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Episode 13

Episode 13 of 14

Jay Blades and the team restore a miniature house, a Bakelite radio and a fairground game.

Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.

First through the workshop doors today is Minty Barlow, with a miniature replica house. It was once part of a model village tourist attraction in her home town of Cleethorpes. Her parents saved it when the attraction closed down in the 1970s and relocated it to their garden. There they created a magical world of fantasy and fairies for Minty and her brother. Young Minty was captivated by the fairy house and would love her daughter to see it in its original, charming condition. She feels having it restored would be a lovely testament to her late parents and the wonderful memories they gave her. Ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay and woodwork expert Will Kirk are delighted to join forces for this one-of-a-kind project.

Next to arrive is Luigi Ciaburri, with a vintage Bakelite radio that has been mute for over 50 years. He鈥檚 hoping electronics guru Mark Stuckey can spark it back to life. The treasured radio was passed down to Luigi by his Italian father, who emigrated with his wife to Wales to begin a new life and raise their family. It holds huge significance for Luigi as his family would sit together and listen to it for hours. It helped them all to adjust to life in the UK and to learn English. Mark must dismantle the entire workings and recondition or replace each component to get this silent relic up and running again.

And master of all things metal Dom Chinea takes receipt of a fairground game that promises to test your strength. The cast iron contraption belongs to Marie Heemsom, and brought her late husband such pleasure. He salvaged and lovingly restored it many decades ago, but it will certainly test Dom鈥檚 know-how.

And paper conservator expert Louise Drover is pleased to meet Jaishmin Shah and behold her beautiful Indian painting, which represents an important piece of her family鈥檚 heritage. Jaishmin and her family fled Uganda due to political unrest in the 1970s, and this painting was one of the few possessions they could take with them. The depiction of an Indian deity was cherished by her late mother, but it is now cracked and faded. Louise has her work cut out to repair and revitalise the piece.

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57 minutes

Signed Audio described

Last on

Mon 8 Jan 2024 15:45

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jay Blades
Narrator Bill Paterson
Expert Dominic Chinea
Expert Louise Drover
Expert Mark Stuckey
Expert Will Kirk
Expert Kirsten Ramsay
Director Rich Merritt
Series Producer Paula Fasht
Executive Producer Hannah Lamb
Executive Producer Emma Walsh
Production Company Ricochet Limited

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If you have a treasured possession that needs restoring, please get in touch.