I understand, I live in a small town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA and the urban sprawl has taken over what was once our small mill town. With Brexit the return of the days of the LMS scrambling to add freight cars to the "Broccoli Specials" might be closer than people think.
The "sterile" nature of the Southdowns is an inevitable consequence of ringfencing it for posterity. The alternative, that the population is more or less equally distributed across the country as it was in pre-industrial times, would be a nightmarish concept with current levels. I recall reading a Battle of Britain pilot describing the swathes of bungalows that had begun to encroach the rural south coast seen from above. Unchecked, the downs would have occupied a similar place in urban consciousness as the River Fleet in London. The north would have the same issue, Manchester and Sheffield joining in the Hope Valley. Better a rural theme park than an upland suburb.
Oh, that was both a visual delight and beautifully thought provoking essay of and on the South Downs. I'm going to watch and listen to this more than once. It would be a great primary school resource too. Thank you so much for recording it.
Thanks Nigel. Of course, what I wouldn't like to see if modern industry moving into the space or heaps of new builds. I lament the old ways, the shepherd in the long smock, the local labourers with pitch forks gathering hay, etc. A time that has gone forever.
Great piece of writing Richard, very pertinent and thoughtful. I like to get away from the crowds but I also like to ponder history and worry about the future. Thanks for sharing this.
Loved this Richard. Back in the 70s when I lived in Shoreham I loved going up on the South Downs for its beauty and solitude. Thanks for sharing your video graphic talent with us , well done!
I really enjoyed this video Richard. I have had exactly the same kinds of thoughts for a number of years now. The impact of humans on the planet and the pace of change, particularly since the industrial revolution, are really quite scary. I agree there is a sterile feel to much of the countryside and to so many villages nowadays, inhabited just by the nouveau riche it seems, in houses where the main focus seems to be on personal privacy. Of course much good has come of human development and advances made, and I would rather live in the world as it is now, for all its ills, but there has also been a significant cost to pay.
I totally agree. The irony is that where the poor once had humble dwellings the rich now inhabit and huge cost. For me the rate of change is worrying element for we seem to be rubbing out community where Lord and Surf no longer rub along together. (Not that I am seeking this extremity to return).
I'm up on the SDW a lot this time of year, as a Londoner originally I feel very lucky and grateful to live to so close to such a wonderful place. I fear for the future too, the endless pressure of 'development' makes me worry that in years to come all you will be able to see is more and more houses/supermarkets/roads etc. I do wonder how much protection the National Park Status really affords? It seems like its protected until they want to put another road through...
The same thing is happening near my hometown in America. Where there were once dozens of small farms there are now just a few very large farms with very large fields growing a variety of crops. You hardly ever see people on the roads; just a farmer driving his huge tractor to the next field, or a truck loaded with beans headed for the city. It's strange, but also deeply satisfying to realize that the land never really changes that much, but people do.
I love this video! 😊 We plan to hike on the South Downs when we eventually get to one of your meet ups. I like the shots where you are in the background and the camera is focused on an object in the foreground. Love the history, it will make our hike there even more interesting Thank you for such a nice video...
Enjoyed this. Change is inevitable, it happens and many things influence it. We are the result of changes our forebears set in motion and we added to, tomorrow's generation will take over from us. The heading is important, we can set direction but destinations are fluid. We think we know where the future will end up based upon the here and now, but experience show that this is rarely accurate. In this video you highlight the fast (and perhaps accelerating?) pace of change. I think that will continue apace. Things we didn't know could exist a decade or two back become commonplace today, what was commonplace yesterday becomes forgotten in the same period. Technology and knowledge increases exponentially. How we use that technology and knowledge matters, I'm not sure that we always use it wisely.
I did very much enjoy that video Richard, I never knew realy any of that information In that video! I know so much more, that was very fascinating indeed. well done Richard, I do like this sort of thing 👍
As a relatively new "Worthingite" of 30 years here, I go up for walks on the Downs to enjoy its magnificent views. Because the chalk ridge is relatively high, people don't wish to live there. Building that has taken place is largely on low-lying land such as Worthing itself, Ferring , Peacehaven (a ghastly bungalow-land), and all along the coast. Let's hope that A27 is never routed through the Downs
(Alan) ...That looks beautiful. My only experience of being down that way (which I have mentioned before), was attending a couple of metal detecting rallies near Firle. The local Finds liaison officer would usually be there to help identify and record finds, which were on display in a gazebo. It was on a route taken by a lot of walkers, and they would often stop to look at what had been found. A lovely part of the country.
You ask very important questions for any agriculture country shifting to no need for people to do the farming. Here in America the family farm is no longer, replaced by corporations such as ConAgra. However, there is a revival of the small farm producing specialty, organic, products to eat. Herbs, meat, vegetables, etc. The price is higher to cover the higher cost of production. But, overall, the family farm is gone. I keep hoping to see larger reforestation projects in England and Ireland.
It’s a real same that you crossed over to the poppycock type of videos you are doing nowadays just for more subscribers because this video and your narration was absolutely beautiful and THESE were the type of videos you should be making regardless of amount of subscribers. It is obvious that it’s about the money regarding the path you bring your channel and it shows 😢
Very interesting reflection that. I have often thought the same, and the sense of living peace you get which is very profound in country areas abroad is something gravely missing here. PS yet more intensification ? I didn't know we had a famine.
@@RichardVobes I agree it would be better if it all was grown here, but at what level of intensive farming ? on the other hand on the continent they very much buy from there own country with far less intensive farming. If you'll pardon the pun it's food for thought.
Interesting video, it's a shame the South Downs has become a little sterile considering its long and rich heritage. I hope some of the field boundaries will once more become wild flower meadows, that is possible and should happen. I feel a little tingle when walking along the old paths along the Downs that I am guided by the footsteps of pre-historic humans before me.
Very thought provoking. I suspect that as in many cases, wars bought huge technological change and the 2nd world war certainly increased the speed of rapid mechanisation of farming... Whilst there has been some return to less intensive farming, a limited replanting of hedges and more organic techniques, we are stuck between the need for food and the desire to keep our countryside - it will be interesting to see what happens.
Growing for food is one thing. Covering our 'green and pleasant land' with housing for , shall I say...'too many people'... is going to be the real downturn.
But are we growing our food in this country or making the mistake of shipping it in as we did before and between the two wars? If we are not careful we shall have no land left to grow food on.
Richard Vobes - the intensity of the farming that we would need now to grow all our crops would be environmentally damaging - I’m not sure we have ever been able to grow everything - certainly not since the industrial revolution.
Well that was quite sad. Made me think of my Willamette Valley. At one time a great Oak Savannah where the Native Americans lived & wild life was a plenty. Than the white man came by the thousands in their wagon trains. Cleared much of the forest for farm land; hunted the game (some into extinction) & drove the natives to live on reservations. They built many farming communities where they could gather for socials & such. Now big machines farm this land causing dust bowls to blow up at the end of harvest season. And sadly most of these small towns have now gone extinct
@@djmossssomjd8496 actually Iive in Oregon & talking of the Oregon Trail. But same thing happened here, the Pioneers forced the different Indian Tribes of Oregon into very small reservations - no matter they might have been long time rival clans/tribes or not. However , I have visited a small portion of the Trail of Tears (where the US gov marched mostly the Cherokee people from the east across the southern part of US to put in reservations) in Arkansas. The deep ruts that were still left in the earth almost 200 yrs later brought me to tears.
I did not know there was one in Oregon, i will see what happened to those poor people. Shamefully things like this happened in Austrailia as well. Sad thing is its still happening today where they are fighting to try and keep some land that the govenment wants.
@@justtruth5855 yes sadly it happened all over the United States. Even sadder is they put them on the worst land (in most cases) where it made farming & living almost impossible.
I don't know if you have read any W.H.Hudson...the author of A Shepherds Life,A traveller in little things,dead man's plack and old thorn,Nature in the downland and many others..i think you might enjoy his books.brilliant little video very good indeed
The old village life with its significant self sufficiency is gone. The old farm life is gone. In the main I think such life was hard and almost primitive in ways. Few would want the life now so we are not going back. As long as it doesn't become one giant wheat field.
MAN OF CHALK (verse 1 of 1) Fallen from some distant star? Perhaps Light Years ago Mysterious, misunderstood No one here can know Arise chalk man of Wilmington Take up thy staves and stand Lead us back to ages past From these Corona Lands Wish us to our hallowed start When South Down slopes were new An uncorrupt enlightened age Where human beings were few Just us and ours forevermore In the place for which we yearn Depicted there on grassy slopes Never to return. JB20
It’s so beautiful up there. Those poppies are gorgeous
In all honesty....a true blessing.
Yes I suppose so - not what I was getting at really - I mean the rate of change. I think it is better than modern life isn't in the hills! :)
I understand, I live in a small town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA and the urban sprawl has taken over what was once our small mill town. With Brexit the return of the days of the LMS scrambling to add freight cars to the "Broccoli Specials" might be closer than people think.
The "sterile" nature of the Southdowns is an inevitable consequence of ringfencing it for posterity. The alternative, that the population is more or less equally distributed across the country as it was in pre-industrial times, would be a nightmarish concept with current levels. I recall reading a Battle of Britain pilot describing the swathes of bungalows that had begun to encroach the rural south coast seen from above. Unchecked, the downs would have occupied a similar place in urban consciousness as the River Fleet in London.
The north would have the same issue, Manchester and Sheffield joining in the Hope Valley. Better a rural theme park than an upland suburb.
I agree with you. My lament is really that communities have gone - not that I desire to see great swathes of bunny hutches built all over the downs.
you are very talented, sir, and deep thinking. thank you.
Thanks very much.
Oh, that was both a visual delight and beautifully thought provoking essay of and on the South Downs. I'm going to watch and listen to this more than once. It would be a great primary school resource too. Thank you so much for recording it.
Thanks Nigel. Of course, what I wouldn't like to see if modern industry moving into the space or heaps of new builds. I lament the old ways, the shepherd in the long smock, the local labourers with pitch forks gathering hay, etc. A time that has gone forever.
Brilliant... So interesting! Great video
Thanks very much.
Great piece of writing Richard, very pertinent and thoughtful. I like to get away from the crowds but I also like to ponder history and worry about the future. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for listening
Great video Richard loved it
Thanks very much, Kevin.
Really enjoyed this, lovely views and those poppy fields are beautiful
Thanks Debbie.
More please......
Thanks Jeff. :)
A thought provoking watch, I particularly enjoyed the sound of the skylarks in the background x
The skylarks were added in the background afterwards in the edit to give atmosphere. I did actually see many skylarks when filming.
Loved this Richard. Back in the 70s when I lived in Shoreham I loved going up on the South Downs for its beauty and solitude. Thanks for sharing your video graphic talent with us , well done!
My pleasure - it is a treasure of a place.
Your videos are brilliant Richard, I was born in the Weald in Cuckfield and I love the downs
Thanks so much - I must visit Cuckfield soon.
A lovely video Richard - and great to get the brain juices flowing haha.
careful they don't drip through the ears.
I really enjoyed this video Richard. I have had exactly the same kinds of thoughts for a number of years now. The impact of humans on the planet and the pace of change, particularly since the industrial revolution, are really quite scary. I agree there is a sterile feel to much of the countryside and to so many villages nowadays, inhabited just by the nouveau riche it seems, in houses where the main focus seems to be on personal privacy. Of course much good has come of human development and advances made, and I would rather live in the world as it is now, for all its ills, but there has also been a significant cost to pay.
I totally agree. The irony is that where the poor once had humble dwellings the rich now inhabit and huge cost. For me the rate of change is worrying element for we seem to be rubbing out community where Lord and Surf no longer rub along together. (Not that I am seeking this extremity to return).
I'm up on the SDW a lot this time of year, as a Londoner originally I feel very lucky and grateful to live to so close to such a wonderful place. I fear for the future too, the endless pressure of 'development' makes me worry that in years to come all you will be able to see is more and more houses/supermarkets/roads etc. I do wonder how much protection the National Park Status really affords? It seems like its protected until they want to put another road through...
Very true. We are only an island with limited space.
I enjoyed your words and I think I David once before in a comment it is so sad the people ignore our wonderful country sai
It is a shame although thankfully there are enough of us who enjoy it.
Lovely video 👍🏻
Thanks very much.
The same thing is happening near my hometown in America. Where there were once dozens of small farms there are now just a few very large farms with very large fields growing a variety of crops. You hardly ever see people on the roads; just a farmer driving his huge tractor to the next field, or a truck loaded with beans headed for the city. It's strange, but also deeply satisfying to realize that the land never really changes that much, but people do.
Unless they build on it.
Very good Richard ! Sting Spider applauds you with all six legs !
I bet that hurts!
Very interesting video thank you Richard
Thanks Terry.
I love this video! 😊 We plan to hike on the South Downs when we eventually get to one of your meet ups. I like the shots where you are in the background and the camera is focused on an object in the foreground. Love the history, it will make our hike there even more interesting Thank you for such a nice video...
I suppose because they are on doorstep, so to speak, they are taken for granted. But the Southdowns are a wonderful place.
Excellent stuff Richard.
Very kind.
It's my favourite place to walk. It really is like meditation walking around up there.
I love it up there - I still don't go up enough.
Enjoyed this. Change is inevitable, it happens and many things influence it. We are the result of changes our forebears set in motion and we added to, tomorrow's generation will take over from us. The heading is important, we can set direction but destinations are fluid. We think we know where the future will end up based upon the here and now, but experience show that this is rarely accurate. In this video you highlight the fast (and perhaps accelerating?) pace of change. I think that will continue apace. Things we didn't know could exist a decade or two back become commonplace today, what was commonplace yesterday becomes forgotten in the same period. Technology and knowledge increases exponentially. How we use that technology and knowledge matters, I'm not sure that we always use it wisely.
I did very much enjoy that video Richard, I never knew realy any of that information In that video! I know so much more, that was very fascinating indeed.
well done Richard, I do like this sort of thing 👍
Great stuff George - history is all around us.
Very nicely done. Please do more.
Thanks Nigel.
As a relatively new "Worthingite" of 30 years here, I go up for walks on the Downs to enjoy its magnificent views. Because the chalk ridge is relatively high, people don't wish to live there. Building that has taken place is largely on low-lying land such as Worthing itself, Ferring , Peacehaven (a ghastly bungalow-land), and all along the coast. Let's hope that A27 is never routed through the Downs
I do hope you are right - hate to see this wonderful area go under concrete.
Wonderful
Thanks very much.
(Alan) ...That looks beautiful. My only experience of being down that way (which I have mentioned before), was attending a couple of metal detecting rallies near Firle. The local Finds liaison officer would usually be there to help identify and record finds, which were on display in a gazebo. It was on a route taken by a lot of walkers, and they would often stop to look at what had been found. A lovely part of the country.
Thanks so much for watching - it is a truly beautiful place.
Good one Richard, enjoy it while we still have it.
Yes, that is key!
You ask very important questions for any agriculture country shifting to no need for people to do the farming. Here in America the family farm is no longer, replaced by corporations such as ConAgra. However, there is a revival of the small farm producing specialty, organic, products to eat. Herbs, meat, vegetables, etc. The price is higher to cover the higher cost of production. But, overall, the family farm is gone. I keep hoping to see larger reforestation projects in England and Ireland.
Thanks for that interesting perspective and window on your countries world.
It’s a real same that you crossed over to the poppycock type of videos you are doing nowadays just for more subscribers because this video and your narration was absolutely beautiful and THESE were the type of videos you should be making regardless of amount of subscribers. It is obvious that it’s about the money regarding the path you bring your channel and it shows 😢
Very interesting reflection that. I have often thought the same, and the sense of living peace you get which is very profound in country areas abroad is something gravely missing here. PS yet more intensification ? I didn't know we had a famine.
I always think we are not self-sufficient enough.
@@RichardVobes I agree it would be better if it all was grown here, but at what level of intensive farming ? on the other hand on the continent they very much buy from there own country with far less intensive farming. If you'll pardon the pun it's food for thought.
I really enjoyed this video
Thanks Claire
Interesting video, it's a shame the South Downs has become a little sterile considering its long and rich heritage. I hope some of the field boundaries will once more become wild flower meadows, that is possible and should happen. I feel a little tingle when walking along the old paths along the Downs that I am guided by the footsteps of pre-historic humans before me.
Thanks for watching Roger. The wild flowers seem to be creeping back in bountiful numbers which is marvellous to see.
Very thought provoking. I suspect that as in many cases, wars bought huge technological change and the 2nd world war certainly increased the speed of rapid mechanisation of farming...
Whilst there has been some return to less intensive farming, a limited replanting of hedges and more organic techniques, we are stuck between the need for food and the desire to keep our countryside - it will be interesting to see what happens.
Growing for food is one thing. Covering our 'green and pleasant land' with housing for , shall I say...'too many people'... is going to be the real downturn.
DJ Moss ssomjd - luckily the South Downs as a national park is protected.
But are we growing our food in this country or making the mistake of shipping it in as we did before and between the two wars? If we are not careful we shall have no land left to grow food on.
Yep!
Richard Vobes - the intensity of the farming that we would need now to grow all our crops would be environmentally damaging - I’m not sure we have ever been able to grow everything - certainly not since the industrial revolution.
Very well thought-out and narrated, Richard. Interesting points about the depopulation of the Downs and what has been lost. More please!
Cheers Lesley. I will do more.
Great sound considering the wind
One tries! Thank you.
Well that was quite sad. Made me think of my Willamette Valley. At one time a great Oak Savannah where the Native Americans lived & wild life was a plenty. Than the white man came by the thousands in their wagon trains. Cleared much of the forest for farm land; hunted the game (some into extinction) & drove the natives to live on reservations. They built many farming communities where they could gather for socials & such. Now big machines farm this land causing dust bowls to blow up at the end of harvest season. And sadly most of these small towns have now gone extinct
Ramibu 2, you refer of course to "The trail of tears". Sadly rarely mentioned here in the UK.
@@djmossssomjd8496 actually Iive in Oregon & talking of the Oregon Trail. But same thing happened here, the Pioneers forced the different Indian Tribes of Oregon into very small reservations - no matter they might have been long time rival clans/tribes or not.
However , I have visited a small portion of the Trail of Tears (where the US gov marched mostly the Cherokee people from the east across the southern part of US to put in reservations) in Arkansas. The deep ruts that were still left in the earth almost 200 yrs later brought me to tears.
I did not know there was one in Oregon, i will see what happened to those poor people. Shamefully things like this happened in Austrailia as well. Sad thing is its still happening today where they are fighting to try and keep some land that the govenment wants.
@@justtruth5855 yes sadly it happened all over the United States. Even sadder is they put them on the worst land (in most cases) where it made farming & living almost impossible.
@@justtruth5855 actually if you want to learn about it - here in Oregon - it all started w/ the Modac Indian Wars.
Well done Richard. Yes, we do like these sort of things !
( btw, think you meant to say ' escarpment ' not ' enscarpment ' )
Yes, as ever, I muddle my words! :)
Loved this Richard, but I wonder if a couple of musical interludes to break the story may add a bit more?
So pleased you enjoyed it.
I don't know if you have read any W.H.Hudson...the author of A Shepherds Life,A traveller in little things,dead man's plack and old thorn,Nature in the downland and many others..i think you might enjoy his books.brilliant little video very good indeed
I must get a copy! Thanks for the suggestion.
the title of one of the books.the place you might have already visited on your adventures.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Man%27s_Plack
Very thought provoking, I don't like all this change ether, will be glad once we're out of the EU too, maybe some sort of normality will resume?
Let's hope so.
that poppy field is ba statement to the people of yesteryear ..the traditions long gone
Yes, the traditions have long gone.
The old village life with its significant self sufficiency is gone. The old farm life is gone. In the main I think such life was hard and almost primitive in ways. Few would want the life now so we are not going back. As long as it doesn't become one giant wheat field.
The sad thing is - it is heading for monoculture. Small Mixed farming is the way to feed the world.
MAN OF CHALK (verse 1 of 1)
Fallen from some distant star?
Perhaps Light Years ago
Mysterious, misunderstood
No one here can know
Arise chalk man of Wilmington
Take up thy staves and stand
Lead us back to ages past
From these Corona Lands
Wish us to our hallowed start
When South Down slopes were new
An uncorrupt enlightened age
Where human beings were few
Just us and ours forevermore
In the place for which we yearn
Depicted there on grassy slopes
Never to return. JB20
Inspiring stuff, John.
Blimey thanks Richard, that means a lot.....
Simply superb.......loved every word!
Thank you very much.
Great video. 👍🏻
Thanks Tim.