Difference between revisions of "1950 The "Road Men""

From Lacey Green History

 
(2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
 
At road junctions they trimmed back the hedges, so that motorists, cycles, etc., could see any oncoming traffic.    Keeping the ditches clear prevented water building up into “ponds” on the roads.   They would cut the grass and the hedges to perfection with the scythe and hook.
 
At road junctions they trimmed back the hedges, so that motorists, cycles, etc., could see any oncoming traffic.    Keeping the ditches clear prevented water building up into “ponds” on the roads.   They would cut the grass and the hedges to perfection with the scythe and hook.
  
''Editor's comment.''  ''Skills forgotten now, except in “hobby” competitions.''
+
click [[Geoff Gomme]] for other items written by Geoff
 
 
Geoff Gomme wrote several things that were published in Hallmark, as follows:-
 
 
 
[[1950 "Darkie"the steamroller man]]{{Social Snapshot
 
|Year=1950
 
|Village=Lacey Green
 
|Socialperiod=Category:1950's
 
}}
 

Latest revision as of 04:55, 4 August 2025

Written by Geoff Gomme of Court Cottage, Church Lane

JOBS DONE BY HAND

The road men did a great job.    They were usually fairly elderly.   They were given a stretch of road to look after.    They would cut the grass verges, trim the hedges and dig out the ditches.  They had no machines, everything was done by hand using a scythe, a “ripping” hook, a broom and a spade.

SKILLS DONE TO PERFECTION

At road junctions they trimmed back the hedges, so that motorists, cycles, etc., could see any oncoming traffic.    Keeping the ditches clear prevented water building up into “ponds” on the roads.   They would cut the grass and the hedges to perfection with the scythe and hook.

click Geoff Gomme for other items written by Geoff