One of the features of the West Norfolk fenland that has, for me at least, become synonymous with the area is the Norfolk Reed with its changing seasonal colours and particularly the sound it makes in the wind.
The plant edges practically every dyke, river and drain and in late autumn and early winter it's cut back before the dykes are slubbed out to maintain the drainage and integrity of the system.
Then in the spring the reed grows again at a phenomenal pace and provides nesting sites for ducks and warblers as well as a home for countless small animals and amphibians, it will also grow to six feet or more in height too.
The farmer told me they used to use it for animal bedding and roofing stacks to keep the weather off the fodder, you can make pens with it too and also fishing floats. Quite probably it was once used as thatch and for house building in years gone by.
A clever and useful plant is the Norfolk reed. Beautiful too.
Starting to look quite pikey
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try this weekend but they are still cutting water plants, reed and lilies. Why? Bloody winters coming the drain doesn't have to look like the contents of every salad bar in the country has been emptied into it. I asked why but they wouldn't talk to me. Wankers.
ReplyDeleteDirect action may need to be bought to bear.
ReplyDelete