A busy street scene in rural Flatshire.
I have the great fortune to work in two large conurbations. One is the County City the other an ex industrial town. Both have a rich history. Both have connections pre-Roman, both played huge roles during the world wars. One as a manufacturer, the other as a supplier of the raw materials. And yet, between them is the farm land, the bread basket of England, (well potatoes and beet basket, but that doesn't sound right) Peaceful, colourful and has a hidden past. One that it should be proud of, and in a quiet way, it is. Thousands of people defended this "Perfidious Albion" from here. 55,000 of those lost their lives. The Cold War was fought from here. Lightnings to protect our airspace, Project Emily for retaliation, and the superb Valiant, Victor and Vulcan for deterrence. Fortunately none ever were used in anger in their intended role, although the 'Black Buck' operations did use the Victors as tankers and the Vulcan as a conventional bomber. Memorials dot the landscape, places of peace now, the signs of war buried, runways dug up, the hangars used for storage of crops, given back to the potatoes and beets.
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