The Repair Shop

S05:E20 - 11 Plus Desk, Bear Scrap Book and Wind Up Train

Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life. A charming 1950's scrapbook that tells the tale of an incredible incident involving an escaped circus bear and a plucky policeman. The policeman's granddaughter, Mary, is hoping the team can save the crumbling book of clippings and pictures that was lovingly compiled by her grandmother. Bookbinder Chris Shaw and Paper conservator Louise Drover join forces and come to the rescue. Furniture restorer Will Kirk welcomes a desk that has seen some serious swotting!  Owner Ray received the desk as a gift from his father, who was keen for his son to make something of himself. Thanks to countless hours at this desk, Ray passed his 11 plus and feels he owes both his dad and this old desk thanks. It's lost its back legs and the woodwork is scuffed and dull but some dedication and hard work sees the desk back on its feet and ready for future students in the family.And an expert in all things clock work, Steve Fletcher, gets to grips with a defunct wind up train. Made from scratch by owner Graeme's father, the train has been out of action for decades. The wind up engine is on the blink, several wheels are missing from its tender and it's paintwork is chipped and dented. Steve has to get into the mind of its creator to figure this one out and Lucia is on hand to give the bodywork a new lease of life.