Knocker Upper

A visit to Beamish Museum today on a cold crisp sunny day.  This slate sign was on the back yard wall of one of the pit village cottages.  

Knocker Uppers were a common sight in industrial areas before alarm clocks were common place.  Their job was to wake up working people to make sure they got to work on time.  The knocker upper would have a long pole and knock on the bedroom window several times to wake their client up.  In return they would be paid a few pence per week.