The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Francis Russell, Reed Cutting
Norfolk reed for thatching: traditional scything on a January morning.
From the collection of:
Overview
A timeless scene of a man harvesting with a scythe. On Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve in Norfolk, the reeds that grow on the marshes are cut over the winter months and sold to local thatchers, 1,000 bundles at a time. Now they are harvested by machine, but warden Francis Russell demonstrates the traditional way of scything the reeds and preparing the bundles, using the old words describing the craft.
Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve has been managed by Norfolk Naturalists Trust since the 1940s, one of the wildlife treasures of the Norfolk Broads known for its swallowtail butterflies, bitterns and the return of the common crane. This film was made by the East Anglian Film Archive as a record of traditional broads management.
Related
Watch for free
Norfolk Broads Holidays Afloat Norfolk Broads Holidays Afloat
Promotional 1957 19 mins Location: Potter Heigham
Anyone can enjoy a carefree Norfolk Broads boating holiday - no experience required, two happy parties show us how to relax.
Watch for free
A Trip By Boat A Trip By Boat
Amateur film 1967 10 mins Silent Location: Hickling
Exploring the Norfolk Broads by motor boat, a little boy tries the steering wheel, and enjoys sandwiches and a sip of beer outdoors
Watch for free
Concern for wildlife on the Norfolk Broads Concern for wildlife on the Norfolk Broads
Factual TV 1975 6 mins Location: Hickling Broad
The Norfolk Broads, with its scenic waterways, is the perfect place for a boating holiday. But how long will it last? Anglia TV reports.
Watch for free
Water On The Brain Water On The Brain
Amateur film 1955 13 mins Location: Wroxham Broad
Are you a yachter or windmill lover? Maybe you’re a twitcher, or a painter? An amateur film about those ‘daft hobbyists’ who love Broadland.
Watch for free
The Romance of the Swan The Romance of the Swan
Amateur film 1933 12 mins Silent Location: Wroxham Broad
An affectionate record of the nesting period of a female swan. Winner of the 'Home Movies' magazine amateur filmmaking competition, 1933.
Watch for free
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.