Vans crucial to the modern plumber

With reference to your correspondent’s letter, “Could plumber travel without van”.

May I introduce myself and my reasons for the reply. Having joined the plumbing trade as an apprentice in the mid 1950s I have witnessed many changes to working practices throughout

my career. My first pay packet for a 50-hour week was £1. 5s. 0d., £1.25 in today’s money.

I well recall that ferocious winter of 1963 as a newly qualified journeyman plumber.

On one of those days in the big freeze, I walked 3½ miles to work for a 7.30am start.

My boss retorted, “Where’s your bike?”, to which my reply was “I have walked boss”.

His reply was, “Well you can walk back and fetch it, because you are no use to the firm without it”, which I did and my pay was docked accordingly.

The ethos then was sweat was cheaper than fuel and a bike was a cheaper means of transporting tools than a van, even if you had to push it. Back then, unless you were a competent tradesman (there were no lady plumbers) you would have got the sack (dismissed).

How things have changed. Not only have my plumbing colleagues had to master practical skills, but now are a highly skilled mobile workforce, that has to comply with legislative regulations on every aspect of their work they are involved in, be it heating, drainage, water regulations, etc.

The law requires continued professional development in each discipline every three to four years at a very high cost to each and every individual engaged therein.

With regard to transport, the modern plumber has by necessity a very large, heavy and expensive tool kit, also the wide variety of unexpected complications needing journeys to trade counters.

A mobile workshop and parts store makes a van indispensable and just one item of a very necessary tool kit.

My advice to residents of Bath is be thankful that your plumber is prepared to travel to your home to give a service.

Many of my colleagues will not entertain work in the city with the clean air zone, parking fees and lost time travelling. The £9 surcharge for attending would seem to be a small price to pay.

In these days, a plumber on a bike would be a far more expensive experience if you could find one.

The days of the craftsman in cloth cap, bib and brace overalls, canvas tool bag and a bike are long gone. With a little thought the reasons are plain.

From a personal point of view, in hindsight would I have joined the plumbing trade many years ago, the unequivocal answer to that would be YES.

Having been a very fortunate, happy professional, I would not have changed any part of it.

David Keyford

By email