Family and friends of Reepham WI, as well as members of the wider community, had a thoroughly enjoyable evening on Thursday 21 September, listening to Patrick Barkham talk about his recently published book The Swimmer, a biography of Roger Deakin.
Above: Patrick Barkham. Photo: Rosie Humphrey
Patrick is a local lad, who grew up in Booton. As well as being an author of several best-selling books he is also the natural history writer for The Guardian and president of Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
The story of Roger Deakin, an eccentric man of many talents, was eloquently brought to life by Patrick. The book is the result of extensive research of the archive of Roger Deakin’s notes, letters and journals held at the University of East Anglia as well as conversations with Roger’s friends, lovers and associates.
Roger was born in 1943 in suburban Watford, was privileged to be given a scholarship to Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ school, after which he went Cambridge University where his English tutor was Kingsley Amis.
During a full and colourful life, Roger had spells as an advertising executive and a stint as a highly imaginative and inspirational teacher at a school in Diss. He also briefly dabbled in documentary making for Anglia TV and broadcasts for BBC Radio 4.
But Roger’s lifelong passion was the environment and, in particular, Walnut Tree Farm in Mellis, Suffolk, which he restored, also cultivating the surrounding land.
Most importantly, the spring-fed moat surrounding the farmhouse encouraged his foray into “wild swimming” and his quest during the 1990s, when in his 50s, to wild swim around Britain.
This adventure became Roger’s book Waterlog, which developed a cult following and certainly impacted the movement for others to take to rivers, lakes, lochs and beaches throughout the land.
The above is a very simplistic synopsis of a man who enjoyed life to the max. Roger embraced and encouraged an unorthodox way of living during the heady days of the 1960s and beyond.
Sadly, Roger died too young at the age of 63 in 2006. I urge you to read the full, fascinating story for yourselves.
Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30 pm at St Michael’s, Reepham.
Dee Taylor