Overall, James Davenport’s memories provide a vivid picture of mid-20th century farming life in Ramsbottom, covering land acquisition, milk production, haymaking, animal husbandry, and the changes brought by postwar development.
Early Farm Acquisitions & Solicitors
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James Davenport recalls how local solicitor George Howard helped arrange farm purchases.
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The farms discussed were connected to the Pickup family (George, Jim, Annie, etc.) and Jack Taylor.
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Davenport bought Car Bank Farm (not from the Pickups but from a Rockcliffe connection).
Farming & Buildings
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The farms were mainly small dairy holdings with milk delivered into Ramsbottom.
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Davenport had Car Bank Farm and built Kenneth Crew bungalow, overlooking the old mill.
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Local builders, including the Durham brothers, were involved in construction.
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His grandmother (Mrs. Thompson) lived in the farmhouse while his family stayed in the bungalow.
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Farming involved hens and dairy cows, though Davenport disliked battery hens and avoided poultry keeping later.
Car Bank Hall & Old Mill
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Car Bank Hall stood nearby but had fallen into ruin by the time Davenport knew it.
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The old mill (previously a tallow works, processing animal fat) was bought by Davenport.
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Later, swill from the mill (when converted into a hotel/restaurant) was used to feed pigs.
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Eventually, the mill was sold to Norman Hopkinson in the 1970s.
Haymaking & Shipper Bottom
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Farming involved hay production: meadows for summer hay, grazing fields, and cattle feeding.
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In 1967, Davenport bought Shipper Bottom at auction for about £9,000, despite stiff bidding competition from John Whittaker.
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This expanded his land base and allowed farming across both sides of the valley as one unit.
Milk Production & Distribution
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Milk was bottled with the Davenport farm name printed in red and black lettering.
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Bottles were expensive, so milkmen swapped and retrieved them from each other.
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Milk was delivered unpasteurised locally, while some went on to larger dairies for pasteurisation.
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Customers preferred unpasteurised milk for taste.
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Cattle were bought mainly from Scotland, noted for higher cream content.
Cattle, Feeding & Breeding
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Cows were fed hay, seeds, liquor, and mangolds in winter, with grazing in summer.
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Initially, natural bull service was used, but due to dangers with bulls, Davenport switched to artificial insemination by the 1950s–60s.
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Cattle were usually sold for slaughter at Salford when they were 2–3 years old.
Other Farming Activities
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Pigs: fed on swill; during WWII rationing, farmers were restricted in how many they could keep/slaughter.
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Davenport recalls near-dangerous incidents with aggressive pigs.
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His family also made butter at home during rationing.
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A donkey was briefly kept as a pet in the 1950s but caused traffic disruption in Ramsbottom.
Reflections on Farming
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Farming was small-scale, labour-intensive, and supplemented by family labour.
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Neighbours and itinerant workers helped with seasonal haymaking.
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Wartime rationing shaped practices with cattle feed, pig slaughtering, and milk distribution.