Millennials in a muddle over household tasks

THE millennials are a generation with a mighty name. It implies that those born between the early 1980s to the mid 1900s only come along every thousand years. So it was a surprise to discover they can’t change a light bulb, hang a picture or bleed a radiator.

Faced with basic DIY jobs, these 25 to 34-year-olds, are likely to Google for directions or ask their parents, while 41% get a tradesman in to fix problems in the home.

They even confessed they left a dead lightbulb in place for more than three weeks before getting someone to change it.

Which should put traders on their guard when out socialising at the weekend, in case a young lady they meet invites them back for coffee and says: “While you’re here, could you bleed the radiators, fix the kitchen cupboard and hang that picture? And will you do it quietly? I’ve a busy day tomorrow and I’m off to bed. You are a love.”

I can’t remember if I was as dozy about the house at their age. I didn’t have such a grand name as millennials, of course, so that was a disadvantage. I was a war baby, and no, before you ask, not the Zulu War.

Maria and I were awakened by what sounded like otherworldly shell fire on the Somme as the

tiles fell off

But I could attempt most DIY jobs by the time I was in my mid 20s – I was married and had to – although they did not always turn out successfully.

We had a house in St Annes and my bookshelves in an alcove had shelves that dipped in the middle like an exhibit by Salvador Dali. When people laughed, I could have said it was conceptual art and called it The Weight of Literature, but I had the disadvantage of not being a millennial so didn’t think of it.

It was a delightful old house, 100 yards from the sand dunes, but needed love and repairs.

My other major mistake was fixing the ceilings in the hall, stairway and landing with polystyrene tiles.

This I was told was a danger and a fire risk but, being a war baby, I laughed at danger.

That night Maria and I were awakened by what sounded like other-worldly shell fire on the Somme as most of the tiles dried out and fell off.

Still, I learned from my mistakes. The millennials will no doubt do the same.