In this episode of The Repair Shop, mother and daughter Halina and Lesley arrive first with a silver ring, a treasure from World War II. The ring belonged to Halina’s mother, Janina, who was orphaned at 13 and took refuge in a convent near the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw. It was given to her as a token of gratitude by a Jewish woman whom Janina had risked her life to help by passing food through the fence.
Janina treasured the ring, and it remained with her throughout her life. Now broken and worn, Halina wants it transformed into a pendant so that she can keep her courageous mother close to her heart. Jeweller Richard Talman takes on the task of restoring this precious item.
Next, Gordon Craik visits the shop with his sons, James and Ross, and a pair of outdoor curling stones. These stones hold sporting and family history, having been used by Gordon’s father in his team’s victory at the Grand Match of 1979. Gordon wishes to pass them on to his sons, who are also champion curlers. Silversmith Brenton West, along with leather expert Suzie Fletcher and basket weaver Sarah Hatton, work to restore the stones, which have been damaged from years of outdoor exposure.
Woodworker Will Kirk is then tasked with repairing a wooden chef figurine, brought in by Tracey Emery. The figurine holds sentimental value for Tracey, reminding her of her beloved grandparents and the happy Sundays spent at their pub. Unfortunately, it was damaged in a fire, and Tracey’s father was unable to repair it before he passed away. Will sets out to restore the figurine to its former glory, preserving Tracey’s cherished memories.
Lastly, Sonam Batra seeks the help of paper conservator Angelina Bakalarou for a vintage Bollywood film poster of Sholay. The poster holds cinematic and family significance for Sonam, reminding him of the Sundays spent with his dad and cousins at the local cinema in Leamington Spa. Angelina works to restore the poster, reviving Sonam’s memories of his father and their shared love of Bollywood.
The Repair Shop, episode 11, airs on BBC One at 8:00 pm on 28 August 2024.
