The Repair Shop

S08:E27 - Tavern Clock, Postman's Prank Horn, Perfume Teddy

There's a little bit of mischief to be had at the barn today, when Jenny and her brother Mark arrive with a very special delivery marked for the attention of musical instrument expert Pete Woods. The vintage brass car horn, held together with duct tape, was the proud possession of their late brother Peter. For over 40 years, Peter was a postman in Lincolnshire, where he was known in the sorting office as a fun-loving prankster. He'd creep up on his colleagues and give his horn a sudden honk, making them jump and the letters go flying. Peter's recent death after a battle with cancer has left Jenny and Mark desperate to have the horn repaired. They intend to gift it to the Post Office sorting depot, so that his colleagues can give it a honk, remember Peter and smile.Next to arrive are Ann and her granddaughter Ellie with a teddy bear of tiny proportions, which enchants toy experts Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell. The 1920s furry teddy has a hidden surprise - its head pops off to reveal a little glass perfume bottle inside. Ann's Aunt Lizzy was gifted the precious piece by her husband on their wedding day and she treasured it, placing it in pride of place on her dressing table. As a little girl, Ann would look forward to seeing it on visits to her aunt. The teddy was left to Ann's father, who cherished it as a reminder of his sister and when he passed away it was passed on to Ann. However, due to some overzealous cleaning, the bear is now scarred with rust stains and its ears have totally disappeared. The Bear Ladies are on the scent, working out how to revive the heirloom without damaging its historic significance. The final visitor, David, is so keen on the specialist knowledge of horologist Steve Fletcher that he has journeyed from Spain to deliver his pride and joy, a tavern clock that's over 200 years old. Steve can hardly believe his luck. The large wooden wall clock would have hung in a tavern in the late 1790s when the British government placed a tax on household clocks, so the public had to go to a tavern to tell the time. David's great grandfather bought it for 20 shillings in 1891 and it has been passed down through his family. David has been fascinated by the clock ever since he was a child and has grown up with its reassuring tick, a sound he hasn't heard for years. It's all down to Steve to fulfil David's lifetime dream of hearing it ticking once again.