The Repair Shop Season 5, Episode 27: Victorian Automaton

1

Ornate Wooden Piano Stool

A beautiful carved walnut piano stool arrives for the attention of furniture restorer Will Kirk. Proud owner Mary treasures the stool as it holds many memories of the lady who took her under her wing as a teenager. Horologist Steve Fletcher’s knowledge of dials, numbers and needles is called upon to resurrect a very unusual object that has been broken for over 30 years. Owner Simon arrives at the barn with a defunct speedometer from his 1920s vintage car. An engineer himself, he has worked on every element of his beloved car, but getting the speedometer to work has defeated him. There’s nothing else for it but to dismantle the entire unit and do some major figuring out. Basketry specialist Sarah Hatton undertakes the repair of a wicker baby crib that has been at the heart of a family for generations.

43 min

2

RAF Mascot Teddy Bear

Metal worker Dominic Chinea takes on a former fairground family’s water can. The can represents owner David’s childhood travelling around the country, but large sections of it have lost the battle with rust and it has sprung some major leaks. Dom sets about replacing the bottom panel and giving it a new lease of life, with the help of silversmith Brenton. Master saddler Suzie Fletcher tackles a miniature camel saddle – the only memento from a childhood spent in Malaysia. This curious item has been by owner John’s side for over 60 years, but an unfortunate incident with a mischievous puppy has left it in tatters. And teddy bear repair duo Amanda and Julie welcome a 100-year-old RAF mascot bear called Bobby. Dressed in a replica uniform, the bear belonged to a brave airman who survived a horrific plane crash during the Second World War. His daughters, Kris and Barbara, would love to have Bobby Bear restored as a tribute to their father.

44 min

3

Military Drum

There’s a treat in store for metalworker Dominic Chinea when he comes face to face with a one-of-a-kind bicycle sidecar, designed for junior passengers. Owners Chrissy and Steve have many fond memories of peddling around town with their three children in tow, but the ingenious contraption is now dilapidated after being exiled to the shed for decades. Furniture restorer Will Kirk is presented with the dreaded box of bits when he meets the owner of what was a Victorian sewing table. And percussion expert Pete Woods restores a piece of military history – a drum that saw frontline action in both world wars. The drum belonged to owner Tim’s grandfather, who signed up for duty in the Royal Fusiliers at just thirteen years of age. Too young to be a soldier, Tim's grandad became a drummer boy and would accompany marching soldiers.

43 min

4

Sea Serpent Pen Holder

Master saddler Susie Fletcher has her work cut out with a treasured leather satchel that’s been through the wars. Owner John’s grandfather bought it in a Cairo market while serving in the Second World War. The market was bombed, but the lucky soldier escaped with just a shrapnel wound. The satchel itself bears the blood stain. Horologist Steve Fletcher brings all his expertise to the repair of a Victorian clock that is that is linked to an incredible wartime story that made national headlines. The clock has been in owner Wendy’s family for over 100 years, for most of its life sitting proudly on the mantle of her grandparents’ pub in Kent. In the last few years it has become increasingly unreliable and has not chimed in decades. And silversmith Brenton works his magic on a mythical creature. The bronze sea serpent pen holder was made by owner Alan’s great-grandfather, who had a passion for making such curiosities.

44 min

5

Boxing Gloves

Master saddler Suzie Fletcher rescues a pair of tired and torn boxing gloves that once belonged to the owner Andy’s uncle, who died tragically as a young man. Andy is keen to have the precious keepsakes restored for his father as a surprise. Natural history conservator Simon Moore is faced with a huge challenge when he takes receipt of an unusual cigarette box, crafted from an ostrich egg shell. It was a gift given to owner Trevor’s grandfather during the Second World War, when he was stationed in the Far East. And metalworker Dom is delighted to work on a 1950s toy bike that was gifted to the owner’s brother by none other than Laurel and Hardy during a performance in their home town.

43 min

6

Wind-Up Panda

A once-beautiful mid-century coffee table has been part of owner Graham's life for 60 years. The item belonged to his parents and took pride of place in their living room. Wood restoration expert Will uses all his knowledge to bring this unique wooden object back to life. It's collaboration time for clockmaker Steven Fletcher and our toy duo Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell when a wind-up panda dating from the 1960s is brought to the barn. It is the first toy owner Gill remembers having and was a gift from her late father, who died two weeks before her sixth birthday aged just 52. After providing 50 years of comfort to Gill, panda is looking worse for wear. An unusual and ingenious contraption arrives for the attention of metal worker Dominic Chinea. It is a coconut scraper and was the creation of Dudley's father, who migrated with his family to the UK from India in 1958. Dudley and his brothers have fond memories of helping their mother make a Goan treat called Kulkuls.

43 min

7

Wind-Up Train

The team takes on a wooden desk that has seen some serious swotting, a charming scrapbook charting a fantastic story and a now defunct wind up train. Steve starts off by trying to understand and then dismantle the locomotive before handing it over to Lucia for repainting and decorating. Bookbinder Chris Shaw checks out the 1950s scrapbook but notices some tears so passes it over to paper conservator Louise Drover before he starts work on repairing and restoring the rest of the scrapbook. Will Kirk then starts to work on the desk.

43 min

8

Flexiwhirl Seesaw

Metal worker Dominic Chinea is challenged to revive a rare and curious 1930s children's toy seesaw, while hand embroidery expert Sara Dennis is given the challenge of reviving a century old embroidered bedspread. Meanwhile, brother and sister Steve and Suzie Fletcher sort out an ancient gentleman's shooting stick.

43 min

9

WWII Lucky Mascot

Jay Blades and the team revive and restore a previous brooch, a teddy bear called Chiefy with a suspected moth infestation and a well-traveled trunk, which after a journey of 6,000 miles, now has pride of place in Sam Sharpe's family home. Amanda and Julie start by putting Chiefy into the deep freeze to kill off any moth larvae lurking inside. Will deals with the warped camphor wood trunk with help from Brenton who makes a replacement piece for the brass latch. Kirsten re-makes Chiefy's buttons, Suzie checks out his new boots and Steve buffs up his boatswain's call. Richard repairs the damaged brooch.

43 min

10

Ship's Wheel

It's all hands on deck as the crew tackles a dilapidated wheel from a scrapped Scottish fishing boat, a worn out football mascot, and a well-worn commemorative cricket ball. Suzie is presented with a worn out cricket ball which is coming apart at the seams, then fine art conservator Lucia retouches the red colour and the gold inscription. Will is presented with an old ship's wheel in pieces but with Dom and Jay's help he gets the jigsaw of pieces back together again. Kirsten takes on the job of repairing the old Portsmouth mascot doll with some help from the bear ladies, Amanda and Julie. Brenton adds the finishing touch to the ship's wheel by making a cover to fit over the hub.

43 min

11

Ted the Teddy Bear

Lesley Keller's from London hopes toy restorers Julie Tatchall and Amanda Middleditch can get a very old friend back on his feet. Ted means an awful lot to Lesley as he was one of the first toys she received from her wonderful adoptive parents. Pete is asked to repair a 1920s banjolele that was played in the old music halls. Will is tasked with repairing and restoring an old tea caddy that was filled with family treasures.

43 min

12

Antique Bridle

Janette Drew and her mother, Margaret Murphy, are hoping that metalwork Expert Dominic Chinea can save a bench that's on its last legs. Meanwhile, a unique piece of family heritage arrives with Ella Woolls and her father Jon: an antique bridle, while Steve Fletcher is tasked with restoring and renovating a very old mechanical calculator. Suzie Fletcher tackles the old bridle, with some help on the decorative metalwork from Brenton West.

43 min

13

Vintage Bottle Stopper

The team takes on a rusty pedal scooter, a keepsake with a theatrical past: an original engraved powder compact, and a whimsical vintage bottle stopper whose smiling face and red nose has fascinated owner Martin Day, ever since he was a young boy. Brian Adams is hoping bike restorer Tim Gunn can work his magic on a rusty pedal scooter that he inherited from his father. Silversmith Brenton West is challenged to restore a precious keepsake with a theatrical past: an original engraved powder compact. This unusual item was gifted to owner Dee Rance's aunt Lucy, a performer, by the legendary comedy impresario Fred Karno. Unfortunately the delicate box is dull, knocked and dented, and the mirror inside is cracked beyond repair. Brenton sets to work to transform this tarnished treasure and restore some star quality.

43 min

14

Smuggler's Telescope

The team takes on a tippling stick thought to have belonged to George V, a nearly 200-year-old telescope that needs the eye of optics expert Richard Biggs, and a Victorian high chair that transforms into a rocking chair. Brenton makes a start on the tippling stick with some help from Will to apply a bit of polish. Brenton then makes a silver quaffing pot to hold a dram of the whisky that the tippling stick holds. Will then focuses on the high chair that transforms into a rocking chair. After making a new top piece for the missing back he enlists the help of Dom to tidy up the transforming mechanism and Suzie who makes a new padding for the back and seat. Meanwhile Richard starts work on the old smuggler's telescope with some help either some soldering by Steve.

43 min

15

Antique Toy Cannon

Today the team takes on an antique firing toy cannon handed down to Andrew by his grandfather, a novelty Victorian inkwell in the shape of a hat, and a saintly statue that's suffered an unholy breakage. Firstly Steve investigates the toy cannon, Suzie starts to look at the inkwell while Kirsten starts to work on the damaged statue. Suzie tackles the Victorian inkwell with some help from her brother Steve. And Kirsten starts working on the saintly statue.

43 min

16

Homemade Telescope

The team takes on a well-traveled leather case, a fantastic homemade telescope built from scrap metal and a century old decorative bowl that survived the Nazis. Suzie and Lucia make a start on the leather briefcase. Richard and Dom make a start on the scrapyard telescope. Meanwhile Kirsten takes on the jigsaw of the bowl smashed by the Nazis (and the cat). Suzie repairs and restores the leather work on the old case while Lucia refreshes the lettering on it. Dom tackles the metalwork and mechanics of the telescope.

43 min

17

Iraqi Samovar

The team takes on a family butcher's trusty (and rusty) sausage making machine, a crumbling Edwardian album full of treasured postcards, a satchel bought in North Africa and an Iraqi hot water urn, known as a samovar. Suzie tackles the satchel, Dom starts de-rusting the old sausage machine. Chris starts organising and planning how he can repair the postcard album. Meanwhile Brenton makes a start on the battered and aged samovar. Both Dom and Brenton make use of Will's woodworking skills to recreate them a missing handle each.

43 min

18

200-Year-Old Fire Bucket

The team tackles a small but very precious family heirloom: a 170 year old gold ring, with intricate detailing, that is currently in pieces, a jewellery box bought in Italy, and a 200 year old fire bucket, which is on the brink of collapse. Firstly Richard has a look at the gold ring to repair and resize it so that it'll fit the owner's adult fingers. Then Will starts to repair the jewellery box which include The revealing of a secret compartment which the owner wasn't aware of. Suzie meanwhile tackles the repairs necessary to repair and restore the old fire bucket.

43 min

19

Homemade Gramophone

The team takes on a smashed piggy bank, a homemade gramophone that has lost its voice and a tarnished 19th-century ceremonial helmet.

43 min

20

Tape-Recording Machine

The team takes on a broken tape-recording machine, a costume that once belonged to a 1950s strong woman and a broken wind-up car.

43 min

21

Jamaican Pump Organ

The team takes on a Jamaican pump organ, an RAF bomber pilot's hat, a baby crib made during the First World War and a naval rigging kit.

57 min

22

World-Travelled Stowaway Bicycle

The team rejuvenates a jukebox owned by widower Geoff, a stowaway bicycle that has travelled the world, the oldest item to be restored - a lantern clock and a compass from the lifeboat that saved the lives of members of the owners family.

57 min

23

Shattered Stained-Glass Door Panel

Jay Blades and the team tackle a torn leather armchair, a broken music box, a faded portrait and a shattered stained-glass door panel.

57 min

24

Alabaster Light Shade

The team tackle an alabaster light shade, a piano stool, a toy bus and a pair of binoculars.

57 min

25

Wind-up Bird Cage

Jay Blades and the team tackle a wind-up bird cage, a host of carved angels, a Georgian peat bucket and a surgeon's leather case.

57 min

26

Grocer's Scales

Jay Blades and the team take on a set of shopkeeper's scales, a leather keepsake bag and an Egyptian table.

43 min

27

Victorian Automaton

Jay Blades and the team tackle a bus conductor’s ticket machine, a Victorian automaton and a former world champion’s kick-boxing trophy.

43 min

28

Art Deco Chiming Clock

Jay Blades and the team tackle an art deco clock, a teddy bear and a 3D photograph viewer.

43 min

29

Air-Powered Toy Car

Jay Blades and the team tackle a chair used during the investiture ceremony of the Prince of Wales, an air-powered toy car and a RNLI donation box.

43 min

30

1940s Toy Gyroscope

Jay Blades and the team tackle a refugee family's wooden trunk, a memorial trophy and a gyroscopic toy cyclist.

43 min

31

Victorian Sewing Machine

Jay Blades and the team tackle a tarnished rugby trophy, a Victorian sewing machine and an accordion.

43 min

32

Marionette Theatre

Jay Blades and the team tackle a wooden toolbox, a plate camera and a marionette theatre.

43 min

33

100-Year-Old Surveyor's Theodolite

Jay Blades and the team tackle a surveyor's theodolite, an ice cream bell and a football.

43 min

34

World War II Mascot Doll

The restoration experts tackle a pewter chess set representing the American War of Independence, an X-shape chair from Syria dating back to the beginning of the 20th century and a World War II mascot doll, unsurprisingly called Tommy.

43 min

35

Incident Room 'Murder Box'

Bear repair team Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch are ready and waiting to give an adored 60s teddy bear called Fred (the threadbare Fred bear) a much needed makeover. He has been a constant companion to owner Steph Derham through her many tough struggles having been born with Spina Bifida. The next visitor to the barn is Joss Green Armatage who brings in a shabraque for embroidery expert Sara Dennis to restore. A shabraque is a fancy blanket that goes under the saddle of the horse on ceremonial and state occasions. Next to arrive is Maggie Tovey from Newcastle with her "Murder box" that was used in times past for setting up an incident room in a police station. She gives it to Will Kirk for repair and restoration.

43 min

36

Dad's Old Saxophone

The first visitor to The Repair Shop's barn today is Lorna Douglas who's brought her Dad's old saxophone for Pete Woods to repair and restore. Then John brings in an old, damaged fret-saw which Dom manages to repair. Lorna is followed by Phil Bailey who's brought a 1937 brass kettle inherited from his grandparents for the attention of Brenton West. Then Ruth Bowditch brings in a WWI shaving mirror for Suzie Fletcher to see what she can do with.

43 min

37

Semi-Acoustic Guitar

Luthier (a maker and repairer of stringed instruments) Julyan Wallis gets to grips with a semi acoustic guitar that has spanned three generations. Pete Rout and his son, Tom, put their faith in Julyan to save the beloved instrument that has been silent for over 40 years. Then dentist Faroz Jafferji from Zanzibar brings in his grandfather's old clock for Steve Fletcher to restore and repair. Then Charlotte Velacottt and her aunt Mary from Cornwall brought in a broken fruit bowl for the attention of Kirsten Ramsey. Finally Will Kirk is brought a chair to repair that's been attacked by woodworm in its travels around Europe.

43 min

38

Fire-Damaged Silver Vanity Set

In the Repair Shop today, the team takes on a fire-damaged silver vanity set, a WW2 secret agent canister and a wooden toy carousel.

43 min

39

Brass Shop Till

Jay Blades and the team takes on a tarnished brass shop till, a doll's house bestowed to a children's hospice and a communion box.

44 min

40

Beloved Banjo

Stringed instrument restorer Julyan Wallis sets to work on a beloved banjo. The banjo belonged to Kipper Tranter's dear departed friend, Ted. Ted took a young and wayward Kipper under his wing, for which Kipper is eternally grateful. Then Julia Emmett from Berkshire comes into the barn with a set of old, tired roller skates for Suzie Fletcher to renovate and restore. The next visitor is David Worssom from Penarth in South Wales who's brought in a wooden salad bowl complete with presentation plaque for Will Kirk to repair and restore.

44 min

41

18th Century French Clock

Today, Andy Cronkite brings in an 18th century clock made by renowned French maker Julian Beliard. The prized piece was rescued from a church cellar after an attack during the London Blitz. Their next visitor is Anne-Marie Salmon from London has an old 1960s radiogram for the attention of Mark Stuckey and Will Kirk. Then sisters Julie Welsh and Helen Branford from Yorkshire bring in a botanical field microscope for the attention of Brenton West which used to amuse them as children.

44 min

42

Railway Shunter's Lamp

Woodwork expert Will Kirk is enchanted by a musical jewellery box that miraculously survived a devastating house fire. Pamela Lamb from Devon cherishes this memento, as it belonged to her elder sister Vera, who sadly passed away. Next up is Alan Norley from Kent with an old railway shunter's lamp for Steve Fletcher to repair and restore. The next visitor to the barn is Girl Guide leader Anne Wheway with a Brownies Promise Toadstool for Suzie Fletcher and Will Kirk to repair and restore.

44 min

43

Junior Drum Kit

Keith Kear from Epping Forest has a junior drum kit for musical instrument expert Pete Woods to work on. The 1920s drums were originally his father's, and then a young Keith played them to his heart's content. The next visitor into the barn is Christine Upton from Kent who has brought an old oil lamp for Steve Fletcher. The lamp was converted to an electric lamp and Steve's challenge is turn it back into an oil lamp. The next visitors are father and son, John and Chris Deerlove who have brought an old treadle operated fret saw for Dominic Chinea to repair and restore.

44 min

44

Battered Old Trumpet

Jay Blades and the team take on a dented trumpet, a decorative belt awarded to a Victorian sporting hero and a metal roundabout. The first visitors to the barn are Cassie and Sue Day from Swindon have a very battered old trumpet for Pete Woods to repair and restore. It used to be used every New Year's Eve by Sue's dad (Cassie's gran-dad) to play Auld Lang Syne up and down the street. The next to enter the barn are Marilyn Rossel and her sister Margot from Eastbourne have brought in an old metal roundabout for Dominic Chinea to sort out. The last visitor today is Gil Lee from Burnley who has brought in a champion speed walker's belt for Brenton West and Suzie Fletcher.

44 min

45

Ploughing World Championship Trophies

Jay Blades and the team tackle a writing bureau, a pair of dancing clogs and a couple of ploughing trophies.

43 min