The Repair Shop

S08:E26 - Designer Handbag, Dad's Tractor, Sindy, Gopal's Scissors

Today, the team restores a designer handbag gifted to a plucky young woman for the part she played in trying to make 1960s Britain better. Christine and her granddaughter Daisy have brought the accessory with attitude for the attention of leather expert, Suzie Fletcher. Back in 1967 when the country was in recession, Christine was working as a typist with four other girls in an office. In response to a memo asking workers for ideas on how to help the country out, the girls came up with a cunning plan that caught the attention of newspapers. The ensuing publicity resulted in an Italian doctor sending each of them their very own Gucci bag. The stylish accessory still means the world to Christine but after half a century of use it's suffering its own setbacks. Suzie must enlist the help of Brenton West to get the treasured possession back to its Swinging Sixties best. Farming family Vanessa and children Will, Jess and Ellie have brought a mini machine that holds memories of someone very special. Vanessa's husband Rob was a third-generation farmer who was bought this toy tractor when he was just four years old. Tractors became a huge part of Rob's life, he even travelled to his wedding on one and transported his daughter to her school prom on a tractor too! But a tragic accident whilst repairing a barn roof on the farm meant Rob died at just 52-years-old. Dominic Chinea knows it's a hugely important fix for the family and sets to work to create a stunning transformation that leaves them marvelling at his metalwork.The final visitors to the barn are Sindy and her son Gopal, with a family heirloom that's lost its edge. Jonathan Reid is one of only a handful of scissor makers, or putters, left in Britain and he's tasked with reviving the blunt instrument so that Sindy can continue a family tradition of making garments for her son's upcoming nuptials.