Court Farm (Butts Farm, Upper Farm, Norton House Farm)
What became Court Farm was likely once the predecessor of the manor house, Norton Court, and much of this site’s early history has been covered under the article about Norton Court itself. The new Court was built in 1762 and this is likely when Court Farm lost its position as Estate house.
The earliest record of the property after 1762 has been found in 1786 when the estate of the deceased William Singleton, who held the Norton Court Estate at the time, was being sold. William Butt was the ‘tenant at will’ at a yearly rent of £123 11s 9d. The property was described as “a messuage or tenement, with the offices, gardens, orchards and lands thereto belonging, situate at Norton aforesaid, consisting of a good farm-house, barn, stables and other convenient and useful offices, and about 186 acres of arable land, meadow and pasture ground, partly inclosed and partly in the common fields and meadows of Norton aforesaid. NB. These land lye near, and in part contiguous to, the said Mansion-house and gardens, and part of the lands were held therewith by Mr Singleton”. In the description of the manor house is also the comment that there were “2 fish ponds, one of which is in the Court near the House, and the other reserved in a Ground let to the Tenant at some little distance from the House”. Could this second fish pond have been what is believed to have been an early moat and which can still be identified in the grounds at Court Farm ?
At the time of the 1806 Inclosure Act, the site where Court Farm can be found today was Plot No 207, known as the Homestead, was owned by Edward Webb who then held the Norton Court Estate, and still in the tenancy of William Butt.
Extract from 1807 Inclosure Award plan for Norton
In 1838 there was a Norton House Farm, likely what is now known as Court Farm, farmed by Samuel Butt of 354 acres. In 1841, Samuel Butt was farming Butts Farm, along with sons John and Henry who were both recorded as farmers, daughter Harriet, and employed Henry Mann, Elizabeth F?, and Elizabeth Johnson, as servants. Samuel was born at Norton in 1795, the son of William and Ann (nee Higgs) Butt. He appears to have moved to Standish to farm, where the Butt family had strong ties, he married Hannah and had a number of children there.
During his time here Samuel Butt also seems to have been the organiser of the Norton Harriers and maintained a pack of dogs. On 22 March 1847 he was entertained to a dinner as a thankyou for his work; "a very spirited and successful season with this capital little crack pack of harriers closed by a complimentary dinner given on Monday last at the Spread Eagle Inn, Gloucester, to Mr Samuel Butt, of Norton, as a mark of gratitude to him by his sporting friends for his excellent management of the pack. Upwards of thirty lovers of the chase comprising subscribers to the hunt and their friends sat down to an admirable dinner, and spent the evening in that spirit of enjoyment and good fellowship which has invariably characterised the old English sportsman. It was announced that satisfactory arrangements would be made for bringing the pack again into the field next season in such a state of efficiency as should ensure support and satisfaction at least equal to the result of the season just concluded".
Samuel Butt died at Norton in October 1847 and this event probably triggered the sale of the property.
A document giving particulars of sale, for ‘Upper Farm’ at Norton, dated 13 March 1848 I believe refers. The document is headed “Particulars of the Upper Farm situate in the Parish of Norton in the county of Gloucester late in the occupation of Mr Samuel Butt. It comprises a convenient Farm House with ample Buildings and 345 Acres of Land divided into the following inclosures”. The document then goes on to detail all of the land by plot number, field name, state (wood, mead, arable, pasture, etc), and its size. The document concludes with; “The farm lies well together and although the Pasture Land on the Hill is of very inferior quality it is a very convenient addition for the purpose of depasturing the stock during the period when the Meadow Land is subject to be flooded a considerable portion of the Farm would be much improved by draining. The Estate is Tithe free. My estimate of the annual value is £515-5-0”. The document is signed by one Richard Hale.
The representatives of Mr Samuel Butt instructed C F Moore to sell by auction on 21 and 22 March 1848; "the whole of the valuable dairy and fat stock, horses, hay, implements, utensils, casks, and about 7000 gallons of cider and perry. Sheep; which comprise 60 ewes and theaves in yean or with lambs. 54 chilver and wether tegs, a long woolled lamb, and one Southdown ditto. Cattle; 15 young useful cows and calves or near calving, 6 three year old heifers in good season, 4 fresh barren heifers, 1 martin heifer, 3 grazers, 3 three year old fresh steers, 5 two year old ditto, 2 two year old heifers, 15 yearlings, 12 fat weaning calves, 8 capital fat cows, and 1 pure Hereford bull. Horses; 6 powerful cart mares and geldings, 6 two and three year old cart colts, a Galloway three years old, brown mare four years old, 2 useful mares six years old - good hunters and steady in harness; bay gelding six years old, 3 half-bred mares (aged). Hay, pigs, &c; 2 sows in farrow, and two hilts in farrow; rick of prime hay, 30 tons (to go off); about 50 tons ditto, in lots (to bo spent). Implements and dairy utensils; four capital narrow wheel wagons, 1 six inch ditto, 3 broad wheel carts, 1 narrow ditto, 5 pairs of harrows and drags, 4 ploughs, land rolls, chaff machine and boxes, 10 sets of harness, sacks, troughs, hurdles, quantity of well seasoned timber &c; large whey loads, cheese cowls, butter leads, brass and tin milk pans, in fact, a clean assortment of dairy effects. About 7000 gallons of cider and perry, 50 casks from 100 to 700 gallons. ... The dairy stock will be found exceedingly useful; Horses mostly young and good workers; and the cider made off Norton Farm is well known for its superiority; it would be as well to name that amongst the above cider there are the Butt pear, Oldfield, Barland, and Hagley Crab. Order of sale; first day; sheep, dairy stock, horses, hay, pigs and implements. Second day; cider, dairy utensils and outward effects. The cider will be sold precisely at two o'clock. Sale each day at eleven o'clock punctually. The whole of the neat and useful furniture and effects will be sold on Friday, the 31st day of March; particulars will be published".
There was a 'second sale at Norton' on 31 March 1848, when C F Moore announced an auction on the premises to sell; "the whole of the valuable household furniture, capital casks, and effects, of the late Mr Samuel Butt, by order of his representatives".
In 1851 Norton House is occupied by William Butt who was farming 339 acres and employing 10 labourers. William was born at Standish in 1825, the son of Samuel and Hannah Butt. At this time he was single and employing Mary Wager and Mary Chew as farm servants, Joseph Burgoyne as butler, Hannah Annsley as housemaid and Ann Clark as parlourmaid. None of the staff were from Norton. The farm must have remained in the same family but whether it was sold in 1848 is not clear.
In 1861 William Butt was still here farming 245 acres and employing 8 labourers and 3 boys. His sister Louisa from Standish was in the household as were 4 servants; Mary Harris as housekeeper, George Evans as groom, Hannah Nelmes as dairymaid, and Ann Meek as house servant. Again none of the staff were from Norton.
William Butt was planning on leaving Norton House Farm in 1862 ending the family’s tenure here as reported in the Gloucester Journal newspaper of 18 October which also tells us what livestock would have been kept on the farm at that date; "Norton House Farm, Four miles from Gloucester and eight from Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, Bruton and Knowles have received instructions from Mr Wm Butt who is about leaving the farm, To sell by auction on Thursday, the 30th October, 1862 His valuable herd of young dairy cows and heifers, bulls, fat and store sheep, pigs, horses, colts, and grass keep, comprising 25 very useful young dairy cows, and 8 three year old heifers, in good season, 8 stirk(*) heifers, 7 fresh barrens, 9 weaned heifer calves, two year old bull, short horn bull bred by Mr T Morris, 35 cross bred stock ewes, 2 long woolled rams, 9 strong store pigs, valuable thoroughbred Chestnut mare 16 hands high, 7 years old, a splendid hunter, equal to great weight, 2 half bred mares, cart mare, 2 yearling cart and 1 half bred colt, 2 sucking cart colts, and 200 acres of grass keep, to the 25th March. Also, the property of J P Goodrich, Esq, a very valuable and well-bred bay gelding, seven years old and up to great weight. Refreshments will be on the table at Eleven, and the Sale will commence at Twelve o’clock. … The remainder of the Horses and the Implements will be sold in the Spring”.
As stated, the following spring we find; “Norton House Farm, Norton, Bruton and Knowles have received instructions from Mr W Butt, who is leaving the farm, to sell by auction upon the premises, on Monday, the 23rd March, 1863, commencing at twelve o’clock; - The valuable assortment of agricultural implements, part of the household furniture, casks, cider and effects”.
William Butt married Susan Jane Harris at Brookethorpe in 1862 and returned to live at Standish farming at Standish Court.
John Green was the next tenant appearing to follow directly from William Butt. Born at Norton in 1829, the son of Henry and Mary Ann Green who was miller and farmer at the Mill on Tewkesbury Road where John learnt his trade growing up with his widowed father. John married Mary Ann Chandler at The Leigh in 1861 and came here shortly afterwards signing a 7 year lease with the Norton Court Estate starting from Michaelmas 1863. In 1871 John Green was still here with wife Mary, five young children and four servants; a nursemaid, governess, dairymaid and general.
At the Gloucester County Police Court in July 1875 we find them having to settle an employment agreement at Norton. George Banks was charged with unlawfully leaving his employment with John Green at Court Farm, Norton. Banks had been contracted to work on the farm from Christmas 1874 till hay-making was complete at 12s per week. On 14 July he had walked off the farm and not returned since. Banks stated that he was willing to work between six in the morning and six in the evening, which he considered a fair day’s work, but that Mr Green had actually ordered him off the farm. Mr Green admitted that this was the case but added that Banks had returned and worked two further days since that happened. The Bench decided that it was John Green who had violated the contract and annulled it altogether.
From a document recording the conveyance of rent on lands owned by the Norton Court state dated 17 September 1878, John Green was farming 217 acres at Court Farm on a yearly tenancy. In 1881 John and family had left Norton and were farming at Whitefield Court, Deerhurst. John Green died in 1890 and in 1891 his widow Mary was at Norton Farm with son Ernest.
The Cook family appear to have arrived at Norton in the late 1870s and took over the tenancy of Court Farm. In 1881 we find William Cook, wife Emma, sons Edwin William and Arthur Joseph both also employed on the farm and daughter Louisa Emma. Sarah Ann Calcott was also here employed as a servant.
William Cook was born at Latton, Wilts, in 1825, the son of William and Margaret Cook, farmers, and married Emma Boulton in May 1854 at Cricklade, Wilts. Emma was born at Minety, Wilts, in 1826, daughter of Thomas and Martha Boulton, farmers. They came to live at Boddington where eldest son Edwin was born in 1862 and in 1871 the family were living at Barrow, Boddington, where William was employed as a miller.
William Cook, wife Emma, and son Arthur were still at Court Farm in 1891 along with Mary A Hussel and Reginald Browning, both employed as servants. Emma Cook died in August 1893 and William retired to Dunsworth Villa leaving Court Farm in the hands of his son Arthur Joseph who married Mary Elizabeth Pope at Norton in November 1893. William died in March 1906.
By 1901 Arthur had taken over the farm from his parents and was there with his wife Mary, sons Raymond William and Henry Arthur, daughters Mary Esther and Kathleen Emma along with Gertrude Collard mothers domestic help, Elizabeth Piff nurse, Tom Luker , 17 year old learning farming, and Edgar T Jones, milkman on farm. The Cooks were still in residence at Court Farm in 1911, about the time the following photo was taken.
Arthur Joseph with Mary Elizabeth, seated, Henry Arthur standing, to the left, Mary Esther central, Raymond William far right and Kathleen Emma seated, at Court Farm
It is believed that the following photos were all taken at Court Farm pre-1920 and show the family harvesting.
A Norton Court Estate inspection took place of 3 May 1921 on the general condition of Court Farm and has left a detailed report of its findings.
“The farm has a total area of 315 acres, comprising 62 acres of arable, 77 acres of meadow, 173 acres of pasture, of which 15 acres is planted with fruit trees.
General Remarks
The farm generally is in very fair condition. The land is well stocked with cattle and sheep of good quality, and this particularly applies to the herd of dairy cows. On the upland pasture attention is required to the eradication of ant-hills and thorn bushes in certain fields. The low-lying meadows are somewhat disappointing, due partly to the wet summer of last year, but mainly to the need for better and quicker drainage. In view of the large area of these meadows it would be desirable to concentrate on the improvement of drainage facilities. A large amount of the War period arrears of hedging has now been done, and although there is a considerable quantity remaining to be dealt with, it would be unwise to denude the farm of shelter and an available source of thorns for future repairs. The rotation of work on fences has been broken due to the War, and care should be taken in the readjustment of this work. A point to which attention is directed is the lack of effective ditching when the hedge has been laid. Although it may be impracticable to maintain a ditch in good order to the depth contemplated by certain gateway culverts, yet the ditches are of great importance and should be treated accordingly. The orchards are a particularly pleasing feature, and it appears that the tenant is co-operating with the landlord to make them a success.
Detailed Notes of Condition
No 88, Perry Piece Pasture. The hedge to the south of this field should be laid in the winter of 1921-2. The hedge to the north has been laid, but the ditch, particularly at the lower end, requires attention now.
No 89, Slip Ground Pasture. One half of the hedge between the Slip Ground and Hovel Ground should be laid in the winter of 1921-2. Ash tree should be cut down and new quick planted and fenced in place of dead hedge. The thorns and briars have been burnt, but the ant-hills should be dug out and preferably carted to heap mixed with lime and re-spread later. The pool should be fenced to prevent cattle treading in the sides. The fence between Slip Ground and Perry Piece is bad, but only usual repairing should be done. Fence west of Slip Ground should not be dealt with for two or three years, but that portion from gateway to arable field should be grubbed and re-planted.
No 31, The Park. Fence on north-west boundary from pond southwards to corner of arable field should be cleared and re-planted, but this might reasonably be deferred for two or three years. The remainder of this north-west fence may be cleared if it is decided to lay down to pasture part of arable field No 30.
No 41, Far Hill. The brambles and bushes should be cut when opportunity arises.
Nos 43, 44 & 29, Pebbly Field. The hedge adjoining arable field east of gateway should be laid in winter of 1921-2.
No 45, Greenhill. Hedge adjoining arable field requires repair and protection by wire; also rabbits should be stopped out and nettles cut when required.
No 48, Old Orchard. Hedge adjoining Greenhill should be laid.
No 33, Field between Plantations. North hedge should be laid in 1921-2, and old ash trees cut out and quick planted where necessary. Wire fence requires immediate repair at north-west corner.
No 12, Rough Bank. Brambles and bushes should be cut when opportunity arises. Gate requires repair and re-hanging (by landlord).
Pt No 12, North Bank. There appears to be a large number of thistles in this field which will require attention.
No 29, Field with farm track through. The hedges have been cropped on two sides and may require protection from cattle. There are some ant-hills and thistles to be dealt with.
No 51, Field by Keepers Cottage. The point raised in the General Remarks as to hedges being laid and the ditches not thrown at the same time applies to this field.
No 52, Big Field. Fences near pool require repair (5 new rails). A proper watering place should be made, presumably by arrangement between landlord and tenant.
No 27, Field adjoining Orchard. A patch of nettles will require attention. The hedges have been dealt with, and in this case, the ditch.
No 29, Orchard. The ditch by the road has been dug out in this case also.
No 23, Barn Ground. Considerable care has been taken of this orchard and its fences.
No 64, Home Ground. Fence adjoining farm road requires repair, and ditch should be dug out and protected either by timber fencing or wire.
No 70, Old Orchard. A few ant-hills require digging out.
No 20, North part of Orchard. Hedge on east side should be laid and ditch well dug out.
No 19, Redland Piece. Thorn bushes should be kept cut out, and thistles will require attention.
No 102, Field adjoining No 19. Ant-hills have got rather bad in this field, and should be dealt with.
No 100a, Meadow adjoining No 19. Hedge between No 19 and 100a should be trimmed back and the ditch dug out.
No 101, Meadow adjoining No 102. Hedge between Nos 102 and 101 should be laid in winter of 1921-2 and ditch properly dug out.
Nos 100a, 100, 101, 97 & 99, Drainage to Meadows. The drainage system generally has got into bad condition and everything practicable should be done to remedy this matter. The Leigh and Colliers Brook require throwing this year. The ditch between the two large meadows Big Strathay and Lower Moor should be dug out to a good depth and the open ditches in the meadow dug out. A very large amount of work, and expenditure at the present cost of labour, is involved, and it seems a matter for careful consideration as to when this work should proceed. This is a matter which should be discussed with the occupiers of the lands affected and a general working plan laid down, so that work when done will not be adversely affected by work left for a future occasion or left by an adjoining owner. The question of bringing the adjoining owners into line is of first importance, particularly those owning property on the lower reaches of the streams to be dealt with.
Summary.
After the general survey of the farm it is convenient to consider the essential points in their relative importance, which in our opinion is as follows:-
1. To throw all brooks and ditches either in the meadows or leading thereto.
2. To thoroughly dig out all ditches where previously existing when fences are laid to such point where the water can discharge into a man ditch, and trim back brambles etc
3. Dig out ant-hills and cut out thorns, those on the banks facing the river to be last dealt with.
4. To lay such hedges as have been mentioned in 1921-2 or such other equal lengths as local knowledge and the stocking of the farm may direct, but in any event that in place of too much neatness the ditch be well dug on the one side and as much live thorn as possible left on the other side; also that a protection of barbed wire be provided if found necessary”.
At the Cheltenham Root, Fruit and Grain Society orchard competition of 1926, Arthur Joseph Cook of Court Farm, Norton, did particularly well and was awarded the silver cup, given by Mr Williams of Cheltenham. “… the general appearance and upkeep of whose orchard was excellent, and where there were to be seen some of the finest trees of twelve to fourteen years growth. The varieties included in it were not only the very best dessert and culinary apples, but also the best cider and perry varieties, all of which convey the credible results of liberal treatment and constant care and attention since they were planted”. This was the third year in a row that Mr Cook had won this cup as a result of which he got to keep it. We find Arthur Cook getting praise for his orchards again in 1935 when he won the Lord Bledisloe Challenge Cup and Capt Walker’s prize for the best orchard in Gloucestershire at the annual Gloucestershire Root, Fruit and Grain Society’s competition.
The Citizen newspaper of 17 June 1935 reported; “… at six o’clock there was another thunderstorm, accompanied by rain, but the heavy damage done in other parts of the country was not experienced in Gloucester, except in a single instance. A young beast took shelter under a fruit tree near the Wainlode Hill road, on Mr A J Cook’s farm at Norton, was struck by lightning, and killed instantly”.
The Citizen newspaper of 17 August 1937 reported; “A 60-tons hayrick at Court Farm, Norton, belonging to Mr Cook, caught fire today. The stack is in the middle of the rick yard, and the Gloucester City Fire Brigade prevented the fire from spreading, but six hours after their arrival they were still at work”.
In 1939 Arthur Cook was still at Court Farm, recorded as a mixed farmer, living with his wife Mary and daughter Kathleen ‘Kitty’ who was an air raid warden.
When Arthur Cook died the Gloucester Citizen newspaper of 10 July 1943 carried the following obituary; “Death of Mr A J Cook – Well-known County Farmer. The death has taken place of Mr Arthur Joseph Cook of Court Farm, Norton. One of the oldest farmers in the district he came from Slate Mill, Coombe Hill, with his father, the late Mr William Cook, to Court Farm where he has lived for over 65 years. He took a keen interest in Local Government and politics, being a member of the Rural District Council and the Board of Guardians. He was Peoples Warden at Norton Church for over 40 years, a member of the Parochial Church Council and Parish Council, also a School Manager. He was a Past Grand Master of the Conservative Benefit Society and a member of the National Farmers’ Union and the Root, Fruit and Grain Society. He has always taken a great interest in the village affairs. He leaves a widow, son and two daughters”.
Arthur’s son Henry Arthur, ‘Harry’, as he was known, had been farming at Hill Farm but returned to take on Court Farm with his father’s death. ‘Harry’ was born at Norton in July 1897, grew up at Court Farm, and saw service in the First World War with Royal Engineers Railway Troop. Harry married Vera Eliza Silk in Cheltenham in 1925 and they had taken on Hill Farm in 1926.
The Gloucester Journal newspaper of 1 January 1949 included the following photograph of Tom Wheeler of No 29 Tythe Cottages who had just retired after working for over 50 years at Court Farm, Norton.
In June 1952 the Norton Court Estate was sold by auction and Court Farm, in the occupation of Harry Cook on a Michaelmas tenancy at a rent of £500 per annum, was described as follows;
"A valuable grazing and mixed farm comprising the farmhouse, ample buildings, four cottages and enclosures of excellent pasture orcharding, pasture and arable land in all containing an area of about 291a 2r 3p. The Farmhouse is situated in a secluded position and in the main is built of brick with a tiled roof. The accommodation is arranged as follows:
Ground Floor: Porch, hall, dining room 22ft x 16ft, with beamed ceiling, oak corner cupboard, drawing room 22ft x 12ft with beamed ceiling and door to garden, breakfast room 16ft x 12ft with range, dresser and cupboard, scullery with beamed ceiling.
First Floor: Two staircases lead to the landing giving access to the bathroom, six bedrooms, four having a fireplace and one a cupboard, and dressing room.
Second Floor: Three attic stores.
Outside: are the garden, courtyard, with pump, two WCs (one pail flushed), coal and wash houses, dairy and loft and two cellars.
The larder cupboard and sink in the scullery, the bath, basin and WC in the bathroom and the cupboard in the dressing room are claimed by the tenant. Water is obtained from a pump in the courtyard supplemented by a pipe connected to the Estate reservoir which is connected to the scullery and bathroom.
The farm buildings are all of substantial construction and comprise: a wagon and implement shed and two boxes, cider house with mill and press and loft, smithey, stabling for nag and carthorses, with loft, meal store and three pig styes. An eleven-bay shed and five boxes opening onto a brick paved yard, barn with driving way and two boxes. The milking range consists of a bull shed, ties for 16 with feeding gangway, and an open shed with concrete mangers having ties for 7, partitioned yard and two open sheds. A four-bay galvanised roof shed and yard. On Ord No 23 is a 6-bay shed and fodder store. On Ord No 54 is a brick, timber and galvanised implements barn with driving way and on Ord No 87 is a 3-bay shed".
In 1952 Court Farm was purchased by Charles James Brooks, then of Barn Farm, Norton, and the Cooks remained tenants. In 1955-57 Alan James Cormack Bennett, a cousin of Harry Cook, was also living at Court Farm, whilst he built the Wooden Bungalow by the church where he went to live upon completion.
[1957]
Harry and Vera Cook remained at Court Farm until they retired in 1966, moving to Coombe Hill. The Gloucester Citizen newspaper of April 1985 reported; “Their Major Day. This week has seen a major day in the lives of 87 year old Harry Cook and his wife 89 year old Vera, when the couple celebrated their diamond wedding at their home, Evington Villa, Coombe Hill, Gloucester. Mr and Mrs Cook who have four children, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren marked the occasion with a day long family gathering at their home. Before moving to Coombe Hill, when they retired 19 years ago, the couple farmed at Hill Farm, Norton, and then at Court Farm, Norton, where Mr Cook had been born. Mr Cook could be described as ‘Mr Norton’ such were his good works for the village. He was chairman of the Norton and Leigh Horticultural Society, and a churchwarden at St Mary’s, Norton, for 40 years as was his father before him. Along with the vicar of the day he was responsible for creating the first Norton Village Hall which has since become a popular centre for village activities. The couple were married on April 22, 1925, in St Matthew’s Church, Cheltenham. Mrs Cook is still a member of the Norton Mothers Union and Women’s Institute”.
Vera Cook died, aged 95 years on 1 August 1991 and Harry, aged 96 years, on 4 September 1993. They have a memorial in the churchyard at St Mary’s, Norton.
When Harry Cook’s tenancy ended Brooks’ farmed it themselves in conjunction with Brawn Farm, Sandhurst. It’s possible that someone named Curtain may have rented the farm house for a while, possibly a relative of the Brooks family. Court Farm was sold to the Oppenheim family in about 1973 and they farmed it until it was sold again in 1979. Henry Myer Oppenheim had married Sarah Viner in 1948 and they had three children. Sarah, ‘Sally’ Oppenheim was MP for the city of Gloucester between 1970-1987. One of their children, son Philip, may have lived here occasionally.
On 31 July 1979 Court Farm was put up for auction by Knight Frank & Rutley at Agriculture House, Tewkesbury Road, Gloucester and was purchased by Yvette and Richard Cooke. The following are excerpts from the sale catalogue;
“The entire farm is effectively contained within a ring fence with the exception of the Cottage, which is adjacent to the property. The farm occupies a most attractive rural position near to the banks of the River Severn in this rich agricultural area. The farm is a first-class pasture and potential arable unit, with a conveniently located range of excellent modern and traditional buildings. The principal house is set in a small garden adjacent to the buildings complex, and has direct access to the council maintained road which abuts the property. The farm is at present fully equipped to run 240 head of cattle in a semi-intensive beef enterprise. However, it is considered that this property would adapt to make an exceptional dairy unit, with a good period farmhouse and very convenient cottage”.
“Court Farmhouse is located on the southern side of GR9313, and comprises a well-planned spacious family house of brick construction under a tile roof and has the benefit of a Rentokil timber guarantee, the work having been undertaken within the last six to seven years. It is set in a small garden, and approached either from the farm drive, or from a rear service access”.
“The accommodation, which is arranged on two principal floors with additional attics, comprises:
Ground floor. Porch to entrance hall (7ft 3ins x 6ft) with stone tile floor, to:
Drawing Room (N&S) (20ft x 15ft). Open fireplace with modern stone surround. 2 Radiators with thermostats. Corner cupboard. Concealed staircase to first floor. Door through to:
Office/Sitting Room (E&N) (20ft x 12ft 3ins). Open fireplace with modern brick
surround. Double Radiator. Bookshelves. Glass panel door to outside.
Dining Room/Day Room (N) (19ft x 11ft). Open fireplace with brick surround. Door to secondary concealed staircase. Door to rear service yard. Door through to:
Kitchen (N&W) (19ft x 15ft 3ins max). Double Radiator with thermostat. Stainless steel sink unit. Large walk-in larder”.
“First Floor.
Approached by two staircases from either the Drawing Room or the Dining Room to a long Landing giving access to all rooms. 3 Single Radiators.
Bedroom 1 (N) (14ft 9ins x 13ft 9ins). Single Radiator with thermostat. Door to small Dressing Room (7ft 9ins x 7ft 3ins).
Bedroom 2 (N) (15ft x 13ft 9ins). Single Radiator with thermostat.
Bedroom 3 (N&E) (20ft 3ins x 12ft 3ins). Single Radiator.
Bedroom 4 (E) (14ft 6ins x 10ft). Open fireplace. Single Radiator. Small fitted cupboard.
Bedroom 5 (E&W) (14ft 6ins x 13ft 9ins). Open fireplace. Single Radiator with thermostat. Bookshelves.
Bathroom 1. Single Radiator. WC. Pedestal washbasin. Panelled bath.
Bathroom 2. Single Radiator. Belling wall heater. WC. Bidet. Pedestal washbasin. Panelled bath. Airing cupboard with two lagged hot water cylinders and immersion heaters.
Second Floor.
A further concealed staircase leads to the centre of three Attic Rooms, measuring, from east to west, 27ft 9ins 19ft 6ins overall, 19ft 3ins x 19ft 6ins, 13ft 9ins x 19ft 6ins respectively.
Outside.
At the rear of the house is a Service Yard with pedestrian access only from the back road. The Yard leads into:
Single Garage with double wooden hanging doors.
Boiler Room with oil storage tank for 600 gallons.
General Store.
Second Single Garage.
Solid Fuel Store with loading hatch adjacent to the back road.
Loft above the Garage and Fuel Store.
Court Farm Buildings.
2 Covered Yards of steel framed construction with corrugated asbestos roof, Yorkshire board cladding above block walls. Each building measures 135ft x 60ft and has a central feeding passage with concrete mangers and feeding and lying areas behind with water troughs. The buildings were erected in 1975 by Dale of Leominster, and can house 240 adult cattle”.
“Covered Silo of steel framed construction with corrugated asbestos roof. Yorkshire board cladding, and railway sleeper retaining walls. The building measures 75ft x 60ft and has a capacity of 1000 tons of silage.
Dutch Barn and Lean-to. Reinforced concrete construction with corrugated asbestos roof, comprising 60ft x 30ft. Dutch Barn 30ft. Lean-to extension providing shelter and feeding area for the large open yard, partly clad in corrugated asbestos.
Two large Open Concrete Yards, with traditional brick and tile open-fronted shelters on two sides. Water troughs.
Timber Cattle Race and Steel Crush.
Lightweight Dutch Barn of steel frame construction under corrugated galvanised iron roof, 48ft 3ins x 22ft.
The Traditional Buildings are arranged near to the house, and are all of brick construction under tile roofs.
Barn/Implement Shed, 56ft x 19ft internally with two stalls at far end. Note: Outline Planning Consent was obtained for the conversion of this building to a workers dwelling. However the consent has now lapsed, but may be renewable to a purchaser.
Young Stock Building, 46ft x 16ft 6ins overall. Loft over.
Cider Press with loft over 32ft x 17ft 6ins overall.
Open fronted Shelter , 57ft x 14ft situated in GR8118”.
[2002]
Court Farm has a grade II listed 19th century cider house. The listing records; “Cider house. C19. Brick, red tile roof. Rectangular plan. Single storey with apple tallet. Facade (facing former farmyard): plank door with segmental-headed surround right, double width opening with plank doors at centre of opposite wall. Two 2-light casements with segmental heads at right gable-end. Steps up to plank door at left gable-end, flanked by single lights with glazing bars. Kennel incorporated in base of stairs. Brick dentil decoration at eaves. Interior contains cider mill with yolk for horse, twin screw cider press, at right-hand end”.
Yvette and Richard Cooke sold the farm in 2004.
