The Repair Shop

S05:E52 - Weathervane, Engagement Ring, Leather Fly Fishing Wallet

Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring four treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life. First, a fairytale of lost and found, against all odds. Helle and David have travelled from Wiltshire, seeking the help of goldsmith Richard Talman, with an assignment that could prove to be his toughest yet. The diamond and sapphire engagement ring was the first treasured possession of David's great grandmother and has been passed down three generations of marriages. Helle was devastated when it simply fell off her finger and disappeared and try as they might, they couldn't find it. Until by sheer chance, over a year later, it was spotted twinkling in the gravel driveway! It's twisted beyond belief, two of the gems have fallen out and the couple fear it cannot be rescued. Richard must have nerves of steel to carefully reshape the ring and holdings, then reset the wayward gems, without causing further damage to this incredibly fragile piece. Love is definitely in the air when Helle and David return to claim this breathtakingly beautiful heirloom.Metal expert Dominic Chinea has his feathers ruffled, as he is tested by the oldest item he's ever worked on….a 200 year old church weathervane. It is delivered by Father Lesie Drake from Benfleet in Essex. The rather mangled metal cockerel was blown off the church roof by a biblical storm and is missed by the local community. Dom soon discovers that every element of this majestic creature needs attention...much of the metal work has eroded and is crumbling away and the post that supports him is not up to the job. Dom replicates the sections that are too far gone and preserves the rest. It is returned to Benfleet, looking resplendent, greeted by St Mary's Church excited congregation. And Paul Flynn is hoping leather expert Susie Fletcher can restore a memento from summers spent as a lad visiting family in rural Ireland.  His Uncle Bob was a magician when it came to fly fishing and teenage Paul was in awe of him. Bob left his trusty fishing bait leather wallet, which had been passed down through generations, to his nephew. The wallet is parched, tattered and too delicate to face the rigours of the riverbank but Paul would love to use it again, that's if Susie can help. Susie does not disappoint and the wallet is nurtured back to life.