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Historic dairy farm finds its place on the international art scene Historic dairy farm finds its place on the international art scene
(7 months later)
It was 50 years ago when, on the way from Wincanton to Bruton, and coming out into the open from between high wooded banks, we first saw the view of the town at the foot of Dropping Lane – the dovecote on its hill, the town roofs and the fine church tower. We passed Durslade Farm on our right, the farmhouse close to the road, and a collection of handsome stone buildings assembled round the yard.It was 50 years ago when, on the way from Wincanton to Bruton, and coming out into the open from between high wooded banks, we first saw the view of the town at the foot of Dropping Lane – the dovecote on its hill, the town roofs and the fine church tower. We passed Durslade Farm on our right, the farmhouse close to the road, and a collection of handsome stone buildings assembled round the yard.
Durslade, with some cows and a lot of hens, had been in the same family since 1918, and was then the home of a mother and son, who let rooms to friends of ours. Much later, revisiting Bruton, we saw the buildings looking empty and desolate. Year by year, we looked regretfully at what seemed to be just another disused dairy farm. But that great, gabled barn still caught the eye, and anyone who paused to note some especially fine detail in the masonry, or the coat of arms on the house, would have been unsurprised to hear of the farm's notable pedigree.Durslade, with some cows and a lot of hens, had been in the same family since 1918, and was then the home of a mother and son, who let rooms to friends of ours. Much later, revisiting Bruton, we saw the buildings looking empty and desolate. Year by year, we looked regretfully at what seemed to be just another disused dairy farm. But that great, gabled barn still caught the eye, and anyone who paused to note some especially fine detail in the masonry, or the coat of arms on the house, would have been unsurprised to hear of the farm's notable pedigree.
It had been built as a model farm in the 1760s by the Berkeley family, whose forebears had bought the manor and the former Augustinian priory of Bruton at the dissolution. Later it belonged to the Hoares, the banking family who built Stourhead. And it has had its glamorous recent interlude as a location in the film Chocolat, starring Juliette Binoche.It had been built as a model farm in the 1760s by the Berkeley family, whose forebears had bought the manor and the former Augustinian priory of Bruton at the dissolution. Later it belonged to the Hoares, the banking family who built Stourhead. And it has had its glamorous recent interlude as a location in the film Chocolat, starring Juliette Binoche.
But now, in 2013, you see scaffolding and vigorous activity, evidence of rebirth. There is to be some imaginative landscaping close to the farm, and the buildings, including threshing barn, stables and cowhouse, are to become a centre for modern art. Hauser & Wirth, of Zurich, international exhibitors of the work of contemporary and emerging artists, fell in love with Durslade on sight and are effecting its dramatic transformation at the edge of a small, historic Somerset town.But now, in 2013, you see scaffolding and vigorous activity, evidence of rebirth. There is to be some imaginative landscaping close to the farm, and the buildings, including threshing barn, stables and cowhouse, are to become a centre for modern art. Hauser & Wirth, of Zurich, international exhibitors of the work of contemporary and emerging artists, fell in love with Durslade on sight and are effecting its dramatic transformation at the edge of a small, historic Somerset town.
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