500words

  Unusual Occupations.   The Crossing Sweeper   Before the advent of the motor car, travel was by horse-drawn vehicle, whether transporting people or goods.   In the mid-nineteenth century it is estimated that there were over 300,000 horses in London and that 1,000 tons of horse dung was dropped on the streets each day.    The streets were filthy with muck and all sorts of rubbish, caused not only by horses but also by cattle being driven through the streets to the livestock markets.    Crossing sweepers made a living sweeping road crossings, pavements and steps, clearing them of the foul mud and debris. The crossing Sweepers job was to shovel the muck so that ladies with long dresses and delicate footwear and gentlemen in their fine raiment might cross without getting soiled.   As the job required very little outlay it was an obvious choice for the very poor.   The job, which was done by children and the aged and infirm was regard...

  The Bee Inspector The Bee Inspector, as you probably guessed, does indeed inspect bees. Bee inspectors are employed, either permanently or seasonally, by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, the National Bee Unit (NBU), a department of The Animal and Plant Agency in England and Wales, and in Scotland  by the Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Economy. Their work is supported by law: The Bees Act 1980  and associated Orders must be adhered to by beekeepers. Every Bee Inspector is an experienced practical beekeeper, with additional training in recognising and controlling bee pests and diseases. Bee Inspectors also deliver comprehensive advice and training on apiary management and bee husbandry. Alongside apiary inspections, Bee Inspectors assist with research projects and field trials concerning bee health. Bee Inspectors are not particularly well paid for the degree of responsibility and expertise that they possess....

  Salty Cathedrals     “ Salt is the stuff that makes potatoes taste horrible if you don't cook them with it . ” ( attributed to Bill Ravey, c . 19 7 3 )     We all love a bit of salt on eggs, rice , chicken and chips to bring out the best in them. Salt is necessary for our bodies to function properly , b ut it’ s unhealthy , isn’t it?   Salt mining is definitely unhealthy . It’s a n unpleasant and dangerous activity ; the damp , dusty environment of salt mines causes lung disease , and then there ’ s the risk of getting crushed in tunnel collapses . It’s no wonder that salt miners in voke d the protection of their deities when they descended into the depths .   The practice of praying before mining salt is understandable , a nd where better to pray than a cathedral? A cathedral in a salt min e is even better.   Deep underground in salt mines around the world, miners constructed chapels and temples to prepare th em spi...