by A. M. Smith
Having worked for 8 months at Bankton
Colliery in 1924, I was rather fortunate to get the position of
an apprentice cooper in the local brewery. In those days it was
a family concern with the father, son, nephews and relations all
being employed in the various works namely, Fowler's Brewery,
Mellis's Soapworks, saltworks, Belfield's pottery and Prestongrange
Brick-Works, also the fishing industry. Unemployment was rare
in 1920. Coal miners were employed at Prestonlinks Colliery, Bankton
Colliery and Prestongrange Colliery.
It was a cold bitter morning when,
at the age of 14, I made my way to commence my apprenticeship
at 6.15 am as a cooper. Hours of work were from 6.30 am to 9.00
am, one hour for breakfast, starting at 10.00 am to 1.00pm, one
hour for dinner, starting at 2.00pm until 5.00pm. Saturday hours
were 6.30 am to 9.30 am, one hour for breakfast then from 10.00
am to 12.00 am. Brewing beer started at 10.00 pm and finished
the next day at 2.00 pm approximately. The foreman cooper was
the timekeeper, and he had a long rope fixed to a bell on the
brew house wall: it was his responsibility to note that his time
was dead on to start and finish work. Other times of ringing the
bell were at 7.00 am, 10.00 am and 5.00 pm when the employees
would make their way to the cellar, where they would receive their
allowance of one pint of beer each time. Of Course there were
many other openings to obtain more beer, such as doing a favour
for the head cellarman or bottling hall manager, who would repay
you with bottles of strong ale (wee heavies). Apprentices were
not allowed any beer whatsoever. Saturday was actually a day of
spit and polish, which had to be satisfactory to the brewing inspection;
failing — it had to be done all over again, and he was a stickler
for cleanliness and perfection. Custom officers were allowed one
barrel of beer from every brew for employees' consumption. Any
employee found under the influence was instantly dismissed, which
was very rare. Smoking was forbidden during working hours, unless
in the toilet.
My first job on that cold morning
was to knock the two hoops of a firkin (1/4 barrel), push the
end (lid) in, and knock the hoops out again
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