photography by Miriam Glucksmann

I got talking to these reedcutters in North Norfolk one sunny January Sunday. They were sad about the decline of this traditional industry and the dearth of young people wanting to work in it, and also complained about the high cost of thatched cottages in contrast to their own low wages.

They were hoping to set up a website to publicise their work and the North Norfolk Reedcutters Association. This is now up and running at http://www.norfolkreed.co.uk/pages/about.htm It draws attention to new (e.g. biofuel) as well as traditional uses of reed.