As the year moves on we are preparing to undertake a major study into Wiltshire farmsteads. Some interested observers might be aware that the traditional farmstead in Britain is rapidly disappearing under the pressures of changes in agricultural practice. Sadly our traditional farm buildings have become largely redundant, either falling into disuse or being converted into desirable dwellings or light industrial units in the country. Only a handful of hobby farmers preserve the farmstead as it used to be, and only then because it enhances their product, be it traditional Wiltshire ham, or the kinds of speciality preserves sold only in posh farm shops. They maintain a certain image that harks back to the ‘good old days’.

Farmsteads are still very much part of the British landscape and this is very true in Wiltshire where agriculture has played such a key role throughout our history, at one time sending our milk, cheese and bacon to London and beyond. As a consequence there is an urgent need to record for posterity these buildings before it is too late. In order to undertake much of the work we need volunteers. Please read on to find out how you could help……

Haydon Farm at Haydon Wick near Swindon - one of the last farms on Haydon End Lane to be engulfed in modern development and its remaining old buildings converted to other uses.
 

We are using methodology developed by English Heritage and used in other parts of Britain to look at the farmstead as a whole; what materials is it built from? How has it evolved? Who built it?  We want to look at regional and local characteristics and try and identify what factors influenced farming methods and thus the type of farmstead we see today to create a model for farming in Wiltshire.

Volunteers may have an interest in local history, research, architecture  and the environment and we will provide them with an information pack to get started as well as a more experienced ‘mentor’ to help and guide them. The core of the work will be the recording of individual farmsteads through the use of photography, sketches and written observation. There are no deadlines and we would expect people to work in pairs or small groups putting as much time in as they feel they can afford.    If you are interested please get in touch with me at - dorothy.treasure@wiltshire.gov.uk  or phone on 01249 705508.