William Needham
WANDERING ODD JOB MAN CIRCA 1937
Itinerants like William were a common sight in the country and town as late as the 1950's. They were ‘Jack's of all trades' capable of turning their hands to all kinds of work. During the year William could be found in Kent picking hops; in Herefordshire or Somerset picking apples or knocking on doors in the midlands offering to do painting, gardening, carpentry, in fact anything.
William, whose mother was a Ringwood, was a miner in the Nottinghamshire coalfields, he served in the army during the First World War where he was wounded. On demob he returned to his colliery until the general strike of 1926 after which he never returned, taking up his present occupation.
During the presentation William talks about his interesting life and, as well as showing the tools of his trade, makes gypsy clothes pegs that he would have sold to supplement his income. He has also been known to indulge in a little poaching.
This is very good character for a 1930-40 themed event. Many people still remember men like William.
