The East Anglian Film Archive, the UK's first regional film archive, offers a unique record of the East of England's social and cultural history. As part of the University of East Anglia, we continue to lead moving image heritage research and inspire audience participation through community projects and events. Our collections represent a broad range of amateur and professional creativity, from 1896 to the present day.
Organic Farming At Mangreen Farm
(About Anglia)
Norfolk armers explain how growing organic produce differs from conventional farming methods.
Organic farming has finally earned its place alongside more conventional farming methods at the 1987 Royal Norfolk Show. Although organic produce is 10-30% more expensive than non-organic greens, supermarkets are making space to include organic alternatives.
The Howard family of Mangreen Farm in Swardeston, Norfolk have been farmers for the last 40 years. Two years ago, after the introduction of milk quotas, Edward Howard decided to drop out of dairy farming and try his hand at organic growing. Speaking from experience, Howard confirms that organic farming is not an easy option. The work is labour intensive. As farm manager Graham Hughes explains, all weed control must be done with tractors and hand hoeing, as no chemical herbicides can be used. In the greenhouses, pests are kept at bay with the introduction of predators for problems such as red spider mites. Planting is carefully planned to miss the peak period of insect activity. The careful growing methods have paid off. Over the last year the farm's output has grown from eight to 20 tonnes of vegetables per week.
The reporter was Lindsay Brooke for this video, made to be shown in a news story on Anglia Television's early evening news / magazine programme About Anglia.
If 'we are what we eat', then we're definitely not who we used to be...
The British diet has come a long way since the days when lard, suet and condensed milk were the staple of every kitchen, and when 'takeaway' invariably meant a fish supper. We still love our fish & chips - and our Sunday roasts, full English breakfasts, sausage & mash and neeps and tatties. But today our supermarkets stock food and ingredients from six continents, and our comfort food may just as likely be curry, sushi, risotto, chilli con carne or peri peri chicken.
This selection of cookery shows, news reports, adverts and debates gives a taste of how our appetites and our palates were transformed, as well as highlighting some of the food fads and fears that simmered up along the way. So take a seat, browse the menu, and remember: watch what you eat!
