Mr Knight farmed at the top of Gooseberry Lane – Fred Hills took over later. When Mrs Knight died, my great grandmother Maria (Ria) Watson promised she would look after him, which she did until he died. She did not do housework for herself but she kept his home spotless! This is one of the pictures from Raymond Allen. During Mr Knight’s time in Three Holes, Mr Day farmed at Paradise farm – a local saying was “only Squires Drove separates Knight from Day!”
According to Kelly’s Directory of 1937, Three Holes farmers included:
- Jn. Hy. Bliss
- Thomas Duffin
- John Thomas Forth
- Sydney Forth
- Frank Hartley
- Fred Hartley.
- Arthur Deptford
- Percy Crane
- Arthur Stanley Johnson, at London Lode Hall
- Walter Brownlow Ward, at Poplar Farm, with more than 150 acres
- John Walton West, with more than 150 acres
John West had about 1000 scattered acres overall and employed many local men. He farmed at Flint House, on Flint House Road, Mudds Drove (which became Crouch); Reed Fen Farm, which was then J&P Hartley. He lived and farmed at Croft House (which George West then took over). He was apparently a good farmer and very well liked.
Small holders in 1937 included Rt Foster Dalton, Fred Hills, George Duffin, Thomas David Lister, Albert Matthews, Edward Stacey and William Wenn.
