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Conclusion to Project Two
Location: Lincolnshire
Conclusion to Project Two by the Leverton History Group
As this is the last book of the Village of Leverton to be written by the present members of the Leverton History Group it is with some sadness we come to the close of our second village project. There is lots of nostalgia, too, remembering our interviews with the many members of our Parish, and beyond, particularly with our older members, some of whom are in their mid – nineties. Listening to their anecdotes of when they were young children in the village, their school work, and when they reached 11 or 12 years of age (and many before those ages) were put to work on the land harvesting potatoes and helping with the myriad jobs in agriculture.
The ladies told us of when, on leaving school many were ‘placed into service’, working as ‘maids - of - all – work’ for the larger houses, manors or halls belonging to the major landowners, not just in their immediate area, but also further afield earning, in the early 1900’s, the princely sum of £5 per year.
Most of what we were told could be readily taken to the printers to be preserved for posterity, but there were stories describing the conditions some of them were compelled to work under and the way some were treated by the lady of the house, so, with names being mentioned and only some 80 years since these events, and not wanting to hurt the feelings of any descendents it was felt we should be tactful and not publish fully, what we were told.
There are several generations of farm labourers, too, who lived and worked in the early 1900’s (and before) and who were subjected to poor pay, poor housing conditions and if working for a particularly unfeeling farmer was never sure whether he and his family would be turned out of their tied cottage to face a uncertain future. Those days are not forgotten by many older people living today and they in turn remember stories told to them by their parents; consequently, feeling smoulders on.
Not all stories were bad, however, many of the farmers being heads of good Christian families and treated their working staff accordingly.
Anyone thinking of researching and recording the history and culture of their particular area should give it a try. It is a very worthwhile journey into the unknown – hard work and time consuming – yes, but that journey is well worth the time given. It can be compared very much with genealogical research, when that illusive piece of the jigsaw won’t reveal itself, followed by the joy and elation when it does, and everything begins to come together.
No one can find and record everything from the distant and more recent past, and it is very tantalising to realise there is maybe two thousand years of history in and around those quiet leafy lanes of your village, and you are only scratching the surface, as it were.
The joy of seeing a project come to a successful conclusion and the overwhelming acceptance of your finished work by your parishioners makes it all even more worthwhile. It becomes clear, then, – it was a job well done!
Please carry on the good work for your community, there are always various projects to begin, or to become involved in, around and about your area. Just one way to keep, or bring a community together is to show everyone that people within it are working for them in various ways and on their behalf for the betterment of life within that community.
Keep up the good works.
The Leverton History Group
Group Name |
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Leverton History Group |
| Project Contact |
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Alan Tosney |
| Project Postcode |
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PE21 7RU |
| Finishing Date |
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April 2006 |
| Local Community Involvement / Partnerships: |
| Boston Borough Council donated £474 to help with the project, from their Regeneration Fund |
| Grants: |
Heritage Lottery Fund: £8941
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