Crops & Horses
In the arable fields next the estuary of the River Ribble, we worked hoeing turnips and cutting kale on the flat cold, wind and rain swept Lancashire Plain, weather coming straight off the Irish Sea. For ploughing, harrowing and sowing we were trained to use horses and it was a joy to work with those so very patient and hard working creatures. We learnt how to harness them, groom, feed and stable them. I’m sure too we spoilt them. But a happy horse is a good working horse and I always liked working with horses.
Each horse had its own set of harness. All the various parts had a name and served a specific purpose with each being put on in the correct order and fastened securely, but a comfortable fit. It was made of leather with metal and brass fittings. It was a matter of pride to keep all these bright and shining, and they were cleaned after every days work and hung on pegs in the harness room.
Tractors
We were also taught to drive tractors, and how to do basic maintenance. These tractors were Fordsons, iron wheeled, no cab and with a crude metal seat on lengths of iron, that was the springing. Built for gasoline, diesel and kerosene (paraffin) fuels, our units ran on paraffin, but you were required to start them with gasoline, priming them by means of a small glass container showing the fuel. After priming, you hand cranked the engine, minding it didn’t kick back and break your wrist. And getting one to start on a cold day, or any day for that matter did try one’s temper. I always enjoyed the sensation of driving a powerful tractor with its plough, rake or other item of equipment and trailers. However I always found the time with the horses more agreeable.
I was at Hutton 1949-1950 and worked there for the following year until I was offered a post at the Min of Ag. in Winckley Square, Preston .
Hutton saw one of the best years of my life.
We were all devastated when it closed down, but they organised a grand Farewell Reunion, slap up meal, entertainment and overnight accommodation.
I could go on and on!
Cheers from Joan.
Thank you Joan for those remarks and I’m pleased you found your way to Jeanne’s website. Perhaps you will go “on and on” with your remembrances as I’m sure there are others still around with memories of Hutton and what it meant to them.
Jeanne always spoke highly of her time there, not only from what she learned practically but the friendships she made and the comradely atmosphere of all the young girls together and from all the different backgrounds.
Regards,
John Flann, for the late Jeanne Flann.
Any photo as from 74 to 76 hutton
I was a student at Hutton from 1958-60 as a student in the poultry department. If you have any photos of the college, I would very much appreciate a copy for a book I am writing.
Sorry no. The only photos that I had are the ones shown on the website. I wish I had more.
No, sorry, no photos beyond those on the site.
My late parents, Ian and Gladys Hammonds (nee Brierley) met at the agricultural college in Hutton where they went to study poultry husbandry in the early 1950’s. They married in 1955 and after undertaking smaller agricultural work jobs, set up their own poultry farm producing eggs. If anyone has any information about the Hutton college from the early 1950’s I would be very interested to read about it.
If any posts anything, I will be sure to let you know.
Hi, I did an NCA at Hutton 1983/84. If there is anyone reads this that attended the same year course I would love to hear from them! I lost contact with everyone from that course. Please contact me, my email is peteprince65@aol.com Regards Pete
I hope you find some of your classmates through the site and your comment.
Hi a from Hutton from 1966 to 1967