The Repair Shop Guest Overwhelmed as Son's Lyra Restored in Tribute
A recent episode of the BBC's beloved series The Repair Shop delivered an intensely emotional moment, leaving a grieving family in tears as a cherished heirloom was beautifully restored. The segment featured Kent resident Emma MacLennan, who brought her late son Alex Ward's Cretan lyra—an ancient stringed instrument—to the barn for expert attention.
A Heartbreaking Story of Loss and Memory
Alex Ward had developed a deep passion for the culture of Crete, where his grandmother originated. In 2013, he ordered the lyra and taught himself to play, immersing himself in its music. Tragically, his life was cut short when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a condition that progressively robbed him of his abilities. Emma explained, "He lost the ability to use his hands. He couldn't walk, and so he had to stop playing. It's inevitably fatal." Alex passed away in 2020 at just 31 years old.
The instrument held profound significance for the family, as Emma noted, "Alex was 31 when we lost him... But really, he played it as long as he had the ability to play, which is why it's quite an important item for our family." After an accident damaged the lyra, Emma hoped its restoration would symbolically bring a piece of Alex back, saying, "Restoring it will make us almost feel as if we're somehow restoring Alex in some way."
An Expert Restoration That Brought Tears
Luthier Becky Houghton took on the delicate task of repairing the lyra, working meticulously to return it to full functionality. When Emma and her daughter Katerina saw the finished restoration, they were rendered speechless. Emma immediately burst into tears, exclaiming, "It's amazing. You can't tell at all. Thank you, Becky... Just wonderful."
The emotional impact was heightened when the instrument was performed for the family, with a song choice that movingly depicted a man singing to his mother from beyond the grave. Emma reflected, "The choice of song was so emotional and so perfect." She later shared, "[Alex] was broken by his disease, but now something that meant a lot to him was back and functioning, and could give voice to him again."
Emma poignantly described the devastating effects of MND, stating, "You're just the same person, just you're trapped in a body that doesn't respond to anything. So, our precious son - who we absolutely adored, he was our best friend to all of us - we just watched him being tortured with his disease."
Other Highlights from the Episode
The episode also featured other touching restoration projects. Bookbinder Chris Shaw worked on a magazine written by an owner's father while he was held captive in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp, preserving a piece of wartime history. Meanwhile, Geoffrey Harvey revived a pachinko machine—a pinball-style device—for a pair of sisters, adding a playful element to the show.
Additionally, Suzie Fletcher restored a leather football that had been used in the 1963 Scottish Cup final replay between Rangers and Celtic, a match Rangers won 3-0. This item brought a slice of sports nostalgia to the barn, contrasting with the deeply personal stories elsewhere.
The Repair Shop continues to be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, offering viewers more heartwarming tales of restoration and remembrance. For those affected by the issues raised in this story, the MND Association provides support through their helpline, MND Connect (0808 802 6262), available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and 7pm to 10.30pm.
