Back Pages the Start of the Project, a Choice That Was Warm- Ly Welcomed by the Late Lady Harrod, Founder of the Norfolk Churches Trust
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74 The Glaven Historian No.8 dant church of All Saints providing the focus at Back Pages the start of the project, a choice that was warm- ly welcomed by the late Lady Harrod, Founder of The Norfolk Churches Trust. Work in Progress: Before work started in earnest in March The Cockthorpe Project 2005, Lyn Stilgoe, a church enthusiast, began Introduced by Frank Hawes and Pamela Peake by leading us on a guided tour, indicating fea- tures of both historical and architectural inter- he parish of Cockthorpe has had long and est. Then under the guidance of Frank Hawes, a continuous links with the villages of the small team took measurements of the church Tlower Glaven. It was formerly the seat of both inside and out from which the plan pre- the Calthorpe family who until the early twenti- sented here was prepared. A second, smaller eth century also held land in Wiveton and group led by Pamela Peake, recorded the monu- Blakeney and from whom Nathaniel Bacon rent- mental inscriptions in the churchyard and after ed a home somewhere in Cockthorpe, whilst his these are checked against the Parish Registers new Hall at Stiffkey was being built. Then from they will be published. 1744 till 1927 the benefice of Cockthorpe with Little Langham was consolidated with that of Some thoughts on the church Blakeney, with the rectors living in Blakeney. Many interesting questions were identified dur- For a land locked parish, Cockthorpe ing the preparation of the plan, for example, the excelled in having two Stuart Admirals baptised strange arrangement at the junction of the nave in the parish church, namely Sir John and the tower that needs further thought. Narborough followed ten years later by Sir The tower apparently dates from c1300, but Cloudesley Shovell. Other mariners who are not the north wall of the nave is much older. The so well remembered also hailed from the parish lower part is almost certainly Saxon with fine no doubt attracted by the sea rather than work examples of flint quoins which surprisingly nei- on the land. Amongst these were five of six Dew ther Pevesner1 nor Mortlock and Roberts2 men- brothers, with Thomas Dew becoming the tion. The height of this north wall was raised, Harbour Master of Blakeney in the latter half of probably when the clerestory on the south side the nineteenth century. was added, but when was this? The arcade A recent UEA Local History course led by one below the clerestory is probably of similar date of our members, Chris Barringer, provided the to the tower though the clerestory windows stimulus to explore local parishes further and it seem contemporary with the fine 15th century is hoped develop research interests that will roof. continue. This was the incentive to look at the From the interior of the nave it can be clearly old parish of Cockthorpe with the now redun- seen that the roof is formed of three bays, but it Back Pages 75 Photograph 1. Cockthorpe Church from the south-east in the early Spring with myriads of snowdrops flowering in the churchyard. Many interesting features are visible: the Porch, South Aisle, Clerestory and Tower with remnants of the old nave roofline showing. 76 The Glaven Historian No.8 stops short of the west wall by about 600mm (2 feet). One suggestion is that the roof timbers were brought from another church that had slightly different dimensions. Another is that the ancient west wall of the nave could have once filled this gap. This would be strange, but the existence on the exterior of triangular fillets that now link the tower to the nave could possibly be associated. They are not bonded into either the tower or the nave walls and seem to have been built to close gaps which came into being after the tower was built. There are many tantalising problems that need to be explored and there will no doubt be similar anomalies to be unravelled between the monumental inscriptions and the written records. All will be reported in future numbers of the Glaven Historian. Participants included Helen Brandt, John Cucksey, Frank Hawes, Maurice Matthews, John and Pam Peake, Jan Semple, Lyn Stilgoe, but special thanks must go to Sue Matthews who provided life-saving warmth and refresh- ments on some cold winter days. References Photograph 2. North-west corner of the nave 1. Pevsner, N & Wilson, B. The Buildings of where it abuts onto the tower, showing the England: Norfolk Pt 1 2nd Ed. 1997 flint quoins of the Saxon wall of the nave 2. Mortlock, D.P & Roberts, C.V. The Popular and the fillet of brick and flint bridging the Guide to Norfolk Churches 1: North- corner between the nave and the tower. East Norfolk. 1981 From the Norwich Mercury One is tempted to think the Excisemen must have had a tip-off, and time to call up reinforce- Smugglers! ments, as thirteen Officers was about double the usual complement at Cley Customs House. Extract from the 23rd-30th June 1733 edition: Kimberley is between Wymondham and “Wednesday last, 18 Smugglers were pursued East Dereham, some 30 miles from Cley, so it from Cley, and that coast as far as Kimberley, in must have been a fair old chase. Norfolk, by the Customs and Excise Officers, The confiscated contraband would often be about 13 in number, Arm’d; amd altho’ the sold off to help defray the running costs of the Smugglers were so many in number and some Customs House. Arms, only one made Resistance, and while he Another potential contribution to their funds and a Custom-House Officer were fighting, one of was reported in a later edition of the Norwich the Smugglers (as ‘tis said) shot at the Officer, but Mercury 26th June-3rd July 1736: miss’d him, and shot one of the Gang into the Breast, who dy’d Yesterday. The Officers secured “Yesterday se’nnight was carried to the Custom- 5 of them, with 19 Horses, and all their Cargoe, House in Cley, fourteen Gallons of Brandy, and being near 200 Weight of Tea and other Six Hundred and Ninety Pounds of Tea, which Contraband Goods on each Horse. The 5 was seiz’d the Day before near Northwalsham Smugglers were carry’d before Justice HERNE on [sic], by Mr John Bayfield and Mr John Thursday, who committed them to the Castle, for Massingham, Officers in the Customs.” refusing to find Sureties. Their names are as fol- lows, viz. George Baulick, Tho Cockerel, John For some reason, on this occasion it was the Dorcarry, Robert Day, and William Bream.” Officers rather than the smugglers who received the name-check. Both the Bayfield and the Massingham families still live in the area. Back Pages 77 From the Norwich Mercury for Cold and Warm BATHING (the Old Bath being Property Announcements entirely laid aside), with two Dressing-Rooms, and other conveniences, and with proper attend- The Announcements and Advertisements that ance, which was opened for Compnay on the 1st peppered the pages of the Norwich Mercury (and May – Boarding and Lodging in a roomy and con- other papers) often provide intriguing glimpses venient House, and on more reasonable terms into the commercial life of the community. An than in most places in Wngland.” example is the Salt-water Bath at Clay which advertised its attractions in the 14th April 1764 Unfortunately we have absolutely no idea to edition in the following terms: which property all this refers. This was prior to the building of the present bank and sluice so “At CLAY next the Sea, in Norfolk the Glaven would have been tidal all the way to A SALT-WATER BATH, Glandford Mill, though it seems probable that WHICH may be supplied with Sea-Water several the premises were located at the northen end of Times in a Day, if required. This Bath has met the village near the quays. with the Approbation of those Gentlemen and Another property offered to let in the 30th Ladies who have made trial of it. August 1746 issue clearly was near the quay Good Lodgings, &c. to be had near the said (though this is not immediately apparent): Bath, on the most reasonable Terms. Enquire of Thomas Smith, of Clay aforesaid.” “To be LETT, And enter’d upon immediately, at Clay near Holt Some 27 years later the premises were being in the County of Norfolk, offered for sale in the 11th June 1791 issue: A Well-accustomed Brewing-Office, with all Brewing Materials thereto belonging, with a con- “CLEY BATH venient Dwelling-House adjoining, together with a To be SOLD by AUCTION Set of good and Well-accustomed Drawing-Houses, By J BURCHAM proper and convenient for the same; the whole On Monday the 20th June instant, at the now occupied by Mr BENJAMIN SMITH. Fishmongers Arms at Cley next the Sea, Norfolk NB. The Stock of Beer, and all other Stock of (if not sooner disposed of by Private Contract), the said Mr SMITH in the Brewing Business, is to between the hours of Three and Six o’clock, sub- be sold. ject to such conditions as will be then produced, Enquire of Mr JAYE at Holt, or of Mr SMITH at ALL those premises commonly called the Clay aforesaid.” BATHING-HOUSE, at Cley aforesaid, lately in the occupation of Miss Mary Smith, deceased: com- What appears to be the same premises, with prising a kitchen, 2 parlors, bakehouse, pantry, added land, were on offer again three years later cellar, 4 lodging rooms, 5 garrets, 2 small gar- in the 29th July 1749 issue: dens, with brewhouse, coalhouses, a two-stalled stable, & other convenient buildings, together “To be Lett, and Enter’d upon with the 2 baths adjoining the Channel, regularly at Michaelmas next, supplied by the tide with sea-water, and neces- at Clay in Norfolk, sary dressing rooms to accommodate each.