The Repair Shop - Hatton Willow

Filming with the cast and crew of The Repair Shop in 2018 made me feel proud, excited, and nervous. My first appearance was in Series 4, where I repaired a baby weighing scales basket. For Series 5, I worked on a baby’s crib. In Series 13, I took on repairs of a horse’s head and curling stone baskets.

The Weald and Downland Living Museum in Chichester, where filming takes place, felt very familiar to me. It reminded me of my local St Fagans Museum. Being part of the programme has been a joy. Watching the team’s hard work up close is truly inspiring.

I was thrilled to be invited back to film again in 2023. Walking into the barn always feels surreal. In the days before filming, nerves build up. I wonder, “Will I be able to fix it?” and “Will it fall apart in my hands?” Despite this, the cast and crew always make me feel comfortable. They are incredibly kind and supportive.

Since 2018, I have repaired many treasured woven pieces. Each repair tells a story full of memories and meaning.

One of the most challenging repairs was the large woven horse’s head puppet called Macha. She represents an ancient Irish horse goddess from folklore. Her ears were detached, the wicker skull had a large hole, and the mouthpiece was worn. I carefully restored her to return to performances that keep Celtic stories alive.

I also repaired a curling stone basket with many woodworm holes. It belonged to Gordon Craik’s family and carried sporting history. Gordon’s father used these stones in the famous 1979 Grand Match on Lake of Menteith. I worked alongside silversmith Brenton West and leather expert Suzie Fletcher to restore the basket and stones for Gordon’s sons, who are champion curlers.

Another special project involved two small Tanzanian chairs belonging to Mamta Rajani. These chairs hold precious memories of family gatherings in Africa. The plastic-covered cane was difficult to replace. With help from toolmaker Dominic Chinea, I recreated this material and rewove the chairs for Mamta’s grandchildren.

Each repair honours the stories and emotions woven into these items. It means a lot to help preserve family history through basketry and willow weaving.

You can watch my repair work on the BBC website here. The video shows Dominic Chinea inventing the ‘Super Dipper’ — a tool he created to help me rubber-coat lengths of cane for the Tanzanian chairs repair.

The Repair Shop episodes

Series 4 Episode 4 – Baby weighing scales

Series 5 Episode 1 – Moses basket

Series 13 Episode 4 – Macha the horse goddess

Series 13 Episode 9 – Curling stone baskets

Series 14 Episode 15 – Tanzanian chairs

Press and Media

BBC Media Centre – The Repair Shop Experts reveal their most challenging fixes and rewarding moments

Belfast Telegraph

Armagh I

The Irish News