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"Left school Christmas 1961 all set to be a mechanical engineer with the NCB. It was in the new year I found out it was a no go due to my eyesight. \nDad whipped me down the careers place on Standard hill. The conversation went something like.......... \nDad \"Have you got any apprenticeships left?\" \nCareers man \"Yes gas fitter with EMGB.\" \nDad \"Is it a proper apprenticeship with day release etc?\" \nCareers man \"Yes, 5 years, if he is suitable he will sign his indentures at 16.\" \nDad \"He will take it.\" \nDo the paperwork and my career path was chosen. As we walked down Standard hill I asked \"Dad what's a gas fitter?\" Dad replied \"No idea but its an apprenticeship.\" \nI left at 21 after I finished my time and went to live in Buxton Derby's first for the caving and climbing and then I met my wife to be. Did a rake of jobs up there, long distance lorry driving, plant fitter on a quarry and grinding aircraft brake linings would you believe. \nMarried 1971 and returned to Nottm, working for a plumbing company and driving taxi's part time for extra cash. My break came when I joined a national central heating company, who believed in promoting from within and giving training to allow this to happen. Ended up as area supervisor running large contracts all over the country. \nLeft there in 1987 to start my own business in the firearms industry a real bad move considering what happened with the nutcases and the recession of the late 80s. It cost me dear but I had a great time and have some good tales to tell. \n1991 I cleaned off my jimmy's and started back in the gas, central heating industry as my own man. Then came CORGI, first compulsory registration, then compulsory assessments every five years. This got rid of about 60% of the operatives in the gas industry, originally trained as plumbers they found it hard to cope with the pure gas side of things. But and it was a BIG but due to the shortage of operatives prices sky rocketed. \nNow aged 69 I do the office work and have an occasional run out while others do the heavy work for me. \nI would never have believed you if back in 1961 you had told me that gas engineers would be on 50 grand a year plus but that's the rate these days. \nWould I change anything, not a single minute, I have had a great run, met some wonderful people, married the lady I still love to this day and HEY most of all..................... I am still alive. \nNearly forgot in amongst that lot I did 11 years in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, more great people and more good fun. \n"
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