The Repair Shop

S04:E23 - Leather Pouffe, Model Spitfire, Silver Purse

Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life. Jonathan Owen from Sussex arrives at the barn, bearing a small item with a big history for the attention of woodwork specialist Will Kirk. The prized possession is a hand-made model Spitfire plane, carved by Jonathan's Uncle Reggie between bombing raids over Germany. Reggie flew Lancaster Bombers during World War 2, and the Spitfire was intended as a gift for his little brother, Jonathan's father – but tragically, Reggie was killed in action before he could present it. The tiny plane has been dearly treasured ever since, but now chipped, with a broken wing and missing part of its propellor, Will has a delicate and important job on his hands. Master saddlemaker Suzie Fletcher undertakes her biggest Repair Shop task yet, as she tackles the repair of a worn out and badly torn leather pouffe with precious memories for its owner Lou. The pouffe once took pride of place in Lou's grandmother's house and was the focus of many a childhood game. However, it has deteriorated badly over time, and Suzie now faces the mammoth task of taking it apart piece by piece, before strengthening each panelled section and then re-sewing over 300 individual seams!And silversmith Brenton West takes on the repair of a battered silver purse with huge emotional importance to owner June. While Brenton taps out the dents on the exquisite silver shell, Suzie is pressed into action once again as she puzzles over just how to replace the complicated folding leather interior.