Hollies Farm
Location
Station Hill, Swannington.
Farmers at Hollies Farm
1881-1891 George Choyce
George Choyce farmed at Hollies Farm at the time of the 1881 and 1891 censuses. In 1901 and 1911 he was a retired farmer living two properties up from the Station Inn.
1921-1963 John Henry Walker (Jack Walker)
The 1921 census shows John Henry Walker farming at Hollies Farm in Station Hill:
- John Henry Walker, born Swannington, 38 years 4 months, dairy farmer, Hollies Farm
- Hannah Eleanor Walker, wife, born Coalville, 23 years, home duties
- John Sidney Walker, son, born Swannington, 4 years, 6 months
- George Frederick Smith, brother in law, born Coalville, 20 years 10 months, coal miner loader below ground, Snibston Colliery
- Caleb William Smith, brother in law, born Coalville, 18 years 3 months, coal miner labourer below ground, Snibston Colliery
- Alfred Pell, visitor, born Liverpool, 12 years 3 months, whole time school
The sales particulars for the 1927 auction of Hollies farm show that John Walker was renting the farm on an annual tenancy. We don’t know whether he bought the farm or continued to rent it from the new owner. The auction was for 27 acres, in 1939 he was farming 58 acres.
During the 1920s the Whit Monday sports and games took place at his farm.
The Leicester Evening Mail 18th February 1931 reported:
- Coalville Accident – Mr J. H. Walker of the Hollies Farm, Swannington, was injured today, when thrown out of his float, which was struck by a passing motor-car near Ashby-road, Coalville. The car, it is believed, grazed a wheel of the float, and the horse swerved on to the path. The driver of the motor-car was apparently unaware of the accident.
The 1939 register lists:
- John H Walker born 1881, farmer
- Hannah N Walker born 1898, unpaid domestic duties
- John S Walker born 1916, farmer (assisting father)
- Mary E Walker born 1918, unpaid domestic duties
John Henry Walker died in 1963 and was buried at St George’s on the 4th July. In October 1964 the Burton Observer and Chronicle carried a series of advertisements for the auction of the 27 acre farm, livestock and machinery.
1972 Occupier Ivan Brown
The Leicester Chronicle of the 26th May 1972 included an advertisement – Furniture Removals – If you are stuck for your removals and light haulage – Contact Ivan Brown, Hollies Farm, Swannington. Tel. Coalville 51187
World War Two Farm Survey
Farm size = 58 acres
- Grain – 19 acres
- Roots – 5 acres
- Fodder – 0.5 acre
- Grass for mowing – 12 acres
- Grass for grazing – 22 acres
Farm animals
- Cattle – 16
- Sheep – 30
- Pigs – 19
- Fowls – 35
- Ducks – 14
- Geese – 5
- Horses – 4