A Brief History of Pembroke School Farm
By Brynner J. Davies

In 1952-53 Pembrokeshie Education Authority decided that a new Grammar School was required and it purchased the Bush House estate. It consisted of the mansion, about 1 hectare of gardens, and 45 hectares of land.

The Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales, Dr.T.I.Davies, saw this as an excellent opportunity to establish an Agricultural Department as part of the new school. About 22 hectares were devoted to forestry, the tree planting being caried out by the Forestry Commission, some 6 hectares were transformed into playing fields, 17 hectares became the farming area, a new set of farm buildings were built and Bush House was modernised and adapted as a residential house for boarders.

The farm began to operate in 1954 and Mr.Jack Hunt was appointed bailiff. In early 1955 I was appointed Head of Department and commenced my duties in April 1955.

I spent most of the summer term organising the various activities of the farm and purchasing some Friesian heifers to establish the Wogan pedigee herd, some breeding ewes, and Welsh gilts for breeding.

For some years the main cash crop on the farm was early potatoes which was a very popular and profitable crop in the County at that time. Later on, laying hens were kept and turkeys were produced for the Christmas market. All these enterprises provided a variety of interests for the pupils following the course.

During the Autumn of 1955 Bush House was opened to its first pupils and the agricultural course commenced. It was attended by some local pupils and those from farther afield who resided at Bush House. Pupils who opted for the course followed a special “Biology through Agriculture” syllabus and agricultural science together with practical farming before or after school and on Saturday mornings. Later, farm proficiency courses and tests were introduced and proved to be very successful.

In the late 80’s an evening course in agricultural and farm machinery was introduced for young farmers and it proved to be very popular. Later, this course was extended to cover the whole of the county and separate staff were appointed. It was later to become part of the Technical College in Haverfordwest.

When the Department opened Mrs.Roblin was appointed secretary in the farm office. She retired after about five years to raise a family. She was followed by Mrs.Joan Payne who occupied the post for 18 years, only to be succeeded again by Mrs.Roblin. Both proved to be excellent secretaries.