Farms and farming

Traction Engines: George Swann

George Swann was another of the Drage & Kent drivers.  While he didn't live in Chrishall he worked with many of the men who did of course. Summer 1928 - George Swann driver, aged about 16 These photographs are kindly reproduced with the permission of Clive Flack...

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Plough Team 1917

Plough Team 1917

A plough team from Chrishall in approximately 1917.  This might have been one of the last jobs this set of engines did with Drage and Kent as these engines were known to have been sold during 1917. They are: (Lionel) Stanley Clarke on the engine.  Then left to right:...

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Reapers

Reapers

Chrishall Reapers: Amos Pitches, Walter Webb, Timothy Harvey, Charlie Banks, Alfred Walters, Billy Barnes, Albert Reed, Fred Reed. This team was swanging charlock.  To 'swange' (pronounced swonj) was to cut off the flowers of the weed before they seeded.  The tools...

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Haymakers with hoops

Haymakers with hoops

The Haymakers. The willow hoops on the end of the scythes helped to control how the hay fell once cut. From left to right: William Revell   Amos Pitches    William Cranwell    Albert Drury    Leonard Flack    Herbert Flack...

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Haymakers

Haymakers

Workmen pictured at Reservoir Hall Lane, Great Chishill c 1935. Tim Harvey is in the front row with the pipe and back row left to right are Ron Reed & Chummy Harvey. Karen Rogers of South Wales writes (July 2010): "I'm descended from Thomas Rogers and Phoebe Reed....

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Drage & Kent’s “Gyro Tiller”

Drage & Kent’s “Gyro Tiller”

This incredible beast of a machine was also known as a Diesel Rotary Plough and was made by Fowler of Leeds, who were better known for the manufacture of steam locomotives and traction engines. It was a real monster and was used for breaking up the heavy clay Essex...

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