Peak of the strawberry growing industry

c. 1910

The early twentieth century marked the peak of strawberry growing in the Locks Heath area. Dozens of smallholdings across the district were dedicated to strawberry cultivation, and the annual harvest season brought an influx of seasonal workers who picked the fruit by hand and packed it into wicker punnets for transport to market. The strawberry fields dominated the landscape, with rows of plants stretching across the gentle slopes between the lanes. The industry supported a close-knit agricultural community, with growers sharing knowledge, labour and equipment. The strawberries of Locks Heath were well regarded for their quality, benefiting from the favourable soil and climate conditions. The income from a good strawberry season could sustain a smallholder through the quieter winter months. The landscape of the area at this period bore no resemblance to the suburban village that would replace it within half a century.