The lost world of the FISHERMAN'S WIFE

One woman shares her memories and tales of working in a centuries-old industry at risk of dying out

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Growing up close to the bustling Norfolk seaside town of Cromer, Julie Davies was familiar with how important the crab and lobster fishing industry was to the community.

When she fell in love and married Richard William in 1964, she entered a world that had barely changed for centuries, and embraced the hard work, occasional struggles and, most importantly, camaraderie of her role as a fisherman's wife.

'I'd say you certainly had to have a sense of humour!' laughs Julie, now 82. 'When I met Richard William at a local : skating rink, I was a quiet and shy audio typist. The next thing .I knew, I was sharing a cottage with his Aunty Edie. But I was fully aware of what I was getting into! Richard was working with his father, "Young Jack" Davies, carrying out the traditional "potting", or laying handmade pots off the beach where the crustaceans breed. Maybe my role was somewhat one of a dogsbody, but at the same time, I knew how the men relied on the support of their wives.' In those days, after leaving very early to catch the tide, the men would come ashore for their breakfast after hours of heavy often write I was aware orders from of what I was fishmongers on the back work hand-hauling pots, then return to pack the crabs into wicker 'peds', or boxes with lids on. Their catch was often boiled at home and it was common for fisher families to sell crabs from the front window of their cottages.

Julie's mother-in-law Rose, who helped sell the live crabs, would often write orders from fishmongers on the back of a cigarette packet!