The Bald Explorer - The Smugglers of the Romney Marshes
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- Richard Vobes is the Bald Explorer and in this episode he is searching for the free traders on the south east of Britain. The Romney Marshes were notorious for ancient tradition of smuggler because of its close proximity with Europe.
The invasion coast, as it was known, was the home to daring men and women who became involved in clandestine activities in the dead of the night. Boats would come and go and illegal goods would be unloaded and sent ashore, hidden in secret locations on the old marsh land. These luxury items should have a duty paid on them, but the smugglers wanted to avoid all that because it was deemed unfair.
The Cinque Ports played their part in the smuggling story too and the Bald Explorer is on the path to discover the story of how these nefarious activities took place and just how they got away with it.
I'm enjoying going back to watch your older videos. Thanks so much.
Wow! Even in 2012 Richard was making informative and entertaining videos! The music was lively, the productions standards high and the narration perfect. It's hard to believe that He has been exploring for so long and yet hasn't run out of places to visit.
Bravo! Richard Vobes as The Bald Explorer boldly goes where no modern tour has gone before! I always learn a lot when viewing one of these episodes. Help pass it on!
In my humble opinion this the best of the Bald Explorer .Truly a masterpiece
An excellent film, so interesting and well presented. You should re-advertise your series of longer films as they really do deserve to be seen. Terrific work Richard.
Thanks so much - i would like to do more like that.
A great video ! I have been visiting Rye and the surrounding villages for over forty years and I still love the whole area. Seing Richard explore unseen areas by bicycle opens up a whole new world of facinating places to visit. My favourite place would be Winchelsea churchyard on a warm July afternoon with a flask of PG tips tea, utter bliss.
This is the very best video that you have made, really enjoyed it. Did not leave my chair until I watched all of it. Well done Richard
Thanks so much.
Like Mr. Griffiths, I've been interested in the Romney Marsh area for the past 50 years, ever since seeing 'The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh' on television in the 1960s. (In fact, my favorite breed of wool to spin is Romney.) I came across this video quite by accident, and enjoyed it very much. By the way, those drainage ditches near the beginning look like the ones used for a chase sequence in 'Scarecrow'! Thanks so much for posting this! I hope someday to visit from across the Pond.
richard this is really what the vobes is all about ,,fantastic viewing ,, you should do more of this kinda thing ..
We've now had our last day out (yesterday) following the Bald Explorer's exploits because we've covered all of the main full length episodes. Great program as ever, sprinkled with Richard's comedic touch and again great to see things we would not have otherwise seen. Bravo RV!
LocationMr Thank you so much for watching and enjoying the locations.
I've been interested in Romney Marsh, Russell Thorndike, and Dr. Syn for the last 50 years, (got all the books and films) and I have to say Richard that I find your documentary fantastic, it is accurate informative with just the right amount of humour. Great...now where's that bottle of brandy gone!!
One of your best this. High production value.
Thanks so much - so pleased you enjoyed the long format episodes.
Outstanding production .Well done Richard
Thanks very much, Ralph.
I loved everything about this video! Was looking up Dr. Syn Scarecrow for old times and found this. Love it!
absolutely fantastic, thanks Richard. Didn't realise that you have videos going back as early as 2012
I have been at this racket for ages trying to make it work.
This is the best one of your videos I have seen.... yet. Informative and entertaining. A lot of work must have gone into this.
Brilliant work - So well made. UA-cam got it right by recommending this to me. I’m looking forward to watching some more of your videos.
Thank you.
Richard this is so brilliant.... I love the music too... hoping you can make more of these.... 🤗👍🏻💋
Patti Smith Thank you Patti. I would to make more of these shows.
Really enjoyed this , so many interesting facts and beautiful scenery especially of the chalk cliffs…you’d of made a great history teacher Richard, I’m sure the students would have been enthralled at your storytelling….Loved the comedy smuggler too ….thankyou
Glad you enjoyed it
This is the second time we've watched this one. Really great stuff Richard! Tim and Tammie
Brilliant video! Very informative and entertaining to watch!
Glad you enjoyed it! We had fun making it.
Realy enjoyed your doc,,, there were 17 islands to the marshlands before it was enclosed and drained due to the dangers of being invaded by the French,,
Wonderful video Richard . We used to watch the Scarecrow on T.V in the 60s and 70s . I started looking around for information on the Romney Marshes , then Voila there you were . I have enjoyed your other videos so I knew you would show us all about it . I live in Rochester and was not surprised that " the Peasants were Revolting " .
Thanks Mark - so pleased you enjoyed it. I must go back and explore more.
Very impressive, Mr.Vobes.
I live in Alaska. But my family tree and ancestry goes back to 1410 Thomas Bate of Lydd England. In 1635 my ancestors Clement and Ann Bates of Lydd came to America and co-founded the town of Hingham Massachusetts. I hope to visit there someday and see Lydd, and the All Saints Church in Lydd. Thank you, fascinating history. Harry Bates
Thanks Harry - I hope you get to visit Lydd. I must get over there soon and make a video myself.
I’d be thrilled to see it! Especially the all saints church and it’s history !
I love watching this video every so often, I find the history in area fascinating, especially as I because I live on the road between Rye and Hawkhurst.
Thanks so much - so pleased you enjoy it.
Video caught my attention because I am a big fan of Disney's The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. Glad to see a little more background here.
Thank you very much...really enjoyed your video...very informative and entertaining...cheers
T Simmons Thank you very much. how kind of you to mention it.
Another great vid Richard!👏 I love your history walks! So interesting & educational. Also, really pretty area through here. Loved Rye. You'll have to go back & do a proper walk through of it sometime.👍
I need to return and explore more.
Great video and so interesting! Thanks so much!
My pleasure - thanks for watching
I enjoy watching these videos and learn about the UK..
This has been really great, I'm doing my A level English course work about the smugglers of the south, particularly the Hawkhurst gang. So thank-you very much, great for research and entertaining to! Best of luck for the future.
Richard! Oh my goodness my old haunt!
I used to live in the cottage opersit called fothersby cottage, you can't miss it, before i went to live in tenterden,
Your on rye Road on the baurder of Kent and Sussex right there
So glad you did this video!
This brings back wonderful memories of a trip to Rye in 2003. Thank you!
It was great fun to make the video - Mary Waugh's book on Smuggling is definitely worth a read.Thanks for the comment.
11 years on. How things have changed and Dungeness faces a new invasion and more smuggling gangs.
Thanks for this, very well made and very informative. My uncle lives in Hythe and I've been down there to visit him a few times, will be going again in a few weeks. Will be sure to drive around and visit some of the locations mentioned here, especially the pubs!
Wow a tour de force this one, must have taken ages to make, very enjoyable though and learnt a lot, well done sir!!
Yes - some of the earlier Bald Explorer's took ages to produce - there should be 8 of those type.
Romney is a fascinating place with a fascinating history. Just found this video and happy to have stumbled onto it, now keen to watch more.
Subscribed
Sid Bonkers Thanks so much for watching!
Great story and filming. Cheers.
Thank you! Cheers!
@cozicoops Cheers Mr. Coops - good to see you in action again.
Thanks very much for all your comments. Really appreciated.
best one yet i love the smuggler!!
Thanks very much Chris!
As a kid in the early 60's I remember watching a TV 1937 film Dr Syn in black & white based around Dymchurch & Romney marshes !
Thanks Clive for the kind words - I must read some more of the Thorndike books. Hope you found the brandy? :)
I enjoyed the production values of your work at this time.
Lots of hard work to pull that together. :)
Thank you for this cool video.👍😎
So pleased you enjoyed it.
Very much enjoyed your Video and learned so much too.
Great video Richard . I used to go with my school on holiday to st Mary’s bay . PS that saddle looks a bit high on yer bike !
Love this video set in my local vicinity it's like a living postcard
Thanks Mark - I must return. More to explore on the Romney Marshes.
Why didn't we have weather like that when we went back there?! Lovely to see this. I am sure there is a lot more mileage in smuggling videos, especially in Sussex.
Yes I think there is a lot more milage.
Thanks for the comments. I am so pleased you found all this interesting.
Due to the money in the wool trade the small village of Lavenham in Suffolk was once in the top 20 wealthy towns in England and the village was generating more wealth than places like York.
Thanks for the comments. Its much appreciated.
great vids richard lovely way off telling the story’s
This is a fantastic production and must have taken very great effort indeed.Very professionally made, well researched and presented. It just happens to be on my patch, places that I know like the back of my hand which adds further interest. To say that I was very impressed would be an understatement, you can be very Proud of output like this. Very Well Done, Excellent.
Thank you very much! Very kind.
a great documentary keep up the good work one day you will on the History channel
Thanks Richard a very interesting video from New Zealand
Cheers Terry. So pleased you enjoyed it.
Really great to see this great video has had 34000 views
It's interesting how literature as well as movies tend to romanticize the smugglers of old but today we vilify them for the very same deeds. I have no doubt as times change what we once perceive to be a scourge will be deemed free trade. Forward progress.
Michael Forrest
So does alcohol but we seem to give that a pass although it claims more lives than cocaine,heroin,ecstasy,LSD,methamphetamine put together! In 2012 3.3 million people were killed as a result of alcohol & it's legal! On average that is 2.5-3.0 million people a year depending on your sources! Staggering!
It is estimated that in 2012 a 185k-200k died as a result of drug overdoses worldwide (opiates being the largest category & prescription pills leading other forms of opiates like heroin,opium, etc.) So are we truly concerned about people & their lives? It doesn't seem so considering he numbers.
As long as their is market people will provide that service so rather than continue our failed drug policies maybe we ought to consider mew methods of curbing the addictions & deaths associated w/ these drugs.
Thanks, I'll be sure to look up her book. If you've not read it I'd recommend Russell Thorndike's Doctor Syn that you mentioned, really a great read.
Thanks very much
@EMBpodcast Thanks Ed, just got to work out how to fun this sort of thing!
Suddenly jumped from the Romney Marsh to the coastguard cottages at Cuckmere Haven, Seaford, East Sussex. Enjoyable nevertheless. :)
heck of a bike ride from rye to seaford ,,ive done it plus more
Brilliant!
Thanks very much.
@@RichardVobes I'm a tour guide, driver. I go to rye, Shrewsbury, Exeter, a lot of places you have been so it's great to get this info from you and I pass it onto the other drivers. Keep it up buddy
Lymington in Hampshire has underground tunnels from the small harbour to the church at the top of the town etc. These are also common in Mudeford by Christchurch Dorset, known now for great seafood dining. Bristol is another place with a great tradition of Smugglers!
Maybe even some of my Cornish (Kernow) ancestors took part from their area of Hale. Much there though was wrecking.
So many places with amazing histories. If only I could check them all out.
@@RichardVobes I have a cunning plan! Why not get The Vobesters to help you out! All those people all over the nation and abroad could report on things known to their area and send them into The Vobes Show - oh, wait a minute! We do that now don't we. Plus we can do some background recce's for you too.
@rosstcorbett Thansk Ross - I am working on that as we speak - it will be a while though.
brilliant romney marshes are magic
So interesting
Did no had TV program of bald explorer still interested Richard
*Romney Marsh* - *famous* because of *dr syn* .
What a great movie Made by Disney.
:)
This makes me think of the old Disney movie ''Dr. Syn".
Oh yes - well it was based on the goings on on the Romney Marshes.
What brand of bicycle is that?
Very Very interesting :-) :-)
Richard great stuff.
great video
the hawkhurst gang was huge,,and had the upper hand when they had a confrontation with anyone who opposed them
That is true. Although they did get their comeuppance in 1757.
My Grandfather was from Kent. Wonder if any of my kin still living there were smugglers...
Come on Richard! You didn't shut the gate at the end! Tut tut
Smuggler says U scratch my back...
Fab 💓
Thanks
Ps why haven’t you got your own series best thing I’ve watched for ages 👌
Wouldn't that be nice?
There is a Romney Marsh in Canada.
He almost manages to make the romney marsh sound exciting. Ha!
rye is a rum affair, capen, even a landlubber can get sea sick on shore, after a night out with the lads in the tavern
have you visited rye castle ??
Do you mean the museum?
@@RichardVobes no the one out on the fields , also known as camber castle .
@cluskutube Thanks very much
Pity no mention of the Chopbacks in the episode
Or chopsticks.
@@RichardVobes , as a Hastings man born and bred I know what a Chopbacks was. You should have researched them.
Didn't they used to play for West Ham? Oh that's Rodney Marshes.
Baccy is being banned in May of this year.
Is it?
why did I know nothing to do with this? 😂🤦🏼♀️
No idea.
Richard Vobes will you be doing any more about the history of down here?
Good history are heritage USA have cowboys we have smugglers thanks from a reincarnated wrecker from Hampshire UK
Thanks for watching.
BEWARE THE SCARECROW !!!!!!!!
and who do you think had the money to buy all of those expensive imports ? yep, the same people, making the laws, to prevent tax avoidance. hence the term, one law for the rich, another for the poor. true hypocrisy
Hi Richard guess what the Martello tower you cycled around in this video is now starting to undergo rebuilding as it's now in private hands another bit of your history being repurposed into modern world who knows what
Really enjoyed the story, when we could sort it out from the endless B-roll and cheesy humor.
Thanks for watching.
oui you just committed another offence, littering. and a minor offence, not shutting the gate properly. then they added no rear reflector on your bike. and if you rode through a puddle with no mudguards, you would end up, with a wet arse, and be told, that you couldn't use the pubs furniture, until you changed your wet trousers. and, if you wanted a quick smoke, you could forget about that to, smoking ban. and they wonder why, pubs are going out of business. there's also a dress code in some pubs. might just as well go to the offi and sit how the hell you like at home. and there's also a music tax, and a dancing tax, and any other stupid rule, that they can tax you for .who says that history doesn't repeat itself ? and who makes up these rules anyway ?
The old times will be back in case of brexit
I can't wait!
we should meet . terry anthony . romney marsh dr syn artist .
Sounds fun
i dont think nigel is a relation lol