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 The Broads Reed & Sedge Cutters Association (BRASCA) was formed in March 2003. Reed and sedge cutters in the Broads are self-employed individuals. These individuals had historically worked independently and rarely communicated with other cutters. This situation was magnified by an industry contraction influenced by many external factors. The reed and sedge industries had been in steady decline for over 20 years, which culminated in 2002 to a position where the long-term low incomes of cutters had meant the industry faced extinction.
In September 2003 the Broads Authority commissioned report, “An Investigation into the Decline of the Broads Reed and Sedge Cutting Industry” (John Ash-2002), was published. This report highlighted the primary causes of decline and made a series of recommendations on how the industry could be turned around. One idea was to form a collective group. This provided the initial spark that saw the formation of BRASCA.
BRASCA sought financial help to address the critical threats to the industry. This approach took the form of a project application. The Broads and Rivers Leader + Programme and The Broads Authority Sustainable Development Fund approved funding for the project that saw a total spend of £73,317. This project concluded in August 2004 and has been hailed as very successful, especially in its primary objective of halting industry decline. In December 2004 the same funders approved a second application for a project designed to take the industry along the first steps of growth and recovery. BRASCA has made sure that long-term industry sustainability is always at the forefront of decision making. |
BRASCA has enabled its members to have a collective voice for the first time. This has meant that communication with conservation groups and landowners has been made clear and efficient. This has led to constructive relations with almost all of the groups who affect cutting in the Broads . Members have received access to new equipment, ancillary training, opportunities for extra work and through BRASCA's management committee, a professional representation. The key objective in terms of impact on members is to raise the critically low levels of income. BRASCA has identified this as a “foundation objective” because many aspects of industry recovery are consequentially linked to this area.
The initial impact of BRASCA and the funding it has received has been encouraging but there is considerable work to be done. Long-term decline cannot be reversed overnight, but by working with a sustainable agenda BRASCA, aided by the Broads Authority and other supporting groups has set down a solid base from which industry recovery is possible. |
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