Out here in the hills of Exmoor, even though the 21st century is very much here, there is still a very broad skillbase that has been handed down through the generations. It's not exclusive to here of course. There is also still a strong sense of community. people do chip in to help eachother out. Many many houses have honesty boxes in which you can deposit a few coins in exchange for a few eggs, carrots, pretty flowers, wood or Portsmouth Football Club flags ( I think I made that bit up call it wishful thinking). It is very rare for those honesty boxes to be abused. Most years apples and pears are given freely. People still trawl the hedgerows looking for the fruits of the land, roam the woods looking for the fruits of the mycellium and fish the rivers for um fish. Some people would say that we are a simple folk. It's a rare house that doesn't have a splitting axe and a veg plot.
The people I feel for are the urbanites. Their opportunities for such things are slim. Their connection to the land is nigh on non existent. Not through choice but through concrete and pace of life.

@dub - indeedy the honesty boxes are one of the lovely south west things that makes me enjoy living here so much

We've got those boxes out amongst us ruralites too

psketti wrote:
Cept yours are called Offies and only offer Tennents and Buckfast

So you dont have pikeys over there then.

Griswald wrote:
Don't let Ms dub catch you referring to her kin by that name

dubmeup wrote:
Nice try.

I believe it's further south you where refering to however

dubmeup wrote:
Well if that be the case, maybe Mrs Dub should be posting here in the skills thread, as her kinfolk would have excellent historical skills to share

Griswald wrote:
Ms dub spends nigh on all her tinterweb time looking at astronomical stuff these days. She has resisted all attempts to get her to go forum bound
You're right though, she'd have a lot to offer in many areas of the forum. Not just this one. Bless her

Griswald wrote:
There was a recent documentary on the box over here, about the lost skills and traditions of the travelling community decades a go. Interesting skills, but gone now. And thats exactly whats going to keep happening, unless we share the knowledge, and keep it alive. I,ve had many disputes with the training personnel over here, in relation to the low standards set for achievement and certification of apprentice carpenters, joiners and cabinetmakers. Its only necessary to get a 40% standard to get qualifications in your trade, its laughable really. Old school was a better system, indenture to master craftsman, or self taught in the profession. Passion for a chosen skill goes a lot further, than being a repeater of facts.

psketti wrote:
Oh yeah, tiz more a case of.............up your way innit (Couldn't bring myself to write what came to mind then, my fingers wouldn't comply. Damn their spindly self moderating selves!)

dubmeup wrote:
Not going soft on me are you lad?

I've heard a rumour it can be an issue for you from time to time....

psketti wrote: There's a reason I'd go soft on you psket


You so walked into that one

Yeah yeah, we'll see

dubmeup wrote:
I,m sure these are not the sort of skills app and me had in mind for this thread

Griswald wrote:
I blame Psketti personally

More like these skills. Dont try this at home, unless you are skilled in the art of vw mechanics............or just plain stupid.

Griswald wrote:
As one who has done more than their fair share of old dub mechanics and has therefore come across that vid before, it's just for the plain stupid hahahahaha. Likewise anyone who has a bug with the stock engine and brakes must be pretty short of a cell or two in the head dept

There should be a 'sorry' button next to that thank you one for when I get so innocently led down the garden path through no fault of my poor wee own

Sorry to gris and apprentice

psketti wrote:
No we fekkin won't lolololololololharharharharhahehehehehehehelolololol
And garden path? Garden bloomin path. Swerve the blame why doncha!! The record is plain for all to see, lest some modbast goes and edits it