Fordhall Farm project work starts

Shropshire Council’s Shropshire Archives service is starting work to catalogue and make accessible the outstanding archive of Arthur Hollis, the organic farming pioneer who died in 2006 and whose farm at Fordhall near Market Drayton is now a community-owned enterprise.

This work is part of the Fordhall Farm Heritage project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Conservation Manuscripts Trust. 

The archive, which occupies 160 boxes, will be conserved – as much of it is in poor condition – and catalogued, to ensure its long-term survival and its accessibility to researchers.  Once completed, the catalogue will be available online. 

The archive dates back to the 1940s and includes details of Arthur’s work as the country’s first commercial yoghurt producer.

The heritage project will also train teams of volunteers to record the memories of those who worked on the farm over many years, to research and collate material charting the farm’s progress, and to produce webpages, a souvenir booklet and exhibitions.  The project is being led by the charity which manages the farm, Fordhall Community Land Initiative.

Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for the visitor economy, said:

‘This is a fantastic project which will uncover the legacy of an important Shropshire agricultural pioneer.  We look forward to the results of the work on the archive being revealed.” 

For further information about the project please contact Fordhall Farm on 01630 638696 or email project@fordhallfarm.com.  For further details about Shropshire Archives see www.shropshirearchives.org.uk, ring 01743 255350, or email archives@shropshire.gov.uk