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Above - Farming Days at Washpit Farm
This photo probably dates from c.1905
Charles Hull shears sheep, watched by his son Walter.
Right - maps of Washpit Farm
above : in 1886, below : in 1928
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The 1886 Ordnance Survey map shows the site of Washpit Farm It was farmed by John Stokes' family from 1830 for 70 years.
The main farmhouse was made of stone, which would indicate that it dated from the 18th century. There was a series of outbuildings arranged in a roughly square layout. The Ordnance Survey map of 1928 shows few signs of change to the size of the site or the number and arrangement of the buildings. However, the role of the site had already changed.
In the latter part of the 19th Century, a Dr Harris lived in the main farmhouse, and held his surgery there.
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The scene in about 1950
Left - The forecourt and High Street access. Right - the cycle repair shop
The farm origins of the site are clearly visible in both these photos
Below - an aerial view from this period
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In the 1920s, George Mason purchased the entire former farm site, and from 1927 to 1961, he ran a motor business there. The former small barn which fronted the High Street was converted into a cycle repair shop, and for a while, cycles were sold and repaired there. It passed into private hands, and continued as “The Regency Garage”. The petrol sales forecourt area was acquired by Budgens Supermarkets, and their new store opened in 2000. In February 2008, the store re-opened as a "Sainsbury's Local".
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