Today we took a sentimental journey to find my Grandfather’s family home & little farm at Hook Bank near Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire England. William Harold Yeates (known as Harold) is my mother’s father & at 17 years of age he left his family & friends behind to settle in Australia. I can not imagine the courage it would take to do that especially at such a young age.

This home & farm was in the Yeates family for over 100 years until my Grandfather’s nephew, Bob, who was still living there at the age of 91, passed away in 2020 & it was sold.

In a stroke of luck it was sold again only this week to the neighbour of 20 years who had a close relationship with Bob. In another stroke of luck, the neighbour was home today & saw us out the front of the farm taking photos. He came over just as I was thinking of jumping the fence & when I told him who I was he invited us in, showed us through the rundown old house & outbuildings & told us all he knew about Bob & the farm. It was just amazing & I couldn’t have hoped for more. He plans to renovate the house & rent it out and tidy up the very overgrown yard. He has a huge job ahead of him especially as vandals got into the house while it was sitting empty for 4 years. A very special day for me & my family as I now have lots of photos & information to share with them. A big thank you to my cousin Robyn for her research on the farm. ❤️

After finding my Grandfather’s old school & looking around the Hook Bank area it was time to head to The Cotswolds.