During my investigation into the growing of flax for this Sense of Place site I was given some precious flax seeds. These I gave to John Pattison's grandchildren who are featured in other pages of this story - See Timothy's report on his visit to the aircraft museum and Philip's report on his trip to the Linen Museum.

Flax flowers.

Flourished

The boys planted the seeds and eventually, with great excitement the plants grew and blossomed. Not exactly a field full of blue flowers often likened to a shimmering lake, but at least a handful of healthy blooms.

John Pattison helps Philip and Timothy pull their flax.

Pulling

Recently I was invited to witness their flax pulling ceremony, as was grandad, John Pattison. In fact he joined in the pulling - the last time he had pulled flax was about 1943. So it was an historic moment for him to be doing this once again but this time helping his grandchildren.

Retting

Then under grandad's guidance the stalks were put under water in an old bowl where they will remain for nine days. (To be continued.)

Return to Fermanagh...