Exhibition about our changing countryside (Status: Press release)

A NEW gallery exhibition spanning 60 years of the county?s rural history opens at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock on February 19.
Oxfordshire is the most rural county in the South East of England and the new gallery at the museum will provide a thought-provoking look at the rapid changes that have occurred in farming, transport and rural development in the county since 1945.

The exhibition and museum are housed in beautiful gardens and are completely free of charge to visitors.

Starting with a nostalgic view of country life recorded in 1946 in the film ?24 square miles?, which featured village activities near Banbury, the exhibition quickly turns to more recent events.

Villages are no longer self-contained communities with life revolving around agriculture. New roads, housing developments and industries share the countryside with farming, wildlife and local residents, who use cars more than any previous generation.

The interactive exhibition will intrigue visitors of all ages. Visitors will be able to use Google Earth to see a satellite view of the county and then zoom in to find out more.

There is also the chance to find out about food rationing, new crops found in Oxfordshire, how the railways and roads have changed or to pass on current countryside concerns. From statistics about who uses the M40 to why we almost starved during World War Two and how this affected post war agriculture, people will find something to surprise them.

Councillor Jim Couchman, Oxfordshire County Council?s Cabinet Member for social and community services, said: ?This is a fascinating glimpse at the rural ways of life in Oxfordshire.?

?I hope everyone will take advantage of this free exhibition, which will be a must-see for anyone with a couple of hours to spend in Woodstock.?

Photo: Land Army gir.