St Joseph's Society
John Dawber was employed as a working Farm Manager in 1952, and continued in that post until his death in 1966.
His son, (John) Hugh Dawber began working with him from leaving school, and on his father’s death became Farm Manager himself, until the College was closed and sold.
He recalled the farm of around 200 acres and 500ft above sea level, growing potatoes, of which the College used about one tonne per week, with the rest sold to wholesalers.
The farm also produced vegetables, which were supplied to the College, and the same was true for milk. Hugh remembered a herd of about 40 milking cows and around 60 young ones. They also had their own bull!
College Farm milk was supplied to the College, but there was a surplus, and this was sold daily on a milk round in Roby Mill and out towards Wigan.
Hugh also remembered Fr Fred Callon, when Procurator, and his passion for plants and planting out around the grounds. He also recalled propagators that produced seedlings and pot plants to beautify the College indoors.
Hugh lives in accommodation at College Farm on Stoney Brow, and remembered the two houses opposite the Carmel, where in the 1960s at least, students at that time might remember Jim Ginnelly, the gardener, and Harry Liptrot, the plumber, who lived there.
Change came when the students left. He remembered marking out the course for the Cafod Run just after Christmas each year, and he looked after the maintenance of the golf course, which at its peak had a membership of around 300.
But when the College was sold, parts of the farm were rented out and the golf course was closed. Times had changed. The old order had passed away.