Reference
Z1850/1/13
Title
Farm diary relating to Manor Farm Studham. Believed to have been written mainly by Anne McClelland, but some entries in other handwriting when writer on holiday.
[Note: writer refers to husband as 'father']
Date free text
1961
Production date
From: 1961 To: 1961
Scope and Content
Daily entries include observations on the weather and jobs undertaken at Manor Farm and at Munden (muck spreading, taking out dung, ploughing, thrashing, grinding oats, barley & wheat, planting mangel wurzels and potatoes, hedging, fencing, harrowing, drilling, rolling, fencing, cutting hay, harvesting, agricultural machinery repairs, vet visits, cattle etc.). Mentions social events, visits and visitors, illnesses of family, employees and friends. Trips to London, Luton, St. Albans, Bedford, Hemel Hempstead and other places for shopping, banking, and other events.
Also includes:
1 Jan: Didn't have usual party as Father ill in bed.
7 Jan: Doctor called.
Note above 8 Jan: Herbert gave notice.
Note above 12 Jan: 'Pete Aitkinson up to arrange to start work here.'
Note below 14 Jan: Father getting up in afternoons.
Note above 22 Jan: Andy passed driving test.
27 Jan: T.T. test; 168 animals.
30 Jan: Father out for short spell.
8 Feb: Claude took calf to St. Albans.
Note after 11 Feb: 'Father now having a walk every day if dry.'
8 Mar: Finished ploughing.
Note after 18 Mar: 'Hectic week. Working daylight till dark as the weather very good.
19 Mar: Pete went home sick and held up work [returned 21 Mar].
22 Mar: Finished drilling.
1 Apr: Dining room chimney on fire.
6 Apr: Was at Luton for end of year PAYE cards.
25 Apr: Went to Aberdeen [handwriting changes to that of daughter, Mary Gladman]
6 May: Put turkey eggs under broody.
11 May: Claude to London to collect parents.
Note below 13 May: Everywhere very dry and rain needed.
18 May: Hertfordshire Show.
24 May: Looked at farm at Redbourn.
Note above 4 Jun: Started to cut hay.
Note below 10 Jun: No rain but cold dry wind and nothing growing.
12 Jun: Very wet day, just when hay ready to bale.
14 Jun: Father and Claude at St. Albans and bought chickens.
23 Jun: Finished baling.
1 Jul: Hottest day ever, 92 degrees, and 95 in some places.
Note above 6 Jul: 'Cows going down as no grass.'
7 Jul: Claude at Royal Show.
8 Jul: Vicarage garden party. Children did well in fancy dress.
14 Jul: Bedford Show.
Note below 15 Jul: Much needed rain came on Wednesday and Thursday but very cold.
1 Aug: Second cut in Mile Post [field].
2 Aug: Father drove car to St. Albans.
10 Aug: Started to cut barley.
Note below 26 Aug: Alice had baby girl on Saturday.
29 Aug: Finished combining barley and started oats.
31 Aug: Finished oats; started on wheat.
Note under 2 Aug: Loft collapsed in night and made a mess.
12 Sep: Finished harvest.
23 Sep; [Change in handwriting]. Caponised cockerals.
Note above 12 Oct: J Stewart died Thursday night.
13 Oct: Claude to Kings Cross to collect parents.
18 Oct: Father and Claude at J Stewart's funeral.
Note above 2 Nov: Got new bull at Hertford.
13 Nov: Cattle home from Munden.
Note above 19 Nov: Cows still out apart from fresh calvers.
25 Nov: Cows lay in for first time.
Note above 26 Nov: Keith gave notice.
30 Nov: Brought caravan into shed for repair.
5 Dec: Claude at Smithfield.
9 Dec: Keith left.
18 Dec: Vet to see cow and inject for foul foot.
24 Dec: Frost worst for a long time. Some water frozen.
25 Dec: Water frozen up
28 Dec: Everyone busy thawing water, feeding animals etc.
31 Dec: Heavy fall of snow at night
Level of description
item