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Farming In Lower Broadheath Remembered
Contracting
Ivor Perkins and his brother Jack, with Marjorie and Henry Wood, owned
Little Peachley Farm, Lower Broadheath, Between them they ran a dairy
farm and a successful agricultural contracting business, from the 1920's
until the 1980's. They provided employment for a number of local people.
Ivor was a portly, jovial, teetotaller and was very well known in the
surrounding area.
His main interests after the business, was a love of horses, and he owned
several.
Until the fifties, two carthorses were also put to good use on the farm.
He was also keen on hunting, and shooting was also one of his pastimes.
He was able to repair most things on the farm, and had great mechanical
ability.
Before the advent of the combine harvester and modern machinery, farming
was much more labour intensive; small farms did not have the resources
for a great deal of equipment. Agricultural contractors like Ivor were
in great demand.
He owned a small fleet of tractors including a Standard Fordson a Fordson
Major and several imported Allis Chalmers. In later times Fergusons were
also used.
Ivor also had an ex. American Army, Dodge 4wd. Command Car. He called
it "The Yank" This powerful vehicle also had a winch fitted,
making it extremely versatile in adverse conditions. A second identical
model was kept as a spare.
Threshing
I can remember Ivor towing his huge threshing boxes and stationary
balers to farms around the district.
To get the threshing equipment into position could become a marathon
task, as most farmyards in winter, would have plenty of mud. Setting
up, and removing the machine, from the yard could take up more time and
resources than the actual threshing operation.
"The Yank" became indispensable at this time. The winch was frequently
used when tractors and machinery became bogged down in the mire.
The threshing operation would need a lot of manpower. Sometimes after working
all day at your usual job, you would be asked to spend a few hours in the evening
to make up the threshing team to complete the operation, cider would be given
as an incentive.
Thresher Fire
In the mid 1940's, a threshing box that had been threshing a cornrick
near the "Moats" in Frenchlands Lane, Lower Broadheath, had
almost completed its job and been left for the night. In the early hours
the alarm was raised as the machine and the remainder of the cornrick,
became engulfed in flames. The fire brigade dealt with it, but the thresher
was destroyed. The next day the disaster scene was visited by most of
the village.
Stationary Baling
When threshing, a stationary baler would sometimes be used to collect
and bale threshed straw. These machines would be heavily constructed
and mounted on four wheels to allow it to be towed to the job. Originally
steel wheels would have been used, sometimes they were modified with
rubber tyres, and this made towing easier on the road. This type of baler
had a huge collecting shute on top and a heavy driving wheel. The shute
would be positioned under the "straw walkers" (these were moving
spars, which took the threshed straw from the thresher). A drive belt
would take power from the driving pulley on the tractor or could be driven
from a spare pulley on the thresher. The bales were bound with special
wires, which had a loop in one end. One person inserting wire with special
needles through emerging bale, Another operator twisted the wire together
on the other side of the baler. The bale was then ejected ready to be
stacked. These bales were extremely heavy, and the wires left marks on
the hands and an aching back.
Haymaking
Mowing would be carried out with a horse drawn mower that had been converted
by adding a drawbar for towing by the tractor. The reciprocating bladed
mower was powered by the mowers large driving wheels. The long mower
knife (blade) would need sharpening and triangular sections also the
fingers replaced regularly.
The mown grass was left to dry in the sun, for a few days, before being
turned and aerated with a swath turner or tedder.
When the hay was considered ready, it would be gathered by raking or
with a sweep attachment bolted on to the front of the tractor.
The hay would then be made into a rick with pitchforks, sometimes using
an elevator up to the higher parts.
After sloping the top of the rick it would then be thatched, to keep
the weather out also a stock fence would be put around.
The hay would be cut into sections with a large two handed hayknife and
fed to the stock in the winter
Pickup Baling
The introduction of the pickup baler, made Haymaking a lot easier. Ivor
had one of the first pickup balers in the district. During the season
it was in constant use. This tractor drawn machine, made by International,
had a separate engine to power the baler.
It was towed around the field with the tractor, picking up hay with rotating
tines and into the baling chamber by a revolving auger. Then a reciprocating
ram formed it into a tightly packed bale, bound and knotted with baler
twine.
The finished bale was then automatically deposited around the field or
collected into piles on a sleigh, towed behind the baler. These stacks,
were then easily collected for storage.
Pickup balers are still used today but the bale is much larger and heavier
and has to be handled by machine with a front-end loader.
Harvesting
Harvesting was also labour dependent, even when tractors became more
numerous, it would take two men, also a binder (reaper) to harvest the
wheat.
The binder was another horse drawn machine, converted for tractor use.
This would be towed to the cornfield and required setting up, before
it could be used.
First the large driving wheel and a smaller supporting wheel would be
lowered, and the two transit wheels removed.
Next the drawbar would be transferred, from the end of the machine to
the front. The canvas conveyors would then be fitted.
Finally after lubricating main parts with oil and grease and ensuring
sufficient supply of binder twine, harvesting could begin.
The tractor towed the machine around the field. The binder's operator
sat precariously seated, on the rear of the machine. His job was to ensure
the knife cut at the correct height and the smooth running of the binder.
The binder's large driving wheel provided power to a reciprocating knife,
and rotating sails (paddles). The sails pushed the crop onto the knife
and the moving canvas conveyor. This fed the cut corn onto another moving
canvas, into the knotter mechanism that automatically formed the sheaves
and bound them with binder twine, which would then be ejected onto the
ground.
At least another two men were required, to place the sheaves into "stooks".
The reason for "stooking" being to allow the corn to dry and
to keep the ears off the ground, otherwise the corn would sprout rendering
it useless.
An even number of sheaves would be propped together to allow air to circulate
between to help dry the corn. Later being collected with a tractor and
trailer (or horse and dray) for storage in the threshing barn.
Sometimes the sheaves would be built into a thatched cornrick, in a corner
of the field. Although this method could become a haven for vermin.
During reaping, rabbits that had made their home in the corn would make
a bid for freedom. When the last of the crop was being cut, Ivor would
be there with his gun and make sure there was no escape. Rabbit pie was
very tasty.
Today, this complete harvesting operation can be carried at lightning
speed with one man operating the combine and another with tractor and
trailer, collecting the threshed grain.
The combine harvester took over from the binder and threshing boxes completely,
during the mid 1960's
Little Peachley
Although Ivor was teetotaller, cider was made for the workers. This
was stored in large barrels in a building attached to the farmhouse;
which was called "The Ciderhouse". A horn cup was used for
measuring and tasting the potent brew.
Above the Ciderhouse was a loft filled with items from the past, would
be probably worth thousands today as antiques. An old Ford car would
be kept in an enjoining building known as the "Motor House"
Little Peachley Farm was not large in acreage. Some crops were grown,
as well as having a milking herd. Several hives of bees were also kept.
Most of the fields were named."The Treerow" was a rough track
that led to "The Grounds"; it was bordered with fruit trees,
mainly egg plum, damson, cider and cooking apple. The new owners lost
no time, in destroying the treerow; in order to make larger fields.
"
The Little Orchard" as the name suggests, originally was a small
orchard filled with ancient fruit trees although these had been grubbed
up in earlier times.
Nearby was "The Banyard" a large deep pool, fed from a spring.
In hard winters the pool froze over completely and sometimes could be
used for skating.
"
Highburn Hill" a steep ridged mound, with Laugherne Brook meandering
past, has excellent views from the top.
Today Little Peachley Farmhouse has been completely renovated to a high
standard by the new owners.
The farm barns have also been converted into luxury dwellings. The pool
alongside the barns, where the farm animals once drank, has been retained
although it now has been lined and has become a haven for wildlife.
Max's Morris
Max Sinclair, who lived nearby in Church Lane, was conversing with Ivor
one day about old farm equipment, who mentioned a pre-war tractor abandoned,
that he would like to sell. On inspecting the tractor, which wasn’t
very interesting, he noticed a shiny brass starting handle sticking out
of a very large bramble bush. Ivor explained that it was his old 1926
Morris Commercial Z type, which had been left, some years earlier, after
the drive couplings broke, and that he occasionally gave the handle a
turn to keep the engine free. Max immediately expressed an interest and
after some amusing bartering, agreed to purchase for twelve pounds. When
clearing the brambles he discovered a large tree had grow up through
the chassis and had to hire a chain saw for eight pounds to remove it.
Ivor eventually towed the old lorry with flat tyres, and no brakes back to
Max's home, where he restored the chassis, later the old vehicle was completely
renovated.
Lower Broadheath Villagers Remembered
The Midnight Milkman
Mansell, Ivor Perkins brother; a heavy smoker, was also keen on hunting
and shooting,
Also well known as the local beekeeper.
Mansell was the village milkman for many years. His dairy was based at Woodbine
Cottage in the village.
His nickname was the midnight milkman; deliveries became later and later right
through the night, over many years.
He could often be heard operating milk bottle washer late at night.
We were not sure whether we were getting yesterdays milk tomorrow or tomorrow's
milk today.
Rev. Jack Stephens
Jack was the local vicar for many years; he could often be seen riding
his bicycle, (sometimes unsteadily) around the village visiting parishioners.
He was well known and respected locally.
William Eastbury
Bill Eastbury was an ex Grenadier Guardsman, he was appointed village
policeman by Brigadier Britten, as were other local coppers, as he wanted
a dependable force around him. Bill was the friendly local village policeman
for many years. He was sometimes seen patrolling the area on his bicycle.
Crime was almost non existent in those days.
Frank Hayward
Frank was licensee at the Bell public house. With his son Keith was
a haulage contractor and coalman. They also provided a lot of local employment.
Frank was a lookalike for Winston Churchill.
For some years, petrol was also sold at the Bell. The petrol pump was
situated in front of the bar window. A button was placed next to it,
to ring for service.
A tall building used to be situated, where the present carpark is now.
It had a large advertising hoarding attached.
There was a huge garden at the rear of The Bell, where chickens were kept in
a huge hen house.
Doug Rastall
Owned and ran the village post office in Hallow Lane, also ran a coal
yard.
George Haycox
Ran a coal business from his house at Temple Laugherne.
Charlie Hobday
His coalyard was based at Sailors Bank.
Cecil Townsend
Lived at Sailors Return, next door to the school. He was a very successful
rose grower, winning awards at the Royal Horticultural Show in London.
In 1930 Sir Edward Elgar asked him to supply rose bushes for his property at
Marlbank Worcester.
Fields of roses were grown opposite "Sailors Return" and at Bell
Lane, also at Laugherne Hill, Wichenford.
Townsend's roses were famous nation-wide; they also provided employment for
the locals.
Tom Wood
Estate foreman at Travells, Temple Laugherne Fruit growers. The orchards
covered a wide area, connected by concrete driveways.
All of these areas and orchards were named, these are a few: "The
Plum Bank," "The Milestone," "The Tank," "The
Lakes."
High quality apples, pears and plums were picked, graded, wrapped, packed
and despatched, countrywide in vast quantities.
A number of local people and memorable characters found employment here.
Jack Boulton
Jack was a haulage contractor for many years. Also owned and ran, a
petrol station in the village.
His son John also ran a haulage business from here, situated in the village
centre, opposite the old chapel.
Reg. Townsend
Market gardener, Reginald a non-driver could sometimes be seen on his
bicycle, checking on his produce being grown and tended in various locations
around the village.
He employed a few local people.
In later years, George Haycox, and an Italian prisoner of war called
Angelo, were his chauffeurs.
Bill Knight
Bill owned a small motorcycle business at Brockhill, near Lower Broadheath
Common.
His father in law who lived with him was Ted Edwards a retired local
baker.
Bills brother in law was Len Vale Onslow, with whom he helped to design
and manufacture SOS motorcycles at Hallow.
Frederick Smith
Frederick, a teetotaller, and respected member of the community, owned
the village stores and bakery for many years.
Employed a number of local people.
Had a small fleet of Ford vans, and delivered bread and groceries, over
a large area.
Frederick was well known as the village adviser.
Jack Trigg
Jack lived at an old cottage at "Culliters" which could only
be accessed over a field from Frenchlands Lane.
He would only offer to work, if a drink of cider was offered as part payment.
He was well known in the village, and he would always stop for a friendly chat
when making his daily walk to the "Bell" for his lunch.
It became known after his death, that he had been awarded The Military Medal
for bravery during the First World War.
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