Factory Row

Actually named Grafton Terrace, Factory Row is thought to have acquired its alternative name from the fact that, at one time, most of its residents were lacemakers.

 

In the 19th century most of the men in the village would have been agricultural labourers and to augment their meagre wages a large number of their wives and daughters were lacemakers. in the late 19th century, Mrs Chettle who lived with her husband John at Beech House Farm ran a lace school for the young girls of the village. This was probably something of  a euphemism as these so called "Lace Schools" were often a means of obtaining cheap labour, providing lace for the local lace buyer (Mrs Chettle) who coincidentally also ran the lace school !

 

Each village had their own lace patterns which were a jealously guarded secret. More details of this fascinating craft are to be found in Liz Bartlett's excellent book Lace Villages, which can be found in our library.