Harrington Airfield, Now & Then, Pipe & Chat, VE Day, Local History, Countryside, Vintage Cycling

[@garyjohansson8859]

Yet another splendid video James. Very entertaining and informative. We must never forget the sacrifice that generation made to preserve our democracy and way of life. FYI a carpetbagger was a name based on the image of opportunist "Yankees" arriving from the north with all of their goods thrown together in a big carpetbag The term was used for Northerns going south after the American Civil War . It was a derogatory term really, applied by former Confederates to any person from the northern United States who came to the southern states after the American Civil War, they were perceived as exploiting the local populace. Anyway, enjoy your posts, looking forward to the next one.

[@swingkid100]

Thanks very much Quite right, things could have turned out very differently. I am constantly staggered by how much, so many people sacrificed. Now I am enlightened about the origins of Carpetbaggers! Thanks for the information. I had hoped somebody might offer an explanation here. All the best

[@skipton9511]

Thanks for the splendid view of the area and the detailed history of the air field, James. The installation certainly was a busy hub of activity up through the end of the war. I have no doubt that the local population were both amused and amazed by the WW II American invasion. The Carpetbagger pilots must truly have been exceptional flyers. Flying under the radar at 2000' and below, is tough. A plane can encounter a lot of rough turbulence flying that close to the ground to say nothing of the impaired visibility of night flying. I suspect that those Americans who lived in local accommodations were officers. The average GI wouldn't have earned enough to rent a house 'in town'. James, a hat tip to you for your closing sequence. It was pure genius to use 'Flying Home' in the sound track! 👍 That's a tune that I've heard and played many times having been a member of a big band dance band for several years in the mid-60s. Be well, stay well, and keep it awesome - peace 🍻

[@swingkid100]

This piece of my local history will always enthrall and excite me. There were a lot of very talented fellows doing their bit, and risking all in doing so. Just remarkable. Couldn't resist using "Flying Home", one of my favourite tunes. Great to hear you know it well from your band days. It must have been amazing to be amongst a swinging big band belting it out! Lovely to hear from you, many thanks and all the best

[@andregranum7896]

Another very enjoyable video and history lesson. And the scenic shots at the end were lovely, that fantastic thatched pub and so on. Reminds me of my many stays in England over the years, now a few years back. Thank you very much, I will be looking forward to the next one.

[@swingkid100]

Thanks very much André, you are very welcome. Harrington is the quintessential English village, the pub is very traditional and serves gin made just up the road. Looking forward to it reopening! All the best

[@Pipesandstooges]

James it is always great to see you out there my friend 👍🏻😄.. It looks fantastic out there.. I did enjoy the history as well... Take care my friend be well see you again soon 👍🏻😀

[@swingkid100]

Thanks Brad, good to hear from you. Hope all is well, and all the best🚲

[@portlandpipesmoker8497]

Hello James my friend! Another beautiful and interesting video. Thanks for taking us along for the ride once again. Lots of great history in your area...one reason I loved living in Europe...and visiting there. Take care, and be well, Corey

[@swingkid100]

Hello Corey, lovely to hear from you as always. I have recently taken a fresh look into some of my local history (as time allows) and it's been great fun. In particular, during WWll there were many airfields in my county, some which I know more about than others. A fairly short period in history, but one that is most intriguing for me. Hope all is well with you, thanks for stopping by All the best🚲

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

As usual dear James a splendid video full of lovely scenery and excellent, relaxing views. Thanks and hope you are well. Take care, SF.

[@swingkid100]

Thanks Sandro, most kind. All is well with me, pleased to get out and about on the bike and sharing here. Best wishes

[@3riverspiper1792]

Thank you James, we too celebrated VE Day in our lane, with music from Glen Miller, he actually played with his band at USAF Burtonwood Airfield hanger / club house, the day before his ill-fated flight from Bedfordshire to France, his plane disappearing on that journey somewhere over the English Channel. I very much appreciate and enjoy your productions. Keep Well. Steve.

[@swingkid100]

Thanks very much Steve, Great to hear you enjoyed some Glen Miller on VE day, good stuff! Over the years I have visited Twinwood Airfield (The Glen Miller Museum) many times as it's not far, but was unaware of Glen Miller's presence at Burtonwood. He travelled so much. A terrible loss, such a talent. All the best

[@dalepiper6693]

Very interesting presentation and history of US airbase and the “Carpet Baggers”. There was a big US airbase near me at Wharton which is now a British Aero Space factory. Also Blackpool factories built a fifth of all Wellington Bombers ever built. Wouldn’t it be interesting to time travel back to see how different things were for that brief period in our history.

[@swingkid100]

Lovely to hear from you John, glad this was of interest. The level of industry and production just before and during the war in this country was just staggering. Especially so, considering how many people were called up or volunteered. I should dearly like to see more everyday items stamped "Made In England" in our shops again. My search for a porthole back in time continues. I've tried all of our wardrobes, some local alleys, and encouraging my Morris beyond 50mph, but to no avail! Here's hoping, and wishing you all the best for the present

[@OnceUponAPipe]

Great video and history. Thank you!

[@grandpacavendish4422]

Lovely landscape, and informative history lesson, James. Thank You. I was the proud owner of a Raleigh 3-speed bicycle as a young man. Great machine. Most of my buddies had Schwinns, back then, of course. The GH Rum Flake is an outstanding smoke. A favorite. Very nice with a cuppa. All the best to you, James. Take Care. Ed, from New York

[@swingkid100]

Good to hear from you Ed, hope all is well with you. I'm keen on older bikes with hub gears, and have a few Raleigh framed machines. They just seem to suit riding requirements. I've always admired the style of the earlier Schwinns, but I guess you may have been more comfortable and quicker on your Raleigh! More supplies of Rum Flake will be required as I've become rather accustomed to it. Hits the spot very nicely. The airfield history is extensive, it was a challenge to pick just a few of the most significant details. Thank you for viewing, all the best

[@ptopping2012]

Another quality delve into the past...loved it.... Toodle Pip and Tally Bally Ho Squire...😁👍📽️🎩🕰️✌️🍻🏍️🛩️🚀

[@swingkid100]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed, I'm very happy delving into the past! All the best🚲🌳☕

[@gumbytheonetheonly9089]

Great video pleasant subject and location..... My Dad was a machine gunner in a B17 , he also smoked a pipe , ....... PS your bike is awesome Thanks for posting stay safe be well

[@swingkid100]

Thanks very much, You're Dad sounds like a jolly decent fellow, and brave with it too! I'm very fond of my old Raleigh, it's been in the fleet for a long time now. All the best🚲☕🌳

[@algonquinbriar5647]

Hello James. Than you for sharing a visit to such an historical site. My grandfather served in WWII with the Canadian Forces in Europe. He was fortunate to make it back home. He never talked much about his experiences. Take care mate.

[@swingkid100]

You're very welcome. Interesting to hear of your grandfather's service in Europe. It seems fairly common for those who served during WWll, to prefer not to talk of their experiences. Neither of my grandfathers did, and I assumed it best not to ask, should it cause distress. So many witnessed such awful things, and people dealt with this in different ways once it was all over. All the best

[@trailingthewoollymammoth3993]

James, fantastic cyclocross skills you showed ;-) Thank you for the information and your tour of the area. I hope your restrictions get relaxed soon. Good to see the VE celebrations were not completely suppressed. Carpetbaggers is an interesting term from the post American Civil War Reconstruction era. Northerners descending upon the South to profit from the reconstruction. Unscrupulous opportunists by many accounts, often outfitted with cheap luggage made from carpet material. Best to you. Dave

[@swingkid100]

Warmest greetings Dave, Thanks so much for enlightening me as to the origins of the Carpetbagger. I did wonder if it really did refer to a makeshift bag! There is a folding chair at my parents house that is known as the "Grandad Chair". It relies on an old piece of heavy carpet that fits over the frame to form the seat. Perhaps this should become the Carpetbagger chair! Enjoy a bit of off road cycling, it's great fun. Hopefully the next big VE day celebration will be bigger and better, but the best was made of it this year in the current circumstances. Restrictions are gradually being eased a little this week, but caution is still advised. All the best

[@pipesetc.5608]

Thanks for the wonderful history lesson as well as the beautiful scenery and great music, James. All the best...

[@swingkid100]

You're very welcome, many thanks for stopping by. All the best

[@bobanddonnareynolds1226]

Fantastic scenery and a great history lesson. Thank you James.

[@swingkid100]

Many thanks, you're very welcome. All the best

[@The-man-with-the-many-pipes]

Hello! Very nice Video thx LG.👍

[@swingkid100]

Hello, warmest greetings. Thank you for watching, best wishes🚲☕🌳

[@safaryszabolcs7850]

Thanks you James very wonderful nature and very interesting story you new video szabi history book big eyes speak good feeling thanks have nice mounth and good lucky

[@swingkid100]

Thanks, you're very welcome All the best🚲☕🌳

[@kirkfromflorida1088]

Great to see you. This is Kirk from Florida great videos thank you

[@swingkid100]

Hello Kirk, warmest greetings to you in Florida. Glad you enjoyed, thanks for stopping by All the best

[@johnwalker91]

Top draw! Thanks for taking us along and the history lesson beautiful village along the way stay safe

[@swingkid100]

Thanks John, pleased to share All the best

[@cyclopsfpv7969]

As usual a fantastic video, I enjoy the history lesson, and a topic i enjoy..

[@swingkid100]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed. All the best

[@LightYerPipe]

Very interesting James Thank you. What a lovely village at the end there sort of place i would like to live.

[@swingkid100]

Thanks very much, Harrington is indeed very lovely. It is the quintessential English village, and rather unsurprisingly the properties rarely go on the market! All the best

[@frankdananay7860]

Have not heard from you in awhile ( VR's) , hope you are well !!

[@swingkid100]

I am well, thanks Frank. Hope to be back on air soon! All the best