Pages

The decline of production in North Mymms

A North Mymms gardener in the 1900s Image from P Grant / G Nott, part of the images of North Mymms collection
A North Mymms gardener in the 1900s
Image from P Grant / G Nott, part of the images of North Mymms collection

In early Victorian times the majority of those living in North Mymms were heavily involved in production. Many of the men were farmers or farm labourers, many women were employed in straw plaiting for hat making. Over time, the production of goods declined to be replaced by the provision of services. In the second half of the 19th century those involved in farming fell by 39%, general labouring fell by 50%.

Hat makers moved out because of overseas competition and 70 woman employed in straw plaiting lost their jobs. Many moved into the service industry, meeting the needs of the influx of stockbrokers, solicitors and merchants who moved to the area and needed their gardens tended and their laundry done.

Peter Kingsford wrote about the North Mymms ‘service economy’ in an article in the May 1990 issue of the Chancellor’s Community Newsletter, reproduced here with permission of the publisher.  Click on the image below for a larger version. 

The decline of production in North Mymms

 



Comments and information welcome




If you have anything to add to this feature, or just want to add your comments, please use the comment box below.



No comments:

Post a Comment

Comments on this piece
If you have any information to add to this item, please use the comment box below. We welcome input and are keen to update any piece with new research or information. Comments are pre-moderated, so there will be a delay before they go live. Thanks

Further information
If you require any further information relating to this, or any other item, please use the contact form, because we are unable to reply directly to you via this comment box. You can access it from the 'contact us' link at the top of any page on the website, at the bottom of the right hand side of the website, or at the bottom of any page.