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.

Here are some examples

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

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