Episode
The Repair Shop: Flexiwhirl Seesaw
Overview
Metal worker Dominic Chinea is challenged to revive a rare and curious 1930s children's toy seesaw, while hand embroidery expert Sara Dennis is given the challenge of reviving a century old embroidered bedspread. Meanwhile, brother and sister Steve and Suzie Fletcher sort out an ancient gentleman's shooting stick.
Details
- Series
- The Repair Shop
- Season
- Season 5
- Episode
- Episode 8
- Air date
- 2019-11-27
- Runtime
- 43 min
Episode context
Flexiwhirl Seesaw is Episode 8 in Series 5 of The Repair Shop. It aired on 2019-11-27. The runtime is 43 min.
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Episode 7: Wind-Up Train
The team takes on a wooden desk that has seen some serious swotting, a charming scrapbook charting a fantastic story and a now defunct wind up train. Steve starts off by trying to understand and then dismantle the locomotive before handing it over to Lucia for repainting and decorating. Bookbinder Chris Shaw checks out the 1950s scrapbook but notices some tears so passes it over to paper conservator Louise Drover before he starts work on repairing and restoring the rest of the scrapbook. Will Kirk then starts to work on the desk.
Episode 9: WWII Lucky Mascot
Jay Blades and the team revive and restore a previous brooch, a teddy bear called Chiefy with a suspected moth infestation and a well-traveled trunk, which after a journey of 6,000 miles, now has pride of place in Sam Sharpe's family home. Amanda and Julie start by putting Chiefy into the deep freeze to kill off any moth larvae lurking inside. Will deals with the warped camphor wood trunk with help from Brenton who makes a replacement piece for the brass latch. Kirsten re-makes Chiefy's buttons, Suzie checks out his new boots and Steve buffs up his boatswain's call. Richard repairs the damaged brooch.
More episodes from this season
Episode 6: Wind-Up Panda
A once-beautiful mid-century coffee table has been part of owner Graham's life for 60 years. The item belonged to his parents and took pride of place in their living room. Wood restoration expert Will uses all his knowledge to bring this unique wooden object back to life. It's collaboration time for clockmaker Steven Fletcher and our toy duo Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell when a wind-up panda dating from the 1960s is brought to the barn. It is the first toy owner Gill remembers having and was a gift from her late father, who died two weeks before her sixth birthday aged just 52. After providing 50 years of comfort to Gill, panda is looking worse for wear.
An unusual and ingenious contraption arrives for the attention of metal worker Dominic Chinea. It is a coconut scraper and was the creation of Dudley's father, who migrated with his family to the UK from India in 1958. Dudley and his brothers have fond memories of helping their mother make a Goan treat called Kulkuls.
Episode 10: Ship's Wheel
It's all hands on deck as the crew tackles a dilapidated wheel from a scrapped Scottish fishing boat, a worn out football mascot, and a well-worn commemorative cricket ball. Suzie is presented with a worn out cricket ball which is coming apart at the seams, then fine art conservator Lucia retouches the red colour and the gold inscription. Will is presented with an old ship's wheel in pieces but with Dom and Jay's help he gets the jigsaw of pieces back together again. Kirsten takes on the job of repairing the old Portsmouth mascot doll with some help from the bear ladies, Amanda and Julie. Brenton adds the finishing touch to the ship's wheel by making a cover to fit over the hub.
Episode 5: Boxing Gloves
Master saddler Suzie Fletcher rescues a pair of tired and torn boxing gloves that once belonged to the owner Andy’s uncle, who died tragically as a young man. Andy is keen to have the precious keepsakes restored for his father as a surprise. Natural history conservator Simon Moore is faced with a huge challenge when he takes receipt of an unusual cigarette box, crafted from an ostrich egg shell. It was a gift given to owner Trevor’s grandfather during the Second World War, when he was stationed in the Far East. And metalworker Dom is delighted to work on a 1950s toy bike that was gifted to the owner’s brother by none other than Laurel and Hardy during a performance in their home town.
Episode 11: Ted the Teddy Bear
Lesley Keller's from London hopes toy restorers Julie Tatchall and Amanda Middleditch can get a very old friend back on his feet. Ted means an awful lot to Lesley as he was one of the first toys she received from her wonderful adoptive parents. Pete is asked to repair a 1920s banjolele that was played in the old music halls. Will is tasked with repairing and restoring an old tea caddy that was filled with family treasures.
Episode 4: Sea Serpent Pen Holder
Master saddler Susie Fletcher has her work cut out with a treasured leather satchel that’s been through the wars. Owner John’s grandfather bought it in a Cairo market while serving in the Second World War. The market was bombed, but the lucky soldier escaped with just a shrapnel wound. The satchel itself bears the blood stain. Horologist Steve Fletcher brings all his expertise to the repair of a Victorian clock that is that is linked to an incredible wartime story that made national headlines. The clock has been in owner Wendy’s family for over 100 years, for most of its life sitting proudly on the mantle of her grandparents’ pub in Kent. In the last few years it has become increasingly unreliable and has not chimed in decades.
And silversmith Brenton works his magic on a mythical creature. The bronze sea serpent pen holder was made by owner Alan’s great-grandfather, who had a passion for making such curiosities.
Episode 12: Antique Bridle
Janette Drew and her mother, Margaret Murphy, are hoping that metalwork Expert Dominic Chinea can save a bench that's on its last legs. Meanwhile, a unique piece of family heritage arrives with Ella Woolls and her father Jon: an antique bridle, while Steve Fletcher is tasked with restoring and renovating a very old mechanical calculator. Suzie Fletcher tackles the old bridle, with some help on the decorative metalwork from Brenton West.
Episode 3: Military Drum
There’s a treat in store for metalworker Dominic Chinea when he comes face to face with a one-of-a-kind bicycle sidecar, designed for junior passengers. Owners Chrissy and Steve have many fond memories of peddling around town with their three children in tow, but the ingenious contraption is now dilapidated after being exiled to the shed for decades. Furniture restorer Will Kirk is presented with the dreaded box of bits when he meets the owner of what was a Victorian sewing table. And percussion expert Pete Woods restores a piece of military history – a drum that saw frontline action in both world wars. The drum belonged to owner Tim’s grandfather, who signed up for duty in the Royal Fusiliers at just thirteen years of age. Too young to be a soldier, Tim's grandad became a drummer boy and would accompany marching soldiers.
Episode 13: Vintage Bottle Stopper
The team takes on a rusty pedal scooter, a keepsake with a theatrical past: an original engraved powder compact, and a whimsical vintage bottle stopper whose smiling face and red nose has fascinated owner Martin Day, ever since he was a young boy. Brian Adams is hoping bike restorer Tim Gunn can work his magic on a rusty pedal scooter that he inherited from his father. Silversmith Brenton West is challenged to restore a precious keepsake with a theatrical past: an original engraved powder compact. This unusual item was gifted to owner Dee Rance's aunt Lucy, a performer, by the legendary comedy impresario Fred Karno. Unfortunately the delicate box is dull, knocked and dented, and the mirror inside is cracked beyond repair. Brenton sets to work to transform this tarnished treasure and restore some star quality.
Episode 2: RAF Mascot Teddy Bear
Metal worker Dominic Chinea takes on a former fairground family’s water can. The can represents owner David’s childhood travelling around the country, but large sections of it have lost the battle with rust and it has sprung some major leaks. Dom sets about replacing the bottom panel and giving it a new lease of life, with the help of silversmith Brenton. Master saddler Suzie Fletcher tackles a miniature camel saddle – the only memento from a childhood spent in Malaysia. This curious item has been by owner John’s side for over 60 years, but an unfortunate incident with a mischievous puppy has left it in tatters. And teddy bear repair duo Amanda and Julie welcome a 100-year-old RAF mascot bear called Bobby. Dressed in a replica uniform, the bear belonged to a brave airman who survived a horrific plane crash during the Second World War. His daughters, Kris and Barbara, would love to have Bobby Bear restored as a tribute to their father.
Episode 14: Smuggler's Telescope
The team takes on a tippling stick thought to have belonged to George V, a nearly 200-year-old telescope that needs the eye of optics expert Richard Biggs, and a Victorian high chair that transforms into a rocking chair. Brenton makes a start on the tippling stick with some help from Will to apply a bit of polish. Brenton then makes a silver quaffing pot to hold a dram of the whisky that the tippling stick holds. Will then focuses on the high chair that transforms into a rocking chair. After making a new top piece for the missing back he enlists the help of Dom to tidy up the transforming mechanism and Suzie who makes a new padding for the back and seat. Meanwhile Richard starts work on the old smuggler's telescope with some help either some soldering by Steve.