21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC The Repair Shop's new expert says he's 'worried' over 'precious' fix
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The first episode of the new series of BBC's The Repair Shop on the Road aired on Wednesday night, featuring a team of experts travelling across the country to restore treasured items.
Viewers watched as Dominic Chinea journeyed to Nairn in Scotland to pick up Rich from the station. As they drove, Dom revealed that they were en route to a museum for a 'very interesting' project.
The voiceover introduced the newcomer, stating: "Rich is Richard Fraser, a new addition to The Repair Shop's expert team and a specialist heritage stone mason and lime plasterer."
During their conversation at the museum, Rich informed Dom that he was local to the area, having been born in Inverness, and would often pass through this region on his way to the beach.
Upon arrival at the museum, viewers learnt what item they'd be working on when they met curator Annie MacDonald.
(Image: (Image: BBC))
Annie explained to the pair: "We've got some major roof work happening soon. But, we've found these quite precious artworks and I'd really like to save them."
They were then shown the old servants quarters of the house, which housed two pieces of artwork. Annie elaborated that the artworks were created in 1945 by Polish soldiers stationed there towards the end of World War II.
One piece depicted vibrant blue flowers, while the other was a portrait of a woman. Intrigued, Dom asked Annie what she wanted them to do with the art, to which she expressed her hope that they could be displayed to the public, reports the Express.
(Image: (Image: BBC))
Inquiring about the feasibility of the task, Rich confidently asserted: "Well, yeah, I think we can chop it out. Our problems may be encountered with the masonry, but we'll have an investigation and see what we can do."
Dom, feeling uneasy, replied to this show of assurance: "I like your confidence because that terrifies me! I'm glad you're here."
As Rich diligently began the work of extracting and restoring the plastered paintings, he swiftly recognised damage to the plaster.
Rich expertly prepared a fine caster plaster slurry, intending to inject it into the crevices of the plaster to stabilise it. However, when approaching the more extensive image, the flowers.
(Image: (Image: BBC))
He voiced his concerns, admitting: "I am quite worried about this one, it has incurred quite a bit of disruption and vibration."
Later, Dom's hands-on approach was crucial in helping Rich fortify the piece with a permanent backboard to prevent any warping of the plaster.
Upon completion, both artworks were elegantly framed and made ready for exhibition at the museum, much to the delight of the community.
Annie was categorically astounded by the transformation, expressing her joy with: "I didn't think this could happen! It's absolutely amazing, it tells a story in itself, it's absolutely stunning, I can't believe it."
The Repair Shop on the Road is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
