Michael Williams

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Summary

Based on the interview conducted 20 January 2006

Born in 1938 on Ross Road, Hereford, Michael Williams has lived and worked at Tump Farm all his life, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, and now joined by his son, Martin. From horses to hydraulics, he’s witnessed a century’s worth of agricultural change in a single lifetime.

Michael remembers early days working with horses, side-raking hay and riding on top of a sheaf-laden wagon. His memories include ploughing the garden by horse, catching rabbits during harvest, and helping with milk rounds before school. Though he never liked milking, he relished every other task – grinding corn, baling hay, and, more recently, working with modern machinery on the farm’s 400 acres.

In his time, the land has changed: wet meadows were drained, cattle breeds shifted from Friesians to Charolais, and sheep were eventually given up when Martin showed no interest in shepherding. Michael also served 12 years with the local fire brigade, joining in 1964 and famously attending the major fire at his own farm later that year.

His recollections paint a vivid picture of rural life: wartime land girls, prisoner-of-war labourers, and tractors with iron wheels. He fondly recalls motorbike races with friends, pageantry performances as a young Tom Spring, and delivering milk alongside his mother. Ever practical, he transformed Tump with new buildings, concrete yards, and better water and electricity supplies.

Though never a fan of paperwork, Michael continues to meet the demands of modern farming with grit and humour. He concludes with the farmer’s prayer, proud of a life spent on the land: “I eat my own lamb, my own chickens and ham… The lark is my morning alarm… Long life and success to the farmer.”