1066
Land given to Roger de Montgomery
1200
Walford Manor owned by Philip de Hagford. Let to Richard de Knight at 2 shillings per year for 800 acres
1250 – 1780
Owned in turn by the Hord, Kynaston and Clyve families
Early 1700s
Walford Hall built by Clyve family
1780
Sold to the Eytons who enclosed and drained the land
1831
Walford Manor built by R.A.E. Slaney. Norfolk 4 course rotation (wheat, roots, barley, clover) introduced
1875 – 1920
Estate shrank due to death duties and poverty in farming. Made into 2 farms and let. Milking cows introduced
1920
Eytons returned. Mainly arable farming
1939
Extreme eastern 100 acres ploughed
1944
The Local Education Authority (LEA) assumed responsibility for the provision of a residential Farm Institute, organising part-time agricultural classes, technical advisory work in agriculture, horticulture and bees and helping Young Farmers’ Clubs
1947
Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire LEAs combined to seek to develop a residential Farm Institute
1948
Land and buildings purchased at Walford to form the basis of the Shropshire Farm Institute to provide residential courses for Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Mr RD Park appointed as Principal to coordinate and guide the establishment of a residential course and to start day release classes
1949
The first residential course commenced on 11 October 1949 with 37 male students
1954
An External Examiner was appointed to examine students in Derbyshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire Farm Institutes, in a pilot scheme aimed at standardising examination structure
1957
The National Certificate in Agriculture (NCA) was developed under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE). This examination provided a standard national qualification whilst taking into account regional differences in the agricultural industry
1960
Day release classes expanded to include farm management teaching
1963
Farm Accounts and Records, Business Management and Enterprise Management courses started at day class centres
The National Certificate in Farm Management, two-term residential course commenced at Walford
1969
The Ordinary National Diploma in General Agriculture, a three year sandwich course, commenced at Walford
1973
First horticulture courses started at Radbrook
1979
Mr JN Brogden appointed as new Principal
Shropshire Farm Institute renamed Walford College of Agriculture. Women were admitted to full-time residential courses
1982
A Pilot Youth Training Scheme (YTS) was introduced at two of the day release centres
1988
Introduction of National Certificate in Countryside and Recreational Studies
Sports Hall completed
1989
40 years of Walford celebrated.
Walford Manor was sold to Aspinalls (Water Purification Company) to become their Head Office. Proceeds of sale were used to build the Engineering Workshop
The smallholding was sold
1990
Mr Ken Dann appointed Principal of Walford
Introduction of National Certificate in Management of Horses courses
1991
New machinery building complex completed
1993
Introduction of National Diploma in Land Use course
1994
Introduction of First Diploma courses in Agriculture, Horticulture and Equine
National Diploma in Horse Studies introduced
1995
Introduction of First Diploma in Animal Care
1996
Introduction of National Certificate/National Diploma in Animal Care courses
1998
Sale of some land (33 acres) from the estate
1999
50 years of Walford celebrated
Pig unit closed due to agricultural recession
Jan 2001
Walford College merged with North Shropshire College. Mr Ron Pugh appointed Principal of the merged college
Apr 2001
Foot and Mouth Disease. Total cull of all livestock at Walford
2002
Horticulture courses moved from Radbrook to Walford Campus
Shrewsbury Town Football Club Youth Academy developed at Walford and three new football pitches created
Apr 2006
The Harris Centre was opened for animal management, horticulture and floristry students
July 2007
Mr Andrew Tyley appointed new Principal of Walford and North Shropshire College
Oct 2007
HRH Princess Royal officially opened the Harris Centre