Dear Ian,
Absolutely right if course.
Cornish miners did the same. Indeed, I think it can be said that what you
describe went on in most if not all metal mining areas to varying degrees
(because of their geographic location), however, it did not go on within many
if not most of the coal mining areas - but obviously must have done in one
or two areas.
The agri./mining scenario was not without it's problems for metal mines,
since, where subsist agri. was particularly common/important, harvest times
could see the mine work force disappear for weeks at a time. The mines did
and just had to put up with it: the advent of better wages to increase
output and efficiency reduced the home agri. necessity, miners still though
keeping a cow &/or pig or two etc. just to 'top up' so to speak - or basically
they had always done it didn't' want to stop, with home agri. gradually
becoming a very useful 'serious hobby'.
I remember well in 1970's Weardale, that a surprising number of Dale
miners took a serious interest in growing vegetables - partic. leeks, and leek
shows were a very seriously taken regular seasonal event. I remember well
one show at the Miners Arms in Nenthead, where two had a very very heated
argument about their entries! No blows, but came close until their friends
came to the rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, old historic habits from absolute
requirement of necessity die hard, just becoming a seriously taken hobby in the
end.
Regards, Bernard
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