Image ref
PTPD300068
Credit
From collection of F H Brindley
photographer
Brindley, F H (Sheffield News Pictures, 973 Abbeydale Road, Millhouses)
ImageDate
1940s ?
Location
Cordwell Farm
Town
Cordwell
About this image
A tractor and reaper-binder at work harvesting corn. The tractor is a 20hp Ferguson-Brown Type A, manufactured in 1936-7 - it does not look particularly new here and the original details for the picture make no mention of it being passed for publication by the wartime Censor, so the date could either be just prior to World War Two, or just after.
The photographer provided two separate typed captions for this photo, which are worth reproducing in full as they tell the story:
'EVENING HARVESTING IN DERBYSHIRE. Owing to shortage of labour, Derbyshire farmers - harvesting a month earlier than usual, are now working nights - up to dark, cutting the CORN which, this year - is a month early [sic] than usual, and working till dark, to take advantage of the dry weather. Photo taken tonight, shows Mr KEY and his son, cutting corn in Cordwell valley, 7 miles from Sheffield.'
and
'EVENING HARVESTING IN DERBYSHIRE. Photo - taken this evening at Cordwell Farm, Holmesfield - 7 miles from Sheffield, shows what is happening all over Derbyshire, just now. The Farmers, cutting the corn, after Milking time, at night, to save time in the day. They work up to dark now.'