Being village communities that were fairly detached and self-sufficient prior to the advent of motorised transport, the majority of the population of the two villages were involved in activities directly relevant to those communities. Many were agricultural labourers, working for local farmers and alongside them were a collection of tradespeople, from Blacksmiths to Wheelwrights. The local trades directories of the mid nineteenth century through to the First World War reflected the tradespeople of the villages alongside the local farmers. These farmers also embraced additional industries such as Milling and Lime Burning, and also had other benefits from their land such as the Kings Newnham Baths.
By the end of the nineteenth century the list of trades held by Villagers would include Smallholders, Cobbler, Blacksmith, Butcher, Bricklayer, Carpenter / Sawyer, Carrier, Gamekeeper, Grazier, Groom, Miller, Painter, Platelayer, Roadman, Shepherd, Waggoner, Wheelwright as well as those known as “labourers”, which normally referred to a Farm Labourer, and occasionally there was a separate listing of “cowman” or “shepherd”. The trades are shown below in the Midland Times and Rugby Gazette of 1900. It can be noted there was no cobbler listed at that time, although there had been in earlier directories. This was around the time the villagers were encouraged to attend Technical Training in crafts such as shoe mending – and indeed these were crafts the villagers could demonstrate at the Triennial Kings Newnham and Church Lawford Flower Show and Industrial Exhibition which began in 1900.
Village tradespeople were regularly listed in the various village directories that were published during the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. One of the most useful such directories of the nineteenth century was the White’s 1874 directory – see link. Moving forward to 1940, the Kelly’s Business Directory entries for the two villages, showing the tradespeople of the day can be found here.
The 1900 Midland Times and Rugby Gazette Trade Directory entries can be seen below
