Commercial Activity Straw plaiting was an activity carried out by many farm labourers and their families to earl a little more money. Straw that was to be used or plating was cut more carefully just below the ears of corn leaving the remaining straw undamaged. This was then cut close to the ground and ties carefully into sheaves. The straw was sold to plaiters or in the case of a sympathetic farmer taken home by a labourer after a days harvesting. The straw was then sorted into similar sizes of both width and length. Any imperfect straw was discarded. The perfect straws were then refined by being left near burning brimstone which strengthened the straw. Straws were then split using a special splitting tool and rolled to make then suitable for plating. The plaiters would then weave the straw. The main use was to make straw hats that were favoured by many poorer people although the mire skillful made many other items from straw. By the end of the 1800's the demand for straw hats declined sharply and as a result the skill virtually stopped in our corner of rural Essex. A check on the Trade directories for the early 1800's shows straw hat makers in many of the villages. Corn Dollies
	An Essex Corn Dolly Traditionally the last crop from the harvest was kept and plaited into a design which was then kept on display by the farmer until the next harvest. This tradition was a throw back to the pagan gods as it was believed to encourage a good harvest in the following years. Designs of corn dollies were varied but often were very similar in adjoining areas. A plaited wreath or cross was often made for use in the parish Church at the Harvest Festival service. A harvest corn wreath Small plaited tokens  were often created by young men to be presented to young ladies that they loved . Corn favours made to win a maidens heart If the young lady was seen to be wearing the favour at a later day it was taken as a sign that she returned the sentiment. If she failed to wear it the young mans hopes were dashed. Thanks to Renata for the three photographs on this page