Making a living

Until the mid-twentieth century, the great majority of local people worked on the land. There were also many specialist craftsmen whose livelihood depended on the farmers and their hired men.

The forge at Mawbray

Most important among these was the blacksmith. His day-to-day work included, not only keeping the farm horses well shod, but making and repairing farm implements.

The wooden wheels on the farm carts had iron tyres and these had to be renewed at regular intervals.

Some blacksmiths had a side-line too!

Tom Graham had the forge in Mawbray and doubled-up as landlord of the Lowther Arms. At Highlaws, on the back road to Abbeytown, the Rudds, father and son were blacksmiths for many years.

Another vital service for the farming community was provided by the local carpenters and joiners.

Joseph Heskett, Allonby's shoemaker

Every village had its own cobbler and many single women made their living as dress-makers.

Then there were a few less orthodox methods of earning a crust. The Beattie family from Kirkbride were bee-keepers and Robert Glaister Little from Bankmill was a rabbit-warrener.

He leased a stretch of the sea banks between Dubmill and Silloth from the Holm Cultram Manor. Rabbits love sandy soil so he made a good living from selling their meat and fur.