Benges Farm
Benges Farm can be found at Priors Norton on the lane leading away from the church at the back of the hill. Over the years the boundaries between Benges Farm and Little Benges are very blurred and there will be an overlap in this account and that for Benges Farm.
[1807]
When the Inclosures came to Norton in 1806 the above plan was produced and this shows the properties that could be found in this part of Priors Norton at that time. There was a track running from opposite the church straight down the back of the hill to what is now Benges Farm House, Plot No 321, 1a 1r 2p in size and owned by the Duke of Norfolk who held much of the land at Priors Norton. There is clearly a building on this site but it is not recorded as being a dwelling.
On 25 June 1828 at the Kings Head Inn, Gloucester, Thomas Cooke was authorised to sell, by auction, the Manor of Priors Norton along with Norton Court Farm, the water corn and grist mill, and several other properties at Benges. The auction leaflet included the following plan which is slightly confusing in that north is at the bottom and south at the top.
What is now the house at Benges Farm was Plot No 39, known simply as Benges, still with a titheable acreage of 1a 1r 2p and with no suggestion that there was a house on the site. The plot was associated with Thomas Charter of Norton Court Farm, which extended over 900 acres at this time.
The Poor Rate Book of 1838 gives a list of the farms in the village in that year amongst which is Stanway Hill Farm of 53 acres under Edwin Cook and later evidence suggests that this was likely what later became Benges Farm. The land was owned and farmed by Edwin Cook, born at Norton in 1813, son of Thomas and Johanna Cook, farmers. In 1807 Thomas held Plot Nos 345, 346 and 347, what became known as The Orchards. Thomas died in 1830. Edwin married Ellen, of Taynton, and they had three children baptised at Norton between 1839-1844. By 1846 Edwin was farming at Taynton but also owned Benges Farm. By 1871 Edwin was living at Aston Ingham, Hereford, but still owned land ‘near the church’ at Norton until his death. Edwin died at Newent in 1877 and was buried at Norton where he still has a memorial in the churchyard; “In affectionate remembrance of Edwin Cook who died March 12th 1877 aged 62 years”.
Benges Farm isn’t named as such in any record I have seen until the time of the 1851 Census.
Between at least 1851 and 1856 it appears that Benges Farm was owned, in absentia, by Edwin Cook of Newland, Forest of Dean, who appeared on the Norton Register of Electors for a freehold house and land at Benges Farm. In 1851 Samuel Roberts was recorded at Benges Farm, farming 16 acres, whilst a William Cook was farming 14 acres at an un-named farm ‘near the church’. Could one have been Benges and one Little Benges ?
A few years later we find the following notice which states that William Cook was the tenant at Benges Farm and also that by 1856 there was ‘a good farmhouse’ here; “Henry Bruton has received instructions to sell by auction, at the Fleece Inn, Gloucester, on Thursday, the 2nd Oct 1856, at four o’clock in the afternoon :- A Valuable and Compact Freehold and Tithe-Free Estate (exonerated of Land Tax) called Benges Farm, comprising a good Farm House, Barn, Stable, Cider House, Mill, Piggeries, &c. and 15¼ Acres of very productive Meadow, Pasture, Arable Land, and Orcharding, (the latter in its prime), situate in the parish of Norton, contiguous to the Church, about four miles from Gloucester, in the occupation of Mr William Cook, whose tenancy expires at Lady-day next. The Estate is well adapted for a Butcher or Dealer. The whole of the Land has been thoroughly drained, and there is capital building and lime-stone upon the Premises”.
William Cook had also been a farmer in this part of the village in 1841 but his land was then also un-named although later it is recorded as being near the church at World’s End so possibly he was at Benges Farm from this earlier date.
Other records indicate that Thomas and Mary Ann Bainbridge were at Benges Farm between at least 1854 and 1861. In 1867 the following schedule was produced;
27 Grove Piece, arable 3- 0-30
26 Priors Grove Piece, pasture 4- 3-24
28 The Five Acres, pasture 5- 0-26
29 Grove Piece or Fourteen Acres, pasture 14- 3-26
22 Wood Field, arable 14- 1-30
30 The Patch, arable 8- 2- 0
31 The Oak Furlong, arable 7- 3-10
33 World’s End Piece, arable 6- 0-18
36 Donacon’s Ground, pasture 2- 3-30
38 }
39 } Benges Homestead and garden 1- 1-19
40 } 0- 1- 1
41 } Wintle Patch and Great Donacons, orchard 1- 1-16
42 }
43 } Donacons and Home Ground, pasture 6- 2-37
34 }
35 } Worlds End orchard and garden, pasture 0- 3-37
57 }
58 } Allotment in Upper Fields, arable 17- 2-34
59 }
60 } Mearstons and Measrtons Piece, arable 5- 2-39
45 Hill Ground, pasture 2- 0-13
61 Allotment in Upper Church Field called Sidelands, arable 7- 0-19
32 Shanfield, part Norton, part Down Hatherley, arablen 51- 1-27
37 Cottage and Garden 0- 0-12
Unfortunately the Plot Nos refer to a map that isn’t included with the document that I have seen.
In 1875 Thomas Long was the tenant at Benges Farm when an auction was held on the property to sell approaching 400 elm, ash, and oak trees as reported in Berrow’s Worcester Journal newspaper of 18 December 1875; “Norton, near Gloucester. Important Sale of Elm, Oak and Ash Timber Trees. Mr Clement Cadle has received instructions to sell by auction at the Kings Head Inn, Norton, on Tuesday, 21st day of December , 1875, at four o’clock in the afternoon precisely, subject to conditions to be then produced. The following Lots of Valuable Timber Trees, standing on the Benges Farm. Lot 1 comprises 79 Elm and one Ash, situate in the Hill Ground and Upper Home Ground. Lot 2 comprises 95 Elm, commencing in Great Dunnacans and ending in Dunnacans. Lot 3 comprises 102 Elm, eight Oak, and one Ash, standing in World’s End Orchard and Shaw Field. Lot 4 comprises 54 Oak, 12 Ash and 31 Elm, standing in The Five Acres and The Park. The above Timber for the most part is very good, and should command the attention of Timber Merchants and dealers generally. Mr Long, the Tenant, will cause the Lots to be shewn, and any further information may be obtained of Mr Clement Cadle, Land Agent, Commercial Buildings, Gloucester”.
The Gloucestershire Chronicle newspaper of 5 July 1879 reported the sale of the property at auction although since 1851 the 14 or 15 acres seems to have grown to 170; “Bruton, Knowles and Co have received instructions to offer for sale by auction in three Lots, on Saturday, the 19th day of July, 1879, at the New Inn Hotel, Gloucester, at three o’clock in the afternoon.
Lot 1. A valuable freehold estate, known as Benges Farm, desirably situate in the parish of Norton, about four miles from the city and port of Gloucester, comprising a convenient Farmhouse, Cottages, and Agricultural Buildings, and about 170 acres of productive Pasture and Arable Land and Orcharding, now and for many years in the occupation of Mr Thomas Long.
Lot 2. A cottage and garden and good orcharding, adjoining Lot 1, in the occupation of Mr Hayward.
Lot 3. A cottage, garden, land and premises, adjoining Lot 1, in the occupation of Mr Freeman.
For further particulars apply to Messrs J G Ball, Son and Smith, Solicitors, Stroud; or Messrs Freer, Reeve & Co, Solicitors, Leicester; or Auctioneers, Albion Chambers, Gloucester”. This also tells us that there were two cottages associated with the farm at this date.
The above sale was described in more detail in a notice that Bruton, Knowles & Co circulated to advertise the auction; “Freehold Estate known as Benges Farm. Desirably situate in the Parish of Norton about 4 miles from the City and Port of Gloucester, comprising convenient farmhouse, cottages and agricultural buildings and about 72 acres of productive pasture and arable land and orcharding and also two cottages with excellent gardens.
Lot 1
34 Part of Wood Field 14- 1- 3
28 Priors Grove Piece 4- 2-36
29 Priors Grove Piece 5- 0-36
30 Priors Grove Piece 4- 3-24
31 Grove Piece 3- 0-30
32 The Five Acres 5- 0-26
33 Grove Piece 14- 3-26
35 The Patch 8- 2- 0
36 The Oak Furlong 7- 3-10
37 }
38 } Shanfield and World’s End Piece 57- 2- 5
39 }
40 World’s End Orchard 0- 2-30
41 Cottage and Garden 0- 0-17
42 Donacon’s Ground 2- 3-30
43 Cottage and Garden 0- 0-12
44 Garden 0- 0-17
45 Benges Homestead and Paddock 1- 1- 2
46 Wintle Patch 0- 1- 1
47 In Great Donacons 1- 0- 5
48 Donacons 1- 2-15
49 }
50 } Home Ground 5- 0-22
51 }
67 Allotment in Upper Church Field 7- 3-12
68 Allotment in Upper Church Field 9- 3-22
69 Mearstons 4- 0-32
70 Measrton’s Piece 1- 2- 7
Pt 7 Allotment in Upper Church Field 7- 0-19
54 }
55 } Hill Ground 2- 0-13
172- 0-39
This Lot is and has been for many years in the occupation of Thomas Long, as Tenant, and is subject to a Land Tax of £6 12s 2d and a Tithe Rent Charge of £26 1s 4d”. Once again, the Plot Nos refer to a map that isn’t included with the document and don’t even agree with those used in the 1867 schedule.
Thomas Long had been farming in this area of Norton from at least 1841 and possibly earlier. He appears to have been at Norton Court Farm, Priors Norton, for many years and as the 1828 sale, referred to earlier, stated Benges land belonged to Norton Court Farm at this time.
Shortly after this sale another auction notice appeared in the Gloucestershire Chronicle newspaper of 18 July 1879 which suggests that William Cook may still have been farming some of Benges Farm; “Bruton, Knowles and Co, have received instructions from Mr Cook to sell by auction, in the Cattle Market, Gloucester, on Monday, 29th Oct, 1879, commencing at 10:45 punctually.- The following crops of choice fruit :- Lot 1,- Crop of fruit in orchard on Ivy House Farm … 5a, Lot 2, - DITTO in ditto at Benges Farm … 5a. Mr Cook, Court Farm, Norton, will on application show the Lots”.
William Cook may just have been helping out or sub-renting some of the land as Thomas Long was still around several years later when the Gloucestershire Chronicle newspaper of 28 October 1882 reported that he was finally leaving Benges Farm; “Benges Farm, Norton, … Bruton, Knowles, and Co have received instructions from Mr Long, who is giving up the farm, to sell by auction, on Friday, 3rd November, 1882, commencing at Twelve o’clock – 5 valuable cart horses, agricultural implements (including 9 broad and narrow wheel wagons and carts, spring trap, iron and wood ploughs and harrows, winnowing and weighing machines), casks, dairy utensils, household furniture, &c. Catalogues may be had at the Inns in the neighbourhood, and at the auctioneers”.
Benges Farm was advertising for a new tenant just the following month and the Gloucester Journal newspaper of 25 November 1882 reported; “To be Let with immediate possession, Benges Farm, Norton, about four miles from Gloucester, comprising Farmhouse, Outbuildings, and 162a 0r 27p of productive Pasture and Arable Land. – Apply to Messrs J G Ball, Son, and Smith, Solicitors, Stroud, or Bruton, Knowles, and Co, Land Agents, &c, Albion Chambers, Gloucester”.
It is not known what happened to the farm at this time but a few years later we find a number of adverts in the local newspapers for a widow trying to find a new position. The Citizen newspaper of 11 November 1884; “Wanted, by a Widow and her Daughter, any Situation of Trust. Benges Farm, Norton”. The Citizen newspaper of 31 December 1885; “Wanted, by a Widow and her Daughter, Management of a Business, or any Situation of Trust. Benges Farm, Norton”.
On 6 February 1886, Emily Evans of Benges Farm, late of Coopers Hill House, Brockworth, died aged 64 years and was buried at Norton. Emily was the mother of Fanny Evans who had married Henry Organ and lived at Norton Court Farm. Emily had other family and perhaps they were all briefly at Benges Farm at this time. William Evans was born at Teddington, Worcs, in 1820, had married Emily Nind at Tredington in 1842, and they had four children; Fanny Matilda, Emily Ann, Edmund Attwood and Rose Ellen. In 1851 they were farming with Emily’s parents on a 200 acres property at Treddington. In 1871 William and Emily were running a lodging house at Brockworth, perhaps Coopers Hill House. In 1881 Emily was living at Barton Street, Gloucester, employed as a dairywoman. At this time she was recorded as married but her husband was not in residence, only daughter Rose. Perhaps Emily and Rose were the ‘widow’ and daughter looking for employment in 1884/85 ? Widowed husband William was living at Churchdown when he died in 1892 and he was also buried at Norton.
By 1885 William Dyer Esq, then of Bredon, had become the ‘lord of the manor of the eastern part of the parish’ and a Henry Charles Organ was the farmer in residence at Norton Court Farm. The Gloucestershire Chronicle newspaper does record Henry Organ’s presence in connection to Benges Farm, however, on 1 October 1887; “Benges Farm, Norton, … Bruton, Knowles, and Co, have received instructions from Mr H C Organ to sell by auction, at the Homestead, on Tuesday, 11th October, 1887, at Four for Five o’clock in the afternoon, in Lots, - 130 Acres of grass keep, growing on the above farm, from day of sale to 24th December next”. A similar advert appeared in the Gloucestershire Chronicle newspaper the following spring on 21 April 1888; “Benges Farm, Norton, … Bruton, Knowles, and Co, have received instructions to sell by auction, at the Homestead, on Monday, 7th May, 1888, at Four for Five o’clock in the afternoon, in Nine Lots, - 130 Acres of grass keep, from day of sale to 28th September next”. Perhaps the land at Benges was still being farmed by the Norton Court Farm tenant.
By 1891 William Dyer is at Norton Court Farm farming with his son Henry and may have been here when the Gloucestershire Chronicle newspaper of 25 October 1890 reported from the monthly meeting of the Gloucester Highway Board; “The Surveyor read his report, in which he said that since the last meeting he had inspected the culvert passing under the road near Benge’s Farm at Norton, and found that the flooding of the road at that point was due to the ditches not being kept clear so as to allow the stream water to pass over, and he proposed to issue notices at once to the occupiers of the land through which the ditches pass requesting them to clear out the same”.
Between 1897 and 1901 Joseph Lyes was at Benges Farm although between 1883 and 1889 he had also been at Cider Mill Farm, Marlpit Lane; could this have been the same place ? In 1901 Joseph had moved to live with his uncle William Wakefield at Barn Farm.
The Gloucester Journal newspaper of 8 December 1900 reported on the sale of timber at Benges; “Bruton, Knowles and Co are instructed to sell by auction, at the New Inn Hotel, Gloucester, on Wednesday, December 12th, 1900, at 1 for 2 o’clock, in two lots, - 49 elm and other timber trees, standing on Benges Farm, Norton, in the occupation of Mr S Chandler, and Little Benges Farm, in the occupation of Mr John Webb”.
Between 1897 and 1914 Sidney Chandler, who lived at Leigh End, The Leigh, was qualified to vote at Norton on account of land and tenement at World’s End Farm. Worlds End Farm may have been based around what is now Woodside bungalow. In 1901 John, Letitia Webb and their four children were farming here and the Census named their property as Benges Farm. The Webbs were still here in 1906.
In 1910 James Hyett was at Benges Farm, living in a Norton Court Farm cottage. In the same year a Thomas Betterton was also listed at Benges Farm in a Trade Directory although in 1911 he was actually residing at Ivy House Farm opposite.
On 6 June 1910, Bruton Knowles & Co were instructed by Sidney Chandler to sell at the cattle market, Gloucester, six ricks of hay, one of which was on Benges Farm. In 1911 it appears that Sidney Chandler of Leigh End Farm was still farming land at Benges as the following from the Gloucester Journal newspaper of 9 December 1911 reports; “A fire call reached the Gloucester Post Office by telegram about 5 on Thursday afternoon from Coombe Hill. The message was immediately conveyed to the Liverpool and London and Globe fire station, and the brigade turned out smartly under Captain Jeens, being away in three minutes. Upon arriving at Coombe Hill it was found that the outbreak was at Benges Farm, occupied by Mr Sidney Chandler. Two ricks were situated close together, and one had become ignited all round. Owing to the promptitude with which the brigade got to work, they were enabled to save the smaller of the two intact. Water had to be obtained from a pool 1000 feet away, and this proved a great handicap. The larger of the two ricks, the one which was on fire, contained about 25 tons of old hay, and of this 12 to 14 tons were saved by cutting out. A curious incident arose when the men were preparing to roll the hose preparatory to returning. It had been freezing hard, and this had acted on the water which collects on the outside of the hose and frozen it solidly, and a bonfire had to be lit before the men could proceed with the rolling. The brigade returned to Gloucester about 6am on Friday morning. The rick which was saved contained about 12 to 14 tons of hay”.
It is not clear who else was living here in 1911. Charles, a farm labourer, Ellen Wheeler and 9 young children were living in a 9 room property at Benges, possibly the farmhouse rather than one of the cottages due to the number of rooms. Charles was still here in 1915. In 1901, however, Charles and family were recorded at Benges Cottage.
In December 1917 the following appeared in the local newspapers but it is not known who placed the advertisement; “Situations Vacant. Wanted. 2 good all-round Men for Farm work; good wages; live in if single. – Benges Farm, Norton”.
On 13 April 1919 George Brown was at Benges Farm when he was sued by James Groves of neighbouring Ivy House Farm for knocking down and injuring his infant daughter, Catherine. George Brown was said to have been driving a horse and trap along Benges Lane “at a rapid pace and without looking where he was going, caused his trap to collide with plaintiff, knocking her down and injuring her right leg, severely bruising her body and ankle, injuring her nerves and damaging her clothing”. Brown’s defence was that she had stepped out in front of him and collision was inevitable. Groves was claiming £42 3s 4d made up as follows; “Loss of earnings for five weeks, £10; doctors charges, £3; medicine, 14s 3d; extra nourishment, £1; damage to clothes and boots, £2 2s; general damages for pain and suffering, £25”. The judge ruled in Brown’s favour.
Later in 1919 George Brown was ending his time at Benges Farm according to the following advertisement in the Gloucestershire Chronicle newspaper of 26 July 1919; “Benges Farm, Norton … J Pearce Pope & Sons have been favoured with instructions from Mr G Brown, to sell by auction, on the premises, as above, Thursday, August 14th, 1919, commencing with the cattle at 1pm. – The whole of his valuable live and dead farming stock, comprising briefly, 14 Well-bred shorthorn cattle, 2 Capital working horses, 4 Strong store pigs, a useful assortment of agricultural implements, harness, poultry and appliances; also the growing crop of wheat and peas, about 100 acres of grass keep. The whole of the valuable household furniture”.
The flooding issue hadn’t gone away and appears again at a Gloucester Rural District Council meeting reported in the Gloucestershire Chronicle newspaper of 28 October 1922; “The question of the flooding of the road at Worlds End, Norton, in consequence of a roadside ditch being blocked up for the use of cattle, was mentioned, it being stated that the road at the entrance to Benges Farm was often two or three feet under water. The Council agreed that the Surveyor should see the adjoining occupiers and inform them that if they cleared out the ditch and left room to allow of the road being drained, the Council would not object to part of the cattle blockage remaining; but if the Council had to clear out the ditch they would take steps to prevent any blockage being replaced”.
On 22 March 1920 Bruton, Knowles & Co held an auction at the Bell Hotel, Gloucester, for Little Benges Farm, a small farmhouse, a set of agricultural buildings, and about 15a 14p of pasture land and orcharding let to Mrs Archer at £35 per annum. The property was sold to Mrs Rudge, Norton, for £1050 with additional £57 for the growing timber. The property was free from tithe and not assessed for land tax. Annie Rudge was described as ‘of Norton’ suggesting that they were here prior to this sale.
Annie was born at Bishops Cleeve in 1871, the daughter of Lee Robinson and Eliza Gaskins, farmers. By 1881 the family had moved to Whitmore Farm, Longhope, and by 1891 to Knapp Farm, Aston Ingham, where Annie was an apprentice dressmaker. Annie married Sidney Ernest Rudge in 1897. Sidney was born at Lea Bailey, Forest of Dean, in 1876, son of Amos, a haulier, and Elizabeth Rudge. In 1901 Sidney and Annie were living at Aston Ingham, Hereford, where Sidney was a baker and grocer with his own business. Sidney died in 1910 and in 1911 widowed Annie was at Gorsley along with three children; Stanley Ernest Herbert (1898), Victor Osbourne (1903) and Minnie Beryl (1908). Annie had taken over the business as a baker and grocer. Coming to Norton in 1919/20, in April 1925 son Stanley was recorded as a farmer of Benges Farm when he married Florence Edith Batty, of Wellcroft, The Leigh, at Norton. Annie must have been musical as, in July 1925, she provided the accompaniment to a musical evening at St Mary’s, Norton, and also gave an organ solo, and, in September 1925, she played the piano at the end of season Norton Cricket Club dance. Annie must also have been a teacher of piano and organ and in April 1926, Mabel Goulter of Cold Elm, Norton, was described as being one of her students when she passed a Royal College of Music pianoforte examination. On the farming front, at the Gloucestershire Root, Fruit and Grain annual show in November 1925, Mrs A G Rudge won a prize in the mangelwurzel category and at Gloucester market autumn horse sale in October 1932 Annie sold a brown gelding for 34 guineas. By 1939 Annie was recorded as being an invalid, and son Victor was working the farm with sister Minnie still in residence recorded as a housekeeper and poulterer.
In October 1939 Minnie was selling “nine stock turkeys, laying pullets, small foul houses”.
In a Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Farm Survey from 1943 it was reported that all but one of the Norton farms were regarded as well managed, the exception being Benges Farm. It was recorded as being a Class B mixed farm of 184 acres, and it had been taken over by the county war agricultural executive committee on account of its owner’s inability, lack of capital, drive and initiative. The owner was recorded as A G Rudge.
Vic Rudge leading a cow along the lane with Benges Farm visible to the left and Ivy House to the right.
Annie was still ‘of Benges Farm’ in 1943 when she died at Dudley Farm, Ampney Crucis, the home of her married daughter Minnie, and she was buried at Christ Church, Gorsley. Son Victor took over at Benges Farm.
In March 1945 an Austin 7, 2-seater sports car, in good condition was advertised for sale at £65 from Benges Farm.
In September 1946 Victor was temporarily employing a 15 year old boy to pick fruit at the farm when he discovered that the boy had stolen £40 from the farmhouse. The boy had absconded from an approved school at Exminster, Devon, and the police had been looking for him. The majority of the money was returned and, at the Gloucester County Juvenile Court, the boy was ordered to be returned to the school “for a lengthy period”. Vic left Norton in the early 1950s and was living at Hill Top, Newent, when he died at the Royal Hospital, Southgate Street, Gloucester, in July 1956.
The Citizen newspaper from September 1949 included; “Heinz Norton of Benges Cottage, Norton, was bound over by Gloucester County Magistrates yesterday for assault, and ordered to pay £2 7s costs. He was stated to have taken a gun from Walter William Soley, of Benges Farm, Norton, by force. Soley, employed on the farm as a labourer by his uncle, said he was out shooting, and had fired two shots on another part of the farm. He was walking through an orchard near Norton’s cottage when Norton came out, asked him if he had a licence, and grabbed the gun. Norton pushed him into the hedge and his trousers were torn. Fortunately the gun was not loaded”.
In 1939 Sarah J Rhyles was also living in the Rudge household at Benges. Born at Gorsley in 1893, daughter of Charles and Fanny Rhyles, Sarah Jane was still with her parents at Linton in 1901 but by 1911 she was living with the Rudge’s employed as a general servant and appears to have remained with the family throughout their time at Norton. Sarah was living at Townsend House, Abenhall, when she died in 1982 and she was buried in the churchyard there.
In 1954 William, Gladys Hartwell and their children were at Benges Farm and by the following year their son Robert had married Patricia Wiltshire and was living at nearby Church House. William Henry Hartwell was born at Northleach on 23 June 1901, son of Francis Thomas Hartwell and Hannah Wood nee Langford and grew up at Bourton on the Water. William married Gladys May Smart at Gloucester Register Office in 1926 and they had four children; Ann, James, Robert and Sarah. Father Francis was particularly well known in the Cotswolds, being a member of a Bourton family which for many years traded as garage and agricultural engineers, and were the first to introduce farm tractors to that area. He had opened Hartwell’s Garage in Northgate Street, Gloucester, in 1923 and this was taken over in 1927 by the Cheltenham and Gloucester Car Mart, Ltd. Both father and son William continued to be a part of the businesses and in 1927 William was the manager of the St Aldate Street Garage. The garages were predominantly Austin dealerships and in the 1930s the Hartwells also had a garage in Kings Square, Gloucester, which closed when a newly rebuilt garage with state of the art features and technology opened in Northgate Street on 29 July 1938 with William continuing as General Manager.
The old garage in Kings Square
The new garage in Northgate Street
William was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire as reported in the Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic newspaper of 8 January 1944; “Mr W H Hartwell, of Findelin, Carisbrooke Road, Hucclecote, is awarded the MBE (Civil Division). Mr Hartwell has been highways repair officer to Sir Alfred Robinson, Regional Commissioner for War Transport in the South-Western region, since shortly after the outbreak of war. Mr Hartwell is well known in the motor trade as a director of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Car Mart and St Aldate’s Garage, Gloucester”. In 1946 William and Gladys were still living at Findelin, Hucclecote, and between at least 1948-53 they were living at Calfway Farm, Bisley, before coming to Benges Farm.
William and Gladys appear to have been at Benges for less than 2 years and seem to have left in 1955 when the Tewkesbury Register and Gazette newspaper of 13 August 1955 advertised; “Wednesday, August 31st, 1955 at 2pm, Benges Farm, Norton, Glos. Following the sale at 12.30pm of 76 Purebred attested Red Poll cattle by Messrs Harry Hobson & Co, J Pearce Pope & Sons will sell by auction 31 Grand Kerry Ewes, David Brown Crawler and Ferguson Diesel tractors, agricultural implements, Etc (the majority nearly new) for Mr W H Hartwell, MBE”.
In 1962 William and Gladys were living at 10 Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham, in 1969 at 2 High Point, Lansdown, Cheltenham, and in 1972 at 42 Bestbury Park, Minchinhampton, where William died in 1973.
Sally Beale of Benges Farm told me in July 2025; “Father in law bought Benges Farm in about 1955, he bought it from someone who’d only had it for about a year, he bought it to do it up, hoping that his son would go into farming, but that didn’t work”. The person in question was likely William Hartwell and his son Robert.
From 1955 Richard Eric and Margaret Kathleen Beale were at Benges Farm and it has remained in their family ever since.
In March 1963, the Beales were advertising for a gardener and/or handyman to work on Saturday mornings at Benges Farm. In September 1963, the Beales were advertising for a herdsman to start work in October. He would be responsible for commercial Fresians with a yard and parlour and would have a modern house. In May 1986, Richard Beale of Benges Farm applied for outline planning permission to alter existing barns, build a detached dwelling house with private car garage and new vehicular entrance through J W Building Services, Bishops Cleeve.
[2002]
Richard Stephen and Sara Ann 'Sally' Beale were here prior to 2002 and remain here in 2025.
[2021]
