On The Repair Shop, experts Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell were delighted when a guest revealed he had become a father since his last visit. The episode, originally aired last year, featured a father and son bringing in a rocking horse with deep sentimental value.
A Family Heirloom with a Story
Fayez explained that he bought the toy for his son, Iman, before his other son, Jay, was given it. The horse was purchased in Syria in 1983, before the family relocated to the UK two years later. Jay recalled traveling back to Syria for holidays, where his grandmother would show him the horse. Due to the war, they had stopped visiting, but when his wife returned to check on their apartment, the horse was still there, having been taken by his grandmother.
The rocking horse was in poor condition: its neck was drooping, the rockers were misshapen, and fur was missing in places. Jay shared his hopes: “I just thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could revive him?’ My brother’s now got a child. I was planning on a family, and I thought it could link us to those good old days in Syria when everyone was happy.”
Restoration and a Surprise
Fayez added, “Now, my mother is no longer with us. He (the horse) is an extension of my mother’s love.” Jay noted that the ideal outcome would be a horse his son, due in two weeks, could play on. Amanda assured they would do their utmost to restore it.
The experts successfully restored the rocking horse with help from other barn members. When the duo returned, Jay shared exciting news: they had a three-week-old baby at home. “He’s really the reason behind me wanting to get this restored so I can gift it to him,” he said. The experts congratulated him, and the episode ended with a photo of Jay’s son playing on the restored horse.
