As with most of the East Yorkshire Wolds, aerial photographs of our farm reveal a patchwork of disused trackways and signs of ancient settlement. Each year during ploughing, these give up clues, in the form of artefacts, as to the way of life of our predecessors.

For almost 30 years we have been happy for a small group of dedicated local metal detector users to retrieve these objects, many of which are already on display in Hull Museum.

The many artefacts so far recovered show that we are just the latest of countless families who have farmed this land way back into prehistory; a Saxon scythe with characteristic straight blade, the only one discovered in Yorkshire, is evidence of cereal production and a ‘carding comb’ for combing out wool ready for spinning, points to sheep farming and textile production.

Professor Richards of York University believes that the Saxon settlement supplied produce to a royal palace then existing at nearby Driffield.

Our family can’t claim royal connections but we do have a farming heritage in common with these former Wolds dwellers and do like to think we also share their energy and entrepreneurial spirit!

Rob