The Into Ironmongers exhibition opened in Penicuik Town Hall today and prompted many people to recall Wilson’s, the local ironmongers shop that closed some years ago. Several described the shadowy ‘upstairs’ where assistants would head, often when confronted with a challenging request, and then return shortly afterwards with the required item.
One man recalled going to Wilson’s many years ago and asking for tent pegs. The ironmonger shook his head, there were no tent pegs in the shop. ‘But come with me,’ he said, heading upstairs. The ironmonger lifted a handful of 6″ nails and a hammer and sat down by a vice. ‘How many do you need?’ he asked. The customer did a quick calculation and in no time the ironmonger hammered out a set of ‘tent pegs’. Thus one happy Penicuik family was ready to set off on their camping holiday.
The exhibition will be in Penicuik Town Hall again next Saturday 19 March from 10.00am-2.00pm. There are children’s activities and a great home cooked community cafe as well as a chance to learn about the Penicuik Community Development Trust.
