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Hours: How Many Hours I Work Each Week

Leisure: What I Do After Work

2000s

"Well at things like Christmas they will go to the dog tracks together and all put bets on and that and maybe go to the pub after or, but usually they keep to themselves... "

 

Blue and orange logo showing graphics of dogs racing
Neon Advertisement for Owlerton Dog Tracks

 

1950s

"There was a works league where different companies competed against different companies at darts and I think there was a work league for snooker, football teams, cricket teams, rugby. We had our own sports ground."

Group of 13 men, 12 of whom are in white cricket uniforms.
1950s Cricket Team

 

Victorian Times

"I asked how the children spent their time after work. Robert Newburt aged 15 told me ' I get some play after I get home, I have my dinner' where as George William Ross aged 12 said ' I can read and write, father sets me to it sometimes in the evening and if I don't feel tired I can do as much as I’ve a mind to. Some days I feel so tired I can do nowt at all. There's a night school sometimes and I always go to it when it's open and I go to Sunday school on Sunday afternoon."

Children playing marbles next to a public house
Illustration of Children Playing Marbles Next to a Pub

 

Questions

  • In which time period do you think the young steel worker had least time to enjoy leisure activities?
  • In which time period do you think they had the most leisure activities organised by their workplace?
  • Which time period would you enjoy most for leisure activities?