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

Musical instrument restorer Pete Woods is pleased to meet Chris Bassett from Hertfordshire. Chris has brought in his very first musical instrument, which is desperate for some specialist attention. A gift from his parents to help him recuperate after a childhood accident, this cornet made a huge impact on his life and shaped his future. It sparked a love for music, performing and inspiring others. The silver-plated cornet is dented, tarnished and seized up. It has not been played for over 50 years, but Pete feels sure he can nurse it back to full voice again and grant Chris’s wish to play it in memory of his wonderful parents.

Next into the barn are Simon and Elaine Johnston, with a memento from Simon’s childhood that sparks a multitude of lovely memories. Expert Steve Fletcher remembers a similar item from his own childhood and gets to work reconditioning the rusted paraffin lamp. Simon and his siblings grew up playing cards with their parents by the light of this lamp and feels those moments taught him of the importance of family time. He would love his own children to share that experience and hear its familiar hiss as it burns bright.

Finally, music box restorer Steve Kember and silversmith Brenton West greet Lynnie McGirr and are charmed by her elaborate silver music box, with a tiny feather bird that should pop up and sing along. It was left to her by a dear friend and neighbour named Charles. The music box transfixed Lynnie and her then-young children from the moment they saw it. Knowing that, Charles kindly left it to them in his will. However, after an unfortunate accident many years ago, the musical mechanism no longer works, the box has lost its lustre and the little bird refuses to perform. Lynnie would love her new granddaughter to be mesmerised, just as she was, so Steve and Brenton come to her aid. Show less