The Repair Shop Catch up, Series 13: Episode 7 on BBC 2

The Repair Shop

Series 13: Episode 7

The team repair an iconic toy that has given up the ghost. Elsewhere in the barn, there are restoration jobs on a dilapidated bench, which began life as a family bed, and a handmade guitar that links a son with his inspirational father. On Suzie Fletcher’s list is the substantial repair of a taxi badge given to black cab drivers upon completing ‘The Knowledge’ memory test of London’s street routes. \n\nArriving first are the Willis-Cox family from Northampton, who are hoping that woodworking maestro Will Kirk can repair the repurposed bench that began life as parents Andy and Madeleine’s first bed 30 years ago. The bed held important memories for the couple as the place where they brought home premature son Ade and where their youngest daughter, Freya, was born! The creative couple couldn’t let go of this sentimental item and so recycled it into a garden bench which has been much loved by the family but is now weather-worn and seriously unstable. \n\nWill’s plan begins with dismantling the bench so he can assess which parts need to be replaced and remade, with the bench’s legs needing extensive strengthening. So it’s onto the lathe, where Will turns a whole set of new feet before turning his attention to the mortise and tenon joints that will keep the bench together for generations to come. \n\nNext to arrive are Andrew and Kirsty from Glasgow, who’ve brought with them a guitar that Andrew himself made at college inspired by his father, Del, the man who gave him a passion for both woodwork and music. But despite crafting a stunning guitar, Andrew made a crucial mistake, meaning the neck is attached crooked and unplayable. The repair is a tricky job which numerous restorers have already turned down, but luckily expert Julyan Wallis is made of sterner stuff! Julyan has the job of getting the guitar singing once again and wastes no time in coming up with a solution: a complete neck reset. But a job of this size and skill is a complex task. Julyan has to delicately remove the neck without damaging the body of the guitar, employing a jig for the careful procedure. With the guitar finally fixed, Andrew is excited to finally play the instrument he built in memory of his inspirational father.\n\nHorologist Steve Fletcher has an appointment with Gemma from Colwyn Bay, who is entrusting him with a very special sketchpad toy that her father Bill gave her when she was eight years old. The toy was given to Gemma when her parents divorced, and she would write secret messages to her beloved Dad using it, but now the limited-edition gold ‘Etch-a-Sketch’ has stopped working entirely. Steve is in uncharted territory as he attempts to solve the mystery of how two small knobs magically create a drawing on the screen, and it all starts with the careful dismantling of the iconic toy. That’s if he can figure out how to take it apart, of course.\n\nThe barn’s final guests are sisters Kelly and Dawn, who have a unique challenge for leather expert Suzie Fletcher. They’ve brought with them an official taxi badge that belonged to their father, John, a black cab driver for 38 years. The taxi badge was presented to black cab drivers once they passed the infamous ‘Knowledge’ test of London’s roads by memory alone. It’s a proud reminder of the hard-working father that Kelly and Dawn remember as a dedicated cabbie. Suzie has the job of repairing the badge’s cracked leather surface and reinforcing the stitching where the strap threatens to break away entirely. She enlists Brenton’s help to revitalise the brass badge itself. Their teamwork means that Kelly and Dawn can proudly display their father’s taxi badge once again.

Source: BBC 2

Most recent episodes of The Repair Shop

The Repair Shop

Series 14: 17. Ve Day Special

To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the team open the barn doors to four very special items, each with an extraordinary wartime story behind them. \n\nHorologist Steve Flet ...

13-05-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 16

Kicking things off are Melissa and her mum, Hari, who bring in a novelty party piece that’s lost all impact. They’re hoping that Pete Woods can drum up a solution. T ...

06-05-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 15

First up in the workshop is a mandriola belonging to internationally celebrated folk musician Vin Garbutt. Vin’s son Tim and family friend Maggie are hoping Julyan Wallis ...

29-04-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 14

Kicking things off is a life-sized model horse used as a teaching aid at a riding school for disabled people. Instructor Ena and star pupil Ellen are hoping Hector, who is badly ...

22-04-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 13

Entering through the barn doors first are siblings Michelle and Paul along with their mum, Ann. They have an unfinished family project that needs the help of metalworker Dominic ...

15-04-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 12

First into the barn are Keith and his daughter Kirsty, who have brought a cleverly designed accessory that requires the skills of resident horologist Steve Fletcher. Keith&rsquo ...

07-04-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 11

First into the barn is Zelda, with her most precious possession, a ring bought by her father on a day out together when she was a teenager. But the ring looks nothing like it or ...

01-04-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 10

First through the workshop doors is Ben, with an unusual item needing a joint crusade to get it back on its feet. Silversmith Brenton West, woodworker Will Kirk and leather expe ...

24-03-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 9

It's the return of smoke and mirrors from times past as Camilla arrives with a groundbreaking form of Victorian entertainment she’d like to see back in action. Her revolvi ...

17-03-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 8

First through the workshop doors is Bev, bringing a local landmark that has lost its way. The dilapidated village sign from Broome in Norfolk was designed for the millennium by ...

10-03-2025

BBC 2

All episodes