大象传媒

The barn welcomes a former professional goalkeeper who鈥檚 brought in a football programme from a momentous match he played in 1970. Peter Grotier was a member of the West Ham team that flew out to New York to play an exhibition game against Santos just after Brazil had won the World Cup. Not only was Peter鈥檚 hero Sir Bobby Moore in his squad, but they were playing against his other hero, the great goalscorer Pele. Peter didn鈥檛 even mind when he let in two goals! After the game, Pele signed the programme for Peter, and he鈥檚 cherished it ever since. Over the years it鈥檚 accompanied Peter on many house moves, so it鈥檚 now fragile, faded and unstable. Paper conservator Angelina Bakalarou鈥檚 tough goal is to restore the programme without losing Pele鈥檚 precious signature.

Next to arrive is Debbie, with a special soulmate she鈥檚 kept close her entire life. The teddy, gifted at birth and named McNem for reasons none of her family remembers, provided comfort for Debbie when her father passed away when she was just 12 years old. In later years, subsequent ill-health of her own has left her relying on the little bear even more. With hardly any fur, a wonky leg and holes in his feet, toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch know just how important it is to get McNem fighting-fit once again.

Also seeking the expert skills of luthier Julyan Wallis is music student Alex, with an electric guitar that鈥檚 cracked at the neck. Bought at the age of 14 with money he鈥檇 saved from birthdays and Christmases, the guitar was Alex鈥檚 first instrument and holds a special place in his heart. Throughout lockdown, unable to see people or play gigs, Alex struggled with anxiety and the guitar provided him with a much-needed lifeline. But an unfortunate fall, when he was carrying the guitar on his back, means it鈥檚 now so broken that he鈥檚 worried it鈥檚 beyond repair. Relating completely to Alex鈥檚 despair, Julyan sets to work to put this instrumental soulmate back in one piece.

The final visitors to the barn are father and daughter Gordon and Kelly, with an important symbol of military service requiring the expert skills of silversmith Brenton West. Gordon has brought a medal from his army days when he served in the Middle East and Germany. He came over to the UK from Barbados, aged 18, at a time when the British Army was calling for people from the Commonwealth to enlist. Kelly is immensely proud of her father鈥檚 bravery, and aided by Amanda Middleditch who restores the medal鈥檚 ribbon, Brenton treats the repair with the reverence it deserves.