Anja LandsmannDec 12, 2022
A Cambridge Diary

A Fen Skater christened the ice today as conditions proved perfect for the first time in years.

Skating over the frozen flooded fields and meadows has been a part of Fenland life for hundreds of years. Skating matches were held in towns and villages all over the Fens where local men would compete for prizes of money, clothing or food during severe winters when agricultural work was unavailable.

Dec 11, 2022 at 6:12pmWeb
Show threadUna McCormackDec 11, 2022
@acambridgediary Stunning picture.
Show threadnoodlejetski Dec 11, 2022
@acambridgediary
what a great photo!
Show threadWOMUMPDec 11, 2022
In case anyone else here was wondering: this (amazing) photo ☝️ is from Upware.
https://twitter.com/acambridgediary/status/1602009580116054017
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Show threadMichael WilliamsDec 14, 2022
@womump I'd recognise that angle of telegraph pole anywhere :-)
Show threadRob BlakeDec 12, 2022
@acambridgediary My father is from Yaxley and he used to tell us how his grandmother used to skate on the fens each winter. I can't wait to tell him that they are doing it again!
Show threadbuttonsDec 13, 2022
@acambridgediary a great photo on so many levels … I keep having a look and then go back again for another look
Show threadZed_CzarDec 13, 2022
@acambridgediary Yes! Lots of mentions of skating in Adrian Bell's work.
Show threadDeborahParr58Dec 14, 2022
@acambridgediary it looks so COLD!
Show threadFrancisca StainesDec 15, 2022
@acambridgediary This picture looks very post-apocalyptic cool.
Show threadjones.fotografiertDec 15, 2022
@acambridgediary great photo
Show threadTrudy Harpham PhDDec 15, 2022
@acambridgediary grew up in the #lincolnshire #fens so I love this. Thanks. Greetings from Switzerland.
Show threadIrony ManDec 16, 2022
@acambridgediary my mum lives in the Cambridgeshire fens & sent me video.
Show threadThe SecretbatcaveDec 16, 2022
@acambridgediary oi hent seen that en years boh
Show thread(((JaneinNJ)))Dec 16, 2022
@acambridgediary Great pic. Thanks for sharing.
Show threadPaul CowdellDec 16, 2022
@acambridgediary I always loved that comment about needing to let the ice stand for a few days, otherwise it was 'just hard water'.
Show threadDavid John CrookDec 16, 2022
@acambridgediary Thank you for this excellent photo. My Dad told me that his relatives from the Fens used to skate on the flooded fields. I believe they used to have some form of speed skating races.
Show thread🐌’s PaceDec 17, 2022
@acambridgediary
How I love that picture! Thank you.