Occupation help please

[Little Nell]

RG12; Piece: 619; Folio 107; Page 10
Richmond, Surrey

William J Williams - it loks like steeple keeper?

[Jessbowbag]

Church steeple keeper - whatever one of those did-

[Night Owl]

I'd agree. There are quite a few sites with steeple keepers mentioned and it seems to be to do with making sure the bells are in good order.

Jackie

[Christine in Herts]

Theses Minutes might give you an idea:

Bells of Hornchurch - News

In that case, the job title seems quite descriptive: like a housekeeper, but for steeples - and especially the bells.

Christine

[Little Nell]

Thank you everyone. I was surprised that it appeared to be a full-time job. I mean, the steeple just stays on the top of the church, earthquakes permitting, I assumed!

Still its more interesting than the general labouring jobs I guess.

[Christine in Herts]

I must say that I shouldn't have thought it would be a full-time job, either - unless you're talking about (a) Cathedral spire(s) - or something very high-maintenance.

Those Minutes spoke a lot about keeping pigeons out - and there could be rats and mice, too, I suppose. I believe they reckoned that we lost a bell-rope to rats, here.

Christine

[Little Nell]

And maybe squirrels?

[Christine in Herts]

And maybe squirrels?

:(
Please do not mention those grey ones!:(

They may be extremely clever, but they are a disaster if they discover a Des Res in your roof space!:(

Christine