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Episode 26

Episode 26 of 40

Jay Blades and the team breathe new life into two bespoke rings, an old-fashioned penny slot machine and a wooden writing box.

Jay Blades and the team restore three treasured family heirlooms, reviving cherished memories in the process.

The barn’s resident goldsmith, Richard Talman, warmly welcomes the first visitor, Mike. He has brought the engagement and wedding rings he designed for his late wife Sarah. Their love story began at a chance meeting in an ice rink over 30 years ago, and Mike soon knew she was ‘the one’. He designed a beautiful, solitaire diamond ring with which he proposed to Sarah and a simple wedding band to be given on the big day. Tragically, Sarah died 16 years ago, leaving Mike to raise their two young children. His daughter is now nearing her twenty-first birthday, and Mike would love her to have her mother’s rings as a birthday gift. Richard excels himself to get these broken, bent and faded pieces back to their sparkling best.

Next to arrive at the workshop is Lisa Scott. She’s keen for pinball wizard Geoff Harvey to bring the penny slot machine that was once in her mum’s amusement arcade back to life. Lisa grew up above the arcade, and the noise of busy slot machines evokes lovely childhood memories. The machine was badly damaged during a fire at the arcade many years ago, but Sarah and her mum held on to this one, as it was always earmarked for Sarah. The family used to pat the top for good luck, which she and her children continue to do. However, the machine now needs some luck of its own as it’s in a sorry state – the fire melted the paintwork and colourful back panel, and the internal workings need a total overhaul.

Lastly, there’s a project for Will Kirk and bookbinder Chris Shaw to tackle together. Alexa Halabi owns a wooden writing box that her father left to her, but it’s broken and unusable. Will and Chris piece it back together and get it looking beautiful again.

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43 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:05

    Eric Chevalier

    Bright Emotion

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jay Blades
Narrator Bill Paterson
Expert Rich Talman
Actor Will Kirk
Expert Christopher Shaw
Expert Geoff Harvey
Executive Producer Alex Raw
Series Producer Rebecca McLaughlin
Director Rich Merritt
Series Producer Tanveer Bari
Production Company Ricochet Limited

Broadcasts

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