Norfolk Reed (Water Reed, Marsh Reed, Continental Reed)

This has come to dominate thatching in recent years due mainly to the long life and the fact that it is less labour intensive and quicker to learn for the thatcher. The reed in the bed or rond is a naturally occurring stage of the land encroaching on the marsh, but to develop good reed needs skilled management of the water level and top hamper of dead material. It is cut without any thrashing, with an Allen scythe adapted for the purpose, or with a rice harvester as conditions are equivalent to a paddy field for most of the cutting season which is done in the winter time

Fixing to the roof is normally by a steel hook driven into the rafter holding the reed under tension by use of a horizontal sway, but more often used to be tied with tar cord. Again water reed thatching is a very old method and not restricted to the Broadlands but used wherever reed could be found. Reed used to be far more common than is appreciated, with monastery fish ponds and tracts of marsh land abounding,  fertilisers and modern farming practice make it a rare sight.