Today in the Repair Shop, Jay Blades and the team breathe new life into three beloved belongings, reviving the memories that they hold.

First to appear at the workshop is Tony Douglas. He has brought the model yacht he made and sailed with his grandfather as a lad. He is banking on fellow model toy enthusiast David Burville being willing and able to get it out on the water again. Tony was named after his grandfather, and he and his siblings spent many happy times with him. Tony senior was interested in all things nautical and a keen craftsman, building himself a full-sized yacht as well as several radio-controlled model ones. Tony has wonderful memories of sailing the Kingfisher with him and would love to relive the experience with his son Charlie, but the hull sprung a leak decades ago, the battery is on the blink and it has been gathering dust on a shelf ever since. Fortunately, David knows exactly how to get it shipshape again.

Ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay has her hands full when she takes receipt of a garden urn - or what remains of one! The large earthenware urn belongs to Adam Steward and his family. His great grandfather was the original owner of the 1930s decorative piece, which is part of a pair that has been passed through the generations of Adam’s family. They have stood prominently in the gardens of his grandparents, parents and sister, which is where it met its fate. A garden wall toppled onto the urn, smashing it into pieces, and Adam is desperately hoping Kirsten can salvage it. Undeterred, Kirsten methodically begins rebuilding and replicating any missing sections on this mammoth item, enlisting silversmith Brenton West to help reassemble the top bowl with the decorative base.

And finally, a piece of aviation history for master hatter Jayesh Vaghela. Jo and George Ward bring a World War I leather pilot’s helmet, once worn by a brave airman and father of a dear friend, who gifted it to them knowing how useful they would find it. Jo and George race vintage cars for fun, and the sheepskin lined pilot’s helmet is the perfect accessory for keeping Jo’s head warm in the open-top cars. However, the century-old hat has served them well for over 15 years and is now very frail. The sheepskin is falling out in clumps, the leather has hardened, and the stitching is failing. Jayesh works wonders with this precious yet practical piece. Show less