I have an original copy of the 'Report on Northampton, Bucks, & Beds, Lace-Making' by Alan Cole. Dated 1891 it is really concentrating more on the production i.e. quality of the lace being produced and the general age of the lace makers at that time. Sadly he didn't name the workers he spoke to, referring to them by surname initial Mrs A, Miss B and so on. He appears to have visited a few villages including - in Northamptonshire - Spratton, Paulerspury, Wicken. Bucks - Padbury, Lacey Green, Princes Risborough. Beds - Ridgmont. He quotes the article on the Spratton Lace School which has been used since by everyone producing a book on the East Midlands lace industry etc. A few of the workers spoke of other lace schools. Mrs E. used to keep a school. Amongst her pupils were boys who were as successful at the wok as girls. Mrs F. had learnt lace-making at a lace school 20 years ago at Kislingbury (Northants). Mrs H. had received her instruction years ago at a lace school in Naseby. " Mrs L. who had been a lace-making girl for some time, had been a servant for years. So, too, had Mrs J. who was glad to be able to make lace. She had sometimes 'done a bit' whilst in service. Probably his meeting with Mrs T. of Wicken is the most interesting. She spoke strongly in favour of children being taught. 'I was always fond of my pillow, and never went but to a lace school, and the larning of my alphabet I got in church. Children ought to be got at the lace-making, and I blame the mothers for not larning them now. When they come to be cripples they're glad of warking on their pillows'. When it was suggested she might talk to others on the subject she said. 'I never goes a-neighbouring' - love it!! One other point he makes is about the 'immorality amongst lace-makers'. 'Lace-making, however, kept up by proper supervision to a decent standard of performance, and subject to frequent variety of pattern, exercises the mental faculties'. I think that's a very good excuse for us to make lots of lace!! Diana in Northants
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