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The open razor was used by Lizzie (Elizabeth Titcombe nee Strange 1894-1975) to cut corns. People would call in and say “Hey Lizzie, come yer and cut this corn.” She was also called upon to lay out the dead. In those days the dead were not taken to the funeral palour but remained in the house until the day of the burial.
Going not too far back in time (1900-40) Greenhill was quite an isolated community. It had 3 shops (2 grocery, 1 tobacco and pop) and a chimney sweep, Mr Parker, who charged 3/- (15p). A religious service was held in Mr Parker’s house every Wednesday evening and children also attended Sunday Service at Lydiard Green Chapel. One of the highlights of the year was a chapel outing when children went by horse and cart to Charlton Ponds.
The population [of Greenfield] was dominated by members of families by names of Titcombe, Saunders, Beasant, Tulls, Greenaways and Clarke, and consequently nearly everyone was related to one-another. People seldom travelled anywhere to meet ‘outsiders’. Greenfield had a reputation for making homemade wine, mostly dandelion, carrot and elderberry. there is a story of the postman, who liked a tipple, having to be carried home having had one tipple too many!
I remember asking Charlie Clarke what he and his wife Dos did on their wedding day. He said, “We went to Gloucester cattle market.” Those were the days!
Many thanks, Stuart and a Happy New Year to all.