FAITHFUL to the last -- that's veteran Rainford cobbler Joe Fairclough, who refuses to give the hammer and nails the boot, despite reaching the age of three-score-and-ten.

Loss of speech and hearing through meningitis at four proved no handicap to jovial Joe. Indeed, it spurred him to a happy, fulfilled life, and he is as much part of the rural scene as the village blacksmith.

A trip to his mildly-chaotic'olde curiosity shoppe' in Church Road confirms this, with tools of the trade including lasts, antediluvian stitcher, knives, rasps, files, thread, wax, laces etc., plus the pungent aroma of leather!

Rosy-cheeked, avuncular bachelor Fairclough was adopted by Rainfordians in 1947, when apprenticed to Tommy Roberts, who was also deaf-and-dumb. Sadly, Tommy died in a local road accident in 1970.

Six-footer Joe lives in Furness Avenue, Hard Lane, with brother-in-law Cornelius Palfrey, where he is cared for by niece Maureen Hamilton. This master craftsman of footwear repair treks to his labours six days a week and is a familiar figure at Windle island bus stop or -- dependent on weather -- on shank's pony (well shod in clogs!). Once back at his 'hospital for all poor soles' Joe will doctor bags, saddlery etc., cut keys, or flog you a pair of Hush Puppies. As for the time-honoured cobbler's art of releasing nails from his mouth as he hammers at the last, laugh-a-minute Joe said only one has gone down the hatch -- and Mother Nature took care of that!

Joe's ever-ready interpreter and assistant is Margaret Myler, who lives in nearby Pilkington Street and is highly skilled in the intricate arts of finger-spelling and sign language. The sole survivor of six children of James and Mary Fairclough, of Pocket Nook, Joe attended a special school at Boston Spa, Yorkshire, and honed his cobbling talents at a training centre before graduating to Mr Roberts.

After Tommy's death, chaplain Reverend Laird White acquired premises for Joe adjacent to the Eagle and Child watering hole -- very handy for clearing leather dust from his throat! Joe also enjoys a tipple at the Windle and Rainford Labour clubs as well as the Rifle. But he stubbed out his beloved briar for the last time when he had a heart attack several years ago. His other abiding pleasure is a game of dominoes with pal Arthur Topping at the Deaf Centre. "Can't hear 'em knocking!" he chuckled. Joe has strong views on what is happening in Rainford, in particular the loss of the bank and rumours of the village hall's closure rumours. But he adds: "Folk are still as friendly as when it all started for me more than half-a-century ago."

Many a glass was raised in the aforementioned watering holes to mark Joe's birthday milestone and the silver-thatched cobbler, who inspired niece Rosina Frampton to poetry with 'My Uncle's Shop', was wined and dined later at a swish restaurant.

Many happy returns Joe Fairclough -- a man who has endeared himself to the community of Rainford.