Widmer Farm
From Lacey Green History
click Farms for a list of other local farms
click Coxhead Feed Ltd for Animal Feeds Centre at Widmer Farm
click Widmer Feeds for Animal Feed Stuff and other activities at Widmer Farm
click Farming pre 1823 for this era
Research by Joan West
THE SITE
The land upon which Widmer Farm was built was part of the Common of Princes Risborough. The people from the town brought their cattle up onto it to graze. The driftway from Risborough which they used, led to the pond, near which the farm was later established. Widmer Farm and The Pink and Lily were the first two properties built on Pink Road.
SALE OF THE COMMON
In 1823, at the time of the enclosures of Princes Risborough, the Common was divided up and put up for sale. The part upon which Widmer Farm was established was purchased by Lord George Henry Cavendish.
Lord George Henry Cavendish sold to Merton College, Oxford.
SALE. 15th JUNE 1853. Sale by Auction, at Garraway's Coffee House, 'Change Alley, Cornhill, London, by Farebrother, Clark & Lye, on behalf of Lord George Henry Cavendish. Research note. This is likely to be the occasion when Widmer Farm was purchased by Merton College as other local properties of Cavendish were purchased by them then.
The 1841 Census gives the first record of a property there.
CENSUS. The tenants of Widmer Farm
1841 James Kingham 55 agricultural labourer, Mary Kingham 44 lacemaker, James West 10.
1851 George West 25 agricultural labourer, born at Wardrobes
1861 Thomas Stone 45 farmer, 50 acres, b. Lacey Green, Caroline Stone, nee Hawes, 42 b. Lacey Green, Eliza 23 lacemaker, Free 16 labourer, Owen 1.
1871 Thomas Stone, aged 55, farmer 25 acres, 1 man 1 boy
1881 Thomas Stone, aged 65, farmer, also his son, Free Stone, farmer and timber dealer.
1891 Thomas Stone, aged 75, farmer
1911 William Page, 67, born Hughenden, with Annie (nee Stallwood) 56.
Tenant from 1921 – 1928 (photo below) Cecil Edgar Page, son of William. Moved to Hughenden on marriage to Alice Tilbury
Next tenant was F.E. Lansley. Rent £79 – 15s per annum.
September 28th 1945 Merton College sold by Auction, Widmer Farm to Mr F E Lansley (tenant) for £3,700, 144.463 acres. (a copy of this auction catalogue is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)
Catalogue Particulars. Lot 4. WIDMER FARM The Choice Dairy and Mixed Farm extending to an area of about 144 acres. 1 rood. 34 poles
with extensive frontage to the road leading from Great Hampden to Lacey Green, from which it is approached by a hard road.
THE HOUSE There is a picturesque brick, flint and tiled farmhouse, which contains: Sitting Room with modern fireplace; second sitting room with "Super Interoven"; Scullery with copper. Outside E.C. Three Bedrooms; Bathroom with porcelain enamelled bath and lavatory basin (h. & c.).
THE WATER SUPPLY to the house and buildings is at the present time from a reservoir in O.S. No 396 (part of Lot 3), from whence it flows by gravitation to the house, buildings and to troughs in practically all of the fields (see Remarks and Stipulations)
MAIN WATER AND ELECTRICITY ARE AVAILABLE. THE TELEPHONE IS CONNECTED
THE FARM BUILDINGS, conveniently arranged at the rear of the house, including :- Brick and tiled Cart-Horse Stable for 5; brick and timber-fronted Cowhouse for 16; large double timber and tiled barn on brick foundations; 3-bay Implement Shed; brick, timber and tiled Cowhouse for 6; brick and slated Cooling House and Tool Shed; two pigsties.
N.B.-----The span-oof timber Garage and the water bowls and piping in the cowhouses belong to the tenant.
Let with other land, namely, the site of the reservoir, to Mr. F. E. Lansley, on a yearly Michaelmas Tenancy. Apportioned rental £79 15s 0d per annum.
SCHEDULE. Numbers refer to ordinance survey of 1921
267 House, buildings and road. 1.3 acres
267 Wood. 1.04 acres
268 Widmer Field. Pasture. 9.891 acres
268a Widmer Field. Arable 67.727 acres
385 Widmer Field
395 Driftway Field 46.161 acres (The driftway was the route cattle came to graze the old Common from Princes Risborough) 396 & 396a Part Driftway Field 18.344 acres.
WIDMER FARM PURCHASED circa 1970 by a farmer from Stockenchurch
Hallmark Advertisement. Paddy Coxhead of Widmer Farm, Pink Road, Lacey Green, advertised his Animal Feeds Centre from Feb.1989 to June 1992.
Hallmark June 1989. Planning Application. New vehicular access, Widmer Farm, Pink Road.
Hallmark February 1992. Planning Application. Use of land for horse shows on 20 days in 1992
Hallmark June 1992. Planning Application. Use of land for 12 days for Horse Shows
Hallmark November 1997. Report by Mike Piercy. The following is an extract from an article by Mike Piercy, published in Hallmark in May 2015. Mike had been discussing the work of the Parish Council with Cathryn Davies, the Council Chairman. However he also added a little about Cathryn Davies, who lives at Widmer Farm as follows - "Cathryn is a very busy person with many other interests. The majority of her time is spent working with her family on the various businesses they have based at Widmer Farm.
Many of us pet owners will be aware of the Widmer Feeds pet shop which is a massive warehouse catering for the needs of all pets from gerbils through to horses. They also sell small animals, some fish and birds and chickens. Cathryn is keen to make the place attractive for kids to visit and is planning a pat-a-pet area.
Though she no longer rides herself, she is very involved with her two daughters running the livery yard and equestrian training school on the Widmer Farm site. They also host the Lacey Green Polo Club who have competetive matches on her fields every weekend throughout the summer.