Some of Britain's most skilled restoration experts breathe new life into much-cherished family heirlooms that are dropped off by members of the public, who reveal the personal stories behind the items.
Charles II PortraitJay Blades and the team tackle a historic portrait, an engagement ring, an ornate chest from Oman and a toy donkey that links a twin with the brother she lost aged 21.
Seized-up Roundabout
E2
Seized-up RoundaboutJay Blades and the team restore a sit-on roundabout, a Texan side saddle, a WWI dominoes box and a mechanical teddy gifted to an adopted girl on arrival in the UK.
Mantle Clock
E3
Mantle ClockJay Blades and the team restore a ship-shaped clock, a ceramic night light, a 1960s skateboard and a teddy that accompanied a young man through life-changing surgery.
Grandma's Running Shoes
E4
Grandma's Running ShoesJay Blades and the team takes on a pair of running shoes used in Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics, a photograph of an ANC activist, a cherished clarinet and a push-along donkey.
Painting of Queen Henrietta Maria
E5
Painting of Queen Henrietta MariaJay Blades and the team tackle a rare historic painting, a vintage sewing machine, a Beatles souvenir from the Swinging Sixties and a splintered stained-glass window.
Dolls Amy and David
E6
Dolls Amy and DavidJay Blades and the team restore two very well-loved dolls, a drum kit with magical memories, a painted German toy box and the oldest item ever to enter the barn.
Diana the Doll
E7
Diana the DollJay Blades and the team restore a beloved doll, a metal guitar, a symbolic sculpture and a suitcase that accompanied an army officer as he journeyed through Africa.
Symbolic Seascape
E8
Symbolic SeascapeJay Blades and the team restore a significant seascape painting, a doll belonging to a refugee child from Bosnia, a farmer’s vintage seed-sower and a Parisian plate.
Stone Bird Bath
E9
Stone Bird BathJay Blades and the team restore a crumbling bird bath, a harmonium in need of a tune up, a document belonging to a survivor of the Titanic and a 1950s bear in need of TLC.
Barber's Chair
E10
Barber's ChairJay Blades and the team restore a barber’s chair, an Iranian musical instrument, a roulette machine and a carousel horse.
Chesterfield Armchair
E11
Chesterfield ArmchairJay Blades and the team restore a Chesterfield armchair, a brass keepsake box and a silver bracelet.
Pottery Vegetable Patch Signs
E12
Pottery Vegetable Patch SignsThe team restores handmade pottery signs, a wooden horse and cart toy, and a footie trophy.
Grandmother's Midwifery Bag
E13
Grandmother's Midwifery BagThe team restores a wooden toy yacht, a pre-NHS midwifery bag and a mechanical toy bear.
Motor Bike Saddle Bags
E14
Motor Bike Saddle BagsThe team restores some leather saddle bags, a barometer and a stained glass panel.
Tarnished Tuba
E15
Tarnished TubaIn the Repair Shop today, the team restores a tuba, a metal mantle clock and a Foo dog pot.
Young Man and Dog Lead Statue
E16
Young Man and Dog Lead StatueThe team restores a lead statue, a Windrush suitcase and a wooden giraffe.
Indian Dancing Doll
E17
Indian Dancing DollThe team restores an Indian dancing doll, a musical menorah and a sewing box.
Engagement and Eternity Rings
E18
Engagement and Eternity RingsThe team restores a pair of wedding rings, a pantomime horse and a dreadnought guitar.
Worn-out Toy Rabbit
E19
Worn-out Toy RabbitThe team restore a soft toy, a sea cadet’s drum and a wooden church pew.
Wooden Soldier's Trunk
E20
Wooden Soldier's TrunkThe team restores a soldier’s trunk, a Persian tea set and a pair of roller skates.
Vintage Printing Machine
E21
Vintage Printing MachineThe team restores a leather chair, a vintage letterpress and a mechanical toy plane.
1970s Puppet
E22
1970s PuppetThe team restore a treasured childhood puppet, an antique camera and an unusual timepiece.
Silver Tea Set
E23
Silver Tea SetThe team restore a post box, a silver tea set and a leather desk folder.
Painting 'The Storyteller' by Robin Rae
E24
Painting 'The Storyteller' by Robin RaeThe team restore a midwifery bag, a cherished painting and a First World War brooch.
Wol the Stuffed Owl
E25
Wol the Stuffed OwlThe team restore a soft toy, a miniature piano and a work-torn wall clock.
Kiddush Cup
E26
Kiddush CupThe team restore a Venetian glass goblet, a leather hat and a wooden horse called Toby.
Musical Wedding Album
E27
Musical Wedding AlbumThe team restores a child’s chair, a musical wedding album and a children’s ride.
The Whistling Man
E28
The Whistling ManThe team restore a whistling wooden statue, a photographer’s timer and an owl inkwell.
Tap Shoes
E29
Tap ShoesThe team restore a pair of tap shoes, an ornate silver purse and a magician’s table.
Silver-Plated Cornet
E30
Silver-Plated CornetThe team restore a silver-plated cornet, a paraffin lamp and an elaborate music box.
Century-Old Violin
E31
Century-Old ViolinThe team restores a century-old violin, a toy replica cooker and a leather briefcase.
Speedway Racing Boots
E32
Speedway Racing BootsJay Blades and the team restore a pair of speedway racing boots, a 1960s electric organ, a handmade grandfather clock and a diary and writing slate.
Record Turntable
E33
Record TurntableJay Blades and the team restore a record turntable, a chair made for King George VI’s coronation, a code breaker’s leather writing case and a mechanical toy clown.
Miniature Replica House
E34
Miniature Replica HouseJay Blades and the team restore a miniature house, a Bakelite radio, a fairground game and an Indian painting.
Danish Egg Chair
E35
Danish Egg ChairJay Blades and the team restore an iconic 1960s armchair, a Victorian electrostatic generator, a WWII sailor’s hat and the most extraordinary bicycle.
