Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team bring four treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.

93-year-old D-Day veteran Thomas Hassell has brought along a treasured item with a proud history - a smart military ‘swagger stick’ awarded to him while on army service in Berlin, for consistently being the smartest soldier on parade. The stick is a cherished symbol of a long and proud career, but sadly the decades have not been kind, and the silver head is badly dented and discoloured. It is down to silversmith Brenton West to knock out the dents and give the stick its swagger back – but the task proves much harder than anticipated.

Metalworker Dominic Chinea enlists the help of England’s last remaining master cooper, Alastair Simms, to tackle the repair of a miniature whisky barrel with huge emotional significance to owner Deirdre. According to family legend, the tiny barrel was made from the salvaged wood of a wrecked ship captained by Deirdre’s ancestor, and it was a regular fixture at family gatherings throughout her childhood. But some years ago Deirdre decided to give it a clean, only for it to fall to pieces in her hands. Dom sets about the repair, with the help of Alastair – and a tin of chocolate biscuits!

Mechanics whizz Steve Fletcher takes on the repair of a clockwork train, lovingly built from scratch by a beloved grandfather. And basketry specialist Sarah Hatton undertakes the repair of a very precious set of wicker baby-weighing scales, which have played host to multiple generations of new-borns. Show less