The Repair Shop — Season 2026

First into the barn are sisters Carole, Pat and Alison from Shropshire, bringing a treasured relic from their family's 1970s salon – a retro hairdryer that once belonged to their beloved mum, Dorcus. For years, this iconic pink dryer sat at the heart of a much-loved family business. It later played a key role in the sisters' weekly pampering sessions at home with their mum. But after decades of service, its electrics are shot, the upholstery is in tatters, and the chair is missing its backbone. Upholsterer Sonnaz, metalworker Dom and electrics whizz Mark join forces to give this 70s centrepiece a dazzling revival worthy of Dorcus herself.From Salisbury, Jonny arrives with a fragile silk rugby flag dating from a 1936 international match between Ireland and England. The flag itself is beautiful, but the story behind it is truly extraordinary. Jonny only learned of its history when, over pints in the pub with his friend Ollie, it emerged that Ollie's grandfather had captained England, just as Jonny's own grandfather had captained Ireland. In a remarkable twist, they worked out that their respective grandfathers had led their countries in the 1936 international – and that this flag had in fact been presented by Jonny's grandfather to Ollie's grandfather. After Ollie's tragic death, his family gave Jonny the flag in his memory, but its 90 years have left it badly faded and horribly fragile. Textiles conservator Rebecca Bissonnet has the daunting task of saving the threadbare banner so it can once again fly proudly as a symbol of friendship and remembrance.Next, Kamal from London brings in a delicate collection of hand-carved Nigerian figurines, bought by her late mother during their childhood years in Lagos. The intricately carved miniature figures capture typical scenes of village life – fishermen, cooks and market traders, and Kamal's early years are filled with happy memories of playing with them. The years have not been kind to these precious pieces – there are lost limbs, missing heads and faded colours. But for Kamal and her mum, Bhajan, they remain a link to a happy past and to Kamal's father and brother, who have both since passed away. David Burville takes on the tricky task of painstakingly rebuilding the tiny carvings, replacing the missing parts and restoring their vibrant warmth, ensuring this miniature world – and the family's memories – can live on.Finally, from Dumfries in Scotland, brass band musician Samantha of the Hawick Saxhorn Band brings in her grandfather's battered leather cornet case, once owned by her great-great-uncle Walter S Wilson. The case has seen four generations of active service, but it is now cracked, torn and in dire need of care and attention. Leather expert Suzie Fletcher rebuilds the spine and straps, nourishes its weary hide and restores Walter's gleaming gold initials. Samantha returns to reunite the case with its cornet and to play a tune in her grandfather's honour, continuing a family tradition that has spanned more than a century.

First to arrive in the barn is Toby from Berkshire, with a keyboard that was the sound of his hero, Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers. A lifelong fan of the band, Toby was inspired by Dave to take up the keyboard himself. Five years ago, when Dave sadly passed away, in an incredible turn of events, his bandmates invited Toby to join them as the new Stranglers keyboard player, and Dave's original keyboard was gifted to him. Now broken, it poses a substantial challenge for organ restorer David Burville, who repairs the keys and enlists the help of electrical guru Mark Stuckey to get this iconic instrument, once touched by Toby's hero, playable again.School sweethearts Roland and Jackie arrive at the barn bearing some iconic footwear for the attention of shoemaker Dean Westmoreland. Back in the 70s, the pair were in the same class at school, but despite several attempts to impress Jackie, Roland had been knocked back because of his height. A trip to Carnaby Street in London ensued, and there in a shop window sat a pair of five-inch platforms. Roland instantly knew they were the shoes that would get the girl! At the disco, he towered over Jackie, and their relationship was sealed with a kiss. Despite breaking up and going their separate ways, the pair reunited years later and have now been together for 34 years. The platforms stayed with them for the whole ride, making the occasional appearance at fancy-dress parties, where they invariably picked up further scuffs and tears. Dean removes the platforms to get his hands on the uppers and makes the necessary repairs to get the 50-year-old platforms dance floor-ready.Next, mother and daughter Khalida and Nadia from Portsmouth are hoping bookbinder Chris Shaw has the recipe for success to restore a cookbook from the 1980s. Khalida and her husband left Pakistan for Portsmouth in the mid-1970s and set up an Indian cookery school, which became the heart of their community. They put the cookbook together to ensure that all their favourite recipes from the cookery course were stored in one place. Only 60 books were made, and they were given away to students at the end of each course, while the family's own copies have long since disappeared. A chance conversation with a colleague meant that Nadia managed to get hold of a tattered and torn copy, and her father's death became the catalyst for wanting it restored and preserved as a precious family heirloom. Chris repairs the pages, strengthens the front cover and even manages to produce a batch of the cookbook's samosas for the barn to enjoy.Finally, a racing trophy is brought in by Andrew Cotton from Hertfordshire that needs some serious attention from silversmith and keen motor sport enthusiast Brenton West. Won in 1965 at Holland's famous Tulip Rally by Andrew's motor journalist father Michael, the trophy was presented to him after he won his class in a gruelling multi-day, point-to-point race over 1,600 miles through Europe.

First to arrive in the barn are Tony Sivyer, leader of traditional Chinese lion dance team Dragon of the South, along with Alfie Allard, who has risen through the ranks since joining the group as a child. They've brought along a beautiful but broken baby lion, a costume that has trained generations of young performers in the traditional art. But with its bamboo frame weakened, its fabric tattered and its paintwork faded, it will take the combined talents of David Burville, Lucia Scalisi and Rebecca Bissonnet to revive this magnificent ceremonial piece so that it can be ready for many more dragon and lion dance performances. Next through the doors are Anne and Colin Draycott from Staffordshire. They've brought with them a pair of heavenly figures created by Anne's brother, celebrated artist Leonard McComb. These two stunning angels are scale models – known as maquettes – made before larger sculptures based on them are created. In this case, Leonard never actually produced the full-size versions, but he cherished and displayed these models in his home studio until his death in 2018. Anne and Colin were proud to have inherited these glorious pieces but were left devastated when the maquettes were damaged by Colin while he was packing them up for transportation. They're now desperately hoping ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay can restore the crumbling legs and missing feet as a fitting tribute to Leonard's legacy. From Sussex comes Sally O'Connor, carrying something small but filled with significant memories. Sally's mother died when she was young, and on Sally's own wedding day, her father presented her with her mother's diamond engagement ring. This precious piece hasn't left her hand ever since, but it is sadly no longer fit for purpose. The diamond has slipped its moorings and was nearly lost for ever, only being found thanks to a huge stroke of luck, while the ring itself is stuck fast on Sally's finger – she's tried everything she can to remove it but without success. Fortunately, master goldsmith Richard Talman is on hand to carefully cut the ring free, then restore it and reunite it with its missing diamond so that Sally can once again rejoice in this daily reminder of her much-loved mum. Lastly, from Buxton in Derbyshire, comes Adam Crowe, with a pair of traditional beer pumps for the attention of Will Kirk and Dominic Chinea. These pumps belonged to Adam's much-loved dad and were the centrepiece of many a party, where his father would proudly dispense his prized home brews. Now riddled with woodworm and with its mechanisms and pipes clogged and jammed, it's over to Dom and Will to restore them to full working order so that Adam can pour their first pint in over 30 years and raise a toast to celebrate his late father.nce be

First into the barn is Christine Jagger from South Yorkshire, with a cherished garden bench – the best Christmas present she ever received from her late husband, Gordon. For 25 years, this spectacular seat took pride of place in the garden. It was where they would share a coffee and a laugh together, and it gave them a front row seat over the pigeon loft, where Gordon's racing birds would roost. Since Gordon's sad passing in 2009, time and weather have taken their toll, leaving the bench broken and flaking. But to Christine, it remains the heart of their home. With what would have been their golden wedding anniversary approaching, she asks Will Kirk to bring it back to life – a daunting responsibility for such an emotionally charged and badly broken piece of furniture. From Somerset, Jayne James brings a beloved teddy bear with an extraordinary past. The bear was given to Jayne's mother Betty, a nurse at St Martin's Hospital in Bath in 1960, by Hollywood songwriter Sharon Sheeley, immediately after she had survived the car crash that killed her boyfriend, rock 'n' roll legend Eddie Cochran. Betty was pregnant at the time, and naturally the bear was presented to baby Jayne, becoming her instant and lifelong companion. Now threadbare, sagging and on the verge of collapse, the bear is entrusted to soft toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch. With new red velvet paws and rejuvenated black fur, they restore him to a state befitting his star-spangled past, ready for Jayne to take him back to 93-year-old Betty. Next, Gaynor McCarthy-Smith and her husband Jamie bring a remarkable fishing chart, once used by Gaynor's late father Paddy, a celebrated Grimsby trawler skipper. The vast 1940s paper chart, stained with spilt tea and sea salt, guided Paddy through the perilous waters of the North Sea for more than 50 years. But now, brittle folds, torn lining and a missing corner threaten to erase its history. Paper conservator Angelina Bakalarou works delicately to clean, flatten and infill the chart's fragile surface, reconstructing the missing section by hand and ensuring it can once again be safely displayed as a tribute, not just to Paddy but to generations of his fellow trawlermen who risk their lives at sea. Finally, from Lancashire, David Birch brings in a wartime camera that once belonged to his grandfather Charlie. This camera travelled with Charlie through Dunkirk, north Africa and Italy, capturing images of the conflict and of the grave of his fallen brother. After the war, it served in happier times, seeing constant action at the hands of David's grandmother on holidays and family gatherings. But decades later, corrosion, fungus and grit have left it lifeless. Camera expert Pierro Pozella dismantles and cleans every mechanism, while cobbler Dean Westmoreland restores the worn leather case, together hoping to ensure the camera that recorded a family's past is ready to capture its future.

Hoping to strike a chord with stringed instrument restorer Julyan Wallis, the barn's first project has given Gary Miles from Mold in north Wales plenty of teenage kicks. Given to him by his father Eddie when Gary was just 14, his electric guitar was his pride and joy growing up. Gary's dad played guitar in a band for several years with none other than Ringo Starr – and while Ringo went on to slightly bigger things, Eddie himself continued to perform. His band – The Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group – enjoyed significant success, being immortalised in bricks and mortar on the legendary Cavern Club's wall of fame in Liverpool. The guitar was Eddie's gift to Gary, and the pair would jam together at home right up until Eddie died. Years later, leant up against a wall, the guitar slipped, causing major damage, and with the electrics also no longer working, Gary is desperate to have the instrument restored to honour his dad. Jules gets cracking, adjusting the frets, replacing the lost wood and preparing it for its musical comeback.Next to arrive is Jo-Anne Thompson from Stamford in Lincolnshire, with some family jewellery from afar for the attention of master goldsmith Richard Talman. The gold bangle she has brought to the barn was the cherished possession of her grandmother, who lived in Guyana in South America and never took it off. Jo-Anne's parents left Guyana for the UK in 1962 as part of the Windrush Generation, and Jo-Anne was born soon after, with the family living in just one room in a shared house. Conditions were so poor that her parents decided to send her back to Guyana to live with her grandmother where she could flourish. Grandmother Louise became like a second mum from when Jo-Anne was only two. When Louise died in 2006, her children decided the bangle should come Jo-Anne's way, and just like her grandmother, she wore it constantly for nine years. However, the bangle started cracking every time she opened or closed it to take it on and off, and it is now badly fractured. Richard must come up with a way to reinforce the fragile bracelet without damaging the lettering so it can be worn again with pride.From Leeds, Phil Rakusen brings in the most fragile of family heirlooms for the stellar skills of leather expert Suzie Fletcher. In Jewish culture, when a boy becomes a man at 13, he has his bar mitzvah and is usually handed a leather tallit bag, which typically contains a prayer shawl, a yarmulke, or skull cap, and a daily prayer book. The tallit bag first belonged to Phil's great-grandfather and is over 100 years old. It was passed down within the family to Phil's grandfather and then his father. But the bag is in a sorry state, with the front split and completely worn away. This is Suzie's first tallit bag, so the pressure is on. She sets about restoring its strength, relining it, replacing the studs and rejuvenating the lettering to get this sacred pouch back to its best.Finally, Deirdre Fry from Staplehurst has brought along a lucky find, relating to a skill her family has traded in for centuries, and which she hopes stonemason Richard Fraser can rekindle. Made by her grandfather Charlie at the Kent brickyard his family owned for six generations, these ‘Kent peg tiles' were the very last tiles made there before the brickyard closed down in the mid-1970s. Surprisingly, Deirdre has only had them in her possession for six weeks! By chance, at a local farm sale, she and her sister saw some items for sale from her grandfather's brickyard. It was a huge lot, but Deirdre spotted some writing on the tiles – in particular, a curly C Charlie used to make. On closer inspection, she could see they were made by him and the very last to be made at the brickyard! Richard's challenge is to fill the missing pieces and reinstate the faded inscriptions on these touchstones of a historic family trade.

First into the barn is Heather Evans from Winchester, who is hoping bike aficionado Tim Gunn will be able to restore balance to a tricky mode of transport. She presents a battered unicycle that was a gift she bought for her late husband, Perry, and it perfectly embodies his playful spirit and unquenchable thirst for life – all the more notable given the challenges he faced. On Perry's second date with Heather, he told her he had HIV through infected blood products he had taken for his haemophilia and that he only had a few years to live. Perry fell seriously ill, but new drug treatments came along, and within a year, he was back at work, living life to the full and riding the unicycle that so perfectly sums up his sense of fun. Sadly, after 36 years of marriage, Perry passed away, and the family are desperate to get his beloved unicycle back up and roadworthy once again. Tim pulls out all the stops to straighten the buckles, fix the broken spokes and get the unicycle ready for further adventures with the next generation.Ready to put Mark Stuckey's electrical expertise to the test are Florence, her dad Adrian and family friend Alex. They are entrusting Mark with an iconic 80s gadget – a canary yellow cassette player that belonged to Florence's mum, Mel. Mel worked as the wig mistress for Les Misérables in the West End for 25 years, and the boombox was constantly blasting out Eurythmics or Michael Jackson in her wig room as the backdrop to plenty of gossip amongst the cast and crew. In 2001, Mel was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she sadly passed away 12 years later. The cassette player currently just chews up tapes, but the family would love to hear it operating at its best again. Mark works on its drive belts and clutch, and even demagnetises the head, all in an effort to honour Mel's West End legacy, blare out some iconic 80s bangers and keep her memory well and truly alive.Next into the barn is Keith from Oxford, bringing in something contagious that most people try to avoid for the attention of David Burville. This unique model of an adenovirus was made by Keith's father Robin, an electron microscopist. Back in the 1960s, Robin worked at the National Institute of Medical Research, studying viruses and developing vaccines. One day, he had a eureka moment, finding and photographing the adenovirus – the virus that is responsible for the common cold – for the very first time. Robin's colleagues were in awe, and the national press picked up the story. Wanting to be able to explain the virus's shape more clearly and how it worked, Robin decided to create a 3D model from his 2D photo. It was his pride and joy. Over the years, some of the polystyrene balls have been damaged or fallen off, and the family are keen to have it repaired to give the next generation the opportunity to learn from it. David must come up with a strategy to contain elements of the virus and to prevent the damage spreading in order to save this extraordinary piece of family and medical history.Finally, Paul from Barnsley has brought a piece of Edwardian gadgetry for Brenton to focus on. The Houghton brass and wood field camera was bought at auction by Paul and his brother Ian, a passionate photographer and Paul's close companion through all manner of childhood scrapes and adventures. The brothers had hoped that Ian, who was a dab hand at most things, could mend the broken shutter. However, before he was able to repair it, Ian was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and the family lost him in 2019. To help Paul reconnect with cherished memories of his brother, Brenton must get the shutter working and replace a missing glass screen in order to restore life to the brass plate camera, the embodiment of a brotherly bond.

First to arrive in the barn is John Wilson from London, with a battered survivor of heady days in the capital for upholsterer Sonnaz and paper conservator Angelina. The unique lamp belonged to John's close friend Brian, who used to host lavish cocktail parties in the 1980s in his Soho flat in London. Everything in his bijou apartment was designed around the lamp. It was a period full of happy times, but then the Aids epidemic hit. Tragically, Brian was diagnosed as HIV-positive, and John became his carer and companion. Brian passed away in the mid-1990s, but not before gifting the lamp to John. However, sadly, over the years, it has become brittle and broken. Sonnaz and Angelina pair up to repair the cracks, sourcing a suitable material to fill in what has been lost, and get the lamp ready for the big switch-on.Next comes Chris Gosling from Surrey, who brings in some shoes with a surprising past for the attention of cobbler Dean. Chris's father, George, was a great athlete, being a training partner for Roger Bannister's pace-setting runs when he broke the four-minute mile. He wore the shoes when running the mile, achieving an impressive time of four minutes and 12 seconds. But George kept his passion a secret, with Chris only finding out about his father's talent after he died. Wear has brought the shoes to a standstill, but now a multiple marathon runner himself, Chris is determined to see the shoes right again. Dean turns his attention to fixing the tears and repairing the stitching before buffing these elite running shoes back to their very best.Sisters Sara and Simone have travelled to the barn from Somerset, with an inherited gem that needs Richard Talman's gift for salvaging sparkly things. The brooch belonged to their step-grandmother Jean Bull, but they sadly never met her. Jean, along with many other women from the local area of Somerset, took a shopping day trip to Switzerland in 1973, but the plane crashed and sadly Jean lost her life along with 107 other victims. The sisters each inherited a brooch from her – a red one for Simone and a green one for Sara. They wore them proudly when visiting Switzerland on the 50th anniversary of the crash. But when they returned, Sara accidentally put her brooch through the wash, leaving it bent and with gems missing. Richard works tirelessly to get the precious costume jewellery back into shape and to restore its sparkle ready to dazzle again.Finally, of the many talents beneath the barn's thatch, Michael Whitehead has come from Lancashire hoping electronics wizard Mark Stuckey can revive a retro audio device. The reel-to-reel recorder belonged to Michael's father Alan, who sang in pubs and clubs across Greater Manchester, and who used the device to record songs and learn the words prior to his performances. When he died, the music, sadly, died too in the family. With his hopes set on hearing his dear dad's voice again on the reels, it's down to Mark to make things right. With broken belts, a melted transformer and motor, and a faulty circuit board, Mark has a major catastrophe on his hands. However, determined to get the reel-to-reel recorder working again, he pulls out all the stops for Michael to hear the precious sound of his crooner father once again.

First into the barn is former serviceman Mike Webb, with an extraordinary piece of exploration history: a model Range Rover commemorating the first successful vehicle traverse of the American continent, all the way from Alaska to Cape Horn. At the age of just 21, Mike was part of a six-man military team tasked with driving two brand new Range Rovers 18,000 miles through some of the world's toughest terrain. Their greatest challenge was the notorious Darién Gap – 250 miles of dense jungle, swamp and mountains between Panama and Colombia – which no vehicle expedition had ever successfully crossed. Mike's model was awarded to him to mark this historic expedition, but it has been left battered and broken by years of family handling. It is now down to toy restorer Charlotte Abbott to get it back to its best so it can once again stand as a fitting tribute to the incredible achievement it represents.Second to arrive is former ballerina Julie Felix, with the tan pointe shoes she wore during her landmark performance at the Royal Opera House. She tells Lucia and Dean how she became Britain's first professional Black ballerina, driven from childhood by her mother's unwavering belief in her talent. After being denied a contract in London because of her skin colour, Julie found opportunity with the pioneering Dance Theatre of Harlem, moving to New York for seven years. When the company later performed in London, she wore these shoes in her first professional solo role on a UK stage.As Dean begins restoring the fragile, 40-year-old satin shoes, he struggles to achieve the precise skin-matched tone. He recruits textile expert Rebecca Bissonnet, whose deep knowledge of colour chemistry helps bring the delicate dye work safely back to life, preserving a symbol of Julie's groundbreaking journey.Gail Nesham arrives at the shop with a fragile 1917 scrapbook documenting the rise of the groundbreaking Dick Kerr Ladies, the munitions factory football team who became global pioneers of the women's game. As Gail explains how the team raised wartime morale, dominated the sport and defied the FA's 1921 ban that sidelined women's football for nearly 50 years, bookbinder Chris Shaw discovers the volume is on the brink of collapse – loose pages, torn articles and no spine. Determined to preserve this rare record, he begins the delicate task of dismantling and repairing the scrapbook to safeguard its legacy.Last to arrive is Fenella Haffenden, with a cherished clockwork birdcage once treasured at her grandmother's home in Jersey. Born profoundly deaf, Fenella grew up mesmerised by the bird's movements but unable to hear its song. After receiving a cochlear implant 20 years ago, she longs to finally experience the sound she missed as a child. But the once-gold cage is shabby, and the mechanism no longer sings or moves correctly. Mechanical expert David Burville takes on the delicate task of stripping the cage, restoring the brass, and repairing the intricate clockwork so the bird can perform beautifully once more.

First to arrive at the barn is Bobby Williams from Surrey, bringing the powered wheelchair that opened up a whole new sporting career. Bobby had always loved sport as a kid, but competing on the football field with his non-disabled friends was tough. When he discovered powerchair football, it was a complete game-changer. Fast, physical and fiercely competitive, the sport gave him independence, confidence and a team of his own. For years, this chair has taken the full force of matches: spins, crashes and heavy impacts have left it battered, scratched and mechanically tired. Now stepping back from playing and moving into coaching, Bobby wants the chair restored so it can be passed on to a new young player, lending someone else the same life-changing opportunity he was given. It will take the expertise of Dom Chinea, with a little mechanical help from David Burville, to strip it back, rebuild its frame and refresh its electrics so that it can be ready once again for the rigours of the court.Next through the doors are brothers Pete and Eric McCready, carrying a fragile flag with an extraordinary romantic history. In 1951, their parents – just teenagers at the time and both avid speedway fans – attended a race night at White City Stadium in Glasgow, home of the Glasgow Tigers. Amid the roar of the engines and the smell of fuel, they met for the first time – a chance encounter that would shape the rest of their lives. Years later, when the stadium was threatened with demolition to make way for the M8 motorway, their father couldn't bear to see a piece of that history destroyed. He famously shimmied up the flagpole and rescued the very flag that had flown above the referee's box on the night he met his future wife. Now stained, torn and peppered with holes, the flag is in urgent need of conservation. Textile expert Rebecca Bissonnet must stabilise and clean the delicate fabric before mounting it for display in order for it to be returned to the Glasgow Tigers as both a tribute to a lost sporting venue and the remarkable love story that began beneath it.From Southend-on-Sea in Essex comes Debbie Lee, with two deeply personal pieces of jewellery: a charm necklace and bracelet handmade by her father from stainless steel cutlery. An engineer with a gift for invention, he painstakingly crafted pairs of miniature charms – including boots, guitars and crosses – in two sizes so that Debbie and her mother could wear matching sets. Over time, sadly, many of the charms have become detached, and some have been lost altogether. Now, master goldsmith Richard Talman faces the demanding task of recreating the missing pieces, not from the precious metal he is used to but in tough, unyielding steel – namely, Debbie's late mother's original cutlery. This gruelling task very nearly defeats Richard, and it takes every ounce of his grit and determination for the necklace and bracelet to once again be worn with pride as a testament to Debbie's father's ingenuity and skill.Lastly, Sarah Weir from Harrogate arrives with a battered but beloved bagatelle board that has brought her family together for generations. Originally owned by her great-uncle Dick, the game became a centrepiece of family life, particularly at Christmas, when the annual champion's name would be added to the back. For Sarah's mother, who was determined her adopted children would always feel they belonged, the ritual was simple: lunch, washing-up, then the bagatelle board. Even now, it continues to unite the family, including Sarah's autistic grandson, who happily joins in when the game comes out. But decades of enthusiastic play have left the board warped, faded and structurally fragile. It's a job for the many expert talents of David Burville, who must reinforce the frame, replace the missing pins and restore the playing surface – ensuring this noisy, competitive tradition can continue to echo through family gatherings for many years to come.

First to arrive in the barn are sisters Julie and Tracy from Gosport, with a well-travelled pachinko machine, originally bought by their father in 1970 when he was on naval duty in Japan. The family were living in Malaysia at the time, and this pinball-style gaming device became a much-loved treasure at the heart of many happy times. Naturally, the pachinko came with the family on their journey back to the UK, but to the sisters' dismay, it has long since fallen silent. Once a symphony of flashing lights and joyously ringing ball bearings, it hasn't worked for over 50 years, and it's down to ‘Pinball' Geoff Harvey to get the machine working again. Geoff approaches the task in his usual irrepressible style, but can he get this vintage beauty to light up and once again play the sounds that Julie and Tracy remember so well?Next in are brothers Iain and Kirk Russell from Glasgow, with a football made famous by their grandfather, Rangers legend Ian McMillan. This leather match ball was used in the historic Scottish Cup final replay between Rangers and fierce local rivals Celtic back in 1963, a game that Rangers won 3-0. As it was likely to be Ian's last cup final before retiring, his teammate Jim Baxter decided to smuggle the ball off the pitch as a souvenir for Ian. However, failing to fully appreciate the romanticism of this gesture, the Scottish FA demanded the ball back, sparking a media frenzy which lasted until the SFA finally bowed to the pressure and returned the ball to Ian to commemorate his glittering career. Sadly, Ian's young grandsons weren't aware of the ball's storied past, and used it in endless family kickabouts, leaving it deflated and damaged, with Ian's handwritten signature now barely legible. Suzie Fletcher may not be a football aficionado, but her knowledge about leather is unbridled, and together with art conservator Lucia, a real team effort sees them breathe new life back into this precious piece of footballing history.Peter Moss and his son Alex arrive at the barn with a remarkable artefact that shone a little light during the dark days of the Second World War. Raggle Taggle is a unique magazine created by Peter's father, Jock Moss, and his fellow prisoners of war while they were held captive by the Japanese in the notorious Shirakawa camp in modern-day Taiwan. As bookbinder Chris Shaw examines the fragile, mosquito-net covered volume, Jock's descendants recount how he edited the handwritten and hand-illustrated magazine to lift prisoners' spirits amid brutal conditions. With only one copy shared among 800 men, it became an antidote to despair, and Peter is desperately hoping Chris can restore this precious and historic book for future generations.Last to arrive is Emma MacLennan from Kent, with her late son Alex's treasured Cretan lyra, a traditional bowed folk instrument at the heart of the Greek island's celebrations and traditions. Alex, whose grandmother was from Crete, immersed himself in the island's culture from childhood, learning the dialect, attending the local festivals, sheep shearing with the local shepherds, and, above all, teaching himself how to play the lyra. Alex treasured the instrument, playing it with passion and no little skill, until motor neurone disease ended his ability to perform. Tragically, Alex passed away at the age of just 31, and the lyra that he left behind holds huge emotional significance for his family. Now, luthier Becky Houghton has the daunting task of restoring the voice to this beautiful but broken piece of family history.

First to arrive in the barn is Dawn Shrives from West Sussex, carrying a remarkable model watermill built by her late father in 1996. Handmade, brick by miniature brick, to mirror the family home, the mill once stood proudly outside the house. But years of exposure to the British weather have left the structure crumbling and fragile, with missing bricks and a broken roof the least of its problems. On the face of it, it's an unlikely job for horologist Steve Fletcher, but having carried out his own successful home renovations in the past, Steve happily turns his many talents to this new challenge. Step by step, he carefully rebuilds the model, preserving the character and craftsmanship that Dawn's father poured into every detail, and adds a working watermill to create a lasting tribute for his proud family.Steve isn't the only member of the Fletcher family hard at work at the barn. Sharon Pawley and Kelly Bromley-Smith have brought along a much-loved clock that was once the treasured possession of Sharon's dad and Kelly's close friend Roy. Even in his nineties, Roy had a zest and enthusiasm for life, and he and Kelly formed an unlikely cross-generational friendship, spending many adventure-filled days out together. However, since Roy's passing, the clock has fallen silent and its case has become chipped and worn. Steve's son Fred Fletcher teams up with ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay and dial restorer Cindy Welland to return the clock to full working order – restoring not just a timepiece, but a powerful reminder of friendship and shared memories.Symone Williams has travelled from west London, along with a spectacular but badly damaged Notting Hill Carnival headpiece created by her father, Vernon Fellows Williams. A proud Trinidadian, Vernon was a founding figure of the carnival and leader of the Genesis carnival band. He gave up drumming to focus fully on creating the extraordinary costumes the band wore, of which this headpiece is a prime example. Made from copper, fabric and intricate decorative elements, this once show-stopping item is now dented and crushed, and the materials have become torn over time. It's down to metalworker Brenton West and textile conservator Rebecca Bissonnet to combine their skills and restore this unique and important piece so it can once again take centre stage at the carnival's upcoming 60th-anniversary celebrations.Arriving from Leicestershire, Steve Humber and his daughter Frankie bring with them a pair of vintage speed skates that helped launch Steve to sporting stardom. This precious pair was originally lent to Steve in 1985 when he took part in – and won – his first long track skating race on the frozen Cambridgeshire Fens. The skates ended up being gifted to him, and Steve went on to enjoy a long career, which included a World Championship bronze medal and selection for the British Olympic team. Frankie has followed in her dad's speed-skating footsteps, and the sport remains a powerful bond between father and daughter, especially following the sad loss of Frankie's mum three years ago. However, now rusted, torn and fragile, the skates need the expertise of master cobbler Dean Westmoreland to give them a second life, and maybe even the chance to glide across fenland ice once more.

First to arrive at the barn is Lisa Power, carrying a fragile but groundbreaking piece of British social history — the very first logbook from Gay Switchboard, founded in 1974. Created at a time when there was no legal protection for gay people in the UK, the book recorded calls from those seeking advice, safety and reassurance. Lisa herself was one of the earliest volunteers, and the logbook represents not just a turning point in the support available to a marginalised community but a lasting reminder of the friends and colleagues she worked alongside. Now reduced to a loose collection of delicate pages, with its spine missing and margins crumbling, the logbook is at risk of being lost forever. Bookbinder Chris Shaw must find a way to reunite the pages without trimming a single word, preserving not just ink on paper but the voices of a community who stood together in the face of hostility.Next through the doors is Paul Banwell from Gloucestershire, accompanied by his son, Phil – and by the rocking horse that Paul hand-built for his children 55 years ago at the request of his wife, Tini. With Christmas looming, Paul worked tirelessly, finishing the project just in time for the big day, much to the joy of Phil and his sister. The rocking horse later became the centrepiece of the nursery that Tini ran, delighting hundreds of children over three decades, but years of enthusiastic riding have left the wood cracked and warped, and the leather saddle badly worn. It will take the combined skills of woodworker Will Kirk and saddler Suzie Fletcher to repair the splits, restore the paintwork and create a vibrant new saddle — carefully preserving the original beneath — so this family heirloom can carry on giving rides to the next generation.From Wakefield comes Katherine Crimes, with a beautiful but badly damaged portrait of her grandmother Madge, painted in the 1950s to celebrate her graduation as a qualified nurse. The image captures a proud young woman at the start of her career, but the decades have not been kind, and the passing years have left the paper brittle and torn, with some key fragments completely detached. It's down to paper conservator Angelina to painstakingly stabilise and line the fragile surface before paintings restorer Lucia can begin the delicate task of retouching the missing areas, recreating the artist's soft blended brushwork. Together, they hope to return the portrait to its former radiance — a fitting tribute to a grandmother remembered for her strength, warmth and care.Lastly, Dennis Ffrench arrives from Staffordshire with a magnificent pair of conga drums that have been the heartbeat of his life since 1986. Bought right at the start of his professional life, the drums accompanied Dennis as he built a career in community theatre, eventually becoming the longest-playing black pantomime dame in the world. However, after decades of performances and workshops, the fibreglass shells are scratched and dented, the chrome tarnished and the skins worn beyond use. Drum restorer Pete Woods must strip the drums back, repair and respray the shells, replace the heads and restore their tone — adding a dazzling finish worthy of the stage — so Dennis can continue to spread rhythm, confidence and joy for years to come.

First into the barn are June, Vivian and Jim from Oldham, carrying an extraordinary homemade washboard, which has served for decades as the centrepiece of the Barnhowlers Ukulele Club. Built by founding member George Whyatt, known affectionately as Magic George, the ingenious percussion instrument is a collection of whistles, horns, bells and washboard rhythms, and it became the beating heart of the group he created in 2008. But years of enthusiastic performances have left the instrument unstable and unplayable, while the custom gloves used to play it are falling apart. While musical instrument restorer Pete tackles the washboard's mechanical problems, upholsterer Sonnaz gets to work recreating George's unique thimble-tipped gloves. Can they restore this one-of-a-kind musical tribute and keep George's memory playing on for future generations?Next through the doors are Steph and her daughter Alison, carrying a rather fragile piece of football history – a much-loved World Cup Willie mascot bought by Steph at the 1966 World Cup. Having attended all the matches at Wembley with her future husband Chris, Steph took the little lion everywhere with her, even carrying him in her pocket as England marched towards their famous victory. Tragically, Chris died just months after Alison was born, making World Cup Willie far more than a souvenir – he has become a treasured reminder of a love story cut heartbreakingly short and the only tangible link Alison has to her father. But after decades spent sitting on a damp windowsill, Willie's face has deteriorated, his limbs have weakened, and his future is looking uncertain. It's down to teddy bear experts Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch to restore this cherished mascot, preserving both his character and the precious memories he represents. Can they return World Cup Willie to his former glory in time to inspire another England triumph?