The Repair Shop

S05:E45 - Tiny Bike, Romanian Cross, Box Kite

Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring four treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.First to arrive at the barn are sisters Christine Hopkins and Pauline Samways from Kidderminster, with a tiny but treasured memento, that needs Dominic Chinea's expertise in metal work. The miniature bicycle was built by their grandfather to be displayed in the window of his bike shop but the bike and his ability to ride it soon brought him fame - earning him a place in the Guiness Book of Records for his expertise in creating these small but perfectly formed bicycles. The sisters have wonderful memories of their characterful grandad and would love the rather bashed and rusty bike to receive the Repair Shop treatment. Dom dismantles this one of a kind creation and each section is chrome plated. Leather expert Suzie Fletcher tends to the worn out leather saddle, while Dom replicates the original label bearing the bike maker's name and reassembles this feat of engineering. The sisters return to the barn with a challenge for Jay and the gang to take the bike for a spin!Silversmith Brenton West takes receipt of a small mosaic crucifix, with an extraordinary story. The Romanian cross saved the life of Margaret Coyle's father when he was a young soldier - hidden in his breast pocket, it deflected an enemy bullet. However it bears the scars of its heroic act and is beginning to crumble. Margaret is desperate to preserve this important heirloom. Brenton carefully solders the twisted and broken metal setting before passing it on to the capable hands of ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay, who painstakingly replicates the tiny tiles and retouches the paintwork. Together they return the beautifully restored cross to an overwhelmed Margaret.Last to arrive at the barn: Mary Mulroy and grandson Sam from Chesterfield. They're hoping Steve Fletcher's vast mechanical know-how can put wind back in the sails of an army issued box kite belonging to Mary's much missed husband Brian. The family loved flying the kite and they'd love to see it soaring again in his memory. Steve calls upon embroidery specialist Sara Dennis who will need all her needlework skills to make invisible but strong repairs to six decades of wear and tear on the fabric. Leaving him to work on the damaged frame and get this precious keepsake up, up and away.