b'the top step and fell flat on my face in front of thechoose between woodwork and two styles of whole school. Although I did win the school musicmetalwork. That was a blow, because I loved each competition with two friends and a guitar, I shouldone, but I decided that I could pursue woodwork have realized my whole future career had beenat home and chose to make use of the engineering made clear - behind stage, not on it. facilities that the school provided.I left the beaten At that time, the height of manual skill wasmetalwork behind altogether, which I have always tool making, and I lived close to a lot of wellregretted, but there wasnt an option. Once my O respected engineering companies who offeredlevels were over the pressure was on to gain a apprenticeships, but I liked working thingsuniversity place, and technical subjects didnt count out as well as making them, and there was atoward university entrance, so officially at least, I distinction made between those who used theirdropped them, but the teachers conspired together brains and those who used their hands. It wasto let me spend any free periods and games lessons never acknowledged that manual skill requiresin the workshops and drawing office. It was off brainpower as well, that hasnt changed much eventhe books so I was given unusual projects; to cut now. The decline in UK manufacturing started asections through a motor cycle engine and a car lot earlier than most people acknowledge, this wasgearbox to show how they worked, and to make 1968, skilled manual work was rapidly going out ofa set of drawings of a small engineers lathe.I did fashion and not encouraged and the engineeringwell at school, but I cant say I particularly enjoyed companies were starting to close. For a while Iit, I just wanted to be in the workshops all the time. contemplated becoming a woodwork teacher.Until then I had intended to be an electrical Guitar making? It didnt exist and the idea wouldengineer, but I was worried that it would be all have been laughed at. I had wanted to learn to playtheory and not enough hands on, the opposite guitar at school, but that was laughed at as well. problem to that of being a tool-maker, so when The ethos of the school began to change a littleI heard an excellent lecture on mechanical while I was there. The importance of the practicalengineering I changed my mind on the spot. It subjects was watered down, and I was made towas a good choice for me, as I was (and still am) fascinated by how things are made. Whenever I Falstaff and Oberon. The lighting here is very high, causing the shadows to be very short and missing the backdrop to create the dark moody feel. I think I can just make out the shadow of the wooden bracket supporting the table and wine jugs. All these shots are genuine pictures, no computer enhancement or cut and paste. The pictures were printed onto matt paper, which is partly responsible for the softened feel.25'