DIY disaster is a light bulb moment... Quite literally!

As she vacuums up the mess, Fiona reflects on the death of Do It Yourself, and the need for us women to step up

It is something of a light bulb moment at Armstrong MacGregor Towers. Yes, it is finally dawning. The wonderful man to whom I am married really cannot be asked to do DIY. Whilst I am out for the day, the chief takes it upon himself to replace a light bulb. When I return, the whole fitting, flex and ceiling rose, is sitting on the hall table.

Somehow, during his labours, he has managed to pull the thing off the plaster.

Maybe the ladder toppled, and he had to grab whatever he could to save himself. Perhaps the MacNaughties ran underneath the steps, fleeing as the operation descended into chaos.

I do not know.

And I am not sure how much it will cost for an electrician to sort it out.

Yet a mix of experience and tiredness tells me not to stress too much. For in the great scheme of things, this is a niggle, no more.

No one is ill, no one is injured.

I take a deep breath. I think of Scotland. And I get out the Hoover to vacuum up all the bits on the carpet.

Then why should the MacGregor be any different from any others?

If truth be known, DIY is on the decline. Hardware stores are closing. Woodwork skills passed on by Dad seem to be dying out.

Recent research shows that a third of young males have never changed a plug or hung a picture. Hence, they would never, ever think of getting on the roof to fix a slate.

Which is a shame as we have just discovered a leak in one of the upstairs bedrooms.

Perhaps it is just as well that total amateurs hold back from having a go.

Millions of botched home repair attempts end up having to be put right by a professional, often at a cost of several thousand pounds.

On the other hand, ladies, it may be up to us to carry the DIY baton.

If push comes to shove, I can bleed a radiator. I have unblocked a sink. And, in times past, I was a dab hand at painting a wall and hanging a roll of wallpaper.

Once, I even helped change a tyre. It was in Africa. Out in the bush where necessity suddenly became the mother of invention.

On that trip, it really was a case of needs must.

Mercifully, I was not alone. The chief was leading the project.

DIY is on the decline. Skills passed on by Dad seem to be dying out. A third of young men have never changed a plug.

And he did it methodically. Taking his time in the blazing heat.

Not at all fazed by my warnings of doom and gloom. Of being stranded on the edge of a desert. Of dying of thirst. Or, and as dusk fell, being eaten by lions...

There was no irritation when

I dropped the nuts and bolts in the sand. In fact, he did it all rather well. Hurrah!

Come to think of it, my husband is no longer a DIY dud.

He is a skilful man. Just not when it comes to light bulb trivia…

thecouriermagazine