Spy Hill Farm

22 June 2001

Spy Hill Farm

Observation, rather than espionage, gives a clue to the origin of this name, says John Craven, who has been at the Cheshire farm for about 35 years.

The place – at Woodside Ashton – is on the edge of the Delamere Forest.

Its light land and – before mineral

workings saw its

disappearance – there used to be a high, sandy bank from the top of which you could see across the forest, explains

one-time Genus chief executive John.

This bank was used as an observation and

lookout point –

possibly to watch for fires within the

woodland. "The banks gone but the name remains," says John, who now keeps

sheep at the farm.