1914-1918 - The 'Grow More Food Project'

A team of oxen at work on the Stanmer estate.

Jocelyn Brudenell Pelham, 6th Earl of Chichester

by Bassano, vintage print, 1917

The ‘Grow More Food’ project in The War years – 1914 – 1918

“Spencer was the last man to manage and drive a team of oxen on the Chichester Estate. He did this until about 1910 when new types of ploughs and heavy horses became more economical. The old Sussex plough, made of oak with iron tipped sheers, gradually vanished. I remember his old plough being drawn by a horse for the last time, to plough up a piece of the Mansion Pleasure Grounds during the 14–18 War when the Earl sponsored a ‘Grow More Food’ project. He could show some of his Parliamentary friends that he was sacrificing his Pleasure Grounds for food.

From – further notes from Owen Williams, 1983, Falmer.