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In the Repair Shop today, the team tackle a 1930s pinball machine, an antique weather device, and a rocking horse that holds huge sentimental significance for its owner.

Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.

A tired-looking and dilapidated old rocking horse arrives at the barn, requiring the joint attention of furniture restorer Will Kirk and saddlery expert Suzie Fletcher. The rocking horse has been part of owner Julie’s life since childhood, but after she carried out a bodged renovation with her husband Paul, they had always planned to return to the job and make a second attempt at restoration together. Sadly, before they could begin, Paul was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away just a few weeks ago. Now Julie has grandchildren on the way, can Will and Suzie help keep Paul’s dream alive and revive this much-loved heirloom in honour of Paul for future generations.

Storm clouds gather for horologist Steve Fletcher, as he attempts to revive a century-old Barograph. This remarkable device was invented at a time of Victorian ingenuity to test and record weather pressure, and is now the proud possession of meteorology student Ollie, who is keen to use it to help prepare his online weather forecasts. Not only does the whole clock mechanism need a full overhaul, but the whole thing is thick with grime, meaning Steve has a challenge on his hands to get the clockwork mechanism working once more.

Ceramics conservator Kirsten Ramsay takes on the restoration of a pair of precious plates, hand-painted with images of a beloved mother and father. But the portraits are painted in oil, making it a particularly tricky conservation job, and Kirsten must draw on all her skills for this one.

And Pinball Wizard Geoffrey Harvey has great fun bringing a vintage machine ricocheting back to life.

59 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Expert Steve Fletcher
Expert Will Kirk
Presenter Jay Blades
Narrator Robert Pugh
Production Company Ricochet Limited
Expert Lucia Scalisi
Series Editor Sandy Watson
Expert Kirsten Ramsay
Expert Suzie Fletcher
Expert Geoffrey Harvey

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If you have a treasured possession that needs restoring, please get in touch.