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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier Saturday 29 May 1948
Page 3 Column 6
After 48 Years as Tenant
North Petherton Man Must Quit
Farmers' Dilemma
How the repatriation of German prisoners is accentuating the housing problem was illustrated in cases at Bridgwater County Court on Friday, a tenant of 48 years standing being required in one case to make way for a farm worker.
Leonard BOND, farmer, Hulkshay Farm, North Petherton, represented by Mr. D. J. COOPER (Clarke, Willmott & Clarke) sought possession of 1, Victoria-road, North Petherton, occupied by James PARKER, aged 72, basket maker, and his wife, who were represented by Mr. J. A. DAVID.
Plaintiff produced a certificate from the Agricultural Committee that the cottage was required for a cowman on the farm, and said he had entered into a contract with a man conditionally on obtaining the cottage. He had lost two German prisoners and now had only one employee for a farm of 110 acres, of which 43 were arable.
Harold DUNN, of Durston, the man referred to, said he was living in bad conditions and was himself under notice to quit.
Mr. PARKER said he had lived in the house 48 years and was 117th on the list for a Council house in the parish. They had looked after the house as if it was their own, and had spent £15 to £20 on it about a year ago.
“VERY ROUGH LUCK.”
His Honour Judge E. H. C. WETHERED said the departure of the prisoners of war who had lived in camps was going to be a serious factor in the country as there was no accommodation for the civilian workers who would have to replace them. He described the position of defendant as very rough luck, adding that that sort of thing was going to happen again and again and cause very great hardship. He made an order for possession on July 31st.
A similar course was taken by His Honour in the application by Edwin HEAL, farmer, Chilton Farm, Chilton Trinity, represented by Mr. COOPER, against Douglas WITHERIDGE, of Chilton Villa, represented by Mr. DAVID.
Applicant said WITHERIDGE had left his employment for work in the town and he wanted the house for a cowman. He had a farm of 234 acres, and had lost the two German prisoners who had been working for him. He had entered into a contract with another man.
WITHERIDGE, an ex-Army sergeant, said he had a wife and four children and had applied for a Council house as far back as 1944.
MOORLAND COTTAGE.
A farm cottage was also involved in the application by Raymond ADDICOTT, farmer, Court Farm, Moorland, against Reginald GILLETT, unemployed stone mason, of Court Farm Cottage.
ADDICOTT said GILLETT was previously living in a tent, and was given tenancy of the cottage at 7s a week as he said he would carry out repairs required if provided with the material. The material was found and defendant made no mention of payment. He wanted the cottage for an employee and had a certificate from the Agricultural Committee.
Edwin George GIBBS, the employee, said he wanted the cottage as he was living in overcrowded conditions with his parent at Fordgate.
Defendant said he had counter-claimed for £17 10s for the work done to the cottage as his tenancy had expired. He had a wife and three children. There were four new houses unoccupied in the village.
He was ordered to give up possession on July 31st, plaintiff being given judgment on the claim of £4 7s 6d for rent, and also on the counter-claim.