Local History

Normally stories of tax evasion, underage drinking, and half naked factory workers are the subject of the red top papers, but it was just par for the course in 1840's Hixon in Staffordshire!

In the mid 19th Century, tax on salt was extortionate! According to Tim Moss from the Hixon Local History Society it makes today's fuel taxes look like nothing at all.

Lord Ferrers of Chartley had been informed that there was good quality salt to be found in Staffordshire.

With the money and the resources readily available, Lord Ferrers opened a Salt Works in Shirleywich, and employed many people from Hixon to work there.

Hixon Local History Society, Hixon Village Hall

BBC Radio Stoke's Local History Correspondent Katie Martin went to Hixon Village Hall to meet the Hixon Local History Society (pictured above). 

Free pint of beer

Chair of the Society Tim Moss told her that life was hard for employees of the salt works, so hard in fact that they were entitled to a free pint of beer at the end of each day, regardless of their age!

Tim described the workers' uniforms as long trousers, clogs to protect the feet from being scalded with boiling brine, and a large belt to protect their backs from the chilling draft that was caused by the furnaces.

According to Tim, reporters visiting the works during the Victorian era were shocked to discover that the employees worked topless, even the women!

To hear more from Tim Moss about the salt industry in Shirleywich, click on the link below.