History of Agricultural Education in Wiltshire - Lackham Countryside ...

Vocational Training Scheme to provide a series of one year courses in General
Agriculture for ex-servicemen (50 students per year).
In 1946, Mr. Stratton retired as Chairman of the Wiltshire War Agricultural
Committee and with the word "War" deleted, a new Committee was formed by
the Ministry known as the County Agricultural Executive Committee - A.E.C
.
Mr. Stratton had been Chairman of the War Agricultural Committee for six
years and Chairman of the Agricultural Education Committee since 1928. He was
also Chairman of the Lackham Founders' Committee in 1945.
To quote Alderman C.W. Whatley, "Mr. Stratton had been Alderman of the
Wiltshire County Council for many years and finally after an exhausting six
years as Chairman of the W.A.E.C., he received the honour of C.B.E. from His
Majesty. No man could have done more to deserve it."
The personnel of the new Wiltshire A.E.G. were well known in the County,
including land owners, representatives from the National Farmers' Union and
the Union of Agricultural Workers. Mr. R.W. Horton was elected Chairman.
In addition to the countless duties, one of their functions was to administer
Lackham Training Centre on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture until 1951 and
a Sub-Committee for Lackham was set up in 1946 consisting of: -
Mr F Swanton - Chairman
Mr R to Horton - Vice Chairman
Mr G W Olive
Mr C W Whatley
Mr 0 M Peall
Mr A W Case
Sir Gerard Fuller
Lady K McNeile
Mr G Bishop Secretary
In the first place, all the existing Farm aand garden staff were offered
employment by the A.E.G., viz:-
Mr H Cole Estate Mason
Mr J Pike Groom
Mr P Brunt Gardener
Mr J Chivers Carter
Mr C Gullis Farm Worker
Mr J Hutchins Woodman