Children re-enact 'a day off school' to harvest the potatoes

On Monday 9th September some mancunian children had 'a day off school' to help bring in a local crop. Many thanks to the teachers; some of whom dressed up alongside the children to harvest the potatoes.




potato lifting fork

Tools, such as this fork for lifting potatoes in the yard, were used for the re-enactment. They had been lent for display by a local resident who grew up on a farm near-by. A manure fork, with rounder, sharper-ended tines and a fork for harvesting potatoes in the field, with flatter tines to reduce the risk of harming the crop, were also used.

boy harvesting potatoes

Girls and boys dressed up in roughly period costume.



Potatoes collected in wicker baskets

Local resident, Carol Davies said that not only did they use the potato sacks as aprons but they used to turn the corner of a hessian sack inwards to make a hat in bad weather (or as protection from the sun perhaps)



aprons were made of sacks

We had refreshments after all the hard work ... In Timperley the Forgotten Field project had learnt that this was called 'Baggins' after the bag of oats that was put over a horse's head during its break.
We are considering making a traditional outdoor storage heap for the potatoes made with straw... known as 'a Hog' in these parts.

weighing the potatoes

 A few more activities carried on inside, weighing the crop, creative cameo pieces on Dunham Village Hall's wonderful stage and creating a story time-line...but the short time we had went so fast...they'd 'like to come back'!
Many thanks to all concerned with the Hall for a fantastic venue. The flexible and patient support for this project has been much appreciated.



 

 



 

'Remembering the Food Cycle' event at Dunham

 'Clematis' with the  Brew Boat behind

On Sunday, 8th September, we held our first event for the  'Remembering the Food Cycle' project at Dunham Village Hall and Wharf.

Sharing Histories

'Clematis' was enlisted by the Wooden Canal Boat Society along with her crew, Liz, Nick and Chris Leah, to help us re-enact the arrival of city manures (human and horse - both a big problem at the time), and the return of locally grown vegetables to the city's  markets and warehouses such as those at Potato Wharf.

OK, so no, we didn't actually use night soil but instead used local manure - really well rotted - and a big thanks is due again to Sue and Mark Jones at Little Heath Farm for supplying and receiving this on their field!
The event was steadily attended from 12-4pm both by people who were passing on the canal, or through the village, and by many people who had seen adverts, tweets and fliers. Curious locals historians, horticulturalists and even those with careers in waste management dropped by.

Heritage potato crop harvested

Out in the field beside the Village Hall children and adults were able to dig their own heritage Royal Kidney potatoes to take home.
Unsurprisingly few adults took up the offer to dress as Victorian
potato harvesters!
Though there are many potatoes, they are rather small due, we think, to a combination weeds getting the better of us and dry weather...
the potatoes are reputed to be rather tasty though!




Local historians set up their own displays

Many thanks to Pat Coulburn ( local historian) who sat for hours engaging many people with photos and tales of local heritage.In particular Pat has  mapped the many nurseries and market gardens that existed in Sale around 1930's (many of whom may have benefited from night-soil or manure)
Also many thanks to Gina Hutchinson who brought a fascinating display of photos relating to the agricultural community of Dunham.






Manure being transferred to fields

The Brew Boat was enlisted to provide volunteers and visitors with  leek and potato soup; made from our own crop and really fresh Manchester Veg People produce...It was wonderful.Cups of tea, coffee and home made cake also helped the day go with a swing.
 

   All was filmed by Charlotte; so look out in a while for a new short film on the Forgotten Fields website
   www.forgottenfields.org.uk