My fork, minus its handle which broke some years ago. The business end is about fifty years old, and good for another few tree roots, stones and whatever life throws at a superb piece of Brum engineering.

How to remove the pretty rotten hidden shaft? Burning it out I had read somewhere- nope, not hot enough flame. So I drilled and chiselled with an old screwdriver and bingo! Now, next step…?

“Have a new fork for Christmas “, offered Sandie who was obviously feeling guilty for breaking it. Not strictly true as truth be told it was already broken when she grabbed it to wield against some poor defenceless weed. It was lurking in the shed as I couldn’t throw it away. Once she had half broken the shaft it was suggested it could be decorative in the veg patch offering a welcome respite perch for exhausted robins searching for grubs and worms.

And that was its role until…. I decided to replace the shaft!