we've got a photo of what looks to be a World War I soldier.

So I wonder whether that might be our Gunner Dewhirst.

Hopefully, Chris can shed some light on these family heirlooms.

Speaking of which, how are you getting on with Sue's ancestral seat, Will?

>> This is such a nice stool.

It's a bit too small for me, being 6 foot, but I think, once it's a bit studier, someone is going to really love this.

The joints go back in quite nicely, so I think, with a bit of glue, I can push it back into place.

And while I'm fixing the loose leg, I also want to make sure that no other parts come loose in the future.

So I'm breaking the stool down into individual pieces before reassembling.

That has come apart really easily, actually.

I think the original glue had been really dried out, and that's why it's really wobbly.

Now, I'm going to use some standard wood glue to stick this back together.

Wood glue will form a bond in 10 minutes.

And as the joints are so tight, it should hold together quite well.

It would be easy to dismiss this old stool and let it be thrown out, but I'm sure somebody at the auction will appreciate its usefulness.

There we are, glued up and back on all fours.

Now I just need to give the stool a bit of love.

Wax has been used on furniture for hundreds of years.

This is great, because it's going to protect the wood but also really enhance the lovely grain.

Now, this won't take me long.

How are you getting on, Christina?

>> Well, while you've been busy, I've been no slouch myself, rummaging high and low for genuine antiques.

However, I'm still keen to learn more about these four medals.

Hi, Chris.

>> Hi, there.

>> Now, I've been having a little rummage, and I found some World War I medals and a little sweetheart brooch.

>> That's my granddad.

Eddie Walling.

>> This person here does not relate to who's on these medals here?

>> No, I think those will be Tom Dewhirst, which is my dad's dad.

>> You're absolutely right.

"Gunner T. Dewhirst, R.A.," so Royal Artillery.

>> Yeah.

>> Well, they do make a really nice little group as a First World War sort of interest.

>> Yeah.

>> Modest value, but are you thinking you want to sell them?

>> Yeah, I mean, basically, people who collect those type of things, it's something that they like.

There's no value to me, because I can't actually remember Eddie, because he died when I was 2.

And Tom, he died when I was 7.

So there's no memories related to them.

>> I'm sure we'll be able to find a new home for them where they go on display with another collection.

>> Very good.

>> The full set of three would be worth more, but I'd still estimate these to make between £40 and £60 at auction.

>> Very good.

>> Brilliant.

Well, thank you.

I will go and add them to the group.

>> Yeah.

>> Well, with the stool finished, time for me to have a quick shufty upstairs.

This is nice.

Now, this is a Lloyd Loom chair.

It's a bit smaller than what I've seen before, but it's really quite sweet.

Now, there's a real craft to making these.

I think this is made out of kraft paper woven together to get this really nice shape.

They have to be really careful with cleaning these, because they're made of paper.

If you add any water there, it's going to break into pieces.

>> Whilst kraft paper is typically used in packaging in the early 20th century, American inventor Marshall Burns Lloyd developed a method of weaving the paper into material like rattan.

Lloyd started manufacturing chairs from his new material, and they rocketed in popularity.

By the 1930s, barely a hotel or restaurant could be found that didn't feature some of these chairs.

>> I think I might know someone who can get this looking lovely again with a new lease of life for many more generations to come.

I think I'll take this with us.

>> Meanwhile, I've already gone through the two biggest rooms downstairs.

>> I know you like the sparkly stuff.

>> I do, [Laughs] I do.

>> And I've found a couple of pieces... >> Right.

>> ...that I think -- well, I'm kind of hoping they might have some value.

>> So, I've made my way upstairs to the bedrooms to see what else I can find.

Ooh, look at that!

What's this?

>> Well, it's a tiger's-eye.

>> Not a real one, of course.

That's the name given to this amber-colored quartz gemstone, which display something known as chatoyancy, an optical effect similar to when light bounces off a cat's eye.

>> My mother and I both love tiger's-eye.

>> Oh, it's weighty, isn't it?

>> Isn't it just?

>> Yeah, that -- I mean, that, to me, looks very 1960s, 1970s.

>> Yeah, it was the '70s when she bought it.

I can remember wearing it to a Christmas party at work, and I felt I was the bee's knees.

[ Both laugh ] It really stood out.

>> But will it stand out at auction.

I'll give them a closer look at the van and check in on Will.

Look at you, busy bee.

>> Busying away over here.

>> Yeah, you are.

Hey, this is a rare opportunity for me to sit in the van.

>> Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Don't touch anything that's not yours.

>> [ Laughs ] Well, it just -- Just so we're absolutely clear -- okay?

-- I get one tiny shelf; you got the whole van.

>> Well, maybe because I get very little space in my own house, so that I'm kind of trying to overcompensate here.

>> You're just moving in.

Right, let's have a look.

I found some goodies.

Let's see if I can find a mark.

I'm using my jeweler's loupe, which is a high-magnification tool.

But most of you have something at home that could also work extraordinarily well to get a clearer view of those elusive marks.

If you have a smartphone, you can take a photograph and really zoom in on the mark if you haven't got a jeweler's loupe.

So this tells me that the ring is 20-karat gold.

You got the little 22 there.

You've got the leopard's head there, which is the standard mark for London.

And then you've also got the data letter there, which, in this instance, is a Gothic "K." I think that it's a date that's after 1925.

Research done, I think it's time to share the news with Sue about how much this forgotten jewelry is worth.

Hello.

>> Hi.

>> Right, I have had a good chance to go through your jewelry that we looked at upstairs.

So, all in all, I would say we've got almost £1,000 worth of jewelry here.

>> Gosh, if you do it in heart-screening terms, that's 20 young hearts that could be screened.

>> Yeah, which is incredible.

>> It is.

>> In the decades since his death, Sue and Chris have kept Matthew's memory alive by dedicating themselves to charity work and fundraising.

>> Well, since his death, his life, for us both -- well, life was never going to be the same.

I started to get more involved in organizing fundraising events, et cetera, so that Matthew didn't ever get forgotten.

I suppose that was my biggest fear, that I didn't want him to just have died and for people to have forgotten about him.

>> So we need to keep hunting for some more salable pieces, and there's still plenty of house left to search.

Fancy lending a hand, Will?

>> Absolutely.

Surely there's something else that could use my magic touch.

Hello.

>> How are you doing?

>> Not bad.

How are you getting on here?

>> I want to talk to you about some more mice.

>> I've just spotted two mice there.

They're so sweet.

>> More mice.

They are breeding in this house.

>> These look in pretty good condition.

>> Yeah, they are.

I mean, there seems to be some gunk on the bottom of one.

>> So that needs to go, ideally.

>> I think so.

Yes, let's try and sort of get it back to its original condition.

And then, on one of them, see, those water and drip trays I think are contemporary to the piece.

>> Yeah.

>> But then one of them, I think, has wobbled off at some point.

It's got a really nasty -- Yeah, exactly.

>> That's not that original.

>> That is not contemporary to the piece.

[ Both laugh ] Mouseman pieces do vary in price, but if we can attract interest from the right bidders, I'd value these at between £300 and £500.

>> Leave it with me, and I'll clean them up.

>> Magic.

Can you do something about the candles?

>> I'll try.

[ Both laugh ] These candlesticks need a bit of work to get them auction-ready, but details are important to collectors.

First off, with Chris' help, I need to replace that nasty, modern screw with something more contemporary.

In this candlestick, on the top, I have a really nice slotted dome-head screw, which is lovely and in keeping with the piece.

However, with this one, that sort of Phillips-head screw needs to go.

I have, however, found in my box a good replacement there.

So I give you the honor [Chuckling] of replacing it.

>> Okay.

>> That's for you, that's for you.

I think you did a good job with replacing, it because it can be quite dangerous having a lit candle on the top.

However, I think if you want to sell these at auction, we need a nice matching pair.

That came out pretty quickly.

>> Yeah.

What do you think that Matthew would have thought about what we're doing here today?

>> Well, I think he'd have been happy because he did like social things with other people.

And I think possibly the true fact that we're doing it for a charity, 'cause he did quite a bit of work with some of the charities, particularly around sport and music, which he was very good at.

>> Well, it's all for a good cause.

>> Yes.

>> Back indoors, we're moving on to Matthew's bedroom.

It's been almost 10 years since he died, but Sue and Chris have left his room virtually untouched.

>> Matthew's bedroom, up till two weeks ago, was exactly as it was the morning he got up and left it, in that there was the can of lemonade on the side, his alarm clock, the calendars.

Everything was exactly as he left it.

>> Sweet papers.

>> The sweet papers under the bed.

Yes.

Um, yeah, I couldn't bring myself to do anything.

And the bed hadn't been changed for over nine years, because I just -- I wanted to know his smell was still there.

And so, uh, yeah, things like that stayed.

And it was only a couple of weeks ago, as I say, that we finally made the decision to -- it was time to have a clean and clear up and sort things out.

>> My goodness, is this Matthew's bedroom, Sue?

>> This is Matthew's room.

>> Aww.

>> With all his treasures.

All the teams he played for.

Music, as well.

So, all the scholars and that.

Got a couple of things I'd like you to have a look at, if you don't mind.

>> It would be an absolute honor to, Sue.

What are we looking at?

>> Well, Matthew loved his classical guitar, and this is the guitar that he played, and played from age 8 right up to his death.

Yes, it was probably a couple of years before he died, he managed to convince us that he needed an electric guitar.

But the little cherub never actually bothered to play it.

>> Oh!

Sue, is that a Fender Strat?

>> It is.

>> The Fender Stratocaster, king of electric guitars, played by rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.

I think that at auction, a sensible estimate would probably be £600 to £800.

>> Okay.

>> Figure.

>> Yeah?

>> Would that be alright?

>> That's fine.

It needs to, you know, be loved, be used.

>> As well as that, I've also come across Matthew's trading-card collection, which could fetch between £300 and £500.

And tucked away in a corner cupboard, more than 20 boxes of Lego, which I'd estimate all together, could make between £1,000 and £2,000.

It must be so hard for Sue and Chris.

The only comparable experience I have is when I lost my father.

He was very much a handyman.

He loved tinkering with engines and stripping down engines and putting them back together just for fun.

So his workshop, for me, was the worst part of clearing out, because, to me, it wasn't worth anything, but it was the emotional attachment.

I just associated him with his workshop.

And I think Sue and Chris would absolutely do this.

This is Matthew's bedroom.

This was his haven.

This was his sanctuary.

This is where he had all the stuff that he loved doing.

And I have just so much respect for Sue and Chris for starting to feel ready to start this process, to move on to the next part of their lives and start to live again.

>> I think, because I've made my mind up and Chris is in agreement with me that this is what we have to do, it's going to happen.

I don't mean it to sound hard, but that's why we've made the decision to move, because the time was right.

>> Amazingly, a lot of this Lego is still in its original packaging, making it highly collectible.

>> While my collector's pieces are coming along rather nicely.

I'm about to start the next stage of sprucing up those candlesticks.

Now, this chisel is making light work of the stuff underneath here.

It's like a hot knife through butter.

Very sharp.

It reminds me of my apprentice days, sharpening chisels for days and days on end.

But a sharp chisel is actually safer than a blunt chisel.

A blunt chisel, you can't trust.

It can slip quite easily.

Where, with this, you know exactly what you're doing.

[ Sandpaper rubbing ] And there we are, all gone.

Nice and smooth.

The chisel hasn't removed any of the wood.

It's just taken off the sort of plasticky glue on the underside.

The sandpaper is just smoothing it out.

>> Oh, you are good, Will.

Now, I think we've just about covered the whole house.

But we have one last room to look through.

>> We've got a selection of royal memorabilia.

My family were pretty keen on collecting anything with royal connections, and I just wondered if they'd be worth it.

>> And you've got some quite nice sort of examples with unusual handles, as well.

They just don't tend to make a lot at auction, if I'm perfectly honest, because, sadly, by their very nature, they were commemorative, whereas they were made for everybody, and therefore there were so many produced that they just aren't as scarce as you would like them to be.

But what are those?

>> That my Mouseman bookends.

[ Laughs ] >> Oh, more Mouseman.

>> Mm.

>> What are they doing in here?

>> Well, they're holding my books up.

>> This house breeds mice.

>> [ Laughs ] Yes, I think it does.

>> Or Mousemen.

>> Yes.

>> These are incredible.

I've never seen Mousemen bookends like these before.

>> Well, they came from Canada.

>> Why were they in Canada?

Because they started off life in Yorkshire.

>> My uncle was over here just after the Second World War.

>> Right.

>> And he went to visit the Mouseman factory.

>> Right.

>> And obviously took them back to Canada with him.

Sadly, when he then died, my aunt packaged them up, sent them to me, saying, "Well, you're married to a Yorkshireman.

You better have them."

>> Those are beautiful.

So, I might be wrong, but I believe that the collective noun for mice is a mischief, I think.

So I'm going to go and add these to our other very mischievous mice.

>> Very good.

Thank you, Christina.

>> These bookends are my favorite Mouseman pieces yet, and I think they could even make up to £1,000 at auction.

From the cheeseboard to the Fender Stratocaster, Sue and Chris's home has been a real treasure trove.

>> And we've managed to give a new lease of life to a few forgotten pieces of furniture, which I hope will do well when they go under the hammer.

>> But most of all, I hope we've helped Sue and Chris as they get ready to move on with their life and part with some of Matthew's possessions.

>> And remember that tired Lloyd Loom chair I found?

Well, it's made its way to Glasgow and French polisher Steve Gannon.

He has over 20 years of experience resurrecting tired pieces of furniture.

>> It's a nice little piece.

Some of these pieces are often for a sentimental value, with people actually holding on to them for generations.

The worst that they come in here, it's always good for us because it's easier for us to make them look better.

>> Well, this poor chair has seen better days.

But luckily, Steve is a restoration master.

>> To get it all looking nice and fresh again, spray painting it white will have the nicest effect on it.

And it'll look as good as new.

>> Before painting, preparation is key.

That means degreasing, sanding down, and priming before applying the topcoat.

>> I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I'd say that's our work done.

Time to load up and head out.

>> Whoa.

>> Take it slow.

Okay.

Let's go.

♪ >> Aww.

>> Lovely.

>> What a great day.

>> Got loads of good stuff.

>> Long day, but a good day.

Wow, there's so many breaks in this van.

>> [ Laughs ] ♪ >> Rise and shine.

It's auction time.

Since our visit a few weeks ago, Sue and Chris have made the big move down to Cornwall.

Meanwhile, their items have been cataloged and listed online for sale.

>> I'm feeling quietly confident, though.

I think we've got some good lots there.

>> Yeah, I'm feeling quietly confident, but also those butterflies won't go away.

They will not go away.

Today, our roaming rostrum is heading to the Ceramic City, Stoke-on-Trent.

Stoke is the birthplace of the ceramic industry in this country.

So it's all about handcrafted, beautiful items made that will stand the test of time.

>> I'm a woodman.

>> Yeah.

>> I work with wood.

Not too much on ceramic.

>> No, you better not go into the factory or anything.

My goodness, it's going to be a disaster.

[ Both laugh ] Talk about a bull in a china shop; it's going to be like a Will in a china shop.

[ Both laugh ] >> Exactly.

The six towns of Stoke-on-Trent, collected to as The Potteries, were the center of the British pottery industry in the 18th century.

One pottery to flourish was Burleigh, which prides itself on being Britain's last continuously working Victorian pottery.

Today we're setting up shop at the historic Middleport Pottery, home of Burleigh since 1889.

Revolutionary for its time, it was known locally as the Seven Oven Works, due to its three biscuit and four glost bottle ovens.

However, today just one oven remains.

[ Flames whooshing ] So exciting!

>> Ah, I'll tell you what's exciting -- trying to get the van in here.

>> [ Laughs ] >> Here we go.

>> Come on, Will, you can do it.

You can do it.

>> There we are.

Located along the banks of the Trent and Mersey Canal, it's a popular visitor destination, so we should be able to pull in the punters.

>> Alrighty.

Whoo!

>> Let's get this open.

>> You've been looking after my rostrum with your careful driving?

>> Yes.

Yeah, yeah.

>> That's good.

Good, good, good, good, good.

You're not quite that strong.

>> Here we go.

>> Alrighty.

Where are we going?

This way?

>> Let's go this way.

>> You're going that way?

[ Laughs ] Good, you're going backwards again.

But as well as pitching our wares to the locals, we've also invited some professional dealers and attracted online interest.

So, hopefully, we'll get some good bidding action.

I've just been having a little look at the interest in our auction online, and it appears to be that the guitar and the Mouseman lot that we have are the most popular.

I just think they might attract a little bit more interest having had the magic touch of Will Kirk.

>> Well, here's hoping.

In Middleport's heyday, the Trent and Mersey Canal brought clay to the potteries and allowed the fragile porcelain and china to be transported safely away.

The precious cargo arriving by narrowboat today is Sue.

Unfortunately, Chris is not quite shipshape, so won't make it today, But I'll make sure Sue is well-looked-after.

>> Look at you, Sue!

>> Hi.

>> Very stylish.

>> Wow!

We came by ban.

You've come by boat.

That's incredible.

>> Your Majesty, please join us.

>> Thank you.

>> We need a red carpet.

>> Lovely to see you.

>> Lovely to see you.

Should we get going?

>> Let's go.

>> Yes, please.

♪ >> First of all, I've got a surprise for Sue.

Do you remember this?

>> I do.

Crikey.

>> [ Chuckles ] >> It's so different.

>> I'd have it from myself, but I think it's a bit too small for my hips.

[ Laughs ] >> Tend to agree with you, there, Will.

>> You've done such a great job.

Thank you so much.

>> This cause is so close to Sue and Chris' heart.

I'm really hoping that the work I've done to restore some of these items is going to bring in the extra cash.

>> As well as those restored pieces, there are 51 other lots going under the hammer.

The more cash we raise, the more Sue and Chris can donate to fund heart screenings.

♪ >> There's a buzz in the air as bidders and boaters take their places on the canal bank.

But this isn't just any old auction.

It's an important day for Sue as she bids farewell to Matthew's things.

♪ >> It is kind of bittersweet because it's been so long in our home and then, all of a sudden, it's here -- mixed emotions.

>> Mixed emotions.

Well, I'm hoping it's all going to sell today, and we're raising money for a good cause.

>> Exactly.

>> That's right.

Now we've got Michelle and Stuart from Richard Winterton auctioneers manning the phone and online bids.

Time to put that gavel to work, Christina.

>> Okay, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, let's start with the auction.

>> First up, Matthew's 2004 Fender Stratocaster Deluxe, valued at £600-plus.

>> This was absolutely treasured by Sue's son, Matthew.

He thought it was really rather wonderful.

And I have interest here.

I've got £600, £650, £700, £750, £800, £850, £900, Sue.

At £900, I have online at £900.

Fair warning, at £900.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> That's £300 more than we expected.

So, £900.

>> Oh, that's excellent.

>> We're off to a flying start.

Let's see if we can keep it going with the first of the Mouseman pieces.

>> Hours of cleaning and waxing and buffing, so you're getting a bit of me on the chopping board, as well.

How about that?

[ Laughter ] >> We've got £100, £200, £300, £400, £500, £620 is bid online.

>> Think of that.

>> I can't believe it.

At £620.

Will, this is your cheeseboard at £620.

You could knock Sue over with a feather.

All finished at £620.

[ Gavel bangs ] All that hard work certainly paid off.

That's over five times the estimate.

>> Oh, that's amazing!

>> Done.

My goodness.

Matthew's highly sought-after 1990s trading-card collection now.

Hopefully, they'll find a good home.

And I have already in front of me, I've got £200, £220, £240, £260, £280, and £300 is bid.

>> Now, these cards were collectible quite a long time ago, but it looks like they're still collectible now.

>> And if all settles, I will sell, make no mistake, if we're all done, at £300.

>> £300?

>> At £300.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> Amazing.

That's what I call playing your cards right.

That's good.

>> It is.

>> And it's more of Matthew's treasures up next.

The first of his Lego lots is about to go under the hammer.

And already here, I have got £160, £180, £200 is bid.

£220.

They're back.

>> £220?

>> £240, they're back.

At £240 is bid.

£260 is bid.

At £260, I have.

I'm looking for £280.

>> £260 for a box of Lego.

>> It's a big box of Lego.

>> [ Chuckling ] Right.

>> Online at £260.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> £260.

Looks like I've been collecting the wrong stuff all my life.

>> Ditch the wood.

Go for the Lego.

>> Maybe you're right, Sue.

And after another 20 Lego sets go under the hammer... >> Lot 22 at £130.

[ Gavel bangs ] At £10.

[ Gavel bangs ] We're selling internationally at £50.

[ Gavel bangs ] The money is certainly stacking up.

And next, we've got more Mouseman.

Let's see what these bookends can do.

I've already got bids flashing away in front of me.

I've got £800.

£900, I have.

>> £900 on the bookends.

>> £950 just in time.

At £950.

It's at £950.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> Oho-ho-ho.

Amazing.

>> You should have modeled them.

>> I should have modeled those.

It's enough to make you squeak with delight.

>> And we're only just getting started.

It's the World War I medals next.

I've got £25, £35, £40 with me on commission.

At £40, who is my commissioned bidder, I will sell these.

If there's no further interest, I'm selling, if we're all settled, all finished, at £40.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> Bang on the estimate with that one.

It's all starting to add up.

>> It is.

>> Moving on to the jewelry section for today's auction.

The tiger's-eye pendant is up next.

I already have interest here.

I'm starting this at £220.

>> £220.

>> But selling, is all settled, at £220.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> Well, that's another cracking result for Chris and Sue.

And when you add in what we take from the other jewelry lots... >> The bid is at £130 online.

[ Gavel bangs ] I'm selling, if we're all settled.

[ Gavel bangs ] The bid is at £110.

[ Gavel bangs ] The kitty is building up rather nicely.

>> You pleased?

>> Very.

>> Next, it's some more of my handiwork -- the 19th-century elm stool.

>> Will, show them what you did.

>> Lovely stool.

[ Laughs ] >> Really rather... >> Cleaned and polished with these hands.

Might be slightly flawed for some people, but very comfortable, I can assure you.

>> Rustic piece and, clearly, very substantial, Will, if you sat on it.

[ Laughs ] >> He tested it for wobble factor.

>> Oh, good, wobble factor.

And does it have wobble factor?

>> It is as sturdy as it's ever going to be.

>> There we go.

Well, it's a beautiful piece, and I have interest in it online already at £20.

At £20.

I have here online at £20.

I'm looking for £25.

£25, I have.

Thank you, sir.

At £25, bidding in the hat.

Selling to the man in a hat at £25.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> I'm chuffed with that.

It's got many more years of use ahead.

I love that stool.

Really well-made.

>> It's really cute.

>> Another seat up for grabs now -- the refurbished Lloyd Loom rocking chair.

It has had a fresh lick of paint.

It's looking really rather smart.

And I've got a bid -- a good starting bid here -- of £5.

£10 and £15 is bid now.

At £15, is bid.

At £15.

Fair warning at £15.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> Fantastic.

Another neglected old chair brought back to life, and off to a good home.

>> I think some dolls would look good in that.

>> [ Chuckles ] >> And the bids just keep rolling in.

£240, £260, £280 and £300 is bid.

>> And we raised more money for a cause close to their hearts.

>> At £130.

[ Gavel bangs ] £260.

[ Gavel bangs ] Until we get down to our final lot, the last of the Mouseman pieces.

I think these might fly.

The bid is online at £540.

I'm looking for £560.

At £545, £560 on the phone.

>> £560.

>> Got a phone bid.

>> Phone bids, as well.

>> £580, £600, £620, £640.

Is already online at £640.

£660 is bid online now.

At £660, I have £680 on the phone.

£700 is bid.

At £700, £750, £800.

At £800, I have.

Looking for £850 from you now on the phone.

Are you out on the phone?

>> We are.

>> You're out on the phone.

If we're all settled, at £800.

[ Gavel bangs ] >> £500 over the estimate, and we're all sold up.

What a terrific day.

>> That concludes today's auction, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you so much for joining us, both online and here at Middleport Pottery, as well.

Thank you, thank you.. >> That was pretty good gaveling, Christina.

>> I genuinely can't imagine how Sue must be feeling at the moment.

She must feel very conflicted.

She must be hugely emotional.

It's a very, very emotional day.

But I am utterly, utterly delighted that we have managed to raise so much money.

And once saleroom fees are taken off, let's find out just how much money we're talking about.

How are you feeling, Sue?

>> Shell-shocked, in a way, because I wasn't expecting certain things to do as well as they did.

But, you know, all thanks to you two, so brilliant.

>> Well, it has been the most incredible day.

>> It has.

>> And I can say we made... >> £6,223.

>> Well, that's brilliant, because that's well over 120 hearts then, that can be screened.

>> Oh!

>> Yes.

>> 120 hearts?

>> Yeah.

Thank you both very, very much.

>> Time to share the good news with Chris.

>> It went really well.

Yeah, yeah.

We've, um -- We've raised, after costs and everything, £6,200.

Yeah.

Amazing.

>> Well done.

>> Well done.

>> Well done.

>> Well done, you.

You were great up there.

You have rostrum selling and... >> Sailing away.

>> Sailing away.

[ Both laugh ] Time to pack up and hit the road.

>> [ Laughs ] >> And we're off.

>> Okay.

Until next time.

♪ The sun is shining, Will.

That's the main thing.

What a fantastic day.

[Speaking indistinctly], Will?

>> We certainly are.

>> [ Chuckles ] ♪ ♪ ♪