The Devonshire Association held its annual conference for the first time in its 148-year history in Holsworthy last weekend (June 4 to 6).

This saw various events and talks take place in and around the Holsworthy area, including visits to Tetcott Manor, Shebbear College and the former parts of the Bude Canal. As part of their visit to Holsworthy, Helen Harris, the honorary local adviser and vice chairman of the executive committee, gave a detailed and insightful talk about 'Farms, Farmers and Farming in the Holsworthy District in the 1950s'.

With the Memorial Hall nearly full to capacity, Helen's talk included her memories and information from when she worked as a dairy adviser in the Ministry of Agriculture's Service in the Holsworthy district after gaining a National Diploma in Dairying.

Along with this, Helen shared information about different places in the area, including Ashwater, Tetcott and Bradworthy, to name a few. Helen explained that she worked in the district when there were 33 parishes and 1,100 milk producers, this had "changed enormously" from today with just 150 to 160 milk producers in the area.

It was interesting to learn that Bradworthy had the largest village square in the West Country and the village had evidence of previous Anglo Saxon inhabitation.

Helen reflected on how farming changed throughout the war years and how equipment and machinery used in the dairy side of the industry had advanced and updated.

The lack of mains water meant farmers had to use different techniques to store and keep milk cool. Pictures that Helen had taken around the area and of previous farming methods accompanied her talk.

To complete the presentation, Helen played a video that herself and her husband (the late Desmond Harris) had made before she gave up the job in 1956. The 12 minute recording showed clips from farms that they had visited whilst working as a dairy adviser and a commentary from Helen that she had recorded at the time.

Helen said: "It was a very happy time and farmers were very keen." She explained that they attended a number of farmers' meetings, walks and demonstrations often chaired by a farmer.