Hopping (1916):fewer men; delinquent kids.

Post date: Mar 08, 2012 4:52:45 PM

Extract from Parish magazine October 1916:

[ Statement of accounts not reproduced]

The hop-picking this year seems to have passed off quietly. The decrease in the number of men pickers seems to have caused no serious inconvenience, unless it had something to do with the disorderly conduct of the children, who were present in much larger numbers than usual. We have reports of depredations committed by the youngsters upon fruit and flowers; and certainly they proved a great nuisance in the Club Room. We presume that the growers will take steps next year to limit the number of children allowed to come down with the adult pickers; and if the children cannot behave themselves in the Club Room we shall have to refuse them admittance. Our experience in this matter confirms the reports of a serious increase in juvenile crime throughout the country—one of the by-products, presumably, of the war.

The crop is said to be a poor one both in quality and quantity. At the outset mould caused serious apprehension, but, as the picking proceeded, it ceased to run, and hops that otherwise would have been abandoned were fortunately saved. In the market the demand is active and prices seem to be advancing.

With regard to the Mission, we were unable this year to open the Little Hoppers' Hospital, but a well-furnished dispensary, organised in stables kindly lent by Mr. Coombs, and did very useful work under Nurse Smith, with Mrs. Lawson as recorder—322 patients and 475 attendances. Dr. Sander kindly gave advice when occasion required. The dispensary was open from September 1st to 23rd. Miss Drabble, who has worked for many years elsewhere, was the principal lady-worker supplied by the Church of England Mission to manage the Vicarage Stall and Club Room. She had the help, first of Miss Madan, and later of Miss Towers; but it would have been impossible for these ladies to cope with the work without the regular assistance of many residents—for which we are grateful. We also wish to express our thanks for numerous gifts of jam and fruit.

All the stalls did well; the return of takings shows that the hoppers must have had more money to spend than usual—another by-product of the war. Pearce, our paid stall-man, who managed the Station and Cannon Court Stalls, is a most efficient and reliable man, who has been with us for several hoppings, and we hope will come again. It may be well to say, though it is generally known, that the lady-workers give their services, receiving from us only their out-of-pocket expenses of travelling, board and lodgings. There was no Conference this year. We must express our grateful thanks to the numerous subscribers to our funds. The Vicar, who for reasons of health, is not allowed to take part in the actual work, and goes away for at least a part of the hopping, is, nevertheless, responsible for all the organisation and for the accounts. Mrs. Livett collects the subscriptions, and overlooks affairs generally in the Vicar's absence.