Reed cutters graduate at Easton College ceremony
The Broads Authority's five trainee reed and sedge cutters have completed their pioneering 18 month training programme and received awards at a ceremony at Easton College on Friday 16 May.
Three of the trainees, Ben Holdom,19, Paul Eldridge, 28, and Rowan Nichols, 25, are now working as self employed commercial reed and sedge cutters in The Broads, providing reed and sedge to thatchers across the country while managing important wildlife habitats.
Paul and Rowan were presented with a specially adapted harvesting machine by the Broads Reed and Sedge Cutters Association which it is providing under its successful machinery fund scheme, financed by the Broads Authority's Sustainable Development Fund. Under the scheme the machine holders pay staged re-payments, which are eventually used to buy replacement machinery. Since the Association was formed in 2003 members have increased from 12 to 19 with a greatly reduced average age.
For Michelle King, 28, the only female reed and sedge cutter, the training was a chance to develop practical skills in fen management which she is using in her new role as assistant warden with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust at Cley.
Joshua Mossman, who, at 16, was the youngest Heritage Lottery Fund trainee in the country when he joined the scheme, is using his new skills in maintenance and conservation in his job as greenkeeper for one of the county's leading golf clubs.
The trainees have gained an NVQ qualification in Environmental Conservation from Easton College along with other accredited courses in brush cutting, pesticides, chainsaw skills, first aid, health and safety, and boat handling. Their training was paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Broads Authority, which has won a European award for its contribution towards rejuvenating the reed and sedge cutting industry in The Broads, will shortly be recruiting five more trainees who are interested in learning new countryside skills. For an application pack contact the Broads Authority on 01603 610734. The deadline for applications is 27 July and full-time on site training will begin in mid-September with one day a week spent at Easton College.
16/05/2008
