IT WILL be a very sad day for this city when WG Powell ceases trading in Cowley.

Being in the construction industry all my working life as a carpenter and joiner, I, as an individual and as an employee many years ago, have had the pleasure of frequenting Powell’s for materials, ironmongery and tools.

Even in retirement I still enjoy calling in for bits and pieces, and where else can someone go for pieces of timber cut to size and planed up while you wait?

Maybe there is somewhere else but I am not aware of any such place.

The staff are always very friendly and most obliging and it’s going to be another bit of Old England gone for ever.

Over the years many firms have disappeared, such as Coopers, which was at the top of St Ebbe’s, Hopkins in Hollow Way, Gills in the High Street, Stephensons in Botley Road, Edgingtons in Headington and many others which were around whilst I was an apprentice and after.

Oh well, that’s enough reminiscing. I’m glad that I was born when I was.

Everyone in my day was able to get a good job when they left school and apprenticeships were plentiful.

Qualifications weren’t necessary as they are today as even at technical college one had to start all over again as an apprentice.

MICHAEL CLARKE
Lewell Avenue, Old Marston, Oxford