Presenting rurality: The Land Settlement Association in interwar England

This paper explores how past notions of idyllic rural dwelling were mobilised and enacted during the implementation UK Land Settlement Association (LSA) scheme established in 1934. The LSA was a Government programme set up to resettle unemployed workers from depressed industrial urban areas countryside. Between 1934 1939, 1100 smallholdings within 20 settlements across country. These run as cooperatives, but many failed when relocated families complained long hours, low pay isolation. Recruitment ceased at outbreak World War II, with being fully dissolved privatised 1983. By drawing on unique archive housed Museum English Rural Life (MERL), analysis centres represented promoted living settlers wider public. illuminates three overlapping distinct elements this project: production physical space setting that has been designed bring about particular forms behaviour community cohesion; labour, independence spirit reconnecting land; building physiques men through hard work, fresh air good food, thus improving national stock. findings demonstrate power idyll producing sociality, belonging masculinity, ideas undergirded continuing resonate today.