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Episode 36

Episode 36 of 40

Jay Blades and the team restore a Venetian glass ceremonial goblet, a leather market porter’s hat and a wooden horse called Toby.

Jay Blades and the team bring three treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.

First to arrive at the barn, seeking the help of conservator Kirsten Ramsay, are Cyndy and Jack Lessing from Essex. They have brought a ceremonial glass goblet, known as a Kiddush cup, which their family used every Friday evening to welcome the Sabbath. Cyndy and Jack bought the ornate, hand-decorated glass over 30 years ago, as a bar mitzvah gift for their son. However, the goblet was smashed in an unfortunate accident and has been kept in pieces in a box for years. Kirsten just hopes they have salvaged every single fragile shard.

Nicole How is next to arrive, with an important piece of London’s history for the attention of leather expert Susie Fletcher. The leather bobbin hat is over 100 years old and was worn by Nicole’s grandfather during his 43-year career as a porter at Billingsgate Fish Market. He would balance boxes of fish on top of the weighted hat, but now it is dirty and the leather is very tough. Susie is delighted to hear about the charismatic gentleman who owned it and is determined to preserve this wonderful link to a bygone era.

Last, but not least, wood restorer Will Kirk welcomes a wooden push-along horse called Toby. He is accompanied by his proud owner Marjorie Ennew, whose talented grandfather made it for her when she was a toddler. Toby is dearly loved by Marjorie, but she would love Will to fix him up so that he can continue to charm her family. He has lost the handle that pushes him along, his mane is long gone, and he is very chipped in places. Will, of course, is more than happy to oblige.

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44 minutes

Audio described

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jay Blades
Narrator Bill Paterson
Expert Suzie Fletcher
Expert William Kirk
Expert Kirsten Ramsay
Executive Producer Hannah Lamb
Series Producer Paula Fasht
Series Producer Tanveer Bari
Production Company Ricochet Limited

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