Enter a workshop filled with expert craftspeople, bringing loved pieces of family history and the memories they hold back to life. A heartwarming antidote to throwaway culture.

Season 11 - Episode 32



Jay Blades and his talented team work wonders on three family heirlooms.

Justine is hoping that goldsmith Richard Talman can rescue her engagement ring in the nick of time. The damaged diamond ring is hugely important to her as it was originally her mother’s, who sadly passed away just months after Justine’s wedding day. The platinum trilogy ring has had a lifetime of wear on her mother’s hand, and not only is the band now misshapen and worn, one of the diamonds is loose. Justine has been unable to wear it for fear of losing the precious stones. Richard sets to work creating a more substantial shank and addresses the claws that hold the diamonds safely in place so that Justine can wear the ring with confidence and remember not only her special day but the special lady who wanted her to have it.

Next, bookbinder Chris Shaw is excited to receive a 250-year-old medical anatomy book. Each page displays a detailed illustration of a dissected human body with handwritten annotations in pencil. Ramesh and his daughter Kavita are doctors and are both very attached to this rare artefact. Ramesh inherited it from his godmother Margo, who showed him great kindness. Ramesh moved from Uganda to the UK as a young man to study, leaving his family behind. It was not easy for him, but he was warmly welcomed by his new friend Roger’s family and in particular Roger’s mother Margo. She always championed him, encouraging him to become a doctor. Knowing that Ramesh admired the book, Margo left it to him in her will. However, the book is now very frail – the spine has disintegrated, the gold title has faded and the pages are torn and frayed. Chris relishes every moment of this repair and feels privileged to work on such an important item.

Lastly, Harriet from Scarborough has an appointment with master hatter Jayesh Vaghela. She’s brought her grandfather’s railway cap that looks like it’s run out of steam. Her grandfather, Eric, dedicated his entire career to the railways, starting as an apprentice and latterly as a station master. In retirement he volunteered on the steam engine trains on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. She and her sister would visit him there as children and if they were good, they were allowed to blow the signal whistle! This cap epitomises Eric, and she’d love to have it preserved, along with his memory.

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Thank you,
skorpion.