The Ipsley Estate
Introduction
Prior to the designation of Redditch as a “New Town”, and its subsequent expansion, the area around the town was occupied by many farms. Some of these farms were owned by the same person and were known as “Estates”. The Ipsley Estate was one such estate and its ownership changed hands several times. Over the years, many tenant farmers worked the farms.
The Ipsley Estate comprised Arrowdale Farm, Crabtree Farm, Woodrow Farm, Greenland's Farm, Lodge Farm (also known as Ipsley Lodge Farm), Park Coppice Fields, White Cottage, Wyre Hill Wood, Park Wood, Dix Coppice, and various other unnamed coppices and plantations. For more details of these properties see individual farm listings.
It had belonged to the Entwisle family for much of the 19th century. The bulk of the estate was purchased by Thomas Entwisle circa 1816-1917. Land tax and sale documents state the owner was John Iddins, whilst George Iddins was the occupier of Lodge Farm. John and George Iddins are believed to be related. Other documents on the National Archives site show that John Iddins died in 1816, so we can assume that the estate was sold as a result of his death. Other parts of the estate, such as Wyre Hill Wood, were purchased separately from other owners.
The estate was inherited by Thomas' son, also named Thomas, in 1843. After his death, it passed to his sons Cecil and Bertie, and was sold in 1898 following the death of Bertie Entwisle.
The subsequent owner was Albert Eadie, who expanded the estate with the addition of Oakenshaw Farm purchased from another owner. He sold the estate in 1918.
Richard, Anne, Hannah and Esther Field were one family who occupied Woodrow Farm. The Fields were originally from Bragg's Farm in Tanworth and returned there after Richard inherited Bragg's Farm.
It is difficult to establish the origins of the estate, but we can trace some of the history through articles in the local press. Not all of these cuttings refer explicitly to the Ipsley Estate but are included to illustrate the farming environment of the period.
Acknowledgements
Original research and annotation - Kim Harten
Additional Newspaper article research - Jillian Coombes
The Ipsley Estate over Time
1816, 7th March - Sale of Some of Ipsley Estate
Sale particulars refer to “Ipsley Lodge” and Ipsley Lodge Farm was part of the Ipsley Estate. Other lots include Crab Tree Farm and Woodrow Farm which are known to be part of Ipsley Estate. Ipsley Street farm is also mentioned and therefore too may be part of the Ipsley Estate. Other lots refer to parcels of land in the vicinity.
Source: Berrows Worcester Journal - Thursday 7th March 1816
1817, Thursday 20th February - Possibly Ipsley Estate
Another sales notice. Although it does not mention the Ipsley Estate specifically, it refers to George Iddins, who is believed to be related to John Iddins, the late owner of the Ipsley Estate.
Source: Morning Chronicle - Thursday 20th February 1817
1817, Friday 7th March - Another George Iddins Sale
Another sales notice referring to George Iddins.
Source: London Courier and Evening Gazette - Friday 7th March 1817
1823, Thursday 10th April - Ipsley Street Farm
Possibly a struggling farm as it states “Under a Distress for Rent”. Mr. John Penn is selling goods from Ipsley Street Farm we assume to raise cash to pay debts.
Source: Berrows Worcester Journal - Thursday 10th April 1823
1824, Thursday 11th March - Ipsley Green-Land Farm
More farm stock and equipment sales.
Source: Birmingham Chronicle - Thursday 11th March 1824
1824, Thursday 29th April - Sales At Crab Tree & Woodrow Farms
More sales of Incalve Heifers & Sturks (stirk - a young cow/bull) and various Timber from properties including Crab Tree and Woodrow farms.
Source: Berrows Worcester Journal - Thursday 29th April 1824
1825, Saturday 16th April - Livestock Sales
Source: Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser - Saturday 16th April 1825
1852, Monday 9th February - Sales from Wood Row Farm
Mr. Richard Field, a tenant, selling livestock and implements on leaving Wood Row farm.
Source: Birmingham Gazette - Monday 9th February 1852
1858, Saturday 20th November - Timber Sale
Source: Birmingham Journal - Saturday 20th November 1858
1859, Saturday 12th March - Mr. K. Bomford (Deceased) Possession Sale from Ipsley Lodge Farm.
Source: Birmingham Journal - Saturday 12th March 1859
1862, Saturday 8th February - More Possession Sales
Sale particulars of possession sales of Mr. Ward of Ipsley Lodge Farm and Mr. John Edwards (deceased) of Green Land Farm.
Source: Birmingham Journal - Saturday 8th February 1862
1873, Saturday 1st November - Stock sale of Mr. J. H. Whitehouse of Lodge Farm.
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 1st November 1873
1875, Saturday 25th September - Stock sale of Mr. James H. Whitehouse of Lodge Farm.
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 25th September 1875
1876, Saturday 15th January - Timber Sales - Park Wood Ipsley
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 15th January 1876
1880, Saturday 3rd April - Holloway Farm
Again, not known as part of the Ipsley Estate, but a former tenant William Tolley’s (deceased) processions are put up for sale. (Holloway Farm was part of the Sillins estate)
Source:: The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger - Saturday 3rd April 1880
1880, Saturday 1st May - Field Farm
J. H. Whitehouse of Field farm has put considerable livestock up for sale.
Source: The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger - Saturday 1st May 1880
1882, Saturday 29th July - School Treat at Arrowdale Farm
Source: Berrow’s Worcester Journal - Saturday 29th July 1882
1883, Saturday 13th January - Holloway Farm
More sales from Holloway Farm.
Source: The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger - Saturday 13th January 1883
1886, Saturday 6th November - Staff Wanted
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 6th November 1886
1889, Saturday 28th September - Staff Wanted
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 28th September 1889
1892, Saturday 3rd December - Staff Wanted
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 3rd December 1892
1895, Tuesday 8th October 1895 - Lodge Farm
Apartments to rent in Lodge farm. Tenant J. G. Haden.
Source: Birmingham Daily Post - Tuesday 8th October 1895
1897, Saturday 25th December - Death Notice
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 25th December 1897
1898, Saturday 14th May - Farm Land Sales for Building
A sale notice advertising “Building Plots” on the Ipsley Estate.
Source: Leamington Spa Courier - Saturday 14th May 1898
1899, Saturday 18th March - Farm Stock and Furniture Sales
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 18th March 1899
1901, Saturday 16th November - Anthrax Outbreak
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 16th November 1901
1903, Saturday 25th April - Farmer In Trouble
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 25th April 1903
1903, Saturday 31st October - More Sales for Rent Distress
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 31st October 1903
1905, Saturday 1st April 1905 - Milk Sales
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 1st April 1905
Source: Worcester Chronicle - Saturday 22nd July 1905
1908, Saturday 19th September - Staff Wanted
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 19th September 1908
1908, Saturday 10th October - Singing Down on The Farm
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 10th October 1908
1909, Saturday 9th January - Public Works on Local Farms
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 9th January 1909
1909, Saturday 6th March - Leaving Sale
J. G. Haden sale of goods on leaving Lodge Farm.
Source: Alcester Chronicle - Saturday 6th March 1909
1916, Saturday 9th September 1916 - Tenants Continue to Leave
Mrs. Mosford sale of goods on leaving Woodrow Farm.
Source: The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger - Saturday 9th September 1916
1916, Saturday 30th September - A More Detailed Sales Notice
Mrs. Mosford sale of goods on leaving Woodrow Farm.
Source: The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger - Saturday 30th September 1916
1917, Saturday 3rd March - Leaving Farm Sale
T. H. Croft sale of goods on leaving Ipsley Court Farm.
Source The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger - Saturday 3rd March 1917
Note: Ipsley Court was not part of the Ipsley estate. It was the main property on the similarly named Ipsley Court Estate, owned in the 19th and early 20th centuries by the Landor family. An ad for the sale of this estate (Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser, Sat 15 Jul 1922) lists the properties as Ipsley Court Farm, Field Farm, Ipsley Alders Farm, Shakespeare Farm, Wynyate Farm, Ipsley Mill Farm, The Cottage Farm, and various un-named cottages. One of the 19th century owners of this estate was the poet Walter Savage Landor. The 1922 sale ad shows the estate was sold by order of a descendant of his also named W. Savage Landor.
1917, Saturday 3rd March - G. W Leech Leaves Arrowdale Farm
Source: The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger - Saturday 3rd March 1917
1918, Saturday 30th March 1918 - The Sale of The Ipsley Estate
The sale of the Ipsley Estate by Albert Eadie. We cannot find the reason why Albert sold the estate at this time.
Source: Birmingham Daily Post - Saturday 30th March 1918
1918, Saturday 11th May - The Sale of the Ipsley Estate
This is another sales notice for the whole Ipsley Estate when Albert Eadie sold the estate.
Source: Birmingham Daily Post - Saturday 11th May 1918
1918, Saturday 9th November - The First Plan for a “Garden City” for Redditch.
The “Garden City” movement, led by Sir Ebenezer Howard, set out in 1898 the basic concepts upon which the “New Towns” of the 1960s were built. This notice proposes a Garden City on the Ipsley Estate, we do not know if it was actioned then, but many farms.were lost to residential and commercial development when Redditch was desiganted a New Town in 1964.
Source: Evening Despatch - Saturday 9th November 1918
1930, Saturday 1st February - A Sale at Greenlands Farm
Mrs. J. Skellern selling goods and livestock from Greenlands farm.
Source: The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger - Saturday 1st February 1930
1931, Thursday 23rd April - Albert Eadie’s Funeral
Funeral of Albert Eadie, former owner of the Ipsley Estate
Source: Coventry Evening Telegraph - Thursday 23rd April 1931
1931, Monday 24th August - Probate - Albert Eadie
Source: Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Monday 24th August 1931
1933 Tuesday 7th February - Royal Enfield Founder
Death notice for Robert Smith, Albert Eadie’s partner in founding the Royal Enfield Cycle Company.
Source: Birmingham Daily Gazette - Tuesday 7th February 1933
1937, Saturday 30th October - BSA/Ipsley Estate Links
This report is of the BSA, which was once managed by Albert Eadie buying part of Arrowdale Farm which was once owned by Albert Eadie.
Source: Birmingham Daily Gazette - Saturday 30th October 1937
1938, Saturday 22nd January - Another Tenant Leaves
Sales of goods and stock by Mr. D. Mallalieu upon leaving Woodrow Farm.
Source: Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser - Saturday 22nd January 1938
Acknowledgements
Newspaper cuttings compiled by Jill and Derek Coombes; annotated by Derek Coombes and Kim Harten
1905, Saturday 22nd July - Dispute over Angling Rights
The Last 80 Years
We have not, as yet, found any more information about the Ipsley Estate over the last 80 Years.
Obviously, when Redditch was designated as a new town in 1964, there was a major transfer of farm land to the Development Corporation for the building of road, residential and industrial estates.
If you have any information about this period we would very much like to see it and add it to this history.