Machines | Wartime Farm Part 8 of 8
videos | at work | information | view | construction
The team face the conditions of 1945 and prepare to tackle the most crucial event of their farming year: harvesting the wheat crop. They grapple with weeds, one of the wettest summers in memory and wartime machinery to bring the crop home, but take a giant leap into the modern era with the arrival of a 1940s combined harvester. As ever, on the wartime farm the goalposts are constantly moving. The team discover that as the conflict drew to a close, the need for home-grown food became greater than ever. Exploring countryside memories of VE Day, they discover how pressure on farmers increased throughout the final dramatic year of conflict. Victory in Europe meant that Britain had to share the responsibility for feeding populations across the war-torn continent whose food supplies had been devastated. On top of that, as soon as the war ended, American aid stopped. The financial cost of war left Britain bankrupt and struggling to afford imports, leading to a burden on farmers that remained long after the war finished. Rationing lasted well into the 1950s. As a fitting send off, the team celebrate the harvest with a 'Holiday at Home' - inspired by a government scheme to encourage exhausted workers to make the most of time off without travelling anywhere. Alex has a surprise up his sleeve to make the party go with a bang, as the team prepare to leave the Wartime Farm. Wartime Farm was produced by the BBC in partnership with The Open University.
Comments
-
I LOVE THE FARM SHOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
that should read "way to go guys"
-
As an American baby boomer I had NO IDEA how bad it was for England during WWII. I'm grateful these vids have been posted on you tube. It has given me a whole new respect for Brits. Why to go guys!!
-
You guys are amazing , love all your series! To think all the years you spent on all those farms , what a way to lve your life , wow :)
-
Makes me wish I could live on a farm. Then I remember how hard my grandparents worked all day in the heat and I change my mind. :)
-
Alex Langlands looks so much like Anthony Howell playing Paul Milner in Foyle's War in this series.
-
My mother was a child growing up across the North Sea in Copenhagen, Denmark, when the Nazis occupied that country. Her family lived smack in the middle of the city and spent the war years very differently than those who were "blessed" to live on farms and to have food in their midst. But that's a whole other story.
Thank you to the writers, producers, directors and actors of this marvelous series. I have gained so much from having viewed it. Sending best wishes from Las Vegas, Nevada. -
"It's the wind. You're down wind. What can I do?" I think Peter is taking revenge from all the other episodes :D
-
I really feel bereft when these series end. I've watched them all and love them up until harvest time then I think "oh no its gonna end now" wish there were more like iron age farm or medieval farm or roman farm etc etc
-
Unsung hero of the series,( please excuse spelling) , has been Colin. At every crucial stage - Auto modification, tile-making, Grain drying, et.al. Not forgetting his medical care for the men during the tile process - lol- Colin has been at the ready - the last remnant of the ' Finest Generation ' in my humble opinion. Cheers & best wishes to Colin from Newfoundland, Canada.
-
I learn so much from watching the "Farm" series but this one touched my heart more than all the others. Brits are tough, really tough. We American's like to think we, as a people, are a country proud and country tough but OMG we pale against the dedication to King and Country of Britain. My parents both young during WWII biggest gripe was no nylon stockings and rubber tires. They were ranchers and farmers!!
-
just like experiencing it myself. the best history lesson i've ever had! thank you for uploading. thank you, BBC, for creating and producing all these wonderful documentary treats.
-
I've watched all of the farm series and I still can't believe these people have been farming since the Tudor times. Longevity rocks!!!
-
Wonderful series, thank you for sharing!
-
Is it me or does Peter look like he gained 30 pounds since the Victorian farm show?
-
I had a bit of a cry after this last in the series. In America, we did not have to endure the scary bombings. We had the rations as well and the Black Market trade, but OMG, what Britain experienced leave me grateful tor everyone in the war effort. Wish my Mom & Dad, both in the U.S. Army, were still living for me to say how proud I am of them.
-
Absolutely loved the series.
-
Is it odd that I find the elephant more impressive than most modern fireworks I've seen?
-
In america, now, we do the 'Hokey Pokey". Very similar, slightly different words and actions. The British version seems more fun.