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Episode 4

Episode 4 of 25

The team salvages a vintage rugby shirt worn by a Welsh professional in the 1960s, whose daughter-in-law had tried to freshen it up before framing it but had a laundry disaster.

First through the barn doors are Lloyd Richards and his wife Karen, with his father鈥檚 professional Welsh rugby shirt from his playing days back in the 1960s. When Lloyd's dad died, Karen took it upon herself to try to score a try with the family and wash the dirty heirloom before they framed it up. She hadn鈥檛 bargained for the 1960s cotton to not perform well at 40 degrees! The bright red of the beloved Welsh jersey ran into what was the crisp white collar. Things went from bad to worse when she then tried to bleach the now pink collar and ended up with bleach marks over the entire garment. It鈥檚 a tough tackle for textile conservator Rebecca Bissonnet, but her epic handiwork means it all comes out in the wash and instantly lifts the years off Karen鈥檚 guilt.

A much-loved but damaged family plate is the next item to arrive. Isha鈥檚 heirloom once took pride of place at all her family gatherings as a serving plate for some delicious family favourites. Around 45 years ago, her mother was given the large brass plate by a friend, and over the years, it was a staple at all family celebrations, piled high with Caribbean feasts for her and the rest of the family to tuck into. But after she moved out of the big family house into a smaller home, the plate ended up stowed away in the garden for 15 years. Keen to revive the tradition of family and food for her two young kids, she鈥檚 enlisting the help of silversmith Brenton West, who must even the dips out, get rid of the holes in the brass and bring the shine back to the plate. Returning to the barn with some mouthwatering treats for the gang, Isha鈥檚 plate is transformed to its former glory days as the centrepiece of family life.

It's a tale of animal rescue next in the barn. Pet lover Angie Bakalarou has the paper skills required for Hazel鈥檚 map repair. Her dad was an RSPCA inspector who lived for his work rescuing animals all over Yorkshire. As a child, Hazel relished going out with her dad on his call-outs. But these were the days before sat nav, and Hazel was put in charge of map-reading them to the right location - a job she adored. After her dad passed away, she found a single map of Wharfdale in Yorkshire in his box of 鈥榠mportant things to keep'. The map is now almost transparent, torn and with its edges falling apart, and Hazel鈥檚 desperate to save it from rack and ruin. Angie charts out the best route to recovery, leaving Hazel with the keepsake of her dad she had longed for.

Hoping professional organ restorer David Burville can put the wind back in his grandmother鈥檚 beloved accordion is Irish musician Gary. Back in the 1940s, it was her most treasured possession. She taught herself to play traditional Irish music by ear and played at many a household ceilidh back in the day. Growing up, she taught Gary the importance of music in bringing people together, and when she died, when he was just 12, he was already hooked. Years later, graduating with a music degree and becoming a music teacher himself, he鈥檚 keen to see the old squeezebox restored. It's riddled with woodworm, and David鈥檚 got plenty of fingerwork to contend with. But his mechanical, musical mastery results in a fully restored treasure which fills the barn with pure joy as Gary gives it a play.

Release date:

57 minutes

On TV

Wed 29 Jan 2025 20:00

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Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Bill Paterson
Expert Rebecca Bissonnet
Expert Dominic Chinea
Expert Will Kirk
Expert Lucia Scalisi
Expert Brenton West
Expert Angelina Bakalarou
Expert David Burville
Executive Producer Emma Walsh
Executive Producer Paula Fasht
Executive Producer Glenn Swift
Director Ingo Nyakairu
Production Company Ricochet Limited

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