Paul Barker, ex-editor of pioneering social sciences and current affairs weekly New Society, gave the V&A a collection of 49 photographs originally commissioned by the magazine which had formed the exhibition 'The Other Britain' to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of New Society in 1982. The exhibition, and the accompanying collection of essays first published in New Society, sought to focus on the regional, working class and ethic Britain. Martin Parr was an up and coming photographer in the 1970s, and focussed on recording Britain with pathos and humour, publishing his documentary work both in the press and as fine art. In the context of images of council houses, pubs and prisons, this image highlights provincial Britain. Parr chooses an ironic viewpoint from which to frame the figures - a 'congregation' of four people, a 'harvest festival' in an empty church with no produce in sight.