BAHS Newsletter Number 38 www.history-blakeney-area.org.uk January 2015 Your Society is in Crisis

Dear Members, has run into problems: the immi- but there could be fewer meetings nent retirement of one to live per- or they could all be cancelled and We have just completed another manently in Cley has been delayed the Society dissolved – that is the good year with the three corner- and the other has resigned for stark reality we are facing. stones of the Society, the lectures, personal reasons. This leaves the So please get in touch with me publications and the History Society with a major problem – too immediately, either by email or Centre, each maintaining the high few volunteers to continue func- phone (see below), and volunteer standards that we have all come tioning successfully. to help. Note, for example, not all to expect. All the individuals Your Society needs help now volunteers need be members of involved are to be congratulated. . with many simple jobs that are the main Management Committee. Unfortunately the people who con- crucial for its survival. Of immedi- Let us talk. We are flexible and tribute to our success are not get- ate concern is ensuring that the can discuss what task(s) you ting any younger and replace- equipment needed for each lecture could undertake. Otherwise the ments are urgently needed. is in place and ready for the future for the BAHS is bleak. As promised at the AGM in speaker. The heavy and awkward I am sure we all hope the news September we are undertaking a item, the screen, is now stored in for the BAHS improves in 2015. major review of our activities – the Harbour Room, so the task is Thank you. this has led to many difficult much easier; the rest is stored in questions being explored and a lot the History Centre. If we don't get Peter Wordingham of heart searching. assistance from one or two volun- A major issue is that we need teers then the lecture series that new blood. The recruitment last provides so much pleasure is in September of two new people to jeopardy. We are examining differ- 01263 768546 join the Management Committee ent options, some are temporary, [email protected] Blakeney Merchants' Houses

Elegant living at the end of the 19th century; the front elevation of the Merchant's House.

The History Centre was very grate- that records show as two separate A Mardle Night ful to Mr and Mrs D Marris for properties in 1769. There were allowing us to visit their property more questions than answers in Exhibit and quietly contemplate its meta- the patchwork of brick and flint morphosis from cottages to a fash- and the complex history of acqui- Throughout 2014 the History ionable Regency house. sition, consolidation, demolition Centre has had several small dis- and rebuilding that resulted in the plays in Blakeney on the Great September 6th 2014 property we see today. War. This theme was continued at The Merchant House and the In 1884 Martin Fountain Page Mardle Night when all the current heart of Blakeney High Street purchased the Merchant House. research on the six Glaven He and his business partner Parishes was made available, it Our afternoon ‘walk and talk’ led Edward Clifford Turner were the extended to thirteen folders. This by Pam Peake with support from last of the Blakeney shipping mag- was supplemented with boards John Peake, gave us a privileged nates, following in the footsteps of highlighting the contribution to opportunity to puzzle over the evo- the Temples, Breretons, Robert the war effort made by the lution of the Merchant House and Wells and Augustus Hill. Page was Pinchen family of Cley and George consider the role in the develop- responsible for the imposing Long of Blakeney. ment of the High Street by the “Tudor” gate and the high walls Bob Pinchen, First Watcher of Brereton, Page and Turner fami- around the property. Blakeney Point, was a Special lies in the 19th and 20th centu- We continued up the High Constable on the Point, being too ries. Street, to explore properties such old at 49 to enlist for the Front The walk began in the gardens as Ponds Court, the Methodist while his son Valentine and his of the Merchant House with its Chapel and some of the Blakeney cousin Kate Pinchen's husband, fine yellow brick garden frontage, Neighbourhood cottages åbefore Frank Loades were not. Gunner described as newly erected by ending the afternoon with tea at Valentine Pinchen, 46579, 110th Randle Brereton in 1824, one of the last merchant house, the Siege Battery of the Royal the extended Brereton clan of Turner’s red brick late Victorian Garrison Artillery, died of wounds Blakeney merchants. We then home, Sunnyside (now Blakeney received whilst taking part in the puzzled over the linking sections House guest house.) 'Allied Advance to Victory'– the joining it to the house – or rather, 100 Days Offensive; whilst Private houses – fronting the High Street Melanie Hilton Frank Loades 24129, 8th Battalion Regiment was killed in action on the 'Fields of France and Flanders'; he had been married to Kate for just 4 months. Both these men are remembered on the Memorial in Cley church. A chronicle of George Long, eld- est son of George Long coxswain of the Blakeney Lifeboat Caroline, was presented by John Wright. George served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force as Private Long 6/286, 12th (Nelson) Regiment of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He was ashore at Anzac Cove on the very first day of the Gallipoli Campaign, 25th April 1915. Although subsequent- ly wounded in action, George sur- vived the Great War and returned to Blakeney where he spent the rest of his life. Also on display was a small selection of pages from the Headmaster's Log Book, Cley Board School. These pages cov- ered the opening years of the twentieth century up to and including the period of the Great War. It contains a rich vein of local history from Cley at the very beginning of the last century. To read it casually or simply flick through the pages is to miss all the wonderful colour of Cley in • building upkeep, repairs, reno • recipients of County prizes and action. vations and extensions as scholarships Much of the information relates well as storm damage and • and the names of young school to the day to day running of the regular shortages of coal boys who were all too soon school such as; • holidays, especially those for to lose their lives in the • staff comings and goings harvest Great War • daily record of staff absences • attendance totals and averages • probation pupil teachers, their for pupils Cecil Bolton progress and or shortfalls Cecil Gathercole • curriculum decisions Pupils mentioned by name feature Albert Jeary • daily start times, before and to a lesser extent, nonetheless the Valentine Pinchen after lunch as well as time entries paint a clear picture of the; Herbert Williamson tables • prevalence of childhood illnesses • visits by Education and • misdemeanours and the rele Pam Peake Medical Inspectors and the vant punishment fines for school governors non attendance

History Centre Diary January, February: closed March, May to July: open first and last Tuesdays only,10.30am till 1.00pm April: open every Tuesday morning, times as above

Researchers and visitors wishing to use maps, film or fiche readers are strongly advised to book in advance and reserve space as both equipment and table space are limited. Special openings at other times are strictly by prior arrangement. Arrangements can be made by phone 01263 740388 or by writing to the History Centre, Blakeney Village Hall, Langham Road, Blakeney, Norfolk NR25 7PG (Remember to include a SAE for confirmation). Blakeney and the Great War CASUALTIES Edward Abel ADCOCK Percy Henry ALLEN In January 1915, the newspapers sacrifice. Only two pose a prob- Basil Claudius ASH were reporting that 148 men from lem; W. Bond where we have his Robert BALDING Blakeney had already joined the rank, number and regiment and William Charles BILHAM * war effort, a figure that included are just waiting for confirmation of W BOND * reservists returning to duty as his christian name and then H. Vincent Keeble BULLEN well as new recruits. Without Wright. Without any further infor- Charles CLAXTON knowing the exact criteria used to mation other than a single initial, Christopher A G COOKE compile such a list, this figure H. Wright may prove impossible to Reginald C COOPER must be regarded with a certain identify. Reginald M DANIEL amount of caution. Indeed with There are five casualties not Clarence E HAINES just over four more years of war commemorated on either the War George Henry HAINES * ahead and conscription yet to take Memorial on New Road or in the George Peter HUDSON place, the number would rise and Church and they are highlighted George Alfred KING that is without even taking the in the list with an asterisk. Job William Edward KING role of women into account. By Simpson and George Haines, both Thomas R D LANE this reckoning alone, with a popu- born in Blakeney, are remembered lation of approximately 800, the in and Haddiscoe chances are that virtually every respectively and William Bilham in family and every home in the vil- where he was born. lage had a direct connection to the There are no traces of local com- war. memoration for either Joe Stevens In just over six months the or Blakeney born W. Bond. History Centre has already com- Research on the Great War piled a sizeable list of all known continues with completion of pro- servicemen and women with files being top priority at the Blakeney connections either by moment. Soon we will turn to life birth, schooling, work or through in the village, looking at those who family connection, marriage and kept day to day life running; the even holiday homes. It contains Rector, doctor, schoolmaster, both the names of 36 casualties, policemen, shopkeepers, farmers, as well as those known to have postmen, Inn keepers, harbour served and returned home. The master, the Lifeboat and so on. It survivors are elusive and harder is an ambitious task but the end James Herbert LONG to trace. Names have been provid- result will provide a wonderful Herbert James LONG ed by descendants and newspa- snapshot of Blakeney 100 years pers are being searched together ago. If you have a passion or curi- with various online sites. The list osity about the village where you is constantly being added to and live then please join in, any help adjusted as records are checked would be invaluable. There is and new information incorporated. plenty to do and the History A brief profile is being prepared Centre will be open again in for everyone who served in the March or you can phone me on Great War in whatever capacity; 01263 740388 this includes information on their family together with a selection of Pam Peake service records where they survive and are applicable. The collection of available photographs is limit- ed, those used here represent the sum total, except for five, of our entire collection. Some are in uni- form, some are not. Can you help? John "Jack" LONG MM Do you recognise a name on the Clement Barber MITCHELL list and have a photograph of James Lewis MOORE them or can alert us to where John "Jack" E MOORE there might be one that we could John NEWLAND copy? Charles NICHOLLS This seemingly impossible task Thomas Herbert PALMER has virtually been completed for Frederick Walter PYKE all those that made the ultimate William Samuel PYKE John Warnes HUDSON Cyril Charles G ROE Stephen HUDSON William Edward SEALES Bertie JACKSON Job SIMPSON * E JARVIS William Henry JARVIS John Robert JOHNSON George KEEP Herbert Victor KING Frank Arthur KING Cyril Hawkins L LANE Groom Sendall LANE Reuben LANE Thomas William COBON Herbert LEE T William COOK(E) Ernest Albert LONG C DAINES John Robert DALE John DAWSON

James William SMITH Ernest Herbert STARLING Joe STEVENS * Alfred Edward TURNER H WRIGHT

Frederick LONG

SURVIVORS

A George DICKINSON A Richard ADCOCK MM Albert Edward ADCOCK Edward DIGBY Arthur Ernest ADCOCK John Reginald FORSDICK Richard Donald ADCOCK Christopher J GRIMES G E ANSTEE Robert George HAYWARD Gerald B ASH Thomas HOLLIDAY Edward BAINES Eric HORNE Charles Edward BALDING Edward John BAMBRIDGE George William BAMBRIDGE Thomas Joseph BAMBRIDGE A Harry BECK Benjamin James BECK J E BECK John William BECK William Henry BECK Archie BEDWELL Charles Albert BISHOP Frederick LONG John BISHOP George LONG John Henry T BROOKER A BROWN Henry Charles BULLEN Frederick C COBON Henry C COBON Herbert Robert COBON Joseph Spooner COBON Hampton HUDSON Stephen Dowell TILLARD William Buck TURNER Alfred Ives TWIDDY Edward/Edmund WARMAN Arthur Richard WITHERS Isaac Valentine WITHERS Jabez Cranfield WITHERS Edward J WORDINGHAM

Jodrell vs Hardy The Bayfield Lake

The Autumn Newsletter of the RGCG (River Glaven Conservation H Matthew LONG Harry POND Group: an organization well wor- John William LONG Herbert Ernest POND thy of support) included a mildly Charles Anthony PALMER amusing story of antagonism Douglas John P ROE between two local landowners in Robert Gordon ROE the late nineteenth century. This Charles R RUSSELL piece is based, with permission, W Edward RUTLAND on two articles by Dr Ian John SEXTON Shepherd who is happily also a George SHORTEN member of BAHS. Sir Alfred Jodrell who had suc- ceeded to the Bayfield Hall estate in 1882 was apparently at logger- heads with Mr Cozens-Hardy of Letheringsett. The problem was that Sir Alfred was trying to main- tain the Bayfield Lake for fishing trout and other fish species and objected to the quantities of silt and mud which were periodically discharged from upstream. Sir Alfred lists other grievances and even notes that It behoves any owner of the Bayfield Property to Samuel D LONG be on guard against the Hardy William Henry LONG family. William Henry LONG He wanted to take proceedings Henry MANN against his neighbour but was Joseph MITCHELL persuaded to a friendly arbitration Josiah Blyth MITCHELL Herbert Ernest SMITH which produced just £18 compen- James NEWLAND Isaac STANFORD sation for Sir Alfred though he George Twiddy NICHOLLS Francis "Frank" STARLING maintained that while their repre- William NICHOLLS Herbert Samuel STARLING sentatives were viewing the dam- Robert OVERMAN Leonard William STARLING age Mr Hardy flushed large vol- Samuel PARSONS Thomas Rowe STARLING umes of water through to conceal William STARLING the evidence. Edward Albert STEARMAN In order to keep the mud out Herbert Stephen STEARMAN Sir Alfred, between 1890 and George STRATTON 1894, had a 1km long tunnel built Frederick W THOMPSON by-passing the lake and this has Arthur Kenneth D TILLARD itself been by-passed this year Elliot Dowell TILLARD with a new sinuous river channel. Sir Philip Francis TILLARD That work too is described in the RGCG Newsletter.

Frank Hawes Industrial landmark during the last war but 1881 was extended to Melton surprisingly does not get a men- Constable and beyond. The rail- tion in Harry Apling's book on ways disappeared in 1959 and 64. by Dr E M Bridges Norfolk Mills. The Fakenham mill The coming of the railways trig- 25 November 2014 was a smock mill later converted gered the arrival of not only The November meeting was into a tower mill and then into a Dewing's Maltings but of a addressed by Mike Bridges on the private residence. The town had number of printing businesses as subject of Industry in the market several bakeries but the last well. Stewardson's had been in town of Fakenham. While much closed two years ago and it had a the town since 1803 but Miller's, of the talk must have been of spe- corn exchange from 1855 to 1932 Pratt's and the Norfolk Chronical cial interest to those who know when it became a cinema which it all arrived about this time. Fakenham well there was plenty is again now after a period as a Miller's were booksellers and pub- to hold the attention of the rest of bingo hall. lished the Fakenham Advertiser. us. Born and educated in Charlton's maltings and brew- They also printed Richmal Fakenham, Dr Bridges, after a ery in Staithe Street was the larg- Cromton's Just William books and career in various parts of the est of several maltings and many many by Enid Blyton until they world returned to his home town brewing houses in the town until were taken over in the 1960's. and has had twelve years as Dewing's maltings arrived with the Sansom Pratt was a seedsman Chairman of the Museum of Gas railway. We were shown a photo who set up a press and in 1905 and Local History. of the Dewing's staff with long launched a newspaper which ran He started his talk with a few aprons, shovels and rakes. Most for only twenty issues. words about the origins of the of the brewing was probably done After a brief mention of the town which is not as ancient as at public houses and inns but Peckover family, Quaker bankers some in Norfolk. There is no evi- only three of the 14 old public since 1657 there were illustrations dence of Roman or pre-Roman houses remain. of garages and motor agents and occupation and it seems likely to Until recently the town had two the racecourse and mention of have come into existence around slaughter houses serving several enough shops and businesses 600AD growing up around a con- butchers together with a tannery, which have come and gone to venient crossing place on the leather workers, saddlers and fell- bewilder this reporter. . Fakenham devel- mongers; a word new to me and More recent diversification of oped on one side of the river and apparently to several others in the Fakenham industry has included Hempton on the other. Both audience which describes the Kinnerton's chocolate and names, he said, were based on the trade of preparing skins before McCartney's Food processing. Dr names of individuals or families tanning. Dr Bridge's photo of a Bridges said that he had not men- one being the lands of Facca and local saddler's shop showed many tioned the gas works because he the other Hemma's farm or settle- more horse collars than saddles had talked to us about that a few ment. illustrating the fact that there years ago. If any of the audience The talk was organised around would have been many more hors- had come specially to hear about the basic needs of a medieval es pulling carts, carriages and Fakenham's historically important community: food, housing and ploughs than were being ridden. gas works I am sure that they marketing. Under food he Moving on to construction would have been more than satis- touched on cereals and livestock, materials we were told that there fied with the wide ranging talk under housing there were men- were three blacksmiths in that we did have. tions of the early tofts and a little Fakenham and one in Hempton about nineteenth century growth but also Bowles's Iron Foundry Frank Hawes and finally under marketing the some of whose products such as way in which the town was origi- fence posts and gully gratings can nally based around the market still be found around the town. place and how retailing had There were gravel, sand and clay Spring Outing changed in his lifetime. pits in the vicinity and a local There was a water mill in stonemason whose work however For those who haven't yet been, Fakenham ever since the compila- seemed to be mostly funerary this year's Spring Outing is poten- tion of the Domesday Book and monuments. The town had two tially going to be a visit to Fak- later Hempton had a mill up sawmills, Smith's and Clarke's, enham Gas Museum and Town stream and there was a third one the latter being also wheel- Centre, or , both with down stream probably near where wrights. a guide. More details will be avail- the later railway crossed the river. Dr Bridges went on to talk able at the BAHS lecture on 27th The Fakenham Mill buildings are about the coming of the railways; January 2015. now apartments and a hotel but first in 1847 a line up from Meanwhile, if you have any no traces of the others remain. Wymondham and East Dereham other suggestions of places to Both places also had a windmill. to Fakenham East station, extend- visit please contact Diana Cooke He showed a fine photo of the ed in 1857 up to Wells and then in on 01263 740320 or secretary@ Hempton tower mill which was 1879 a line from South Lynn to blakeney-history-area.org.uk demolished as a too prominent Fakenham West station which in Spring Programme 2015

Lectures All the following meetings are on Tuesdays in the Harbour Room at the British Legion Hall in the High Street, Blakeney starting at 7.30 pm. Entrance fees are £3.00 for members and £5.00 for visitors. Please note there will be no meeting in September.

27 January Four Short Talks – Member's Night Richard Jefferson: Stanley Webster's War Will Savage: Shipwrecks and plunder John Peake: Serendipity – a Nelson Connection Pam Peake: 18th Century Cley

24 February Revisiting the Asylum Stephen Cherry (UEA) The Norfolk Lunatic Asylum: St Andrews Hospital (1814-1998) uniquely used the same site and some buildings in providing custody, control, care, comforts and cures, but 'the asylum’ was also about relationships between patients, their families, medical and nursing staff; daily routines and treatments; and local and external forms of authority: all involving narratives which are difficult to establish. It was also used as a 'War Hospital' during WW1 and as an emergency civilian hospital in WW2. As an N.H.S. hospital it was soon faced with closure but mental health care in the community proved easier to prescribe than to deliver, and arguably neither blueprints nor sufficient resources have been provided.

31 March Roman Treasure Finds Roger Bland An extraordinarily rich group of hoards of precious metal coins, jewellery and plate have been discovered in Britain and especially East Anglia dating from the last 50 years of the Roman rule in Britain: examples are the Hoxne, Mildenhall, Thetford and Water Newton treasures. These very rich finds have forced us to rethink the traditional view that Britain and East Anglia was something of a backwater in this period. This talk will draw on a project to study why so many hoards are known from Roman Britain to give new insights into why they were buried.

28 April Dr John Hales Mike Muncaster Our insight into the life of a country doctor John Hales, a prominent 19th century doctor in Holt, is through the diary kept by his wife and the books of his daughter Jane Hales.

September No meeting

27 October Lecture to be announced Short AGM before meeting

History Centre Diary – see page 3

Officer and Committee Members’ Contact Details (Officers *) Peter Wordingham, Chairman* E: [email protected] T: 01263 570183 Diana Cooke, Secretary* E: [email protected] T: 01263 740320 Richard Daley, Treasurer* E: [email protected] T: 01263 740180 Jenn Savage, Membership Secretary E: [email protected] T: 01263 710288 Pamela Peake, History Centre Manager* E: [email protected] T: 01263 740388 John Peake, temp. Lecture Prog. Organiser* E: [email protected] T: 740388 Richard Kelham, Publications* E: [email protected] Tel: 01263 740186 Jan Semple, E: [email protected] T: 01263 860741 Roger Bland, E: [email protected]

History Centre Sub-Committee co-optees: Tim Fawcett Lecture Programme Sub-Committee co-optees: David Perryman, Guy Warren