The Repair Shop: Fixing Britain

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Factual: Antiques

Jay Blades delves into the stories behind the items restored in the Repair Shop.

Jay Blades delves into the stories behind the items restored in the Repair Shop, and finds out more about the show's team of craft experts.

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Jay Blades

Paula Fasht

David Sayer

Rob Butterfield

Emma Walsh

Ricochet Limited

The Repair Shop: Fixing Britain: Series 1: Episode 9

Episode 9

BBC One - The Repair Shop: Fixing Britain, Series 1, Episode 9

Jay revisits repairs that show the roles musical instruments have played in our lives.

Jay Blades investigates the place of musical instruments in modern life by revisiting three barn repairs, including a bass owned by a member of Hot Chocolate.

Jay Blades investigates music instruments that have helped shaped the way music is played live. It’s a subject that is close to many of his team's hearts, and Jay reveals which of them is a mean fiddler, who is learning to play the guitar and who is the sax player among the Repair Shop experts.
 
First up is a pump organ brought in to the barn by music teacher Marion Stanley and previously owned by Marion’s dad, who grew up in the East End. Jay tells the story of how instruments like this one used to be played live in places like the East End to entertain people. With no TV and no other access to live music, street parties and gatherings were common ways to celebrate everything from Christmas and birthdays – a tradition that continues to this day on big occasions like the Queen’s jubilee. Jay also reveals which modern day music legends have continued to use this humble instrument.

Live music has also been a form of solace in trickier times, as witnessed by an accordion brought in by William and his family. William’s mum, Iris, used to play it during the Second World War to entertain families as they waited out German air raids in underground shelters. Jay tells the story of the development of the accordion and how it still plays a part in modern life. 

After the war, the story of musical instruments and live performances took another turn thanks to the invention of amplified instruments, such as the bass brought in by Danny Wilson and his mum, Margaret. They also bring a touch of pop glamour to the barn, as Danny’s dad was a member of 1970s band Hot Chocolate. Danny wants to learn the bass, but it doesn’t play properly, so it’s over to restorer David Kennett to work his magic. Jay explains how the electric guitar and bass were developed and how they have changed the face of modern live music.

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