The Repair Shop

S08:E05 - Irish Baby Boots, Venetian Jewellery Box, Dance Mat

Jay Blades and the team rejuvenate three treasured family heirlooms, restoring the cherished memories they hold.Cobbler Dean Westmoreland is called upon to restore a pair of leather baby boots belonging to the mother of the barn's first visitor, Ashley. Margaret arrived in England from Ireland at just 14 years old, with a dream of becoming a nurse. She brought the tiny baby boots, made specially for her by her doting dad, as a reminder of her close-knit family back home. The tiny boots were never fully finished so Ashley's hoping to have them finished in time for his mother's birthday. Working in miniature is a new challenge for cobbler Dean who carefully picks up where Ashley's grandad left off over eighty years ago.Art conservator Lucia Scalisi welcomes visitor Vikkie who's brought in an intricately painted Venetian jewellery box, discoloured and chipped after surviving a house fire. The wooden box was deftly painted with colourful flowers by Vikkie's Italian grandmother. This sentimental item was first gifted to Vikkie's mother who then left it to her. For Vikkie the jewellery box symbolises the wonderful women in her family but also her Italian heritage. Lucia takes joy in revealing the box's vivid colours and replicating its faded floral design.And last, but certainly not least, identical twin sisters Jeannette and Janice have brought a curious item for the attention of master of most trades David Burville. The portable dance mat is made from a series of narrow wooden slats so that it can be rolled up and transported. Jeannette and Janice began tap dancing as little girls and it was not long before they became professionals. The dance mat ensured a good clear sound from their tap shoes and accompanied them to venues all over the country. However, a lifetime of tapping means the wooden slats are now rough and splitting and the carry strap is long gone. The team works hard to get the mat ready for the twins to relive their toe tapping days in the barn.