Plumbing? It's no problem
Plumbing is not my forte. In fact I would go as far to say that with any form of DIY, I normally do it wrong about five times before I eventually succeed. However my job then also involves patching up the new holes in the wall or searching for a Yellow Pages to phone for expert help.
So, when West Suffolk College, in Bury St Edmunds, launched its new adult education brochure I decided it was time to change this routine. I found the courses in DIY and, while when I noticed there was a plumbing course aimed at women I initially thought it was a bit sexist, I quickly realised the reasoning behind it and signed up. After all, testing my skills at plumbing would be bad enough without being surrounded by members of the opposite sex as well.
Then, on Saturday, I trundled down to Anglian Lane Industrial Estate and was greeted by the friendly face of tutor Brendan Kennedy. Although I was sceptical anyone would be able to help me to improve my DIY skills, I was to be proved wrong.
The range of taps, pipes, valves and other things you would find in your toilet laid out on a table was initially daunting, but after a cup of tea and a biscuit I soon learned a thing or two.
We were shown how to fix a leaking tap, how to turn the water off at the mains or at an isolating valve, how to unblock a sink or toilet and what to do if your toilet stops flushing or starts leaking.
The lessons didn't stop there as we had the chance to solder copper piping together, as well as play with the plastic alternatives.
There may have been a few leaks but we learned from our mistakes and tried again.
After the three-hour course I got the feeling every woman in the room was brimming with ideas about how to fix the minor problems around their home (even if they didn't have any). I was ready to rip out my toilet cistern and tackle the niggling little things which had annoyed me for months. Luckily for my housemates I still haven't visited the plumbing centre to buy the equipment, but I'm sure it will happen any day now.
I would definitely recommend the course, even if you don't want to tackle the plumbing yourself it helps you to know whether your plumber is doing a bodge job or charging the earth for something that would cost you pennies.
n The next plumbing for women course is on January 17, 2009. The college also runs DIY for women courses, next scheduled for January 1 and April 11.
The college offers more than 630 adult education courses in Bury, Haverhill, Mildenhall, Stowmarket, Sudbury and Thurston, covering subjects including art, photography, book-keeping, computing, wine appreciation and interior design. Call 01284 766133 for more information.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Friday 25 May 2012
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