Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Win a free signed copy of The Children History Forgot!



For the next two weeks, I’m running a competition to win a copy of The Children History Forgot. The competition is free and open to all UK residents. All you need to do is answer the following:


Imagine you are a working-class child growing up in the 1830s. Your family needs your wages to make ends meet. Which of the following three jobs would you rather do, and why?

Choice A: Factory work

Choice B: Coal mining

Choice C: Chimney sweep

It’s very easy to enter: just type letter A, B or C, AND a very brief reason for your choice into the ‘comments’ section below. Or you can send me a direct message (DM) via Twitter @SueWilkesauthor.  The answer which I find most interesting will win a free signed copy of my book.
The competition ends at mid-day on Wednesday 14 March 2012. Good luck!

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12 comments:

  1. Nigel Greaves28 February 2012 at 18:35

    My choice would have to be "A" on the basis of it being fractionally less likely you'd die at work!

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  2. Sue Wilkes28 February 2012 at 18:37

    Thanks for dropping by, Nigel. Sound reasoning!

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  3. Jacqueline Pye29 February 2012 at 08:34

    Definitely 'A', was going to say same as Nigel. Also, less likely to get the belt for coming home dirty and ruining one's only shirt.

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  4. Sue Wilkes29 February 2012 at 08:48

    Hi Jacqueline! No-one fancies being a coal miner or chimney sweep so far!

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  5. Neil Egginton29 February 2012 at 15:11

    My choice would be "B" because I'd be able to "collect" some excess coal and take it home to keep the family warm.

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  6. Sue Wilkes29 February 2012 at 15:24

    Hello, Neil! You and other family members down the mine would have had a coal allowance as part of your wages.

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  7. Jacqueline Pye29 February 2012 at 18:41

    I'd sootily weep
    As a chimney sweep,
    And darkly whine
    Down the coal-black mine.
    A factory kid I'd rather be,
    Contributing to our GNP!

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  8. Sue Wilkes29 February 2012 at 19:09

    That's a great rhyme, Jacqueline!

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  9. Danika FamilyHistory17 March 2012 at 11:26

    A. I'd rather work in the factory as I don't like the dark or feeling too confined, and I think the other two would make me feel that way. Plus I think I'd be able to breathe *slightly* better in a factory. :o)

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  10. Sue Wilkes7 March 2012 at 11:38

    Hello Danika! I don't think I would have liked climbing narrow chimneys or crawling along a narrow seam down the mine, either.

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  11. Crafty Green Poet12 March 2012 at 20:08

    That's a really sobering list of alternatives! I know that some factories were pretty dire and you could lose fingers or worse quite easily but I'd still choose A because B & C would be even worse...

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  12. Sue Wilkes12 March 2012 at 20:16

    Hi Juliet! You're quite right - there was always the danger of getting caught in the machinery.

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