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Church Crookham has
the reputation for having been the only commercially viable producer of tobacco in
Britain.
The tobacco was
grown, harvested and cured by a Mr. A. J. Brandon, the then owner of
Redfield's Farm, from 1911. The
crop was grown in fields almost 20 acres in size, and which is now where
the Redfield's Industrial Park is sited, opposite Redfield's
House.
The tobacco was then sent to "H. Steven's &
Co." in Salisbury, where it was manufactured into pipe tobacco and
cigarettes, 'Blue Prior' being the most popular brand. Other less
popular brands included ' Green Dragon', 'Smyrna', 'Samos' and
'Burley'.
Four Cigarette Card sets were also produced in
association of Redfield's and Stevens.
The last crop was produced here
in 1938, following the death of Mr. Brandon. Mr. Brandon's name
is remembered today across Zebon Copse, through the naming of Brandon
Road and Blue Prior Close.
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