Ep 1. Skeleton Clock

In The Repair Shop season 4 episode 1, titled Skeleton Clock, viewers are welcomed back to the charming British barn where a group of highly skilled craftsmen and women work their magic in restoring treasured antiques to their former glory. The episode begins with the arrival of a stunning skeleton clock that has been passed down through several generations of the same family. Skeleton clocks were a popular style of clock in the early 19th century and are known for their intricate exposed mechanism, which gives them their distinct name.

The clock's owner, a woman named Sue, inherited the clock from her grandfather and has treasured it for many years. However, it had fallen into disrepair, and Sue was anxious to have it restored so that it could continue to be passed down through her family. The clock's delicate mechanism was expertly taken apart by clock and watch expert Steven, who revealed a number of hidden secrets within the clock's intricate mechanism, including tiny fragments of a long-lost handwritten letter. Steven carefully cleaned and polished each part before painstakingly reassembling the clock.

While Steven worked on the clock, antique textile expert Suzie set about restoring a beautiful Victorian crimp-cloth to its former glory. Crimp-cloth was a popular fabric in the 19th century, and the beautiful piece had been passed down through the family of its owner, Irene. Suzie carefully removed the stiffened backing and painstakingly ironed out each crease and fold. The finished result was a stunning piece of fabric that had been restored to its former glory.

The Repair Shop team also set about restoring a beautiful antique frame that had been damaged in a house move. The frame, which had once housed an ornate 18th-century map, was in multiple pieces and required the delicate hands of frame restorer, Hannah. Hannah carefully glued each fragment back together before working on restoring the gilt finish. Once completed, the frame was given a new lease of life and looked as good as new.

Another restoration project in episode one saw carpenter William taking on a beautiful antique cello. The delicate instrument had not been played for many years, and its owner, Teresa, was eager for it to be brought back to life. William carefully removed the strings and set about repairing the curved wooden belly and soundpost. Once the structural repairs were complete, the cello was returned to musical glory, and Teresa was delighted to hear it played once more.

The Repair Shop veers away from the formula of other renovation shows, where the viewer is given a time-lapse of the progress and a reveal at the end. Instead, the viewer gets an in-depth look at the craft, technique and the knowledge that each of the restorers bring to their work. And as with each episode, we are given a look into the backstories of these heirloom objects and the sentimental value they hold to their owners.

Overall, The Repair Shop season 4 episode 1 was a fascinating insight into the world of restoration and provided a great reminder that even the most precious reminders from the past can be given a new lease on life with expert care and attention. It's a heartwarming look into the art of restoration and the stories that can lie behind each piece.