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MEAD / KINGHAM, Wigginton / Tring, early 20th century August, 2003 |
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MEAD / KINGHAM, Wigginton / Tring, early 20th century August, 2003 |
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Tim Kingham (tim.kingham @t virgin.net) has drawn my attention to the web site countrycouple which is well worth a visit by anyone with an interest in Wigginton or Tring.
Women Straw Platting at Wigginton
The main text is Violet Kingham (nee Mead) recollections, dictated in the 1980's, and this is supported by a number of photographs. She was born in Wigginton, and worked as a servant at Pendley, and Aldbury, and married Reg Kingham, of the cycle shop in Western Road, Tring. Her story is a vivid account of life in the early part of the 20th century and the friendly style is illustrated by the following extract:
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my brother Fred was 11 he went crow scaring. He had a tin tray to bang
on and a pair of clappers to change over to when the crows got used to
one sound. The field was at the top of vicarage road where we then lived
and belonged to Mr Busby. For doing his crow scaring he gave Fred 6
pence. I cannot remember for how long he had to scare the crows for to
earn this but I know I wanted to do it as well, but found it too
difficult.
While using the clappers Fred would shout “Fly away! or I’ll come with my clappers and knock you right back-ards so fly away do!” Fred also did stone picking in the same field. |
There is also an account of Reg's trip to Canada.
Kingham's Cycle Shop, Western Road, Tring
