BAHS Newsletter Number 37 www.history-blakeney-area.org.uk July 2014 Spring Outing 2014: Gunton Sawmill...

Top: the frame saw carriage with timber to be cut. Above left: the lake that feeds the mill. Gunton Hall is in the distance behind the trees. Above right: the mill header pond which is fed via a sluice gate prior to starting the wheel. Water here is about 3 feet deep. Front cover: more machiney. n Monday 12th May, six- teen members of the BAHS ...and a Church or two Oset off for the water-pow- ered Sawmill in Gunton Park. The rain held off and we were wel- comed by Barré Funnell and his enthusiastic band of volunteers. Our visit began with a short climb up to the Lake behind the Mill; from here we could see the dam which held back the water needed to power the wheel. Once back under cover, the water was released and we watched, in some amazement, as the Saw chugged its way along the length of a 12 foot lime log to create a long, even plank of wood. The whole process took about 40 minutes. This historic Mill was built in the early days of the Industrial Revolution, between 1821 & 1824. It served the needs of the Estate for a hundred years until after the first world war, when it was replaced by a horse-drawn portable steam engine. Subsequently, the Watermill fell into disrepair and the skilled craftsmen who had looked after it became redundant. A circular frame-saw, powered by steam, continued to be used until the mid-Thirties. During the second world war, when there was great demand for timber, a steam-pow- ered sawmill was set up outside the building and operated with the help of a Scotch Derrick crane. The mill is open to the public on the last Sunday afternoon of the month, April to September. After such a fascinating display the Group needed some lunch, for which we went to the Erpingham Arms. Here we enjoyed a good meal in a relaxed setting, whilst it rained outside! With our batteries re-charged, we drove to St Mary’s Church which, along with Erpingham View down the nave of St Mary's where a churchwarden, Mrs Helen Church, is in the Scarrowbeck church, Erpingham showing Burrell, kindly greeted us. She Benefice. As at St Nicholas in the Victorian rood screen and gave us an interesting talk about Blakeney, the chancel dates back cross. The church is unusual in the history of the Church. This is to the 13th century. There were that it has an aisle on the bound up with the story of Sir some original Laudian communion south side but nothing on the Thomas Erpingham whose sur- rails and, at the west end, a fine north. It also has a 15th centu- name features around the top of looking 15th century font. It was ry tower with set of working the tower. He was in charge of the interesting to make the connection bells. As well as a fine 13th famous longbow archers at the between Calthorpe church and the century parish chest, with its Battle of Agincourt (600th early Calthorpe family who, sever- three locks, the church has Anniversary to be celebrated next al generations later, were to be so acquired a number of interest- year). influential in the coastal villages of ing relics from other Our last stop was the Calthorpe the Glaven Valley. churches including the font Church of Our Lady & St Margaret Diana Cooke from St Benedict's in . News from the History Centre

Summer Openings In a bold move this year, the History Centre will open every Tuesday morning during the months of July, August and September from 10.30am to 1.00pm. If these hours are not suitable then it may be possible to arrange an opening at an alterna- tive time, for a small fee, and as always, subject to the availability of a volunteer. Simply phone 01263 740388 to make arrange- Follow the connection, all will be explained on the Summer ments. Outing: Thaxters of Holt (above left), end of the line for Page and Turner The Centre now holds thou- Seed Merchants where both their names and business can just be seen sands of records, books, family painted on the bricks. This was their last commercial office as they history folders, cuttings, maps, ceased trading in 1922. The Merchant’s House (above right) in the heart and photographs relevant to of the High Street, Blakeney, home of Randle Brereton some 200 years Salthouse, Cley, Blakeney, ago when he added the fine Georgian front then, more latterly, the home Wiveton, Morston and all neigh- of Martin Fountain Page. bouring parishes inland to Letheringsett. People and places, Date, time and cost are on the sequently there were uncertainties from medieval to modern, are well Back Page. Please note that you and gaps, furthermore, the true represented and this is certainly should secure your place early to identity of a few servicemen has the place to make enquiries and avoid disappointment as numbers remained unresolved till this day, start your research. must be strictly limited and after- 100 years on. Nevertheless it was noon teas booked in advance. an excellent start at a time when September Outing the information was not so readily Another activity later this summer World War 1 available. will be an afternoon 'walk and In 1998, on the 80th anniversary Surely, with so much informa- talk' exploring the evolution of the of the end of the Great War, Mary tion now available on the web, Merchant House, once part of the Ferroussat began a series of arti- there can be no better time than Page and Turner estates, in the cles that were published in the now to make a determined effort very heart of Blakeney High Glaven Historian nos 1, 2 and 3. to identify everyone on the memo- Street. All are currently available to read rials and thus honour their contri- Page and Turner were business on our website www.history-blak- bution. The History Centre is also partners, the last of the Blakeney eney-area.org.uk. compiling a log of all those serv- shipping magnates, following in • the first article listed Blakeney icemen and women who survived. the footsteps of the Temples, War Memorials and the names It is their legacy and our heritage Breretons, Robert Wells and of servicemen commenorated that we are honouring. Augustus Hill. At their zenith, thereon. So if you have a relative who these properties extended from • the next, a list of War was born, lived or had a family New Road in the west to Back Memorials in Cley, Wiveton, connection to any of our local par- Lane in the east. The walk will Glandford and Letheringsett, ishes and served in WWI and begin with the Merchant's House, together with a Summary Table would like their name to be placed the first Page home, exploring how listing all those who died in on record, please contact Pam the property grew in size from WWI with brief biographical Peake on 01263 740388 or post/ 1769 then contracted in the 20th details for each man. leave information at the History century, as fortuned waxed and • the final article was a summary Centre together with your contact waned. of what was known about local details. Thank you. Moving up the High Street, the men from Blakeney, Later in the year, you will be 'walk and talk' will widen out to Letheringsett and Wiveton – able to follow our progress by vis- explore properties such as Ponds but not Cley – who served and iting the BAHS display boards in Court, the Methodist Chapel, died in WWII. the north aisle of Blakeney Blakeney Neighbourhood cottages Church. These boards will form a and the Nora Clogstoun/John At the time Mary Ferroussat small, ever changing exhibition Wallace connection before arriving was careful to note that the infor- that will run till 2018. They will at the last merchant house, the mation for WWI was neither nec- highlight various aspects of the Turner home, for afternoon tea. essarily complete nor correct con- (continued on page 7) over Bayfield

he recent screening of the television documentary cov- Tering the bombing of Great Britain during WW1 high- lighted the East Coast as a part of the new 'civilian' front line. The first raid involved two Zeppelins, L3 and L4. L3 bombed during the night of 19th January 1915 and L4 Kings Lynn. The Zeppelin raid proved to be an sky somewhere in Holt direction. A The EDP of November 23rd unexpected and terrifying develop- lull in the banging then Harman's 1963 published a letter in a series ment of warfare against the quiet voice at the door asking about the Zeppelin raids “Miss British mainland that the navy ‘what about the jewelry'. Very Appleton moved to Weybourne in was expected to defend. Initially thoughtful but what a comparative 1916 and in May witnessed a there was no defence. value jewelry seemed to have Zeppelin brought down in flames in A war diary attributed to Edith when one felt what are the bombs the sea, one airman was dragged Upcher of Hall doing and whose turn next.” ashore and was later buried at recorded a Zeppelin raid on the The bombs dropped by this Weyboune.” North Norfolk coast (NRO UPC 188, Zeppelin fell around Bayfleld In the days before Radar, the 642 x 2 25 Feb 1916-23 Mar 1916): Lodge, most in the fields where only way to have advanced warn- "Perhaps the Zeppelin raid they made 8 large holes in which ing of bombing raids, whether by makes a good landmark — or war 22 men could stand. Defence enemy ships or from the air, was mark — at which to begin. against this new threat appeared physically to keep watch. The January 31 1916: Feeling to have been distinctly amateur- church towers along the Norfolk weary, tumbled on to my bed after ish. Edith was told that the guns coast were ideal for this, and the late lunch on return from Hospital, on the cliff and at Bodham had best watchers were boy scouts, and slept like a log. Woke up, room failed to go off ‘so they had to have their printed diaries included rather unusually dark. Elizabeth a man from London who knew images of allied and enemy air- came in. ‘Is it time yet, time to get more about guns than what the craft for identification purposes. up?’ Tea time and an hour after, soldiers do’. An anti-aircraft party One of the boy scouts, William and didn't you hear that horrid was said to have panicked and Glew kept a diary of his watching thing go over?' There being only fled to Holt, leaving their search- work at Morston and Blakeney in one 'horrid thing that goes over' I light turned on at Holt Lodge! 1918. Typical entries read: got out of bed dressed and went to (NRO, UPC 188). A schoolboy writ- 14th March: 6-8 Watch - saw 3 Drawing room for cold tea. Father, ing home to his parents in Ipswich Hospital Ships mother, Lily quite 'normal condi- gave his account of the raid; 3rd April: 6-8 Watch – Saw air- tions' I could see having heard “We were just going out of the ship, Went for row. Saw monitor. nothing. The servants had heard last lesson at 6 o’clock and were Signaling with OP soldiers the Zeppelin and also seen it going going out to tea, when we heard a 17th May: Camp Orderly. Saw quite low over the wood near the buzzing and ------told us that a flying boat, 2 monitors & obs bal- house. Zeppelin had been sighted at 4 pm loon. Cooked outside (NRO, MC I made no remark but in an in broad daylight, but they had 266/1) hour's time heard a suspicious done no damage. We came out of The last Zeppelin of the war to purring of engines, though not like tea at 6.30 and we went out to see be brought down in the threshing machine noises of what was happening. We heard was L70, shot down over Wells by late 1915. Lil, father and I the Zeppelin plainly, and suddenly a DH4 flown by Major Cadbury. exchanged glances. The noise a bomb burst about 2 miles away; Peter Strasser, Chief of the Naval became more distant, seemed fol- then eleven more all in succession, Airship Division and the driving lowing the coast for a bit, then - so quickly that it seemed one bright force behind the German airship crash, bang, shake, a loud explo- flash. Then we saw some more programme was on board L70 and sion, every door and window in the flashes, and we counted twenty- perished with his crew. house struggling to break free, four. We went off to see the dam- Zeppelins made a total of another and another — then loud- age next day and lots of boys twelve raids on London and forty er. Mother thought first of a Naval found pieces of bomb. One house more over the rest of the country, Engagement but we told her it was had all the windows broken and killing 500 people and injuring Zeppelins and at first thought of half the slates off. The only casual- 1100. our guns firing at it. We knew that ties were three sheep, one heron, Peter Wordingham bombs were being hurled from the thirty sparrows and a pig’. would be stored in sheds or in cel- Blakeney Bee Bole lar-boles, as described in the newspaper article. The shape of a bee-bole was, variously, a rectan- gle, square or dome like alcove. There was, however, only one bole in my garden and this was queried by the IBBA. Their regis- tered bee-boles are usually in rows of 3, 5, 7 or more. In the era of follies and monuments, some Estates even designed exotic houses for their bee-boles. Subsequently, I learnt that many smaller gardens had single exam- ples but, like my family, people did not know why they were there and they were often left to fall into disrepair. Or they were destroyed because, by the late 19th century, the modern stacked bee-hive frame began to be adopted and bee-boles gradually became redundant. So, during the summer months when you are looking round gar- dens, keep an eye open for ‘an unusual recess’! Diana Cooke

Birds, Beasts and Monsters

by Margaret Forrester 25 February 2014.

embers and visitors at a well-attended lecture by here is an unusual recess Cumbria (maybe for protection MMargaret Forrester were in the orchard which my from the frequent rain). There was rewarded with a most informative T late husband's family pur- plenty of useful information and I and well-illustrated talk on Birds, chased back in 1929. Until learnt that Bole is a Gaelic word, Beasts and Monsters as portrayed recently, it was hidden by a mas- meaning recess in a wall. in medieval art. A major part of sive escalonia hedge. We tried, I was excited that my funny the talk concerned the medieval with others, to guess what it was - recess might be a bee-bole and bestiary, but time was given to a bread oven, a privy, somewhere this was confirmed by three com- explore the historical background to sit – but none of the sugges- mon characteristics. Bee-boles of the bestiary and how the con- tions seemed quite right. usually face south-east to encour- cept of monsters portrayed in art About three years ago, I was age the bees to fly out as early as and literature continued after the reading a newspaper article about possible in the morning to search close of the Middle Ages. an old property which had some for nectar. Secondly, there were Margaret started with a slide bee-boles in the cellar. The smoke marks on the inside brick- showing very life-like birds, paint- description made me wonder work; this was most likely the ed in the 5th century AD. She whether they were similar to the result of smoke-guns being used explained that Classical authori- one in my orchard. A while later, I to pacify the bees. Thirdly, the ties were used to seeing wild ani- searched ‘bee-boles’ on the inter- recess was the right size for a mals and birds from all parts of net and, to my surprise, up skep – an old fashioned bee-hive the Roman Empire when they popped the International Bee usually made of coiled straw. were brought to Rome and exhib- Research Association. They had a The purpose of the bee-bole, it ited in contests at the amphithea- Register of over 1500 bee-boles, turned out, was to keep the skep tres. Following the fall of the with a dozen in Norfolk. The dry and well-aired. For added pro- empire, artists’ portrayals of ani- majority are in Kent (no doubt tection in winter, a few boles had mals and birds was increasingly because of all their orchards) and doors. Alternatively, skeps imaginative rather than realistic. The Christian church adopted showed how a number of animals Monsters – deformed humans animals to represent saints, with were depicted and told the stories with no heads, one leg or other 3 of the 4 gospel authors being behind the pictures. Too many deformities – were added at the thus identified: St. Mark by the animals were shown for all to be end of bestiaries. The Roman lion (the king of beasts), St. John described in this short piece. author Pliny had stated that mon- by the eagle (the king of birds) and Many depictions of elephants were sters inhabited remote parts of the St. Luke by the ox. The lion and seen – the elephant presenting world. St. Augustine had debated the eagle became semi-religious artists with difficulty because, the authenticity of monsters and symbols of imperial power, the after the elephant from Bagdad other strange animals; he accept- eagle being adopted by the royal gifted to Charlemagne in the 9th ed there were such beings, and families of , Austria and century, none were seen in determined that they were God’s Russia. Margaret explained that Europe until the 13th century. creatures and had souls and mythical beasts were incorporated According to the bestiary, the ele- would eventually be converted to into this iconography as well phant’s only enemy was the drag- Christianity. A number of interest- because astrology was considered on, which tried to defeat the ele- ing slides of the Hereford Mappa part of astronomy, and the use of phant by entwining the elephant’s Mundi showed monsters occupy- animal symbols to recognise hind legs with its tail, but when ing the outer reaches of the world groups of stars and the signs of the the elephant fell on top of the next to The Ocean. zodiac dates back into antiquity. dragon, the dragon was killed. Monsters feature in the late From an English perspective, Elephants were thought to have medieval period, being mentioned the Venerable Bede wrote about no desire to copulate unless the by Marco Polo, and also as one of natural history as well as human female selected a special plant for the principal subjects of the book history, and his works were copied her and a bull to eat; also, that she of the travels of Sir John throughout the medieval period. gave birth in water, for protection Mandeville, which was a best-sell- Many documents from the medie- from dragons, with the bull stand- er in the 14th and 15th centuries. val period contain images of birds ing guard over them. The Christian A monster warrants a mention in and beasts, both real and mythi- morals of these stories were the Shakespeare’s Othello, which was cal, even when their main subject innocence of the elephants (similar written in the 17th century. matter is not related to these crea- to Adam and Eve in the Garden of As stated at the beginning of tures. A good example is the Eden before they ate the apple), my review, this was a very absorb- Bayeux Tapestry, where the bor- and the triumph of innocence over ing lecture, with superb illustra- ders contain images of many crea- the evil dragon (representing the tions, and was enjoyed by an tures from as far away as Persia. devil). The depiction of elephants audience who warmly showed The basis of the medieval besti- with castles (howdahs) appears to their thanks to Margaret for a ary appears to originate from be a memory of war elephants, most entertaining evening. Alexandria in North Africa, and handed down from Classical M J Medlar many of the animals depicted were antiquity. local to that area, as were the sto- There is no good medieval ries associated with them. In the depiction of the crocodile, and the (continued from page 4) 7th century AD, St. Isidore of story of the beaver being chased war as it impinged on both service Seville produced his monumental by hunting dogs very rarely has a men and women and the local vil- work “Etymologiae”, an abridge- good representation of the unfor- lages, culminating with the epic ment of much classical writing, in tunate beaver. Many hunting sto- lifeboat rescues of 1918. This was which man’s dominion of God’s ries are illustrated in the bestiary, achieved by the Caroline, manned creatures is classified with the with the wily hunter being able to by a crew with an average age of animals placed into groups make his escape from a frustrated 58 years, and is just one example depending on their role in animal. From the 12th century on, of those who stayed behind and Christian creation. In 2002, St. there are a number of increasingly manned essential services. Isidore was created patron saint of accurate drawings of animals and For those unable to get to the internet by the Roman birds which show close observa- Blakeney then follow progress by Catholic church. tion in the field. Unfortunately, visiting our website and following By the 12th century, the besti- the stories attached to the draw- the links to WWI. ary had taken on the form it was ings are not always as knowledge- to maintain throughout the medi- able. Gerald of Wales’ tour of Roots and Branches eval period. About 65 bestiaries Ireland produced the legend of the Current Family History research survive, and 50 of these were barnacle geese who, it was and enquiries for individual people made in England. One of the best thought, grew on trees. This idea includes: of these is the Aberdeen bestiary, stemmed from seeing a type of Piercy of Blakeney and Cley dating from about 1200, which mussel growing on driftwood, and Baynes of Cley and Thornage can be easily accessed online at which looked like a goose, and the Gidney of Wiveton, Langham and this address: http://www.abdn.ac. fact that nobody in Ireland had Warham uk/bestiary/bestiary.hti . seen a young barnacle goose Ackerman of Blakeney Using illustrations from this because they are born in the Lynn of Blakeney bestiary and others, Margaret Arctic. Spooner of Blakeney Autumn Programme 2014

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 for the coming year are under discussion as the cost of speakers and the hire of the Harbour Room have risen dramatically.

30 September Brian Hedges: North Norfolk through Old Photographs Drawing on his extensive collection of photographs Brian will explore some features of local villages. 28 Oct ober Andrew England: World War One – a North Norfolk Miscellany Andrew will use examples from a variety of sources, including local war memorials, to illustrate stories behind the people who fought and died. 25 November Mike Bridges: Services, Printing and Chocolate Industry in a Norfolk Market Town: the story of Fakenham. 16 December Mardle Night: short lecture and exhibits. Rob Coleman: Stage Managing the Landscape Humphrey Repton's work in and the NT's role in preserving it today. 27 January 2015 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

History Centre Diary July, August, September: every Tuesday morning 10.30am till 1.00pm October, November: first and last Tuesdays only, times as above December, January: closed 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, by writing to the History Centre, Blakeney Village Hall, Langham Road, Blakeney, Norfolk NR25 7PG (Remember to include a SAE for confir- mation).

Summer Outing The Merchant houses in the heart of Blakeney High Street. A House History 'walk and talk' exploring the evolution of the Merchant House estate, and close neighbours, over the past 250 years. See History Centre News for more information. Saturday afternoon, 6 September; 2.00pm till approx 5.30pm Cost £10.00 includes a pot tea/coffee (cake/scone is extra) Bookings: please phone 01263 740388, thank you

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 vacant Lecture Prog Organiser* E: [email protected] John Peake E: [email protected] T: 01263 740388 Richard Kelham, Publications* E: [email protected] Tel: 01263 740186 Jan Semple E: [email protected] T: 01263 860741 Geoff and Brenda Worton, Minutes Secretaries E: [email protected] Tel: 01263 715503

History Centre Sub-Committee co-optees: Sara Dobson, Tim Fawcett, Jean Thompson Glaven Historian Editorial: Charles Bradshaw, Tim Fawcett, Frank Hawes, Raymond Monbiot, Will Savage