Hillcroft Farm Stables was developed to replace the old piggery which
was demolished during the winter of 2008/9. For many years,
farming at Hillcroft had consisted of mixed arable cropping, originally
with breeding sows kept as an outdoor herd as part of a regular
rotation.
Today, arable farming still takes place at Hillcroft, although it bears
little resemblance to the practices of the days when small mixed farms
could sustain a whole family.
The stables evolved as part of the process to re-habilitate the yard
and an old paddock which lay to its north. The most dilapidated
buildings were demolished and those remaining, adapted and improved.
The spirit of the enterprise was driven by several individuals, each of
whom brought a range of different skills and enthusiasms to the
challenge.
To all of them, and particularly to the late Ted Elkins, we remain indebted.
