Farming - 1999
Field boundaries generally changed less in the 75 years before 1999 than they did in the 80 years previous to that. There had been an enlargement of fields associated with Bentley Farm, but around Holt Castle and Top Barn the number of fields had increased following restoration after sand and gravel extraction
Farm boundaries had mainly altered the offering for sale of relatively small lots, with the amalgamation of these in to neighbouring farms or the retention of relatively small areas for non-farming uses. The former was mainly evident in association with Hurst Farm, which compared with 1920 incorporated pieces of Holt Mill, Hollingshead, Rowley and Little Witley Farms. Most of Naunton's land was being farmed from neighbouring Northingtown in Grimley parish. In 1992 Wood Farm was split in to several small lots and was subsequently used mainly for horse grazing. A part of Wood Farm’s woodland was cleared for the digging of fishing lakes that are now known as Ockeridge Lakes.
A modern feature of the modern rural landscape is the conversion of farm buildings in to private dwellings. This has happened as old brick built farmsteads have become obsolete due to changing farm needs and the construction of modern steel framed buildings. Demand for this type of property also corresponded with a reduction in farm incomes in the late 1980’s and hence a desire to realise the assets tied up in bricks and mortar. Some argue that this form of development is detrimental to the rural landscape, however the alternative fate of such buildings would undoubtedly be complete dereliction followed inevitably by demolition. By 1999 farm building conversions were evident at Well, Woodbury, Whitehouse (formerly Little Witley) and Holt Castle Farms. Another feature was the recent conversion of surplus modern farm buildings into small industrial units at Top Barn Farm. One-time farmhouses such as Woodbury Farm, Holt Mill and Naunton had associated pony paddocks. Following its sale in 1992 Wood Farm house was demolished and a new house rebuilt on the same plot.
Converted Buildings at Holt Castle Farm
In Little Witley, Woodbury Farm (formerly Thomas's) was planted with cider apple trees by Bulmer's of Hereford, along with Broomfield’s apple and pear plantations at Holt Heath, these are the only productive orchards in the two parishes. The majority of the small orchards that existed in 1920 had been grubbed out or faded away by 1999, or were represented by increasingly derelict remnants. In Little Witley, H. Owen & Son, grow asparagus and soft fruits, and Haven Nurseries who grow cherry & vine tomatoes
Arable and grass were much more concentrated in their distribution, reflecting the specialisation that is a feature of modern agriculture; for example Bentley and Hurst Farms were almost exclusively arable, and Rowley and Naunton exclusively pasture. There was a slight predominance of arable over pasture. The loss in arable area associated with Naunton and Holt Castle Farms was due mainly to the effects of sand and gravel extraction; this lowers the ground level and effects drainage characteristics. The workings to the north of Ball Mill were subject to landfill following extraction. Despite restoration work and the reinstatement of topsoil this land is seldom suitable for intensive arable cultivation.
Arable crops were mainly winter wheat, winter barley, and oil-seed rape. Sugar beet was being grown on the lighter land near Holt Castle, often with the aid of irrigation water pumped from the Severn. Herbs, bulb and salad onions, stick and French beans, asparagus and rhubarb were, or had recently, been grown in the area. Cut flowers are grown in two blocks of glasshouses in Little Witley.
Livestock were cattle and sheep, with a few horses. Turkeys were reared for the Christmas market at Top Barn Farm. By 1999 milk quotas had been in force for over ten years. These limited the amount of milk that can be produced, and therefore the number of dairy cattle that are kept. The only productive dairy cows, black and white Friesian/Holstein's, were kept at Rowe Farm, but Guernsey suckler cows, the remnants of the dispersed dairy herd, were kept at Rowley until the early 1990s, and Hereford and Charolais beef crossbreeds at these and one or two other farms. Sheep were mainly crossbred ewes, mated to Suffolk rams to produce fat lambs. These were kept on the reclaimed sand and gravel land in Holt, and 'banky' fields along Shrawley Brook and in Little Witley. There were also flocks at Rowe and Northingtown. Beef cattle and sheep were also used as a break in arable rotations throughout the two parishes. Pigs were kept in small herds on a number of holdings until the 1960's. Now they are largely confined to specialised units, the nearest of which were in neighbouring Shrawley and Ombersley parishes. Laying hens were also kept in small numbers at one or two farms until recent years.
Modern Black and White Cattle
By the late 1980s many farmers were looking for alternative enterprises, some finding them in the form of specialised meats (e.g. deer and wild boar), fibre production (e g. angora goats and camalids), livery, cheese making and tourism or sports related activities. In the early 1990s a windsurfing lake was constructed near to Top Barn Farm, holiday chalets were proposed in Ockeridge Wood and fishing lakes have been dug just off the Little Witley to Ockeridge Wood lane. Set-aside, whereby farmers are paid to fallow arable land, was not a large feature of the local landscape in 1999.
Map of Holt and Little Witley in 1999
Key to Farms on Map
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