There were three events which affected life in Spondon. In 1839 the railway came, and the new school opened. Education became compulsory in the 1890s. The third event in the 1890s was the election of the Parish Council. This brought the end of the Vestry Meetings which had set the Parish rate and had chosen the Parish Officials.
Spondon was very self-contained. If you needed new boots, you saw one of the shoemakers; if you needed a new dress, you saw one of the many dressmakers; if you needed a basket, you visited a basketmaker.
Employment changed over the years.
In the 1851 census there were 125 farm labourers; by 1891 only 18.
In 1851 the railway employed 7 men; by 1891 this had grown to 122.
In 1851 there were 95 framework knitters; by 1891 just 9.
One thing that did not change was Domestic Service. In 1851 there were 86 servants; and in 1891 there were 90.
The railway made travel easier, and some professionals and industrialists built homes here. Spondon House became a school for young ladies; then a boys’ prep school. There were also some small private schools.
Syd Lusted
July 2010