The Repair Shop fans were treated to a repeat of a classic episode on Wednesday night which saw electronic expert Mark Stuckey get stuck in and determined to save sisters Fredericka and Louisa’s parents’ radiogram.
During the episode, cobbler Dean Westmoreland was presented with a 70-year-old pair of roller skates that belonged to owner Angela’s mum until her death in 2019.
Mechanical expert David Burville had a look at a handmade toy fire engine built by Tamsin and Daniel’s great-grandfather Francis, modelled after the engine he worked on during the Blitz.
Suzie Fletcher was given a leather wallet by Gita Diwan which belonged to her father, an Indian freedom fighter and contemporary of Mahatma Gandhi.
However, it was Stuckey who was left with “one major issue” when attempting to fix a radiogram for sisters Fredericka and Louisa – whose parents were part of the Windrush generation.
Walking into the barn, Fredericka explained: “It lives in my house now but it belonged to our mother and father. Mum and Dad were part of the Windrush generation.
The radiogram stopped working and had a tear in the bottom
BBC
“Our parent’s friends would have had one of these, it would have been one of their first major purchases. It is kind of like a statement we have arrived and we have this.”
Her sister added: “It was a piece that my mother and father used to use mainly on a Sunday because that was the big social day. Uncles and aunties would come around and we would have lunch and put some music on.
“Play dominoes, drink some whiskey. I would say my mum and dad bought the family together but that was the two that provided the enjoyment. Both my parents would dance.”
The sisters added that it was a treasure to the family for years and stopped working three years ago, willing Stuckey to be able to fix it.
Mark Stuckey found an immediate issue with radiogram
BBC
As they left the barn, the expert took an initial look and explained: “Quite a lot of work involved, always get great pleasure when you hear it for the first time coming back to life.
“That is what is always the driving force really. The noticeable thing straight away is loads of components have aged so my first plan really would be to strip it out. Clean everything, change this, change that, it should be ok.”
When working on the mechanics inside, Stuckey came across a problem and said: “One major issue with this is the tuner dial chord, mechanically it tunes the radio to a station by moving the cursor along. Over time, these break and you then have to refit them.”
However, Stuckey was able to get past the problem and left the sisters stunned when they walked back into the barn to see the radiogram looking brand new once again.
Fredericka and Louisa were left in tears over the reapir
BBC
Crying, Fredericka noted: “Oh my gosh. Look at this. Oh my God thank you, thank you,” as Louisa added: “Really really amazing! And you fixed all the cloth at the front.”
Blades became emotional and added: “I can’t thank you enough for bringing it in. You have transported me right back.”
