Always ahead of the field

Last Sunday Henry's Uncle Wilson came to lunch and more particularly to look at some old photographs and reminisce. He was born at Strickley in 1916 and so has seen vast changes in farming. We have inherited hundreds of old photographs; some professional studio portraits (from the 19th century onwards), some especially posed to commemorate special occasions, some of cows and bulls, and many snapshots. To preserve them in another form and to share, I have scanned and saved the bulk of them. And with the wonders of technology we can look at them on a large screen television. 

To set the scene, this was taken in 1920, and shows Uncle Wilson (in a sailor suit) and Henry's father William (in what looks like a dress - maybe for his Christening?), with parents Frances and Arthur, and grandfather Henry.

And another more informal photograph as the boys grew up.

 

But on Sunday we were also looking back to earlier in the 20th Century. It seemed that the Robinsons were always ready to photograph important events, in the family and on the farm. And the arrival of new machinery was definitely something to capture.

 

 



Uncle Wilson remembered this photograph (taken in 1912 a few years before he was born). It shows a Bamford mowing machine - the first in the parish. Until then corn was cut by hand with a scythe. This was a great leap forward. It was a two man (and two horse) job, with one man "putting off" the cut corn (I hope I've got the right word - it was definitely not "forking off"). And yet another man to hand tie the sheaves. The photograph shows Henry Robinson, born 1843 and obviously in charge of the new machine. Tying the sheaves is Arthur (born 1880) and we think the other man is one of his brothers. Bringing out the tea is Arthur's sister Ruth. It's difficult to see all the mower detail in this photo, but we have another larger one that shows the lettering on the "spokes". I can't scan it as it's firmly fixed (ancient wood and nails) in a large frame. But peering at it thorough the glass it says )one word on each spoke) - Bamford, Patent, Royal, Uttoxeter, England.