The field of our dreams

THIS week Times Past brings to life the world of 19th farming with a beautiful set of photographs set deep in the Altcar countryside.

John Goulbourne and the Swift family spent a week gathering hay in David Robinson's field without the obligatory tractor or combine.
Instead the horse power was provided by Molly, John's 18 year old pony.
Times Past is delighted with the photographs, and cannot help but to some of the romantic scenes created by Constable and Turner
John, who lives at the bottom of Engine Lane, said: "Gathering hay by hand is supposed to increase the chances of a good second harvest later in the year.
"It really is a historic activity, and it was practised throughout the 19th Century in Formby up until the 1950s.
"We would like to thank David for letting us work in his magnificent field.
"Ben loved the work, and he is now looking forward to owning his own pony any day now.!"