History Month Fact 12: Occupations
The occupations of people recorded in the 1881 census together with adverts and comments in the local paper show that sheep, dairy cattle and pigs were farmed locally. They were also marketed locally at Newbury and Reading as well as by public auction at farms; sheep also went to the local sheep fairs such as those at East Ilsley. Drovers, such as the one living in Long Lane, must have been important in moving animals to market and elsewhere. Milk almost certainly was sent off to the big cities by rail in the milk train.
