A man who brought a rugby relic to The Repair Shop that connected him to his late friend was left choked up after seeing it restored.
In the BBC show that sees talented craftspeople restore objects that often hold huge sentimental value to their owners, emotions can run high.
Tonight’s episode was no different, as viewers heard the remarkable story shared by Jonny from Salisbury.
He entered the barn holding an embroidered flag, and was greeted by restoration experts Will Kirk and Rebecca Bissonnet.
Looking slightly worn and fragile, the flag read ‘Ireland v England 1936’ – Jonny said that it had been presented by the captain of the Irish rugby team, to the captain of the England rugby team ‘as a momento of the game’.
He explained that he was the grandson of the Ireland captain, Jack Siggins, who had given this flag to the English side.
Tragic circumstances meant Jonny was now its owner.
Standing in front of the experts, he began telling the extraordinary story: ‘I had a friend, his name was Ollie.’
After a few pints in the pub, watching an England vs Ireland game, Jonny and Ollie realised that their grandfathers had been the ones to exchange the flag in the 1936 game.
In a bizarre coincidence Ollie’s grandfather, England Rugby captain Bernard Gadney, had received the flag from Jonny’s grandfather.
‘Hold on a second, what are the chances?’, exclaimed Will.
The expert then asked the question: ‘How did it end up with you?’
Jonny told Will and Rebecca: ‘Ollie was tragically killed in a road accident.’
After he died, Ollie’s father told Jonny that he wanted him to have the flag, explaining that it would’ve gone to Ollie, but now it would go to him.
Reflecting on their friendship, Jonny said: ‘Ollie was generous, kind, warm-hearted, and we all miss him so much.’
He went on: ‘It should be him doing this today, but it’s me instead.’
His hopes were for it to be preserved, and serve as ‘something that we can come together around’, as a ‘momento of something that’s really special’.
Textiles conservator, Rebecca, went to work on the silk piece and successfully restored the delicate flag.
After revealing the finished product, Jonny was left gobsmacked and his voice appeared to quiver.
Sounding choked up, he said: ‘That’s amazing, you’ve worked a miracle.
‘Look at that.’
Jonny shared with the experts that he planned to have a ‘ceremonial unveiling of the flag’ with the two families who shared its history.
He elaborated after leaving the barn: ‘It will be such a good opportunity to come together to honour him [Ollie], and to say thank you.’
The Repair Shop returns next Wednesday on BBC One at 8pm.
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