Doris Archer (Gwen Berryman) prepares tea at Brookfield.


Dan and Doris,should they sing?(extra recording from 1955).

1951

The end and start of an era
Dan Archer retired his last working horses Boxer and Blossom.

Peggy and Jack Archer's son Anthony (Tony) born, 16 February. Susan and Joe Grundy's second son Eddie born, 15 March.

The Archer family share a meal


The Archers and a real budget statement

1952

Disaster
Jet plane crashed into Five Acre, a field on Brookfield Farm, August.

Grace Fairbrother (Ysanne Churchman) and Phil Archer (Norman Painting).


Phil Archer and Grace (extra recording from 1955).

1953

New arrival
John Tregorran arrived in the village in his caravan. Fire broke out in Squire Lawson-Hope's wood. Tom Forrest was evacuated from his cottage and had to move in with his sister and brother-in-law Doris and Dan Archer at Brookfield.

Carol Grey (Anne Cullen) with a picture of John Tregorran.


John Tregorran proposes to Carol

1954

Brookfield sold
The Squire sold the Estate: Dan Archer bought Brookfield and much of the remaining land was bought by George Fairbrother.

Clarrie Larkin born, 12 May.

Grace Archer (Ysanne Churchman) on the day of the fire.


Death of Grace Archer

1955

Love and tragedy
Phil Archer and Grace Fairbrother were married, 11 April. Only five months later Grace was killed in a fire at the stables, 22 September.

Peggy and Jack Archer (June Spencer and Denis Folwell) in the kitchen.

1956

Foot and Mouth
Foot and Mouth Disease at Brookfield caused all the cloven-hoofed animals to be slaughtered.

Tom Forrest (Bob Arnold), Phil Archer (Norman Painting) and gun dog.


Tom Forrest shoots a poacher.

1957

A shooting
While out poaching Bob Larkin was accidentally shot dead by Tom Forrest, February. Tom was charged with manslaughter but later acquitted. Walter Gabriel began a carrier service in his minibus.

Phil Archer married Jill Patterson, 16 November

Doris, Jill, Phil and Dan admire the twins (Gwen Berryman, Patricia Greene, Norman Painting, Harry Oakes) .

1958

Fire!
Fire in the Dutch barn at Brookfield destroyed most of the oat crop. Lettie Lawson-Hope died. Her coffin was taken to church in a horse-drawn hay-cart, 21 April.

Twins Shula and Kenton were born to Phil and Jill Archer, 8 August.

Peggy (Thelma Rogers) and Jack Archer (Denis Folwell) behind the bar.

1959

A lasting memorial
Stained glass window in memory of Grace was donated by her father George Fairbrother and installed at St Stephen's Church. Stourhampton Brewery sold The Bull to Jack and Peggy Archer. The Estate was sold again, this time to Charles Grenville.

Nigel Pargetter born, 8 June. David Archer born, 18 September.