My First Ken Mackintosh Experience

After my first run in with sax repairs at Lewingtons I realised that I could do it too. I had studied engineering at school passing the practical with ease, on lathes and milling machines etc. As it transpired the nearest College to learn this trade had its workshops at the end of my road in Wimbledon beside what is now the tram tracks. So I enrolled onto a course in sax repair. On the first day I took up a space at the end of the bench beside the forge. A week later I arrived early and set up in the same spot. After a few minutes a big man with fingers like sausages arrived and started to set up opposite me. When he had laid all his tools out he looked at me and said 'I usually sit where you're sitting'. I apologised said we should swop. He studied me for a second then said, 'You're not from around here are you ?' 'Nor are you I replied. 'So you know who I am then ?' he said. 'You're Ken mackintosh, I said. 'From Cleckheaton' It was the day that changed my life.