Yes, that’s me, in about 1980, fixing a gilded finial atop the cupola above the Ferrers Centre Coffee Shop. The finial was turned in pitch pine by our furniture maker, Dick Bass, who also lent me the drill to make a hole for the dowel. Maybe it wasn’t strong enough; thirty years later it blew down and smashed. The present finial was made in steel by Dave and Tom, our blacksmiths, gilded by Dave, our house manager, and fitted by Sean, our buildings manager. Our craftspeople at Staunton embrace more skills than you can shake a stick at. As for me, the spirit is willing, it’s just the legs which let me down these days. – John Blunt