The latest series of BBC’s The Repair Shop on the Road premiered Wednesday night, showcasing a team of skilled experts traveling across the UK to restore cherished items.
In this episode, Dominic Chinea journeyed to Nairn, Scotland, to meet Richard Fraser, a new addition to the expert team and a specialist in heritage stone masonry and lime plaster. As they drove to a local museum, Dom revealed they were tackling a unique and challenging restoration project.
Richard, affectionately known as Rich, explained he was familiar with the area, having been born in Inverness and often visiting nearby beaches. Upon arrival, the museum curator, Annie MacDonald, entrusted them with two valuable pieces of artwork housed in the old servants' quarters of the historic building.
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Created in 1945 by Polish soldiers stationed there near the end of World War II, the artworks included a vibrant blue floral painting and a portrait of a woman. Annie hoped the restored pieces could be displayed publicly after the museum’s upcoming roof repairs.
Assessing the work, Rich noted potential challenges with the masonry but expressed confidence in their ability to carefully extract and conserve the art. Dominic, while impressed, admitted, “I like your confidence because that terrifies me! I’m glad you’re here.”
As Rich began stabilizing the plaster, he identified damage and fissures needing expert care. Preparing a fine caster plaster mix, he carefully injected it to reinforce the delicate surfaces. However, the larger floral piece posed significant concern due to existing disruption and vibrations.
To prevent further damage, Dom assisted in securing a permanent backboard behind the artwork to maintain its shape. Their combined efforts culminated in beautifully framed, expertly restored pieces ready for exhibition.
Annie was moved by the transformation, saying, “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 continues to celebrate the preservation of history through careful restoration, with this episode available on BBC iPlayer.