Backbarrow Swill Makers early 1900s

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library

Backbarrow Swill Makers early 1900s

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 32380420

© The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive / Mary Evans

Cumbria Makers

EDITORS COMMENTS
This vintage photograph, titled 'Backbarrow Swill Makers early 1900s' is an intriguing glimpse into the past, brought to us by The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive Collection from Mary Evans Prints Online. The image transports us back in time to the quaint village of Backbarrow in Cumbria, England, during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The photograph showcases a group of local residents, engaged in the traditional practice of swill collecting. Swill, a term used for the leftover food waste from farms and households, was an essential resource for many rural communities during this period. The villagers would collect this waste and sell it to farmers for use as animal feed, making it an integral part of the local economy. In the photograph, we see a woman, dressed in a long, dark skirt and a shawl, holding a large wicker basket on her back. She is surrounded by her fellow villagers, all carrying similar baskets filled with swill. The wooden, oak lantern in the foreground adds an extra layer of authenticity to the scene, providing light as they go about their work. The serene atmosphere of the photograph is a stark contrast to the harsh realities of rural life during this era. The simple, rustic beauty of the scene is further emphasized by the muted colors and the soft focus of the image. This photograph is not only a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the people of Backbarrow but also a reminder of a time when community and self-sufficiency were the cornerstones of rural life.

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