This photo was taken from near the crossroads in the middle of the village (Lamb Corner) and looks up Parsonage Lane past the side of the present Post Office, which is on the right hand side, The group of ‘girls’ on Parsonage Lane are believed to be dressmakers.
But let’s first consider the name of Parsonage Lane. It might cause surprise since there has been no parsonage along this lane for 150 or so years. But once upon a time the parsonage stood in front of the existing house known as the Racquets Court. Stories abound about the reasons this building was demolished. At the museum we’d be interested to hear from anyone who thinks they know the reason for the demise of this old parsonage, which looks to have been a fine old building in this etching.
But back to our photo and a chance person in it. Can anybody name the chimney sweep who is making his way along Parsonage Lane?
And now those girls. Could one of them be Rose Polden who has featured recently in these pages?
We believe this is Rose Polden and below we see her in a known photograph.
Rose Polden, as we know from kind research and the 1911 census was a dressmaker and employer.
The other girls, we don’t have names for. Let’s hope a reader can help us. In particular, and just because she looks quite elderly, how about this ‘girl’?
If you have any information about the people or places shown here then please contact the curator.
Tags: dressmaking, Market Lavington, Museum, person, photograph, trade
August 13, 2012 at 5:39 am |
[…] have also seen, on this blog, a postcard showing Rose Polden and her merry crew of dressmakers. They were standing in Parsonage […]