Rob Davies
These school Log Book entries show
how important the "Hiring Fair"
was to communities in country districts. These fairs were held in most
towns twice a year, in May and in November. Usually held in the market
square, they were a bit like a livestock market, except that it was work
and not animals that was being traded !
People looking for jobs, including
young school leavers, would meet with local employers including farmers
and the agents for large estates belonging to the gentry of the district.
Anyone hired as a "living in" servant
for up to a year at an agreed sum of money would be legally obliged to
stay in the job for that period.
Many were stuck with bad employers and terrible working conditions until
the end of their 'contract'.
