The Repair Shop: Fixing Britain

A rocking horse, a teddy and a bike help reveal the story of our toys.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.