Men at Work: Our latest Library Exhibition

United Woodworking Company Workforce in about 1936

Our latest library exhibition is running now until mid-August 2025 in the Wychwoods Library in Milton. We feature a selection of images of Wychwoods men at their labours in all kinds of occupations. As with all our exhibitions in the library, these images have been selected from donations over time to our archive.

Men at Work: Our latest Library Exhibition » Men at Work

Turning the first sods for the New Beaconsfield Hall Shipton 1997

United Woodworking Co Station Road Shipton. Phillip Hepden working on a device to raise bales onto a waggon pulled by a tractor to a design by Bob Griffin. Taken in 1950s

United Woodworking Company Workforce in about 1936 Taken in front of the polishing shop Back row from left:Ernie Belcher (Lyneham), Cyril Lainchbury, Victor Brooks, Don Pittaway, Horace Pittaway, Alf Carpenter Middle row from left: Jim Slatter, Sid Harvey, Phyllis Longshaw (nee Siford), Dan Wiggins, Alf Smith, Harry Coombes, Jaybee Broom, Laurie Pittaway, Francis Dix, Sid Tierney (Church Street), Norman Cooper Front row from left: Albert Longshaw (first husband of Phyllis Siford), Charlie Norgrove (Mount Pleasant), Charlie Stringer (Fifield), Arthur Shirley (Ascott), Fred Smith (Milton, second husband of Phyllis Siford), Alf Harvey (Alf Harvey and Sid Harvey were borthers as were Horace and Don Pittaway). Alf Harvey and Don Pittaway worked for the Company fromits inception in 1923. Sid Tierney was possibly the only man to have workied in all three tillyards when they were independent operations

United Woodworking Co's Station Road Shipton Workshop probably in the early 1930s and taken looking towards the end of the making shop. The man front left is Charlie Norgrove. The man facing away from the camera second on the right is Jaybee Broom. On his left is Jim Slatter and on the extreme right is Sid Tierney JR says was taken around 1928

Jack Wilkes in 1996 told John Rawlings that this was in fact Norman Wilkes and was not at Lyneham but possibly Churchill Heath in Churchill grounds

Removing the stone bull's head from Harmon's butchers

Bill and Norman Wilks timber felling at Shipton Lodge, Lord Latimers Estate 1940

Groves timber yard Milton in the 1920s with Mr Thomas Alfred Groves

Cutting up wood Milton under Wychwood Poplar Farm House in corner

Frog Lane Milton under Wychwood - Horace Burrus 1930s. Off to work

Ascott under Wychwood. Chestnut Close now called Wychwood Manor with group of workmen (perhaps the builders?)

Harman's Butchers, Michael Harman in shop, High Street Milton

Ridley's milk delivery Milton c. 1940

Photo taken in the Orchard Garden of 'Bleak House' Left to Right: John Goldingham - nephew of the Batt family Ken Rawlins - gardener for the Batt family 1920s -1950s Cyril Bridgeman - 'helper' from Pear Tree Close; may have been paid. Later worked for Wessex Electricity Date: 1930s

Rebuilding The Old Bakehouse, Upper Milton Mr Smith and Mr Fred Silman Mr Smith, father of Amy (later Morrison) & Walker (m Vi Miles) Date: c1930

Ox-roasting in Moreton-in-Marsh in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II Coronation - 1953

Les Townsend - Master Mason: Fifield:. Date: c.1952

Les Townsend - Master Mason; Fifield. Photograph of his tool set. ; Date: c.1952

Photo by Maria Matthews of Fifield. Model is said to be a Shepherd from Fifield. : Date: 1902

Putting up the Shipton Christmas Tree on the Green 1982 Left to right Malcolm Cochrane, C Preston, Bernard Hawcutt

Hog Roast at Shipton Fete 1977

Work in the Wychwoods

The nature of employment in the Wychwood villages has shifted significantly over time. Traditionally, most villagers worked locally in agriculture, wood-based trades, domestic service, railways, schools, and self-employed roles like cobbler, blacksmith, or chimney sweep. Agriculture continues of course, but mechanisation has reduced manpower needs. From the 1960s, many of these other jobs have largely disappeared, replaced by roles aligned with modern life—such as work involving computers, electronics, pet care, and part-time domestic services (e.g., cleaners, gardeners, home-helps), now often serving private homes, schools, and care facilities rather than large estates.

Building firms have moved from direct to contract labour, resulting in more self-employed tradespeople. There has also been growth in the transport and catering sectors.

In addition to these changes over time, there has been a major increase in remote work, with residents running businesses from home thanks to digital connectivity.

Read on for selected articles on business, trades and industry in the Wychwoods