The Farm Today
David Legge had been farming at Shortwood Farm since he left school in the late 1960’s. Living just down the road from the farm after he married Janet, they have taken the farm along a journey, farming every farm-able animal you could think of from dairy cattle to the infamous racing pigs. In 1987, David and Janet decided that it was time to open the farm to the public, becoming the well renowned Shortwood Family Farm for 29 years until its closure in 2016. David and Janet’s son, Anthony, at the same time was working hard to set up his butchery and farm shop, Legges of Bromyard, which is now a well established and flourishing business supplying the surrounding areas and nationally with local meats, produce and fabulous pork pies.
In September 2023, James and Ellie graduated from the Royal Agricultural University and moved to the farm with the hopes of bringing new techniques and diversification ideas to help Shortwood adapt to the modern climate of farming. This is how we’ve got to today’s Shortwood - a regenerative farming enterprise with a passion for Hereford cattle and good British food.
The history of Shortwood Farm
Leslie and Sarah Legge came to Shortwood in 1903 with their children - John, Nancy & Ruth. At the time of their arrival, Shortwood was covered with scrub and woodland, so Leslie set about clearing and cultivating the land using livestock and a horse. In 1916, John married Beatrice Thomas and together they raised 17 children at Shortwood Farm. During the war years, it became apparent that a larger farm was required to support the family. John got the chance to rent Butterley Court at Thornbury. When asked how he would manage for agricultural labor, he replied that he had bred his own - five of whom had already left school, with another five approaching adulthood. When the family moved to Thornbury, Edward - the eldest son - stayed on at Shortwood.
It’s Edward’s Great Grandson, James, who is running the farm today!
Ellie
James
Pippin