The Farm 1919 to 1954
The standard of farming at Waterside seems to have continued on the well established lines set by his father and grandfather.
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During Herbert's tenancy of Waterside Farm, the Ashton Hall Estate was sold, as its original owner, Lord Ashton (James Williamson, of Williamson’s linoleum works) passed away in 1930. The estate was purchased by Mr W J Pye (of W J Pye Ltd, Lancaster, cattle food purveyors). See the sale of Ashton Hall.
Herbert and other farm tenants bid on behalf of Mr Pye. His programme shows that he purchased Waterside Farm for £5,000. In the event, Mr Pye ended up buying most of Ashton Hall Estate, including the workshops at Ashton Hall. However, the Ashton Hall residence and park did not reach their reserve price and so were with drawn . |
Ashton Hall Estate.
Waterside Farm is Lot 2
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Maurice remembers:
"I remember that the deer herd was killed off, and a number of the carcasses were brought out of the park, over the farm stile into Waterside Farm top yard. I always look back on that time as a very bloody occasion. I would be 6 or 7 years old at the time. I do not have any knowledge of Lord Ashton‘s support for tenant farmers, apart from the building of a minor mansion farmhouse to accommodate the Mackereth family, and house servant."
"I remember that the deer herd was killed off, and a number of the carcasses were brought out of the park, over the farm stile into Waterside Farm top yard. I always look back on that time as a very bloody occasion. I would be 6 or 7 years old at the time. I do not have any knowledge of Lord Ashton‘s support for tenant farmers, apart from the building of a minor mansion farmhouse to accommodate the Mackereth family, and house servant."
As to the estate management of Waterside Farm under Mr Pye, he
took a very keen interest in all farm development, and always did
site visits. Extensive building works were carried out and this included lean-too shippon on two sides of the top barn, the stable being moved from the top barn across the other side of the top yard, where a new stable was installed as well as a garage for the car. There was also a lean-to shippon to the bottom Dutch Barn (erected in 1925 ) with a new midden and liquid storage tank for the bottom shippon, and a new sheep dipping tank with collecting pens.
There was a new cattle loose box at Ann –Wrights barn, and new farm gates.
Maurice says:
"I am of the opinion that you could not have had a better landlord than Mr Pye and even today, all these years later, I am still of the same opinion."
All these works were carried out by the estate staff based at Ashton Hall Workshops, which included a joiners workshop with a massive circular saw which could handle full tree trunks . Tom Wrathole was in charge of the joiners shop, and they supplied all the gates , doors and planks etc required for the estate.
"I spent many happy hours there, and I was always made to feel welcome, and allowed to help in some little way, a marvelous time of my life." (Maurice)
Electricity was installed throughout the house and buildings in 1936, a milking machine was also installed with piped vacuum system into each of the cow milking stalls. A dairy was built, including a sterilising unit and milk cooling unit.
"It was my job the year I was at home to do the washing up morning and night, and my hands were a real mess with chilblains." (Maurice)
There was a new cattle loose box at Ann –Wrights barn, and new farm gates.
Maurice says:
"I am of the opinion that you could not have had a better landlord than Mr Pye and even today, all these years later, I am still of the same opinion."
All these works were carried out by the estate staff based at Ashton Hall Workshops, which included a joiners workshop with a massive circular saw which could handle full tree trunks . Tom Wrathole was in charge of the joiners shop, and they supplied all the gates , doors and planks etc required for the estate.
"I spent many happy hours there, and I was always made to feel welcome, and allowed to help in some little way, a marvelous time of my life." (Maurice)
Electricity was installed throughout the house and buildings in 1936, a milking machine was also installed with piped vacuum system into each of the cow milking stalls. A dairy was built, including a sterilising unit and milk cooling unit.
"It was my job the year I was at home to do the washing up morning and night, and my hands were a real mess with chilblains." (Maurice)
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In 1940 Bert purchased a Ford Ferguson tractor with 3 point linkage for controlling and carrying ploughs, spiked harrows, cultivators, and many other farming implements. It was made in America, but a British invention by Harry Ferguson of Northern Ireland. The tractor was shipped to Britain under a lease lend agreement. Bert was able to help Hoggarth’s of Kendal to import them by paying up-front for his..
Coal was carted in from Lancaster railway sidings, usually at the back end of the year, ready for winter. Bert was always keen to have his carts cleaned and red leaded each year, after they had carted muck on to the meadows, and arable land. He also had his 4 wheeled lorry sign written with his name and address.
Every task on the farm was planned to the correct time to fit in with the seasons, and the weather. In those days the weather seemed to be more predictable.
Produce from the farm, potatoes, carrots, beetroot etc., to Harry Kew, a Lancaster market stall holder, by horse and lorry, eventually to be replaced by a Vauxhall van.
Labour required for seasonal requirements, e.g. Hay and corn harvest and potato harvesting time, were taken on locally. For the longer term, the labour came from the hirings in Corn Market Street in Lancaster or Ulverston, which were held in April and September of each year. The hirings were gatherings, where both individuals and farmers came seeking work or workers respectively. Personal contact and discussion, with references, would take place in the street.
Every task on the farm was planned to the correct time to fit in with the seasons, and the weather. In those days the weather seemed to be more predictable.
Produce from the farm, potatoes, carrots, beetroot etc., to Harry Kew, a Lancaster market stall holder, by horse and lorry, eventually to be replaced by a Vauxhall van.
Labour required for seasonal requirements, e.g. Hay and corn harvest and potato harvesting time, were taken on locally. For the longer term, the labour came from the hirings in Corn Market Street in Lancaster or Ulverston, which were held in April and September of each year. The hirings were gatherings, where both individuals and farmers came seeking work or workers respectively. Personal contact and discussion, with references, would take place in the street.
