Flitting Photograph
late 19th/early 20th century

In North Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, the ”Flitting” was an annual occurrence, even at the beginning of the 20th century. It took place on 12th May when families, employed to work on farms, traditionally moved house. On the day, their new employer sent along a cart early in the morning which was piled high with all their possessions and by the evening they were settled in their new home, often only a couple of miles away. Some families moved annually or frequently, depending on their circumstances - how many of the family needed work and the amount of workers required by the farmer. If a farmer did not “speak” to his workers letting them know that he wanted them to stay another year, the workers went to the Annual Hiring Fairs, usually held in the early spring, seeking someone else who would employ them, possibly for more money or with better conditions. Such fairs were held at Berwick and Wooler as well as other places throughout the Borders. Their fixed date then for starting their new employment was 12th May.

The Flitting was very much a part of life for agricultural labourers in the Borders and the term still survives today, when talking about moving house.