n By Mark Metcalf
Kevin Carroll, 18th century farm worker
s Janice Jessie
front of a blazing hot coal fire, Pam Hudson, one of 300
Some workers who slept at the Hall would be forced
Anna – Women’s Land Army
volunteers, was clearly enjoying herself explaining to visitors about the importance of the Land Girls, reformed at the start of WWII to
replace male workers sent off to fight.
to sleep up to six in a bed which they accessed through a roof top hole as they were not allowed to use the main stairs just in case they dirtied the carpets or disturbed their employer.
“Two apprentice farmers, the sons of nearby farmers, had a separate bedroom next door,” explains Kevin, who has worked at the Museum for 20 years and still really enjoys doing so by describing it “like a giant family.”
Fast forwarding to over a century later, stories of wartime life can be found on the 1940s farm where in
“Nationally in 1944 there were 80,000 and, despite having no previous agricultural experience, they helped increase food production from a low in 1943 by tackling a big rat problem, milking cows, planting vegetables, sugar beet and wheat for flour.
“We have lots to be thankful for and I like to tell, especially to the children, their stories as otherwise their achievements will be forgotten.”
Visitors can also access a 1950s farm to discover the story of how hard it was to make a living from upland farming and traditional rural skills in the North East just after the war.
43 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2025
Add in the sheer beauty of the location and its animals, wildlife and trees that mean visitors can just sit or stroll around doing little then it’s no wonder visitors enjoy their day out.
“We have been in the café,” explains Janice, whose daughter Jessie, pushing her son Arthur in his wheelchair, said “she especially liked looking round the old houses and admiring the wallpaper.”
For Oliver, a regular visitor, his favourite parts of the museum are the “trams, park, picnic and pigs,” while according to his nan Alison the four-year old has also developed a “real love in the growth of the animals. He learns lots coming here.”
That’s heartwarming for Samantha Shotton to hear. “If children come with their families and they start a conversation with another generation that can be really important for both. Also because of our approach then learning can be fun as well. All of which combines to keep the history of the North East going.” Which was, of course, Frank Atkinson’s aim.
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