Bog Oak Country: Fenland Oral Histories from Villages Around Ely

A collection of oral history recordings from villages around Ely, capturing everyday life in the Cambridgeshire Fens during the late 19th and 20th centuries. These accounts describe farming, wartime e

Bog Oak Country

Oral histories from the Fenland villages around Ely
Compiled by Lorna & Kevin Delanoy

Introduction

Bog Oak Country is a collection of transcribed oral history recordings from villages in the Fenland landscape around Ely. Recorded in the 1970s and 1980s, these accounts preserve the voices of people who experienced a rapidly changing rural world.

They describe:

• Farming before mechanisation
• Life in Fenland villages
• Memories of the First and Second World Wars
• Local customs, humour and folklore
• The discovery of ancient “bog oak”

These stories form an important part of the wider Fenland oral history tradition.

What is Bog Oak?

Bog oak refers to ancient oak trees preserved in peat for thousands of years. As the Fens were drained and cultivated, these blackened trunks were uncovered.

They are typically:

• Around 4,000 years old
• Preserved in waterlogged peat
• Darkened by natural processes over time
• Their discovery links modern farming landscapes with a much older, prehistoric environment.

About the Source

These stories were recorded by Kevin Delanoy and transcribed as part of a project linked to the Farmland Museum. Profits from the original booklet supported local charities.

The recordings capture everyday experiences from villages including:

• Haddenham
• Sutton
• Witchford
• Ely and surrounding areas

Village Life and Work

Many accounts describe everyday living conditions in the early twentieth century:

• Small cottages, often without electricity
• Oil lamps used for lighting
• Close-knit families and shared labour

Agricultural work was central to life, and often physically demanding.

Horses and Farming

Before mechanisation, farming depended heavily on horses.

Len Burton describes the daily routine of a horse keeper:

• Feeding and grooming before dawn
• Preparing teams for field work
• Using voice commands and reins to control multiple horses

This work required skill, patience, and deep knowledge of animals.

Topsy the Horse

One memorable story centres on a horse named “Topsy”, illustrating the humour and storytelling traditions of the Fens.

Such accounts show how animals were not only essential for work, but also part of village identity and conversation.

Folklore: Grim Woman Lane

A traditional ghost story tells of a mysterious woman appearing on a country lane at night. Travellers spoke of strange encounters and an uneasy presence.

Stories like this are closely tied to specific places and reflect long-standing oral traditions.

Women and War

Accounts from the Second World War describe:

• Women taking on new roles
• The work of the Home Guard
• The arrival of evacuees from London

Villages had to adapt quickly, absorbing newcomers and supporting the war effort.

Food and Community

Food shortages led to collective action:

• Shared baking schemes
• Volunteer distribution of food
• Fundraising through Red Cross events

These efforts highlight the strength of community networks in difficult times.

The “Grunty Fen Express”

Local people gave this nickname to the train running between Ely and St Ives.

The railway connected villages, carried goods, and played an important role in everyday life.

Bog Oak and the Landscape

Descriptions of bog oak discoveries show how the Fenland landscape holds traces of deep history.

Ancient tree trunks, preserved beneath the peat, were uncovered during farming and drainage. These finds provided a tangible link to the distant past.

Doctor and Dispensary

One account describes the local doctor and his dispensary:

• Glass bottles and handwritten labels
• Carefully prepared medicines
• The doctor as a central figure in village life

Why These Stories Matter

These oral histories capture a world that has largely disappeared:

• Farming before machinery
• Close-knit rural communities
• Everyday responses to global events

They preserve not just facts, but voices, humour, and lived experience.