The Repair Shop

Confronted with a contraption that has clearly seen better days, a daunted Dominic Chinea is taking on the barn's first assignment. All the way from Scotland, brothers Lewis and Ross have wheeled in their family's mobile ice cream trailer. Keen to share the inside scoop on the family business, they reveal that they've been serving up gelato in St Andrews, Fife since 1908 when their great-great-grandfather came over from Italy and started selling the yummy stuff from a shop in the centre of town. Passed down to their grandparents and then to their parents, the family shop is to be carried on by the lads, and part of their plan includes restoring the mobile trailer, which was bought at auction in the 1990s and used to sell ice cream at weddings and events before being left to retire outside. With the wood frame falling apart and a rotten steel chassis, but with the promise of free ice cream at the end, Dom pulls off a beautiful restoration with creamy ice treats a big hit in the barn.

Toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch are ready to triage the next repair as Fayez and son Jay arrive with a four-legged friend who's been through the wars. Bought in 1983 in Syria for his sons, Fayez's rocking horse was a favourite growing up for son Jay. Every time he visited the country in the summer holidays, his grandmother would show him the horse which she promised to keep safe. When the wars erupted, Syria became unsafe for the family to visit, but before she passed away, Fayez's mum ensured the rocking horse was kept safe in an apartment owned by Fayez and his wife. Years later, when they finally made it back over to Syria to inspect their apartment, it was a complete mess, but amongst the carnage was their precious rocking horse. With a baby on the way for Jay, it's never been more important to the family to see the toy returned to its original condition. The Bear Ladies enlist the help of Pete Woods to make this repair a real team effort.

Stuart Taylor is hoping to turn the page on an unfortunate incident that caused big damage to a pocket-sized book. The pocket dictionary belonged to his mum who sadly died from leukaemia aged just 38. Only four years old when he lost his mum, he doesn't have many memories of her, so the book - which his sister passed to him when he was 15 - is a tangible link to her. But sadly, during a house move, the book fell out of a box and was only found much later in the street - run over, covered in mud and virtually destroyed. Stuart has been overcome with the burden of guilt over the precious keepsake. For book-binder Christopher Shaw, it's a little book with big problems, but his expert hands - along with those of clock face expert Cindy Welland - ensure Stuart can treasure it forever, guilt-free.

Oyez, Oyez! Carpenter Will Kirk and silversmith Brenton West are on hand to do what they do best for the final fix. In search of sparkle is Kila and her bell. As the first ever female town crier for Lytham in Lancashire, she wants her dull bell to be as shiny as she is when dressed in all her finery. Passed down to Kila when she was inaugurated in 2023, the bell has seen better days and needs sprucing up. Also on Kila's wish list: a baldrick - or belt, typically worn over the shoulder to carry a weapon or instrument - in which she can keep her all-important handbell, which leather worker Suzie Fletcher is roped in to make. In one of the barn's grandest exits, Kila - in full town crier livery - has a go on her spruced-up ringer and gives the experts a bold thank you cry.

Taking on the barn's first fix are leather worker Suzie Fletcher and textile conservator Rebecca Bissonnet. They are tasked with rescuing a dog's jacket worn by a four-legged hero involved in the Lockerbie bombing disaster. Brought in by owner and trainer Neil Powell, the jacket and collar belonged to Pepper, a much-loved border collie who qualified as a search and rescue dog at just 18 months old. The brightest dog Neil has ever known, Pepper also helped rescue a young German boy, who had been missing for over 36 hours in terrible weather. 

But in 1988, after helping search operations in the large crater at the Lockerbie disaster, exposure to the contaminated site left Pepper and the other search dogs with tumours, and they all died. For Neil, it is imperative that Pepper's well-worn search and rescue jacket and collar are restored to keep his memory alive. Suzie brings life back to the leather collar, whilst Rebecca washes away years of dirt from the jacket to reveal something special for Neil. 

The barn's second assignment arrives with Gurcharan and her daughter Dimple, who have high hopes that carpenter Will Kirk can fix a table that has helped their family find their feet. The table was bought by Gurcharan's husband in 1975 after she moved from India to the UK to marry him. Already pregnant and following their arranged marriage back home, the couple needed to quickly fill their new UK home with furniture, and the table was the first thing through the front door. Their children, including Dimple, and later numerous grandchildren, learnt to walk around the low-rise table. And as her health deteriorated, Gurcharan would sit at the table to cook or bake. 

Over the years, it has become one of the family. But a bad re-varnishing job has left it looking past its best, and the spindles, which once formed a magazine rack, have fallen victim to the children, who used them in sword fights. Will brings his A-game to the table, leaving Gurcharan and Dimple with a beautifully restored and fully functional piece to cherish. 

Pete Woods has a gift for restoring instruments, and Natalie and her dad, Mike, are hoping he can restore harmony to one they treasure. Mike's late father played the saxophone over a semi-professional career that spanned from the 1940s right up to the 1990s. Post-war, he travelled around the UK in big bands and swing bands. In 1950, he decided he needed a ‘proper job', so became an engineer, but he continued playing the saxophone with a band he formed called The Dick Wade 5. He was in his mid-70s by the time he retired, and he died in 2004. 

His musical talents were passed down to his son Mike, who plays piano, and his granddaughter Natalie, who is following in his footsteps by playing the saxophone. Mike would love to see the saxophone playing as it did in its heyday so that Natalie can continue to use it. Pete must repair the pads, fix a missing key guard, and spruce up the old brass to get Natalie playing the saxophone in front of an audience of experts. 

Bringing some special footwear for cobbler Dean Westmoreland to tackle is Gill from Merseyside. Her treasured rugby boots, which she wore back in 1994 to help win the Women's World Cup, have seen better days. Back when Gill was climbing the rugby ranks, there were no administrators - the players organised their own games. Gill was heavily involved and was eventually chosen to play for her country. During the 1994/95 season, she was made England captain, and her team reached the final of the Women's World Cup. It was her beloved boots that carried the ball over the try line, winning the match for England. 

After a few more seasons and plenty of wear and tear, Gill put them away for safekeeping before hanging up her boots for good in 2002. Since then, she's been awarded an MBE from the Queen for her services to the women's game. Now, she's keen to get her boots repaired so she can treasure them before donating them to the Rugby Museum in Twickenham to inspire other young women interested in the sport. Dean's got some 'sole-searching' to do in order to revive the boots, but his Midas touch leaves Gill floored.

Arriving first at the barn is Ian with some footwear that has proven essential to his life. He bought what he calls his ‘soldier boots' 19 years ago and wears them anytime he's doing anything of importance. Ian was born profoundly deaf, and at the age of 14 was diagnosed with a disease that's left him with just five per cent of his eyesight. Despite his adversities, he has forged a career as a blind photographer, but it's been a difficult path. The boots act as an armour of sorts, and are part of Ian's uniform to help conquer the trials and tribulations thrown up each day. In them, he feels ready for battle, but unfortunately the boots are no longer ready to conquer the world. He's had his money's worth out of the soles, and the fur lining is nearly non-existent. Expert cobbler Dean Westmoreland pulls off a magnificent salvage job which leaves Ian practically skipping out of the barn. 

The next item is a pressing matter for metal worker Dominic Chinea as visitor Emily brings a rather weighty number that belonged to her grandad. The 1826 printing press was passed down to her when he died several years ago. In the 1940s, her grandad worked at a printing firm. He loved his work so much that he often took it home, and Emily grew up making Christmas cards and labels with him. The printing press was gifted to him by the firm, but he never got round to refurbishing it - it just sat at home collecting dust and rust. Emily lost her dad when she was just 18, so her grandad meant the world to her, and having the press restored in his memory is top of her wish list. Renowned as being rather fiddly, Dom's got a big job on his hands just to remove all the built-up grease and dirt, but his precise restoration of every nut and bolt means that every day can now be an ‘inky fingers day' for a delighted Emily. 

Irwin is next into the barn with a well-travelled toy that needs help. 

Presented to him in 1962 by his mum and dad, George has become a lifelong companion and much-loved stuffed bear. Part of what's known as the ten-pound pom brigade, Irwin's parents were two of the millions of Brits who immigrated to Australia between 1945 and 1982. Once there, his mum found a job in a soft toy factory called Barton Waugh, where George was made for her son. At three years old, Irwin contracted Polio, and George was by his side at every hospital trip. The family decided to move back to the UK for more support, and George has been a companion for Irwin ever since. Both his parents have now passed away, but Irwin clearly remembers his mum talking about getting George restored one day. With George his oldest and proudest possession, he's enlisting the loving hands of the Bear Ladies, Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, to bring some tender loving care to his beloved bear. 

The final restoration arrives ahead of time. Head teacher Bethan has brought in her school clock and has high hopes that the combined restoration skills of clock restorer Steve Fletcher and clock face painter Cindy Welland can nurse her historical timepiece back to life. Back in 1877, the clock was gifted to the school by none other than Florence Nightingale. It has remained a talisman of the school and their biggest claim to fame, but as far as anyone can remember has never worked! With the school's 150th anniversary coming up, Bethan is hoping the clock can make its debut as a working feature of the school's rich history. Steve takes a school trip to unveil his and the team's efforts and receives top marks.

First through the barn doors are Lloyd Richards and his wife Karen, with his father's 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't 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 marks over the entire garment. It's 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's guilt. 

A much-loved but damaged large brass plate is the next item to arrive. Isha's heirloom, given to her mother around 45 years ago by a friend, once took pride of place at all her family gatherings as a serving plate for some delicious Caribbean feasts. But after Isha 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's 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's 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's map repair. Her dad was an RSPCA inspector who lived for his work rescuing animals all over Yorkshire. As a child, Hazel relished going 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 Wharfedale in his box of ‘important things to keep'. The map is now almost transparent, torn and with its edges falling apart, and Hazel's desperate to save it from ruin. Angie charts out the best route to recovery, leaving Hazel with the keepsake of her dad she had longed for. 

Irish musician Gary hopes professional organ restorer David Burville can put the wind back in his grandmother's beloved accordion. Back in the 1940s, it was her most treasured possession. She taught herself to play traditional Irish music by ear and performed at many a household ceilidh. 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 teacher himself, he's keen to see the old squeezebox restored. It's riddled with woodworm, and David's 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.

First through the workshop doors is Ben, bringing a torn and tattered lace dress that played a big part in his late sister Lizzie's life. The dress became artist Lizzie's ‘muse' and formed a central role in many of her paintings. Ben explains to the barn's experts, Dominic Chinea and Rebecca Bissonnet, that his beloved sister transitioned at the age of 35 and that the dress became her ‘creative rock', featuring in her self-portraiture. With Lizzie recently passing away, Ben is keen to have the dress restored so it can be displayed as part of a posthumous show he's arranging to showcase his late sister's talent. It's a challenging task for textile conservator Rebecca to get the dress back to its former glory, but Ben's emotional reaction when the cloth comes off makes it well worthwhile. 

A damaged drum is the next item to arrive. Richard's heirloom was once the beating heart of an old Cornish May Day festival. His late father Pete played the instrument every year at the Padstow event known locally as ‘Obby Oss Day'. In celebration of the start of summer, the townsfolk split into two groups and either follow the red or blue ‘obby oss' through Padstow, playing drums and accordions as they go. Both sides ultimately gather around the maypole in the centre of town. With the drum now tarnished and torn, Richard is keen for instrument restorer Pete Woods to transform it in memory of his father. Returning with his son Tom, the pair are blown away by Pete's dramatic transformation of their beloved instrument. 

A clocking-in clock may not be everyone's idea of an heirloom, but it's something that immediately transports the next visitor, Emma, back to her childhood. As a youngster, Emma would pay visits to her family's street-lighting business in Dudley, West Midlands. She has fond memories of whizzing around the factory floor on her little scooter, aged six. She also remembers the ‘ding' as the workers clocked in, something she loved to do herself. Horologist Steve Fletcher clocks up the hours, getting the heirloom back to its best, much to the delight of Emma when she returns. But it's clocking in again and hearing the nostalgic ‘ding' that really sends her back to childhood. 

Wheeling in the final item are a father and his three sons: dad Rob, joined by Mark, Adam and Nick, who have brought a career-first for bike restorer Tim Gunn. The polo bike and mallet belonged to the absent fifth family member and teammate Joe, who tragically passed away in a motorbike accident in 2015. Tim's stunning restoration not only rekindles fond memories but also gets the brothers back on to their own bikes, much to their dad's delight.

The early birds at the barn are sisters Lottie and Amy, with a unique record of their childhood, a book given to Lottie as a Christmas present in 1976 when she was three years old. The sisters' mum, an English teacher, wrote it while their dad, an art teacher, did the illustrations. As Lottie says, ‘It's my most treasured possession still to this day.' The book charts Lottie's life from birth up to the age of three, including her sister Amy's arrival. It provides a snapshot of happy times before their parents divorced five years later. Now that their father has passed away, the sisters are keen to preserve the precious keepsake for the next generation. Bookbinder Chris Shaw and art conservator Lucia Scalisi tool up to restore the damaged book to its former glory. 

Next, arriving with a memento from his childhood, is Graeme, who has an unlikely heirloom in need of the metal-skilled minds of Dominic Chinea and Brenton West. Graeme's dad's old paraffin camping stove has put in the miles since it was purchased in 1957. It accompanied his parents on pre-kids cycling and camping trips, and later joined the whole family on walking adventures in the 1960s and 70s. But an explosion on a more recent trip has left the stove completely blown apart. Dom and Brenton take a two-pronged attack to get it back in action again, much to the delight of Graeme when he travels back to the barn. 

Next, a challenge for woodworker Will Kirk is posed by Melanie, who's brought a table that nods to her family's globetrotting past. The table belonged to Melanie's parents, who bought it in Thailand in the late 1960s. It then travelled around with the family as they moved homes multiple times. All family meals were taken around the circular table, with the food a fusion of her parents' English and Chinese heritages. The table is now dull and damaged, something Melanie is keen to remedy for the next generation. Will pulls out all the stops to bring the shine back to the family's table. 

The barn's final visitor, Mick, has a flat tweed cap, which belonged to his late father, for the attention of master hatter Jayesh Vaghela. Mick's father died when he was just 21, and the hat holds memories of the father he lost so young. His father, a bricklayer, wore the cap every day. It's a tricky fix for Jayesh, who needs to transform the cap without losing the very precious smell that connects Mick to his dad. What he does leaves Mick lost for words

Setting bear ladies Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch the first task – with strings attached – Jill Purves and her daughter Vickie, from Biggar in Scotland. Bulbous, a puppet elephant, was bought at an auction and is believed to have been part of one of the earliest BBC children's programmes, Muffin the Mule. Jill and her husband are puppeteers who started touring in the 1960s. They went on to start a toy theatre, which contains a museum to show children how puppets work. They wanted Bulbous to be one of the museum puppets, but sadly they had a fire, and the poor little elephant suffered smoke damage, and his strings melted. Julie and Amanda enlist the help of David Burville to pull all the strings together to rescue the endangered elephant. 

Top of the agenda for clock restorer Steve Fletcher – a watch with a long history, brought in by James from Glasgow. The Swiss timepiece once belonged to James's grandfather, who was a Lancaster bomber pilot in World War II. It was then passed down to James's dad, who had it engraved. Tragically, in 2005, James's father and sister were killed in a boating accident. His father's body was never found, and they feared the watch went with him. However, it was miraculously found in a drawer 20 years later. The family believe that the watch needed some repairs, hence why his dad had put it aside – a silver lining to a tragic situation. After two generations of adventurous wearers, James hopes to be the third generation to wear the watch, in remembrance of those who've passed away. And Steve doesn't disappoint with a stunning repair. 

Peggy Doran, her daughter Jayne and granddaughter Emilie are next through the barn doors, hoping that painting conservator Lucia Scalisi can use her skills to honour a legend of their family. Back in the 1940s and 50s, Peggy's husband Bill was a well-decorated motorcycle racer who sped through the finish line at Scarborough to win the course lap record and eventually the Gold Cup. He went on to win the Belgium Grand Prix. After he retired, he opened a motorbike shop, and his love of bikes was passed down to daughter Jayne and eventually granddaughter Emilie. Sadly, Bill died when Jayne was just 13. The family enjoy looking through old photos of their beloved Bill doing what he loved best. Once, when Jayne went up to Scarborough to visit the track where her dad held so many accolades, she saw the old course lap record sign – with his name on it – which was about to be demolished after years of being exposed to the elements. The circuit director offered her the sign to take home with her as a memento of her dad. She couldn't believe her luck, but it had picked up some bumps and scrapes over the years. Lucia must scramble to salvage the vinyl lettering while Dominic Chinea races to save the wooden framework on the back of the sign. It's a double win that leaves the entire family feeling on top of the podium. 

Last at the barn, Nicholas and his dad Seamus, from County Antrim in Northern Ireland, with a tale of triumph and disaster. They present Will Kirk with a hurling stick which Seamus's mum bought him in 1980 when he was 18. The entire family was involved in hurling from a very early age - and Seamus's mum once won an All-Ireland medal back in 1947. Seamus enjoyed playing with his brand new hurl for two years before his team made it to the All-Ireland Club Final and went on to win it. Keen to preserve his treasured stick, Seamus retired it straight after the victory. Years later, when debating with son Nicholas over whether he was more skilled having used the old stick compared to the newer ones Nicholas was playing with, Nicholas had to put things to the test, but as soon as he swung at the ball with his dad's old hurl, the stick smashed into bits. Full of guilt, he's desperate for wood expert Will to piece the shattered stick back together. The hurl had been signed by all the players, but with every signature now with a crack, it's a difficult fix for Will, but one that leaves it fit to commemorate a proud time in family and community history.

First through the workshop doors is Bev, bringing a local landmark that has lost its way. The dilapidated village sign from Broome in Norfolk was designed for the millennium by Bev's dad, who was a joiner. Sadly, he passed away in 1999 and was unable to complete the job. Instead, Bev's twin brother took on the task of finishing the sign in time for it to be unveiled by their mum at the village hall on the eve of the millennium. With the sign significantly damaged, it's a tricky job for woodworker Will Kirk, but he unveils it to a delighted Bev, who can't wait for it to be resurrected and take pride of place once again in the village. 

A rusted-up shop till is the next item to arrive, courtesy of Jas, whose parents opened a grocery shop in the late 1960s that largely catered to Coventry's Asian community. The shop became a hub for the area and ‘an adventure' for Jas and his siblings, who would sneak down at night to take chocolates. After a decade, the shop couldn't compete with bigger supermarkets and closed its doors, meaning the till hasn't been used for years. With no key, the contraption is near impossible for Steve Fletcher to prise open, but when he does, he's rewarded with the find of handmade toy money inside. When Jas returns to discover the finding, he is transported straight back to his joyful childhood. 

Next to arrive is a small handmade organ crafted from cardboard and brought in by Sairah, whose grandfather made it in Basra during the First World War. Hailing from a family of organ builders, he made it out of army signal book covers whilst serving in the Royal Engineers. Fixing a handmade item is a tricky task, even for seasoned organ restorer David Burville, and after a lengthy fix, Sairah returns wondering if it will play once again. 

Finally, an heirloom from the golden age of cinema. Sisters Georgie and Lydia need the help of upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary to honour a couple who played a starring role in their lives. Their great-uncle built a cinema with his brother in Knighton, Powys, which opened in 1947 to a huge queue of people eager to watch films in their local community. Their great-aunt Enid was also involved in the business. The building was demolished in the 1990s, so the siblings never saw the cinema but were delighted to find some cinema seats stored under their great-uncle and great-aunt's house. Sonnaz and Dom join forces not only to bring the chairs back to life but also to give the two young women a glimpse of a 1940s cinema experience they have never known.

It's the return of smoke and mirrors from times past as Camilla arrives with a groundbreaking form of Victorian entertainment she'd like to see back in action. Her revolving zoetrope is a candlelit, animation device that laid the foundations for the development of moving film.

Camilla's great-great-great-grandfather made the device back in the 1850s. A chief draftsman of the Darlington Railway, he often did technical drawings of trains, and his eye for detail can be seen in the construction of her zoetrope. Passed down to her grandma, Camilla recalls playing with it as a child, and now that it is in her care, she'd love to see it restored to working order.

Angelina Bakalarou has clocked up nearly 20 years of paper conservation experience, which she can use to restore the picture scrolls, whilst expert Dominic Chinea takes on the missing metal prongs that hold the scrolls in place. Will Kirk uses traditional techniques to make a stand. Their combined hard work leaves Camilla completely animated over her now fully usable zoetrope.

The barn's next project is a pair of furniture designer classics. The forlorn pair of chairs belong to Roger, who inherited them from his twin brother Chris when he immigrated to Florida in the 1990s. Unbeknownst to Roger, upholstery expert Sonnaz Nooranvary reveals that his brother Chris had very good taste, as the chairs are vintage ercol. Not realising how important they would become after the loss of his brother, Roger kept the chairs stored in a damp storage space for many years and is now ashamed they've ended up in such a sorry state. Sonnaz sets to work revamping the upholstery, whilst carpenter Will Kirk tackles the water-damaged wood. Their combined efforts pay off as Roger takes a seat on his beautifully restored keepsakes.

Next, hoping for the healing hands of ceramics conservator Kirsten Ramsay, Janaki enters the barn with a precious link to her Sri Lankan heritage. Her ceramic statue of the Buddha has been in her family for over 70 years and was passed down by her mum. Back in Sri Lanka, her mother left the family home and started work as a nanny for a wealthy family, which was unusual for the times. After a few years, the family decided to immigrate to the UK and asked Janaki's mum if she'd like to go with them. Quite the adventurer, she jumped at the chance. Once settled in London, she married and had children of her own. Times were tight, but she remained a devout Buddhist, and Janaki remembers that the statue was always the centrepiece of her mother's shrine at home. But time has not been kind to the little statue. With damage to the all-important gesture of the Buddha and a broken base, Kirsten must undertake some delicate repairs to restore this beautiful, dainty piece.

Finally, Fiona brings in a pair of her dad's boots from the 1960s. She explains that these are no ordinary Chelsea boots but traditional step-dancing boots. Her father, a Norfolk fisherman and lifeboat worker, used this freestyle form of tap dancing to relax at the end of a hard day's work. Keen to continue the tradition, Fiona returns to the barn accompanied by a musician in the hope of dancing in her father's step-boots once again.

First through the workshop doors is Ben, with an unusual item needing a joint crusade to get it back on its feet. Silversmith Brenton West, woodworker Will Kirk and leather expert Suzie Fletcher collaborate to bring this suit of armour back to life. Dubbed ‘Arthur', it belonged to Ben's grandfather, actor Joss Ackland, and is believed to have been gifted to him as a parting gift after the 1973 film The Three Musketeers. The suit of armour stood guard in the room that Ben slept in when staying over at his grandparents' house as a young child. He was afraid of it, but they reassured him by saying it was there to protect him. When Joss died at the end of 2023, Ben asked if he could have the suit of armour, and is now keen to have it restored. 'It's important for me that Arthur's brought back to life, because it's part of him.' While Brenton leads the charge, Will tackles the joist, and Suzie focusses on the leather straps. When Ben returns, he's blown away by the memories brought flooding back by the restored suit of armour.

Next, husband-and-wife-team Walid and Joujou Saad hold the key to the restoration of a precious typewriter brought in by writer Nicola and her father Joe. The pre-war machine belonged to Nicola's mother, Maureen, who was taught to type on it by her grandmother to land her first job in the 1960s. A year later, Joe got a job at the same company, where the young couple met and fell in love. Nicola says, 'That machine helped her learn the skill to get the job and meet the love of her life.' Sadly, Maureen now has Alzheimer's, and Nicola is keen to have the typewriter restored, so that she can use it and explain to her own children the important role it played in their grandma's life. It's a big degreasing and cleaning task for Team Typewriter, but when dad and daughter return, they are delighted with the restored machine.

Arriving next is a beast of a challenge for stained-glass restorer Matt Nickels. Charlotte's grandfather made the piece of stained-glass – featuring a stag in the centre – which was installed in the bathroom of the bungalow where he lived. 'It's always been one of those quirky parts of the house.' Now, Charlotte's sister lives in the property and is doing it up, but Charlotte is determined to save the stained-glass pane that she remembers from childhood. Will Kirk whips up a teak frame to complement the colourful glass, leaving Charlotte absolutely delighted when she returns.

Last is a pair of boots to get the whole barn moving. Dance teacher Helen has brought in her red and white cowboy boots that embody 30 years of fun on the floor line dancing. Recently, Helen's heel got stuck in the torn inner lining of one of the boots, and her husband had to cut through its length to release her foot. Helen was horrified. Determined to still be dancing aged 90, she needs her trusty boots back in fine fettle. Cobbler Dean Westmoreland is tasked with getting the boots back in harmony so that the barn team can be taught line dancing by a delighted Helen.

First into the barn is Zelda, with her most precious possession, a ring bought by her father on a day out together when she was a teenager. But the ring looks nothing like it originally did when it had an onyx stone as the centrepiece with the letter p on top. Unfortunately, the stone fell out. Zelda's stepmum had it fixed, but the black onyx was replaced by a purple amethyst which, though beautiful, isn't the ring Zelda remembers. Now that her dad has passed away, Zelda is keen to get it back to its original best.

It's a challenging fix for master goldsmith Richard Talman, and he enlists the help of Sonnaz Nooranvary to drip water while he drills into the onyx stone. The intricate repair work does the job, and Zelda is transported to her childhood when the cloth comes off.

Next, a severely cracked mechanical doll needs the expert skills of toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch. For Ian, the doll is a painful reminder of his sister Denise, who he lost in a road traffic accident, aged just 24. After she died, his parents stored the doll in the loft, and Ian has only recently rediscovered it. While Julie and Amanda crack on with filling the doll's fractures, creating new digits for her missing fingers and making a new outfit, mechanical whiz David Burville gets her walking and moving her head again. When Ian sees the newly restored doll, he can't believe the transformation.

The third visitor is Kevin, with a 1920s banner that has seen better days. The large textile was owned by the Milburn Toffs Jazz Band, who along with other groups used to take part in carnivals around the north east of England. The Toffs came from a working-class area but dressed ironically in posh top hats and tails. At the centre of the banner is a little boy – Kevin's father as a young child, the mascot of the band. Art conservator Lucia Scalisi and textile conservator Rebecca Bissonnet join forces to make the banner parade ready once again.

The barn's final visitor is Dylan, with a wooden whirligig – a garden ornament that spins in the wind – made by his beloved grandfather. The whirligig was damaged in a storm and requires the skills of woodworker Will Kirk. Dylan's grandfather was a great support to Dylan as he learned to live with MDP syndrome and to gradually grow in confidence. Dylan has received an award for spreading positivity on social media and attributes his grandad to helping him ‘have a voice'. The whirligig is a fun reminder of how his grandad wanted to bring a smile to his face. It's a labour of love for Will to get the precious ornament spinning again in time for Dylan's return.

First into the barn are Keith and his daughter Kirsty, who have brought a cleverly designed accessory that requires the skills of resident horologist Steve Fletcher. Keith's father Desmond went blind in his thirties due to a hereditary disease that runs in the family called Stickler syndrome. Desmond never let his condition stop him and retrained in his field so he could continue his career in engineering and welding after becoming blind. Upon retirement, after 21 years of loyal service, Desmond was presented with a personally engraved braille watch from his company and wore it every day for over 30 years. Steve takes on a new challenge with the watch, making a hinged case so that the glass top can be opened, and the wearer can feel the braille dial to tell the time. Keith and Kirsty want to repair the watch in honour of Desmond's inspiring resilience and to pass it onto Keith's granddaughter and Kirsty's daughter Phoebe, who is also blind.

Next in are brother and sister Zaff and Nasari, with an item holding long-buried memories of their family's life in Uganda. The siblings need help from electrical expert Mark Stuckey with their father's vintage projector, which was used to showcase family videos. When their family was forced to flee the country in 1972, Zaff and Nasari's father brought the precious projector with them to Rochdale, where they eventually rebuilt their lives. After almost half a century of being unused, Zaff and Nasari hope to restore the projector to working condition. Allowing them to relive never-before-seen treasured memories of their childhood in Uganda.

Woodworker Will Kirk welcomes Zoe Blake-James and her grandmother Rowan, with a family heirloom that has been passed down four generations of women in the Blake-James family, making it over 130 years old. The vintage fire screen originally belonged to Rowan's grandmother, and she has fond childhood memories of it being used in the family living room. Zoë is a student of Victorian literature and has a great passion for researching this era and her family's history. The pair would love to preserve the fire screen for future generations. Will gets cracking with the wooden frame and enlists the help of textiles conservationist Rebecca Bissonnet to tackle the delicate embroidered screen.

The final pair to walk through the barn doors are celebrated veteran singer-songwriter Ralph McTell and his friend Matthew. They need the expertise of leather expert Suzie Fletcher to help repair a tattered old toy that has been earmarked for a revival. Ralph was involved in a children's programme called Alphabet Zoo in the 80s, where he wrote a song for every letter of the alphabet. A friend gave him the leather kangaroo as a gift to celebrate the song Kenny The Kangaroo. As a result, Kenny appeared on stage with Ralph at venues like the Royal Festival Hall. Ralph met Matthew at his local pub. As well as working at the pub, Matthew also works with children with special needs doing music therapy, where he began using Ralph's songs in his class. The children were captivated by the song Kenny The Kangaroo. Ralph was moved by this and offered to donate his leather friend to the school, but it cannot be enjoyed by the children in its current condition. Suzie has her work cut out in repairing this 70s stuffed toy from down under, whose once robust leather is now cracked and split. When the pair return, they are delighted to see Suzie has been able to get Kenny leaping back into action again, so Matthew can use him in his therapy sessions with the children.

Entering through the barn doors first are siblings Michelle and Paul along with their mum, Ann. They have an unfinished family project that needs the help of metalworker Dominic Chinea and electrical expert Mark Stuckey. Michelle and Paul's petrolhead dad built them a full working children's jeep that they used to drive to and from school and down to the local park, creating endless cherished memories. When Paul had his son, Adam, it was dad Brian's wish to upgrade and revitalise the car for his grandson and future grandchildren. Sadly, Brian passed away before he could complete his dream. Mark and Dom now have the task of finishing what Brian started, getting this vehicle roadworthy once more before the family return with Adam, who's eager to get behind the wheel.

Next up, Annette from Northern Ireland is calling upon the skill set of soft toy restorers Amanda and Julie to bring back a precious piece of her childhood. Anette grew up in Northern Ireland around the time that the Troubles started, a frightening period to live through as a child. Many organisations who were trying to foster peace started initiatives where children from both sides went abroad and spent time with a host family to escape the conflict. Annette on her trip was given a Dutch doll from her host family that became a symbol of a happy and peaceful time. However, years of wear and tear have left the doll needing a lot of TLC. After enlisting the help of woodworker Will to carve her some new clogs, Amanda and Julie find her lost eyes inside her head and get her looking as beautiful as Annette remembers.

Rebecca Davis arrives at the workshop hoping master hatter Jayesh can work his magic on an iconic hat that hails all the way from Egypt. As a young girl, Rebecca had a fascination with Tommy Cooper and his infamous fez. On a trip back to Egypt visiting family, Rebecca's stepfather brought her an authentic fez, which she treasured. Jayesh has the tricky task of restoring the beloved hat. After addressing the moth-eaten holes and staining, he must reinstate the iconic tassel before handing it back to an excited Rebecca.

Lastly, it's a first for Kirsten as she restores a sculpture made out of soap, carved in a prisoner-of-war camp in Thailand during WWII. Chris Cooke from Devon is hoping ceramics expert Kirsten can revive this unusual heirloom. Chris's grandfather Fred was in the Manchester Regiment and was posted to Singapore, but when the Japanese invaded, he was sent to Thailand as a prisoner of war. One of his campmates there carved a likeness of Chris's grandfather out of soap, which Fred brought back with him to the UK when the war ended. It has been since passed down to Chris. Kirsten has her work cut out, having never repaired a bar of soap in her career, and once she has worked out a replacement for the missing soap parts, she has the delicate task of resculpting Fred. Once finished, an emotional Chris is reunited with this important piece of his family history.

Kicking things off is a life-sized model horse used as a teaching aid at a riding school for disabled people. Instructor Ena and star pupil Ellen are hoping Hector, who is badly damaged after years of service, can be restored. Hector is on hand for students to practise approaching a horse and tacking up. He is a key part of the school and has been of great value to Ellen in particular, who was born with a condition that affects her hearing and balance. After enlisting Dominic Chinea's help to build up Hector's uneven hooves with fibreglass, the Bear Ladies, Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, mend his mane and missing fur before coming up with a smooth solution to make him look friendlier. Ellen and Ena jump for joy as they are reunited with their transformed, trusty friend.

Next, Mary-Rose and her daughters Lou and Kate bring a chair with a rich history. This classic piece was commandeered from Mary-Rose's grandparents' home in Paris during World War II after they made a daring escape to England. After the war, it was returned, badly damaged, to its owners, who reupholstered it themselves before keeping it safely under wraps. Once passed down to Mary-Rose, it was well used and became the favourite seat of her beloved late husband. Upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary strips it back to its wooden frame and uses traditional techniques to restore its strength and comfort. In homage to its history, she covers it in a fabric woven by a Paris-based company. The family are delighted to see their treasured chair given new life.

The third visitor has an unusual clock that intrigues and excites horologist Steve Fletcher. Robin is the proud owner of a chromosphere, a mechanical marvel built by his great-grandfather. Using a grandfather clock mechanism, it rotates a globe that reveals, on a ring around the equator, what time it is anywhere around the world. Or so a newspaper article fixed inside the clock's stand claims - Robin has never seen it working. While Steve mends the mechanisms to revive its long-lost tick, globe expert Jonathan Wright uses an endoscope to locate the position of the old lead shot inside the globe. He replaces it to ensure it rotates smoothly before meticulously restoring detail to the paper covering. Robin returns and is overjoyed to hear it tock and strike for the very first time.

Finally into the barn are Adam and his mum Trish. Their sights are set on saddle maker Suzie Fletcher restoring a cherished leather darts case that belonged to their late father and husband, Alan. Like his dad, Adam loves the game but is unable to use his treasured case, as the stitching is too worn to hold darts in place. He asks Suzie not to clean away evidence of his dad's handling on the leather exterior, so a plan is hatched to carefully condition it from the inside instead. A surprise awaits Suzie as the case is taken apart. She replaces the stitching with a linen thread - like it originally had - and adorns the front with embossed initials, which is just how Adam and Trish remember it. When they return, they are transported back to happy times with the family man they adored.

First up in the workshop is a mandriola belonging to internationally celebrated folk musician Vin Garbutt. Vin's son Tim and family friend Maggie are hoping Julyan Wallis can restore this piece of musical history so that it can be played again. Vin started his career in the 1960s, busking his way through Spain, where this instrument played an integral part in developing the strumming method that helped him become a globally recognised folk artist. After repairing the damaged bodywork, Julyan needs to restring and tune the mandriola to restore its original sound. Tim and Maggie are overjoyed when the item is returned to them, unlocking a piece of their father and friend's past.

Next, expert weaver Sarah has her hands full with two pint-sized pieces of furniture belonging to Mamta Rajani. These unique chairs are woven from memories of Mamta's childhood with her sister and parents in Tanzania. They were at the centre of family gatherings and outings when exploring the rich African countryside. After being brought to the UK following the sad passing of her parents, Mamta needs Sarah's skills to repair these childhood treasures so that her grandchildren can use them, just as she, her sister and her own children did. The chairs pose an interesting challenge because Sarah must work out how to create new plastic-covered cane, which the chairs were originally made from. After enlisting the help of Dominic Chinea, who creates a new tool especially for the job, Sarah weaves new life into these beloved chairs.

Third to walk through the barn doors are Roddy and his mother Anne Lloyd Jones, who are hoping master hatter Jayesh Vaghela can restore a precious memento of Anne's high-flying husband Trefor. This captain's cap clocked up thousands of miles at the vanguard of domestic aviation before its retirement from the skies 40 years ago. Anne met Trefor as a stewardess when he was a young navigator, and both witnessed the aviation industry transform with the introduction of the Boeing 747, which Trefor captained for 11 years. For Anne, the cap is a reminder of the man who gave her decades of happy married life, and for Roddy, it symbolises his heroic father. Jayesh has the delicate task of returning it to its former glory, so that Trefor's memory can live on.

Lastly, Linda and her son Matthew Bracey have an exciting repair for pinball extraordinaire Geoffrey Harvey – an American retro rarity that belonged to Linda's husband and Matthew's father, Chris. Known as ‘the Neon Man' and ‘the Godfather of Neon', Chris changed the face of Soho with his neon artistry signs and brought his love of Americana into his work. Chris dreamed of owning an authentic American pinball machine, and after finally acquiring this one, he placed it proudly in the studio, where his family and customers could share in his passion. Geoff's repair of this mammoth machine involves meticulously dismantling every cog and circuit to find out why it went dark. Linda and Matthew hope that Geoff can light up this beloved machine to keep Chris's memory alive through the game he loved.

Kicking things off are Melissa and her mum, Hari, who bring in a novelty party piece that's lost all impact. They're hoping that Pete Woods can drum up a solution. The portable kit belonged to Hari's adored dad, Alfred. Both Hari and Melissa have memories of Alfred playing the drum kit at family parties and him teaching them to learn how to play. Alfred's love of music has been passed down to three generations – his daughter Hari, his granddaughter Melissa, and his great-granddaughter Lottie, who is fascinated by her great-grandad's set of drums. Having been played since the 1940s, this travelling kit has been left seriously worse for wear. 

After enlisting the help of bookbinder Chris Shaw to repair the case, Pete has the daunting task of making not one but two missing pieces. Hari and Melissa are hoping this treasured set can make some noise again so that both the happy memories and the fun can continue. 

Next to the barn are Maria Butler and her daughter Selena, with a family heirloom thought to be 175 years old that sadly is in two pieces. The pair are in need of painting conservator Lucia Scalisi's skills to restore this striking oil painting of their female ancestor. It has been kept in the family since it was painted in around the 1850s, and Selina and Maria have never seen this depiction of their ancestor in its original, whole state. One part of this crumbling painting had been concealed behind the other and was only recently discovered when the family decided to have it reframed for Maria's mother's 90th birthday. During the restoration of the piece, Lucia uncovers hidden secrets about the lineage of the family's female line and returns the completed painting to a delighted Maria and Selena. 

Teddy bear ladies Julie and Amanda are tackling the next repair, which is of a quirky patchwork hippo, brought in by siblings Millie and George, that belonged to their late mum, Becky. The hippo was well loved by Becky and became a key feature in Millie and George's childhoods too. Becky had always wanted to get the hippo repaired, but she died suddenly in an accident before it could be completed. It's up to Julie and Amanda to help fix this cuddly animal in danger, which has not only lost its defining features but is falling apart at the seams. With their dad Steve, George and Millie turn up to see if their late mum's hippo has been restored just as she would have wished. 

Lastly, Barbara and her granddaughter Giovanna are hoping expert shoe restorer Dean can preserve a pair of baby shoes to keep alive the story of a wartime hero. The shoes were given to Barbara's father and Giovanna's great-grandfather Norman by the family of a little girl he rescued whilst serving in the British Army in the Netherlands towards the end of World War II. The shoes were worn by Barbara as a child, and then all her children learnt to walk in them. Dean sets about protecting the history of the tiny shoes, which are in need of a mammoth repair, ready to return them to Barbara and Giovanna in memory of Norman

To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the team open the barn doors to four very special items, each with an extraordinary wartime story behind them. 

Horologist Steve Fletcher is honoured to welcome 101-year-old Royal Navy veteran John Holloway, who brings with him a very special timepiece. As an engineer on board the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable, John was responsible for servicing the planes and installing the precisely calibrated cockpit clocks that US pilots relied upon to carry out their missions. Left in possession of one of these clocks at the end of the war, John gifted it to his beloved wife Connie, and it remained on her bedside table for the rest of her life. But now, with the intricate mechanism no longer working, Steve and his watchmaker son Fred have a delicate and very tricky job on their hands to get it ticking again. 

Teddy bear ladies Julie and Amanda also find themselves up against it when faced with 86-year-old Haisi, a small plastic doll who accompanied her then two-year-old owner Ruth on an extraordinary journey from wartime Austria to the safety of the UK. As a Jewish orphan with no passport or papers, Ruth's future in Nazi-occupied Vienna looked bleak, until she – and Haisi – were smuggled out of the country, courtesy of a remarkable feat of subterfuge at Dover customs. Plastics restorer Charlotte Abbott is called in to work on Haisi's cracked and shattered celluloid limbs. However, even with three top experts on the case, it feels like it could be touch and go for Ruth's precious, but very fragile, lifelong companion. 

Also in this VE Day special, master hatter Jayesh Vaghela weaves his magic on an RAF cap with a remarkable story behind it. The cap was worn in combat by Johnny Smythe, a young man from Sierra Leone who volunteered for action and was selected to serve as a navigator with Bomber Command. One of only 60 Black African airmen to serve in the RAF, Johnny survived being shot down over Germany and imprisonment in Stalag Luft 1 before going on to a glittering career as a senior diplomat in his native Sierra Leone. John's son Eddy would love to see the cap restored to a presentable state, with its battle scars preserved, as a testament to his father's many achievements. 

And finally, bookbinder Chris Shaw is left spellbound by the contents of a little autograph book, full of heartfelt and poignant messages written to a wartime nurse by her patients. Brought into the barn by Dorothy Orr from County Antrim, the book belonged to her mother Margaret, who tended to soldiers from all over the world as they were recovering from their wounds in military hospitals across Scotland.

Four more cherished items arrive at the barn, each carrying deep personal and historical significance, and all in need of expert restoration. 

First through the doors are a pair of battered wooden seats, with a story soaked in football nostalgia. Londoner Michael Wise brings in the treasured family relics - two original seats from Arsenal's iconic Highbury stadium, where his grandfather held season tickets in the famous art deco west stand. Upholsterer Sonnaz and metalwork expert Dom take on the challenge of restoring these near-century-old pieces, which have served three generations of devoted Gunners. With a new oak base designed to allow the chairs to be proudly displayed and sat on once more, the final result is more than a restoration - it's brought back to life a family's shared history. 

Master goldsmith Richard Talman welcomes Fliss from Ashton-under-Lyne, who has brought in a broken locket that once belonged to her beloved grandparents, Bert and Winifred. Carried by her grandmother throughout the Second World War, the locket holds a photo of Bert in uniform - a symbol of their enduring love. With delicate repairs to the hinge and help from paper conservator Angelina, Richard faces the tricky task of reuniting the couple's portraits in one beautiful piece of jewellery, allowing Fliss to wear the memory of her grandparents close to her heart. 

Aidan Fries from County Donegal entrusts an extraordinary ledger to bookbinder Chris Shaw. This heavy volume, once used to track transactions in Aidan's family-run shop and post office, charts daily life from 1909 through Ireland's turbulent journey to independence. Damp, mould and a crumbling spine have left the book in a sorry state - but with meticulous rebinding, leather dressing and even some custom alphabet tabs from Dom, Chris is determined to transform the ledger into a dignified historical artefact that will once again serve Aidan's family and village. 

Finally, a very special miniature chapel arrives, lovingly built by hand in the 1970s by Sarah Gardner's grandfather, Llewellyn Pluck. Once part of a magical model village nestled in a Somerset garden, the chapel has suffered decades of neglect. While woodworker Will takes on the damaged framework and rotting roof tiles, ceramics expert Kirsten faces the biggest challenge as she tackles the restoration of the crumbling plaster walls, using the same innovative homespun technique that grandfather Llewellyn pioneered over 50 years earlier. 

The team take on four more remarkable restorations steeped in personal history and cultural heritage. 

First through the barn doors is Ruth from Nottinghamshire, carrying a weather-worn concrete portrait of her late father David, a passionate beekeeper. This remarkable artwork was commissioned as a gift to her father by Ruth herself, and it's the delicate task of paintings conservator Lucia Scalisi to restore it to its former splendour. However, the challenge of recreating David's faded features – and particularly the swarm of bees that accompany him – proves unexpectedly tricky for Lucia, who's more used to working with canvas, and it takes a couple of false starts before she finally hits her artistic stride. 

Next, silversmith Brenton West meets Ian and his daughter Issy, who bring in a rare and precious silver statuette of a paratrooper. One of only 100 ever made, this beautiful object belonged to Ian's father John, a proud veteran of the parachute regiment, and was one of his most treasured possessions. But after surviving a dramatic shipwreck off the coast of Tenerife, the statuette has been left battered and tarnished, with its silver parachute strings a torn and tangled mess. Can Brenton bring the paratrooper back from the dead, restore the statuette's shine and honour a lifetime of service? 

Pari from Ormskirk brings in a precious heirloom from her childhood in Iran – a traditional leather baby hammock of extraordinarily intricate design, in which her own brother was once swaddled. Leather expert Suzie Fletcher has the mammoth task of reconstructing its missing loops and reinstating the decorative stitching, with only a hand-drawn diagram left by Pari's late mother to go on. Can she revive this much-loved link to Pari's past and to the Iranian in-laws who welcomed her English mother into their hearts? 

Finally, metalworker Dom Chinea tackles a battered flight case once owned by Trevor Bolder, legendary bassist for Uriah Heep and David Bowie's Spiders from Mars. Now the proud possession of Trevor's fellow Hull musician Lindsey, the case and its fittings are covered in rust and barely functional. It's down to Dom to restore it in time for its next gig – a slot at Glastonbury – and create a new chapter in rock history.

Four more treasured items arrive at the barn, each with emotional and historical weight, and all requiring careful restoration.

First through the doors are Thomas and his grandfather Roger, who bring a diary from the Channel Islands with a powerful wartime story. Written by Roger's grandmother Lillian, the pocket-sized book captures her experiences living on Guernsey under Nazi occupation during the Second World War. With its delicate paper hanging by a thread and the spine completely gone, bookbinder Chris Shaw faces a challenging task to preserve its contents.

Metalworkers Dom Chinea and Brenton West take on a rust-covered railway lantern with deep family connections. Brought in by Jenny from Northern Ireland, the lamp once belonged to her grandmother Margaret, the last station master of Donemana station. A pioneering woman in a male-dominated role, Margaret used the paraffin lamp to signal trains and secure the crossing gates on the nearby road. But time has not been kind to the lantern. Its chimney is crumbling, the lens housing has rotted, and layers of paint have flaked away. Dom and Brenton's first inspection of the lamp reveals far more damage than they had anticipated. The rust has ravaged the bodywork, so it takes all their combined skills to bring the lamp back to life.

Cub scout leader Akela Helen arrives, along with three of her pack and their unique mascot: a large ceremonial wolf's head, believed to be dated from the 1950s. This paint-cracked, ear-wobbled prop has led the pack's grand howl for decades, but the passing years have left it unfit for proud display. With a little help from woodworker Will Kirk, ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay gets to work on an unfamiliar material, stabilising the ears, filling the deepest cracks and delicately retouching its fierce features. Reunited with their restored wolf, the pack is thrilled and ready to howl with pride.

Finally, plastics expert Charlotte Abbott welcomes Audrija, who has brought in a cherished doll's house, a retro treasure from the 1980s, gifted to her elder sister before Audrija was even born. The two sisters spent countless happy hours playing with it, but after years of joyful use, it was badly damaged in an accident and left with an enormous hole in the roof. With her own daughters growing up, Audrija hopes to see it rebuilt, not just as a toy but as a tribute to her beloved sister, who sadly passed away in 2020. Can Charlotte rebuild the shattered structure and restore it for a new generation of children to enjoy once again?

The team take on four unique items, each carrying deep emotional weight and powerful personal stories.

First through the barn doors is a giant plush hound dog, gifted to the UK Elvis Presley fan club by Elvis's legendary manager, Colonel Tom Parker. After decades of display and devotion, this one-of-a-kind soft toy is torn, sagging and shedding stuffing. Julie and Amanda must work from nose to tail to restore this towering tribute to its former splendour. But facing quite literally the biggest challenge they have ever worked on, riddled with tears, and with its frame poking through and fabric failing, can the Bear Ladies give this celebrity canine back its pedigree?

Ken from County Durham brings in a treasured clock compendium – part clock, part thermometer, part barometer – presented to his father, Bob, by fellow miners in recognition of Bob's bravery during the tragic 1951 Easington Colliery disaster. With each of its constituent instruments damaged or broken, horologist Steve Fletcher faces a tricky challenge on three fronts to get them up and running again. And an already difficult repair gets harder when Steve identifies a rogue air bubble in the thermometer's mercury that will take all his ingenuity to solve.

Sophia and her uncle Lambros arrive next, with a remarkable leather shepherd's bag that once belonged to Sophia's father, a young goat herder in Cyprus. The bag survived war, displacement and decades of use, only to suffer severe damage by chewing after attracting the curious attention of their hungry pet dog. Indomitable as ever, Suzie sets to the task of repairing the straps, tassels and corners, hoping to rescue this treasured symbol of heritage and survival.

Finally, Rajinder from London brings in a sewing machine she won in a national fashion competition in 1982 when she was an irrepressible 16-year-old with a passion for textiles and design. It's a cherished reminder of her creativity and of her late parents, who were her biggest supporters. But after 20 years of silence, the machine is jammed and lifeless. Mark must navigate unfamiliar territory to get it running again. Can he bring this prizewinner back to life?

The team of expert craftspeople welcome four more cherished heirlooms steeped in personal history and emotional significance.

First into the barn is a pair of cowboy boots brought in by Chloe Schneider that have seen better days. The boots belonged to her late mother, a vibrant figure in the New York art scene. Discovered in a vintage shop in the 1980s and worn across decades of creativity and travel, the boots were damaged during a festival outing. Cobbler Dean Westmoreland delicately restores them, preserving their character while making them wearable once more – a tribute Chloe hopes to carry on at future milestones her mother can no longer attend.

Next, ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay is entrusted with a broken award originally given to Sid Perou, a pioneering adventure film-maker renowned for his daring cave cinematography. Brought in by Sid's sons, Martin and Tom, the Giles Barker Award represents a lifetime of achievements and a legacy of exploration. Kirsten's careful restoration brings the statuette back to life, allowing the family to honour their father's fearless spirit and creative brilliance.

Meanwhile, bear ladies Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch welcome a unique guest - Hamish the puppet - once the beloved sidekick of magician Jeff from Newmachar in Scotland. Hamish delighted audiences for years before wear and tear left him in pieces. Using new joints, fresh stuffing and expressive eyes, Julie and Amanda revive Hamish's charm, giving Jeff the chance to reunite with his old stage companion and return to performing.

Lastly, a fragment of plaster from a kitchen wall containing a handwritten message from a late son is brought in by John and Margaret Ivin. It was recently discovered during home renovations after Chris's tragic passing from a rare form of cancer. The fragile plaster is painstakingly restored by stonemason Rich Fraser, paper conservator Angie and woodworker Will Kirk, who collaborate to preserve the message and frame it as a lasting tribute. The result is a powerful reminder of love, memory and the enduring presence of those we have lost.

The team of expert craftspeople welcome the owners of four more cherished heirlooms steeped in personal history and emotional significance. 

First through the barn doors is a WWII Auxiliary Territorial Service jerkin, brought in by history enthusiast Mary from Ledbury. Once worn by female dispatch riders during the war, the leather garment had suffered extensive damage. Master saddler Suzie Fletcher undertakes a meticulous restoration, allowing Mary to wear it once more at re-enactment events and continue her mission to honour the daring women of wartime Britain. 

Next, electronics expert Mark Stuckey is tasked with reviving a vintage cine projector belonging to Stephen and Chris from Southampton. The projector holds decades-old footage filmed by their late friend Frank, a Royal Navy officer, while he was serving in the armed forces. With help from plastics expert Charlotte, Mark rebuilds the mechanism and restores the lens, allowing the couple to view Frank's adventures at sea for the first time in over 40 years – an emotional reunion with a cherished friend. 

Bookbinder Chris Shaw is delighted to see a fragile 1879 physiology textbook owned by Holly from Derbyshire. It belonged to her late father, a renowned physiologist, who inspired her to follow in his footsteps. Sadly, he has passed away, but on her graduation day, Holly's brother presented this special volume to her. With its spine broken and pages falling apart, Chris uses traditional techniques to rebind and restore the book, preserving its inscription and illustrations. The result is a treasured heirloom that Holly can now explore without fear of further damage – a lasting tribute to her father's legacy and their shared passion for science. 

From Watford, Shaminder brings in a well-worn Indian harmonium that belonged to her father, Gurmit Singh Virdee, a beloved music teacher who inspired thousands across the UK and Kenya. The harmonium, used in Sikh worship and family gatherings, has broken keys, and some of the knobs are missing. Organ restorer David Burville carefully repairs the reeds, recreates the knobs, and balances the keys to restore the instrument's voice. His hard work culminates in a heartfelt performance that brings the family's musical legacy back to life.

The team takes on four more extraordinary items rich in personal and historical significance, each in dire need of repair.

First into the barn are Paul and his son Sam from Bradford, with an extraordinary clock that's housed within a dazzling miniature drum kit. Commissioned by Paul's late father as a 25th-birthday gift, this handmade brass and gold-leaf model was crafted by a renowned local clocksmith, but years of sun exposure have dulled its shine, and its tick no longer tocks. Drum restorer Pete Woods and horologist Steve Fletcher team up to bring back its sparkle and precision, honouring the memory of a beloved dad and the craftsmanship of a devoted friend.

Next, paper conservator Angelina Bakalarou meets Rachel from Devon, who brings in a water-damaged photograph of her great aunt Maud Shaw. Maud was hired by President John F Kennedy and his wife to be their children's ‘very own Mary Poppins' and looked after Catherine and John Jr through good – and famously tragic – times. Gifted by Jackie Kennedy herself when Maud retired from the White House in 1965, the photograph was accidentally soaked by a watering can and left wrinkled and stained. With painstaking care, Angelina washes, flattens and retouches the image, preserving a treasured piece of family and American history.

Ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay welcomes Jean, a former Barnardo's child, who brings along a wax statuette that was gifted to her in recognition of her remarkable fundraising efforts for the charity. On learning that hundreds of children from Victorian times were buried in unmarked graves at sites across London, Jean set about raising thousands of pounds for a series of statues to mark the names of the dead and was presented with this statuette by the sculptor of one of the statues. But with her precious possession having been badly melted by a radiator, it will take all of Kirsten's skills to reshape it back into a fitting memorial.

Finally, luthier Julyan Wallis meets Nat – now from Yorkshire but originally from Venezuela – who brings in a precious musical instrument from her childhood. The cuatro is a traditional four-stringed instrument central to her country's heritage. Originally gifted by her father, the cuatro was damaged during house repairs and left unplayable, leaving Nat distraught. It's now down to Julyan to repair its cracks, reset its frets and restore its voice, reconnecting Nat with her heritage and giving her daughters a chance to carry the music forward.

This is a Series 14 Compilations Episode 1 of 8
(was previously incorrectly listed on BBC site as Series 15 Episode 1)

Wheeling in the next item are a father and his three sons, dad Rob joined by Mark, Adam and Nick, who have brought a career first for bike restorer Tim Gunn. The polo bike and mallet belonged to the absent fifth family member and teammate, Joe, who tragically passed away in a motorbike accident in 2015. Tim's stunning restoration not only rekindles fond memories but also gets the brothers back onto their own bikes, much to their dad's delight. 

Next, hoping for the healing hands of ceramics conservator Kirsten Ramsay, Janaki brings in a precious link to her Sri Lankan heritage. The ceramic statue of Buddha has been in her family for over 70 years and was passed to her by her mum. Back in Sri Lanka, her mother had - unusually for the times - left the family home and started work as a nanny for a wealthy family. After a few years, the family decided to emigrate to the UK and asked Janaki's mum if she'd like to go with them. Quite the adventurer, she jumped at the chance. Once settled in London, she married and had children of her own. Times were tight, but she remained a devout Buddhist, and Janaki recalls the statue was always the centrepiece of her mother's shrine at home. But time has not been kind to the little statue. With damage to the all-important gesture of the Buddha and a broken base, Kirsten must undertake some delicate repairs to sympathetically restore this beautifully dainty piece. 

Last, an heirloom from the golden age of cinema. Sisters Georgie and Lydia need the help of upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary to honour a couple who played a starring role in their lives. Their great uncle built a cinema with his brother in Knighton, Powys, which opened in 1947 to a huge queue of people wanting to experience the local cinema. Their great aunt Enid was also involved in the business. The building was demolished in the 1990s, so the siblings never saw the cinema, but they were delighted to find some cinema seats stored under their great uncle and aunt's house. Sonnaz and Dom join forces not only to bring the chairs back to life but also to give the two young women the 1940s cinema experience they've never known.

This is a Series 14 Compilations Episode 2 of 8
(was previously incorrectly listed on BBC site as Series 15 Episode 2)

The first restoration arrives ahead of time. Head teacher Bethan has brought in her school clock with high hopes that the combined skills of clock restorer Steve Fletcher and clock face painter Cindy Welland can nurse her historical timepiece back to life. Back in 1877, the clock was gifted to the school by none other than Florence Nightingale. It has remained a stalwart of the school and their biggest claim to fame but has never, to anyone's memory, worked! With the school's 150-year anniversary coming up, Bethan is hoping the clock can make its debut as a working feature of the school's rich history. Steve takes a school trip to unveil his and the team's efforts and fortunately receives top marks.

There's also a tale of animal rescue in the barn. Pet lover Angie Bakalarou has the paper skills required for Hazel's 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 satnav, 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 'important things to keep'. Now almost transparent, with tears and the edges falling apart, Hazel is 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.

Pete Woods has a gift for repairing instruments, and Natalie and her dad Mike are hoping he can restore harmony to one they treasure. Mike's late father played the saxophone over a semi-professional career that spanned from the 1940s right up to the 1990s. After the war, he travelled around the UK in big bands and swing bands. In 1950, he decided he needed a ‘proper job', so he became an engineer, but he carried on playing sax with a band he formed called The Dick Wade 5. He was in his mid-70s by the time he retired, and he died in 2004. His musical talents passed down to son Mike, who plays piano, and his granddaughter Natalie, who is following in his footsteps, playing the saxophone. Mike would love to see the instrument playing like it did back in its heyday, so daughter Natalie can continue to use it. Pete must repair the pads, fix a missing key guard and spruce up the old brass to get Natalie blowing the saxophone in front of an audience of experts.

This is a Series 14 Compilations Episode 3 of 8
(was previously incorrectly listed on BBC site as Series 15 Episode 3)

First to the barn is Peggy Doran and daughter Jayne, hoping painting conservator Lucia Scalisi can use her skills to honour a man who was a legend in their family. Back in the 1940s and 50s, Peggy's husband Bill was a well-decorated motorcycle racer who sped through the finish line at Scarborough to win the course lap record and eventually the Gold Cup. He went on to win the Belgium Grand Prix. After he retired, he opened a motorbike shop, and his love of bikes was passed down to daughter Jayne and eventually granddaughter Emilie.

Sadly, Bill died when Jayne was just 13. The family enjoy looking through old photos of their beloved Bill doing what he loved best, and once, when Jayne went up to Scarborough to visit the track where her dad held so many accolades, she saw the old course lap record sign, with his name on it. But she was dismayed to learn that it was about to be demolished after years of being exposed to the elements. The circuit director offered her the sign to take home with her as a memento of her dad. She couldn't believe her luck, but it had picked up some bumps and scrapes over the years. Lucia must scramble to salvage the vinyl lettering, whilst Dominic Chinea races to save the wooden framework on the back of the sign. It's a double win that leaves the entire family feeling on top of the podium.

Next, a severely cracked mechanical doll needing the expert skills of toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch. For Ian, the doll is a painful reminder of his sister Denise, who he lost in a road traffic accident when she was just 24. After she died, his parents stored the doll in the loft, and Ian has only recently rediscovered it. While Julie and Amanda crack on with filling the doll's fractures, creating new digits for her missing fingers and making a new outfit, mechanical whizz David Burville is enlisted to get her walking and moving her head again. When Ian sees the newly restored doll, he can't believe the transformation.

Oyez, oyez! Carpenter Will Kirk and silversmith Brenton West are on hand to do what they do best for the final fix. In search of sparkle is Kila and her bell. As the first female town crier for Lytham in Lancashire, she wants her dull bell to be as shiny as she is when dressed in all her finery. Passed down to her when she was inaugurated in 2023, the bell has seen better days and needs sprucing up. Also, on Kila's wish list - a baldrick, or belt, typically worn over the shoulder to carry a weapon or instrument and in Kila's case to keep her all-important handbell, which leather worker Suzie Fletcher is roped in to make. In one of the barn's grandest exits, Kila - in full town crier livery - has a go on her spruced-up ringer and gives the experts a bold 'thank you' cry.

Listed as Series 14 Episode 25 on BBC site

First into the barn is Alistair Waite, with a fragile cake topper from his parents' wedding cake, which holds memories of a childhood spent growing up in the circus. The centrepiece of the miniature circus scene is a faithful reproduction of the big top, of which Alistair's father was the tent manager and where his mother performed each night. Paper restorer Angelina Bakalarou takes on the delicate task of restoring this precious memento, preserving a unique piece of circus heritage and family love. 

Next in comes former children's TV presenter Jenny Hanley, who brings along a cherished toy of great historical and personal significance: a stuffed monkey named Alphonse. This cheeky primate helped Jenny's grandmother, Lisa Sheridan, take a series of relaxed and intimate portraits of the royal family, most notably of the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. It was Alphonse's job to attract the subject's attention to the camera, but now, threadbare and worn, he's in no condition to turn heads, royal or otherwise. It's down to Bear Ladies Julie and Amanda to weave their magic, and bring him back to peak condition. 

Londoner Abdul and his daughter Hannah are next through the barn doors, with a challenging proposal for horologist Steve Fletcher and woodworker Will Kirk. Their beautiful but very broken regulator clock was the dearest possession of Abdul's father, who had been gifted it by a much-loved friend. Passed down to Abdul on his father's death, the clock sadly didn't survive the passage from India, and it is now in a pitiful state, leaving Abdul racked with guilt. It takes all of Will and Steve's skills – and the help of a new face in the barn, screen printer Alasdair MacKay – to get this precious heirloom back to its very best. 

Finally, Maureen Armstrong from Bristol presents a battered helmet from the Second World War era for the close attention of Lucia Scalisi. The helmet belonged to Maureen's much-missed grandmother Dot, who served as a volunteer nurse during the Blitz and wore the helmet on duty as she tended to the wounded during bombing raids on Portsmouth. Now flaking and rust-spattered, Lucia sets to work to ensure that its history – and Dot's name – are preserved for future generations.

Listed as Series 15 Episode 1 on BBC site
(was previously listed on BBC site as Series 15 Episode 4)

First into the barn is John from Holywell, with a unique family heirloom – a detailed working model of a Welsh coal mine, built by his grandfather over 100 years ago. The model normally takes centre stage in the mining museum John runs, but the intricate mechanism that powered its moving parts was lost during a failed repair, and John's pride and joy is currently out of service. Horologist Steve Fletcher faces the head-scratching challenge of recreating the entire mechanism, while art conservator Lucia Scalisi restores its painted surfaces, ensuring this miniature marvel honours John's family history and the memory of generations of miners.

Next, Sarah and her daughter Laura arrive from Belfast, bringing along a tattered Victorian writing box steeped in family history. Originally gifted to Sarah's grandmother Dolly by her fiance, it was later used by Sarah's mum Kay Kennedy, an inspirational reporter and one of Northern Ireland's first female newspaper editors. Woodworker Will Kirk and bookbinder Chris Shaw join forces to restore the box's battered veneer and torn leather, preserving its legacy for future generations, including Laura, who was inspired by Kay's feats to become a writer and journalist herself.

From Barrow-in-Furness, Jacquie arrives with Rosebud – a 75-year-old doll that once belonged to her late mother Myra and became Myra's treasured companion at a difficult time. After losing her father at the age of seven and her mother just two years later, Myra was adopted and given Rosebud by her new parents. Decades of loving and affection have left Rosebud with her head hanging loose, hair matted and missing, and lacking both her legs. Toy restorer Charlotte Abbott sets out to rebuild the missing limbs, secure the head and recreate Rosebud's wig, returning this cherished doll to the family in one piece.

Finally, Tillie Newnham from Rugby presents an extraordinary piece of British engineering history: an original 1930s design for the Humber Bridge, drawn by Sir Ralph Freeman and later passed to her grandfather, Bernard Wex, who oversaw the bridge's eventual construction. Paper conservator Angelina Bakalarou tackles decades of damage, from creepy crawly insect droppings to tears and tape stains, to ensure this rare drawing can be cherished by Tillie's family for years to come.

Lucia revives a family portrait of a heroic sea captain, Brenton repairs a precious boxing trophy, and the team restore a Jamaican trunk that carried a musician's dreams.

Listed as Series 15 Episode 5 on BBC site

First to arrive in the barn is Peter from Blackpool, carrying a shattered violin that once belonged to his late wife's grandfather Sigmund. A gifted Jewish musician from Vienna, Sigmund – along with his violin – was imprisoned in Theresienstadt concentration camp during the Second World War. The camp played an important role in Nazi propaganda and was used to paint a false picture of conditions for international visitors, including the Red Cross. As part of that subterfuge, Sigmund was ordered to form an orchestra that would play to visiting dignitaries on such occasions. Now dried, cracked and broken from years hanging above a fireplace, it poses a mammoth challenge for violin restorer Becky Houghton, who painstakingly dismantles it, repairing its fractured body, filling cracks and preserving every mark left by Sigmund's hands. 

From Aberdeenshire, Katy Fennema and her mother Alison arrive with a weather-beaten enamel sign from the family's long-gone Highlands garage. The business, founded in 1901 in Braemar's snowbound Castleton district, served motorists for decades and provided a living for generations of Alison's family. Bent double, rusted and shorn of some of its lettering, the sign symbolises a proud lineage of hard work and hospitality – but right now, it's looking far from proud. A new face in the barn steps up to take on the job: Glaswegian printmaker and gilder Alasdair Mackay. With a bit of welding help from Dom Chinea, Al straightens the buckled metal, fills its deep scars and repaints its lettering with precision, all while preserving the precious patina. 

Next, Charlie Smith from North Yorkshire brings a delicate ceramic birdcage that belonged to his late mother, Jennifer. Bought in a Riyadh department store during the family's years in Saudi Arabia, it once filled their living room with light and warmth, but when Jennifer became ill, it was left shattered after an unfortunate accident, and an attempted repair has left it in pieces. Conservator Kirsten Ramsay takes on the formidable task of dismantling the failed glue joints, steam-cleaning every fragment, and reassembling hundreds of shards back into the delicate cage that Jennifer once knew and loved. 

Finally, Ross Malyon from the Isle of Bute arrives with a black leather jacket, hand painted in the 1980s by his late girlfriend Meriel, who transformed its back into a vivid Batman mural. The jacket accompanied Ross around the world during his years as a roadie to some of the UK's biggest bands, but decades living the rock'n'roll lifestyle have left the jacket faded and falling apart. Fixing it requires the joint efforts of shoemaker Dean Westmoreland, who tackles the worn leather, failing zip and torn lining, and paintings conservator Lucia Scalisi, who carefully revives the artwork's cracked colours.