Bar Stools

I grew up in a city that suffered massive unemployment as many of the factories were either shut down because of inefficiencies or the workers were turned out and replaced by machinery; Maggie’s millions were the result. The terrible toll of that period has been felt ever since: derelict buildings, areas of complete squalor, crime and the character of the city were changed forever. We are seeing a similar decline among woodworkers and carpenters. There are very few lads today who have the skill, the know-how or even the tools to hand cut a dovetail joint. Most of them come out of school knowing how to swing a hammer, aim an electric drill and unpack the crate the pre-manufactured cabinets come in. Carpenters today have been reduced to being installers.

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