The Repair Shop: Fixing Britain

Original version

The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

BBC One East

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.

Series 1

BBC Two

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

BBC One HD

BBC One London

London

The BBC West region started on 1st September 1957 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One West.

BBC One West

The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

BBC One South

The BBC North East & Cumbria region started in 1959 (tbc) as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One North East & Cumbria.

BBC One North East & Cumbria

BBC One Cambridgeshire

BBC One Channel Islands

Simulcast of BBC One Wales in high definition. From 29/01/2013

BBC One Wales HD

Simulcast of BBC One Scotland in high definition. From 14/01/2013

BBC One Scotland HD

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region that included London and part of the South region. Separated from BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One South East

BBC One Oxfordshire

BBC One Wales

Wales

Simulcast of BBC One Northern Ireland in high definition. From 24/10/2012

BBC One Northern Ireland HD

BBC One West Midlands

BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

BBC One East Midlands

BBC One North West

BBC One Scotland

Scotland

BBC One Yorks & Lincs

BBC One Yorkshire

The BBC South West region started on 20th April 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South West.

BBC One South West

BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

BBC One Northern Ireland

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

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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The Repair Shop: Fixing Britain

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Episode 9

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