Tom Parker - Historic Hambledon

Tom Parker (1896-1982)

The Guv’nor, as he was known locally was a larger-than-life character whose farming skills were matched by his entrepreneurship. Technically not a Hambledon resident he actually owned numerous farms in the Parish or close to it such as Wallops Wood, West End Farm and Hoe Cross Farm.

But certainly his contribution to Hambledon’s village life was colourful and prominent as he made his regular appearances at Village pageants such as the historic cricket matches held in costume on Broadhalfpenny Down. And of course as a member of the Hambledon Hunt.

In 1921, Tom Parker started farming with 14 cows on rented land. His style of personally delivering milk from his horse and cart and the quality of his produce established his reputation until his fleet of handsome horse-drawn milk floats became a common sight in Hampshire.

Horse-drawn milk floats lined up at Tom Parker Dairies farm, 1957. A note to this photo states the floats were delivering to Fareham and district and that they were built on Parker’s own farm.

Not only did his business grow, he steadily acquired more land until he eventually farmed 4,000 acres. The size of his business and his personality led to the soubriquet of ‘The Guv’nor’, and he became a farming legend in Hampshire.

In recognition of his 80^th birthday the Hampshire Telegraph ran a story in August 1976 which gave a concise but useful appraisal of The Guv’nor’s life and achievements as farmer and businessman. Despite his commercial success, Tom Parker remained a farmer at heart and a traditional mixed farmer at that – rather bemoaning the modern-day focus on specialism.

For many of us 1976 doesn’t feel so long ago but actually the world of farming and dairy produce known to Tom Parker is barely recognisable today. And the world of 1976 had changed considerably from when Tom started his farming empire as tenant of the 260 acre Charity Farm in Fareham. Parker recalled in 1976: “We started retailing milk 45 years ago supplying 32 pals with one pint each. Now at the peak of the season it is 1000 cows with a production target of one million gallons a year.”

Harking back to the days of horse-drawn ploughing – as it was when he started farming – Tom remained committed to traditions of agriculture in shows and equestrian events and photographs from an album shed light not only on the personal interests of Tom Parker but on country living in the first half of the 20C.

In 1948 influenced by his friend and neighbour Sir Dymoke White, Tom Parker was initiated into the addictive pursuit of competition coaching with Parker’s team of horses hitched to a coach supplied by a Colonel Main. In due course, Sir Dymoke’s own coach, The Rocket, would be teamed up with Parker’s horses.

The debut of this partnership was at Tom’s daughter, Judy’s wedding and in the years that followed Judy Rusbridger (Judith Rose Parker D. Denmead 25 May 2012) was herself a major player in the outings of The Rocket’s legendary long distance road trips called Rocket Runs. After Sir Dymoke’s death in 1968, Tom Parker bought The Rocket from the estate and put it to considerable use until his own demise in 1982.

Parkers’ Trade entry in the celebratory parade for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in Portsmouth in June 1953 shows The Guv’nor’s serious commitment to traditions – not only the carthorses but also their trappings with brasses and bells embellishing the animals’ harnesses

Members of The Men of Hambledon cricket team arrive in style at The Bat and Ball aboard Tom Parker’s coach.

Hambledon Hunt meets in celebration of Tom Parker’s 80th birthday in 1976

Rocket Runs!

Read Judy Rusbridger’s account of a Rocket Run

‘I am almost certain the Rocket coach is being driven by the late Judy Rusbridger who was the daughter of the famous Hampshire farmer Tom Parker (1896-1982). Judy died a few years ago now. Tom bought the coach from the estate of my grandfather (Sir Dymoke White 1888-1968) after he died. Sir Dymoke was a great coaching enthusiast who started before the war and later encouraged Tom Parker to take it up.

Sir Dymoke was president of the Coaching Club from 1946 to 1956. The Rocket was converted from a Park Drag to a road coach by Sir Dymoke in order that he and Tom Parker might undertake coaching marathons around the country, which became known as the “Rocket Runs”. The first one was shortly before Sir Dymoke’s death, and then Tom continued these until a few years before he died; travelling around the country (certainly as far as Yorkshire) staying with farming friends and acquaintances, of which he of course had many. The organisation of these events was a major undertaking, with horses provided by many other coaching colleagues (20 miles per team each day was enough), and stabling, transport and feed all needing to be arranged.‘

Hitching an 8 horse team to The Rocket, August 1979

‘I am almost certain the person doing the filming was a gentleman by the name of Peter Norris-Hill (died several years ago) who worked as an administrator in the Parker farming empire. I know his job was to make a film record of each event. As far as I know, the films are in the possession of Judy Rusbridger’s son, who lives in West Sussex. I cannot comment on the year for this particular set of photos, save to say that it was post 1968 as the cine filming did not start until Tom Parker became the owner of the coach.’