Chasing Ice: The Story of Fen Skating

“Chasing Ice” tells the story of fen skating and the wonderful history and folklore that surrounds this exciting sport.
It was made as part of the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership in collaboration with the Fen Skating Association and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. More information on the Skating around the Fens project can be seen here: ousewashes.org....
The film was made by fen skater, Adam Giles, and his team at Cambridge Film Works.

[@nicholaswarrington9090]

I am a teenager and would love to try skating when the Fen next freezes! It is nice to see that my great uncle Gary Warrington was thanked at the end.

[@stephbloomspecialistsaddle3061]

I'm from a family of Fen skaters (a champion or two apparently) and am so pleased that we still had decent winters when I was a kid. I remember 1985-1987 vividly, I'd finally got my own pair after hand me downs, and we skated till we dropped, though on a lake rather than the fens. Very happy memories, and a few pics of a 15 year old who thought she was very cool, with legwarmers and Walkman! Lovely video.

[@bigears4426]

My parents grew up in germany and mum loved it when the lakes froze, travelling from village to village was easy

[@RicTic66]

My Dads family were all from the Fens. Benwick and Ely. Dad would tell me how as a lad in the 1920/30s he and his brothers and mates would skate for miles across the frozen Fens jumping any barbwire fences that still stood up above the ice. He still had his old blades, Norwegians I think he called them and they were strapped onto the foot with leather straps.

[@davidbarron4694]

In the late Seventies and early Eighties my family would go to the field near The Dog and Doublet public house to skate. The 'rink' was enormous. There used to be holes smashed in the ice with safety cones around them to prevent people accidently falling in them.
I still drive past Whittlesey where the fiend still gets flooded every year, but I have never seen it frozen enough for people to skate on it safely.
Fond memories, great documentary.

[@suecondon1685]

This is amazing! Stumbled on this as my ancestors were involved in the 17th century drainage work, never expected to see this! Fascinating, thank you.

[@bearlincs]

Fascinating video. My maternal grandfather was a fen skater when young in Lincolnshire; sometime in the late 1890s and into the 1900s.

[@iansmart2098]

James Smart was also my great grandfather spent many great holidays at Norway House in the late 50 ,s

[@vikkiallenday1183]

My husband is Turkey Smarts great great great grandson

[@ashleylister4271]

James my Gt Grandfather too from his daughter Violet!

[@xenon__8555]

I’m grew up in welney,I’ve skated on the wash, to this day I still go back for the fishing and the memories. I know Norway house too, lovely place on the river in the middle of nowhere.

[@marcusbrown430]

Lived just up the road from Alan fisher

[@rikoburrowsmuso]

Brilliant vid. I done roller speed but would love to try ice!

[@ashleylister4271]

John Ballantine...are you related to the Smarts of Welney by any chance...James Smart World Champion 1891 was my Gt Grandfather.

[@luke1978]

Grew up opposite Bury fen but never skated on it.

[@SteveRaynerMakes]

Is it possible to find records of competitors or winners? I'm interested in finding any skaters from Ten Mile Bank.

[@carot2003]

Great video..