The Repair Shop

S05:E21 - Military Chess Set, Syrian Chair, Tommy Doll

Military Chess Set, Syrian Chair, Wartime Mascot Doll (Tommy Doll)Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.Precious metal expert Brenton West takes on a pewter chess set representing the War of Independence, complete with 32 figures of British and American soldiers. The prized set belonged to Carl McKeating's father, who was a keen chess player. He taught Carl and his brothers to play but Carl would often use the figures as toy soldiers, inflicting extensive war wounds….broken legs, arms, missing rifles and cannons. The set is not in great shape. In his father's final years, Carl vowed to have it repaired and with his father passing away recently, he is desperate to keep that promise. Brenton's first move is to replace the miniature broken and missing pieces using an ancient process called sand casting. Having recast the pewter pieces, it's time for fine art restorer Lucia Scalisi to wade in to battle. She meticulously repaints the tiny uniforms of the 32 soldiers getting them ready for action.Wood furniture restorer, Will Kirk shows off his exceptional skills when he carries out work on an intricate X-shaped chair from Syria, dating back to the turn of the century. Danielle and her partner Gilli from East London bring this cherished but crumbling chair, which has been in Danielle's Jewish family for generations, migrating with them all over the world, as they fled war and uncertainty. Daneille has known the chair her entire life -  it sparks fond memories of growing up in Morocco with her extended family. The folding chair is made up of 33 pieces, most of which have been savaged by woodworm. Every inch of its frail timber needs attention. Will saves the majority of the original pieces and splices in new sections of wood for the parts that have been lost of good. The final results are breathtaking.And toy restorers Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell are happy to help a wartime mascot doll get fit for service again. The WW2 doll, known as Tommy, belongs to Geoffrey Holdsworth. He was a gift from his serviceman father when he returned from war and signifies the first time Geoffry ever met his dad. Tommy doll is no longer looking his best but the ladies soon change that - Julie touches up the paint on his metal face and head and crafts a replacement hand. While Amanda takes apart the soft body, reinforces the original fabric and tarts up his threadbare uniform.