MY APPRENTICESHIP
On leaving school aged fifteen I was immediately able to start work in my father's business in Morley. Yorkshire. Working and serving my apprenticeship in the Footwear Repair Business he owned and managed.
Six years later at the age of twenty-one the Footwear Repair Business and both the responsibly of owning and running it became mine. I decided to move the business into nearby different and more suitable premises.
MY AGREEMENT
Very near to my business premises there was a parcel of land. On this land a customer of mine kept some livestock. He kept a number of pigs and some poultry, hens and chickens. Unfortunately he fell ill and because of his illness he gave me opportunity to rent this piece of land. I agreed to do so, and decided to go into pig keeping too.
It was Monday afternoon when a good paying customer came into the shop premises and said "Cliff, could you let a friend of mine put his caravan on that piece of land you have?" I agreed to this.
MY ANXIETY
Later that same day I closed the shop at six o'clock, and walked over the road to feed my pigs. Looking down Bridge Street in Morley was a horse drawn caravan. Yes, that's right it was indeed the caravan I had allowed on my land. I was filled with anxiety when I realized fully what I had let myself in for. This sighting was the start of many years of contact with Gypsies. Although at that moment I was very concerned, what would neighbours and business customers think?
In spite of the inward turmoil I fulfilled my agreement and Darkie Rogers, his wife and six beautiful little girls all with lovely black hair done in ringlets, came to stay on my land, and into my heart as friends. Later I had dealings with Darkie in pigs, poultry and dogs, buying and selling, never once did he try to do me a wrong deal.
MY ASSURANCE
In all this I kept my faith and trust in the Lord. Darkie Rogers and family knew I was a Christian. Also, that I was an active member of the Salvation Army in Morley. It was Christmas time and whilst I was out in Morley town playing Christmas carols with the Salvation Army Band, Darkie came over to the Band and gave a generous donation to the Work. It was nice of him to do so. I remember clearly two incidents the happened that first week on the land. Going early in the morning to feed my pigs and livestock, Darkie had roasted a hedgehog in Gypsy fashion and had just cracked it open for breakfast. I must add it looked delicious too.
MY AMAZEMENT
On the second occasion I was returning back to business after dinner, and there was Darkies wife and some of the little dark haired girls herding and guiding escaped pigs off the main road. The pigs had somehow managed to escape the pig pen (no fault of Darkies) here were his family working so hard to get them all back to safety. The incident now seems rather funny, but at the time it was a serious and potentially a dangerous matter. They did get all the pigs back with success.
In fashion with, and like all Gypsies, Darkie's family needed to move on eventually.
So this was the first of many future contacts I was to make Gypsies, their caravans and lifestyles over the years. (Some of which I will write about in the next article.)
My fear and real anxiety at the beginning with Darkie Rogers was totally unfounded, and let me add this fact, I did not have one single complaint about them as a family from neighbours or from my business customers, or indeed from anyone.