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

appointed full-time Bee Keeping Officer. Miss J McCredie Forster, who had
earlier joined the Education Committee as full-time Rural Subjects Organiser,
continued her work as head of Rural Domestic Economy at the Hill Street
Centre, Trowbridge. In 1943, Miss Jolly and Miss E Freke were appointed
Assistants in R.D.E. and Rural Subjects respectively. Miss J Dunn joined the
R.D.E. staff in 1948. Miss Jolly resigned in 1955 and was succeeded by Miss
Carew Hunt.
In 1964, the R.D.E. Department was transferred to Lackham College of Agriculture,
with Miss J Dunn as Head of Department.
For further information on R.D.E., refer to H.M.I.'s Report in photograph album
p48 and Miss Dunn's contribution in part II.
The Agricultural Education Committee was responsible for awarding scholarships
and grants to prospective Agricultural Students.
The Principal of Lackham Training Centre organised and conducted several
evening and day classes at suitable centres in the County with the aid of Mr
Brimacombe and his Advisory Staff.
In 1950-51, the County Council took over the responsibility of Lackham Farm
Institute from the Wiltshire Agricultural Executive Committee (Ministry of
Agriculture) and the Agricultural Education Committee appointed two Sub-
Committees from its members to manage the Lackham Farm and Estate and
House respectively. Mr Swanton continued as Chairman of the Farm Committee
and Mr G W Olive was elected Chairman of the House Committee.
The name of the Institute was changed to Lackham School of Agriculture.
The equipment and farm live and dead stock were transferred to the County
Council. The whole of the Lackham Staff became employees of the Local
Authority and Mr Corley and Mr Teal became members of the School staff.
The period between 1951-54 was a difficult one for Lackham with a number of
ex-service men still coming forward to attend the same one year course in
Agriculture as young entrants from the County.
There was also surprisingly at this time considerable opposition to Lackham by a
minority of farmers and others which affected the recruitment of students as
well as progress. The Chairman, Committee and staff, however, withstood the
onslaught with courage and determination. Several farmers were still of the
opinion that Agricultural Education for the young entrants to the industry was