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Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven; A photographic history
This pages shows some photographs taken from 1904-1920 at Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven when the Page family were living there.
Introduction
Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven, 1918
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Manor Farm in 1918. The Page family are outside; the man in uniform is probably William junior, on leave
Manor Farm in 1918. The Page family are outside; the man in uniform is probably William junior, on leave
William Page was born in Oreton in 1850, the son of William Page who farmed 100 acres at Upper House Farm. William junior first went into business as a haulier. By 1891 he had moved to Moorhouse Farm in Aston Botterell to be bailiff to his Aunt, Mary Beddoes, following the death of her husband. His sister Elizabeth was housekeeper. By 1901 Mary was dead and William had taken over the tenancy of the farm. He was now married to Sarah Jane and their children were Agnes (b 1894), William (b 1896) and Richard (b 1899). William’s sister, Sarah, also lived with them. In 1904 the family moved to Manor Farm Middleton Scriven and then in 1920 to Manor Farm, Glazeley, where Richard (Dick) became farmer. Manor Farm was a mixed farm and the photographs show both the family and the life of the farm
Page family, Middleton Scriven
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The Page family at Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven in World War 1 with William junior home on leave. Left to right, William senior, Sarah Jane, Elisabeth, Agnes and Joe, the dog.
The Page family at Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven in World War 1 with William junior home on leave. Left to right, William senior, Sarah Jane, Elisabeth, Agnes and Joe, the dog.
Dairy Cattle
Bessie, Middleton Scriven,
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Bessie in 1918. She may be a dairy shorthorn. In the early 20th Century, these were the most popular dairy breed on local farms
Bessie in 1918. She may be a dairy shorthorn. In the early 20th Century, these were the most popular dairy breed on local farms
Grazing calves, Middleton Scriven
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These may be dairy shorthorn calves. To maintain milk production, dairy cows need to produce a calf a year. By mating with a dairy bull, Mr Page, the farmer, would have been trying to build up his herd.
These may be dairy shorthorn calves. To maintain milk production, dairy cows need to produce a calf a year. By mating with a dairy bull, Mr Page, the farmer, would have been trying to build up his herd.
Polly Middleton Scriven
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This photograph is later than the others in the collection. Polly may be an early example of a Fresian. After the Second World War, this became the dominant dairy breed.
This photograph is later than the others in the collection. Polly may be an early example of a Fresian. After the Second World War, this became the dominant dairy breed.
Cattle, Middleton Scriven 1918
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These cattle are walking through Middleton Scriven to Manor Farm, probably to be milked
These cattle are walking through Middleton Scriven to Manor Farm, probably to be milked
Beef Cattle
Cattle grazing, Middleton Scriven 1919
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Stumper, Brownie and Titus graze a pasture at Meadow Farm. From their markings they appear to be Herefords. The farm may have bred Herefords; these cows would have been kept not primarily for their milk but to produce calves for fattening and ultimately ...
Stumper, Brownie and Titus graze a pasture at Meadow Farm. From their markings they appear to be Herefords. The farm may have bred Herefords; these cows would have been kept not primarily for their milk but to produce calves for fattening and ultimately ...
Beauty, Middleton Scriven
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Beauty and other cattle, Manor Farm Middleton Scriven, Summer 1918
Beauty and other cattle, Manor Farm Middleton Scriven, Summer 1918
Sheep
Sheep at Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven
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A sheep seems particularly interested in the photographer, c1920. This may be an example of the Shropshire breed of sheep, although the extent of the black face suggests it is more likely to be a Kerry
A sheep seems particularly interested in the photographer, c1920. This may be an example of the Shropshire breed of sheep, although the extent of the black face suggests it is more likely to be a Kerry
Lambs Middleton Scriven
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Peggy and Phaco. These were pet lambs; it is unlikely that the rest of Mr Page's flock had names.
Peggy and Phaco. These were pet lambs; it is unlikely that the rest of Mr Page's flock had names.
Pigs
Pigs Middleton Scriven
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A group of pigs in their stye at Manor Farm. With their sharp ears and long faces, they may be Large White, a breed that was to become very popular in the 20th Century
A group of pigs in their stye at Manor Farm. With their sharp ears and long faces, they may be Large White, a breed that was to become very popular in the 20th Century
Poultry
Geese, Middleton Scriven, c1918
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Poultry were a universal feature on farms. Here a pair of geese walk across the picture whilst in the background can be seen a pair of dark-coloured hens. There were numerous breeds of both ducks and hens, many introduced at the end of the 19th Century.
Poultry were a universal feature on farms. Here a pair of geese walk across the picture whilst in the background can be seen a pair of dark-coloured hens. There were numerous breeds of both ducks and hens, many introduced at the end of the 19th Century.
Horses
Beazley's horses
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Mr Beazley's team of horses at Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven, c1918. Tess, the dog, has hitched a ride. These horses are typical of the shires used at many farms
Mr Beazley's team of horses at Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven, c1918. Tess, the dog, has hitched a ride. These horses are typical of the shires used at many farms
Stallion, Middleton Scriven
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This photograph may show a visiting stallion at Manor Farm, come to service a mare. There were a number of stud farms around Bridgnorth and Bewdley which specialised in Shire horses
This photograph may show a visiting stallion at Manor Farm, come to service a mare. There were a number of stud farms around Bridgnorth and Bewdley which specialised in Shire horses
Dilly and Bunting, Middleton Scriven 1918
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Mrs Hall holds Bunting with her foal, Dilly close by. Whilst not as well built as Shires, horses such as these were widely used on farms; indeed some farmers prefered them to Shires.
Mrs Hall holds Bunting with her foal, Dilly close by. Whilst not as well built as Shires, horses such as these were widely used on farms; indeed some farmers prefered them to Shires.
Cereal Harvest
Corn Harvest, Middleton Scriven 1
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The reaper binder is making good progress in this photograph of Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven, c1918. The reaper binder became common at the end of the 19th Century but it did not totally displace the labourer with the scythe. A headland around the field...
The reaper binder is making good progress in this photograph of Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven, c1918. The reaper binder became common at the end of the 19th Century but it did not totally displace the labourer with the scythe. A headland around the field...
Reynolds harvesting, Middleton Scriven
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Mr Reynolds guides the front horse of the reaper-binder. The use of three horses to pull the machine indicates that this was a particularly heavy job.
Mr Reynolds guides the front horse of the reaper-binder. The use of three horses to pull the machine indicates that this was a particularly heavy job.
Corn harvest Middleton Scriven 3
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Once the corn had been cut and bound into sheaves, these needed to be stooked in the field, prior to collection. This was a job that women could do as well as men.
Once the corn had been cut and bound into sheaves, these needed to be stooked in the field, prior to collection. This was a job that women could do as well as men.
Pitching corn, Middleton Scriven
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Once the corn had been gathered into stooks, it needed to be pitched onto a horse-drawn waggon (often a flat-bedded lorry with no sides) and taken to the barns. It was another labour-intensive part of harvesting
Once the corn had been gathered into stooks, it needed to be pitched onto a horse-drawn waggon (often a flat-bedded lorry with no sides) and taken to the barns. It was another labour-intensive part of harvesting
Corn harvest Middleton Scriven 2
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Harvesting was always a social occassion, even after machinery removed some of the labour.
Harvesting was always a social occassion, even after machinery removed some of the labour.
Hay Harvest
Hay rake, Middleton Scriven
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The horse-drawn hay rake speeded up hay-gathering. The gentleman on the rake is probably Mr Bunney.
The horse-drawn hay rake speeded up hay-gathering. The gentleman on the rake is probably Mr Bunney.
Hay Harvest, Middleton Scriven
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Traditionally, hay was collected by being raked by hand. This continued in small fields or in corners where horse-drawn rakes could not reach.
Traditionally, hay was collected by being raked by hand. This continued in small fields or in corners where horse-drawn rakes could not reach.
People
William Jones Middleton Scriven c1918
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William Jones was the cattleman at Manor Farm, a position he had held since the turn of the century when the farm was run by Hugh Bunney. He was obviously a trusted workman as he was kept on by the new tenant, William Page. Jones was born around 1857 in ...
William Jones was the cattleman at Manor Farm, a position he had held since the turn of the century when the farm was run by Hugh Bunney. He was obviously a trusted workman as he was kept on by the new tenant, William Page. Jones was born around 1857 in ...
The Armstrong family, Middleton Scriven
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A visit from the Armstrong family to William Page at Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven; left to right, Mrs Bert Armstrong, Alan Armstrong, Marjorie Webster, Mr Armstrong, William Price, Bert Armstrong and Mrs Armstrong. Mr Armstrong was the headmaster at Deu...
A visit from the Armstrong family to William Page at Manor Farm, Middleton Scriven; left to right, Mrs Bert Armstrong, Alan Armstrong, Marjorie Webster, Mr Armstrong, William Price, Bert Armstrong and Mrs Armstrong. Mr Armstrong was the headmaster at Deu...
Hereford Calf, Middleton Scriven, c1918
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Margaret Bunney feeds a Hereford calf
Margaret Bunney feeds a Hereford calf