Edward Slow (1841-1925) was born in Wilton, Wiltshire, and grew up a working class lad. In adulthood he was a wheelwright in the town, and eventually a town councillor and mayor. But he never forgot his roots, and spent many years writing down in the local Wiltshire dialect amusing stories and a working-man's view of events in the area.
Here, he relates the importance to the working-class household economy of the pig, perhaps the most important member of the household. There is a touch of regret at not being able to scratch his back or feed him extry bits, soon overtaken in the joy of seeing the wonderful cuts of meat, and the various meals that can be enjoyed from a grunter.
I have illustrated my reading using a mixture of childhood toys, some grunters at the River Bourne Community Farm, Laverstock, and a grunter and a plate of faggots from the Ginger Piggery, Boyton, near Warminster. Mmm, looks good....(believe me, it was!)