The Repair Shop

S05:E54 - Jim's Box, Bluebird Boat, Italian Chair

Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring four treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life. First is a poignant story of a very precious keepsake. Rose Werner, and her sister Linda, have travelled from Essex in the hope that Suzie Fletcher can turn her expertise to a decorative leather box that they hold dear to their hearts. It belonged to Rose's late husband Jim. He arrived in the UK as a teenage refugee just before WW2, thanks to the Kindertransport scheme. Sadly he never saw his family again and this treasured box was his only link to his German Jewish heritage but it's showing its age and it would mean the world to Rose to have it safely preserved. Susie gently cleans and conditions the embossed, leather top panel, secures the detached areas and replaces the silk fabric lining inside. As Steve sets about dislodging the damaged parts on the boat, across the barn, Suzie is taking a lighter touch with the delicate pattern work on the decorative leather box. Rose is moved when she sees the finished results.Peter Coxon is next to arrive, hoping the teamwork of Steve Fletcher and Dominic Chinea can provide a speedy recovery to a favourite childhood toy. The wind up, tin boat is a model of the 1950's recording breaking Bluebird speed boat and it sparked a lifelong love of the water for young Peter. Dom and Steve can hardly contain their excitement at the thought of getting this vintage toy back on the water again. Steve replaces the rust ridden engine with a new one, makes his first ever propeller and comes up with a clever way to keep the workings water tight. It's then over to Dom, who preps, then reinstates the signature blue and when Peter returns, the whole gang head down to lake to test it out!And finally, upholsterer Hannah Weston-Smith takes receipt of an old Italian dressing table chair that's ripped and worn but holds sweet memories for owner Chantal Taylor. Sadly Chantal lost both her parents recently and this chair represents her happy childhood. She can still see her glamorous Italian mother sitting in it, as she did her makeup and Chantel would love to use it just as her mother did. Hannah strips it back to its bare frame and ensures the new padding is plump and comfortable. She then rekindles the faded glamour of the gilt frame, using a scumble glaze. Jay selects the perfect bold and decadent fabric and Chantel is overjoyed.