Terry in his Pearly Prince of St Pancras suit

BBC One’s the Repair Shop is where a team of some of Britain’s most skilled craftspeople bring much-loved pieces of family history and the memories they hold back to life.

We were delighted to be invited for a special Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebratory show, restoring treasured items in connection to the Queen as well as celebrating traditional British heritage and culture.

Book about Alf Dole The Pearly Prince of St Pancras

So things started with me having a bit of a rabbit with Charlie, the assistant producer of The Repair Shop, telling him about the History of the Pearlies and how my wonderful Dad, Alf Dole, had managed to share this and his real life struggles living through the war years to Jeff Hudson in the last few months of his life. I also mentioned to Charlie that at the same time Dad started sewing a ‘Pearly Prince of St Pancras’ suit. Whilst his brilliant ‘Pearly Prince of St Pancras’ book, with Jeff’s assistance, was finished and successfully published in 2014, the suit has remained sitting in the wardrobe in its forlorn unfinished state. So, it seemed obvious to us both that the Repair Shop team could now potentially assist with helping see this final chapter in Alf’s life completed and my son, Terry, being able to proudly wear the suit and keep the tradition alive.

Back of jacket - RAF emblem for Terry & Navy emblem in memory of Alf

Front of the jacket - A spoon (Terry will be sewing the other spoon)….Pearly King Alf was also known as Alfie Spoons due to his flair for playing spoons), the pearly cab, a sun & the repair shop barn

We handed the suit over to Amanda & Julie to Amanda and Julie to weave their magic, with symbols on the jacket that were meaningful for Terry and the Repair Shop.

Sleeve - Teddy bear for Amanda & Julie & a heart (traditional pearly symbol)

On the trousers they cleverly wove in the image from our social enterprise, which conveys community health and vitality. Being a Pearly is much more than raising fun and funds for charity, important though that is. For me, being a Pearly is about keeping alive the examples of true community values and human generosity, whilst often living in times of hardship. That’s how it all started with my Great Granddad, George and his best mate, Henry Croft.

Finally, being a ‘Coster’ at heart, as well as a Pearly, means I am always on the look out for a chance to sell my wares alongside spreading some friendly cheer. I do that through my craft brewery - a natural link to the days when all our family went Hopping down in Kent and Sussex in the 60s and 70s. Whilst we can’t bring the old times back, but we can recognise all that remains best from those times which is, of course, where the Repair Shop does such a great job in helping bring back to life the things that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Pearlies Jubilant Jubilee at BBC One's The Repair Shop