The Repair Shop

S06:E26 - Billy Willy Puppet, Popsie's Camera & Congreve Rolling Clock

Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.First up is Emma Patinson with a much-loved childhood toy in need of a makeover. Emma is hoping Julie and Amanda can work their magic on her quirky companion, a worn and cracked 70s puppet. The puppet was a present from Emma's dad, who very sadly passed away not long after gifting the toy to his daughter. The puppet became Emma's constant childhood companion, but he's had some bumps and bruises along the way. Emma longs to see him as he once was, and Amanda and Julie are only too happy to help. Next, antique camera restorer Brenton West and leather expert Suzie Fletcher welcome art student Eloise Badger to the workshop. Eloise has brought in her late great grandmother's camera. Sadly, the camera hasn't been used for over 60 years and has seized shut, the leather camera bag has also seen better days! This 90-year-old heirloom gadget has been reverently cared for by the family since it was bought in 1932. Treasured by its Eloise's great grandmother who was a keen photographer, it has now been passed down to Eloise. She is studying fine art and has inherited her great grandmother's passion for photography. However, this vintage piece is stubbornly stuck shut and Brenton needs to utilise brute strength and some inventiveness to get the camera back working again, whilst Suzie works her magic on the tired leather case.Lastly, Clockmaker, Steve Fletcher is faced with an unusual timepiece: a Congreve rolling ball clock owned by Huw David from Burnley. Huw's grandfather Oswald cleverly made the clock during the 80s. Instead of a pendulum the clock is powered by a metal ball rolling down a slanted table. It's mesmerising to watch, but unfortunately these types of clocks are notoriously bad at keeping time. Sadly, Huw's grandfather Oswald developed dementia and never got a chance to perfect the running of the clock. Steve has a challenge on his hands to get this clock running smoothly to time, but with patience, ingenuity, and a delicate touch he'll coax it back to its former glory.