This article written by Jackie Rickenberg was published in the Parish Magazine in July 2020
As we know, the recent fire on Thursley Common was devastating for the wildlife, environment and all that knew and used it. The grim scene that faced us afterwards, could have been so much worse, had it not been for swift and efficient help from the Goble family. Along with Roger Pride from Elstead and Mike Clear from Tilford, they were quickly on the scene, assisting and aiding the Surrey Fire and Rescue Services. They were able to use their tractors and tanks to stop the fire from spreading and stayed at the scene, working tirelessly through the night. No effort was spared and it was a whole family affair. All of us in the village were overwhelmed with their commitment and tireless exertions. As a small token of our appreciation, we have featured the current family’s history in Thursley and next month, we will be publishing an item on Robert Goble & Son, Instrument Makers. Huge thanks to Peter Goble for giving us this fascinating insight into the family archives.
John Goble and his wife moved to Wheelwrights in Thursley in 1902 to become the village blacksmith and wheelwright. They had 3 children; Ivy was the eldest, then came Robert and then my father, Arthur. Ivy became the cook for the village school and in later years looked after her elderly parents; Ivy never married. Robert married Betty Brown in 1930, they had 2 sons: Andrea and Paul. Robert handmade recorders, Harpsicords and furniture.
Arthur was born in 1911 and attended Thursley village school. After school he gained a position as a trainee game keeper in Great Windsor Park (he was at the gate when Edward VIII abdicated in 1936, he saw him drive out). After several years at Windsor he returned to Thursley, where he continued as a gamekeeper and farmer on the local farms and estates (Warren Mere, Cosford etc). During WW2, Arthur signed up and worked within the catering core. After the war he again returned to Thursley and was able to rent part of Hill Farm and started farming for himself. He also rented part of Hedge farm. During this time Arthur’s parents and sister remained in Thursley, moving from Wheelwrights to Prospect Cottage in 1914.
Arthur was always keeping himself busy. Playing cricket was his favourite pastime and he could be found playing for Thursley cricket team each season. Dancing was another of his passions and this was where he met his wife Edna Boxall; they married in 1953. On the 1st January 1956 they bought a plot of land in Thursley, now called Little Cowdray Farm. Arthur started a small Jersey herd, got permission to build the house, and on the 1st May 1956 they moved in. Arthur continued to milk cows until he retired at the end of the 1970’s.
I was the only child to Arthur and Edna, born in the mid-fifties. My childhood years were spent helping on the farm, but I preferred working with machinery rather than the dairy cows. After school I attended agricultural college, then returned to Little Cowdray Farm and started up as an agricultural contractor, working on my own for many years. My father, Arthur passed away in 1987 and my mother Edna passed away in 2004.
I met my wife Teresa Boxall who was the cousin of my best friend. As well as the contracting we built up a small beef herd, flock of sheep and pigs. We married in 1981 and had 3 children, all of whom still work on the farm during their days off. Lucy is the eldest who has 2 children, Bethan and Oakley. She is a nurse at the local hospital, but helps on the farm and keeps on top of the farm paperwork. Lucy lives in the house my father built. James is married and has 2 children; Jeffery and Eleanor, they also live in the village near the church. James is now a partner in the Agricultural and Groundwork business which employs 6 local people. Emily is the youngest, she is married and lives with her husband in a nearby village. Emily is a firefighter in London Fire Brigade, but also helps out with the farm and contracting work.
Little Cowdray Farm now runs a herd of around 100 beef cattle and a suckler Dexter herd. We are part of the red tractor food assurance scheme, supplying Marks and Spencer and a number of local butchers with excellent quality beef. The farm has recently diversified into glamping with just 2 high spec units for a family and a couple. It has been extremely popular since its launch with many people returning each year to visit the farm, the village and the beautiful surrounding countryside.
This is four generations of the extended Goble family, taken at Little Cowdray Farm in January 1997. The family have lived here since the house was built in 1956. Grandad Goble came to Thursley in 1903 and was the village wheelwright and lived at Wheelwrights Cottage for some years.