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Reed cutting, Norfolk a98_07731
Horning Ferry, Norfolk. Reed cutter bundling reeds on Woodbastwick Marshes. Photographed by Hallam Ashley in February 1949. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England
Media ID 1755171
Filename: aa98_07731.jpg
Size: 4368 x 4328 (7.0MB)
Date: 5th February 1949
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England Archive
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: English Heritage Images
Job Title: Photographer
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Historic Images > Famed Photographers > Hallam Ashley Collection (1931-1980)
> Historic Images > Historic Images 1900s - 1910s
> Industry > Agricultural History
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the essence of rural life in Norfolk during the late 1940s, as a local reed cutter carefully bundles harvested reeds on the Woodbastwick Marshes. The scene is set against the backdrop of a tranquil winter landscape, with the reflection of the sun casting long shadows over the marshy terrain. Reed cutting was an essential activity in the Norfolk Fens, which covered over 150,000 acres of the county. The reeds were primarily used for thatching roofs, as well as for making baskets, mats, and other crafts. The process involved cutting the reeds in the autumn, allowing them to dry out in the sun, and then bundling them up in the winter. The reed cutter in this photograph wears a traditional Norfolk flat cap and a heavy coat, shielding himself from the cold winter wind. He works methodically, tying each bundle of reeds with a length of twine before moving on to the next. The bundles are then transported to the barges that line the marshy edge of the water, ready to be taken away for sale or use in local construction projects. The photograph by Hallam Ashley beautifully captures the rhythmic and timeless nature of rural work, as well as the connection between the people of Norfolk and the land that has sustained them for generations. The image is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of those who lived and worked in the Norfolk Fens, and serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of this unique and beautiful region.
