Historicaleigh: Pity The Poor Roadsweeper

August 1, 2016 by Carole Mulroney

Pity The Poor Roadsweeper

The Chelmsford Chronicle of 3rd July 1896 reported that Councillor Harvey Moore (a well known resident, Victorian artist and leading light in the Town), had brought up the question of providing a waterproof for a roadman so that he could work when it was raining ‘cats and dogs’, if necessary.

Mr Watson – perhaps not such a leading light of Victorian politics in the town – asked if an umbrella would not do?

Mr Harvey Moore responded that ‘yes it would, if he could hold it with his feet!’ The mackintosh was ordered amidst gales of laughter.