ANOTHER piece of old England to disappear forever. I am referring to W.G Powell’s, which will close for the last time on November 30.

Powell’s has provided a service to the local builder and beyond, to the DIYer and to the colleges, second to none.

It has always been a pleasure to call in there and the staff always display a happy and helpful attitude toward their customers.

Most of the staff have already gone, finding employment elsewhere, and the skeleton staff loyal to the end still show the same courtesy to customers and are very apologetic if they no longer have what is required in stock.

I have called in twice this week and it’s a very emotional feeling when one sees the huge timber barn almost empty, racking already dismantled and most of the machines gone elsewhere.

On my second visit I took my old mate Ken, who was the foreman joiner at a local building firm where I started my apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner.

I’m sure he had a lump in his throat to see the end of an era.

Powell’s will be hugely missed by all who traded there and I wish all those staff the very best for the future and hope that they will be appreciated by future employers.

MICHAEL CLARKE

Lewell Avenue,

Old Marston