Catch up TV

Series 5 (Extended Versions): Episode 13

Jay Blades and the team bring four treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.\n\nPrecious metals expert Brenton West tackles a pewter chess set representing the American War of Independence, complete with 32 figures of British and American soldiers. The prized set belonged to Carl McKeating’s father, a keen chess player who taught Carl and his brothers to play. But Carl would often use the figures as toy soldiers, inflicting extensive war wounds from broken legs and arms to missing rifles and cannons. In his father's final years, Carl vowed to have it repaired, and now, after his father’s death, Carl is hoping Brenton can help him fulfil his promise.\n\nLesley Kellard from London is hoping toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch can get a very old friend back on his feet. Ted means an awful lot to Lesley - he was one of the first toys given to her by adoptive parents Mary and John Wood. Born in 1946, Lesley didn’t have the most conventional start to life. When she was four months old, she was left in a carrier bag on the doorstep of Mary and John’s house in King’s Cross. The childless couple instantly fell in love and adopted Lesley just a few months later. Little Ted has been very much loved over the years. He’s lost his growler, and Lesley’s attempt to tidy him up backfired: when she sat him in front of the fire to dry, she accidently burnt his paws! The bear-repair pair roll up their sleeves and get to work.\n\nNext into the barn is Wendy Smith from Leicester, accompanied by her husband Fred. They are hoping musical instrument restorer Pete Woods can give a family heirloom back its pluck. They have brought in an old favourite of the music hall, a 1920s banjulele – a four-stringed musical instrument that is a hybrid of banjo and a ukulele. The instrument originally belonged to Wendy’s mother Phyllis, a music hall entertainer. Sadly it’s now missing its strings and bridge, and it needs a new skin. It’s all in a day's work for drum maker Pete, who has to handcraft every single part himself to restore this vintage item.\n\nFinally, a century-old tea caddy, repurposed over the years by the Thame family to become a secure depository for treasured family possessions. Will Kirk is on hand to revive this precious box of memories and ensure it continues serve the family for generations to come.

Source: BBC 2