Grandads Farm At Broom Green

A Memory of Broom Green.

I have many happy memories of Broom Green. My grandfather and uncle were tenant farmers there and our very large family would descend on the farm for the occasional holiday. I can’t remember the name of the farm but it was just across the road from the chapel. My grandads name was William Smith and my uncle was Stanley Smith. The farm was owned by Sir Thomas Cooke I remember. On Sunday we went to the tiny chapel just across the road for Sunday School which was run by a very kindly old lady. There would be about a dozen children there and we were asked in turn to read from the Bible. My northern rather posh accent stood out from the other children who were broad Norfolk.
Some if the farm work was still done using horses and at the end of the day a was allowed to unharness “Captain” , the cart horse and ride him down to the meadow. I was about 8 at the time. The lane to the meadow by the river had a railway line crossing it and even tho it was just a farm track, there was a level crossing with gates and two men to open and close them who lived in adjacent houses. The sole rail traffic was a steam engine pulling one goods wagon which crossed and returned once a day. The men deputed their wives to operate the gates and had other jobs as well. Nice work if you can get it.
I remember that grandad used to meet us at County School Station in his horse and trap and drive us to the farm in style.
I remember harvest as well and the dozens of rabbits which would emerge as the area still to be reaped diminished.
I could tell much more but the best memory is of happy days and running free on the farm.
Grandad died and uncle Stan wasn’t able to cope with the business side so the farm was given up and sadly those holidays ceased.

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