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Tue 11th Apr 2023. |
Even though Raymond has been presenting this illustrated
talk for over 16 years it is the first time he has visited CHAS.
It is mostly the history of his life through farming, music &
gardening.
Raymond was the 5th generation of farmers at White
Coppice. The first was 1873 when Joseph Smith left Quernmore and
moved to White Coppice. Raymonds love of gardening came from his
grandfather who kept 800 roses at the back of the farmhouse. His
grandfather was a self taught organist and Raymond followed the
tradition. |
Raymond Smith.
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Raymond's ancestors at
White
Coppice Farm. |
Raymond in his garden in 2018. |
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Raymond in the garden. The last
public opening was Sat 14th July 2018. |
As an amateur musician and choir leader he has composed four
musicals and wrote the musical 'Samuel' in 1988 based on the Old
Testament story. It has been staged at the Guild Hall, Preston
and Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.
A great moment for Raymond
was being invited by our local MP Lindsay Hoyle to play the
organ for the wedding at the Palace of Westminster, London. |
The old
barn is now converted to
Raymond & Linda's living room. |
Linda's vegetable garden & stones
from the old mill. |
Gentleman's lodge at the bottom
of
the garden. |
In 2000, Raymond gave up farming, the last milking at the farm
was 2nd Aug. He went to college to study garden design and has
set up his company Stones and Roses Garden Design.
He sold
the farm but kept the barn and some land to convert to his
current home. At the bottom of the hill was the site of the
former Cotton Mill which was demolished many years ago. Raymond
bought the site and salvaged some of the stone to build various
walls and structures in his garden. Linda's (Raymond’s wife)
vegetable garden was built using the last remaining cobbles from
the White Coppice Cotton Mill. Raymond’s Grandmother would have
walked on them as she worked there. 3000 were used to build the
garden. There used to be annual openings of their garden but Sat
14th July 2018 was the last time they opened to the public.
It was a fascinating presentation with many historical
references.
B.H. |
