Hi,
I have fond memories of Scarlet's Farm from about 1945. My Uncle and Aunt lived in the Cottage next to the Water Mill which was swept away in the flood of 1958. Uncle Achurst worked for the Farm owner which changed hands several times during his employment. My main memories were of the young Major who bought it about 1945. He was a very generous man. At Christmas 1946 I was invited to the Farm with my Mother and Father. There was a big log fire burning in the long front room of the farm building and a big bowl of punch for everyone to share. Everyone received a Christmas gift which in 1946 was a rarity, toys were unobtainable in UK. I received a wind up elephant which I owned for quite few years.
I remember my Uncle going round the workers cottages and the farm early on the Xmas morning playing his piano accordion. The cottage had no electric light but I think it had running water., but an outside toilet I believe.
Fortunately, my Uncle and Aunt moved into the cottage further up the lane to the top road so missed being swept away in the flood. I think these cottages had electric light.
I used to go to work with my Uncle and rode on the tractor with him when he was doing the harvest and ploughing.
I watched him do the milking by hand, helped or hindered him doing the fencing repairs, drive the cows to milking,
mucking out, stooping the corn sheaves after the binder had failed to tie them; a wonderful outdoor existence.
In 1946 I would have been 4 years old.
It is wonderful that Scarlett's is being restored, I seem to remember that it was Jacobean. The fireplace in the long drawing room would take a log of maybe five foot length.
My uncle died about 1959 and sadly my Auntie in about 1960..The memories of this period of my life have stayed with me for ever, I probably saw the end of an era which had not changed much for Centuries, now just memories.
I can remember playing in the old mill with it's water wheel, the oast house and playing in a garden which was adjacent to the cottage beneath the mill.
My Uncle and Auntie were presented with a book of excellent photos of Scarlett's farm which sadly are lost. When my Father died everything was lost.
I did a cycle ride down to Cowden about 1990 but sadly I didn't make myself known at the farm. I saw that the farm was abandoned which saddened me, so many memories.
