The Homestead
Liz Davies Ford
Hi Guys I was born on a small holding on Butts Farm Orchards apparently it was one of a few that exsited on Butts Farm before the war. When I was born in 1955 My Nans small holding was the only one left, she kept pigs and chickens untill the early 60s, When Godfries took over or took back the the land that she bred pigs on for storage, leaving a garden and cottage which was called the Homestead ( I belive at some point this was used by a night watchmen for Godfries. there were two access to this property. the front entrance was via Hampton rd west dowm a small lane between 2 factories with apple tress either side of the lane, at the bottom of the Lane was the the Homestead and the entrace to the Godfries. The other or back entrance as we called it was though two very large gate at the end of Barnlea Close. My mother tell's me that she watched the house's in Barnlea close being built, (she claime's they were built by german prisoner's of war) My Nan lived there untill she died in Nov 1976 in 1977 they demolished both factories and the Homstead and built the Now Hampton Farm trading estate.
The Richardson family that lived at the homstead for nearly 40 years..
Mr and Mrs Richardson of the Homestead Butts Orchards Photo
This Photo is My Grandparents Mr and Mrs Richardson who were married in a small chapel in Windsor, both came from Belfast. Nan was a Steamstress at Windsor Castle, Granddad was in the Royal Ulster Rifles.They moved from Windsor to Sunningdale Ave in Hanworth (not sure yet of the correct date) then in about 1937 rented The Homestead Butts Orchards from a Mr Doubtfire (not sure the name is spelt right ). While Granddad was away at war my Nan started a small holding, starting with just a few pigs and chickens, Granddad was wounded at Dunkirk and developed TB which Nan says was caught in the trenches of Dunkirk and later died leaving her with 4 children to bring up.
my Nan bless her ran the farm worked at ealing bus garage at the same time during the war as a mechanic as well as visiting my grandad in the sanatorium and the children who had been evacuate.........they sure had it tough in those days.....
The Richardson sisters who lived at the Homestead Butts Orchards; pic taken around 1945 - from the Left Kathleen the oldest, My Mum Cecelia and the youngest sister Elenor
On Butts farm Orchards there were 2 bungalows one as I have already said was the Homestead where I was born the other was called the Homeland, opposite the Homestead was also some land that was rented famous racing driver in his day called Charlie Bottom does any one local remember this? Mum say he use to race bikes and cars this must have been the early 40s