Tag Archives: Winslade Farm

Winsdale Farm in Woolfardisworthy (Woolsery) is a site with deep roots in the parish’s agricultural history, particularly associated with the Andrew family, who have been prominent in North Devon farming for centuries.

1. The Andrew Family Legacy (c. 1800 – 1900s)

For much of the 19th century, Winsdale was the seat of the Andrew family. Historical records and local family archives show a continuous presence:

• The Early 1800s: The farm was occupied by Oliver Bray Andrew and his family from approximately 1800

• Physical Evidence: The history of the farm is literally etched into the building. A second-floor window contains the inscription “John Andrew 1812,” and an outbuilding bears the carved initials “WA.”

• The Victorian Era: The 1851 census records John Andrew (born 1813) as the head of the household at Winsdale. He was a substantial farmer for the time, and his descendants continued to farm in the Woolsery and Parkham areas for generations.

• Family Connections: The Andrews were a “dynasty” in the village; interestingly, Michael Birch (the tech entrepreneur currently regenerating Woolsery) is a descendant of this same Andrew family. His grandmother, Millicent Andrew, was born in the village shop premises in 1900, linking the modern “Woolsery Collective” directly back to the traditional farming families of Winsdale.

2. The Landscape and Farming Style

Winsdale is typical of the high-plateau farms of North Devon:

• Small Enclosures: The farm features the characteristic “Devon banks”—thick earth walls topped with hedges—which provided shelter for livestock against the Atlantic winds.

• Mixed Farming: Historically, Winsdale would have been a mixed farm, producing “Ruby Red” North Devon cattle and sheep, as well as wheat for grain and straw (specifically for the thatched roofs common in Woolsery).

3. Recent History and Ownership

In the latter half of the 20th century, like many Devon farms, Winsdale transitioned from the old “landed estate” influence to independent ownership.

• Modern Status: In recent years, the farm has remained a private agricultural holding. Business records show associations with local agricultural figures like the Kivell family (well-known in the West Country as auctioneers and land agents), indicating that while the Andrew family’s direct residence may have passed, the farm remains integral to the local professional farming community.

Summary Table

Field Names and Land Use

In 1840, fields weren’t just numbered; they had descriptive names that told the farmer exactly what the land was good for. The following are the historic field names for Winsdale: