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Episode 22

Episode 22 of 40

Jay Blades and the team restore a 1970s electric go-kart, a wooden puzzle box and a much-loved old teddy bear with a missing leg.

Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the cherished memories they hold, back to life.

The first visitor to arrive is Emma Smith, who has brought a fun 1970s electric go-kart that’s been stored in her parents’ attic for over 40 years. It was bought as a Christmas gift for Emma’s sister Rachel, who had spina bifida. As Rachel was unable to stand up unaided and spent a lot of time in a wheelchair, her parents thought the electric go-kart would be an ideal present. Unfortunately, Rachel’s health deteriorated before she had a chance to play with the gift. She was admitted to hospital and sadly passed away on her tenth birthday. Emma and Rachel’s father put the go-kart and other unopened presents up in the loft, where they have stayed ever since. Now, Emma is hoping that electronics wizard Mark Stuckey can revive the go-kart for her own children to use.

Next, woodwork expert Will Kirk’s skills are required to repair a broken puzzle box belonging to Angie Wellman. The box was brought to the UK from Hong Kong by Angie’s mum, who came here to train as a nurse when she was just 21 years old. Due to its puzzling mechanics, as a child Angie thought her mum must have had magical powers to be able to get it open. Eventually, curiosity got the better of Angie and her sisters, who tried to open the box themselves, breaking it in the process. Despite having been broken for so long, the box remains a treasured possession. Now Angie is hoping Will can get it back in working order and solve the puzzle for her once and for all.

The day’s final arrival is Una McCabe, accompanied by her daughter Siobhan, grandson Cormac and a stuffed bear called Ted. Una grew up in Dublin with four sisters and five brothers, and Ted was given to her in 1954 by her older sister Christina. Ted became a precious childhood companion, and in later years, nieces, nephews and Una’s daughter Siobhan all played with him. Somewhere along the line, a leg went missing, and now his jaw has become stiff. Una is now hoping the teddy bear ladies Julie and Amanda can replace the missing leg and strengthen Ted, so he is strong enough to be played with by her young grandson Cormac.

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43 minutes

Audio described

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jay Blades
Narrator Bill Paterson
Actor Will Kirk
Expert Amanda Middleditch
Expert Julie Tatchell
Expert Mark Stuckey
Expert Tim Gunn
Executive Producer Alex Raw
Series Producer Rebecca McLaughlin
Director Rich Merritt
Series Producer Tanveer Bari
Production Company Ricochet Limited

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