Locksmiths that are interested in Locks, Keep Old ones to measure them, Collect the Levers and Keys and of course come in useful for Spares.
Being a Locksmith I used to Collect Interesting Locks and Keys, if it wasn't the whole lock it would be the component parts in boxes, bolts, levers and of course noting from which time period they came from and changes in manufacturing processes.
So the hallway would be filled with boxes, 2 Outhouses, boxes in the dining room, our bedroom on shelves and under the bed, window ledges and I hadn't stopped bringing things home it seemed normal behaviour, I had complaints from my wife but they had died down over time but bringing new things into the house were getting difficult.
One night I had a dream that Everything would go (not be there anymore) I woke up in the Morning and thought about it, then dismissed it, that was never going to happen, No Way.
Not Long after that Lee Reynolds suggested that we move to Astley into a Bungalow, it had a Garage so there was no need to worry about my Boxes of Locks.
When we moved Everything fitted in, there were Masses of Crates filling the garage from floor to ceiling and there were no Locks in the Bungalow.
A couple of years later Lee started to Completely Rebuild the inside of the House I live in now and put a Kitchen Extension at the rear, when there was only a couple of months to go before we moved in I was concerned because there was no Shed or Garage at the rear of the House.to put my Locks into, but Lee had provided a Large Space in his Business Unit in Swinton to put my boxes into.
As time rolled on I discovered that I didn't need the Stuff Anymore, any most of it was scrapped, and my Dream had been fulfilled.
This is the Official Blog of Graham Towler Locksmiths
Monday 14 January 2019
Sunday 13 January 2019
She is Coming to See You
I thought long and hard about writing this post because I didn't want others to feel that I was favoured by God, I know that God deals with us all equally, we all get promptings.
Some years ago I was packing my tools away in my Van after finishing a Job in Silver Street in Bury Manchester I was working late it was after 7-8 pm ish and at the far end of Silver Street a Lady caught my attention, She was walking Briskly with a sense of purpose, I had the feeling that she was coming to me, as I glanced again that feeling was reinforced so I decided to look into the Van as if I was searching for something, there were other people on the street so I wondered about that feeling I had so clearly that she was coming to me.
She came up to me and asked me directly "are you a Priest" ?...... as it happened I was a Priest, I was a Bishop of ‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ (Mormons) a role very similar to a Vicar, I had a normal job a Locksmith and was many miles away from where my Church was, also I looked and was dressed as a workman, not as a Priest.
So I was thinking is this a scam or a trick, is this how she asks people for Money, regrettably I said No and pointed to a Large Church of England Church across the Road ( I could see the Lights On and the Choir was Rehearsing) The Priest is in there I said.
I asked her why she needed a Priest, she said “there is no Food in my House and we have nothing to eat and no Money” and walked away towards the Church.
I felt bad, in someone's hour of need I had let them down, I sat in the Van and felt disappointed with myself, she had obviously been Praying for help and even though i was dressed as a workman Heavenly Father had directed her to me and I had failed him.
I knew I couldn't go away without knowing that she had received some help.
I walked over to the Church and saw her sitting half way down listening to the Choir, waiting for them to finish, there might not have been a Priest present so I gave her £25 and went back to my Van.
I would do it differently next time.
---------------------------------------------
Spiritual Experiences from God are available to us all, this experience didn't happen to me because I was a Priest, This lady needed Help, Heavenly Father chose me to help and gave me a prompting, and I was Listening.
I have had other experiences in a similar vein :
------------------------------------------------
I was parked in a long street in Wigan doing some paperwork it was evening and the Sun was setting, I noticed a Man in the distance walking in my direction, again I had the prompting that He was coming to see me, he was on the opposite side of the road and wasn't looking at me, walking at a slow but steady pace, he passed my Van, then he crossed the road to talk to me at my window.
"Can you Help me, I am living at my Brothers House, and because he has a new Girlfriend has asked me to leave, its going to be very cold tonight and I will be Sleeping on the Streets but I have a plan, i'm going to buy some cans of Lager and get drunk so I wont feel the cold, then I can sleep until Morning, can you give me £3 please"?.
I gave him £5. Heavenly Father must have agreed with the plan, (Medicinal Purposes)
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It was Nighttime about 10pm I was in a Kentucky Fried Chicken car park eating Chicken!. I had finished a Callout, the car park was packed, then on the other side of the car park a Lady got out of her Car with a Bag of Rubbish, again I had the prompting that She was coming to see me, she walked across the car park slowley and deposited the bag in the Bin, then came to my window.
"Im sorry to disturb you and i'm embarrassed to ask you but we came for a treat and spent the last of my money till tomorrow, but I have just had a text to say my Sister in Hospital and I don't have enough Petrol to get there and back, can you give me £5 Please," ?
I gave her £5 ( Im getting used to this now)
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Last Year it was 3:15 in the afternoon, I was Driving, My wifes Sister name came into my mind, I thought about it for a moment then pulled over and parked. I phoned my wife and asked her if Agnes was ok, she said she didn't know of any problems, I said I will transfer her some Money, How much shall I send, Christina said £30, I transfered £50 then carried on Driving.
I later found out that :- At 3:15 Agnes had a Phone call from her Bank Manager (because Agnes was a Widow he tried to help her as much as he could) he said there was an item to be paid from her account today and funds need to be deposited by 3:30, otherwise charges would be made.
By 3:17 the Funds were in her Bank, she didn't know about my deposit until Christina phoned Agnes that evening. I am sure that Agnes would have prayed for an answer to this urgent problem.
-------------------------------------------
God will give promptings to all of his children of any Faith or no Faith, Worthy or Unworthy.
Some years ago I was packing my tools away in my Van after finishing a Job in Silver Street in Bury Manchester I was working late it was after 7-8 pm ish and at the far end of Silver Street a Lady caught my attention, She was walking Briskly with a sense of purpose, I had the feeling that she was coming to me, as I glanced again that feeling was reinforced so I decided to look into the Van as if I was searching for something, there were other people on the street so I wondered about that feeling I had so clearly that she was coming to me.
She came up to me and asked me directly "are you a Priest" ?...... as it happened I was a Priest, I was a Bishop of ‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ (Mormons) a role very similar to a Vicar, I had a normal job a Locksmith and was many miles away from where my Church was, also I looked and was dressed as a workman, not as a Priest.
So I was thinking is this a scam or a trick, is this how she asks people for Money, regrettably I said No and pointed to a Large Church of England Church across the Road ( I could see the Lights On and the Choir was Rehearsing) The Priest is in there I said.
I asked her why she needed a Priest, she said “there is no Food in my House and we have nothing to eat and no Money” and walked away towards the Church.
I felt bad, in someone's hour of need I had let them down, I sat in the Van and felt disappointed with myself, she had obviously been Praying for help and even though i was dressed as a workman Heavenly Father had directed her to me and I had failed him.
I knew I couldn't go away without knowing that she had received some help.
I walked over to the Church and saw her sitting half way down listening to the Choir, waiting for them to finish, there might not have been a Priest present so I gave her £25 and went back to my Van.
I would do it differently next time.
---------------------------------------------
Spiritual Experiences from God are available to us all, this experience didn't happen to me because I was a Priest, This lady needed Help, Heavenly Father chose me to help and gave me a prompting, and I was Listening.
I have had other experiences in a similar vein :
------------------------------------------------
I was parked in a long street in Wigan doing some paperwork it was evening and the Sun was setting, I noticed a Man in the distance walking in my direction, again I had the prompting that He was coming to see me, he was on the opposite side of the road and wasn't looking at me, walking at a slow but steady pace, he passed my Van, then he crossed the road to talk to me at my window.
"Can you Help me, I am living at my Brothers House, and because he has a new Girlfriend has asked me to leave, its going to be very cold tonight and I will be Sleeping on the Streets but I have a plan, i'm going to buy some cans of Lager and get drunk so I wont feel the cold, then I can sleep until Morning, can you give me £3 please"?.
I gave him £5. Heavenly Father must have agreed with the plan, (Medicinal Purposes)
-----------------------------------------------
It was Nighttime about 10pm I was in a Kentucky Fried Chicken car park eating Chicken!. I had finished a Callout, the car park was packed, then on the other side of the car park a Lady got out of her Car with a Bag of Rubbish, again I had the prompting that She was coming to see me, she walked across the car park slowley and deposited the bag in the Bin, then came to my window.
"Im sorry to disturb you and i'm embarrassed to ask you but we came for a treat and spent the last of my money till tomorrow, but I have just had a text to say my Sister in Hospital and I don't have enough Petrol to get there and back, can you give me £5 Please," ?
I gave her £5 ( Im getting used to this now)
-------------------------------------------------
Last Year it was 3:15 in the afternoon, I was Driving, My wifes Sister name came into my mind, I thought about it for a moment then pulled over and parked. I phoned my wife and asked her if Agnes was ok, she said she didn't know of any problems, I said I will transfer her some Money, How much shall I send, Christina said £30, I transfered £50 then carried on Driving.
I later found out that :- At 3:15 Agnes had a Phone call from her Bank Manager (because Agnes was a Widow he tried to help her as much as he could) he said there was an item to be paid from her account today and funds need to be deposited by 3:30, otherwise charges would be made.
By 3:17 the Funds were in her Bank, she didn't know about my deposit until Christina phoned Agnes that evening. I am sure that Agnes would have prayed for an answer to this urgent problem.
-------------------------------------------
God will give promptings to all of his children of any Faith or no Faith, Worthy or Unworthy.
Robert
In 1990 Darren Pemberton, Brent Hume and myself opened a Locksmith Shop in Ancoats, Manchester.
One Saturday Morning I took my Son Matthew to the Shop to do some Bench work, there was a Man sitting on a seat outside the Shop “Hello Michael” he said to me, he called Matthew “Michael” as well, he introduced himself as Robert and put his hand out for us to shake.
Robert’s appearance was: Dirty, Smelly, Rough Hair and Clothing, we had a chat and surprisingly he didn't ask me for any money, he just liked talking, then when I had to go into the Shop I slipping him £3 into his hand. This was a new experience for Matthew and we had a chat about Robert and people like him who lived on the Streets.
On Friday Evening I was Still Working again in the Shop, Robert Passed by, he asked if I could Lend him £5 until Monday, I was reluctant to lend money, giving him the money was ok, but lending it to him might make him feel awkward if he couldn't pay it back, I gave him the £5 and forgot about it.
On Monday evening when I called into the Shop with paperwork, Darren said that this Morning a Tramp opened the door and walked towards him into the Shop, he was serving a Customer, he thought he was coming over to ask for Money, he came over to the Counter and handed Darren £5, both the customer and Darren were surprised they were expecting the Tramp to ask for Money not give it, Darren told me about it and asked me if this was anything to do with me. Then I got my Fiver back.
On the Next Friday Robert came into the Shop and asked Darren for a loan of £5 again and then promptly returned it on the next Monday.
Robert lived Rough in the Area finding shelter wherever he could in, Derelict Buildings, Garages, cooking food over a Fire, Later on when we were talking together he told me that he left home at 16 because he couldn't manage living at home, he didn't have any Alcohol for a while but it helped to deal with the winter cold, it was obvious to me that he had started his adult life with Mental Health problems and all people could see now was an Alcoholic. Whenever I saw him in the street I would have a Chat then give him £3.
He was a Shouter, in a crowd he would shout obscure words to anybody and everybody, if I saw him in the City Centre he would be Shouting at the top of his voice, if he saw me he would come over to me and calmly say “Hello Michael how's Young Michael”, Everybody was a Michael.
Darren became his Loan Manager now and in a few years it went up to £10 a week, Robert told me that there was a Pub Landlord that helped too when he got his Wages on a Monday, otherwise he would spend it all at once and have no money left.
Every Christmas Darren and the other Locksmiths organised some Parcels for him, Tinned Food, Candles, Lager, Socks and Gloves. I'm sure we made a difference in his day, coming to see people that cared about him.
I used to call into the Shop in the evening, sometimes the Shop Staff left locks that needed repairing, or Keys made, if Robert was passing he would sit in a Chair on the Customer's side of the counter, I made him a Cup of Tea in a Large Mug, then he Spent a long time having a Conversation with 'Someone’ then 'Someone’ would talk back to him, over and over, sometimes he would have another Tea or go out.
The Council gave him a small Hostel room but he Lit Fires in the room for cooking, so that didn't last long. He was a skilled survivor, coping with the Frost, Sun, Wind and Rain with a resilience that can only be Admired.
He was a friend to us all that worked in our Locksmith Shop.
One Saturday Morning I took my Son Matthew to the Shop to do some Bench work, there was a Man sitting on a seat outside the Shop “Hello Michael” he said to me, he called Matthew “Michael” as well, he introduced himself as Robert and put his hand out for us to shake.
Robert’s appearance was: Dirty, Smelly, Rough Hair and Clothing, we had a chat and surprisingly he didn't ask me for any money, he just liked talking, then when I had to go into the Shop I slipping him £3 into his hand. This was a new experience for Matthew and we had a chat about Robert and people like him who lived on the Streets.
On Friday Evening I was Still Working again in the Shop, Robert Passed by, he asked if I could Lend him £5 until Monday, I was reluctant to lend money, giving him the money was ok, but lending it to him might make him feel awkward if he couldn't pay it back, I gave him the £5 and forgot about it.
On Monday evening when I called into the Shop with paperwork, Darren said that this Morning a Tramp opened the door and walked towards him into the Shop, he was serving a Customer, he thought he was coming over to ask for Money, he came over to the Counter and handed Darren £5, both the customer and Darren were surprised they were expecting the Tramp to ask for Money not give it, Darren told me about it and asked me if this was anything to do with me. Then I got my Fiver back.
On the Next Friday Robert came into the Shop and asked Darren for a loan of £5 again and then promptly returned it on the next Monday.
Robert lived Rough in the Area finding shelter wherever he could in, Derelict Buildings, Garages, cooking food over a Fire, Later on when we were talking together he told me that he left home at 16 because he couldn't manage living at home, he didn't have any Alcohol for a while but it helped to deal with the winter cold, it was obvious to me that he had started his adult life with Mental Health problems and all people could see now was an Alcoholic. Whenever I saw him in the street I would have a Chat then give him £3.
He was a Shouter, in a crowd he would shout obscure words to anybody and everybody, if I saw him in the City Centre he would be Shouting at the top of his voice, if he saw me he would come over to me and calmly say “Hello Michael how's Young Michael”, Everybody was a Michael.
Darren became his Loan Manager now and in a few years it went up to £10 a week, Robert told me that there was a Pub Landlord that helped too when he got his Wages on a Monday, otherwise he would spend it all at once and have no money left.
Every Christmas Darren and the other Locksmiths organised some Parcels for him, Tinned Food, Candles, Lager, Socks and Gloves. I'm sure we made a difference in his day, coming to see people that cared about him.
I used to call into the Shop in the evening, sometimes the Shop Staff left locks that needed repairing, or Keys made, if Robert was passing he would sit in a Chair on the Customer's side of the counter, I made him a Cup of Tea in a Large Mug, then he Spent a long time having a Conversation with 'Someone’ then 'Someone’ would talk back to him, over and over, sometimes he would have another Tea or go out.
The Council gave him a small Hostel room but he Lit Fires in the room for cooking, so that didn't last long. He was a skilled survivor, coping with the Frost, Sun, Wind and Rain with a resilience that can only be Admired.
He was a friend to us all that worked in our Locksmith Shop.
Chinese Student
A while ago I got a phone call from a student, a Chinese Girl, the Conversation was very difficult because she was hard to understand but I did manage to gather that her bicycle lock wouldn't open and that her bicycle was very important to her.
When there's a Language problem it's better to go and look, so I told her I would come to see her.
I knew it was going to be a (Charity job) (Freeman's) (pro bono) but it seemed that her whole world depended on that Cycle.
I arrived and opened it in Seconds, ( it was a Cheap Nasty Lock) then came the awkward part, she asked how much were my charges, I said I only charge Students £40 she Almost collapsed I asked her how much she thought it would be she said about £2 or £3 pounds, I was pleased to tell her there was no charge, my payment was the joy and gratitude that she exhibited, a lovely girl, a stranger to our country she needed a little help.
When there's a Language problem it's better to go and look, so I told her I would come to see her.
I knew it was going to be a (Charity job) (Freeman's) (pro bono) but it seemed that her whole world depended on that Cycle.
I arrived and opened it in Seconds, ( it was a Cheap Nasty Lock) then came the awkward part, she asked how much were my charges, I said I only charge Students £40 she Almost collapsed I asked her how much she thought it would be she said about £2 or £3 pounds, I was pleased to tell her there was no charge, my payment was the joy and gratitude that she exhibited, a lovely girl, a stranger to our country she needed a little help.
Gentlemen of the Road
There used to be Men called "Gentlemen of the road" we used to call them Tramp's, I remember my Dad telling me about them (1950’s), they were mainly Ex-Services Men who at the end of World War 1 and 2 couldn't go back home to their families because:- War had changed them, the Memories and shock of Battle had made them unable to cope with Family Life. Many were displaced servicemen who couldn't settle after experiencing War.
:- Many Single men couldn't find accomodation or work around their Home Town and had to move away.
:- Many had got used to life on the Road, being in the Armed Forces had equipped them with the skill of self sufficiency, taking care of themselves and the ability to Travel Light.
They all seemed to wear Grey Coats and Boots, many were as smart as they could be, taking account of their circumstances. Alcohol wasn't a feature of their lives on the road, they always seemed to have somewhere that they were travelling to.
We lived on the main Road in Wardley, Swinton, they passing by our House on the way to the Hostel in Sharp Street in Walkden, Worsley. sometimes they would knock on our door to ask if if there was any work they could do in return for a meal. my Dad used to say that they put a mark on your house that would indicate to other Tramps that you could eat at this house. my Dad would get them to clean the grids out. i was always amazed at the stuff that they brought out, I would watch them strip off their Shirts and put their arms down the Grids and pull out stuff, Dead Birds, Moss and Toys, afterwards they would wash themselves in the Kitchen Sink.
My mum would make them piles of bacon butties, and a packed lunch to take with them. They had Mugs of Tea in Pint Pots.
I was only a young Boy then, I am grateful for a Mum and Dad who were Kind and never saw them as a nuisance and treated them with respect.
When i look back i am happy that we must have had a mark on our house that let Tramps know: you can get a meal here.
( I had a look for the Mark but never found it)
:- Many Single men couldn't find accomodation or work around their Home Town and had to move away.
:- Many had got used to life on the Road, being in the Armed Forces had equipped them with the skill of self sufficiency, taking care of themselves and the ability to Travel Light.
They all seemed to wear Grey Coats and Boots, many were as smart as they could be, taking account of their circumstances. Alcohol wasn't a feature of their lives on the road, they always seemed to have somewhere that they were travelling to.
We lived on the main Road in Wardley, Swinton, they passing by our House on the way to the Hostel in Sharp Street in Walkden, Worsley. sometimes they would knock on our door to ask if if there was any work they could do in return for a meal. my Dad used to say that they put a mark on your house that would indicate to other Tramps that you could eat at this house. my Dad would get them to clean the grids out. i was always amazed at the stuff that they brought out, I would watch them strip off their Shirts and put their arms down the Grids and pull out stuff, Dead Birds, Moss and Toys, afterwards they would wash themselves in the Kitchen Sink.
My mum would make them piles of bacon butties, and a packed lunch to take with them. They had Mugs of Tea in Pint Pots.
I was only a young Boy then, I am grateful for a Mum and Dad who were Kind and never saw them as a nuisance and treated them with respect.
When i look back i am happy that we must have had a mark on our house that let Tramps know: you can get a meal here.
( I had a look for the Mark but never found it)
Smart Rabbi
It’s nice to have a Job that let's you meet people and enjoy the experience.
I did a Call-Out to a Synagogue and Jewish School yesterday, it was very refreshing to see so many young Boys being so Polite and very Adult in behaviour and of course very interested in what I was doing, Boys have a natural interest in Locks and Keys (just like me).
I Fitted a Burglar Alarm for a Synagogue in the late 1970’s, after it was finished I said to the Rabbi “who is going to switch the Alarm Off on Saturday Morning”, this was something he hadn't considered.
(Jews should not Switch Electrical Circuits on the Sabbath and Caretakers in Synagogues are always Non-Jewish).
The Rabbi thought about the Problem for a Moment and asked me to get the Caretaker for him,
When the Caretaker came out of the Rabbi's office he looked perplexed, other Men of the Synagogue were nearby and asked him what the Matter was, he said the Rabbi asked me to leave the Shoes that I planned to wear on Saturday in the Synagogue on Friday Night, the other Men said “it’s easy, you wake up on Saturday Morning and get Dressed, then you remember that you're Shoes are in the Synagogue so you go and get them and switch the Alarm off when you get there’’.
I did a Call-Out to a Synagogue and Jewish School yesterday, it was very refreshing to see so many young Boys being so Polite and very Adult in behaviour and of course very interested in what I was doing, Boys have a natural interest in Locks and Keys (just like me).
I Fitted a Burglar Alarm for a Synagogue in the late 1970’s, after it was finished I said to the Rabbi “who is going to switch the Alarm Off on Saturday Morning”, this was something he hadn't considered.
(Jews should not Switch Electrical Circuits on the Sabbath and Caretakers in Synagogues are always Non-Jewish).
The Rabbi thought about the Problem for a Moment and asked me to get the Caretaker for him,
When the Caretaker came out of the Rabbi's office he looked perplexed, other Men of the Synagogue were nearby and asked him what the Matter was, he said the Rabbi asked me to leave the Shoes that I planned to wear on Saturday in the Synagogue on Friday Night, the other Men said “it’s easy, you wake up on Saturday Morning and get Dressed, then you remember that you're Shoes are in the Synagogue so you go and get them and switch the Alarm off when you get there’’.
Saved By The Virgin Mary
About 30 years ago a Lady phoned me she wanted an extra Lock fitting on her Bungalow Front Door, I went over to her Home and fitted the Lock, whilst working she was telling me that she had been a Nun all her Life but had retired due to ill health, such a nice lady very pleasant and content with life.
I fitted the Lock and gave her the Two Keys and showed her how to use the Lock, she paid me and I left.
It was a typical Job for that time, years go many Homes only had a Yale Lock on their Front Door and most of my work was fitting an extra 5-Lever Deadlock to increase their Security.
The next Saturday she phoned me, she said that during the Night she Woke Up see someone at the Bottom of her Bed who after a short while went away, she checked the Front Door and it was still Locked on the Mortice Lock and she can only assume that someone had got in with a Key.
I went straight round to see her, I got a new Lock from by Van, replaced it and gave her the Two Keys.
I knew she didn't think that I had an extra Key but I assured her that no one else had a Key but her.
Another week passed and again on the Saturday Morning the Police phoned me, “Could I come round to this Lady's House because she has had an Intruder during the Night and I had recently changed her Lock”. Now I was worried, The Lady didn't think it was me but by the tone of the Policeman on the phone, it was definitely a possibility.
When I arrived I told the Police about the previous visits, showed him a New Lock in the Packet where it shows that there are Two Keys provided, he took me over to see the Lady and asked her to relate what had happened: she said she awoke in the Night to see a stranger at the bottom of her bed and became very upset, then the Virgin Mary Appeared by her side and the Stranger went away.
The Policeman said (pointing at me) This gentleman is going to fit a New Lock in your Door that no one will be able to open but yourself, assuring her that this would not happen again, and gave me a Wink, I immediately changed the Lock again and gave her the Keys.
The Lady was very grateful to us both, the Policeman expertly gave her peace of mind, just like a Father would do for a young Child, I didn't hear from her again but I was very grateful for the timely intervention of the Virgin Mary to this Lovely Devoted Lady, and I hoped that the special witness she had would continue with her (minus the stranger).
I fitted the Lock and gave her the Two Keys and showed her how to use the Lock, she paid me and I left.
It was a typical Job for that time, years go many Homes only had a Yale Lock on their Front Door and most of my work was fitting an extra 5-Lever Deadlock to increase their Security.
The next Saturday she phoned me, she said that during the Night she Woke Up see someone at the Bottom of her Bed who after a short while went away, she checked the Front Door and it was still Locked on the Mortice Lock and she can only assume that someone had got in with a Key.
I went straight round to see her, I got a new Lock from by Van, replaced it and gave her the Two Keys.
I knew she didn't think that I had an extra Key but I assured her that no one else had a Key but her.
Another week passed and again on the Saturday Morning the Police phoned me, “Could I come round to this Lady's House because she has had an Intruder during the Night and I had recently changed her Lock”. Now I was worried, The Lady didn't think it was me but by the tone of the Policeman on the phone, it was definitely a possibility.
When I arrived I told the Police about the previous visits, showed him a New Lock in the Packet where it shows that there are Two Keys provided, he took me over to see the Lady and asked her to relate what had happened: she said she awoke in the Night to see a stranger at the bottom of her bed and became very upset, then the Virgin Mary Appeared by her side and the Stranger went away.
The Policeman said (pointing at me) This gentleman is going to fit a New Lock in your Door that no one will be able to open but yourself, assuring her that this would not happen again, and gave me a Wink, I immediately changed the Lock again and gave her the Keys.
The Lady was very grateful to us both, the Policeman expertly gave her peace of mind, just like a Father would do for a young Child, I didn't hear from her again but I was very grateful for the timely intervention of the Virgin Mary to this Lovely Devoted Lady, and I hoped that the special witness she had would continue with her (minus the stranger).
What's In The Bag DORIS
DORIS
In 1967 when I was 16 I got my first Job as an Apprentice, Instead of sending me into the Workplace they sent me to Salford Technical College on an EITB Training Course (Engineering Industry Training Board).
They paid me my Wages of £4 and 10 Shillings per week, which seemed ok at the time.
The College Bought a Big Victorian Building on Queen Street, Ordsall, Salford. Engineering Companies throughout Salford sent their Apprentices there to get experience in all the different branches of Engineering, Machine Shop, Welding, Electrical and Theory.
My first day, I got ready for College, My Aunty Gladys made me some sandwiches and a Flask of Tea and put it in a old Bag of hers, I wasn't very streetwise, I didn't know that you don't take Bags that belong to your Aunt to College. So walking up the steps into College, a Boy that was Sitting on the Wall at the Entrance said: “What's in the Bag Doris”. That was It, Two Years of College having a nickname of Doris and I accepted it.
TEA MACHINE
Still it wasn't as bad as one Boy, A Group of lads had decided to play a Trick on this Boy, at Break time we all Queued to get a drink from the Tea Machine, as we put our Threepenny Bit Coin in it dispensed a Cup of Tea then it was the next Boys turn, when this particular Boy put his Coin in it just came back out again, he tried it a few times then gave up his place and sat down, It worked for all the other Boys except him, Cursed.
The electrical Cut of Switch for the Machine was on the other side of the room, as he put his coin in they switched it off until he walked away, then switched it back on again.
He never figured it out, someone would always get him a drink though.
12 months is a long time to keep it going.
As you got older and went into Work, being an Apprentice became More Interesting when someone else was put in Charge of you, They had lots of Mean Tricks that were played on them in their youth, now it was your turn.
Of course I played a few on my Apprentices.
Golden Rule: Just Bring them Back Alive!
In 1967 when I was 16 I got my first Job as an Apprentice, Instead of sending me into the Workplace they sent me to Salford Technical College on an EITB Training Course (Engineering Industry Training Board).
They paid me my Wages of £4 and 10 Shillings per week, which seemed ok at the time.
The College Bought a Big Victorian Building on Queen Street, Ordsall, Salford. Engineering Companies throughout Salford sent their Apprentices there to get experience in all the different branches of Engineering, Machine Shop, Welding, Electrical and Theory.
My first day, I got ready for College, My Aunty Gladys made me some sandwiches and a Flask of Tea and put it in a old Bag of hers, I wasn't very streetwise, I didn't know that you don't take Bags that belong to your Aunt to College. So walking up the steps into College, a Boy that was Sitting on the Wall at the Entrance said: “What's in the Bag Doris”. That was It, Two Years of College having a nickname of Doris and I accepted it.
TEA MACHINE
Still it wasn't as bad as one Boy, A Group of lads had decided to play a Trick on this Boy, at Break time we all Queued to get a drink from the Tea Machine, as we put our Threepenny Bit Coin in it dispensed a Cup of Tea then it was the next Boys turn, when this particular Boy put his Coin in it just came back out again, he tried it a few times then gave up his place and sat down, It worked for all the other Boys except him, Cursed.
The electrical Cut of Switch for the Machine was on the other side of the room, as he put his coin in they switched it off until he walked away, then switched it back on again.
He never figured it out, someone would always get him a drink though.
12 months is a long time to keep it going.
As you got older and went into Work, being an Apprentice became More Interesting when someone else was put in Charge of you, They had lots of Mean Tricks that were played on them in their youth, now it was your turn.
Of course I played a few on my Apprentices.
Golden Rule: Just Bring them Back Alive!
RETURN VISIT
A Lady Customer Phoned me this week she couldn't Lock her back door, I had been to this Ladies Home a couple of days ago to replace a mechanism to her Upvc Door, so I went straight back to see what the problem was.
True enough it wasnt Shutting, then she pointed to the top hinge pin which had come out "could This Be The Problem, she said". When I popped it in, everything was Ok.
She then pointed into the Garden where there was an ancient Carousel washing Line folded-up, "Could you see if you can Fix it for me Mr Towler" she said in her best School Mistress Voice, I'll have a look at it, I said and went out into the Garden, WD40 was required in good quantity, eventually I got it Working.
I remember seeing a Broken Corkscrew Puller and a Broken pair of Scissors on the Kitchen Surface, I felt sure that they were next on the list for me to fix.
She asked me to fix the Scissors first, they needed a new rivet to hold them together, then it was the Corkscrew, the thread had worn out and the bolt wouldn't stay in place, I Tapped the Hole to a larger size and replaced the Bolt.
Next it was the Knob to a Kitchen cupboard, it needed a longer screwed thread, then it was the Front Panel to a set of drawers to Glue and screw together.
You have done very well there Mr Towler, indicating that I was Free to Go.
Those Lovely older Ladies, it's a pleasure to help.
True enough it wasnt Shutting, then she pointed to the top hinge pin which had come out "could This Be The Problem, she said". When I popped it in, everything was Ok.
She then pointed into the Garden where there was an ancient Carousel washing Line folded-up, "Could you see if you can Fix it for me Mr Towler" she said in her best School Mistress Voice, I'll have a look at it, I said and went out into the Garden, WD40 was required in good quantity, eventually I got it Working.
I remember seeing a Broken Corkscrew Puller and a Broken pair of Scissors on the Kitchen Surface, I felt sure that they were next on the list for me to fix.
She asked me to fix the Scissors first, they needed a new rivet to hold them together, then it was the Corkscrew, the thread had worn out and the bolt wouldn't stay in place, I Tapped the Hole to a larger size and replaced the Bolt.
Next it was the Knob to a Kitchen cupboard, it needed a longer screwed thread, then it was the Front Panel to a set of drawers to Glue and screw together.
You have done very well there Mr Towler, indicating that I was Free to Go.
Those Lovely older Ladies, it's a pleasure to help.
Saturday 12 January 2019
Blocked Toilet
A few years ago I received a late evening call from a Housing Association in Macclesfield, an Elderly Lady had a Problem with her Front Door.
It was an Hours Drive, and when I got there the Lady said that her Door was OK, I asked her if she had reported any other Problems and she pointed to the Toilet.
Inside was a Tall Disabled Toilet that was full to the Brim of Solids, there was a Notice above the Toilet telling her not to put paper Hand Towels Into the Toilet otherwise it would get Blocked.
It was after Midnight - Toilet Blocked and needed Sorting, and I knew it was up to me to Sort it!
Having no Plumbing Tools it had to be an Arm Down Job, I took my Shirt off and began lifting it out, even round the U-Bend, It then Flushed OK.
After I scrubbed up, I thanked the Lady for letting me help her, she was very grateful.
'Those Lovely Older Ladies'.
Back home for a Bath!
It was an Hours Drive, and when I got there the Lady said that her Door was OK, I asked her if she had reported any other Problems and she pointed to the Toilet.
Inside was a Tall Disabled Toilet that was full to the Brim of Solids, there was a Notice above the Toilet telling her not to put paper Hand Towels Into the Toilet otherwise it would get Blocked.
It was after Midnight - Toilet Blocked and needed Sorting, and I knew it was up to me to Sort it!
Having no Plumbing Tools it had to be an Arm Down Job, I took my Shirt off and began lifting it out, even round the U-Bend, It then Flushed OK.
After I scrubbed up, I thanked the Lady for letting me help her, she was very grateful.
'Those Lovely Older Ladies'.
Back home for a Bath!
A Victorian Midwife
I posted this a while back. On Facebook
We are a large family and we always have a Baby Due, and having attended many births myself I know that God's presence is called for from start to finish. The overwhelming feeling of gratitude and love for your Wife is undescribable.
The Honor to meet and have a Conversation with a Midwife from Victorian Times who lived her life serving other women without reward who relied upon the powers of Heaven constantly is a feeling I will never forget.
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In 1989 I was Called to a Ladies Home in Bolton, She had her handbag Stolen with her Keys so her Locks needed changing.
This Lady was 100 years Old and was extremely small.
She was telling Me about herself, she had been a Midwife, not a Trained Midwife but from a young age helped Mothers who were poor and couldn't afford Doctors or paid Midwife's, she lived by the goodwill of people in the community giving her assistance.
When she was called for a Delivery she told me how she prepared, she would Kneel on the stone floor and Pray Vocally for God's help in Delivering the Baby, she attributed her success entirely to God's assistance.
She said "I Never Lost a Mother", I realised that she lived in Victorian Times, where if you walk through the Graveyards of that Era and read the Headstones, there were lots of Mothers and Babies who did not Survive Childbirth.
I felt honoured to be with her as she shared her simple experience with me, we both had tears in our eyes.
I had it confirmed to me that being a Midwife is a Sacred Call.
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