Monthly Archives: August 2010

Many ironmongers diversify well beyond nuts and bolts to attract customers.  Some are renowned for their efforts.  Janet sent me this story from Killinchy in County Down. 

‘Killinchy Post Office is a bit of a modern day Aladdin’s Cave in the middle of County Down. As the name suggests, it serves the village’s postal needs but beyond that it caters for almost every need and even whim of the local inhabitants from wheaten bread to Christmas trees.

A few years ago I was on a course in Connecticut which was being taught by an American who asked where I was from. I started off with “Ireland”, working my way down as far as “Near Belfast” as Killinchy is not a large place and mostly is unknown even a few miles away. He persisted with his questioning, pressing me for a more precise location saying that he’d been to Ireland on vacation and wouldn’t accept my wider area descriptions. “OK”, I said, preparing my smug face, “Killinchy”. His whole face lit up: “Killinchy! Is that the place where you get the coffee AND the hardware under one roof?” I had to concede that this was in fact exactly the place and eat my slice of humble pie. They probably sell that in the Post Office come to think of it.’

In Scotland, you will find good coffee at TG Allan’s in Helensburgh and delicious homemade soup at MacKenzie & Cruickshank’s in Forres.

What d’you know but a key to one of Albert Drive Studio’s galleries broke in the keyhole of the locked door just as we were about to open last Saturday.  Panic calls to a number of locksmiths brought one John O’Rourke to the Studios who not only sorted the problem in jig time but was interested in photography and browsed the exhibition.  Caledonian Locksmiths recommended John and so would we.  

I was ridiculously chuffed when a retired couple of ironmongers turned up, enjoyed the exhibition and had time to talk about their life and times.  Another visitor had worked for George Boyd’s in Glasgow which led me to contact the company and receive an invitation to go to look at some of their memorabilia.   I’ve seen several visitors grin with recognition as they see a familiar face or shop – Val at Bill’s Tools Store, The Scotstoun Emporium, Amy in Balfron or MacKays in Tarbert.  And someone yet to visit the exhibition sent me an academic paper on ‘Scotswomen as Housepainters and Decorators from 1820′, and included records showing women as Ironmongers during that period, from a Jane McDowell in Stranraer to Mary Duffas in Aberdeen.  I feel a wee feminist angle entering the pages of the book.

So as well as enjoying the exhibition, you’re likely to enjoy the company you meet at Albert Drive Studios.  Its your last chance to visit this weekend, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August.  Don’t miss it.  We’ll be open from 10.00am – 4.00pm and the kettle will be on.

Into Ironmongers, the exhibition, opened at Albert Drive Studios at 334 Albert Drive on Saturday 7 August.  We welcomed over fifty guests who browsed amongst three rooms of photographs (well, four including the bathroom which, appropriately, had pictures of washers, plumbing joints and planks of wood) and shared their stories of ironmongers with each other.

Listening to people talk about their local ironmongers’ shops I’ve decided to replace the phrase ’traditional ironmongers’ with ‘community ironmongers’.   I think this is a better description of the shops.  It takes account of the way that they recognise and respond to the needs of their communities.  It also dilutes the ‘nostalgia factor’.  Nostalgia for ironmongers of the past is rich and valid but it only reflects part of their magic.  Community ironmongers are poised to play an important contemporary role.   They have stacks of knowledge that they are sharing with their customers.  In many communities they are the only places where people can learn, in a friendly and familiar environment, how to make or to mend things.

And calling them community ironmongers also distinguishes them from the big out of town stores.  These may sell hardware or ironmongery but, by their very nature, they can’t be as sensitive to the needs of the community.

All the pictures from the exhibition will be posted shortly on the website and mounted prints will be available to buy.  The exhibition remains open every Saturday and Sunday throughout August from 10.00am till 4.00pm although on Saturday, 14 August, one of the rooms is being used for a life drawing class, so won’t be open. But there will always be tea and discussion of useful things.