Learn traditional skills with the Broads Authority

The Broads Authority is offering five bursaries for interested people to learn the skills to become commercial reed and sedge cutters within an 18 month training programme.

They will be trained largely by professional reed and sedge cutters, who are members of the Broads Reed & Sedge Cutters Association. On- the- fen training will start in September by restoring neglected reed beds and continue in December, when the reed cutting season starts, with practical reed and sedge cutting techniques.

The training will also cover habitat management techniques, bird identification, nesting protocols, water level management including dyke clearing, sluices and understanding the influence of the tides, brush cutting, the use of pesticides, chainsaw skills, first aid, health and safety and boat handling.

The trainees will attend Easton College one day a week to study for an Environmental Conservation NVQ with further training from RSPB, Natural England and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

Five trainees who were taken on in 2006 have already completed their course. They were the first reed and sedge cutters to be formally trained in traditional skills normally handed down from father to son. Three of them, Ben Holdom,19, Paul Eldridge, 28, and Rowan Nichols, 25, are now working as self employed commercial reed and sedge cutters, managing important wildlife habitats and providing reed and sedge to thatchers across the country.

Joshua Mossman, who, at 16, was the youngest Heritage Lottery Fund trainee in the country, is now working as greenkeeper for one of Norfolk’s leading golf clubs while Michelle King, 28, is using the skills she gained in fen management in a new job as an assistant warden with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

Michelle said: "I had a fantastic time. The course was impressive and has given me the chance to pursue my chosen career in conservation."

The bursary scheme, which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, enables each trainee to receive a training allowance to at least the national minimum wage.

If you would like to follow in the footsteps of the traditional Broads marsh men and women apply for the bursary by obtaining an application pack from the Broads Authority website www.broads-authority.gov.uk or call 01603 610734. The deadline for applications is 27 July.