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

First into the barn today are Peter Shahbenderian and his wife Clare, with a pair of very special items they hope wood expert Will Kirk can restore to their former glory. These ornate Turkish bath clogs belonged to Peter’s mother, who would have worn these clogs in the Turkish baths of Constantinople, now Istanbul, when she was a teenager. They were one of the few possessions that she brought with her to the UK when her family left Constantinople at the time of the Armenian genocide. Now Peter is hoping that Will can restore the wood and mother of pearl clogs and revive memories of his mother.

The next challenge at the barn is a two-wheeled project for silversmith Brenton West, though it’s not the vintage motorbike that Barrie James arrives on, but the two Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix trophies that he carries with him. These two trophies were won by Barrie’s father in the Isle of Man amateur race and always stood in pride of place on the mantelpiece at home. Barrie’s father died when Barrie was just 17, but not before sharing his passion for motorcycling with Barrie and his brother. The trophies represent one of the greatest achievements of Barrie’s father’s racing days, but over the years they have become tarnished and broken. Now Barrie would like them back restored and ready to be put back on display.

Next to arrive is Oldie the Bear, along with his owner and lifelong companion Lauren. The two have been inseparable since Lauren was first given Oldie just after she was born over 30 years ago, and Oldie has proved a loyal friend through some tough times. He’s been there for Lauren whenever she was in pain or upset as a little girl, and also in more recent years after Lauren was diagnosed with endometriosis. Now Oldie is beginning to look all of his 30 years and is in dire need of some TLC from the barn’s bear specialists Julie and Amanda – if Lauren can bear to be separated from him!