The Repair Shop S2023E31 - Episode 31

A teddy bear that's lost its sparkle is revamped in memory of a beloved father. Sisters Lauren and Claire bring Timmy into the barn, a well-worn toy that was their dad Brian's childhood teddy from when he was born in the 1960s. Still raw from their dad's passing just over six months ago, the daughters now want Timmy revamped as a reminder of their 6 foot 5 inches tall father, who they describe as a ‘big softy'. They'd like to pass the teddy on to Brian's grandson Harrison to keep his grandad's memory alive. A request from the sisters to make Timmy a jumper from an old one of Brian's they've brought with them makes this a truly memorable repair for toy restorers Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell.

Arriving with a less cuddly but equally important gift from childhood is Sukeshi, who has brought in a watch for the attention of the barn's horologist, Steve Fletcher. The watch slides open and stands up and was given to Sukeshi when she was just two years old by her late mother. Sukeshi was born with disabilities after her mother took the drug Thalidomide, a pill that at that time was prescribed during pregnancy to combat sickness. Born in Uganda, Sukeshi's mother Rama fought hard for her daughter to be able to lead an independent life and for Sukeshi the watch symbolises her efforts. No longer ticking and with its ornate casing dull and worn, Steve joins forces with Kirsten Ramsay to bring the little timepiece back to its former glory.

The final visitors to the barn are Kegham and his daughter Karine, with a sporting trophy for the attention of silversmith Brenton West. Now 97, Kegham won the trophy three times in the 1950s when he was part of a tennis club in Cyprus. To Kegham, the trophy evokes memories of proud, happy times playing on court, and seeing it revived brings friends and faces from his past back into sharp relief.