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Michael Rumsey, left, gives the museum's Mike Stone a lorry sign

When farming was thriving last century there was only one place farmers needed to turn to for their cattle feed - Bussell, Pike and Wheeler Ltd.

The company, established in Herefordshire in 1785, was set up by Mr Bussell and Mr Pike in Ross-on-Wye and it was a descendent of Mr Pike who set up the Chippenham branch 100 years later.

The Chippenham business began its life as a merchant's shop and warehouse on the junction of New Road and Union Road.

As business boomed the firm moved to bigger premises a few hundred yards away in New Road.

The former timber yard and stables were transformed into a big warehouse and shop.

Towards the end of the 19th century Arthur Wheeler, a corn-trader from Hampshire, became a partner in the Chippenham business.

The name was changed to Pike and Wheeler and the production was concentrated on delivering 28-pound slabs of cattle cake.

In the run-up to the First World War, many households had horses which needed feeding - and Bussell, Pike and Wheeler began to specialise in forage.

A party of farmers, their families and friends visiting BOCM, which was a subsidiary of Unilever, in 1952.

During the war, Mr Wheeler became a well-known and respected buyer of hay and straw, on behalf of the Government.

Following the war, the company began a slow but sure process of modernisation and invested in their first internal combustion engine.

In 1919 it obtained its first motor-lorry - a one-tonne Spyker.

Because the petrol tank was under the seat, it was necessary to drive up steep hills in reverse - otherwise the petrol would not get through.

Bussell, Pike and Wheeler again played a prominent role in the Second World War - making sure all the local farmers had enough food for their cattle and horses despite strict Ministry of Food controls.

In 1955 Stan Rumsey, who joined the company straight from Chippenham Secondary School in 1931, became a director, going on to become managing director in 1972 - ten years after Mr Bussell cut ties with the company.

Turnover increased tenfold and it wasn't long before national agricultural experts Unilever took over the thriving company.

They introduced a series of changes, including offering a new mobile seed cleaning service.

And within a few years, the company was forced to move again as traffic congestion became an increasing problem in New Road.

The new building in Cocklebury Road was in a prime position, opposite the cattle market, and Bussell, Pike and Wheeler became the last major agricultural merchants in the town.

The company was disbanded in the 1980s when Unilever sold agricultural businesses nationwide.

Now, Mr Rumsey's son Michael, 62, has given a wealth of photographs to Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre.

Mr Rumsey, who lives in Corsham, said: "I found the photographs and documents when I was moving house and wanted them to be safe so I gave them to the museum."

Museum manager Mike Stone urges anyone who recognises themselves in the photographs to call the museum on (01249) 705020.

2:38pm Monday 20th August 2007

The shop in New Road

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