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
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
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
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.