English Rural Life Collection (#5)

Hop pickers returning from the Kent fields loaded up with full sacks of hops - 1935 eTopFoto

Grafting demonstrations. 1935

A mare with her colt. 1937

A new type of oast house in Paddock Wood, Kent. 1936

A farmer and his horse plough between bean rows in Swanley. 1935

A snowy farm yard in Horton Kirby, Kent. 1939

Farm worker with a horse team cutting hay in North Cray, Kent. 1935

A farmer using his diesel caterpillar tractor to plough a field in Farningham, Kent. 1939

Tall wheat on a field in Faversham, Kent. 1937

Women picking rhubarb in Dartford, Kent. 1939

Pigs on the back of a Hales and Sons Contractors lorry at Hales Pig Farm in Footscray, Kent. 21 June 1937

Poultry show in Chislehurst, Kent. Mr G Balfour shows children a turkey. 1938

Fruit pickers at tea time during their spell of apple picking in the orchards at Malling in Kent. 23 August 1951 eTopFoto

Families out raspberry picking in the fields. 1935

A farmer collects his harvest with his combine in Dene Bottom. March 1938

A farmer and his horse team plough a field in Paddock Wood. 1935

A pretty young heifer with a cowbell attached on a dairy farm in Cranbrook, Kent. 1935

Raspberry Cult plough. 1935

The Lake District - Cumberland farmers shearing sheep

Bedford Trucks stand at Tunbridge Wells Show. 1934

The Swanley horticultural college speech day. Earl of Feversham presents a plate to Miss Ruth Phillips. 1938

Ewe with her lambs, one of them black, Westerham, Kent. 1935

Women packing the forced rhubarb at Dartford, Kent. 13 February 1938

Farm Scene (Rolling). 1934

Carefree young lady walking in Kent. Cold Blow not far from Grays Farm Road, near St
Carefree young lady walking in Kent. " Cold Blow" not far from Grays Farm Road, near St. Mary Cray 1935

A farmer and his horse plough a stony field. suburban or urban meets rural 1939

Gardening classes at the Central Girls School in Dartford, Kent. 1937

A cow wearing a cowbell. 1935

Cherry picking at a farm near Gravesend in Kent June 1946

A farmer hand shears a sheep. 1939

The Edenbridge and Oxted Show - 2 August 1960 Winner of the Lady Churchill Cup in the horticultural section for the best display of flowers and plants or vegetables by nurserymen

Hop field in Shoreham, Kent. 1936

Transporting muck from cowsheds. 1935

Apple tree grafting. 1939

Farmworkers planting cabbages. 1935

Farm workers using a horse drawn seed drill. 1935

Hop pickers walk along a country lane. 1935

The Edenbridge and Oxted Show - 2 August 1960 Mr. R. D. Waters with his turnout which won the period horse drawn vehicles class being presented with the silver trophy by Mrs

A farmer with his team of horses cuts the clover crop. 1935

Sheep amongst a cherry orchard in Lenham, Kent. 1937

Land Army Girls carrying loaves of bread

Apple tree orchard. 1935

A farmer using a team of horses to pull a harrow across his field. 1935

Farmers burning field rubber. 1935

A group feeds a mare and colt in a field by the side of a road in Eltham, Kent. 1938

Sheep still covered in a dusting of snow in a field in Bexley, Kent. 1938

Horse teams tow tree trunks away from the windmill. 1936

Farmers walk by hand planting each lettuce carefully in its row. 1935

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"Capturing the Essence of English Rural Life: A Glimpse into the Past" Step back in time to September 1962, where hop picking season was in full swing in Paddock Wood, Kent. The air was filled with excitement as a party of hop pickers gathered on a farm near the village, ready for a day of hard work and camaraderie. Just a few days later, at Brewers Hall Farm in Mereworth, Kent, hops were being loaded onto the mechanical picker. This innovative technology revolutionized the process and made it more efficient than ever before. Meanwhile, in Swanley during 1936, Phillip Ladds Nursery hosted a nursery congress that brought together horticultural enthusiasts from all over. It was an opportunity for them to exchange knowledge and celebrate their shared passion for nurturing plants. In the 1950s, hop picking became not just labor but also a family affair. Young and old alike joined forces to pick hops by the binful. Laughter echoed through the fields as generations bonded over this timeless tradition. Goudhurst witnessed another aspect of rural life - hop kilns removing dried hops from their warm embrace. In 1937, these structures stood tall against picturesque landscapes while farmers prepared their precious harvest for market. Maplescombe Farm in Farningham welcomed hop pickers with open arms during 1938. The vibrant atmosphere created by people coming together to gather nature's bounty left lasting memories etched into hearts forever. East Peckham saw young and old working side by side amidst its lush greenery on September 1st, 1938. Hop pickers united under sunny skies as they diligently plucked each delicate cone from its vine. Charing introduced us to Harry (Heathfield), known as "the Hedger, " who skillfully wielded his felling axe against nature's obstacles. His dedication ensured that hedgerows remained intact, preserving the beauty of Kent's countryside.