The Repair Shop: Fixing Britain

Episode 2

Home Front - WWII

Three unique items help tell the story of how Brits kept the home fires burning during the Second World War.

Episode 3

Mid-Century Furniture

Jay Blades reveals how mid-century furniture has influenced modern style.

Episode 4

Immigration

Jay Blades looks back at three repairs that help show how immigration has shaped the UK: a pump organ from the Caribbean, a barber’s pole with Cypriot links and an Iraqi samovar.

Episode 5

Rural Life

Jay Blades uses three repairs – a butter churn, spinning wheel and a set of ploughing trophies – and some fascinating archive to trace the changing face of rural life in the UK.

Episode 6

Espionage

Jay Blades investigates the UK’s espionage history through eye-opening archive and three items restored in the barn, including a teapot linked to undercover operatives.

Episode 7

Maritime History

Jay Blades delves into the UK’s maritime history through eye-opening archive and three memorable items from the Repair Shop: a ditty box, a teddy and a book of cuttings about Captain Scott.

Episode 8

Clockwork

Jay Blades uses archive and three repairs – a centuries-old clock, a toy and a clocking on machine – to explore how the invention of clockwork continues to influence modern life.

Episode 9

Musical Instruments

Jay Blades investigates the place of musical instruments in modern life by revisiting three barn repairs, including a bass owned by a member of Hot Chocolate.

Episode 10

WWI Restorations

Jay Blades explores the legacy of the First World War in the UK by delving deeper into three restorations: some bagpipes, a soldier’s wire cutters and two RAF mascots.

Episode 11

Film & Video

With the help of archive, Jay Blades reveals how three inventions restored in the barn – a magic lantern, a projector and a mutoscope – influenced modern TV and film technology.

Episode 12

Modern Music

Jay Blades revisits three repairs – a polyphon, a gramophone and a transistor radio – to show how modern music has been influenced by vintage music players.

Episode 13

Episode 13

Jay Blades revisits three repairs - a watch, a swagger stick and a belt - that tell heroic stories from the Second World War that still resonate today.

Episode 14

Episode 14

Jay Blades revisits three repairs – a cash register, a camera and a calculator - to show how they helped shape the modern digital world we enjoy today.

Episode 15

Episode 15

Jay Blades examines the evolution of modern transport through archive footage and three Repair Shop restorations: a penny-farthing bicycle, a tram seat and a speedometer.