MILTON, CAMBS.

Although no documentary evidence of the diggings having extended to Milton has come to light, the proximity of the seam on the other side of the Cam in Horningsea suggested the possibility of it being found here. Whilst the bulk of the workings had taken place during the 1850s, 60s and 70s the only reference to the industry was in the 1880s. This was a period of agricultural depression, evidenced by the vicar when he pointed out to the Bishop that his living had been reduced from 620 to 451. (CUL.EDR.C3/33) There had been many labourers laid off which had led to a considerable migration to the towns to find alternative work. Some of those who stayed, however, were reported to have caused problems.

”When the coprolite works at Milton closed in 1887 complaints were made that the men, thrown out of work as a result, loitered about the streets and robbed the shops and houses. A request for more police protection was made, there being only one police officer stationed at Waterbeach, who had to cover the whole area between Upware and Chesterton and between Chittering and Milton.”

(Enid Porter, CSIA, Newsletter, June 1973 vol.5 no.7,pp.5-6)

Agricultural rents rarely reached £2 an acre. When agricultural wages were about £0.50a week, coprolite diggers on fourteen shillings a week left the farms in droves to work in the pits.