“Mister Cobbler”
I had the pleasure of seeing my first woman chimney sweep this week. Mrs. Rippin, of Higham Ferrers, is doing a roaring trade, sweeping the foul chimneys of the ancient borough. The lady chimney sweep is 58 years of age, and her customers tell me “she’s as good as a man any time at the job.” Mrs. Rippin did not say it was rippin’ work, but she said she liked it all right. She has done agricultural work, and indeed she is ready for anything that needs to be done owing to the shortage of male labour caused by the war.