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Dying trade is no barrel of laughs

England’s last remaining master cooper is looking for an apprentice amid fears his profession could go the grave with him.

Alastair Simms, 45, who works in Wiltshire, began life as an apprentice cooper (barrel maker) on his 16th birthday but didn’t achieve ‘master’ status until 1994.

The emergence of modern metal casks has seen the number of coopers drop by their thousands over recent years.

Speak to workers on your patch who are keeping alive traditional or unusual trades.

Is there are pipe maker struggling to recruit the next generation or glass blower who needs an apprentice or ten?