Publication:

Fenland boyhood: a fenman remembers the pastimes, skills and landscapes of a lost paradise

    Full details

    Authors & editors

    Wells, Elijah [Author]

    Publisher Mildenhall Museum Publications
    Year of publication 1983
    Languages

    English (main text)

    Medium Book
    Edition1
    ISBN0905457013
    Topics

    People and communities > Local history & environment

    Tags

    The Fens

    Scope & contentThe author recollects his life along the River Lark on the border of Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. His memories cover several themes:
    Childhood (he was born in 1896); Pastimes and festivals;
    Work (for the Mildenhall Drainage Commissioners);
    The War begins (called up in February 1916 to serve in the First World War);
    On the river (the River Lark, that ran from Bury St Edmunds to the Ouse at Prickwillow, provided water for Mildenhall Mill);
    A changed land. There is a map of the River Lark and villages of Mildenhall (West Row), Isleham and West Row.

    Mills mentioned in the narrative: Mildenhall Mill; the Pepperbox windmill remains and New Mill near Mildenhall steam pumping engine. Images of Quarrelsome Double Lift Mills at Isleham, Human's Drove pumping mill at Isleham Fen with Frank Reed standing by the wheel.

    Copies held

    Accession no. 230126

    • Shelf location: C103.19
    • Donor: Vincent Pargeter Collection