Five generations of the Bishop family have harvested reeds at Cley over the last 100 years and the work continues to this day.
Cley marshes are on the North Norfolk coast - purchased by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust in 1926, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to one of Britain’s most important nature reserves.
Extending from west of Cley windmill to Salthouse in the East, covering more than 300 hectares Cley marshes have been watched over by members of the Bishop family since it’s purchase nearly 100 years ago.
Every winter the reed cutters harvest the reeds which helps to manage this unique habitat without damaging the roots allowing fresh growth the following year. The reed beds provide a crucial habitat for over 700 species of invertebrate and a huge array of birdlife including marsh harrier, bearded tit and the rare Bittern.
Robert Bishop was the reserves first warden in 1926, handing over to his grandson Billy in 1937. Billy’s son Bernard took over as warden in 1978, still living in the house he was born in overlooking the marshes, Bernard retired as warden in 2019 but still maintains the tradition of five generations of the Bishop family cutting the reeds here. This year he was joined by his son Kelvin, grandson Ben and nephew Darren.