Turfing on the Somerset levels
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Turfing on the Somerset levels
Turfing on the Somerset levels. This bears the caption: " The weather is terrible with rain, snow, thunder etc." - rather a neat link to 99 years later, where similar rainfall in Winter 2014 led to the complete flooding of the levels. Date: 1905
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 11579667
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Levels Pile Piles Piling Process Somerset Stack Stacking Stacks Towers Turf Turves
EDITORS COMMENTS
Turfing on the Somerset Levels: A Traditional Rural Process Amidst Unforgiving Weather, 1905 This evocative photograph captures the resilient spirit of rural life on the Somerset Levels in England during the early 20th century. The image depicts a group of laborers in the midst of the turfing process, stacking sods of freshly cut grass onto towering piles. The weather, as the caption notes, is far from ideal, with rain, snow, and thunder looming in the background. The Somerset Levels, a vast expanse of marshy land in the southwest of England, have long been a challenging environment for agriculture. To cultivate the land, farmers would turf it, laying down thick layers of sods to create a raised platform suitable for crops. This labor-intensive process required immense physical effort and careful planning, as the land was prone to flooding and other natural hazards. Despite the harsh conditions, the laborers in this photograph continue their work, undeterred by the elements. The towering piles of sods, interspersed with the piles of turfing piles, create an almost surreal landscape, a testament to the ingenuity and determination of rural communities. This photograph offers a glimpse into a bygone era, a time when traditional methods of agriculture shaped the landscape and the lives of those who worked it. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and adaptability of rural communities, as well as the importance of preserving historical records of our past. Interestingly, just 99 years after this photograph was taken, the Somerset Levels experienced similar rainfall during the winter of 2014, leading to widespread flooding and damage to the area. The photograph serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of the environment and the challenges faced by those who live and work on the Levels.
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