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[Farming the Marshes]

1961

Cat no. 213879

Vision and interviews from a `Farming Diary' report on arable marshland in Norfolk.

The Annual Marsh Letting auction, at the Howlett & Edrich auction rooms in Acle, begins with the lease purchase for a freehold grazing marsh at West Caister, followed by various other marshlands around the Norfolk Broads. Outside, farmers talk about the process of leasing and raise concerns about single-year leases, suggesting that leaseholders are more likely to improve land if granted five or ten year leases. Segment concludes with a shot of marshland, black trailer and a countdown. The scenic countryside of East Norfolk and the Broads is shown, from the marshes around Burgh Castle to the mouth of the River Yare at Gorleston-on-Sea, and from St Mary's Church at Haddiscoe to views of windmills and livestock grazing on marshland beside native swans. Some marshland remains relatively untouched, whilst some is subjected to intensive farming. An Anglia correspondent interviews Bob Lake, a marshman with fifty years experience who is currently responsible for 400 acres of marshland. Lake discusses the changes he has witnessed and the contrasts between winter and summer life on remote marshland. Also interviewed is Mr Wharton, who has converted a derelict marsh with poor drainage into workable land holding a range of crops. Wharton is particularly concerned about road access and drainage, and suggests that should these problems be addressed, the marshes could become some of the most valuable arable land in the country. The item concludes with further views of marshland crops, and the harvest and processing of peas and pea straw.

Featured Buildings

Burgh Castle; St Mary's Church, Haddiscoe

Keywords

Agriculture; Farming; Marshland; Rural life

Other Places

Acle, Norfolk; Burgh Castle, Norfolk; Haddiscoe, Norfolk; Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk; Broads, Norfolk

Manifestations

[Farming the Marshes]

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