‘New growing labour still succeed the past and growing always new, must always last’ Stephen Duck - The Threshers Labour, 1730. ‘Soon as the golden harvest quits the plain’ - is an exploration of the Vale of Pewsey, inspired by the local poet Stephen Duck. The project immerses us in the timeless dance between the passing of seasons and the enduring legacy of farming traditions. Pewsey Vale is a humble community discreetly tucked within Wiltshire's agricultural heartland. The project explores the Pewsey Vale, where time seems to stand still in the enduring agricultural traditions, while simultaneously witnessing the land reclaiming things left behind by the farming community. Objects, once part of a vibrant history, are now left to rust and rot. As new ways of life emerge, some traditions persist- carefully preserved, while others fade into distant memories. I have been inspired by the verses of Stephen Duck’s 1730 poem ‘The Threshers Labour’, we embark on a contemplative journey into the rhythm of time as it intertwines with the enduring toil of farming, leaving an indelible mark on the very soil beneath our feet. Since 1734, Charlton St. Peters village in the Vale of Pewsey has annually celebrated local poet Stephen Duck, in a tradition called ‘Duckfeast’. The ritual is overseen by the Chief Duck, who leads proceedings by wearing a distinctive green leather hat adorned with duck feathers and an image depicting scything. The Chief Duck symbolises the enduring link between past and present. In their custodial role, the Chief Duck celebrates the village's rich history and cultural traditions, preserving them for the future. The 1830 Swing Riots unfolded in the Pewsey Vale marking a poignant chapter in England's agricultural history. Fuelled by economic hardship, agricultural labourers in the Pewsey Vale grappled with poor wages, unemployment and harsh working conditions. The catalyst for dissent lay in the introduction of transformative agricultural machinery, particularly threshing machines, which posed a direct threat to the livelihoods of traditional farm workers. Today, the Pewsey Vale Swing Riots are viewed as a testament to the challenges of navigating societal change during the Industrial Revolution, offering insights into the tensions between tradition and progress and the early stirrings of labor advocacy in the face of technological disruption. In the present tableau, the land bears witness to the artefacts of a bygone era—remnants of an agricultural legacy scattered like archaeological treasures. Each item tells a story of sweat, dedication, and how the passing of time and technology has shaped this landscape. They stand as silent sentinels, testaments to the toil of generations past. This Small Vale by Thomas Dryden-Kelsey This small vale where I grew up A land of agricultural buildings, tracks, and farming machinery The vale where horses adorn hill tops with chalk The valley fills with fog, covers all in white Farm equipment, decades old, sits patiently in the fields Waiting to churn, scrape and torture the soil. Farm hands gather thatch in fields, whilst roofs are mended. Shots are fired to ward off birds Swallows sweep across newly planted land Men and boys test their skills at ploughing lines Tractors are toys for young and old Ale is drunk in pints, the colour of muddy water Pylons tingle across the sky above land and barns Joining villages by wire and metal. Fire spreads across the stacked hay bales Smoke fills the sky, as a cloud of grey so thick, some starts to choke Farmers and fire fighters alike Dash to put out flames. Pubs close and weeds grow Plants start to grow out of walls Boarded up windows start to rot No more ale for local folk A carnival sash swings side to side Dancing like a drunk teenager.