The Workers of
Forge Mill Needle Museum
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There was
a popular misconception about the needle workers in the
early days, it was written that, “those who work on
Mr James’ premises are well off for air, light and
cheerfulness”. This was written about the Victoria needle works in 1852 by Charles Dickens. It was not quite the way Dickens had written it. There were women and children working in the needle industry because they were cheaper to employ and easier to get rid of. Most of the workers worked in unholy conditions, someone said “dark, satanic mills”. It is thought that children as young as 4 years old were employed as “needlers” in some mills in Redditch. Pointers were the highest paid workers, they commanded a guinea (£1.05) a day. Boys 2 shillings (10p) a week, Women only received 8 to 12 shillings (40-60p) a week. |
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