Scrap Man With Only 180 Degrees

“Remember Mr Barker, I’m a scrap man with only 180 degrees of a market to go at; the rest is in the Humber Estuary.”

No truer statement has been made I feel, than those words of one Mr Norman Leek, Captain of the good ship, Jonathan Potts Ltd.

Many years ago, I walked into Jonathan Potts Ltd to be greeted by a Mrs Leek, who told me the man I needed to speak to was a Mr Norman Leek (Mr Potts, it transpired, had long since disembarked the vessel and Norman was now the man at the helm). An accountant by trade, Norman sure could make those columns add up and from that day on, I spent many an hour ‘talking scrap’ and putting the world to rights with him, admiring his business brain and his wit, which was as sharp as any razor.

Sadly a few weeks ago ill health saw him pass away, and he was taken to his final resting place to the most appropriate Steptoe & Son signature tune.

It’s good to see that Mark continues on board, taking up the rudder – may the rope crane live on… well keep a couple perhaps for Norman!