In this episode of The Repair Shop, viewers will be treated to a variety of intriguing and sentimental item restorations. Claire from Manchester kicks things off by bringing in her grandmother Jean’s World War II notebook, which has both culinary and historical significance.
The notebook, which at first glance appears to be a simple recipe book, is revealed to contain fascinating insights into Jean’s secret work as a telegraphist during the war, communicating Japanese code to the Enigma team at Bletchley Park.
Bookbinder Chris Shaw is tasked with restoring the notebook, which has seen better days, with its cover faded and peeling and the spine disintegrated in places. He skillfully rescues and reinvigorates this precious piece of history.
Next, mechanical expert Dominic Chinea tackles a 250-year-old fire pump from Suffolk. The pump, belonging to the parish of Worlingworth, has a rich history as the village’s first line of defense against fires for over a century. Aside from its historical value, Dom also has to address the pump’s malfunctioning state due to decades of neglect. He meticulously repairs the valves, handles, and reservoir to get it functioning again.
Ceramics restorer Kirsten Ramsay then meets 85-year-old Zarina from London, who wants to restore a special healing bowl gifted to her by Princess Amal, the daughter of a Sultan. The bowl, with beautiful Arabic text, symbolizes their deep friendship, which endured despite their different social statuses. Zarina has used the bowl for healing purposes, but it was accidentally broken and poorly repaired, leaving it in pieces. Kirsten carefully removes the superglue and recreates the bowl, honoring their lifelong friendship.
Finally, willow weaver Sarah Hatton takes on the challenge of restoring a large woven horse’s head puppet of Macha, the ancient Irish horse goddess. Dara and Anne from County Armagh in Northern Ireland have dedicated themselves to preserving Irish folklore and have used this puppet in their performances for schools and public events as a shared Celtic mythology for Catholic and Protestant children during the Troubles in the 1970s. Sarah undertakes a substantial restoration, repairing the horse head’s ears, skull, and mouthpiece to return it to its former glory.
The Repair Shop: Series 13, Episode 4 airs Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. on BBC One.
