Do you fancy following in the steps of the traditional Broads marshmen and millwrights, working in the great outdoors with wildlife for company?
The Broads Authority is breaking new ground by running a bursary training scheme to kick-start Broadland heritage industries which are nearing extinction.
The bursary scheme, which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is for ten reed and sedge cutters to train full time in two tranches of five for just over 1 1/2 years each from this September and five mill wrights to train full time for just over three years from November. Each bursary trainee will receive a grant equivalent to at least the national minimum wage.
Lesley Harrison, Broads Authority Landscape Architect, said:
"This is a much needed boost which will be vitally important in preserving the historic character of the area. There are 74 drainage mills in the Broads requiring restoration and maintenance but only one local millwright, while the reed and sedge cutting industry is not attracting enough new entrants to manage the marsh and fen vegetation which provide habitats for many rare species."
A Bursary Training Officer and a Project Manager (Construction Skills) will run the scheme. The bursaries will be open to both novices and existing craftsmen who will begin individually tailored, on the job training. Successful candidates may have the opportunity to work towards a National Vocational Qualification at level 2 or 3.
The reed and sedge cutting bursaries will include learning about the historic and cultural background of the Broadland fens, health and safety, first aid, brushcutter and chainsaw work, construction skills, fen management, habitat management techniques, bird identification and nesting protocol, water level management and boat handling skills.
The training for millwrighting bursaries will take place at a variety of sites on the Broads including Womack Mill at Ludham and Clayrack Mill at How Hill. They will include learning about the historic and cultural background of the industry and mills, maintenance of mill machinery, brickwork, timber maintenance, paint systems, tarring, lead flashing application, rigging, lifting, hoisting and nesting and roosting protocol.
The Broads Authority will deliver the bursaries with its partners, which include members of the Broads Reed and Sedge Cutters Association, a local millwright, Easton College, the RSPB, English Nature, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk Windmills Trust and Norfolk County Council.
Michael Knights, Heritage and Landscape Manager for Norfolk County Council, said:
"This is what we have been wanting for 20 years. It will enable a proper training scheme to be established for millwrights which will ensure the survival of these iconic features of the Broads."
Richard Starling, Chairman of the Broads Reed and Sedge Cutters Association, which was formed in 2003 to help rejuvenate the industry, said:
"This is wonderful news for the long term future of the Broads reed and sedge cutting industry. It will give a unique opportunity for those who are awarded bursaries to learn and work with established reed and sedge cutters throughout the Broads. We hope the scheme will provide strong foundations that will underpin the industry's continuing rejuvenation."
To register your interest in applying for a bursary write to the Broads Authority at 18 Colegate, Norwich, NR3 1BQ, marking the envelope "Reed, Sedge, Fens and Mills Bursary Scheme", or telephone the Authority on 01692 678025. Applications must be received by 15th August.
Reproduced by kind permission of
Broads Authority.
