General Chat

I also found the series interesting, like most of these
programmes I overlook the plucked eyebrows etc and
find that info on the subject from others on this thread
whose ancestors worked in the mills gives me a true
account on what took place there.

Emma :-)

Most of mine worked in Mills, mostly the women making hat boxes , a weaver, a spinner and the even the married women with children, I have the scanned copies of most of their marriage certs and most were signed with a X and one was called Rider but signed her name Riderer, 5 gen of journey man hatters also, my GGrandfather died aged just 29 and most of the others before they were 40. My MIL worked in the Mill in the 1930/40's and she once told me that one of the girls plucked her eyebrows however after she finished the 1st one the horn blew for back to work so she went back to work with 1 perfectly plucked eyebrow :-D

I enjoyed The Mill most of the time, but didn't like the ending, as I wanted Tommy to be brought back and given his artificial arm. So sad to see him left in the Workhouse, and also annoyed that 'they' let that horrible man escape after all the nasty things he had done and especially leaving that poor little girl to die alone.

It was bad enough seeing how people lived in those days, so glad my family members didn't work in mills, mostly ag labs and such up to stone masons, and carpenters, Several females ended up in service and some rellies worked for the railways. (as did I at one point in my life lol)

Lizx

Brilliant series,
I think Tommy ended up in the workhouse.

Regarding tonights episode of The Mill. (the last one!).
I wanted to know what happened to Tommy?

Tonight I caught up with last weeks episode and watched tonights offering (the last).

While I agree Rollo that it would be inlikely that workhouse girls of the 1830's would be able to read (and write)., it was stressed that the apprentices at this mill were taught to read, (and should count themselves lucky).

I was more surprised that Esther had paper and a writing implement, (not needed forr her work in the mill). Also that her writing was so clear and well formed. I believe that some people that could read were unable to write. eg looking at 1901 Census in Ireland - where the question of reading and writing ability is raised.)

Yes, it would have been better if the workers wore clogs. Also if they didn't have their eyebrows shaped!

Perhaps the starting time of 8pm meant that some of the harsher aspects of reality were rather watered down.

Having said all that, i did enjoy the series.

The last episode had workhouse girls in 1830 able to read and write - wildly unlikely - and even more improbably able to drive a pony and trap. Not to mention the usual problem that producers have in grasping that poor people in 1830 would not have possessed leather shoes but wore wooden clogs.

As drama I don't mind them bending facts a bit. However the series is pretending that this is an accurate representation of life at the time which is nonsense. For the mill workers it was quite a lot worse than portrayed on tv.

The most likely sentence for taking a pony and chase without permission would be transportation.

Is it really?? Shucks I thought there was more :-(

Tonight is the last in the programme.

Emma :-)

Yeah! Looking forward to it! :-D

:-) :-)

Emma

Just a reminder for tonight.

Emma :-)

catherine cooksons are on the telly

Rollo if I remember right, I think that was mentioned
last night that if the girl didn't pick up the pieces of
cotton off the floor one spark could set it on fire.

Very interesting info about your ancestors re diaries and plans,
such a treasure to have.

Emma

The HD version is a lot better to view, it does not suffer from the "dark" effect to anything like the same degree.

Some of my ancestors were mill engineers and I still have some of their diaries and plans. Most cotton mills even in 1830 would have been far larger than the mill suggested in the program which seems to be about workshop size.

I don't know if this will come up in a future episode but one of the biggest dangers in the mills was fire.

Never read Catherine Cookson but also
like factual programmes like The Mill etc.

Emma :-)

think it was very good

but i do like programes [spelt wrong i think]
like the mills
also like catherine cookson

Was not disappointed with last night's programme.
The harshness of the time is acted out well and the
sadness of the little girl's death was very moving,
although I knew she would die on the way.

Emma

Sunday nights are currently very good, telewise! :-)

Im sooo looking forward to :-)