Heirloom clock offers biggest test so far for Repair Shop
OLD OILY IN BITS AFTER DISPLAY IN THE STATES
A family heirloom has been lovingly restored to full working order on one of the BBC’s most popular shows.
Old Oily, a wooden clock, is also possibly the biggest item featured on The Repair Shop.
It is one of the standout items in this week’s first episode of the 10th series of the hit programme.
The clock was taken apart and left in storage for over 30 years after being displayed in America, and owners Monica and Andrew Newton, of Botcheston, were keen to get it back in working order.
Old Oily was built by Monica’s father, Ron Woodford. It was shipped to the States to be displayed at the World Trade Centre in Dallas, Texas.
It references Dallas’ oil industry with supports and hands fashioned as derricks.
However, when it returned, the clock, which is nearly 3m tall, had been taken apart and packed in crates, never seeing the light of day again – until now.
The size and scale of the item was why they turned to The Repair Shop team and the show’s horologist, Steve Fletcher.
Old Oily was the largest timepiece he has taken on.
“You do worry a little of course,” Andrew said. “We did wonder if Steve might not be able to fix it or if it was too big a job for The Repair Shop to take on.
“There’s always that little niggling thought and some trepidation on our part with taking it there.”
However, Steve gave the project his all. The task saw the horologist recruit his 21-year-old son and apprentice Fred to help with the challenge in a Repair Shop first.
Monica and Andrew were full of praise for Steve, Fred and presenter Jay Blades.
“The thing about The Repair Shop is that it’s all real, it all happens there and then,” said Andrew.
“Steve was there and we could see him working on other things and Jay was just a delight.
“He’s a really cheeky guy, but they made us all feel so welcome there. Lovely people.
“It was the first time Monica’s seen the clock. She only ever saw it in packaging before it was shipped to Dallas, so when it was opened up, that was the first time she’s seen it in person. Then to get it put back together was amazing too. It means a lot to her, especially now it’s working again.”
Monica and Andrew were keen to have the clock available for public viewing, so the newlyrestored time piece is now at the Museum of Timekeeping in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
“We wouldn’t have the space to keep it for a start, but we wanted the clock to be seen by as many people as possible,” said Andrew.
“It is a work of art and it should be seen by as many as possible.
“Ron was never one to blow his own trumpet, but I’m sure he’d look on proud at what they did.
“We’re always proud of him, Monica always thinks about him, and this whole thing has brought him even closer, even though he’s no longer around.
“We haven’t seen all the bits in between and that’ll be fascinating,” said Andrew. “We are really looking forward to it.
■ The Repair Shop will be screened tonight, at 8pm, on BBC One.