From the Editor
The post-mag post bag
As a child ( and teenager ) ( ok , and young adult ), I was a prolific letter writer . Before emails and text messages , I would always put pen to paper to keep in touch with friends I made on holidays , friends from home while I was on holiday , postcards , thank you cards , magazine competitions , people on television , even the Prime Minister . The desk in my bedroom was my place of solace and with a drawer of note paper and envelopes , and a book of stamps , nothing could stop me . But what ’ s the best thing about writing a letter ? Getting one back .
» AFTER THE LAST LOCKSMITH JOURNAL MAGAZINE came out , I received an email from one of our readers initially pointing out a technical error in one of the images a contributor had provided . I was extremely grateful for this . I ’ m a wordsmith not a locksmith , so I wouldn ’ t have noticed the discrepancy myself . As a journalist , I cannot let an opportunity to talk to a real-life locksmith pass , so in my reply to the email , I asked would the sender be interested in featuring in one of our interview articles .
Unfortunately , he declined , but I hope he doesn ’ t mind me including some of the words he wrote in his own to reply to my email to him : “ I am now 80 and have been retired a long time but am still very interested in the security world . One thing that I find a little confusing is the large number of abbreviations used as well as the interminable loads of numbers for various standards and regulations . Should there be an opportunity for someone to produce a directory of these I would find it most helpful .” He also mentioned he : “ would love to see more instructional articles as used to appear in the early days or features on vintage tools or techniques …”
Can anyone point us the direction of an abbreviation directory , if one already exists ? And , in response to the further request , do we have any readers who can contribute to more of the instructional articles and hints and tips we ’ ve started to feature more of – we really can ’ t do it without you …
Last but not least , letters ( or in this case emails ) really do still mean as much to me as they did all those years ago when little Gemma sat at her bedroom desk , keeping up with her correspondence . Please get in touch !
See you next time , Gemma
Loving the locksmith industry
» THIS MONTH I ’ VE INTERVIEWED SO MANY wonderful people in the trade , and the more I interview , the more I find out that the journey of a locksmith is totally random . Everyone has a different story to tell and it ’ s so interesting and intriguing what I will hear next .
This edition , I ’ ve caught up with The Locksmith Training School ; proud to offer the one and only Learn to Become a Locksmith in a Day course at its practical , hands-on training centre in St Helens . And , it ’ s offering a reader special discount and FREE locksmith kit . It ’ s great to hear what ’ s available to those wanting to train to become a new locksmith or upskill to offer an additional service .
Also , I caught up with Shades of Green : Secure ; with the accolade of being number two locksmith in Yorkshire . A multi-trader offering not just locksmithing but an army of trades , ran by ex-army soldiers : Colin Pool and James Mack . The totally fearless Colin Pool has fallen through roofs , and it hasn ’ t put him off going back up . He also loves motorbikes and is an adrenaline junkie … being a TT riding martial in his spare time . Colin explains that services they offer don ’ t stop at the door ; but actually start at the door .
Then , check out our story from Claymore Locks & Safe Co , ran by Graeme MacDonald . Graeme is proud to be one of the few expert master locksmiths in Scotland and maintains masterkey systems in over 300 sites . He told me how he gained his masterkey experience and also what he loves and hates about locksmithing .
Stories in locksmithing never cease to amaze us at The Locksmith Journal . Not only are the stories are delightful and inspiring to other locksmiths and new budding locksmiths joining the trade , it ’ s great publicity for your company , products and services – and we will research and the write the article completely free of charge . Are you an independent locksmith or auto locksmith with an interesting story to tell , get in touch with me so I can set up an interview . Email me on wendy @ cvgroup . co . uk
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MARCH 2024
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