Unfortunately, I took the Intellectual Path, and ‘Bright Ideas’ became Employer’s property.

However, when in my late 50′s, I was made Redundant, becoming Self-Employed and an Entrepreneur not only beckoned – it was the only way forward ! Despite the Employment Laws, try getting a new job at age 58 in this country. Ageism is alive and well in the UK. But, this suits me – except that it is frustrating when dealing with small companies not to have the same rapport and level of understanding (by the Client) as experienced within a Prime Contractorship – Sub Primes situation. I have managed to bring together a number of experienced and mature Specialists, who can certainly out-perform younger-based competitors; the problem remains in educating the Clients at speed about the value of work done at a higher standard being more cost-effective over a longer term.

Much of this problem I attribute to the ‘missing generation years’ – by which I am referring to the major down-scaling of Apprenticeships some years ago. Our “quick supply”, “disposable” society and the mass advertising of “You can have it NOW” coupled with the lack of experienced Artisans means that values and judgements are distorted. I believe that, in part, this has contributed to our current poor Financial Status.

An amusing end-note: some years ago, “Just In Time” Delivery Systems were ‘invented’, to save on prime cost space. True ? Well, actually, No. When goods were shipped by barges on our former excellent canal system, the barge transit time formed part of the lead time calculations, so storage space in an Assembly company could be kept low.

Despite this new style, they still wish to maintain maximum control, by means of the ever increasing red-tape, & the Big Brother politics in general. Their favourite hobby horse is ‘elfandsafety. They use it where ever possible to cripple any form of enterprise, national, or private.

‘elfandsafety should be completely scrapped, & replaced with pride & skill. The Market Economy also needs scrapping, to be replaced with a Social Economy, a much cleaner, healthier system. Until then, we are doomed to survive in the new Rip-Off Britain.

We need to be extremely careful that we do not speak so loud, as walls do have ears, loose lips do sink ships, & we could suddenly find ourselves facing 3x SP6 within a week, or even find ourselves framed for mass murder. They do not like confrontation, negotiation, or any other form of discussion.

Ours but to do, & die, or at least to keep it shut & conform to their stupidity.

We even need a full CRB just to shine shoes on a street corner.