Gathering the harvest with a Bullnose Morris

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In this age of supermarkets and frozen ready meals, too many, people, we think, tend to take food for granted. It's easily done now that most people are very far removed from the food production chain, but if we take a moment to reflect, we all ought to be grateful for the hard-working farmers who produce the food to put on our plates.

Equally, though, farmers might acknowledge their debt to the motoring pioneers of old, without whom the modern Land-Rovers and tractors which are so essential to the industry today would never have come into existence. The tilling of fields and transporation of livestock can be done far more quickly and efficiently now than the stalwart cart horse or the mighty ploughing engine, noble and glorious though they were, ever would have allowed.

As the harvest season approaches, it seems like a good time for us to show this very interesting photograph, depicting a Bullnose Morris doing what looks like a tractor's work. The location is Weymouth Farm in Galmpton, Devon, close to the beautiful coastline popularly known as the "English Riviera." Some Bullnoses were built new as pick-ups, but we would not be surprised if this is a two-seater which has been converted. The picture was likely taken sometime in the 1930s. Apparently, Weymouth Farm did not acquire its first tractor until 1948. Sadly, however, the farm burnt down in 1954, so there's no chance of it supplying any cream for your scones today, but you might spare a thought for other farms like it.

Words: Zack Stiling; photograph: The Cottage Hotel & Restaurant (www.hopecove.com)
 

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