A new episode of The Repair Shop is on BBC One tonight at 8pm. Stream it shortly afterwards on BBC iPlayer.
In this episode, a 1960s record player and a flamboyant pair of 1970s boots are given a new lease of life. And a painting by artist Helene de Beauvoir, sister of French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, is also lovingly restored.
First into the barn is music lover Poppy, who is hoping bright spark Mark Stuckey can put the phonic funk back into a record player that once belonged to her late grandmother Catherine. The pair shared a love of music, and despite her millennial age group, Poppy is an avid collector of vinyl from the 60s. But with her nan’s record player broken, she is unable to play the discs. Having recently moved into her own first home, Poppy is now keen for the turntable to spin again so that she can listen to the old tunes that remind her of her nan.
Next to arrive is barrister Colin, with a pair of boots harking back to his younger, more rebellious days. In the 1970s, Colin was an art student with only meagre funds. However, that didn’t prevent him from splashing out an entire term’s grant on the boots that have come to symbolise his first steps into adulthood. Bright red and yellow with wings on either side, the style was also rocked by Elton John in the same era. Now nearing retirement, Colin’s hoping that cobbler Dean Westmoreland can get the boots groovy again so that he can relive the exciting days of his youth.
Next, Rachel is seeking the expert skills of Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch. Rachel has brought a teddy named Freddy that is looking rather worse for wear. He was purchased by Rachel’s mum – a single mother – when she was a toddler as a replacement for another bear she had lost on a visit to the zoo. Freddy turned out to be a very welcome replacement, with Rachel holding him dear ever since. It’s an interesting job for the teddy bear ladies, who need to replicate Freddy’s original furry jacket, braces and bee-patterned underpants!
Next in the frame is art conservator Lucia Scalisi, who is tasked with a conservation of historical importance. Owner Jean-Robert and his daughter Natasha are from the same family as French artist Helene de Beauvoir and her older sister, the famous philosopher Simone. They have brought a painting that Helene created of her nephew Alain, Jean-Robert’s dad. It’s the only picture he has of his father as a boy and therefore holds great significance for him. It’s a labour of love for Lucia to follow Helene’s brush strokes to recreate the artwork.
