From Horse Power

to Horse Welfare

Written by Helen Evans Early History

Variously known as Snetretuna, Snistertuna, Snisterton and Snetterton, there has been a settlement in the locality for many thousands of years. This is backed up by archaeological finds dating from the pre-historic, Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages through to Roman and Saxon times. Discoveries include Prehistoric flint implements, Iron Age and Saxon and Mediaeval pottery, Roman coins, jewellery from all eras. There is also evidence of the possible site of a Roman Road at Snetterton Heath (now the racetrack).

Snetterton Circuit (Motor Racing)

TCB

TCB Track

0 100 200m

Site of possible Roman Road at Snetterton Heath

3 Snetterton borders to the remains as a community, Ashby exists shared a patron, namely Edmund northwest, to the south now only on the deserted villages list. Buckenham, so this may have been a and east and to the financial decision? It is also possible In the 13th century Snetterton northeast. The name Snetterton may the ‘black-death had a part to play. boasted two churches, All Saints, derive from the amalgamation of the Arriving in in 1349, it is the current parish church and St Old English given name of Syntra estimated that between 30 – 40% of Andrew the Apostle. Archaeological and ton which is old English for the population and a significantly finds suggest that St Andrew’s was enclosure. Therefore the name could higher percentage of the clergy on the site of what was Hall Farm, have simply derived from ‘Syntra’s died due to the plague. It may have now the World Horse Welfare site, so farm’. At the time of Edward, been that the Snetterton population in very close proximity to All Saints. the Confessor (1042 – 1066) the simply could not sustain two parish Both churches appear to have been village, being two miles long and churches, especially as they were so dedicated in the same year, 1257. one mile wide, was effectively close together. Whatever the reason The first Rector of All Saints was a Mr at some point during the reign of two settlements; the south part, Thomas de Ingaldesthorp with, Sir Henry V111, St. Andrew’s was Snetterton, and the north part William Le Parker providing the same demolished. known as Ashby or Essebei. The role for St Andrew’s. Both churches Domesday Book of 1086 confirms were then under the patronage this, having entries for both of Lord of the Manor, Ralph de Snetterton and Ashby. The village at Bukenham (Bokenham). the time of that survey was owned by Roger Bigot, a Norman Knight In 1435 St Andrew’s was and Sherriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, consolidated with All Saints. One who had arrived in Britain with the can only speculate as to why this Conquest. Whilst Snetterton still happened. At the time both churches

4 Snetterton Church in 1820, before the restoration of 1854

5 Significant Figures in the Community

George Thomas Keppel, born 1799, March 1851. By this time George spent much of his early childhood Keppel was resident at Quidenham with his grandmother who was Hall being patron both of that parish governess to Princess Charlotte and the rectory of Snetterton; the of Wales, daughter of George 1V. parishes being consolidated at that Reportedly not an academic a time. George Keppel died aged 91 in commission was obtained for George 1891 and is buried at Quidenham. in the army in April 1815, just in George Keppel is the four times time for him to experience the Battle great-grandfather of Camilla, of Waterloo. George continued to Duchess of Cornwall, therefore serve in various roles and countries continuing his royal connections. throughout his army career.

The Keppels Later in 1832 Keppel was returned as the Whig Member of the first reformed parliament for East Norfolk, a post he held for the next three years. The Census of 1841 finds George living at Buckingham Palace as Groom in waiting, an officer in the Royal household. In 1846 he was one of Prime Minister Lord John Russell’s private secretaries. On the death of his brother Augustus, Keppel became the 6th Earl of Albermarle on 15th

6 The 1841 Census of and Wales, George Keppel appears on line 5 – not far below Queen Victoria and Prince Albert 7 Not just the Lord of the Manor lead could be replaced with slate, during the Victorian period, the 6th reconstructing the chancel and the Earl and his family were significant restoration of the rood screen. figures within the parish. Indeed, the Earl’s brother Edward Southwell Keppel, born 1800, not only lived in the parsonage at Quidenham but was also the rector for All Saints, Snetterton. Edward was married to Lady Maria Clements, daughter of Nathanial Clements, 2nd Earl of Leitrim. The fact that they had friends in high places had a Two new stained glass windows date significant benefit to the community. from this time, the west window donated by Mr James Reeve of Evidence of the Keppel family Snetterton Hall, the east window noble connections can be seen in donated by Lady Elizabeth Clements, the parish church of Snetterton. the rector’s mother-in-law. Further, In 1854, All Saints was extensively the Rector built a school in 1826 and restored at the cost of around paid for the education of the village £1,200 (almost £100,000 in today’s children. Edward Keppel was Rector money) at the bequest of Rev. of the parish from 1824 until his Keppel and his wife. This included death in 1883. He is commemorated rebuilding of both porches, the by a stained glass window on the changing of the roof pitches so that south side of Snetterton church.

8 Population

Farmers employing Labourers YEAR NO OF INHABITANTS YEAR NO OF INHABITANTS Farmers not employing Labourers 1801 218 1891 208 Agricultural Labourers 1811 196 1901 173 Manufacturing 1821 225 1911 176 Retail and Handicrafts 1831 247 1921 165 1841 261 1931 131 Other 1851 252 1951 126 1871 230 1961 144 1881 203 2011 201

The table above details Census that the population shrunk as information and shows how the farm workers sought employment population of Snetterton has changed elsewhere. The most recent census in over the years. The populace went 2011 indicates that the community is into steady decline in the first part increasing again, but not to the levels of the 20th Century. This could have seen throughout the 19th Century. been due to the government repealing 1 the Agriculture Act of 1921 which cancelled government farm subsidies. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth Named the ‘great betrayal’ by Norfolk MP George Edwards it resulted in a Table above showing the occupation severe depression in farming in the of men over 20 in 1831, confirming 1920s and 1930s. For an agricultural how dependent the village was on community it is perhaps no surprise agriculture in the 19th Century

9 Social History

White’s and Kelly’s Directories show how self-sufficient villages like Snetterton were, during the Victorian and early 20th Century. For example at the very end of the Victorian era, 1901, the key residents were:- By 1937, an important modern The Parsonage Rev Cole Curate development had reached Snetterton, North End Farm Miss Godfrey the telephone as indicated by the William Barker farmer entry for the Kelly’s Directory for that Charles Bugg farmer year, however only one phone was John Bullen bailiff to Miss Godfrey listed, so inhabitants of the village David Edward Carter grocer, draper, boot shoe and hardware would not be able to call each other! dealer and corn and flour merchant and post office Miss Annie Davey Grocer and Daniel Crook builder, contractor, and wheelwright post office Miss Ellen Maud Godfrey farmer, North End Farm Great 211 Peregrine Hardy Farmer Mill Farm William Hanton Carpenter, wheelwright and parish clerk William Matthews farm bailiff to Arthur Gayford esq Lewis Ralph Nottidge farmer Hall Farm Geo Edward Smith farmer and landowner Wm Webster beer retailer and overseer Miss Annie Calk choolmistress

10 Snetterton had a Voluntary mixed flavour of village life and the sense of The rector at the time gave his view school which had been built in 1826 community from that time. of the large attendance for the service and paid for by Rev. Edward Keppel. that day. 1886 Rev Keppel also paid for the education The harmonium from Quidenham ‘Looking at the full pews on that day of the children so not surprisingly was placed in Snetterton church, the shewed (sic) us more plainly than ever the school was close to the church. old one was put in the New Rooms, that though just at the end of the 19th The school could accommodate for evening choir practice. Century still people have to be bribed 45 children; however, the average to come to church, plainly caring little attendance was 27. The building was 1888 for their souls if their bodies are well later used as Parish Rooms when a new The school was examined October cared for.’ Public Elementary School was built in 17 th. Owing to sickness and late 1908 in the centre of the village. There harvest the results were ‘scarcely so After the service it was to Mr is no longer a school in Snetterton; favourable as usual’. In an agricultural Nottidge’s meadow at Hall Farm both buildings have since been community this is evidence that it where three hours were very pleasantly converted into private dwellings. was more important for the children spent in sports of all kinds. At 7pm to help with the harvest than to the village sat down to dinner and did The Parish Magazines for All Saints attend school. justice to the excellent meal provided. dating from 1886 to 1913 give an From there it was to the Parish Rooms insight into the life of the village from 1897 where prizes were given, then back the late Victorian period until the eve On recording the celebrations of to the meadow where a display of of the First World War. The entries Jubilee Day, the 60th year of Victoria’s fireworks bought the day to an end. from Reverend Edward Southwell reign, held in June 1897 it was On the Wednesday eighteen dinners Garnier, who was rector from 1883 noted that all had a holiday and at were taken round to the old people until 1926, were didactic and 4pm there was a short service of who had been unable to attend. moralistic, but the excerpts do give a thanksgiving to God in the church.

11 During February the Winter Sunday were too infirm to make it to church 1901 School treat prizes were given by Lord could have a more personal and ‘One piece of affectionate advice Albermarle to the twelve children who private experience. All but children to certain members of the choir were first in attendance and good were welcome! who are in the habit of being late behaviour. It was hoped that the choir for church, do try to be in time, Miss Ludlow became the new teacher treat would result in an improvement try hard. If late for an engagement at the school from 1st January. in the singing by the time of the next with an earthly friend you insult Parents were reminded that the hour treat! by being late, how much more do for commencing school is 9am, you insult by daring to be late for 1899 attendance in this respect having His service.’ Curate Rev. Littlehales, who published lately been a little disappointing! his leaving letter of March 1899 in Reporting on the Night school the magazine, mentioned that he had made over 1,500 visits to homes in ‘But alas! All does not go well the parish, in which he was always in Snetterton. How is it that the made welcome. He noted that the Night School, which obviously congregations had improved, to up to provides opportunities, the loss 50% of the population since he had of which cannot but be regretted taken up the post two and a half years when it is too late, finds so little earlier. support. On Wednesday, January 15th, the attendance amounted The new Reverend Creswell, to three. Now considering first organised ‘cottage lectures’ for which that Mrs Crook is a most able and residents placed their homes at his painstaking teacher, and secondly, disposal. This meant that those who that she gives her time and her

12 services free of any charge, thirdly Mother Christmas was in some of the clubs organised by that there are plenty of young men attendance (Father Christmas had the various rectors. and boys in our village.’ a cold we suppose) and was very generous again’. Young Men’s Club With regards to the school, H.M.’s Coal club Inspector report for the year ended In February 1913 there was thanks Night School 30th September to the ‘kind friend who sent an Mother’s Meeting Society anonymous gift of £10 (over £1,000 Clothing Club ‘Both discipline and attainments have in today’s money) towards the Girls Friendly Sewing Class considerably improved, and good Snetterton church funds. It has Library in Parish Rooms work has been done’ cleared off all outstanding debts and Cottage Lectures 1913 left a substantial balance in hand.’ Sunday school Thanks were expressed to the Voluntary School There are certain names that regularly Countess of Albermarle who had Bible Class appeared throughout the magazines, kindly invited all the schoolchildren generally the farm owners and the on January 3rd to a Christmas tree more well off in the village. These at Quidenham. Mr Nottidge, of Hall people appear to have been very Farm took those from the church end charitable and philanthropic by either of the village, on his farm vehicle. treating the children or giving of After tea and games each child their time to educate other members received a present, this was a regular of the community. What the parish event for the children of Snetterton. magazines do clearly demonstrate ‘Mrs Nottidge of Hall Farm had that the church was at the heart of the entertained the Sunday school to tea. community with the following being

13 2 Memorial to Edward Southwell Garnier in Quidenham Church

14 World War 1

The January 1913 edition of the aged 25. Son of Mrs Catherine Alston parish magazine reported the many of North End Farm, Snetterton. problems of 1912. There had been a Commemorated on the Arras great deal of sickness, an unprofitable Memorial harvest with the labourers especially suffering. In an agricultural Private George William Burlingham, th community this must have been 3858820 Battalion, Northumberland th particularly hard. However, this Fusiliers. Born Snetterton, 29 th would pale into insignificance with March 1897, died 10 December world events that were just around 1916, Northern France, aged 19. Son the corner. The Roll of Honour of James and Harriet Burlingham, dedicated to those from the village of Church Road, Snetterton. who gave their lives in the First World Commemorated Ration Farm Military War can be found in the church on Cemetery, La Chapelle-D’armentieres. the west nave wall. The 1911 Census lists George as a yard boy of a farm in the village.

Private Henry James Burlingham, 240703, 1st/6th Battalion, North Details of those who appear on the Staffordshire Regiment, Born memorial are given below:- Snetterton 7th January 1897, died Private James Alston, 202438, 4th London 7th June 1917, aged 20. Son Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. Born of Robert and Elizabeth Burlingham, 22nd May 1891, Loudon Ayrshire, New Cottage, Snetterton. The died 23rd April 1917, Arras offensive, 1911 census shows Henry, aged

15 14, living at Snetterton Parsonage Private Ernest Charles Smith, 14496, Private Gordon Henry Oscar working as a servant in the capacity 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, Webster, 8278, 2nd Battalion, Norfolk of ‘boy for the house and garden.’ born Snetterton 15th February 1891, Regiment, born Great Hockham, Henry was wounded on the Western died Ypres, 2nd February 1916, 30th July 1891 died 13th February Front but died of his wounds in St aged 24. Son of George and Sarah 1917, aged 26. Son of Mrs Eliza Bartholomew’s Hospital in London; Jane Smith, South End, Snetterton. Webster, The Bungalow, North End, this explains his being commemorated Commemorated White House Snetterton. Commemorated Baghdad at Nunhead, All Saints Cemetery. Cemetery, St Jean-Les-Ypres. On the (North Gate) War Cemetery. Gordon Tragically, Henry’s father took his own 1911 census his occupation was listed had joined the army in 1910, serving life on Christmas Eve, 1917, at the as farm labourer. The school records in Aldershot, India, Turkey and age of 52; he had been suffering from show that Ernest on 5th July 1904 Mesopotamia. Gordon became a depression. had ‘passed the required standard for Turkish prisoner of war in April 1916 leaving school’ aged 13 years. Started and died of disease in February 1917. Corporal Oliver Elijah Jessup school Mary 3rd 1895. MM, 15403, 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Born Private Bertie George Took, 21275, 15th January 1895, died 21st March 13th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. 1918, France, aged 23. Son of Mrs Born Larling, 22nd September 1889, F Jessup, North End, Snetterton. died Flanders, 9th April 1918, aged Commemorated Arras Memorial. 28. Son of George and Mary Ann Oliver was awarded the Military Took of North End Snetterton. Medal in the summer of 1917. Commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial

16 World War 2 – Snetterton Heath Airbase

3

A few of the many plaques that commemorate those who served at Snetterton Heath

There is no memorial for the Second in the form of a B17 ‘Flying Fortress’ World War in the village, however swooping up into the sky. Around the across the road at Snetterton heath memorial are plaques commemorating is a magnificent memorial to the some of the US Airmen that served members of the U.S.A.A.F. who there. Designed by Martin Rance, served. The base suffered a significant and with both American and British number of casualties, 938 in total. sponsors, the memorial was dedicated As well as many others being severely in 2001 and stands now near to the injured or becoming Prisoners of entrance of the Snetterton racetrack. War. The memorial at Snetterton is

4 The War Memorial at Snetterton Heath Dedicated 8/9/2001 Dedicated to all personnel of the 96th Bombardment Group (H) 8th USAAF who served on this airfield 1943 – 1945

17 Originally built in 1942 by Taylor therefore it made practical sense for runways and 50 ‘frying pan type’ Woodrow at a cost of £950,000 the 96th Bomb group to be based hardstandings for their aircraft. As for the RAF, Snetterton Heath nearby ready for major operations. part of their welcome to Britain, instead became U.S.A.A.F. Station The 96th, a heavy bombing unit Anthony Eden in his role for the 138. Nearby Elveden Hall housed with their B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’s, foreign office, made a radio broadcast the commanding generals of the moved into Snetterton Heath in from the base on 25th June 1943. 3rd Division of the 8th Airforce, June 1943. The base had three Ground crew had arrived in the UK on board the Queen Elizabeth which had been fitted out as a troopship. The ship docked in Scotland. The crew travelled the rest of the way to Norfolk by train. The base, along with Deopham Green and Thorpe Abbots was one of only three Flying Fortress bases in Norfolk. There were some 443 officers and 2,529 other ranks housed at Snetterton, it was like a small town, with a post office, cinema and base hospital. To remind the crew of home coffee and doughnuts were served at de-briefings. Airmen flew on real eggs, with powdered eggs being served on non-mission days. USAF Snetterton from the air 1946

18 ©Imperial War Museum ©Imperial War The Regensburg Shuttle Mission Lady Moe arriving from North Africa

Many major missions were flown from The 96th’s second citation came was named ‘Lady Moe’. She even Snetterton, with the 96th receiving two in April 1944, for leading the 45th experienced a combat mission as the Distinguished Unit Citations. The first through bad weather and anti- crew bombed Bordeaux en route back for the Regensburg Shuttle Mission in aircraft fire to bomb German aircraft from the Regensburg Shuttle Mission to August 1943, when the 96th bombed component factories at Poznan. the UK. As a mascot for the base, she a German aircraft factory under heavy was given lots of care and attention, th fire from enemy fighters, before flying The 96 brought back a memento eating cigarettes and food from the on to North Africa. However, this of their time in North Africa, a fifty mess, even bunking with the crew in success was followed by heavy losses. pound malnourished donkey, who their barracks. So popular was she that

19 5

Lady Moe

awaiting the 7 return from missions

6

Lady Moe ‘Queen of the Heath’ © 96th Bomb Group, USAAF encouraging the purchase of War Bonds Amercian Servicemen at Snetterton Heath in 1943

the ball park and movie theatre were Lady Moe, nicknamed ‘Queen of the On 12th November 1944 Lady Moe named after her. She became ‘a 150 Heath’ also had a PR duty to perform, travelled to White City and took pound shaggy coated creature with an promoting the sale of War Bonds, part in the Army v Navy games. She ornery temper’, according to a March appearing as a guest at charity events. received the Good Conduct Medal 1944 article in the Stars and Stripes Many newspaper and magazine and made an appearance at the VJ newspaper. She even joined the articles appeared about her life on celebrations at Snetterton in August ground crews as they waited for the and off the base. 1945, she was also the ‘pin-up’ and B-17s to return from missions. model for the group’s 1945 calendar. Lady Moe remained at the base after

20 ‘5 Grand’ on the factory floor the war. Sadly, she was hit by a train building of the five-thousandth of the ink and paint reputedly resulted in after she wandered onto the nearby these aircraft made since the attack a 7 mph reduction in speed. Named track and was buried at the base. on Pearl Harbour. Everyone who had ‘5 Grand’ the plane was pushed out of Her death was reported in many been involved in the construction was the factory doors by the workers and newspapers and other publications, asked to sign the aircraft as it made in an effort to boost US morale the including Time magazine. its way down the production line event was celebrated in news reels and in Seattle. Over 35,000 signatures war-bond campaigns. Boeing, who manufactured the B-17, embellished the aircraft, the weight of wanted to mark the milestone of the

21 ©Imperial War Museum ©Imperial War 5 Grand, showing her infamous paintwork

22 5 Grand was assigned to the 96th A 48 hour pass saw many make the Hall by Lord Albermarle himself at Snetterton in May 1944. It flew trip to the bright lights of London. whom they had mistakenly thought 78 missions over Germany, its final The American GIs were dubbed was the gamekeeper. Also, ‘Ye Old mission being 19th April 1945. In early ‘over-paid, over-sexed and over here’, Heath Pub’ was constructed early in May 5 Grand flew twice to Holland to however according to a Metropolitan 1945. The Saturday night dances at drop food supplies, before returning to Police file released by the National Snetterton were infamous, with the the US in June 1945. Sadly, despite the Archives in 2005, at least in one area British WAAF, ATS and local girls in efforts of the Boeing workers, no one they were less guilty. The Americans it attendance; air force trucks provided could be found to take on the aircraft, seemed were the victims of one of the a taxi service from the local villages. therefore 5 Grand, was broken up and great, undercover units of the Second General Curtis LeMay reported in his molten down like most of the aircraft World War, namely the ‘Piccadilly book Mission with LeMay rumours from that era. Commandos’, a group of ‘good time that ‘some gals didn’t get home till girls’, that the Foreign Office felt Wednesday.” Between missions the crews were allowed would become a threat to Anglo- some down time. This included regular American relations. The Rev W Harper-Mitchell of St trips into ; there was even a Andrew’s, Quidenham, invited Wild West Rodeo at Carrow Road in the It seems that locally Anglo- the men to worship at his church summer of 1943, which may have made American relationships were good. rather than at Snetterton. This was the men feel at home. The Samson & Neighbourhood children were invited because the crew were housed on Hercules was a favourite venue, perhaps to Christmas and Thanksgiving the Quidenham and Eccles side of some even managed to see fellow parties on base. They were treated to the railway line, making it more countryman Glen Miller, who played at ice cream and food the likes of which convenient. Rev Harper-Mitchell also the venue in August 1944, during one his they had not seen for years. Some conducted services at the airbase. He last tours, Miller was reported missing in of the men were granted permission was also known to have officiated at action in December 1944. to fish in the lake at Quidenham marriages between G.I.s and local

23 girls. The close links between the 8 In preparation for D-Day the 96th crews and the locals is exemplified attacked coastal defences, railway by the Memorial Chapel and stained bridges, gun emplacements and field glass window at Quidenham church batteries, losing 100 aircraft in the witch cost £597, more than £21,000 process between April and June 1944. today. Allegedly the money was By the war’s end the 96th had lost 189 raised on the base within two days, aircraft in 316 operations, the worst mainly at the instigation of Capt. record in the 8th Air Force. The unit Herbert Allen, Flight Surgeon of stayed on after the end of the war and 338th Squadron. ‘Doc Allen’ became amongst other duties they transported the benefactor of the upkeep of the foodstuffs to the beleaguered Dutch Memorial Chapel and window. The in Holland. In November 1945 special Memorial Day Service held the aircraft and crew flew back to on 30th May 1946 was broadcast to the States with the ground crews the United States from St Andrews, following in December 1945. The Quidenham, via the BBC World 96th was eventually disbanded 20th Service and narrated by Richard December 1945. In memory of comrades who gave their lives Dimbleby. in the cause of freedom 1943 – 1945 96th Bombardment Group (H) United States Army Air Force Stained glass window in Quidenham Parish Church

24 Snetterton 1952 Aston Martinbeingdrivenat Club. by theAstonMartinOwner’s base. Theirfirstracewasheldin1951 utilising theformerrunwaysof Together theyestablishedaracecircuit Club, andhiscolleagueOliverSear. President oftheAstonMartinOwner’s by localsDudleyCoram,Executive Parts ofthislandwerethenbrought track and100acresofconcrete. included threerunways,aperimeter local farmerbroughttheland,which Estate wassoldoff, Fred Riches,a 1951, whentheEarlofAlbermarle’s Snetterton Heathfellintodisuse.In With thedepartureofU.S.A.A.F., Snetter ton Circuit

©Archant being partofthecurrenttrack. world rewardedby‘RichesCorner’ up Snettertoninthemotorracing circuit. Thiscontributiontothesetting the daytomanagementof initially assistedCoramandSearwith Fred RichesandhiswifeConnie Snetterton Racetrack –mid1960s Snetterton Racetrack 25 ©Archant Snetterton race track today

26 9 layout has changed 2 Montreal Nelson 9 several times over the years, hosting Bentley Straight 8 a variety of motor sport events. These 7 Williams Brundle 10 5 Hamilton 4 Agostini Bomb include non-championship Formula 1, Hole the first Formula Ford Events and the Oggies 6 Murrays UK’s first 24 hour race, the Willhire 24 3 Hour, which ran from 1980 to 1994. 12 Palmer Coram 11 It was not just, nor is it still cars that 1 Senna Straight Riches race around the Snetterton circuit, Snetterton Circuit showing motorbikes feature too, including the eponymous bends and straights infamous Race of Aces, won in 1972 by Giacomo Agostini, who was viewed as the king of motorcycling in the Walker; his commentating on The track was taken over in 2004 sixties and seventies, he too has been British Touring Cars brought him to by Jonathan Palmer’s Motorsport rewarded by having a corner named Snetterton several times during the Vision, who also own Brands’ after him at the circuit. 1980s and 90s. The Senna Straight Hatch, Oulton Park, Donnington commemorates the late Ayrton Senna Park, Cadwell Park and Bedford Along with Riches and Agostini and his time living in Norfolk whilst Autodrome. In 2011 a multi-million other luminaries from the world competing for Lotus-Renault in the pound redevelopment of the venue of motorsport are honoured in mid eighties. One corner, named resulted in track having three the ‘corners’ and ‘straights’ of the ‘bomb-hole’, actually has nothing to circuits, namely the 300, 200 and Snetterton circuit, these include do with the former occupants of the 100, of three, two and one mile Formula 1’s Hamilton, Williams and site, but to a pronounced dip at one lengths respectively. Brundle. ‘Murray’s’ honours the corner which is particularly difficult ‘voice of British Motorsport, Murray for those on two wheels.

27 Snetterton is also a popular test track. The Audi A8 and Williams BMW LMP were first seen there. The circuit has also been used to develop race winning cars including those from the nearby Lotus factory.

Many cars for the Le Mans 24 hour have also been developed at the track including Bentley’s first Le Mans car for 70 years, the EXP Speed Eight which won the infamous race in 2003.

When the name Snetterton is mentioned it is probably the racetrack that first comes to mind. That’s probably due to the fact that Snetterton hosts a busy calendar

of events including the British ©Archant Touring Car Championship, British Ayrton Senna and Martin Brundle at Snetterton Superbike Championship, British GT Championship, and British Truck Racing Championship as well club level racing, festivals and car shows.

28 World Horse Welfare

committed vegetarian. It was after she had witnessed British workhorses being unloaded and whipped for four miles to slaughter in Belgium that

Ada set up the International League Horse Welfare Reproduced courtesy of World The Princess Royal pictured with Montrose, Against the Exportation of Horses a 20 year old retired police horse for Butchery in 1927. Ada has been commemorated in Snetterton by The Princess Royal opened the having Ada Cole Avenue, a road, Reproduced courtesy of World Horse Welfare Reproduced courtesy of World Snetterton site at Hall Farm in 1988 as close to the Centre, named after her. Ada Cole theWorld Horse Welfare’s President Ada Cole was born 1st January 1860, In 1937, the Exportation of Horses one of 10 children who grew up Act was introduced which stopped World Horse Welfare Founder – at Croxton Hall Farm in Norfolk the export of live horses for slaughter Ada Cole surrounded by animals. In their from Great Britain, its original aim twenties Ada and her sister Effie being achieved the charity changed “She heard their cry, worked in London as nurses and were its name to the International League and with far-seeing eyes shocked by the ill-treatment metered for the Protection of Horses. In 1949 Undimmed by useless tears, out on animals in the city, especially the first horse rescue centre opened in with love aflame, the overworked and underfed cab Britain. By the 1970s the charity found Challenged the world to horses. Vivisection was common at homes for many old police horses end such cruelties” the time, with animals being operated and pit ponies, becoming the largest on without anaesthetic for research equine re-homing charity in Britain. From a sonnet on Ada Cole purposes. Ada became a firm supporter In 2008 I.L.P.H became the World by Sir George Cockerill of the anti-vivisectionists and a Horse Welfare that we know today.

29 Dogs Trust

Known as a nation of animal lovers the provision of veterinary care, site at Snetterton, first opened in not only is Snetterton the home of and to prohibit experimentation on 1912. Originally housed in boarding World Horse Welfare, but also has dogs. Growing to over half a million kennels a new more purpose built a Dogs Trust re-homing centre. The members and supporters The Dogs centre was opened in 1998. Extended Dogs Trust was formed in 1891 by Trust, continues to campaign against in 2001 Snetterton Dogs Trust was a group headed by Lady Gertrude all forms of cruelty to dogs. officially opened by The Princess Stock during the first ever Crufts dog Royal, on behalf of the Queen in show. The aims of the Trust were to There are twenty Dogs Trust re- 2009. The centre, at the north end campaign for the protection of strays, homing centres around the UK. The of the village, cares for and re-homes up to 500 dogs a year. All of the dogs needs are catered for in the 43 specially designed kennels, equipped with under floor heating, and access to outside runs and paddocks, all to uphold the Trust’s mission:-

‘to bring about the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.’ Reproduced courtesy of the Dogs Trust The entrance to the Snetterton Dogs Trust Re-homing Centre

30 Snetterton today

Whilst the village still remains largely 10 unseen from the main road and the World Horse Welfare site and the Dogs Trust is a draw, the area is probably best known today for the more visible industrial and business units adjacent to the A11. The A11 corridor has been earmarked for significant urban expansion with the need to provide employment opportunities for the expected population growth. As part of this project the Snetterton area has been earmarked for further development as an employment site under the Breckland local plan. A Snetterton Heath WW2 Hanger still in use today The old and the new are visibly juxtaposed with evidence of the on-line goods to be delivered that oil seed rape, miscanthus and wood Snetterton’s wartime past in the old emphasise the way we live our lives enough to supply 82,000 homes with military buildings repurposed for today, and everything in-between. green electricity, is a symbol of the way agricultural and business use today. that the world is changing. However, Snetterton Renewal Energy Plant, nearby farming is still a way of life, as The area has a diversity of industries, which became operational in early it has been since Snetterton became a from engineering due to its proximity 2017, now dominates the skyline. This settlement in pre-historic days. to the race track, storage to house biomass plant burns a mixture of straw,

31 Bibliography

Francis Blomefield, ‘Hundred of Shropham: Snetterton’, in An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 1 (London, 1805), pp. 419-428. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol1/pp419-428 [accessed 9 July 2018].

William White’s History, Gazetter and Directory of Norfolk, 1836 and 1845

Kelly’s Directories

The , Blo’ Norton, Hopton, Quidenham and Snetterton Parish Magazine 1886 – 1913

The Military Airfield of Britain, East Anglia, Norfolk and Suffolk, Ken Delve 2005, Crowood Press

Airfield Focus 79:Snetterton Heath Graham M Simmons

www.americanairmuseum.com

http://literarynorfolk.co.uk/deserted_villages.htm

http://96bg.org/

www.snetterton.co.uk

www.motorcyclenews.com

www.dogstrust.org.uk

www.worldhorsewelfare.org

www.facebook.com/pg/WorldHorseWelfare/photos

www.snettertonbiomass.com

32 Acknowledgements

With grateful thanks to

Archant Controltowers.co.uk (Robert Truman) Dogs Trust Imperial War Museum The family of Marshall Selzriede World Horse Welfare

33 Endnotes

1 GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, Snetterton CP/AP through time | Industry Statistics | Males aged 20 and over, in four industrial categories, A Vision of Britain through Time. 2 Finlay Evans 3 Finlay Evans 4 Ian Evans 5 www.stelzriede.com/ms/html/mshwma15.htm 6 www.stelzriede.com/ms/photos/ma16p5.jpg 7 www.controltowers.co.uk/S/Snetterton_Heath.htm 8 Finlay Evans 9 Brendan Rallison 10 Finlay Evans

34 Snetterton

From Horse Power

to Horse Welfare ‘Supporting Church Buildings’ Registered Office – Manor Farmhouse, Diss Road, Tibenham NR16 1QF

www.norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk

Registered Company Number 1247797 Registered Charity Number 271176

© The Norfolk Churches Trust 2019. Any reproduction must require permission of the Norfolk Churches Trust.