Harvesting Norfolk Reed.

[ES2]

At the outset I will say that I am totally uninformed regarding this what was once a very valuable crop. What does the team think about the possibility of reviving the harvesting using modern equipment as is done in Europe?

 

[Speleologist]

It's still happening:

http://www.norfolkreed.co.uk/pages/about2.html

[ES2]

Thanks Robin for the information.

[ChrisB]

And although reed is often the material of choice because of longevity, you are prohibited from using it in certain locations especially on listed buildings.

We wanted to use reed, all be it imported on the family home in Dorset. However we had to use combed wheat straw.

[marshman]

Its the type of equipment that is the issue!

On the North Norfolk coast you can indeed use heavier and larger machines as the ground is more solid, but the problem on the Broads is that where the reed is grown these days, on the marshes, it will only usually bear the weight of lightweight machinery - you should remember that the marshes are not drained and in the winter consist of floating hover. Break through that and both you and the machine could just disappear!!!

Harvesting reed from the Broads is hard hard work and then having got it off the marsh you still have to dress it to get rid of the litter - although Norfolk reed is expensive even compared to Chinese reed by comparison, it does last well, much better than a straw thatch.

There are still a handful of hardy souls working through the midwinter to harvest reed - in summer they work in the sedge beds to provide the sedge ,which bends, for the capping. Thats not much better with the heat, horseflies, and the razor sharp sedge itself.

Not a job that attracts too many applicants these days!!!!