CHURCH FARM, THURLBEAR

Sixsmith Map 1957

A view of Church Farm from Thurlbear churchyard. May 2001 Photograph: by Terry Rowles of Winterwell.

The Manor House, called Simon's or Simson's Court, now Church Farm. Note the medieval oriel window. Lady Adams has in her possession a sepia sketch of the farm before the thatch was removed and the mullions replaced by wooden window frames. Source: R. A. Sixsmith, A History of Thurlbear. (1957)

The old manor farm, now called Church Farm, has been rented by Mr Garland since 1932. It is a mixed farm, dairy, stock-raising, crops and poultry, as are all the other five farms. There are 112 acres. The farm is worked by Mr and Mrs Garland and their two sons. The house is divided into two so that the married son has a separate cottage. mr Garland worked on his grandfather's farm at Bickenhall before coming to Thurlbear and his wife comes from Wincanton. Mr Garland allows the General to use one of the Glebe meadows as a helicopter landing-ground. Source: R. A. Sixsmith, A History of Thurlbear. (1957).

Church Farm and Thurlbear Church viewed from the south. Photograph thought circa 1930. Provided by Mr Bruce Cleaver of The Old Rectory Thurlbear, September 2001.

Frederick and Elizabeth Vile with their family at Church Farm, Thurlbear, c. 1895 Mr Vile was the tenant of Lord Portman's and worked on the Portman estate. Photograph taken from "The Vale of Taunton Past" by Tom Mayberry, 1998.