These commitments took me to Kingston upon Thames where I set off one day in search of fluorescent tubes to insert under some kitchen wall cabinets.  I first stopped off at a general ‘catch-all’ type shop which had a few tubes amongst the Christmas paper, toys and snow shovels, but none of the right size.  Next up was Kingston Tools, http://www.kingston-tools.co.uk/ .  

Yes, the name says it all (tools not tubes), so I didn’t find what I was looking for.  Instead I met Karen and Andrew who run a fabulous traditional tool shop.  There was only time for a snapshot on my phone camera but next time I hope to do the shop proud.  Although they don’t stock the  fluorescent tubes I was looking for, their shop has the distinctive feel of an ironmongers that knows exactly what its doing.  Kingston DIY and trades enthusiasts have a fabulous resource for tools and practical advice. Karen and Andrew looked at the spent tube I was carrying and directed me to another shop which they hoped would help.  Sadly, although it stocked the tubes, the staff didn’t offer to get me the size I needed.  I finally headed for John Lewis but had no luck there either.  So, having visited five stores, I returned home empty handed.  Determined to find the tubes, it was surprisingly easy to find them online and place an order.   I’m due for my next visit soon and suspect the task of fitting them may have been left for me to wrestle with. 

What is so baffling is why its so hard to find replacements for an item that must be in almost every home.

I love carboot sales.  The pleasure comes not from how much I sell (although I always want to make a little profit for spending two or three hours, usually outside and not always in sunshine).  But I enjoy the observations and conversations with people who meander round the stalls.  I took some IntoIronmongers photographs and cards which clearly struck a chord with some customers.   Extraordinarily, one young customer had worked recently in Urquhart’s in Auchterarder and was delighted to find a photograph of the shop.  Another was interested in the whole IntoIronmonger’s project and suggested where the photographs might be exhibited next.  Two customers debated the uses of the craw’s foot wrench before one bought it.  Another pondered over the the tumbling tomato plants and them bought the lot.  But the coffee machine wasn’t sold and we couldn’t work out why.

I visited Sospel last week, situated high in the Alpes Maritimes above Menton in the south of France.  Turning a corner in search of the local church, I was delighted to find a traditional community ironmonger that has been in the small town since 1892.  Marilyne, the current owner, is local to Sospel and bought the shop quite recently.  She’s proud of the 40000 lines they carry and is delighted to have the support of the previous owner who calls in regularly for a chat.  Aptly called the Coin-Caillerie, this quincallierie has a website that tells the shop’s history through a range of evocative photographs as well as providing customers with a regular newsletter about current stock.  

Back down in the busy seaside town of Menton, I came across the Bricolage (DIY) Services.  A more modern shop than the Sospel Coin-Callierie and with more blisterpacks than cardboard boxes of loose screws and nails, this is nevertheless a popular community ironmonger as well. 

And thus did a walking holiday turn into an ironmongers discovery tour.  What a bonus.  And you’ll note the sun was shining brightly!

Last week the Into Ironmongers exhibition enjoyed reminiscences about the Pencuik ironmonger that had closed.  This week, visitors discussed present and future ironmongers.  Liane, who works in Marchmont Hardware, visited with her daughter.  Liane’s mum worked in the shop and Liane did a regular Saturday stint there before studying engineering at unversity.  She brought those skills back to the shop where she now works fulltime.  Customers benefit also from her grandad being a glazier.  ‘When someone came for advice about repairing a sash window, I did a drawing to explain, as well as being able to provide what they needed’ she said.  Another visitor was Gordon from Auchincruive, the Scottish Agricultural College.  He highlighted the connection between ironmongers and transition towns.   He suggests that just going into an ironnmongers is therapeutic.  Their readiness to listen and understand whatever challenge you take along, leaves you feeling healthier, more upbeat and ready to face the world.  I so like this!

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.

‘Thomas J Buchanan’s drysaltery was at 44 Clerk Street (corner of Rankeillor Street) in the middle years of last century. It was gone by 1954.  J.S. Buchanan & Co (General Merchants and Mill Furnishers) were further out at 26 Newington Road, just north of the end of Newington Place beside the (then) Clydesdale Bank. ‘

Roger also sent the weblink with fascinating documentation about Penicuik Cooperative Association.

We’ve had a query for information about an ironmongers in Edinburgh called Buchanans.  The shop was around in the early to mid 1900s (not so long ago, codgers, so rack your brains!) and situated in central Edinburgh around the North or South Bridges. 

If you can remember Buchanans or have any information about the shop, please contact IntoIronmongers through the comments page and we’ll pass it on.  Thank you.