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MILTON, CAMBS.
Although no documentary evidence of the
diggings having extended to Milton has come to light, the proximity of the seam
on the other side of the Cam in Horningsea suggested the possibility of it
being found here. Whilst the bulk of the workings had taken place during the
1850s, 60s and 70s the only reference to the industry was in the 1880s. This
was a period of agricultural depression, evidenced by the vicar when he pointed
out to the Bishop that his living had been reduced from 620 to 451.
(CUL.EDR.C3/33) There had been many labourers laid off which had led to a
considerable migration to the towns to find alternative work. Some of those who
stayed, however, were reported to have caused problems.
”When the coprolite works at Milton
closed in 1887 complaints were made that the men, thrown out of work as a
result, loitered about the streets and robbed the shops and houses. A request
for more police protection was made, there being only one police officer
stationed at Waterbeach, who had to cover the whole area between Upware and
Chesterton and between Chittering and Milton.”
(Enid Porter, CSIA, Newsletter, June 1973
vol.5 no.7,pp.5-6)
Agricultural rents rarely reached £2 an
acre. When agricultural wages were about £0.50a week, coprolite diggers on
fourteen shillings a week left the farms in droves to work in the pits.