Man dubbed 'the drain-spotter' opens exhibition

A man whose passion for cleaning drains and manhole covers has led to him being jokingly nicknamed "the drain spotter" is sharing his life's work in a special exhibition.

Grandfather Archie Workman's unique obsession began with his day job working to maintain and clean drains for a council.

"If I see a drain I just jump out and clean it," the 75-year-old said.

The exhibition, at Manchester Central Library, features photos of drains and manhole covers from long-forgotten foundries, which Mr Workman said were "barely acknowledged" by the many people who walk past them each day.

The former "Anorak Of The Year" award winner developed his interest in street furniture through his work as a lengthsman for a Lake District parish council several years ago.

Historically, lengthsmen were employed by councils to keep roads between villages neat and passable and were responsible for maintaining a specific section or "length" of a road, railway, or canal.

The role now sees him spending some 30 hours per week seeking out and cleaning drains, which is also his devoted hobby.

"I just have this passion for cleaning drains and I keep all these tools in the back of my vehicle," Mr Workman said.

The enthusiast, who is based in Cumbria and once produced a calendar dedicated to drains, added: "I like the fact the lettering gets a lovely shine if you put a wire brush on it."

He said cleaning drains also reminded him of his first job in a shipyard in north-east England.

"I love the way the slots are different, a lot of thought has gone into them," he said.

"From the foundry to the pattern maker, the guys who would cast them and then clean to get rid of the rough edges

"I started my career in a shipyard and had to do a very similar job."

The exhibition runs until the end of June and also features Mr Workman's friend Peter Sishton, whose obsession is manholes.

"Peter told me he had funding for the exhibition and asked me to join it. I just can't believe it."

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