Young Bermudians at CedarBridge Academy will have the chance to become a jack of all trades following the donation of shoe repair equipment from the Peerless Shoe Clinic, which closed last week after more than 75 years in business.

Phillip Warner has now retired after more than four decades in the cobbling trade and Deputy Chairman of the CedarBridge Academy Board, Corey Butterfield, said yesterday: "We are grateful that Mr. Warner is so socially minded and we are very happy with his offer."

Not only will students be lucky enough to use the exquisite machinery which is in perfect working order, they will also be taught by Mr. Warner who has always been keen to pass his trade on to young Bermudians.

Mr. Warner will teach students as he learned - to make shoes from scratch as well as the art of repairs.

A very tired Mr. Warner was clearing out his store yesterday afternoon and said: "I'm so happy. I tell you I had a shot of scotch!" He said he was very glad that CedarBridge had taken the machinery and added that after a well deserved holiday he would be going to teach students the art of the cobblers trade in the new year.

Mr. Butterfield - a customer at the clinic- explained that CedarBridge was lucky enough to take possession of the equipment after he had a conversation with another customer, Roosevelt Brown.

Mr. Brown told him the business was closing and Mr. Warner was keen to donate the equipment to one of the Island's schools in an effort to keep the trade alive, and he thought about Mr. Butterfield and CedarBridge.

The rest is falling - or being hoisted - into place, except for the minor detail of where the new machinery will be located.

However, Mr. Butterfield is confidant that the School's facility manager will soon locate an appropriate space to set up a workshop.

Time was of the essence as Mr. Warner was leaving the Island and vacating his premises and the machines needed to be relocated urgently.

The business officially closed on Saturday after 75 years. Mr. Warner, a St. Kitts native, came to Bermuda on October 4, 1964 to work in the business which was run by Nicki and Edi Francis.

The Francis' had run the business for more than 30 years before selling it to Edmund Gibbons, the father of former Premier Sir David Gibbons, who sold the business to Gilbert Perry who eventually sold it to Mr. Warner.

The business has been in many locations including Washington Mall, Burnaby Street and now Church Street, and Mr. Warner says he is closing the business as it is time to move on. Years of dust have also impacted Mr. Warner's health, whose eyesight is sadly failing.

Mr. Warner's services will be sadly missed by his loyal customers, and they can only hope that he sparks the interest of a young CedarBridge student to carry on the noble cobblers trade.