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Archiver > ENG-WESTMORLAND > 1999-10 > 0940452734


From: "Guy" <>
Subject: Re: What is Boon Ploughing?
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 21:52:14 +0100


Dean,
I have heard the expression of a "Boon" day, or as I heard it used recently.
a "boondoggle" day.
I believe it to mean something like a free day (boon = good or free thing)
used to relate to a holiday or similar.
35 years ago, when helping my uncle on his farm, there was still the habit
of several neighbouring farmers helping out on each farm in turn, when
getting the hay in (this was in Somerset) He used the term boon day meaning
when neighbours gave of their time and effort to help out, free of charge.
Guy
----- Original Message -----
From: Dean Langhorn <>
To: <>
Sent: 20 October 1999 14:46
Subject: What is Boon Ploughing?


> Saw this entertaining article in the Penrith Herald. Sounds like a jolly
day
> out was had by all, after some hard graft.
> Does anyone know what boon ploughing means? I have heard the expression "
It
> was a boon", before to mean a help or asset.
> I think someone on the Westmorland list is interested in BELL at Kirkby
> Thore, but I can't remember who.
>
> Taken from Penrith Herald Saturday March 23, 1889.
>
> BOON PLOUGHING AT SOCKBRIDGE HIGH FIELD FARM.
>
> Mr George HULLOCK, late of Redlands Bank Kirkby Thore, having become a
> tenant of the above farm, his friends and neighbours gave him a helping
> hand, on Thursday last, by sending him upwards of 40 draughts to assist
him
> in ploughing his land and we need scarcely say that an excellent days work
> was done in a thorough and admirable manner and greatly to the
satisfaction
> of the tenant.
> At intervals throughout the day, refreshments were liberally supplied to
all
> present, and in the evening the ploughmen and a number of invited guests
sat
> down to an excellent dinner of roast beef and plum pudding.
> After dining numerous toasts and songs were given with much spirit and the
> company then adjourned to a large room in which dancing took place till an
> early hour in the morning.
> On separating three cheers were heartily given to Mr. HULLOCK and his
> family.
> The proceedings were ably presided over by Mr.Isaac BELL of Bridge End,
> Kirkby Thore, supported by Mr. Miles BATEMAN, of Mains House, Pooley
>
> Dean.
>
****************************************************************************
> ************************
> Dean Langhorn. Bolton. Lancashire.
>
>
> Researching: LANGHORN, SLACK, BARKER, BRAITHWAITE, HOWE,TEASDALE, DOVER
> In Westmorland & Cumberland
>
>
> ==== ENG-WESTMORLAND Mailing List ====
> The Cumbria Record Offices & Archive Service Can Be found At
> http://www.magicnet.net/~noble/genuki/culcro.html
>
>

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