A Farming Legacy 1910-2010 - Celebrating the Centenary of the Felix Thornley Cobbold Agricultural Trust (Paperback)

In the early days of the 20th century times were hard for a rural economy under pressure. Wealthy Suffolk business-owner, Felix Thornley Cobbold made a financial bequest which, on his death in 1909, was to 'help create a better rural economy' and change the future for many rural labourers. This detailed book is an account of his legacy over 100 years. Rosalind's account begins by looking at the man himself and the pressures and upheaval of the rural economy in his time. She recounts the vision that he had and the changes that he sought to make. She then follows the trust's history as it developed alongside the changes in agriculture from the Second World War through to the recent decline in farming. Over the years it has taken a large number of dedicated people to keep the trust running through the changes and difficulties which it faced. These people feature significantly in the book. While this book was in development, Otley College reached its 40th anniversary. To celebrate, an additional chapter covers the history of this widely respected institution, built on Cobbold land. This account is not simply a history of the development of the charitable trust but a story of the agricultural history of Suffolk, and similar arable areas throughout England, over 100 years.