In August 1996 a fire destroyed
the hayrick at the sharp corner in Upper Weald, Calverton (or let us say at the
top end of Butts Piece if you are a tradionalist). It was reported
by a passing motorist at 9 pm and was soon attended by four fire appliances.
The firemen did a superb job; the fire had taken hold but they ensured that
there was no damage to the wooden fence at one side bordering Fairfield Farm or
to the wooden beamed barn at the other side.
A few days latter smoke was seen coming from a field by the A5 road. Again
the Fire Brigade responded quickly with four engines and a bowser but the fire
destroyed about 10 hectares of stubble and barley as well as about 150 metres
of hedgerow.
