The Fernhurst Society
Tales from the Archives - 17
Jobs for the boys
Writing about his boyhood in Fernhurst in the 1930s, John Gale recorded the number and variety of jobs a boy could do to earn a bit of extra cash.
While apprenticed to Jack Standing, John also rode a trades bike for Ron Cole and eventually graduated to his own trades bike, working in the evenings for 1/6d, something like a few pounds these days. Some Saturday mornings he would assist Jeff White deliver logs by pony and cart from Mr Williams’ timber yard (where Russet Court now stands).
As John’s grandfather had his coal yard at the rear of the Village Hall, he was able to earn some more money bagging up coal for him. There was also money to be made haymaking and stabling the horses at Cooksbridge Farm. From the age of 11, bird-stopping was another opportunity not to be missed – and you got your midday dinner thrown in too!
Even before leaving school at the age of 14, some boys were given special permission by the headmaster to work in the woods with their fathers during the winter term from the age of 12.
If you would like to know more about this story, or research other local topics, the Archive is open on Tuesdays, 2.30-5pm in the Village Hall. Other times by arrangement.
Christine Maynard
Fernhurst ArchiveOne of a series of short articles bringing you some of the incidents from our rich village history. Collated by Christine Maynard, based on documents preserved at the Fernhurst Archives, these originally were published in the monthly Fernhurst News.
The Fernhurst Archives
Fernhurst History
