The
changing scene of the countryside around Clifton-upon-Teme since the
2nd World War has been largely influenced by successive government
policies. During the war, the 'Dig for Victory' campaign saw many
of the old pastures ploughed up to grow crops such as cereals, potatoes,
sugar beet and mangolds for animal feed. After the war mechanisation
became the buzz-word in the 1950s, with most farms having at least
one tractor and trailed implements. Some had a 'little grey Fergi'
that could lift, pull and operate a variety of implements including
a pick-up baler, modern plough and haymaking and harvesting equipment.
The first combine harvesters and hop-picking machines also arrived
in the locality.
The
1960s brought JCB diggers which greatly aided drainage schemes, hedge
and orchard removal. The 'Small Farmer' scheme and the 'Amalgamation
Scheme' and others including the Common Agricultural Policy were introduced
to help produce a reliable supply of cheap food. The resulting beef,
butter and grain mountains in the 1980s were evidence of the success
of such measures. As a result, quotas and other control schemes were
brought in. Farming around Clifton had changed enormously in only
a few decades.
By
1999, farming was in the doldrums - largely as a result of draconian
measures introduced in the 1990s in response to BSE. Sheep and cattle
farming, once profitable enterprises, suffered. The price of breeding
ewes fluctuated from over £100 to around £40. Cereal cultivation was
encouraged; 'diversification' and 'set-aside' were added to the farming
vocabulary, barns were converted into dwellings at the Thrift Farm,
Hill Farm and Steps Farm. Sugar beet and potatoes, widely cultivated
in years past, were rarely grown.
The
orchards that were a familiar sight around Clifton for much of the
past century (a 'blossom trail' would draw visitors to the Teme valley
in the spring) have all but disappeared. Only Pitlands still have
plums and apples, although a few cider orchards have recently been
planted in the area. The last of the hop yards in the area was grubbed
up at Homme Castle and the barns converted into business units. Several
small farms amalgamated with their neighbours, others were split up
and sold off and many local farmhouses sold off for private occupation
Farming Community
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