100 Years Ago

In 1875 Henry and Abigail Robinson moved into Strickley with their young family. Henry's Dad has written about how it came about that they got he tenancy of the farm - see here on our website. The family grew to eleven children and many grandchildren.

In September of 1914 they all gathered at Strickley to celebrate Henry and Abigail's Golden Wedding. All the children and their wives were present, and three of the grandchildren. The occasion was marked by a formal photograph in front of the porch. They all look remarkedley composed - no one is pulling silly faces, and even the dog is looking at the camera! The names in bold below are Henry and Abigail's children

Earlier this month we managed to get all of the present Strickley family together and thought we would recreate the photo.

There are obvious similarities and differences!
The house and porch, and even the drain pipes are unchanged, and although the barn is in the same place it has been altered. There are less cobbles and more weeds.
But the main difference is the size of the family. As parents of three children we are never going to fill the porch. And I know it's a colour photo - but I bet the 1914 Robinsons weren't all wearing blue. The colour wasn't meant to be coordinating - everyone just came downstairs in blue!

Left to right -
Elliot, Victoria, James, Michelle, Robert, Claire
Chris, Fletcher, Henry, Maisie the dog, Kathleen, Quinn, Isabella

It will be our Golden Wedding in six years, so maybe we'll do it all again then!

Comings and goings

It's been a while since the last Blog post, but there's been plenty going on at Strickley. Second Cut was piled high in the pits and sheeted up (covered by what sounded like - to me - Cling Film). Hundreds of big bales were wrapped and carted down from The Lots to the compounds at Strickley.
We're well into our main calving season cow, with most cows seeming to prefer calving at night. The dry cows spend their last few weeks inside, so we can manage their diet etc (mustn't get too fat), and when they start "bagging up" they are moved to calving pens. These are right opposite our bedroom window, so it's usually me who hears the telltale moaning sounds about 2 in the morning. A quick nudge and Henry is up and out to see what's happening.

There have been much comings and goings round the house as well. Cousins camping in the Paddock, cousins camping near the pond. Children and grandchildren staying on the way to and from Scotland and Dorset. Sudden influxes of family visitors so I had to do a minor miracle and turn supper for 10 into supper for 16.

But tonight Henry and I get a bit of a respite as were off in the caravan for a couple of days. No getting up in the night for calving cows! No feeding a multitude! We're leaving Strickley - and the Aga - in the capable hands of Victoria. Elliot has had a crash course in filling and riddling.

So, Au Revoir till  the next time.