History  
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   

 
   

 
   

 

 
   
 
MID 1600s

The first record of the Copas family residing in Cookham, Berkshire was Richard Copus in the mid-1600s (not a spelling mistake, the name changed around 1850 from Copus to Copas).
 

1827

The family became licensees of The Chequers Public House in Cookham.
 

1857

The first property purchase - a house called The Grotto, behind the Jolly Farmer in Cookham.
 

1890

James Copas started farming by renting land in Cookham Rise.  He also used Grazing Rights on the local Commons and these Rights continue to be exercised today.
 

1901

James Copas purchased his first land in Cookham (11 Acres)
 

1920

The Chequers licence was given up and full time farming started with a tenancy at Nuttings Farm in Cookham (now called Cockmarsh and Winter Hill Farm.)
 

1931

On the death of James Copas, Copas Bros was formed by his three sons, William, George and Thomas.  At Thomas' bequest their memory is recorded by the construction of the Lychgate at Cookham Dean Church.
 

1940-50s

By the end of the 1950s Copas Bros owned 500 acres in Cookham and rented a further 4 acres.
 

1967

The first land outside Cookham was purchased at Hedsor in Buckinghamshire (100 acres). 
 

1968

George's son, John, and Thomas' sons, Tom and Geoffrey, joined Copas Bros.  Sadly John died in 2006.
 

1978

A fruit farm was purchased for Pick Your Own - Calves Lane Farm at Iver near Slough.
 

1985

Purchased Westfield Farm at Medmenham, between Henley-on-Thames and Marlow.
 

1999

Purchased Woodlands Farm near Chesham and increased the landholding in that area by renting 572 acres at Rossway Park near Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.  Malpas Farm near Theale was also purchased.
 

2002

Old Amersham Farm was purchased.
 

2006

Purchased Lys Mill Farm at Watlington.
 

2011

Purchased Curridge Farm, near Thatcham.

TODAY Today Copas Farms is a modern, diverse business business largely farming land within a 20-mile radius of Cookham.  It is managed by Geoffrey Copas together with his two sons - James, who lives in Cookham, and Richard, who lives near Chesham with his wife Charlotte and children Laura and George.  Laura and George are the tenth generation from Richard Copus referred to above.
 

 


 
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