Laura was one of the last people to live at Pond Farm on the downs above Easterton. By the time she was there it was no longer a farm and her dad was employed to operate the water pumping engine.
Laura Lavinia Hayward was born around 1905 at Ludgershall but we can find her at Pond Farm with Dad, Mum and little sister at the time of the 1911 census.
In 1995 Laura was 90 and was called Laura Hughes. She lived in Warminster but she was taken on a surprise visit to her old home. This was reported in the Warminster Journal for 1st September 1995.
It is their report we show below. The story is told by Laura’s son.
These pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.
What a delightful story – and what a strange life for Laura as a young lass on remote Salisbury Plain.
We’d love to hear from any descendants.
Market Lavington Museum 