As tenant farmers, the family had no control when the farm was sold by the landowner to a house building firm that has plans to build 2,500 medium density homes on the land, extending the town and reducing potential farming output.

The land has been worked by three generations of the same family since 1947. The project explores the family’s connection to the land and the societal changes caused by urbanisation.  The small orchard produces one more crop of apples, last year’s seed is used to plant this year’s wheat harvest. Evidence of lifetimes of toil, hard work, and love can be seen in the barns, sheds and stores.  The farmer’s father’s toolbox remains where it was, when he was alive, his ashes scattered in a small copse on top of the hill.

The project explores the impact of urbanisation on rural land use, the conflict between housing and food production, and the emotional impact of the family’s displacement and lost memories. The project aims to serve as a future record of farming life in the early 21st century.