The Hirst family have been at Albion Farm since Ernest Hirst bought it from a relative in the early 1900's.

Ernest Hirst, Sidney Hirst and Joe Hibbert at Albion Farm.

He kept a large number of poultry and supplied eggs to shops all over the area, although the family had already been farming in Delph for some time.

Albion Farm.

Ernest's son Sidney, his wife Lillian and their young son David then took over the farm.

Albion Farm, Sidney with his Aunt, Bertha Hibbert.

Cousin Raymond Hirst (left), Cousin Ben Hirst (center), Sidney Hirst (right)

Lillian sold eggs at the farm door for many years, until the shop opened in September 2007 and she still lives in the farmhouse, coming to sit in the shop regularly to chat to the customers.

Lillian and Sidney.

Sidneys uncle, Joe Hibbert, had a butcher's shop, so that is perhaps a family tradition as well.

Uncle Joe Hibbert Butcher's Shop

David and Annette, as well as running Albion Farm, have been tenants of United Utilities at Wood Farm at the other end of Delph village for over 20 years.

As well as continuing the poultry and free range eggs at Albion Farm they have built up the herd of pedigree Welsh Black cattle which Sidney and David first established in 1970.

Pedigree Welsh Blacks

Pedigree Welsh Blacks

Pedigree Welsh Blacks

Sidney's cousin Raymond Hirst (left), Sidney (centre) and son David (right) turkey plucking 1976.

On the farm are also Lonk and Gritstone breeds of sheep wich are hill breeds native to this area of the Pennines. Also a flock of pedigree polled Dorset and Dorset Horn sheep which Annette and David began in 1985.

In April 2008 Annette and David's son Aaron left his job in engineering and joined them as a partner in the farm, he is gradually taking over the farm work as he gains experience with the livestock.

Daughter Laura, a musician, is also a partner in the business and as well as working part time in the shop, is developing the web site in order to allow customers to purchase over the internet.

Aaron's wife Clare also helps with the web site and computer work, making it a truly family run business.

Future Shepherds? Aaron and Laura with Bill and Joss, May 1987