Kenzie " The Wild Goose Man "

[JB9302]

Just wondering if anyone recollects/met Mackenzie Thorpe a well know Wildfowler/guide and later wildfowl artist from the Wash area , he was brought up around the Sutton Bridge area in the early part of the century ?

[epops]

interesting bit about him here The Wild-Goose Man - TIME

[JB9302]

Yes that was an interesting article to read thanks , there is a book " Kenzie The Wild Goose Man " by Colin Willock which is a biograpghy of his life in the fens , think it was 1st published in the 60"s and has had several issues.
I lent the book to someone at work 20 yrs ago and never got it back , its a record of what life was life in the fens and an excellent read .
I remember he was at one of the CLA Games fairs I went to many years ago , I guess he be in his 70"s then .
Was looking as some photos the other day and came across one I took of his old houseboat that was moored off the sea wall at Gedney Drove End Marshes ( if I remember correctly ) , anyone know the area ?

[epops]

MY ex missus's grandmother lived at gedney years ago before she moved to wimblingdon/wimblington? she was bought up on a farm there called leams or leans farm i think not much help i know but she must of known kenzie i rekon,funny till you mentioned him i had'nt thought about it but her father owned a fair bit of land and was into wildfowling

[JB9302]

Just done a bit of research on the net and discovered his boat I mentioned above was burned by his relatives after his death ( Romany Tradition ) , it was moored at Shep Whites .
I found some reference to his death in 76 but cant find confirmation of that , I thought I saw him later than that at a Game fare but I prob got that wrong .
Incidentialy I found that one of his wildfowl oil paintings is currently up for sale at a London auction and may make a telephone bid on it .

[epops]

hi again just found this dont know if you've seen it SUTTON BRIDGE

[Garden Carpet]

Hi, I know the area but have never heard of this chap. In fact I live in GDE which is about 6 miles from sutton bridge.

jaki

[JB9302]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

Hi, I know the area but have never heard of this chap. In fact I live in GDE which is about 6 miles from sutton bridge.

jaki

Hi jaki ,
He was prob only well know to people in the wildfowling community although he did have Prince Charles visit him once at his house in Sutton Bridge apparently .
I used to stop at the Bull Hotel in Long Sutton when Mrs Glendenning -Mitchell ran it ( bit of a local character ) , it was quite a well known stopping place for fowlers/walkers .

Julian

[Lance Morgan]

there is a book about him written by Colin Willock called 'The Wild goose man'
I had read it years ago. Don't know where it is now

[spw]

Hi JB9302....I have some strong memories of Kenzie Thorpe as I used to deliver his Sunday newspaper. He was also drinking partner of my grandfather (for medicinal purposes of course!). If you'd like to chat, please feel free to contact me.