The Repair Shop

Life in the Barn: The Inside Stories from the Experts

By: Jay Blades - Foreward, Jayne Dowle

Narrated by: Ben Onwukwe

In today's throwaway culture, there's a counter movement growing that urges us to 'make do and mend'. The Repair Shop has brought this waste-conscious message to an even wider audience, with its regular viewing figures of seven million in the UK alone, cementing itself as a classic series in the vein of Antiques Roadshow.

This new book concentrates on the show's much-loved experts, including woodworker and furniture restorer Will Kirk, clock restorer Steve Fletcher, metalworker Dominic Chinea, silversmith Brenton West, leatherworker Suzie Fletcher, upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary and seamstresses Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch—a.k.a. The Teddy Bear Ladies. Each of the experts shares their own stories and their repairs, capturing in the process the magic and ethos of the barn. Includes quotations and Q & As from the experts as well as Jay Blades on some unique restoration collaborations.

With the focus on the experts themselves, listeners will feel as though they're stepping straight into the 'workshop of dreams' and experiencing first-hand the magic of the barn.

©2022 Jay Blades (P)2022 Octopus Publishing Group

Very lovely stories

I really enjoyed listening to the reminiscence of the people who work there, as well as their history of how they got to the repair shop. Because I watch the show all the time, I would have preferred hearing the stories of each of the experts, in either their voice or something close to that, such as a woman for the women’s parts, etc. A thoroughly lovely book and engaging and delightful. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the cast of the show that I watch on TV.

Meeting old friends

As an avid fan of the show The Repair Shop, it was nice to learn the backgrounds of the craftsmen I’ve come to love. The show is so easy paced, the stories are heartfelt and the attention to what the customer wants is great. It’s emotional, you almost feel the same love for an item. These are true craftspeople, and the world is a better place with them in it, to maintain treasured keepsakes.

Honored Memories

I love how the book honors tradition- family- memories and how they are all stored in the things we keep and pass down. Thank You ❤️