Repair Shop: Tales from the Workshop of Dreams
We all have treasures hidden away in the attic, well-loved and well-worn belongings that have been passed down from generation to generation. They may be damaged or no longer working, but we can't bear to part with them. The expert craftspeople of hit BBC series The Repair Shop are dedicated to restoring and conserving these heirlooms. They know that the true worth of these possessions doesn't lie in their monetary value, but in the memories they hold and the stories they tell.
In this fascinating book, you'll step inside The Repair Shop's Workshop of Dreams to explore some of the most moving family stories from the hit BBC series. From a glamorous sequinned dress that belonged to a popular travelling circus performer to a pump organ that was brought from Jamaica by a member of the Windrush generation, each family item is brought vividly to life - and lovingly restored by the team of Repair Shop experts who also contribute to these expanded stories. With a foreword by Jay Blades, Tales from the Workshop of Dreams is a heartfelt love letter to our collective past, and a fascinating slice of social history.
This book features items fixed by Repair Shop experts Steve Fletcher, Will Kirk, Lucia Scalisi, Suzie Fletcher, Kirsten Ramsay, Dominic Chinea, Brenton West, Tim Gunn, Sara Dennis, Chris Shaw, Matt Nickels, Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell. With great care and attention to detail, the Repair Shop team resurrect priceless pieces of family history and breathe new life into the stories they hold.
Karen Farrington is the author of over 40 books, including two bestselling titles with The Repair Shop. Her other books include the Springwatch Almanac, The Ambridge Chronicles, and Murder Mystery and My Family.
Jay Blades (Foreword By)
Jay Blades is a TV Presenter, Social Entrepreneur, Community leader and furniture designer. He co-founded the award winning social organisation Out of The Dark, a charity dedicated to teaching disadvantaged youngsters practical skills. Jay is best known for his furniture up-cycling on BBC One’s Money For Nothing and as presenter of the award-winning BBC Two series The Repair Shop.