Fenman?

[Chris Perkins 223]

Is a Fenman someone responsible for draining marsh land to build houses and shops on? I used to live in a small town (that started as a village) called Blackfen, on the London/Kent border.

Old folk said it was all marshland before about 1920 and my nan remembered the 'Fenmen' (if it's right) giving her apples as a child, from the fallen apple trees while they were draining, and creating Blackfen.

Jumpers for goalposts.

[Fenman 0]

Chris, I was led to believe it was any man from or near the Fenlands who cut peat. I should really look into the true meaning seeing as it's my screename lol.

I shoot rifles and actually took the name from my favourite piece of kit, the Theoben Fenman rifle.

I too have heard of Fenland drains, which are an artificial waterway popular with anglers.

Afraid I only know this 'cos I'm a keen fisherman too.