IN THE late 19th – early 20th century, Joseph Arthur Gibbs and Alfred Williams documented everyday life in the villages of the Cotswolds. Within a few generations the way of life they described was consigned to history, but thanks to their efforts it has not been forgotten.

In 1913, Alfred Williams tells us of harvest time: ‘The village schools were always closed for gleaning. This was the harvest holidays. Nearly all the village wives turned out, and the children went, too. We took the day’s provisions in a bag, and a cup to dip the water from the little spring bubbling up under the hazels.’ Using evocative descriptions like this from Gibbs, Williams and a handful of others who knew the Cotswolds intimately, combined with a wonderful collection of old photographs and archive film, this fascinating DVD brings to life the Cotswolds of a bygone age. It often conjures up an idyllic image of country life; but it also reveals that hardship, poverty and hunger were never far from the door.

‘Went to see old Caroline Farmer and on my way fell in with a boy in the lane named George Wells. He was going to beg a bit of bread from a woman who lived at the corner of the Common under the Three Firs. He said he did not know the name of the woman but she knew his mother and often gave him a bit of bread when he was hungry. His mother was a cripple and had no parish relief, sold cabbage nets and had nothing to give him for dinner. The boy’s face looked pale, pinched and hungry.’ Joseph Arthur Gibbs.

This unique journey into the past will delight, entertain and touch the hearts of anyone with an interest in the Cotswolds.

The DVD is narrated by award winning actor Howard Ellison and the running time is 50 minutes.

Price £15.50 SPECIAL OFFER Buy ‘The Cotswolds The Way We Were’ and get a free DVD ‘The Cotswolds Story’ Find out how the forces of nature created this unique landscape and learn of the developing relationship between people and the land.