Crossroads and Characters

41. PEDLARS AND RIOTS.

Prior to World War II, travelling pedlars and hawkers like this organ-grinders /knife sharpener of 1930 were a frequent sight on village streets. One of Dunning's wilder days of the century began with a pedlar's visit in 1907. His horse took fright in Tron Square overturning its cart of crockery with a great crash. A crowd immediately gathered and in the scramble to grab unbroken dishes a fight broke out and soon became general. What the newspaper described as 'almost a riot' went on in several parts of the village from twelve o'clock until three in the afternoon (perhaps because the village constable was away), even spilling over into the churchyard. Two men were eventually arrested and convicted of disturbing the peace. Among the brawlers were a number of masons working at construction of the new police station.