Article here on smocks. There is a tv show Out of Town we watch. It's a programme from the old days and it deals with Country matters. Jack Hargreaves presents. Usually something about fishing but tonight's they did a little about smocks. A Hiring smock was deliberately well embroidered to show off the skills of the shepherd's wife through her skill with the needle. A diligent wife was an asset to a shepherd bringing up orphan lambs. Susan grew up in the Cotswolds and feared orphan lambs that were usually sold as pets. She did all manner of chores collecting eggs, cooking etc.
