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Water reed cutter, East Anglia, early 1900s
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Water reed cutter, East Anglia, early 1900s
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Media ID 32364236
© The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive / Mary Evans
Cutter Cutting Norfolk Reed Suffolk Thatcher Thatching
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This evocative photograph captures the essence of rural life in East Anglia during the early 1900s. The image depicts a water reed cutter at work, skillfully navigating his traditional boat through the marshy waters of the region. Dressed in typical Edwardian attire, the thatcher wears a straw hat and waders, his sturdy boots firmly planted on the boat's wooden floor. In his hands, he holds a long, curved knife, used to cut the water reeds that would later be used for thatching roofs in the local farms and cottages. The scene is set against a backdrop of the vast, tranquil marshlands, with their distinctive reed beds stretching as far as the eye can see. The reflection of the overcast sky on the still water adds a sense of depth and mystery to the image, while the tall reeds sway gently in the breeze. This photograph offers a glimpse into a bygone era, when much of the farming in East Anglia relied on traditional methods and the natural resources of the land. The water reed cutter's work was essential to the region's economy and way of life, providing both employment and the raw materials for the unique thatched roofs that are still a defining feature of many Suffolk and Norfolk buildings today. The photograph is part of The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive Collection, which documents the social and industrial history of East Anglia during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. This image is a testament to the region's rich agricultural heritage and the resilience and ingenuity of its people, who adapted to the challenges of working the land and the waterways to create a unique and enduring way of life.
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