Name Alastair Simms Role Character actor | Children Merlith McKendrick | |
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Died August 19, 1976, St Pancras, London Spouse Naomi Plaskitt (m. 1932–1976) Books The Unbelievers, Rosslyn Blood Movies Scrooge, The Belles of St Trinian's, Laughter in Paradise, An Inspector Calls, Green for Danger Similar People George Cole, Frank Launder, Sidney Gilliat, Naomi Plaskitt, Joyce Grenfell | ||
Alastair Simms is the one of the last remaining master coopers in England. See also L. M. Skinner of Merseyside.
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Early life
Simms grew up in the town of Masham in Yorkshire. He attended Masham CofE Primary School from 1968 to 1974 and Bedale High School from 1974 to 1979.
Training
Simms began his apprenticeship in 1979, training at Theakston Brewery in Masham. He became a journeyman cooper in 1983. He attained the rank of master in 1994 when his apprentice completed his training, which is the requirement for mastery.
Career
After leaving Theakston Brewery in 1995 he worked for eighteen years at Wadworth Brewery. In 2013 he set up his own business, the White Rose Cooperage, in Yorkshire.
Simms is involved in the upcoming film In the Heart of the Sea, providing barrels and other items, creating a cooperage on the set and being filmed working with other craftsmen.