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3 articles
Somerset's repair economy is no sideshow: it is a skilled trade keeping tools, furniture and historic fittings in service. This article argues that menders should be recognised through guild standards, training routes and repair-first procurement, and sets out practical steps for customers and councils.
Three Somerset Guild member workshops are showing that hand-tool trades remain a living part of the county's economy. Their 2026 apprenticeships and short courses connect practical skill, local procurement and heritage repair in ways that matter to employers and trainees alike.
Wet Somerset winters expose poor specification faster than any inspection. This practical guide sets out what clients should ask before appointing stonemasons, lime plasterers and conservation specialists for older and listed buildings in late 2026.