Catalogue

Interview
940, LO/295/246
Leicester Oral History Archive Collection

Speaker: Kirk, Sidney, 1917 - , Interviewee, Male, Farmer
Speaker: Kirrane, S, Interviewer, Female

Summary of interview item: Recalls growing up in Barkby, Leicestershire, farming with father at Glebe farm and then Spring Grange Farm in Beeby. Mentions father cycling to work on farm, working with his father when he left school and playing cricket. Describes the farm land, milking and livestock, cattle sheep and pigs. Recalls incident of man dieing. Recalls father using horses and losing thumb. Describes tin and wooden milking sheds, where milk was sent and prices, and introduction of Milk Marketing Board. Mentions poultry and potatoes in crop rotation. Recalls abandoning cattle after bad tuberculin test. Describes harvest in detail when he was young and Prisoners of War (POWs) helping during the war. Mentions specific POWs and Women's Land Army girls working on the farm during the Second World War, also potatoes pickers. Mentions growing mangles, having tractors when they moved to the farm [Spring Grange], and war bringing about mechanization. Recalls ploughing of land on Ministry of Agriculture orders and American troops parachuting on to land. Mentions different American and British troops in the area during the war and how they entertained themselves. Mentions was in fire service during war. Talks about pest control and animal health. Explains certain weather predictions. Mentions farms in area belong to Hutchin Estate. Talks about straw and stubble and ploughing in. Mentions hunt crossing land, problems caused by this and foxes killing stock.
Place of birth: Barkby, Leicestershire
Education: Barrow on Soar Grammar school;
Marital Status: , Children:
Father's Occupation: Farmer
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Barkby,
Periods Covered: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Language: English

Recording Date: 18/6/1986
Playing time: 1 hr
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:

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Last updated: 08/05/02 East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer This document has been approved by the head of department or section.