The Repair Shop

S05:E30 - Banjo, Roller Skates, Salad Bowl

Banjo, Roller Skates, Wooden Salad BowlToday in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.Stringed instrument restorer Julyan Wallis sets to work on a beloved banjo. The banjo belonged to Kipper Tranter's dear departed friend, Ted. Many years ago Ted took a young and wayward Kipper under his wing, for which Kipper is eternally grateful. The friends shared a love of bluegrass country music and would regularly play together. When Ted passed away he wanted his beloved banjo to go to Kipper. The 80 year Jedson instrument is not in great shape and Kipper would love it repaired, so that it can be passed onto another generation of musical talent. Julyan corrects a previous crude repair to the neck, refurbishes all twenty two frets and gives the banjo a thorough clean, before completely restringing it. Kipper returns accompanied by the next recipient of the banjo and the barn is filled with the distinctive sound of bluegrass.The workshop's next arrival is Julia Emmett from Berkshire, with a pair of vintage roller skates for leather gal Suzie Fletcher. The 1930's roller skates belonged to her father, who was quite something back in the day, whizzing round on this set of wheels. They are a treasured memento for Julia but the leather is parched and cracked and the wooden wheels are riddled with holes, courtesy of some hungry woodworm. Suzie fills each tiny hole with melted wax and hardener before turning her attention to bringing the leather back from the brink. Julia is bowled over by the transformation.And antique restorer Will Kirk's expertise is called upon when David Worssom arrives with a very old and elaborate wooden salad bowl. This unusual item was presented to David's grandfather in the late 1800's during his service in the Boer War. The bowl was then inherited by his father and was a familiar fixture in David's family home. It conjures vivid memories of his father and his childhood. The various segments of the bowl are falling apart, the only thing holding it together is some ornate silver fretwork. Brenton tends to the silver while Will re-assembles the puzzle.