4.9 Google
As some people may be aware, our business as it is today, started off very differently. From around the late 60s/early 70s, our business was called ‘Kirk Silo (Installations) Ltd’ and our business discipline was the erection of grain storage silos on farms around the country, including Edinburgh and the Isle of Wight. Graham and his team of young lads, 2 of who still work for us today, lived on the farms in their caravans for several weeks at a time, whilst the silos were erected. They were built from the bottom and hoisted up, layer by layer until the desired height was achieved. These were the good old days and Graham’s wife and 2 young girls used to come and stay in the caravan in the school holidays and the girls have very fond memories of playing on the farms, with the various farm dogs and of sitting on the concrete steps ‘podding bolts’ for Graham and the lads so that they could fix the 2 sheets of corrugated steel together!
This work carried on until around the early 80s when the garage door work started. Work on the farms steadily declined, mainly due to farmers not getting grants anymore.
Here are some photos from the early days of our silo building:
So today, we are ‘Mansfield Garage Doors Ltd’ and we have been installing and repairing garage doors in and around Mansfield for the last 40 years or so, but silos are always a talking point, especially when talking about a certain area – Graham would say, ‘Oh we built some silos there!!!’ or he’d spot some silos still standing on farms as they’d be driving around!
Graham and Sue’s daughters, Rachel and Alison found out about a ‘holiday let’ which they knew would be ‘right up their street.’ Based down in Sedlescombe, East Sussex and not far from Battle and Hastings, an original Brice Baker Silo has been converted into holiday letting. Here is their description of ‘The Corn Bin‘ on the website:
“If you are looking for a holiday cottage with a difference, then look no further! Formerly a grain store, the property has been cleverly converted to provide spacious, modern, upside down accommodation. The open plan sitting/dining room on the first floor has four windows to make the most of the lovely views across the surrounding countryside. The property is situated next to a private airfield so you can sit out on the private patio, watch the occasional light aircraft come and go and just enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the lovely rural setting. Nearby is the pretty village of Sedlescombe with its popular local pub and village shop. There are plenty of places to visit in the surrounding area including the local organic vineyard, the historic town of Battle with its famous 1066 battlefield and abbey and the seaside town of Hastings. The Corn Bin is the ideal base for exploring the numerous historic properties and gardens in the area and there is a good local golf club if you fancy being a bit more active!”
Here is the picture from their website:
Rachel and Alison couldn’t resist booking this for their Mum and Dad! They kept it a secret and gave them a tiny bit of information so it was a big surprise when they arrived. They told them it was an approximate 4-hour drive from Mansfield and it was in the southeast! Here they are about to set off with very minimal instructions to be opened en-route!
It wasn’t until they got a bit closer that they gave them the postcode, then video called them as they arrived onto the farm! Their reaction was priceless!
Graham exclaimed, ‘Oh there’s some silos here!’ then his face looked puzzled as he realised one of the silos had been converted and that they were actually staying in the silo! His comments after that were, ‘Wow, I’m gob-smacked!!!’
They then proceeded to find the key and gave us a guided tour of the ‘Corn Bin!!!’ Here they are on a video call to one of their daughters, son-in-law and 2 grandchildren!
Their plans for the trip included meeting up with Graham’s brother, sister-in-law and 2 sisters as well as visiting various castles, vineyards and many places, including Battle, Hastings, Brighton and Portsmouth!
A trip to remember! Here are the remaining photographs!
