ELIZA FERRIERS
(She thinks it's 1871!  You will usually find her working in the Laundry)

My name is Eliza Ferriers and I work as the second Laundrymaid for £16 per annum. My daily routine begins at 5am, when I wash (in cold water) and dress. My bedroom is above the laundry. My first job is to collect 30 buckets of water for the copper and light the fire underneath. Then I sort out the days washing and put the soiled items in to soak. At 9:30am I go to breakfast in the servants’ hall, afterwards I start the washing process – dollying, scrubbing, boiling etc – I do this with two other laundrymaids.

I have lunch at 1pm which is always a hot meal, then continue washing through to 7pm. I mainly wash the household linen and the servants clothes as only Mary Ann is allowed to touch the family’s clothing. The routine changes halfway through the week when we turn to ironing, finishing and folding clothes ready to be returned to the house on Fridays.

I find the work hard and tiring, my back is often aching at the end of the day, but I am very grateful to have this position. I am well looked after at Shugborough, and who knows, I may become Head Laundrymaid or even a Housekeeper one day!