Today we spent the whole day with Henry Cade (he used to own Cade Crafts in Lewes and also worked for Singer for many many years). We took along a 96 year old 15k that at some point had been converted from a treadle to table top and then to electric. Henry spent 6 hours with Alexander today,they completely dismantled the machine,cleaned and scrubbed it,oiled it where necessary (pretty much all over!) replaced the base and cover and then Henry made Alexander re- assemble it with only minimal assistance. The machine looks and feels totally different to the one we took along this morning. Alexander has arranged to go back and spend next friday with Henry working on a different model,possibly an electric. Henry gave Alexander a book issued by Singer sometime ago that lists useful things like serial numbers so that you can tell when and where a machine was made and it also lists all the different models that have been made since 1880. It really has been a fascinating day that was well worth every minute. We also learnt a lot about the history of Singer (did you know they made vaccuum cleaners at one stage?) and one of their factories based in Clydebank. We also discussed a place called Binns Road in Liverpool which is where the Dinky toy/Hornby etc factory is. Again,utterly fantastic. We learned so much partly just because Henry was happy to tell all about his 66 years of working in this industry, and partly because he was more than happy to impart as much knowledge as he could but in the most practical way so it was interesting. He held Alexanders attention without any effort. Alexander has had the machine out and stitched a few bits already to help clean oil off of the stitching parts. Anyway,thats all for now!!