Harvesting for Thatching material

This is a historical record of harvesting Devon Wheat Reed for thatching in the 1990s prior to more recent mechanisation. It is provided by Peter Falkner (Farmer) who harvested Devon wheat reed for several decades before retiring in 2008.
The cutting (bindering), stooking and combing processes have been preserved over time but the carrying now involves bundling into large round bales. The final product is also currently bundled, whereas in those days it was laboriously packed onto the lorry for delivery to the thatcher in single sheaves.