The Repair Shop

S08:E30 - Sailing Log, Thatching Tools, Dora's Table

Today, a 100-year-old shipping log charting the bravery of a seafarer during World War Two is given a new lease of life. And a tiny table with rickety legs leaves the barn on firmer footing. First into the barn is Abdus with a well-travelled treasure for the attention of paper expert Angelina Bakalarou. Abdus' 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 for his family through his bravery and sheer hard work. But the log which 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 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 to put the wobbly-legged item on firmer footing once again.