Episode 3

First to arrive in the barn are sisters Julie and Tracy from Gosport, with a well-travelled pachinko machine, originally bought by their father in 1970 when he was on naval duty in Japan. The family were living in Malaysia at the time, and this pinball-style gaming device became a much-loved treasure at the heart of many happy times. Naturally, the pachinko came with the family on their journey back to the UK, but to the sisters’ dismay, it has long since fallen silent. Once a symphony of flashing lights and joyously ringing ball bearings, it hasn’t worked for over 50 years, and it’s down to ‘Pinball’ Geoff Harvey to get the machine working again. Geoff approaches the task in his usual irrepressible style, but can he get this vintage beauty to light up and once again play the sounds that Julie and Tracy remember so well?

Next in are brothers Iain and Kirk Russell from Glasgow, with a football made famous by their grandfather, Rangers legend Ian McMillan. This leather match ball was used in the historic Scottish Cup final replay between Rangers and fierce local rivals Celtic back in 1963, a game that Rangers won 3-0. As it was likely to be Ian’s last cup final before retiring, his teammate Jim Baxter decided to smuggle the ball off the pitch as a souvenir for Ian. However, failing to fully appreciate the romanticism of this gesture, the Scottish FA demanded the ball back, sparking a media frenzy which lasted until the SFA finally bowed to the pressure and returned the ball to Ian to commemorate his glittering career. Sadly, Ian’s young grandsons weren’t aware of the ball’s storied past, and used it in endless family kickabouts, leaving it deflated and damaged, with Ian’s handwritten signature now barely legible. Suzie Fletcher may not be a football aficionado, but her knowledge about leather is unbridled, and together with art conservator Lucia, a real team effort sees them breathe new life back into this precious piece of footballing history.

Peter Moss and his son Alex arrive at the barn with a remarkable artefact that shone a little light during the dark days of the Second World War. Raggle Taggle is a unique magazine created by Peter’s father, Jock Moss, and his fellow prisoners of war while they were held captive by the Japanese in the notorious Shirakawa camp in modern-day Taiwan. As bookbinder Chris Shaw examines the fragile, mosquito-net covered volume, Jock’s descendants recount how he edited the handwritten and hand-illustrated magazine to lift prisoners’ spirits amid brutal conditions. With only one copy shared among 800 men, it became an antidote to despair, and Peter is desperately hoping Chris can restore this precious and historic book for future generations.

Last to arrive is Emma MacLennan from Kent, with her late son Alex’s treasured Cretan lyra, a traditional bowed folk instrument at the heart of the Greek island’s celebrations and traditions. Alex, whose grandmother was from Crete, immersed himself in the island’s culture from childhood, learning the dialect, attending the local festivals, sheep shearing with the local shepherds, and, above all, teaching himself how to play the lyra. Alex treasured the instrument, playing it with passion and no little skill, until motor neurone disease ended his ability to perform. Tragically, Alex passed away at the age of just 31, and the lyra that he left behind holds huge emotional significance for his family. Now, luthier Becky Houghton has the daunting task of restoring the voice to this beautiful but broken piece of family history.