The Repair Shop - Season 7 / Year 2023

The Repair Shop - Season 7 / Year 2023

Season 7 / Year 2023

Network
Episodes52
DatesJan 2, 2023 - Dec 27, 2023
Previous SeasonNext Season

Episodes

Episode 1
Year 2023Episode 145 min

Episode 1

Jay Blades and the team restore a 1950s alarm clock, a metal statue of a horse and a 120-year-old commemorative velvet rugby cap.

Jan 2, 2023
Episode 2
Year 2023Episode 245 min

Episode 2

Jay Blades and the team restore a tiny pair of baby boots, a hand-painted Venetian jewellery box and a portable dancing mat used for tap dancing.

Jan 3, 2023
Episode 3
Year 2023Episode 345 min

Episode 3

Jay Blades and the team transform a child's bike that played a role in a story of young love, a pink monkey soft toy and an oriental lamp.

Jan 4, 2023
Episode 4
Year 2023Episode 445 min

Episode 4

Jay Blades and the team work wonders restoring a famous red book from This Is Your Life, a Victorian portable sewing machine and a 1950s recording device.

Jan 5, 2023
Episode 5
Year 2023Episode 545 min

Episode 5

Jay Blades and the team transform a painting by a notable Scottish artist, an Arabic instrument known as an oud and a flying helmet owned by a trailblazing female pilot.

Jan 6, 2023
Episode 6
Year 2023Episode 645 min

Episode 6

The team revive a giant toy lion, a vintage cash register used in a family pet shop and an old harbourmaster's telescope.

Jan 9, 2023
Episode 7
Year 2023Episode 745 min

Episode 7

The experts restore three heirlooms: a camera from Uganda that facilitated a new life in the UK, a stuffed bunny belonging to children's author Dick King-Smith, and a draughts board.

Jan 10, 2023
Episode 8
Year 2023Episode 845 min

Episode 8

The team take a trip back in time as they revive a 1960s lawnmower, a huge Welsh rugby union trophy and a leather belt bought for a sixteenth birthday and loved for a lifetime.

Jan 11, 2023
Episode 9
Year 2023Episode 945 min

Episode 9

The experts knuckle down to transform three family heirlooms: a marching bass drum, a mug with a pottery frog hidden inside, and a model windmill made by a much-missed father.

Jan 12, 2023
Episode 10
Year 2023Episode 1045 min

Episode 10

The team restore a pair of 1990s football boots, a wooden jack-in-the-box that's lost its bounce and a lamp that belonged to a brave colliery nurse.

Jan 13, 2023
Episode 11
Year 2023Episode 1145 min

Episode 11

The team work on a beautifully decorated broken bowl, a miniature silver train spice box and a 1940s handcrafted leather football.

Jan 16, 2023
Episode 12
Year 2023Episode 1245 min

Episode 12

Three highly sentimental heirlooms are thrown a lifeline, including an old fishing reel and a quirky leather footstool shaped like a pig.

Jan 17, 2023
Episode 13
Year 2023Episode 1345 min

Episode 13

The Repair Shop team transforms a mother of pearl coin purse, a flamenco guitar and a 1950s London black cab taxi meter.

Jan 18, 2023
Episode 14
Year 2023Episode 1445 min

Episode 14

The team restore a Victorian portrait of a formidable woman, an old-fashioned Middle Eastern heating device known as a brazier and a pottery horse.

Jan 19, 2023
Episode 15
Year 2023Episode 1545 min

Episode 15

The team is tasked with putting the spice back into a painted pepper mill, and the teddy bear ladies are seeing double as they fix two wind-up toys gifted to identical twins.

Jan 20, 2023
Episode 16
Year 2023Episode 1645 min

Episode 16

Jay Blades and the team restore a set of bells that once noisily warned people of a horse's arrival, a 1930s toy car that comforted a wartime evacuee, and a mid-century chair.

Jan 23, 2023
Episode 17
Year 2023Episode 1745 min

Episode 17

Art and industry come to the Repair Shop in the form of two ceramic doves believed to be linked to Picasso, an automaton depicting Victorian tradesfolk and a Welsh miner's helmet.

Jan 24, 2023
Episode 18
Year 2023Episode 1845 min

Episode 18

An eclectic mix of items are given a new lease of life, including two schoolboy scrapbooks made in tribute to Tolkien and a decrepit manicure set that survived the Liverpool Blitz.

Jan 25, 2023
Episode 19
Year 2023Episode 1945 min

Episode 19

The Repair Shop is the current destination for some globetrotting items, including a 200-year-old guitar from Vienna, a trunk that has toured Africa and a vintage pinball machine.

Jan 26, 2023
Episode 20
Year 2023Episode 2045 min

Episode 20

The team tackle three unusual projects, including a chair in which JFK once sat, a Walkman and a Royal Navy hat box filled with romantic love letters.

Jan 27, 2023
Episode 21
Year 2023Episode 2160 min

Episode 21

The team restores four precious heirlooms, including a painting belonging to a Ukrainian family who risked everything to conserve their family history in the face of unimaginable odds. Also in the barn is an original 1963 calendar from Liverpool's Cavern Club featuring an early Beatles booking, an 18ft self-built kayak and a leather swivel chair that evokes precious memories of a much-missed father and grandfather.

The first arrival is for paintings conservator Lucia Scalisi. Maria has brought a 19th-century Madonna and Child painting that originally hung in a Ukrainian village church where her family lived. During the Second World War it was rolled up and hidden in her grandmother's coat just before she was taken to a forced labour camp in northern Germany with her two daughters. Lucia has her work cut out as cracks have appeared where the painting was hastily folded and stored. Maria hopes to one day return the restored painting to its original home in the Ukrainian village church.

Dom has his own challenge when a two-person kayak, originally built from a kit in the 1960s, arrives measuring 18ft. It was built by owner Stephen's father and was the focal point for him and his brother Nigel's childhood holiday memories. Being so large it has been stored outside and the years have taken their toll, completely rotting through the original wooden deck and blistering the fibreglass hull.

Peter, son of Ray McFall the original owner of Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club, brings in an item for the attention of paper restorer Angelina Bakalarou. It's a wall calendar from 1963 used to book in bands at the venue. It records the dates of all the bands who played at the club during 1963, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

The final item of the day is for upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary when Joelle and her children arrive with a broken office swivel chair. It belonged to Herall, Joelle's father, who would play with his grandchildren spinning them around in it.

Mar 22, 2023
Episode 22
Year 2023Episode 2260 min

Episode 22

The team breathe new life into a military bugle that is far from fit for parade, a portable radio that once filled a hair salon with musical memories, a Big Ben-shaped clock painstakingly built from matchsticks, and a pair of children's shoes that represent a family's story of survival.

Arriving first are Nicky and veteran Billy, who have brought with them a military bugle that once belonged to Nicky's great-grandfather. The bugle has seen better days, with a plethora of dents and dinks along its once-shiny surface. Billy was in the army for 20 years before contracting a virus that left him blind. Now he wants the bugle brought back to a condition that's fit for parade and the role it still serves in his work at a blind veteran's rehabilitation centre in Llandudno.

On experienced cobbler Dean Westmoreland's to-do list is the restoration of a pair of children's shoes that are over 75 years old. The leather boots belong to 83-year-old Nechama from Tel Aviv. They were her first ever pair, given to her by her parents, who left Eastern Europe in the 1930s as Hitler rose to power, and they are a poignant reminder of the tough times the family endured during the 1940s.

Next to arrive is Charlotte, with a unique replica model of Big Ben made almost entirely from matchsticks. The model, measuring just over five feet, was handed down to Charlotte from her grandmother Barbara, who in turn inherited it from her artist father Edwin Aldous, who painstakingly built it in 1953 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's coronation.

The final restoration falls to electronics whizz Mark Stuckey, who must disassemble and repair a Russian-built portable radio brought in by hairdresser Karl. It belonged to his father Enoch, a pioneer of Black British hairdressing, who owned numerous salons and hairdressing schools from the 1970s onwards. For Karl and his brothers, the radio brings back vivid memories of their father's shop, where he would sing along to his favourite songs and entertain customers.

Mar 29, 2023
Episode 23
Year 2023Episode 2360 min

Episode 23

The team set to work reviving a painting from Bermuda, a crumpled terrarium damaged in transit, a precious clay keepsake of a baby's footprints, and an arctic thermometer.

Apr 5, 2023
Episode 24
Year 2023Episode 2460 min

Episode 24

The team repair a microscope that once belonged to a pioneering scientist and is now in the hands of a keen youngster wishing to use it once again. Elsewhere in the barn, there are restoration jobs on a pair of well-worn war boots that accompanied a captured soldier during the Second World War and an abstract sculpture that links a mother and daughter. On Will's list is the substantial repair of a swinging bench from India that threatens to collapse the next time it's sat on.

Arriving first are eight-year-old Felix and his dad Sam from Hertfordshire. They have broughtwith them a microscope handed down from Felix's great-grandfather John D Bernal. Felix has a keen interest in science, perhaps unsurprising considering his great-grandfather was a pioneering figure in the field of crystallography and helped pave the way for the scientists who discovered the double-helix structure of DNA. But despite Felix's enthusiasm, he won't currently be making any discoveries as the microscope, dated 1890, no longer works. Optics expert Richard Biggs diagnoses the key problem: the microscope is missing a crucial lens. He must also restore the reflective mirror that illuminates the glass slides.

Cobbler Dean Westmoreland has an appointment with Malcolm, who is entrusting him with a very special pair of boots that saw his late father Jack through some very difficult wartime years and beyond. Jack was captured in Norway before seeing any combat and spent five years as a prisoner of war. His diaries, which Malcolm still has, detail the horrific conditions that Jack and his fellow soldiers endured including periods of starvation and freezing winters. When Jack eventually returned home, the boots came with him, but the heel has worn down, the stitching is falling apart and the moths have attacked the felt uppers.

Next to arrive is Krishna from Hertfordshire. She's hoping that woodwork maestro Will Kirk can repair a swinging bench that has been in her family for over 120 years. The bench, a traditional item of furniture from Gujarat in West India, belonged to Krishna's great-grandfather, and she remembers it being in family members' homes as a child in India. When Krishna had cancer, the bench was a sanctuary where she could recover from her chemotherapy sessions. But now its joints are loose and precarious, and the whole structure threatens to break if sat upon. Will's plan includes dismantling the entire bench so he can assess which parts need to be replaced and remade, and he enlists Sonnaz Nooranvary to restuff the upholstery.

Finally, Maria has a unique challenge for ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay. She has brought in a handcrafted sculpture made by her mother Betina, an artist from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The marble sculpture is the first in a triptych of works depicting a growing organic object, and it's a work of which Betina was particularly proud. However, when brought to the UK, it split from its wooden base, with pieces sheared off the sculpture itself. It's a tricky repair, so Kirsten calls in Dom to assist.

Apr 12, 2023
Episode 25
Year 2023Episode 2560 min

Episode 25

The barn welcomes the poet laureate, Simon Armitage, who's hoping organ restorer David Burville can revive his treasured harmonium, the subject of one of his poems. For Simon, the instrument holds precious memories of his late father Peter, a creative man who encouraged Simon's own artistic journey. The harmonium was originally in their local church in West Yorkshire where both father and son were choristers. Now Simon wants the harmonium restored to not only rekindle memories of his dad but also strike a more contemporary note. David sets to work so that when Simon returns to the barn with his band, the experts are treated to a nostalgic but modern performance.

Next to arrive is Valerie from Pontefract with a pair of child's leather clogs to test the craftsmanship of fellow Yorkshireman, cobbler Dean Westmoreland. The clogs belonged to Valerie's sister Iris who, in 1946, was born at least six weeks premature. With her chances of survival slim, she was fed with a little dropper. Although she continued to have problems with her health and mobility, against all the odds Iris survived. When she was around four years old, their mother bought the little clogs to help Iris with her balance, but the little girl hated them so much that she threw them in the fire. Burned and no longer usable, the shoes sat on the mantelpiece for the next 40 years. After their mother died, Iris kept them on her own mantelpiece having never got over the guilt of upsetting their mum. The tiny shoes carry so much weight that Dean has his work cut out bringing them back to life for Valerie.

Next, seeking the sculptural skills of Kirsten Ramsay, is Martin with a precious memento that chronicles an extraordinary life. As a 27-year-old ceramics and sculpture student in Czechoslovakia, Martin's mother Vera befriended a fellow student sculptor called Milos Axman. The broken sculpture that Martin has brought to the barn was made by Axman in 1947 and depicts his mother as a young woman. Before her studies, at the beginning of the Second World War when the Germans took over Czechoslovakia, Vera had been sent to work in an ammunitions factory in Berlin. She had planned an escape with two male friends but when caught crossing the border, her companions had been shot dead. Vera was tried in Nuremberg and given a life sentence but was freed from prison in 1945. The sculpture is an important repair for ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay, aided by woodwork whizz Will Kirk, who turns his own artistic hand to sculpting a new oak base.

Jun 7, 2023
Episode 26
Year 2023Episode 2660 min

Episode 26

A seized-up ventriloquist's dummy that's over 100 years old receives a much-needed makeover, while a revived cornet brings back precious memories. Also undergoing triumphant transformations are a Roman-style leather chair and a one-off, handmade notebook recording information gathered whilst birdwatching.

Getting to work first is organ restorer David Burville, who has an appointment with George, an 1890s ventriloquist's puppet, one of the barn's more idiosyncratic visitors, accompanied by his owner Alison. Alison has brought George to see David with a request that this once dapper young gent can be transformed from his now rather worn and tatty state. Alison has had George since she was an 11-year-old girl struggling at school due to undiagnosed dyslexia. George gave Alison an outlet for her creativity and personality that she credits with helping her grow in confidence as a child. But now George is broken, both on the outside and the inside. His face is scuffed and chipped, the inner workings that move his eyes and mouth have seized up, and his once snazzy suit is ripped and moth-eaten. It's clear George needs a lot of attention, so both Kirsten and the teddy bear ladies come to David's aid, offering to fix up George's face and outfit while David delves inside to restore George's expressive face and mouth movements.

Next to arrive is Lewys from south east Wales, who has brought with him a very precious instrument handed down from his grandfather. A brass cornet, dating from 1897, belonged to Keith, a bandleader in a small Welsh village, and was inherited by Lewys after his grandfather passed away on Boxing Day 2021. Lewys spent hours learning the instrument under the tuition of his grandfather, and the cornet holds incredibly precious memories of his grandpa Keith filling the house with music. But in his later years, Keith was unable to play the instrument, and its once vibrant exterior is now dull and dented. Lewys is hoping that musical instrument expert Pete Woods can get the cornet back into the perfect condition for it to be proudly played once again.

Arriving for an appointment with skilled upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary is Nick from Somerset, who has brought along the broken remains of a Roman-style chair that belonged to his late father Richard. With the ornate leather and timber chair in pieces on the table, it's clear Sonnaz has her work cut out. Nick explains that he grew up on a farm, largely raised by his dad after losing his mother at the age of just six. Nick's father was a hard-working man who still made time for his family, and Nick has fond memories of sitting on his father's lap in the Roman chair after Sunday lunch and listening to him tell stories and entertain the family. Sadly, Nick's father was diagnosed with cancer and passed away whilst Nick was at boarding school aged 11. The chair is a poignant reminder of the beloved father who taught Nick so much about life, but now it's in several pieces, with badly worn leather and a missing leg. Sonnaz commandeers furniture restorer Will Kirk to recreate a new leg and fit the unique X-shaped chair-frame back together whilst she painstakingly removes the original leather and stud work, retaining as much of the original as possible.

The last visitor to the shop is Kat, who hopes that book restorer Chris Shaw can bring his considerable talents to the restoration of a handwritten notebook that once belonged to her grandmother Mildred. The notebook, which Mildred started in the 1940s, is a catalogue of local wildlife and birds, complete with her own drawings and even feathers she collected. Kat credits her grandmother with instilling in her the same love of nature, and the two would often spend hours wandering Kew Gardens spotting birds and enjoying the outdoors. It was a pastime that Kat enjoyed up until her grandmother's death in 2020. When Mildred passed away, Kat found it hard to find the enthusiasm for birdwatching, until the notebook was discovered amongst Mildred's belongings. Now Kat would like Chris to strengthen the book, which is falling apart, so that she can reconnect with the memories of her grandmother and maybe even add some of her own bird sightings to the notebook to continue her grandmother's legacy.

Jun 14, 2023
Windrush Special
Year 2023Episode 2760 min

Windrush Special

To mark National Windrush Day, the team fixes four items that celebrate the contribution and achievements of members of the Windrush generation and their descendants.

First into the barn is Beverley, with a memento that tells a tale of her father's heritage. The British passport was issued to Beverley's father, Edgar, in Jamaica in 1948 and served as his legally binding document to come to the UK to help rebuild the ‘Mother Country' after the Second World War. In 1950, he travelled on the SS Eros, and after settling in London, he sent for Beverley's mother who travelled from Jamaica to be reunited with him. The passport has been cherished for nearly 80 years but is sadly now showing its age. Beverley hopes bookbinder Chris Shaw can restore it to remind her elderly dad of his pioneering bravery, moving and settling in a new country as a young man.

Next to arrive is Keithly, with a suitcase owned by his trailblazing mother, Locita. Known as a grip, the case holds memories of a journey filled with opportunity, adventure and resilience. Locita travelled from the island of Nevis to the UK in 1956. The journey was arduous, with Locita spending a long time aboard the SS Irpinia on very rough seas before eventually docking in Southampton. She started her life in the UK in menial jobs, but her tenacity and drive meant she worked and studied hard, eventually becoming a local councillor in Manchester and helping many in the community. Keithly is now hoping the barn's leather expert Suzie Fletcher can repair the grip so that Locita can take it back to the West Indies with her when she returns later this year.

Next, sister and brother Dorcas and Stephen have brought a precious clock for the attention of the barn's horologist, Steve Fletcher. The clock belonged to the siblings' parents, Hermann and Keturah, and was one of the first items they saved up to buy after arriving in the UK from Antigua. The plan was to stay for five years and return home. However, the couple soon put down roots and ended up remaining in the UK for the rest of their lives. The pair worked hard and went from living in a single bedroom in a shared house to eventually owning their own home in Birmingham. The chiming clock took pride of place in their front room and served as a status symbol of the fact that they had ‘arrived' and established themselves. Now the siblings would love to hear the broken chime ringing again to remind them of their parents' tenacity and what they did to not only help rebuild the UK but also to build a new life for subsequent generations of their own family.

The barn's final visitor is Patrick Vernon OBE, who led a successful campaign for 22 June to be recognised annually as Windrush Day. He's brought along a radiogram that once belonged to his late friend Eddie Noble, a Second World War British-Jamaican veteran who settled in the UK following his service in the RAF. The radiogram was one of Eddie's most prized possessions, and he gifted it to Patrick in his later years. Electrical whizz Mark Stuckey acts with military precision to get the radiogram back to its former glory.

Jun 21, 2023
NHS Special
Year 2023Episode 2860 min

NHS Special

To celebrate 75 years of the NHS, the team revives four precious items chronicling the evolution of the publicly funded healthcare system founded in 1948.

First to arrive are two nurses who have devoted their working lives to the NHS. Approaching retirement, Catherine is the longest-standing staff member on a children's ward at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, while Katie is the senior sister on the same ward. They need the expertise of metal man Dominic Chinea to get their hospital food trolley back on track. The Thomas the Tank Engine trolley provides light relief for sick children as it's wheeled into the ward three times a day to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's been a feature on the ward for more than 30 years, but it is starting to show its age. It's full steam ahead for Dom who needs to get the trolley back to the hospital as soon as possible for the children to enjoy.

Next, the barn team welcomes a very important visitor who owes his life to the NHS, children's author and poet Michael Rosen. He's hoping bookbinder Chris Shaw can repair the daily diary kept by nurses and carers whilst he was in a 40-day induced coma at the start of the pandemic. The modern spiral notebook is Michael's record of this time when family members were unable to visit. The hospital staff were the only people in close contact with him and used the diary to relay what was happening to Michael day by day. The patient diary was gifted to him when he was finally discharged from the critical care unit. Along with the notebook, Michael has brought the many letters, drawings and notes that his young fans sent to him while he was in hospital. Currently being stored in a messy bundle, Chris gets to work to create a more fitting tribute for the thoughtful artwork, leaving the usually eloquent Michael momentarily lost for words.

Next into the barn are Dr Adrian and his daughter Lydia with a 1960s GP's bag holding memories of Adrian's late father Noel. Born in Burma, Noel attended medical school in the 1950s but came to the UK in the 1960s to escape the military regime. Once here, Noel found work as a GP and spent his entire career dedicating himself to the NHS. His son also became a GP, and his granddaughter Lydia is currently training to be a dentist, meaning his lifetime dedication to healthcare lives on in his family. Leather expert Suzie Fletcher joins forces with silversmith Brenton West, who needs to get Noel's old medical instruments back in working order.

The barn's final visitors are another NHS family. Husband and wife Bill and Kate and their daughter Fiona have all worked for the NHS. They've brought along an old wooden desk that Bill saved from being thrown away when he was a student at nursing school in 1987. Bill went on to do all his studying at the desk and subsequently spent 37 years specialising in mental health. His wife Kate has worked for many years as an NHS administrator, also using the desk to study for her own qualifications. Now daughter Fiona is working as an occupational therapist in an NHS community mental health team, something that makes her parents very proud. Woodwork whizz Will Kirk is tasked with revamping this important little desk in tribute to their hard work.

Jun 28, 2023
Episode 29
Year 2023Episode 2945 min

Episode 29

The team restore a designer handbag gifted to a plucky young woman for the part she played in trying to make 1960s Britain better. Christine and her granddaughter Daisy have brought the accessory with attitude for the attention of leather expert Suzie Fletcher. Back in 1967, when the country was in recession, Christine was working as a typist with four other girls in an office. In response to a memo asking workers for ideas on how to help the country out, the girls came up with a cunning plan that caught the attention of newspapers. The ensuing publicity resulted in an Italian doctor sending each of them their very own exclusive, designer bag. The stylish accessory still means the world to Christine, but after half a century of use, it's suffering its own setbacks. Suzie must enlist the help of Brenton West to get the treasured possession back to its Swinging Sixties best.

Farming family Vanessa and children Will, Jess and Ellie have brought a mini machine that holds memories of someone very special. Vanessa's husband Rob was a third-generation farmer who was bought this toy tractor when he was just four years old. Tractors became a huge part of Rob's life. He even travelled to his wedding on one and transported his daughter to her school prom on a tractor too! But a tragic accident whilst repairing a barn roof on the farm meant Rob died when he was only 52 years old. Dominic Chinea knows it's a hugely important fix for the family and sets to work to create a stunning transformation that leaves them marvelling at his metalwork.

The final visitors to the barn are Sindy and her son Gopal, with a family heirloom that's lost its edge. Jonathan Reid is one of only a handful of scissor makers, or putters, left in Britain, and he's tasked with reviving the blunt instrument so that Sindy can continue a family tradition of making garments for her son's upcoming nuptials.

Aug 21, 2023
Episode 30
Year 2023Episode 3045 min

Episode 30

Today, a beloved but rickety old ironing board and a badly broken marriage cupboard are resuscitated.

First into the barn is John with a treasured trumpet that's battered and worn. The instrument was gifted to John by his grandfather Frank when he was just seven years old.

Born in 1918, Frank played in an army band during World War II and carried on playing after an illness left him blind. Now John wants the trumpet fixed so that he can start teaching his own grandson to play in the same way his granddad taught him. Pete Woods is tasked with wrestling the battered trumpet back into shape for John, who returns to the barn after a serious spell of ill health to be reunited with the precious instrument.

Next, a unique piece of furniture requiring the seasoned skills of wood restorer Will Kirk. The delicately painted cupboard was gifted to Claire's great-grandparents when they married and provides a symbol of their long-lasting love. It's a tough challenge for Will as the wardrobe is completely missing a back board, internal shelves and the symbolic external paintwork is chipped and flaking. Retaining much of the original paintwork, Will works wonders much to the delight of Claire.

The final visitor to the barn is Jane with a rather domestic chore for metal man Dominic Chinea. Her beloved but rickety old ironing board reminds Jane of a time when she and her husband couldn't afford a home and lived in a squat. Pregnant with her first child, the young couple were given a little council flat above Victoria Coach Station when he was born. The board had been left by the previous owner, so Jane used it and has kept it ever since. Dom even gets out his sewing machine to return the board back to its best.

Aug 22, 2023
Episode 31
Year 2023Episode 3145 min

Episode 31

A teddy bear that's lost its sparkle is revamped in memory of a beloved father. Sisters Lauren and Claire bring Timmy into the barn, a well-worn toy that was their dad Brian's childhood teddy from when he was born in the 1960s. Still raw from their dad's passing just over six months ago, the daughters now want Timmy revamped as a reminder of their 6 foot 5 inches tall father, who they describe as a ‘big softy'. They'd like to pass the teddy on to Brian's grandson Harrison to keep his grandad's memory alive. A request from the sisters to make Timmy a jumper from an old one of Brian's they've brought with them makes this a truly memorable repair for toy restorers Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell.

Arriving with a less cuddly but equally important gift from childhood is Sukeshi, who has brought in a watch for the attention of the barn's horologist, Steve Fletcher. The watch slides open and stands up and was given to Sukeshi when she was just two years old by her late mother. Sukeshi was born with disabilities after her mother took the drug Thalidomide, a pill that at that time was prescribed during pregnancy to combat sickness. Born in Uganda, Sukeshi's mother Rama fought hard for her daughter to be able to lead an independent life and for Sukeshi the watch symbolises her efforts. No longer ticking and with its ornate casing dull and worn, Steve joins forces with Kirsten Ramsay to bring the little timepiece back to its former glory.

The final visitors to the barn are Kegham and his daughter Karine, with a sporting trophy for the attention of silversmith Brenton West. Now 97, Kegham won the trophy three times in the 1950s when he was part of a tennis club in Cyprus. To Kegham, the trophy evokes memories of proud, happy times playing on court, and seeing it revived brings friends and faces from his past back into sharp relief.

Aug 23, 2023
Episode 32
Year 2023Episode 3245 min

Episode 32

A 100-year-old shipping log charting the bravery of a seafarer during World War II s given a new lease of life. And a tiny table with rickety legs leaves the barn on a firmer footing.

First into the barn is Abdus with a well-travelled treasure for the attention of paper expert Angelina Bakalarou. Abdus's father Ansol was a seafarer who rose through the ranks to lead a below-deck team shovelling coal in scorching hot temperatures. The ships on which he worked travelled across the ocean, bringing spices, sugar, tea and coffee from India and China to the UK. During the Second World War, the ships would be bombed by the Germans, but they continued nonetheless. For Abdus, his grandfather was a hero who changed the fortunes of his family through his bravery and sheer hard work. But the log that records details of his voyages is tattered and torn, leaving Abdus afraid it won't survive. It's a tough task for Angelina, but Abdus is delighted when he returns to the barn to find the document back to full strength.

Next, visitor Beth has brought some items with a special resonance for her to the barn. Beth's father Peter was a master thatcher who played a big part in reviving a dwindling skill. Sadly, he died when she was only 16, so his thatching tools have become hugely important to both Beth and her siblings. Brittle, insect-ravaged and worn, it takes a collaboration between leather expert Suzie Fletcher and wood whizz Will Kirk to get the thatching tools back in full working order in time for Beth's return.

The final visitors are mother and daughter Ann and Lucy with a tiny metal table that's on its last legs. The table was made by Ann's grandfather Joseph over 100 years ago for her mother Dora when she was a little girl. Every night, Dora and her twin siblings would have a cup of cocoa, but Dora always spilled hers. So Ukrainian-born Joseph made her the little table to keep her cup safe. Dora treasured the gift her entire life, a feeling that has been passed on to both her daughter and granddaughter. Now, knowing they'd like the table to be robust enough to pass on to the next generation, silversmith Brenton West gets to work on putting the wobbly-legged item on a firmer footing once again.

Aug 24, 2023
Episode 33
Year 2023Episode 3345 min

Episode 33

There's a little bit of mischief to be had at the barn when Jenny and her brother Mark arrive with a very special delivery marked for the attention of musical instrument expert Pete Woods. The vintage brass car horn, held together with duct tape, was the proud possession of their late brother Peter. For over 40 years, Peter was a postman in Lincolnshire, where he was known in the sorting office as a fun-loving prankster. He'd creep up on his colleagues and give his horn a sudden honk, making them jump and the letters go flying. Peter's recent death after a battle with cancer has left Jenny and Mark desperate to have the horn repaired. They intend to gift it to the Post Office sorting depot, so that his colleagues can give it a honk, remember Peter and smile.

Next to arrive are Ann and her granddaughter Ellie with a teddy bear of tiny proportions, which enchants toy experts Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell. The 1920s furry teddy has a hidden surprise – its head pops off to reveal a little glass perfume bottle inside. Ann's Aunt Lizzy was gifted the precious piece by her husband on their wedding day, and she treasured it, placing it in pride of place on her dressing table. As a little girl, Ann would look forward to seeing it on visits to her aunt. The teddy was left to Ann's father, who cherished it as a reminder of his sister, and when he passed away, it was passed on to Ann. However, due to some overzealous cleaning, the bear is now scarred with rust stains and its ears have totally disappeared. The Bear Ladies are on the scent, working out how to revive the heirloom without damaging its historic significance.

The final visitor, David, is so keen on the specialist knowledge of horologist Steve Fletcher that he has journeyed from Spain to deliver his pride and joy, a tavern clock that's over 200 years old. Steve can hardly believe his luck. The large wooden wall clock would have hung in a tavern in the late 1790s, when the British government placed a tax on household clocks, so the public had to go to a tavern to tell the time. David's great-grandfather bought it for 20 shillings in 1891, and it has been passed down through his family. David has been fascinated by the clock ever since he was a child, and has grown up with its reassuring tick, a sound he hasn't heard for years. It's all down to Steve to fulfil David's lifetime dream of hearing it ticking once again.

Aug 25, 2023
Episode 34
Year 2023Episode 3445 min

Episode 34

The team restores an elegant wooden desk connected to one of the 20th century's most important political movements. Susie and her niece Sophia have brought it to be restored. The desk belonged to Susie's grandmother, Una, a leading figure in the suffragette movement, along with her husband, Victor, who was equally passionate about the fight for women's rights. The desk is the place where Una wrote letters to her fellow campaigners, read her correspondence and wrote her diaries. Lucia Scalisi and Will Kirk join forces to bring this historic item into the 21st century while retaining its history.

On a campaign of her own, Kirsten Ramsay is tasked with reviving a shop mannequin that was badly bombed in the Blitz. The mannequin, named Bert, has been a family mascot for Rene for nearly a century. It took pride of place in the window of Rene's father's tailor shop in the East End of London in the 1920s, but when the shop was destroyed in the war, Bert suffered the consequences. Despite his dents and dings, Rene's daughter Shelley fell in love with Bert as a teenager when he was being brought down from the loft. Rene's vivid memories of Bert in the shop window in top hat and tails mean Kirsten enlists the skills of hatter Jayesh Vaghela to get Bert back on his smartly dressed feet once again.

The final visitors to the barn are Dave and his son Lewis from Glasgow, who are hoping Brenton West can get their sporting memento looking champion again. The trophy belonged to Dave's father, John, who won it while swimming a couple of miles in the cold waters of the Clyde in 1953 at the age of just 19. In later years, John became a frogman in the police, so his youthful swimming success served him well. It's a labour of love for Brenton, who brings the shine back into this symbol of John's fortitude and strength.

Aug 28, 2023
Episode 35
Year 2023Episode 3545 min

Episode 35

First into the barn are Alex and his seven-year-old son Flynn with an appointment to see Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell. They've brought along a cherished stuffed toy lamb that's in dire need of a makeover. The toy was given to Alex when he was just four months old and, after a lifetime of being cuddled, lost an eye and an ear, and is now less squishy than they'd like. Alex was in and out of hospital as a child, and the cuddly toy accompanied him on every visit. Now, Alex has handed the bedraggled lamb to Flynn to help him conquer his fear of the dark. The Bear Ladies get to work to give the lamb the superhero transformation he deserves, much to the delight of both father and son.

Next is a foodie fix for metal expert Dominic Chinea. Alejandro has brought a gadget that's kept his family fed for generations. He's inherited his great-grandmother's breadcrumb maker, which is over 100 years old. It once had pride of place in her kitchen in Montevideo in Uruguay, where it was in constant use. The gadget reminds Alejandro of his two great-aunts who he remembers fondly as ‘the breadcrumb stars'. The pair taught him how to use the breadcrumb maker and create the perfect consistency for each meal. Years of use means the machine has now ground to a halt, but Alejandro is keen to use it once again. Dom enlists the help of Brenton West, and together, they get the gadget back in action.

Finally, Mark Stuckey needs to get to grips with a vintage radiogram that's been seized up and silent for years. It's owner, Sue, accompanied by grandson Zayn, remembers her late father tapping his toe to records by artists including Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. Although the retro machine stalled years ago, Sue could never bear to part with it. Zayn has never even heard it play, but a lifetime of being influenced by his grandmother's musical tastes means he's desperate to have it back up and playing once more.

Aug 29, 2023
Episode 36
Year 2023Episode 3645 min

Episode 36

First into the barn is Jessie, accompanied by grandparents Diana and Percy. They've brought an item that's entertained four generations of their musically talented family. Jessie's great-grandfather played in a band in the 1920s and strummed the little ukulele in a rowing boat around a lake to impress Jessie's future great-grandmother when they were courting. Now Jessie is keen for king of strings, luthier Julyan Wallis, to bring the ukulele back to life so that she can continue its legacy. The fix is like a surgical procedure for Jules, who needs to bolster a crack from the inside of the instrument as well as fix its ornate central rose.

Next, it's a soft toy SOS for Amanda Tatchell and Julie Middleditch, courtesy of Nicola from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. Parsley was a present from Nicola's dad when she was just five years old. As a child, she wasn't given many presents, so Parsley, who sits astride a metal bike and pedals when pushed, has remained very dear to her. By her own admission, Nicola ruined Parsley when she painted his face with lipstick, something she instantly regretted. Since her father passed away in 2020, Parsley has taken on even greater significance for Nicola. Now the toy needs a massive makeover to get him back to his former glory, but as usual the Bear Ladies relish the challenge.

The final visitors to the barn are father and daughter Carlo and Alessia, with a little reminder of family life back in their ancestral homeland of Italy. It's a 1960s split-flap clock made in Carlo's mother's hometown of Udine that horologist Steve Fletcher needs to get flipping again. Working with plastic and mid-century mechanics means Steve is well out of his comfort zone reviving this retro but much-loved timepiece back to its sparkling best.

Aug 30, 2023
Episode 37
Year 2023Episode 3745 min

Episode 37

New dad Will Kirk is entrusted with the restoration of a cherished family crib belonging to solo mum Nikki. Both Nikki and her two older brothers slept in the 1970s crib as babies. Now Nikki's new arrival, Lilian, has left her longing for a revamp of the tired, old baby's bed. It's a labour of love for Will, who's delighted to see little Lilian swinging in her revamped cradle for the first time.

Daniel from the Isle of Wight is hoping that metal man Dominic Chinea can restore a rusted pogo stick that's lost its spring. The toy was bought by Daniel when he was just a boy for his beloved mother to help her conjure up memories of her own childhood. But her tragic early death meant the toy took on great significance for Daniel. Dom sets to work on this important restoration to create a mechanically sound, visually stunning transformation for a delighted Daniel.

The final visitor to the barn is Jane from South Ayrshire, with a book containing recipes that belonged to her late grandmother. The cookbook was gifted to Jane 40 years ago but it's now falling apart. Bookbinder Chris Shaw needs to hold it all together so that the tome can continue its next chapter.

Aug 31, 2023
Episode 38
Year 2023Episode 3845 min

Episode 38

First into the barn are Billie and her grandmother Doreen with a cherished baby doll which has lost its sheen. Doreen's father brought the doll, called Suzy, back from naval duty where he won her as a raffle prize on board his ship. Doreen cherished the gifted toy, but unfortunately a lifetime of love has left Suzy's mechanical eye broken and face cracked, and her hands and feet are crumbling. The Bear Ladies Amanda Tatchell and Julie Middleditch join forces with David Burville to get the treasured doll back to her beautiful best.

Next, Peter arrives with a poignant reminder of his Ukrainian heritage - a case which belonged to his father, who was taken from Ukraine in 1942 following the Nazi invasion. At 14, he was forced to work for the German war effort and was eventually liberated by the Americans and came to the UK at 20. After his dad recently passed away, the case has taken on even more significance for Peter. But the leather luggage is worn with a wobbly lid, so expert Suzie Fletcher turns investigator to identify all its issues and solve the mystery of the wobbly case.

The final visitor to the barn is Jacqui with a seized-up silver locket for the attention of goldsmith Richard Talman. The locket was given to Jacqui's mum by her dad as a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary present. As a child, Jacqui loved the locket and would beg her mum to let her wear it for an hour or so when she came home from school. Her mum always promised the locket would be hers one day, but sadly, that day came too soon. Jacqui's mum died very suddenly when Jacqui was just 13 years old. Thereafter, Jacqui hung onto the locket, but after an unfortunate accident in which the locket broke, landed on a pavement and was stood on by a passer-by, the beloved necklace has been broken for three decades. Richard has his work cut out to prise the heart-shaped locket apart and revive it to its former glory.

Sep 1, 2023
Episode 39
Year 2023Episode 3960 min

Episode 39

The barn welcomes a former professional goalkeeper who's brought in a football programme from a momentous match he played in 1970. Peter Grotier was a member of the West Ham team that flew out to New York to play an exhibition game against Santos just after Brazil had won the World Cup. Not only was Peter's hero Sir Bobby Moore in his squad, but they were playing against his other hero, the great goalscorer Pele. Peter didn't even mind when he let in two goals! After the game, Pele signed the programme for Peter, and he's cherished it ever since. Over the years it's accompanied Peter on many house moves, so it's now fragile, faded and unstable. Paper conservator Angelina Bakalarou's tough goal is to restore the programme without losing Pele's precious signature. 

Next to arrive is Debbie, with a special soulmate she's kept close her entire life. The teddy, gifted at birth and named McNem for reasons none of her family remembers, provided comfort for Debbie when her father passed away when she was just 12 years old. In later years, subsequent ill-health of her own has left her relying on the little bear even more. With hardly any fur, a wonky leg and holes in his feet, toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch know just how important it is to get McNem fighting-fit once again. 

Also seeking the expert skills of luthier Julyan Wallis is music student Alex, with an electric guitar that's cracked at the neck. Bought at the age of 14 with money he'd saved from birthdays and Christmases, the guitar was Alex's first instrument and holds a special place in his heart. Throughout lockdown, unable to see people or play gigs, Alex struggled with anxiety and the guitar provided him with a much-needed lifeline. But an unfortunate fall, when he was carrying the guitar on his back, means it's now so broken that he's worried it's beyond repair. Relating completely to Alex's despair, Julyan sets to work to put this instrumental soulmate back in one piece. 

The final visitors to the barn are father and daughter Gordon and Kelly, with an important symbol of military service requiring the expert skills of silversmith Brenton West. Gordon has brought a medal from his army days when he served in the Middle East and Germany. He came over to the UK from Barbados, aged 18, at a time when the British Army was calling for people from the Commonwealth to enlist. Kelly is immensely proud of her father's bravery, and aided by Amanda Middleditch who restores the medal's ribbon, Brenton treats the repair with the reverence it deserves.

Sep 13, 2023
Episode 40
Year 2023Episode 4060 min

Episode 40

Today, the team fix a 100-year-old handwritten Qur'an passed down four generations of women, and a fun-loving nonagenarian prepares to take his family's old scooter for a spin. 

First into the barn is Farah with a family treasure that's been passed down four generations of women. Her family's Qur'an was made in Kashmir around 1910 and its 600 pages were ornately handwritten from memory. Now the sacred tome is starting to show its age, with torn pages and misshaped binding. Keen to pass this important book on to her daughter, Farah needs expert Chris Shaw to work his bookbinding magic while handling the Qur'an with the reverence required. It's a tough task for Chris to undertake this deeply religious restoration. 

Next into the barn are father and daughter Harry and Belinda with a rusty old scooter that's crying out for the expert care of metal worker Dominic Chinea. The dented two-wheeler was gifted to Belinda by her parents 61 years ago. Now nonagenarian Harry is keen for the toy to be revamped so that his two great-grandchildren can continue the tradition of fun family times on wheels. Tasked with making it look as good as new, Dom welds, sprays and polishes the scooter to perfection, resulting in a jubilant Harry taking the colourful scooter for a whirl. 

Next, Gaspare wends his way to the barn with a treasured memento from his childhood in Sicily. Art conservator Lucia Scalisi is delighted to unwrap his topographical painting of Marsala, Gaspare's hometown. The painting not only depicts the city but also Joseph Garibaldi, the Italian general famed for unifying the north and south of Italy. The painting belonged to Gaspare's late grandfather, Vito, who worked at the old Marsala wineries for 50 years. The artwork used to hang on top of the barn where the wine was stored, meaning Vito passed it every day of his working life. On retirement, the painting was gifted to Vito, and after he passed away in 2020, it was passed on to Gaspare. Cracked, painted over and way past its prime, Lucia needs to work carefully to uncover and restore this hidden gem. 

The barn's final visitors are another father and daughter duo Richard and Nicky, who have brought a diamond ring with an extraordinarily precious central piece. The broken ring became squashed and fractured when Nicky got her hand stuck while moving a table. Luckily, the inner resin containing the ashes of Nicky's late mother, Julie, remained intact. However, fixing it for Nicky is a hugely daunting job for master goldsmith Richard Talman, who needs to restore the ring without damaging the inner resin.

Sep 20, 2023
Episode 41
Year 2023Episode 4160 min

Episode 41

Today, the team fix a deeply significant garden ornament for a recently bereaved grandfather and an unusual pair of wooden sandals from Punjab dating back to the 1800s.

First into the barn is Claude, joined by daughter Kesi, with a powerful reminder of his political past for the attention of paper conservator Angelina Bakalarou. Claude unravels a tattered and torn velvet poster of a black panther, which he bought from a street vendor back in 1987. At the time, the image symbolised strength and resilience for Claude and echoed his growing consciousness of his own identity as a young man. Having recently been through hard times, Claude is now keen to get the black panther poster back to full health in order to give him strength.

Next, bringing in an item of huge significance, is Quentin, joined by stepson Tim. They are hoping metal marvel Brenton West can work his magic on a garden ornament shaped like a bee that was gifted to Quentin by his grandson Miles when he was a young boy. Tragically, Miles was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer and passed away just a few months ago, leaving his family bereft. Quentin now wants to raise awareness of the illness and to get the bee back to its original best in tribute to his grandson. It's an important fix for Brenton, who busies himself reviving this most precious of mementos.

Joining the line-up of expertise at the barn is new camera expert Pierro Pozella. His first assignment is a camera that belonged to visitor Harry's grandfather, a graphic designer at ATV in Elstree Studios in the 1970s and 80s. The twin lens camera was used on set as well as at home for taking pictures of his family. Sadly, the camera has now fallen into a sorry state, but Harry is keen to use it again to continue the legacy of his creative grandpa George.

Cobbler Dean Westmoreland may be sure-footed on most repairs, but he needs to tread carefully when it comes to Nasrullah's historic wooden sandals. They originally belonged to his great-great great-grandfather, who was a farmer in the Punjab and wore them in the 1800s. For Nasrullah, the shoes are an important part of his heritage, and he would dearly love to be able to use them. Dean needs to undergo some research to make sure his restoration is in keeping with such a historic shoe.

Sep 27, 2023
Episode 42
Year 2023Episode 4245 min

Episode 42

Ceramics conservator Kirsten Ramsay is entrusted to rescue a porcelain figurine of a nurse holding a child. The elegant figure was a retirement gift given to Niall's mother, Margaret, who was a paediatric nurse for nearly 40 years. The serene figurine epitomises all that Margaret was and, when she passed away recently, it became even more symbolic. However, it was badly broken during a house move. Kirsten must delicately embark on this precarious puzzle.

Paper conservator Angelina Bakalarou is excited to be preserving a storytelling scroll, painted on fine silk and backed in handmade paper. The extensive scene depicts a group of Indian women planting trees. It was created around 1950 by Romita's mother, Sangita, while she was studying fine art and craft at university in eastern India. The story scroll, which is over a metre long, has been rolled up for over 70 years - it is terribly creased and the humid Indian climate has not been kind to the water colours. Angelina must draw on all her expertise to safeguard this beautiful work of art.

The final caller at the barn is gardener Rik with his great grandad's favourite spade. Rik inherited not just the aged spade from Sydney but also his green fingers. Rik fears Sydney's trusty tool might have dug its last hole but not if master of all things metal, Dom Chinea, has anything to do with it!

Oct 9, 2023
Episode 43
Year 2023Episode 4345 min

Episode 43

Jay Blades and his talented team work wonders on three family heirlooms.

Justine is hoping that goldsmith Richard Talman can rescue her engagement ring in the nick of time. The damaged diamond ring is hugely important to her as it was originally her mother's, who sadly passed away just months after Justine's wedding day. The platinum trilogy ring has had a lifetime of wear on her mother's hand and not only is the band now misshapen and worn, one of the diamonds is loose. Justine has been unable to wear it for fear of losing the precious stones. Richard sets to work creating a more substantial shank and addresses the claws that hold the diamonds safely in place, so that Justine can wear the ring with confidence and remember not only her special day but the special lady who wanted her to have it.

Next, bookbinder Chris Shaw is excited to receive a 250-year-old medical anatomy book. Each page displays a detailed illustration of a dissected human body with handwritten annotations in pencil. Ramesh and his daughter Ravita are both doctors and are both very attached this rare artefact. Ramesh inherited it from his godmother Margo, who showed him great kindness. Ramesh moved to the UK to study from Uganda as a young man, leaving his family behind. It was not easy for him but he was warmly welcomed by his new friend Roger's family and in particular Roger's mother Margo. She always championed him, encouraging him to become a doctor. Knowing that Ramesh admired the book Margo left it to him in her will. However, the book is now very frail – the spine has disintegrated, the gold title faded and the pages are torn and frayed. Chris relishes every moment of this repair and feels privileged to work on such an important item.

Lastly, Harriet from Scarborough has an appointment with master hatter Jayesh Vaghela. She's brought her grandfather's railway cap that looks like it's run out of steam. Her grandfather, Eric, dedicated his entire career to the railways, starting as an apprentice and latterly as a station master. In retirement he volunteered on the steam engine trains on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. She and her sister would visit him there as children and if they were good, they were allowed to blow the signal whistle! This cap epitomises Eric and she'd love to have it preserved, along with his memory.

Oct 10, 2023
Episode 44
Year 2023Episode 4445 min

Episode 44

There is a chance for woodwork expert Will Kirk to showcase his impressive carving skills when Wilma from Bristol arrives with her late mother's occasional table. Wilma's mother, Eunice, emigrated to the UK from Jamaica as a young woman in the early 1960s with very little to her name. She worked hard her entire life and raised three daughters as a single mother, instilling in them the importance of education and kindness. The table is made of dark walnut wood with a veneered top and was Eunice's pride and joy. Wilma remembers it in her childhood home always covered with cloth to protect it but time eventually took its toll - several pieces of the veneer have lifted off and a section of the decorative moulding around the top has broken off. Will carefully carves a replacement piece and comes up with an ingenious plan to find the perfect colour match for the missing veneered patches.

Next to arrive at the barn are father and son Stephen and Ollie with a challenge for vintage electronics expert Mark Stuckey. The 1950s lime green Bakelite radio originally belonged to Stephen's grandfather and has been passed from father to son down the generations. Stephen's clearest memories of it were when his father Rodney used it in his workshop. Rodney was an accomplished carpenter and was forever embarking on ambitious house renovations, including digging out a cellar single handedly, with this trusty radio keeping him company. Ollie, Stephen's son, also remembers the radio in situ in the workshop and would love to use it - that's if Mark can resuscitate it. Fortunately, Rodney wasn't just a talented joiner but an organised fellow too and he kept the radio's original instructions and service manual which proves extremely helpful in its repair.

Finally it's a task for cobbler Dean Westmoreland, when he works wonders on a pair of very tired suede shoes full of happy memories. Bev from Nottingham inherited them from her lovely grandmother, Betsy. Young Bev loved these shoes and every time she'd visit her gran she'd pop them on and march about in them, enjoying the loud clomping sound the heels made. Betsy clearly remembered her granddaughter's love of them, as they were left specifically to her when she passed away. They could really do with some TLC, which Dean is only too happy to administer, and Bev is over the moon.

Oct 11, 2023
Episode 45
Year 2023Episode 4545 min

Episode 45

Today, an unusual necklace telling the story of love and loss is brought back to life in time for a wedding. And a camera dating back to the 1940s is given a new lease of life for a young lady with a close connection to her grandad.

First into the barn is Sue with a costume jewellery necklace from South Asia for the attention of Richard Talman. The piece was bought by Sue's dad Victor for her mum Patricia whilst he was away with the Royal Navy during the 1950s – he would always return from his many months at seas with various gifts and trinkets. It holds great sentimental value, as this necklace would be one of the last things Victor ever bought his young wife. He contracted polio in India on his final tour of duty and died the day after his 23rd birthday. His body was unable to be returned to the UK, but this pendant was among his personal effects. It's a tough task for Richard as the jewellery is not made from the materials he usually works with. However, he's determined to make it sparkle once more, as Sue's daughter plans to wear it on her wedding day.

Next, student Nalini has brought a 1940s camera in for expert Pierro Pozella. Originally belonging to her grandfather Bernard, the camera documented his many travels as a young man. She found it in the bottom of his wardrobe whilst looking for a backpack to take travelling and was fascinated, as Nalini had always known her grandfather as a photographer, and here was his first camera. Sticky, gritty and unable to close the film door, the camera is in desperate need of attention so that Nalini can take it with her when she goes travelling in honour of her grandad.

The final visitors are mother and son Jill and Bradley with a paint spattered cap for Jayesh Vaghela. The cap belonged to husband and father Brian, who used it for all his DIY projects, including building furniture and painting. After Brian had passed away in 2018, Bradley found it, and Jill said when he put it on he looked just like his father. If Jayesh can make it stable once more, Bradley dreams of wearing it at his work as a landscape gardener so he can always keep part of his dad with him. It is a task harder than expected as Jill and Bradley want to preserve the finger dents and creases left by Brian.

Oct 12, 2023
Episode 46
Year 2023Episode 4645 min

Episode 46

Today, woodwork conservator Will Kirk is presented with a kitchen curiosity and, without doubt, a first for the barn. The coconut scraper has been in Fausta's family for over 100 years and was used daily to extract the white flesh from inside a coconut shell. Fausta grew up in Tamil Nadu, India, where coconut is used in much of the cuisine. The task of preparing the coconut often fell to a young Fausta. She prides herself on her speedy scraping skills! The low wooden stool is fitted with a sharp metal tool on its side so that the user can sit astride the tool whilst scraping out the shells. Fausta now lives in the UK but continues to cook many of the region's coconut-based dishes, and having brought it back from a recent trip to visit family, would like to put it to good use again. However, the wooden section that holds the metal tool has crumbled and the tool itself is blunt and rusted. Will does a wonderful job of creating an insert to fill the lost wood and works wonders with wood glue and some clever clamping to ensure it can serve a useful purpose once again.

Sue from Somerset delivers her late father's wedding ring to goldsmith Richard Talman, hoping he can give it a new lease of life. The gold signet wedding ring was worn every day of Charles's 64-year marriage to his beloved wife, Valerie, but not long after Valerie died, the ring was misplaced, causing everyone much concern. The ring was recently discovered but sadly after Charles had passed away. Sue knows it would bring her family much comfort to have it smartened up again as a symbol of her parents' love. Richard pulls out all the stops with this treasure and enlists engraver Sam Marsden to carefully reinstate Charles's initials.

And there's more metal magic in the barn when a music stand arrives with proud owner Will. The folding stand was gifted to Will by his biggest fan, his father. Will started playing the cornet at school as a teenager, finding solace in music during the tricky teenage years and went on to be awarded a scholarship to study music. He has performed in many prestigious venues and now teaches music for a living. He feels he owes it all to his dad, who would move mountains to support him. He lost this special man when he was just 21, so the stand holds huge significance to him. Expert Brenton West rids it of rust and gets all the seized-up sections moving again, while Suzie creates a new leather strap to finish it off nicely.

Oct 13, 2023
Episode 47
Year 2023Episode 4745 min

Episode 47

Sisters Katie and Anna bring a chrome calendar ornament that reminds them of their lovely Nanny, Pat. However, It's fallen foul of the dreaded rust. Fearing its days might be numbered, the sisters are seeking the know-how of metal work specialist Dom Chinea. The calendar was bought as a souvenir from the Netherlands in the 1960s and gifted to their Nanny, Pat. It sat on her windowsill for years and was dutifully flipped over each morning to reveal the correct date and day. During the school holidays when Katie and Anna went to stay with her, they would take turns each morning to flip it over and watch the new number drop down. It's a memory that the sisters still hold dear. They'd love it if Dom could tackle the rust that's fused all mobbing parts and bring back its shine.

Next, a charming project for bookbinder Chris Shaw. Denise from London has brought a schoolbook belonging to her 97-year-old mother, Sheila, from her childhood in Trinidad. Shelia came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation, accompanied by her schoolbook, to start a new life. The fragile little picture book was published in the 1930s. It outlines the history and geography of Trinidad and Tobago and was given to every school child on the islands. Sheila treasures the book, as does Denise and the rest of the family, as it provides a tangible link to their family's roots. However, it's literally falling to pieces, and Chris must carefully rebuild and preserve it if it is to continue its important purpose within their family.

Finally, a challenge for ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay - her first musical instrument. Barbara from West Sussex delivers a small, clay wind instrument called an ocarina. It belonged to her talented auntie Joan, who Barbara spent a lot of time with growing up. Barbara loved the pure, soft sound the ocarina made and began playing at an early age. Joan was one of a large musical family which would meet regularly to play together, and little Barbara joined them on the ocarina. Barbara has plans to start up the musical family evenings again with the next generation, but the ocarina was damaged years ago and no longer hits the right notes. With just a little trepidation, Kirsten willingly takes on the project.

Oct 16, 2023
Episode 48
Year 2023Episode 4845 min

Episode 48

First into the barn is Marion with a diablo dating back to the 1890s for the attention of woodwork expert Will Kirk. Originally gifted to Marion's grandfather, Thomas, when he was a child, he became adept at tricks with the simple toy. Marion remembers it from when she was just a toddler, but trying to replicate her grandfather's moves has left it badly chipped and damaged. Despite its disheveled appearance it is a powerful connection to the grandfather she loved. Will is tasked with returning it to a usable state so Marion's grandson, who would be the fifth generation to have it, can take it to university.

Next, sisters Fiona and Janice arrive with a pair of sparkly stage shoes worn by their mum, Betty, who loved the dance halls of the 1940s and 50s. Betty gave up ballroom dancing when her children came along, but in later life returned to performing once more. As children, Fiona and Janice would dress up in the shoes which are now a link to their much-missed mother. But for cobbler Dean Westmoreland, the characteristic silver threading that makes them perfect for the stage is far more complicated to repair than he first thought.

The final visitor to the barn is Katie, who hopes optics expert Richard Biggs can bring her childhood telescope back to working order. Currently in pieces, the telescope was bought for her by her dad, Charlie, when she was 16 as a way to connect with the interests held by his young daughter. They bonded over many hours of stargazing and spotting the planets, but after Charlie passed away when Katie was 19, the telescope fell into disrepair. Now she wants it mended as her young son is desperate to take up stargazing and wants to use the telescope that was originally bought by the grandfather he never met.

Oct 17, 2023
Episode 49
Year 2023Episode 4945 min

Episode 49

It's silversmith Brenton West's time to shine as he is called upon to give a worn and bent brass key ring a new lease of life. The treasured trinket was made for Neil when he was a lad by his charismatic father, Bill. Sadly, Neil lost his father recently, and this hand engraved key ring has come to represent everything he loved about him. Bill engraved his son's name on one side and the motto ‘no fear' on the other, which was the mantra he lived his life by. However, the engraved words have almost worn away. Neil now has a son of his own, Bill's namesake Billy, and hopes to display the key ring as a reminder of the father he loved so much and of the grandfather Billy junior will never know. Brenton goes to great lengths to emboss each of the tiny dents that spell the words which mean so much to Neil.

Sisters Lynne and Gayle come to meet clockwork king Steve Fletcher with a small box housing the favourite childhood toy of their late mother, Helen. The wind-up turkey used to strut about shaking its tail feathers and amusing little Helen and her sisters, but came to a grinding halt decades ago. Lynne and Gayle grew up listening to stories of their mum's childhood on a farm and her love of this little turkey toy. It was only recently that the family found the toy in a box with some old photos and, although Helen was reunited with it before she passed away, it had seized up and the wind-up key was long gone. The sisters would love to see the toy in action for themselves and show it to their own children, but the old bird is reluctant to perform and proves to be quite tricky for Steve!

Goldsmith Richard Talman greets Christine from Derbyshire, who has brought the pieces of her late father's gold signet ring. The ring, engraved with his initials, was an engagement present in 1949 from her mother, Ethel, to her fiancé, Phillip. He wore the ring with pride, but after an accident at work, the ring had to be cut from his finger and was then stowed away. It was then forgotten about until Christine came across it when clearing her parents' house after they passed away. The ring represents the couple's long and happy marriage, and Christine would like her eldest brother, who has the same initials, to have it. That's if Richard can piece it back together.

Oct 18, 2023
Episode 50
Year 2023Episode 5045 min

Episode 50

Art Conservator Lucia Scalisi is fascinated by an unusual religious artefact. It's a three-dimensional portrait depicting the three aspects of a Hindu God – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Each Goddess is revealed when the portrait is viewed from different angles. It was made by owner Raj's grandfather over one hundred years ago for his daughter, Raj's mother, who was a devout Hindu. The portrait was displayed in her house shrine where she would sit for her daily prayers and reminds Raj of his much-missed mother. However, the sacred images are faded and masked by years of cobwebs and dust which have accumulated within the boxed frame. Lucia is impressed by the portrait's clever construction, as she meticulously cleans and repairs this unique piece of family history.

Next to arrive is Aisling with a broken silver locket that was a gift from her late grandparents. The locket has brought her much comfort, and she has worn it almost every day. She was devastated when the front side of the decorative casing detached and was lost without a trace. She would love to wear it again and replace the pictures of her dear grandparents inside. Goldsmith Richard Talman crafts a new front casing and hinge for the locket and enlists the help of talented engraver Sam Marsden to replicate the intricate lattice design.

Finally, optical expert Richard Biggs is eager to get to work on a pair of vintage binoculars. They were a gift from Erica's father, and together they would take them out birdwatching in rural Devon. These scuffed and dirty binoculars represent a childhood of adventure and a doting dad. Erica still remembers the excitement of spotting her first kingfisher on the Teign Estuary and her love for birds has never ceased. Her wish is to use them again in her with her grandchildren. Richard has a job getting the prisms out but is determined to return them to her in full working order.

Oct 19, 2023
Episode 51
Year 2023Episode 5145 min

Episode 51

Vladimir, his wife, Helen, and daughter, Lili, arrive with a family heirloom that they have recently inherited. They made an epic road trip across Europe to Serbia to collect the impressive wooden wall clock. Vlad's great-great-grandfather bought the clock in the early 1900s, and it has been passed down five generations of his family. Vlad's ancestors were affluent farmers living in what was then Yugoslavia. At the end of the Second World War, it became a communist nation, and his family were stripped of their land and wealth. They faced great hardship for many years, and this clock and its upkeep soon became a symbol of their determination and family values. Vlad is very proud of his heritage and is honoured to be the custodian of the clock. It was carefully dismantled and boxed in order to make the 4000 mile journey back to the UK, but as Vlad lifted it from the car in his driveway the box broke and carved wooden casing fell to the ground, breaking into pieces. Horologist Steve Fletcher comes to the rescue giving the mechanism the much needed kiss of life, while woodwork wonder Will Kirk gets to grips with the smashed casing.

Master Hatter Jayesh Vaghela takes receipt of a policeman's helmet that belonged to an inspector who was admired by all who met him but tragically died young, leaving a wife and six sons. Sons Richard and Peter have kept it safe for years until an unfortunate incident took place with the family dog who made a meal out of it! Much of the front peak has been chewed away and is misshapen. They would dearly like to have if repaired to display as a way of preserving their father's memory.

The final visitor to the barn is Claire, with a small stained-glass angel that was made for her by her much-missed mother, Margaret. Margaret loved learning new skills and hobbies and this angel has become one of Claire's most treasured possessions. It hung on her window for years watching over her until it was blown off by a breeze and shattered. Claire desperately needs expert Matt Nickel's help to piece it back together and has a special request as to how that might be done.

Oct 20, 2023
Episode 52
Year 2023Episode 5260 min

Episode 52

At the Repair Shop, the team resurrect a piece of kit from the 1970s owned by a pioneering music producer and a large ceramic statue of a German shepherd for a retired police dog handler. Elsewhere in the barn, there's a painstaking restoration of a doctor's diploma and an old pair of child's rugby boots.

First through the barn doors is music producer Neal Fraser, aka The Mad Professor. Neal is credited for his pioneering work establishing a music genre in the 70s and 80s known as dub, and he's brought the very machine he created that distinctive sound with. The electronic sound effect machine was last working back in 1984, and Neal would love to make music with it again.

Ceramics conservator Kirsten Ramsay greets John from Surrey and his faithful friend, an almost life-size statue of a German shepherd dog, named after his last canine partner, Belka. John was a police dog handler for over 25 years, and this effigy symbolises all four of his police dogs throughout his career. John's wife bought the statue as a surprise back in 1972, and it sat loyally in their home until one fateful day, when an overloaded coat stand toppled over and smashed into Belka, knocking off the muzzle section of the face. Kirsten makes it her mission to return the dog to his owner looking tip-top.

The specialist skills of paper conservator Louise Drover are next to be put to the test when Sidra arrives from London with a laminated university medical diploma, awarded to her father in 1977, which is in a terrible state. He worked as an orthopaedic surgeon all over the world, and tragically lost his life to Covid while working in the Middle East at the peak of the pandemic. Sidra found the certificate when she collected his belongings and, knowing what a dedicated doctor her father was, she'd like to display it at home as a reminder of her brave dad. Louise must somehow remove the multiple layers of dry and peeling laminate without damaging Sidra's father's handwritten signature or tearing the paper.

Lastly, Lee delivers his favourite sporting souvenir – his very first pair of rugby boots bought when he was around six by his number one fan, his father. Lee is passionate about rugby and even played for the England squad back in the day. He lost his dad last year and feels that now would be the perfect time to preserve and display these scuffed little boots as a tribute.

Dec 27, 2023

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