0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to The Repair Shop,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06where cherished family heirlooms are brought back to life.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08This is the workshop of dreams!
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Home to furniture restorer Jay Blades.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15Nowadays, everybody spends a fortune on stuff that, once it's broken,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19they just bin it. But everybody has something that means too much to be
0:00:19 > 0:00:21thrown away, and that's where we come in.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Working alongside Jay
0:00:22 > 0:00:26will be some of the country's leading craftspeople.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Every piece has its own story.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31It's amazing to think that some of my work becomes part of that story.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33I've always played with things,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36I've always repaired things. And I just love it.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39There is a real pleasure in bringing people's pieces
0:00:39 > 0:00:40back to life again.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Each with their own unique set of skills...
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Right tool for the right job.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47..they will resurrect,
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- revive...- On water, man!
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..and rejuvenate
0:00:51 > 0:00:53treasured possessions
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and irreplaceable pieces of family history.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Wow! She's fantastic.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Bringing both the objects...
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- Oh!- This is what I remember.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05...and the memories that they hold...
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- Wow!- ..back to life.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Oh, my God!
0:01:26 > 0:01:28In the repair shop today,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Steve gets to grips with a favourite childhood toy.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33ALARM BELL
0:01:33 > 0:01:35There we go. Sounds a bit like a fire engine!
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Or a doorbell.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39It's quite a magical peace, really.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44And Kirstin takes on an Oriental artefact with an unusual history.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46It can be used for blood-letting,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48as a sort of medical practice
0:01:48 > 0:01:51for treating all sorts of various illnesses.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57First to arrive at the repair shop, a very special delivery,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59all the way from deepest Dorset.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- How we doing, sir?- John Felsted and Kevin Oakley have brought a little
0:02:04 > 0:02:07piece of local history that's seen better days.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- This looks heavy.- That's it, boys, that's it, boys, come on!
0:02:12 > 0:02:13Here, I've got it, I've got it.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17OK?
0:02:18 > 0:02:19Phew!
0:02:22 > 0:02:25So, now I've got my breath back, what is it we've got here?
0:02:25 > 0:02:27You've got the village sign,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30from a little village in Dorset called Winterborne Stickland.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33This was crafted by the whole village.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34Reg, who was a baker...
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- A baker?- He was a baker.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38- Right.- So he designed it in Plasticine
0:02:38 > 0:02:42and then they decided amongst themselves who would carve what.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46We have a local engineering works that made the ironwork.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48We've got a man that makes ceramics.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49- Yeah.- So he made that.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Loads of people have come together to make this sign?
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- Yeah. And it depicts various parts of the village.- Yeah,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57I was about to say, it's quite interesting
0:02:57 > 0:02:59how you got different things going on there.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01With the gloves and the clock.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02That's the mill house.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- And there's a church. - This is the church, yeah.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Now, this side looks in a lot better condition.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- One faces north, one faces south.- OK.
0:03:11 > 0:03:12I think you'll find this faces south.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15And you've got a date down here, what's this?
0:03:15 > 0:03:171988, that's the date it was unveiled.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Oh, this is quality. Oh, I get it. That's why we've got the post.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23So, this would sit right on top of that,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26so it needs a good support because this is very heavy.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27- It is heavy.- Yeah.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29The main problem with the post
0:03:29 > 0:03:31is the crack all down through the middle.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- Yeah.- It would be very nice
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- to see it put back to its original condition.- Yeah.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Simple!
0:03:37 > 0:03:39We can do that, can't we?
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I think this is going to be much like how it was
0:03:42 > 0:03:46put together in the beginning, a big team effort by the repair shop.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Yeah. Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- It's a pleasure. Absolute pleasure. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:03:52 > 0:03:53You guys take care now.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03First port of call is metal worker Don.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Cor, this is heavy!- OK, be careful because that's ceramic.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10OK.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- What is this? - It is the top of a village sign
0:04:14 > 0:04:17but I need your help to take this apart.
0:04:17 > 0:04:18It's so much easier
0:04:18 > 0:04:20for me to clean all the individual panels separately,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23rather than having this humongous sign on my bench.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26I can take the metal part out and leave you with just the wood.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Fantastic, top man. Thanks, Don.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40Many of the items that arrive in the repair shop are faded old toys
0:04:40 > 0:04:41that stir happy memories.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Mervyn Granshaw is hoping
0:04:44 > 0:04:48that the team can rescue his favourite boyhood possession.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- How we doing? - Very well indeed, thank you.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- Nice to meet you. - What is it we've got here?
0:04:53 > 0:04:56This is a Dennis fire engine.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59They made most of the world's fire engines for, probably, 100 years.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- Right.- And during the Second World War, my father,
0:05:02 > 0:05:03who was a cabinet maker,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06he knew this gentleman who worked in a factory,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08who was a skilled metal worker.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12He made this model during his spare time, as a hobby.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14He gave it to my father. My father's name was Dennis.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17You look on the side of the bonnet, either side you'll see,
0:05:17 > 0:05:18it's not only a Dennis fire engine
0:05:18 > 0:05:20from the Dennis fire engine factory,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- but it's...- Made for Dennis. - Made for Dennis, my father.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25So, he came home with it one day and gave it to me as a toy.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- And you used to play with this? - Oh, yeah. It was my favourite toy.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32So what did it used to do, then? Like, you say you played with it,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34you just pushed it up and down, or does it do stuff?
0:05:34 > 0:05:36No, no, no, how it works is this.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40If you operate this one on the side, they can go up, as far as you want.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41A-ha!
0:05:41 > 0:05:45And then this one, here, will rotate it anywhere you want it to go.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- Yeah.- When it's working and all the strings are functional,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52there's another little lever here and when you rotate it,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54the ladders will extend all the way up,
0:05:54 > 0:05:55so you have a triple length ladder.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58It also had its headlights at the front, operated by this switch,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00a little interior light for the driver.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02And also underneath there is a bell.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04So this is a one-off, isn't it?
0:06:04 > 0:06:09There's no other vehicle like this anywhere in the world, is there?
0:06:09 > 0:06:10No, not at all. This is the only one.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13I think this is all going to clean up beautifully, actually,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15and look absolutely cracking
0:06:15 > 0:06:17when we've got it all up together, working,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20lights on, ladder working and everything as it should be.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Steve, you should be able to fix this.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24You used to be a fireman, didn't you?
0:06:24 > 0:06:27I did, yeah, I was a fireman for 30 years, retained fireman.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Just waiting for a call, when I was working on clocks.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36And, yeah, I'd learned to drive fire engines on a Dennis.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38So you know how to work this, then?
0:06:39 > 0:06:40Yeah!
0:06:43 > 0:06:46I've now got a granddaughter and it would just be lovely
0:06:46 > 0:06:48if it was as it was when I was little.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Well, thank you for bringing it in.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- Not at all.- And we'll let you know as soon as we're done.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54- Thank you very much. - Nice to meet you.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Thank you.- You take care. - Bye-bye, now.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02There's quite a lot to be done on this, actually,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04apart from cleaning it up.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09I've got to work out how the ladders extended with all the ropes
0:07:09 > 0:07:10and everything.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14And, also, the electrics inside I need to sort out, as well,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16because the two lights,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19there's the one there that I've got to re-fix in there,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21I'd like all that to work as well.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25The bell is in quite a state and I'm not sure yet how that rings.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32At the back of the workshop,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Will's getting to grips with the Dorset village sign,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37built by the residents themselves 30 years ago.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43I am beginning to clean off the old varnish,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45so I'm using this dental tool.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47It's really fine and really small.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53There's something actually really satisfying about this.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54Peeling back the years,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58you can actually see some areas where whoever had carved this before
0:07:58 > 0:08:01had left tiny imperfections and scratches and things.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04If I went over this with sandpaper I might have lost that,
0:08:04 > 0:08:08so it's quite nice to see a bit of the maker's mark.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Kirsten is running her eye over the once colourful
0:08:12 > 0:08:13ceramic country landscape,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17which has been growing greener with every passing season.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20This side has obviously borne the brunt of the weather
0:08:20 > 0:08:24and it's got quite a lot of algae and stuff growing on it,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27so I'm just going to give it a little bit of a clean,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31and I'm just going to try some water on a cotton wool swab
0:08:31 > 0:08:34and see how that does.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Actually, that's coming off really, really well.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43The team in the workshop is accustomed to working with
0:08:43 > 0:08:47prized pieces from all over the globe and, this morning,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Jane Martin has arrived with precious cargo...
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Hello, what a beautiful place this is.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56There we go, thank you.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58..an ancient artefact from the Far East.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03So, what do we have here?
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Here we are. Well, we've got a ceramic plate
0:09:07 > 0:09:09and it felt off a shelf
0:09:09 > 0:09:12and now it's in these pieces, and I feel shattered.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Did I hear ceramic?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Yes, I was about to call you over.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17Hello, I'm Kirsten.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19I hope you can help because
0:09:19 > 0:09:23it was bought by my grandfather in the 1880s.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26He was a very cultivated man.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30It was already broken at the bottom here.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34You will perhaps find the ancient glue and the tragedy,
0:09:34 > 0:09:38it fell off a shelf to the ground and I was shattered.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41And I want to hand it on to the next generation.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- Yeah, absolutely.- And that's why it means a lot, you know,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48to have it made good again.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I would love to know if you, you know,
0:09:51 > 0:09:55what was it for and is it Japanese or Chinese?
0:09:55 > 0:09:56Actually, I think it is Japanese.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Why would you say more Japanese than Chinese?
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Well, just the Imari ware is quite typically Japanese.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Do you happen to know if all the pieces are here?
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- I was about to ask the same question.- Yes, that's all I have.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14Do you know, it is really... Aesthetics mean a lot to me,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17and I just love things that are beautiful
0:10:17 > 0:10:19and as William Morris said,
0:10:19 > 0:10:20and I'm sure you all know,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23"Keep only those things in your house
0:10:23 > 0:10:25"which are either beautiful or useful."
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Well, I know Kirsten will do a fantastic job.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Yes, thank you very much indeed.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- Lovely, thank you.- Bye-bye.- Bye.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Imari porcelain was first produced in Japan in the 17th century.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46The hand-painted depictions of flora and fauna in blues, reds and golds
0:10:46 > 0:10:48are highly sought-after -
0:10:48 > 0:10:50when they're in one piece.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56I've just realised that I think I've got a whole corner missing here.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03So I think I'm going to have to make up this piece here.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05So that's going to be interesting.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08OK, that's a shame actually.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11I was really hoping that most of it was there but, anyway,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13I'm sure I'll tackle it.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Outside, the village sign's metalwork
0:11:24 > 0:11:28is getting some special attention from Don.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33But one piece of the sign is beyond rescue,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35the old oak post,
0:11:35 > 0:11:38leaving Will with the task of carving a new one from scratch.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47Although the huge lump of new timber is putting up some stiff resistance.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50This oak is so solid and the grain is going in so many
0:11:50 > 0:11:53different directions that carving down the edge here,
0:11:53 > 0:11:57it's been really hard not to split up the wood.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59When you're chiselling there's always a chance
0:11:59 > 0:12:03that the blade finds the grain of the wood and it follows it,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05so you have bits of wood splitting off.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Once you've split it, you can't really go back.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11So I've had to sort of carve it from different directions.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22After overcoming his carving issues with the village sign,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Will's discovered another problem with the new wood
0:12:25 > 0:12:27that's left him a little stumped.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32So the post is made out of oak, which is naturally quite light,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35but everything else has been carved in mahogany, which is quite dark.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38So I'm going to use this stain here
0:12:38 > 0:12:41to give it an overall colour to match the original mahogany.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44The only problem with that is there's so much wood here
0:12:44 > 0:12:47that needs staining and polishing,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50and I could really do with another pair of hands.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Luckily Don's on hand to help save the day.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56So I was thinking I need an apprentice.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Right, OK. Yeah. Happy to help.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- Yeah?- Bring it on. Yeah, no worries.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05So what I'm doing is I'm applying it to the surface,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08then using the tissue to, sort of, blend it in,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10because if you go on too heavy
0:13:10 > 0:13:13then it almost looks like it's just been painted.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Yeah, you don't want to lose all this nice grain.
0:13:15 > 0:13:16Then if you rub it in,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19you can still see that it's the mahogany
0:13:19 > 0:13:21and you can still see the grain.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23I think I can do that. Shall I start on this bit?
0:13:23 > 0:13:24You sure can.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Can I stipple this, or what do you want to do?
0:13:29 > 0:13:30- Just...- See?
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- Natural.- How am I doing?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Yeah, good. You've got the job.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37I don't know what all the fuss is about.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44Across the workshop,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Steve is rebooting a one-of-a-kind fire engine.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52It was made during the Second World War and was a fully functioning
0:13:52 > 0:13:53replica of the real thing.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57I've got the turntable ladder device there.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00That's obviously coming from
0:14:00 > 0:14:04some device from the Dennis factory.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07I've got this switch unit there that goes on top.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09That looks a lot, lot better now.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And I've got to paint the railings of this ladder section
0:14:13 > 0:14:14before I polish it up,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17because I don't want any polish to get onto the railings
0:14:17 > 0:14:20before I polish it, because the paint won't take.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24The three extending ladders have been out of action for decades.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28All Steve's technical expertise is required here.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30I'm repairing the ladder at the moment
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and there is an issue with it,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35because this hole here where the string goes through
0:14:35 > 0:14:38has actually cut a little slot just in the hole,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42and that is actually making the string that goes through it bind.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45So it was no wonder that the ladder wouldn't raise.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51So I've actually made a bush that I'm going to put in there,
0:14:51 > 0:14:52and I've rounded either end
0:14:52 > 0:14:54so that the string will slide through it nicely,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57and that should rectify the problem forever.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Although there's been a slight hitch.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I wanted to put the original bell back on,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07so I put a screw in there and the screw came through
0:15:07 > 0:15:11and actually broke a coil, one of the wires on the coil, there.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14So what I've had to do is take a lot of the coil off...
0:15:15 > 0:15:19..solder it up and then put it back again and it should...
0:15:21 > 0:15:24BELL RINGS
0:15:24 > 0:15:27There we go, sounds a bit like a fire engine.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28Or a doorbell.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Kirsten is preparing to put together all of the broken pieces
0:15:41 > 0:15:42of the antique Japanese porcelain.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45I just want to...
0:15:46 > 0:15:51..see if I can get this animal glue off, this old adhesive.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Yeah, that's coming off quite nicely, actually.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58It's quite satisfying.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04It's really important to make sure that all the exposed break edges,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07erm, are really, really clean.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Any old adhesive is removed
0:16:09 > 0:16:13and, if you just have one of them that's out of alignment,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17it actually can put the whole piece out of alignment.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18So one join's wrong,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20it then, sort of, goes on to the next join
0:16:20 > 0:16:23and actually you just don't get a very good bond.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27With the Victorian glue removed,
0:16:27 > 0:16:29this porcelain jigsaw puzzle
0:16:29 > 0:16:30can begin to be pieced back together.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34So I think I'm going to try and make it into, sort of,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38two large sections, and then join the two pieces together.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43So it needs really, really thorough mixing, this adhesive.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45You basically have to mix it
0:16:45 > 0:16:49for as long as you can bear to mix it and then mix it a bit more.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07I'm just going to put the tape on now. There we go.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15And, hopefully, that way I'll get a really good, tight stick.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28I'm quite pleased with the way that's gone together, actually.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31But this puzzle is missing a piece,
0:17:31 > 0:17:35which Kirsten is going to have to rebuild using a ceramic resin.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38As it's such a large area,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41I'm going to support the area with some dental wax
0:17:41 > 0:17:44and then actually fill on top of that.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Kirsten must draw on all her years of experience
0:17:48 > 0:17:51to replicate the centuries-old porcelain.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I'm just hoping that I can actually get the translucency
0:17:55 > 0:17:57and the colour right.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00It's always quite difficult with something like this.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02I start off with some white pigment...
0:18:03 > 0:18:09..a cerulean blue, and just take a few tiny grains of pigment.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10Pop them to the side there.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16So hopefully that's the sort of blue colour.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19So I'm going to add in some yellow ochre,
0:18:19 > 0:18:20and immediately you can see
0:18:20 > 0:18:23that that gives it the sort of, the warmth.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Try it out on a small area.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30It's quite difficult when you do a fill that's this big and this deep,
0:18:30 > 0:18:34but it's just a case of trial and error, actually.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Now Kirsten has got the Japanese porcelain bowl
0:18:44 > 0:18:46back in one piece again,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49including the missing part that she's lovingly recreated.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54The prominent cut-out section on the rim is a clue
0:18:54 > 0:18:56to the bowl's original purpose.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Now, what is that anyway?
0:18:58 > 0:19:00It's actually primarily, I think, probably a barber's bowl.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04But, equally, it can be used for blood-letting.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Which is what? What's a blood-letting bowl?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10In ancient times, they would basically bleed you.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14It's actually used as a sort of medical practice
0:19:14 > 0:19:18for treating all sorts of various illnesses.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- Yeah.- But you offer it up to the neck
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and presumably do whatever you're going to do.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Sounds a bit Sweeney Todd to me.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Yeah. I was going to demonstrate, but I don't know if it's bad luck.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30I don't want to put a curse on myself. But...
0:19:30 > 0:19:31Can you hold it with two hands?
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- I'm going to hold it with two hands. - Yeah.- If you're having a shave...
0:19:35 > 0:19:36- Yeah?- Right.
0:19:36 > 0:19:42And then if you're letting, then it's more like something like that.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43Yeah.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Back outside, all that remains is to carefully piece
0:19:48 > 0:19:49the jigsaw back together
0:19:49 > 0:19:54before the sign can be to pride of place on the village green.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- Done.- Are we there?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59We're almost there, yeah. We just need to attach this last piece
0:19:59 > 0:20:01which is the ceramic bit, which is very fragile.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- Really fragile.- Then just pop it on the post and then it's done.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07OK, cool. So you don't need my help. I should go.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08Well... Well, do you know what?
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- You're such a strapping, strong, young man...- Well...
0:20:11 > 0:20:13We thought we could do with some of that strength.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Got the supervision we need.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- That's it.- You sure this is the right way round?- Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Brilliant.- Next thing...
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- Pop it on that now.- This post?
0:20:23 > 0:20:24Yeah, if you just bring it over for us.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32He's sweating, look at his face!
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Trying to pretend it's not heavy! It's easy, mate.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Go on, go on. Twist it. There we are.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42- Whack it in.- You want a hammer?
0:20:44 > 0:20:45- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- Done.- Oh, look. Look at that.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Right, boys...- One, two, three.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52- Go on.- What are you doing?
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- Come on!- I'm lifting!
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Put your back into it, man!
0:20:58 > 0:21:00All right.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Oh!- Look at it. It looks amazing.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06What do you think, Jay, you happy?
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- You've done a brilliant job. - Thank you.- Well done.
0:21:09 > 0:21:10- Thank you very much.- Well done.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Now all that's left to do is return the sign to Dorset,
0:21:16 > 0:21:21and the two villagers who brought it to the repair shop, John and Kevin.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23It was in a bit of a sorry state.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26All green and mildew on the top.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29I don't think they'll ever get it back as good as the original sign.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31I don't think that's possible.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34So I'm anxious to see it now, to see really what they have done.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39John, Kevin, and some of the other locals
0:21:39 > 0:21:42are gathering for the sign's grand unveiling,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46back on the village green where it was first erected 30 years ago.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Without further ado,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52I'd like to invite Kevin and John to unveil the sign.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57Five, four, three, two, one...
0:21:57 > 0:21:59THEY CHEER
0:22:03 > 0:22:05This is actually wonderful because, you know,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08the sign is part of the history of the village,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and you can see the results of what's been going on.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15They've done a top job. It's almost like it was new.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18But aged beautifully.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I thought the bottom post was the original post,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23but I understand that it's been replaced.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25It's just wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29I'm really, really pleased that it's turned out great.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30So, thank you.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Back at the repair shop,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Kirsten has been slowly but surely piecing together
0:22:45 > 0:22:47the much-loved Japanese bowl.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51This, for me, is the most enjoyable part.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53I've done all the coloured fills
0:22:53 > 0:22:57and it's now just putting on this decoration.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59It's quite nerve-racking.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01I do have to keep a very, very steady hand,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04and I generally don't breathe when I do it, so...
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Now owner Jane is back to see if the bowl
0:23:17 > 0:23:19that holds so many memories
0:23:19 > 0:23:22can be returned to pride of place at home.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27It does mean a lot, this plate, cos I've lived with it all my life.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30So this is the moment of great excitement,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32and I can't wait to see it.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- Hello, Jane.- Hello there.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- How are you doing? Are you all right?- OK, thank you, yes.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Come on. Let's go and meet Kirsten.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40- Hi, Jane.- Hello.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41Lovely to see you again.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47- Hi.- You too. The moment I've been waiting for!
0:23:47 > 0:23:51So, the last time you saw it, it was in about 12 pieces, wasn't it?
0:23:51 > 0:23:56It was. It was awful and ghastly and a tale of woe as ever there was.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58There you are.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01I am blown over, completely.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04I'm so delighted.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08I can't... I'm not normally lost for words but I am!
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Do you know what, Kirsten? I tried to mend an egg cup,
0:24:11 > 0:24:15and I made a complete mess of it, so I am just amazed at this!
0:24:15 > 0:24:18It's better than it was before!
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- Oh, I can't believe that. - It sparkles, it really does.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26A ruin has been made good again to enjoy, a much treasured,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28lovely plate...
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- Oh, bless. Look at that. - You're very, very kind.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- She's good, isn't she? - She's brilliant.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35She's just the very best.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Kirsten, I'm so pleased in every way.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39So, thank you every ever so much.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42You're welcome. It's been an absolute pleasure.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Steve is giving a treasured toy fire engine a complete overhaul
0:24:54 > 0:24:56to bring it back into service.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58I'm really pleased with it all.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03So, I've just got to put the turntable on...
0:25:05 > 0:25:07That's working well, I think.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Yep. And it's just a matter of putting the ladder on there.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Final bits. It's all strung.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15I think I'll...
0:25:15 > 0:25:18tie the rope on once it's in situ.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20I think that might be easier.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28It's at this stage I'm really hoping that the ladder extends all right.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33If it doesn't, then back to the drawing board.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45This is great.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48I'm relieved, absolutely relieved.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Good. All done.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54The engine's very proud owner, Mervyn,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57is back to collect his favourite old toy.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01I am feeling a little bit anxious today,
0:26:01 > 0:26:05because I remember just how fine it was when I was young.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10It's been like a little bit of conscience on the shelf
0:26:10 > 0:26:12for about 30 years,
0:26:12 > 0:26:13you know, slowly getting dustier.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18And I hope he's been able to wind the clock back.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19Hello, Mervyn.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21- Hello, Steve.- How are you?
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Like going to the doctor, isn't it?
0:26:24 > 0:26:25I'm a bit anxious, Doctor.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27I hope you're going to treat me well.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31What are you expecting?
0:26:31 > 0:26:35It needed a lot of love and care and attention.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37And my fingers... Everything's crossed.
0:26:37 > 0:26:38OK. Well...
0:26:39 > 0:26:40..let me unveil it.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44Oh, my gosh!
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Oh, my... Gosh!
0:26:46 > 0:26:47I don't even... Wow!
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Steve, that is amazing. I think it's better than it was.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Amazing. Amazing.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57That fire extinguisher was never that brassy, either.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Can I play with it?
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- Yeah!- We'll do the lights first,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04cos I think you should put the lights on first.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Astonishing. They haven't glowed...
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Oh, there's one... Do you know, I don't even remember...
0:27:12 > 0:27:13We didn't talk about that one!
0:27:13 > 0:27:16I don't remember that one at all!
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Yup, it was there.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Amazing. Can I go for the bell now?
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Yes, you can.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25BELL RINGS
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Yes, perfect.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31That's so nice.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33- Can I do the ladder? - Of course you can.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Now, what we have to do here...
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Well, you will know this now, I knew it...
0:27:37 > 0:27:40And you've done all of the wires as well!
0:27:40 > 0:27:41Oh, just amazing.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Isn't it amazing? Oh, God, I've got to do this.
0:27:46 > 0:27:47See?
0:27:49 > 0:27:52This is winding the clock back considerably.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- It's lovely to have memories like that.- Yeah.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Yeah. And you've brought them back to life.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00It's beautiful. Steven, thank you.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01That is amazing.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03You're very, very welcome.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05It's quite interesting, memory, isn't it?
0:28:05 > 0:28:08You have these things tucked away, some things you can remember,
0:28:08 > 0:28:09words of a song, or something,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11and suddenly somebody shows you something
0:28:11 > 0:28:13and it just seems to unlock a room of memories.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15So it's fantastic, it's great.
0:28:21 > 0:28:27Join us next time, as more treasured items are brought back to life.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Wow!