In March, the East Midlands Master Thatchers' Association (EMMTA) were pleased to co-host a fascinating meeting with the Great Fen team at the Ramsey Heights nature reserve. The workshop was arranged to discuss the sustainable management of conservation wetlands and the barriers and opportunities this provides for commercial reed growing for the craft of thatching. It was an excellent turnout with 19 people attending, both in person and online, providing a broad spectrum of expertise. Members of the EMMTA were joined by representatives from the Broad's Authority, RSPB, Natural England, and other professionals with keen interest and experience in the topic.  

The Great Fen Opportunity

Kate Carver (Great Fen Project Manager) and Lorna Parker (Great Fen Restoration Officer) led the opening presentation. This was an introduction to the creation of conservation wetlands at The Great Fen, the Peatland Progress project and its proposed reedbeds, and thoughts on commercial reed growing. (See Kate's further explanation at the end.) It gave a very interesting insight into all that has been achieved so far as well as what the future holds in terms of further developments including the potential new reed beds. It made us all aware that from the start, this has been a long-term vision not only for the ever vital habitats all flora and fauna depend upon, but also for our local communities and the human benefits too.

The Broads Perspective

Andrea Kelly (Environment Policy Advisor for the Broads Authority) presented next. This too was very informative, hearing what is happening in The Broads regards commercial reed production. The historical facts and figures were useful in making comparisons with the current situation. It is interesting to note that there are now only 35 reed cutters left in the country and The Broads are only producing approximately 117,000 - 130,000 bundles annually. Of the 5 million bundles required each year, this is a small amount which explains why a staggering 97% is now imported. Some of our older members remember the time when virtually no reed was imported…all this happening within almost one generation! Andrea's presentation also highlighted many of the challenges faced with reed production which were consequently discussed throughout the day.

How we thatch

Following a refreshment break, fellow EMMTA members Clive Dodson and Nick Mackay gave an educational and entertaining presentation, explaining in depth the varying qualities of reed and how different sized bundles are used on different aspects of the roof. A selection of tools were displayed and discussed as well as explaining the various methods of fixing. Clive also explained some of the challenges that need to be dealt with and some of the economics were discussed within the group.

Sustainable reedbed management 

Chris Hudson (Senior Sites Manager at RSPB Ouse Fen & Fen Drayton Lakes) gave perspectives on managing conservation reedbeds alongside potential commercial reedbeds related to their local site.  Chris demonstrated with a selection of slides to what extent they have already established reedbeds. This has been a long-term project for the RSPB stemming back to 1997 and whilst they have tried plug planting new reed plants, they now use self-generating growth as a better method. We heard that composting has been their most viable option for the cut reed to date, but that hopefully they will be open to considering reed for thatching in the future.

EMMTA kindly provided a buffet lunch for everyone that was enjoyed whilst informal discussions continued.

Stakeholder satisfaction

Our fifth and final presentation of the day was given by Andy Dodson (PHD Research Student) titled 'Causes of stakeholder conflict and their impact on the management and use of reedbeds'. Again, a very informative talk with lots of historical facts and figures worth considering in contrast to the current situation. Also, many of the challenges we are faced with were again highlighted which is exactly what the overall meeting required.

Throughout the whole agenda, question and answer time slots were made available and these often turned into absorbing group conversations which showed the great interest for the overall topic from everyone involved.

Where do we go from here?

The final item on the agenda was titled 'Where do we go from here' which naturally led to another useful and interesting group discussion further investigating the pros and cons highlighted in the day's presentations. 

With a little more time to spare, the master thatchers were called upon to further demonstrate the qualities of the reed samples, raising more questions about thatching in general. It was a pleasure to raise awareness of the skill and history of our craft with so many new people. 

In summary

The overall aim of the meeting was to make a direct connection between The Great Fen team, the Peatland Progress project and the craft of thatching with the view to enthuse, promote and support the idea of locally grown reed harvested for thatching. With EMMTA being the local and long-established (est. 1948) thatching association, it seemed fitting that we should seek to move forward with the idea.

There are so many reasons why this is worth pursuing. To create vital habitats for our flora and fauna and for biodiversity in general. To also create a very efficient carbon trap. And to potentially make a start in helping to reduce 'reed miles', albeit it only very marginally at this stage, but things have to start in a small way and then hopefully develop.

It seems apparent that some of the challenges brought up in the day's discussions have already been met on the Great Fen. Land ownership, road access, barn storage - all major considerations that seem to be addressed. Hugely important too is the drainage board. By having direct involvement on the committee for the proposed area and therefore being able to have positive influence over water levels, this is another major challenge hopefully addressed. We look forward to having further discussions and meetings with the Great Fen team regarding viable cutting/harvesting options and use of contractors etc. Realistically, it will take some time to create a viable reedbed that produces reed of a suitable quality, but it has to start somewhere and this may well be the ideal opportunity.

Collaboration = Success

What is clear is that between all the bodies of people involved, there are a huge variety of skills being utilised. All the knowledge about conservation/ecology and how to establish and manage it is of course crucial. As the product user, thatchers understand the required product qualities etc. And people like Steven Isles (machinery expert) and Graham Webb have the expertise and knowledge that is also crucial to any success. To collaborate and share these skills and knowledge is therefore the way forward. I would hope that as a result of the meeting, it has been made clear that there is most certainly an ongoing market for the use of good quality water reed for thatching. Thank you to everyone who attended. 

- Graham Carter, President, East Midlands Master Thatchers' Association. 

Why the need for this workshop?

"Thatching is an ancient craft," explains Kate Carver, Great Fen Project Manager, "but thatching with reed and sedge from fen wetlands also has intriguing possibilities for the future land management of the fens. For the past four years the Great Fen has been running trials with wet farming (also known as paludiculture) at a site in the north of the Great Fen, Engine Farm, exploring methodologies of this new system of farming at higher water levels, potential crops, and end uses for these crops; it’s a developing area. However, there is already an established end market and use for one of our trial crops, reed, which of course thatchers have been using for centuries. This then is when history and the future overlap.

"As part of the Great Fen’s National Lottery Heritage Fund project Peatland Progress, a second wet farming trial area will be created in the south of the Great Fen at Speechly’s Farm, as a small but important part of a much wider wetland creation scheme.  Reed is one of the paludicultural crops which will be grown on this new wet farming area. It was with this second area in mind, that the Peatland Progress project team wanted to consult with EMMTA, to really understand what thatchers need for this site to produce reed as a commercial crop suitable for the craft of thatching. Commercial reedbeds have different requirements (such as size, access, cutting rotations) to reedbeds solely for conservation purposes, and those differences influence design and management. We are currently in the design stage for Speechly’s Farm and so the workshop was conceived as an opportunity to share information and experience; to listen, to learn, to inform the design process, and generally to enjoy meeting the members of EMMTA and our guest speakers. We learned a huge amount and have tapped into an invaluable resource of knowledge and expertise for the Great Fen and its Peatland Progress project and created what we hope, will be an enduring link with our friends at EMMTA for the future."