This picture of a young lady having a chat with an elderly man at the stile, or pinch gate, suggests a more leisurely time than our present day bustle.

Richard Giles, of Charlton St Peter, bought the postcard last Sunday.

It is taken looking eastward toward North Street, Pewsey, and shows at least six people haymaking in a small field. What a contrast with the labour-efficient farms of today.

Mr Giles says that the young lady’s dress suggests the picture was taken in late Victorian, or perhaps Edwardian, times.

“She is chatting to the old boy at the stile, or rather, pinch gate, at the top of the Cinder Track,” he writes.

“The photographer is standing in ‘The Cow Ground’ at what today would be the north east corner of the Scouts’ hall.

“The haymakers are working in what today is the Bouverie Hall car park.

“Today’s housing estate, off Broomcroft Road, was then just pleasant meadows.”

Mr Giles, remarking on the clarity of the photograph, finally puts this poser.

“How did the photographer manage to get all of those people to stand still long enough for the prolonged exposure times needed for the camera of that day?”

If you have any memories to share, contact Diana Deal at ddeal@gazetteandherald.co or at 14 Market Place, Devizes SN10 1HT.