Bradfield farmhouse, Aldreth

History of Bradfield farm

Exact location unknown

Shilling, shutknife and piece of string by Madge Close (2004), tells the story of her childhood in Aldreth at Bradfield farm where she was one of nine children of George Thulborn. Her mother was Elizabeth Ann Pledger from Wilburton.

Age 14 Marjorie left home to go into service at Newnham College. She lived at Sidgewick Hall where the housekeeper was Miss Latimer. In 1920 she moved into service at 20 Trinity Street where she was paid £1 10s per month. She worked for Mr and Mrs Wade who had Trinity College House and students from the university. She recalls a number of famous students who stayed there and their visitors.

Just before the war she moved with the Wades to 35 Chesterton Lane. As war was approaching in 1937 she returned to Haddenham and became driver for Mrs Alderton, the local councillor. Part of her job became teaching land girls to drive so that they could deliver milk. One night she was involved in the capture of a German pilot who had parachuted down and was sheltering in the farm yard where she stayed. She recalls the Prisoner of War Camp at Elsworth.

About 1943 she moved with her husband, Jim Close, to Fen Drayton and started living in Orchard House. She recalls the 1947 floods. Their house was flooded up to the first step of the stairs.

1921

George Thulborn, 42, b Aldreth, agricultural labourer for Walter Thulborn

Elizabeth, 40, b Wilburton

Albert W, 18, b Aldreth, agricultural labourer for Chivers

Arthur G, 17, b Sutton, agricultural labourer for Hepher

Agnes H, 15, b Sutton, agricultural labourer for Hepher

Herbert, 13, b Sutton, agricultural labourer for Walter Thulborn

Ethel May, 11, b Aldreth

Leonard,9, b Aldreth

Frederick, 7, b Aldreth

Marjorie, 5, b Aldreth

Mable W, 2, b Aldreth