I remember that... (From Penarth Times)

I remember that...

10:00am Thursday 9th July 2009

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ONE of the highlights of summertime in our family was not the thought of the weeks off school when one could go away on holiday with your family, as this we never did.

Better still was the annual haymaking harvest, which took place at about this time every year, when our entire school holiday period would be devoted to hauling hay from the fields and ensuring Black Barn in Wordsworth Avenue was filled to capacity with winter feed for the cattle and horses.

The farm, which prior to its demolition was located between Wordsworth Avenue, Hastings Avenue, Hastings Place and Cornerswell Place, contained the main farmhouse, yards and barns and buildings to house animals and equipment.

This area is now land occupied by the Wimpey houses of Hastings Close and the other more recent peripheral housing.

As part of the Bute Estate it was a mixed dairy and arable farm of approximately 200 acres. The farm fields were later built upon to form the Shakespeare Avenue, Cowslip, Elfed Avenue and St Cyres estates.

Our family home was Nº1 Cornerswell Cottage in Hastings Avenue, directly opposite the main entrance onto the farm site. It was a 'tied' cottage (now demolished) without water or electricity, but a wonderful place to grow up.

My father was the horseman and next door to us lived Mr Rhys Howells who was the cowman.

The grass verges along the road outside our cottage had low iron railings to prevent the cattle from venturing on to the grass as they were taken to and from the pasture land twice a day for milking. The railings can be seen in the photograph of my father taking Prince for a day's work in the fields.

Hay in those days did not have the convenience of being mechanically baled but would be pitch-forked on to the wagons, and as many hands as possible would be required to take advantage of sunny weather.

The photograph of the hay wagon, which includes both my parents and elder brother Colin, was taken in Thompson's Field where sometime later the prefabs were built and where Redlands Avenue housing now stands.

After the hay was hauled in my father was able to take his earned one week's holiday, which invariably meant a day to Hereford market or a day at the Cowbridge show.

The photograph of the milk float with Lady in the shafts was taken as my father and Mr 'Rothy' Lewis were leaving the farmyard to enter the light cart class at the Cowbridge Show, by which time the horse would be on its knees! Mr Lewis wore his bowler hat as he was to judge the cattle class at the show.

As a youngster, I can recall at least seven working farms in the local vicinity.

In the Penarth Times of Friday, September 5, 1969, a letter appeared by the late historian Mrs Eileen M Allen regarding the names given to certain areas of Penarth by the Water Wells that existed at that time.

Mrs Allen also informed me that prior to Cornerswell Farm being demolished, a Mr Roger Matthews took some good photographs of it and as I am attempting to piece together a historical record of that time and place, I would be most grateful if any readers have old photographs or information relating to this subject which can be copied and duly returned to them.

If you can help please contact the Penarth Times, 156 Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4TY, or telephone 01446 704983.

John Rees Llandough Close Penarth

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