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Episode 32

Episode 32 of 40

Jay Blades and the team restore a treasured childhood puppet, an antique camera and an unusual timepiece.

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

The first visitor to the barn is Emma Patinson, with a much-loved childhood toy that is in need of a makeover. Emma is hoping Julie and Amanda can work their magic on her quirky companion, a worn and cracked puppet from the 1970s. The puppet was a present from Emma鈥檚 dad, who very sadly passed away not long after gifting the toy to his daughter. The puppet became Emma鈥檚 constant childhood companion, but he has had some bumps and bruises along the way. Emma longs to see him as he once was, and Amanda and Julie are only too happy to help.

Next, camera restorer Brenton West and leather expert Suzie Fletcher welcome art student Eloise Badger to the workshop. Eloise has brought in her late great-grandmother鈥檚 camera. Sadly, it hasn鈥檛 been used for over 60 years and has seized shut, and its leather bag has also seen better days. This 90-year-old heirloom has been reverently cared for by the family since it was bought in 1932. Treasured by Eloise鈥檚 great-grandmother, who was a keen photographer, it has now been passed down to Eloise. She is studying fine art and has inherited her great grandmother鈥檚 passion for photography. However, this vintage piece is stubbornly stuck shut, and Brenton needs to utilise brute strength and some inventiveness to get it working again, whilst Suzie works her magic on the tired leather case.

Lastly, clockmaker Steve Fletcher is faced with an unusual timepiece: a Congreve rolling ball clock owned by Huw David from Burnley. Huw鈥檚 grandfather Oswald cleverly made the clock during the 1980s. Instead of a pendulum, it is powered by a metal ball rolling down a slanted table. It鈥檚 mesmerising to watch, but unfortunately these types of clocks are notoriously bad at keeping time. Sadly, Oswald developed dementia and never got a chance to perfect the running of the clock. Steve has a challenge on his hands to get this clock running to time, but with patience, ingenuity and a delicate touch, he coaxes it back to its former glory.

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44 minutes

Audio described

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jay Blades
Narrator Bill Paterson
Expert Steven Fletcher
Expert Brenton West
Expert Amanda Middleditch
Expert Julie Tatchell
Expert Kirsten Ramsay
Executive Producer Hannah Lamb
Series Producer Paula Fasht
Series Producer Tanveer Bari
Production Company Ricochet Limited

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