THOSE WITHOUT SKILL ASSEMBLE PARTS:

England's only master cooper predicts demise of barrel making: England's last remaining master cooper Alastair Simms has predicted that the nation's barrel-making trade will go to the grave with him. (Daily Telegraph, 1/05/09)

Mr Simms, a father-of-two who lives in Devizes, Wilts., said his "only regret" is that no one will carry on the trade when he retires.

He said: "Coopering is not just a dying trade it's already dead. There are only four breweries left who employ coopers in the country and I'm the only master.

"It's a proper old-fashioned, historic trade and if you don't have a natural ability for woodworking and skill with your hands then you can't learn it.

"I'm going to keep working as a master cooper until I'm dead but I'm very keen to pass on my knowledge to another generation."