Frank Richardson Thornton Rust

Frank Richardsons Wedding photograph, Carperby

In the 1930s Frank Richardson who farmed at Throstlenest farm, was the first farmer to introduce Friesian cattle into Wensleydale which gradually replaced the Hereford shorthorn.

Throstlenest Farm

As a boy Frank worked and lived at Manor House Farm Thornton Rust with his parents, his two brothers Ernest and James and his sister Alice.

Eversley Willem III

These two photos are of the bull who was responsible for the early friesians in Wensleydale.

Fantastic looking brute wasn't he!

Farming photos from Yesteryear

First Prize for Flock of Sheep Throstlenest 1930s

Windrowing

From an old Dalesman.

What a nerve racking business haymaking is! You work away at a field of hay, with your eyes constantly scanning the horizon. Your face lifted to the wind for the first spits of rain.

The hay is almost right for baling, but not quite. There are some green damp spots in the middle of the swathe. No matter which way you go with the turner you cannot get them out. Only a good wind will help you now. You can’t decide whether to get on with the baling or to take a risk with the weather.

You take a chance on the weather and then by late afternoon when you start to bale there comes a few spots of rain in the wind. Your heart sinks! There’s a hundred pounds worth of hay in that field and it looks like you’re going to lose the lot.

Sometimes you do, but today, you’re lucky. The skies clear again, and the bit of rain blows over. By early evening you are baling in far better weather than you had ever dared to hope. The wind keeps the dew away, and at around ten o’clock as you lift the last bale onto the sledge, there is a glorious sunset behind the sycamore tree at the far side of the field. (Farming over 40 years ago)

Making a Silage Clamp

Goslings feeding time

Little Roan Cow