Eve Stebbing is the author of new book, Wild Swimming Walks – Norfolk and Suffolk. Here, Eve (who also happens to be the organiser of the World Dumpling Championships!) explains how the book was labour of love from start to finish
Tell us about Wild Swimming Walks – the new book you are involved with? Are you an avid wild swimmer yourself?
I got the job of writing this book over a year ago now. It’s been a labour of love from start to finish. I love swimming (the only sport I was ever any good at.) My first taste of wild swimming was when I met a group of keen swimmers in the early 2000s who introduced me to the rivers of Wales. We used to get up in the morning and go for an ice-cold dip in a stream not far from Portmeirion. We would then hike about twenty or thirty miles, come home and spread the maps out on the floor and start all over again the next day. Back then, I’m ashamed to say, I did not realise just how much swimming potential there was right on my own doorstep.
Are you Norfolk or Suffolk born and raised?
I’m an East Anglian girl who grew up sailing the Stour Estuary between Essex and Suffolk. My home as a child was in Bradfield near Manningtree but I moved to Norfolk to study 33 years ago. Norwich has been home since then.
What do you love about living and working in East Anglia?
So much! The history, the landscape, the people – and of course the Norfolk dialect. I come from a farming family, and I really enjoy being in a city like Norwich where I can get out quickly into the countryside and be back among the fields. Working in East Anglia where I grew up is a friendly experience. There are so many people I know here from different stages of my life.
I started a theatre company collecting, archiving and performing Norfolk’s special oral heritage in 1997. Although Wild Swimming Walks Norfolk & Suffolk is mainly a guidebook, I have managed to sneak in quite a few of the tales – tall and otherwise – that I have assembled over time. That has been a joy.
The other wonderful thing about writing the book has been working with my family and especially my children. They were out pounding the paths with me on so many occasions and their respect and love for our beautiful countryside has been an inspiration.
Where can people get hold of a copy?
There are books available at Bookbugs and Dragon Tales on Timber Hill and Waterstones have them on order. Order online from www.wildthingspublishing.com
Any other books/projects in the pipeline?
I feel like this book is still very ‘live’ – I am keen to find out what adventures people have on the paths and swims we have described. The blog – https://swimwalknorfolkandsuffolk.blogspot.com is a place where people can feed back.
My other big project is, of course, The World Dumpling Championship – a home cooking competition that’s also about the story of food here in Norfolk. This year’s finals in November take inspiration from the shifting landscape (and crops) that we saw on our walks for this book. See www.spinofftheatre.co.uk for more.
I am currently putting together a contemporary Norfolk dumpling recipe book, which includes many winning dishes from the competition. The book, when it’s out, will raise funds for the event.
Visit Wild Swimming Walks Norfolk & Suffolk – Wild Things Publishing.
Featured image of Eve Stebbing by Folk Features
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