Brook End Farm, Hillside, Briers farm, Steeple Morden

History of Brook End Farm

Herbert Godfrey Ilett was born in Brook End cottages in 1914. He describes his life and the community in detail in “A Villager’s Life” (1993).

Herbert  recalls the Brocketts living at Hillside House. The house had been built for Oswald Duke. Mrs Brockett ‘a fine lady’ was also a Duke, possible Oswald Duke’s sister.

Frank Brockett was also a dealer in cattle (his father had been a butcher in Guilden Morden); he also kept pigs and sheep. There were about 12 working horses and a pony to pull a trap.

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1921 Hillside farm

Frank Brockett, 43, b Steeple Morden, farmer,

Miriam, 43, b Great Chishill,

Gerald F, 16, b Guilden Morden, assisting in farm work,

Joyce Miriam, 14, b Guilden Morden

Miriam Allpress, visitor, 14, b Chatteris,

Madeline Parmenter, 27, b Suffolk,

Laura Thompson, 21, b Steeple Morden,

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Around 1927 the stock were infected with foot and mouth disease. All animals were slaughtered and Brook End became a no-go area. Mr Brockett gave up animal farming.