Who’s Who in Grunty Fen by Christopher South
I had enjoyed the Guide to Grunty Fen also by Christopher South and thought more of the same would make a useful tonic for me. I was delighted to find a copy in Huntingdon’s wonderful Niche Comics and Books.
This who’s who is a definitive guide to the notable people that have made this overlooked but remarkable area of the Cambridgeshire fens what it is today. The biographies of these inhabitants and former inhabitants are informative, making for fascinating reading. It describes the sheer diversity of talent that has and still continues to occupy this close knit community.
Amongst others we learn of Ron Flash Gordon postman and Pyloneer, Daisy Dockeridge a notable Pharmacist, any number of remarkable clergymen, among them Emmanuel Partington Vosper-Jones. Vosper-Jones, installed a gingerbread house (originally a pantomime stage prop) as a confessional later following a nervous breakdown he left the clergy to become a tobacconist.
Other notables include, inventors, philosophers, parachute knitters, educationalists and an early equal rights activist Queenie Marsden
Every page is full of interesting facts that shed a light on the lives of those residing in this under discovered corner of Cambridgeshire. I am sure it won’t be long before the casual weekend tourist, anxious to see where Dennis lived and to learn more of this remarkable community,becomes inspired to buy the corrugated iron and reclaimed building materials needed to build their very own shed. Many of them will consider employing the famous Grunty Fen Architect Niven Parr to help with the design and construction.
For those seeking a simpler more sustainable but in many ways an unusual form of life Grunty Fen seems to have a lot to offer.
With an easy bicycle commute to Ely and access to the rail network those tired of city life could do worse than move to Grunty Fen
Fenlandphil's Blog 
Posted by Gibson Square on December 1, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Clergyman Emmanuel Partington Vosper-Jones tending his flock in Grunty Fen, you couldn’t make it up. What great names.
Posted by fenlandphil on December 1, 2022 at 7:05 pm
It is a remarkable book, one I really enjoyed.
Posted by Jane on December 1, 2022 at 10:05 pm
Lovely review Phil, I must get this book. Grunty Fen is definitely the place to be.
Posted by Catwoman=^••^= on December 2, 2022 at 8:50 am
Great review, Fen. I haven’t had the opportunity to read this book. It definitely looks like something I would love to delve into.