CAPTURING OUR WAYLAND HERITAGE

The STANTA Battle Area on Radio 4 on 26th Jan, 3pm

2012-01-24T18:24:00.001Z

A chance to learn about part of Wayland's countryside out of bounds to the public since 1942

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01b1lk4

Cranworth, Letton and Woodrising History Group new site on facebook

2012-01-24T18:08:00.000Z

In the wider Wayland area you can now follow the Cranworth, Letton and Woodrising History Group on it new facebook site
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cranworth-Letton-Southburgh-and-Woodrising-History-Group/211597265600749

New Ashill Village History page on facebook

2012-01-24T17:59:00.001Z

Catch up with latest on the Ashill Archive Group's activities on

www.facebook.com/pages/Ashill-Village-History/317216394990224

Babes in the Wood 1845

2012-01-10T23:34:00.001Z

Babes in the Wood
Originally uploaded by SueWalkerWhite

There are two versions of this sculpture of the Babes in the Wood by John Bell (1811 - 1895) one was sold to Queen Victoria and the other is now in the Norwich Castle Museum.

The date of the first new Wayland Heritage Group meeting is January 23rd

2012-01-04T18:29:00.001Z

The date of the first new Wayland Heritage Group meeting is January 23rd, at Wayland House, High Street, Watton. Please let Bron Tyler know if you are attending bron_tyler@yahoo.co.uk

The New Group and the Existing COWH Facebook Group

2011-12-31T16:47:00.000Z

A Capturing Our Wayland Heritage facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10150099192585096&v=wall was set-up by me in my former role as Project Heritage Officer in March 2010 as part of the project. Anyone of the former project Focus Group is free to join the group, and be made an officer and or admin for the site, one other and myself are already members.

The future organisation of the group will be the subject of a meeting of the former Focus Group members, the date and venue for this first meeting will be sent out by Jan and Bron. At our last Focus Group meeting several of us talked about having an open group page for the new group, so we can share information in an open forum, so new people could become involved, this existing facebook group can just be a stop gap to fill that need until the next meeting, when if the members request it this group page will be closed that night, or continue in use for the use of the new group, what ever you all decide on the night.

Best wishes to you all for a very happy New Year. Sue

The Blenheim Road Show coming to Watton on 19th Jan

2011-12-29T18:12:00.000Z

Group member Julian Horn has passed on the info about this forthcoming event 'This should be a cracker of a talk, Smudge has rebuilt the Blenheim 3 times and was on board in the Air Gunner’s position during its first crash many years ago.' It sounds an event not to be missed.

The School Packs will be delivered on 3rd Jan

2011-12-22T20:54:00.000Z

The Wayland Heritage School Packs are finished and will be delivered to each of the Wayland schools, with a set of the 13 books, on 3rd Jan. The packs provide a guide to the 13 Wayland Heritage books and data DVDs, and there is also additional material giving a Wayland wide view of some aspects of the area's history. This was the last element of the project worked on by the project Heritage Office, who's final day it was today.

Online Group Site for Wayland Heritage

2011-12-21T11:56:00.000Z

At the last Focus Group meeting we talked about having an on-line site where we could all keep in touch and post news on our research, events in the villages etc. Back in March 2010 I set up a facebook Wayland Heritage group on which anyone can post info at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10150099192585096 If you would like to try it out, we can see if it will be OK for keeping each other in touch and giving the New Group a public face, until we can make more firm arrangements in the New Year. Merry Christmas

The Last Capturing Our Wayland Heritage Focus Group Meeting

2011-12-20T16:49:00.001Z

We had a lovely last meeting of the Capturing Our Wayland Heritage Focus Group on 15th Dec, we must have all been good as Father Christmas came. The 13 Wayland Heritage books with DVDs have all been published for Ashill, Breckles & Stow Bedon, Carbrooke, Great Gressingham, Little Cressingham, Great Hockham, Griston, Ovington, Saham Toney, Scoulton, Thompson, Merton and Watton. They are available from the Wayland Partnership at Wayland House, High Street, Watton. The price is £6 for Hockham, Little Cressingham and Ovington all the rest are £8, most of the money will go towards reprinting the books and £2 for supporting a new Wayland Heritage group that will be formed early in the new year, to continue the work of researching and recording the areas history. I will be looking forward to meeting up with you all at the first meeting of the new group. It has been a great joy and a privilage to have been Wayland Heritage Officer for the project from Jan 2009 to end Dec 2011, working for the Wayland Partnership with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thank you all so much for your hardwork and friendship, have a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Sue
Sue White

Wayland Heritage Books on Show Today 26th Nov 2011

2011-11-26T09:37:00.001Z

After three years of work thirteen books and DVDs on Wayland's Heritage are revealed today at the Wells Cole Centre. Saham Toney, from 2.30 - 5pm. Produced as part of the Heritage Lottery funded project Capturing Our Wayland Heritage run by the Wayland Partnership and the project Heritage Officer Sue White. There will be exhibitions on show from each of the locations. The books cover Watton and 12 of the surrounding villages, each the work of those local communities. The books can be ordered at the event and will be on sale from Monday 28th at Wayland House, High Street, Watton. Please come along and talk to the authors.

Griston Village History Day 16th Oct

2011-10-07T16:13:00.000+01:00

Join us at the Griston Village History Day event on 16th October, from 10am to 4pm, at Manorcourt Day Centre, Manor Road, Griston. Free entry, refreshments and light lunches available. See the poster for more details.

Saham Within Living Memory Talks and Exhibition 30th July

2011-07-21T14:26:00.000+01:00

Come to a wonderful local history evening 'Saham Within Living Memory' with two illustrated talks and an exhibition (see the poster for details) on the theme of Saham during the two world wars. The event is being held at the Wells Cole Community Centre, Saham Toney. It is being organised by Saham Heritage, it starts at 7pm admission is free, and refresments will be available.

Wayland & District Photographic Club launch their new Webpage

2011-06-03T15:34:00.000+01:00

Members may be interested to visit the newly launched website of Wayland & District Photographic Club at http://www.wdpcnorfolk.co.uk

Local History this Weekend at Woodrising, Cranworth, Letton and Southburgh

2011-05-17T12:49:00.003+01:00

Displays in Cranworth Jubilee Hall, Cranworth cum Letton Church, and Woodrising Church from 10am to 4pm on Sat. 21st and Sun 22nd. In Woodrising church there will also be displays on Scoulton with craft displays and storytelling at intervals during the weekend. Please read the two posters in this blog for details.

Victorian Concert of Music and Song in Cranworth Church on Sat 21st at 7.30pm. Recreating as closely as possible that held in the parish on May 1st 1883.

On Sun. 22nd from 4pm there will be a display of family bibles and material to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible follower by choral evensong at 6.30.

Snippets on Watton from the 'Norfolk Annals 1805 - 1850

2011-04-08T12:30:00.000+01:00

25-8-1803.—Mr. George Wyer, of Downham Market, “carried a 20 stone sack of flour
one mile, leading through the town of Watton, for a wager of 230 guineas,
which he performed with great ease in 18 minutes, to the astonishment of
a vast number of spectators.”

29-10-1806 .—A trotting match for 50 guineas took place on the turnpike road from
Norwich to Watton, between Mr. King’s chestnut hone Doubtful and Mr.
Jeary’s brown mare Velocity. “The horse won by about two lengths. Owing
to a dispute respecting the horse galloping within the last hundred yards
the match still remains undetermined. Fifteen and a half miles were
covered in one hour.”

16-10-1819.—The East Dereham and London Telegraph coach was advertised by John
Leverett and Co. It started from the Cherry Tree Inn every Sunday,
Tuesday, and Thursday at 6.30 a.m., and travelled by Shipdham and Watton
to the King’s Head, Thetford, to meet the Norwich Telegraph. The Dereham
Telegraph then proceeded to the Woolpack Inn and the Angel Inn at Bury
St. Edmund’s, whence it returned to Thetford on the following day and met
the Norwich Telegraph on its return from London, and arrived at Dereham
the same evening at nine o’clock. On Saturday the Dereham Telegraph ran
to Norwich and back.

20-1-1823.—A coach commenced running from the Crown Tavern, Lynn, every Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday morning by Swaffham and Dereham to Norwich. It
returned from Norwich _viâ_ Hingham, Watton, and Swaffham. Another coach
set out from the White Swan, Norwich, every Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday morning at eleven o’clock, and travelled by Dereham and Swaffham
to meet the Stamford coach at Lynn. It returned after the arrival of the
Stamford coach, by Swaffham, Watton, and Hingham.

5-3-1829.—The Westacre Staghounds had a remarkable run. The meet was at Watton,
where the stag was turned off, and led a field of between 60 and 70 to
Ovington, Shipdham, Whinbergh, over Reymerston Common, touching
Southbergh, to Carbrooke, crossing Griston Common, to Thompson Heath.
Here there was a short check, which was hit off in good style, and away
they went for Tottington, on to Wretham, leaving the decoy on the left,
thence to Kilverstone and Brettenham Heaths, to the left of Croxton, and
to the River Ouze, which was crossed between Santon Downham and Thetford.
Only nine horsemen forded the river; they dashed away across the open in
the direction of Barton Mills, where another check occurred. They then
passed over Wangford Warren to Lakenheath Common, straight for Bramber
Hall, and the stag was killed in the plantations of Mr. Edward Bliss,
after a run of three hours and three-quarters. (The hounds were
advertised to be sold at the first Newmarket meeting, April 22nd.)

18-3-1843.—The Watton coach, on its way from Norwich, with six female outside
passengers, stopped at Barford Cock. During the temporary absence of
Allen, the coachman, the horses started off at full gallop, and were not
stopped till they arrived at Hingham. With the exception of a wheel
being taken off a passing vehicle, no damage was done.

All from:

                              NORFOLK ANNALS

              A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF REMARKABLE EVENTS IN
                          THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

         (_Compiled from the files of the_ “_Norfolk Chronicle_”)

                                    BY
                              CHARLES MACKIE

                                * * * * *

                                VOLUME I.

                                1801–1850

                                * * * * *

    “It is beyond the capacity of the human intellect to discriminate
    beforehand between what is valuable and what is valueless in the
    pursuit of historical research. What would we give now for
    newspapers and trade circulars illustrating the social habits of many
    bygone times and peoples?”—_The Times_, May 4, 1900.

                                * * * * *

                     [_Entered at Stationers’ Hall_]

                                   1901
Printed at the Office of the “Norfolk Chronicle” Market Place Norwich

Talk By Bron Tyler on 'The Parish Poor in Rural Norfolk' 17th March 7.30pm Wayland House, Watton

2011-03-10T12:55:00.000Z

It will look at the life of the parish poor and the effects of the Poor Laws, fuel allotments, charity, emigration and the workhouse system. If you are studying your parish history it will give you pointers of things to look for and the resources available. It is free to all those in the Wayland area, if you would like to come please email me sue@wayland.org.uk to book a seat.

Event Cancelled STORYTELLING EVENING: Tuesday 15th March – 7.30pm Cranworth Village Hall

2011-03-08T11:11:00.001Z

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL LATER IN THE SPRING WE WILL GIVE THE NEW DATE SOON

Information passed on from the newsletter:

GROUP NEWS – MARCH 2011

for Cranworth, Letton, Southburgh and Woodrising

STORYTELLING EVENING: Tuesday 15^th March – 7.30pm

Many of us in Cranworth and Woodrising interested in local history are involved in the three-year Wayland Heritage Project and have enjoyed many stimulating talks and activities relating to our area of Norfolk. Following on from a very good storytelling event in which we researched and read stories relating to our own parishes, we have decided to host a similar event in the Jubilee Hall in March. If you have a local tale to tell (or for someone else to tell) about someone or something interesting which may have happened years ago or just last week, please contact Hilary Campion on 01953 850253 or Beanie Brown on 01362 820068. Please come along whether you are a listener or a storyteller; it should be a very pleasant evening.-------

The Line-up for the Readings at 'Wayland in Words' this Saturday Night 5th March - Don't miss this unique event

2011-03-04T17:14:00.001Z

Come and celebrate 'Wayland in Words' on World Book Night this Saturday at 7pm in Wayland House, Watton.
There are seats still some available so please book now at sue@suewhite.demon.co.uk or phone 07526 909714

We have a wonderful line-up of readings and images that reflect the character of Wayland, it landscape, history, wildlife and people (see the poster above for details).
There will be passages from authors and poets from the past and present. We are very lucky to also have the chance to see some rear film footage of the author Christopher Bush reading from his book 'This String First'.

As part for the national book night celebrations everyone attending will be given a free copy of 'Seamus Heaney - New Selected Poems 1966-1987.

The event is free to the Wayland community as part of the 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage' project.

World Book Night in Wayland House - Watton 5th March 7pm

2011-03-02T18:17:00.001Z

Come and celebrate 'Wayland in Words' on World Book Night this Saturday at 7pm in Wayland House, Watton.
A evening of readings and images that reflect the character of Wayland, it landscape, buildings, wildlife and people.
There will be passages from authors and poets from the past and present. As part for the national book night celebrations everyone attending will be given a free copy of 'Seamus Heaney - New Selected Poems 1966-1987. This work was chosen from the books on offer as his writing has a great sense of place and the passing of time. The selected passages read during the evening will form a short anthology of literature from Wayland ancient and modern. The event is free to the Wayland community as part of the 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage' project. Space is limited so please book a seat now at sue@suewhite.demon.co.uk

Traditional Building Methods of Wayland- Talk 2nd March 7.30pm Wayland House Watton

2011-03-01T16:43:00.000Z

Tomorrow night there will be a talk Dirk Bouwens on the 'Traditional Building Methods of Wayland' - Talk 2nd March 7.30pm Wayland House, Watton. This evening will be expecially interesting for those of you who have clay-lump houses. Mr Bouwens is a national specialist on the history and care of clay and earth buildings, you can read an artical by him on the link below
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/earth/earth_buildings.htm

The talk is free to the community of Wayland, come and find out more about the area's Vernacular buildings.

The evening talk on 17th Feb on 'The Poor Law in Rural Norfolk' has been Postponed until 17th March

2011-02-15T12:58:00.000Z

Talk due this week on Thursday 17th Feb by Bron Tyler on the 'Poor Law in Rural Norfolk' has been postponed until Thursday 17th March.
It will look at the life of the parish poor and the effects of the Poor Laws, fuel allotments, charity, emigration and the workhouse system. If you are studying your parish history it will give you pointers of things to look for and the resources available. It is free to all those in the Wayland area, if you would like to come please email me sue@wayland.org.uk to book a seat.

Heritage Events in Feb and March 2011

2011-02-04T16:23:00.000Z

We have 2 Heritage Research drop-in days on the 9^th and 24^th Feb from 10.30 - 4.00pm at Wayland House, Watton.

There are also three evening events at Wayland House, Watton - 7.30pm

17^th Feb - ‘The Poor Law in Norfolk’ - Bron Tyler

2^nd March - Dirk Bouwens will be speaking on ‘The Vernacular Buildings of Wayland’

5^th March - ‘Wayland in Words’ this event is a part of national World Book Night celebrations http://www.worldbooknight.org/, also see below..

If you want to attend please let me know as we can only fit 40 people in the room.

Wayland in Words

For the event on March 5th we are asking Wayland people to choose their favourite passages of text that reflect the character of Wayland. It could be modern poetry (as in the Wayland Word Journey’), part of a press cutting or old document, parish record, a quote from a local history, landscape or wildlife book, fact or fiction, past or present.

It would be wonderful if you would be willing to read your selected passage/s out on the night as part of the event. Even if you do not want to read out your passage on the night, please do select a passage or two, someone else could read them or they may be used in a printed version.

If you want to take part in ‘Wayland in Words’ please email me (send a copy of your proposed passage of text, and any images you think would complement it) it should be a very interesting and memorable evening.

Heritage Events in January 2011

2011-01-13T17:41:00.002Z

We have a variety of heritage events to offer you during the rest of January:

The date of the next project Focus Group meeting is 18^th Jan at 7pm Wayland House.

There will also be four Heritage all day drop-ins at Wayland House, High St., Watton on Tue 18^th Jan, Mon 24^th Jan and Wed 26^th Jan all from 10am – 3.30pm, and the morning of Fri 21^st Jan from 10-12.30. Please pop-in for help with research or to talk over any heritage projects you are working on etc.

There is a writing/editing workshop, for those producing text and images for the final project publications, on 26^th Jan at 7pm – 9pm at Wayland House. It is important that those involved come if they can, so that we can all get an over view of what everyone is doing, and feel comfortable that we are all happily on the same track. It will be a chance to swop ideas and get practical advice.

Don't miss your chance to come to the ‘Wayland Tales’ storytelling evening event at the Chequers Inn Thompson on 27^th Jan you need to book now as there are only 7 places left.

Today is Plough Monday - Molly Dancing Tradition at Hockham Green Tonight 7pm

2011-01-10T11:43:00.007Z

Today is Plough Monday, the first Monday after Epiphany (The 12 days of Christmas). In the past on Plough Sunday it was common for the vicar to bless the plough...the men who will use it...and the work it would accomplish in the coming year. Farmers resumed their work on the following Plough Monday. It was a day when ploughmen traditionally marked the end of the Christmas period for the agricultural communities. The first records of it date from the 1300s. Before the reformation there are records of the burning of plough lights, maintained in churches by guilds of dancers, in several Norfolk churches. There is also the Norfolk 'Plough Pudding' which is a boiled suet pudding, containing meat and onions which was traditionally eaten on the day.

As agricultural work was scarce in the winter, farm labourers disguised themselves, by blacking their faces with soot, to get money by dragging a decorated plough around the the village. As they dragged the plough they would shout out "Penny for the ploughboys!". In east Anglia molly dancers often accompanied the plough, with the farm labourers to dance and entertain for money, they also blackened their faces with soot to disguise themselves so they could not be recognised by their future employers. This tradition is still kept alive in Wayland at Great Hockham, tonight it starts from the village green at 7pm, with the blessing of the plough and molly dancing by the Hockham Clodhoppers. All the money collected on the night goes to charity.

You can find more information on Plough Monday on the following links:
http://www.ploughmonday.co.uk/
http://freespace.virgin.net/peter.millington1/PloughMonday/Origins.htm
http://greathockham.org/MollyDancers.aspx

Book now for 'Wayland Tales' - Storytelling Event - 27th Jan, Chequers Inn, Thompson

2011-01-04T15:54:00.001Z

Come and join us for a winter evening of curious 'Wayland Tales', listern to traditional local tales of all kinds that have been passed down the generations, stories of ghosts, legends, crime, funny events and tragedy. The tales will be told by members of the project's workshops and the well known storyteller and researcher of Norfolk Folklore - Theo Fanthorpe.

Places are free but limited, you will need to book a ticket, priority will be given to those who have been researching local tales and/or taking part in the workshops. Please book your ticket from: sue@wayland.org.uk, tel; 01953 880216 or pop-in to Wayland House and speak to the Heritage Officer, Sue White.

The tales will be recorded at the event to form the base for a DVD that will be bound into an illustrated book of the 'Wayland Tales'. If you have any local tales that you would like to contribute to the book, please get in touch with us.

Radio Norfolk Turn's Back Time in Watton Today - Listen Live

2010-12-03T11:53:00.000Z

Go along to Adcock's in Watton High street this morning and share your memories and images of Watton High Street in the past, with Karen Buchanan. Visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/norfolk/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9233000/9233873.stm to see videos of Richard Sample well known master butcher and Chris Edwards' of Edwards Newsagent's.

2nd Dec - Wayland Tales - Storytelling Event Postponed till after Christmas

2010-11-30T11:59:00.000Z

I am very sorry to say we have had to postpone the storytelling event this Thur, 2nd Dec – ‘Wayland Tales’ till after Christmas. The weather forecast for the night is too unpredictable to risk running it. We have a wonderful line-up of traditional tales from the Wayland area waiting for you, we will be advertising the new date as soon as we can.

The Project Focus Group Meeting on Tuesday 30th Nov has been Cancelled.

2010-11-29T16:53:00.002Z

The Project Focus Group Meeting on Tuesday 30th Nov has been Cancelled due to the bad weather forecast for the night.

13th Nov - Saham Toney Heritage - Craft Fair & Annual Exhibition

2010-11-09T11:27:00.002Z

There will be a history exhibition including the new illustrated Saham Time-Line and Local Crafts Fair at the Wells Cole Community Centre, Bell Lane, Saham Toney from 10am-4pm. Entry is free and refreshments will be served all day.

Wayland Tales - Free Storytelling and Writing Workshops and Event in Nov, Dec & Jan

2010-11-08T13:45:00.003Z

Come and join us research, tell and listen to curious tales of Wayland. Bring your traditional local tales of all kinds and share them with others. As long as the stories are connected with the Wayland area they can range from tales of ghosts, legends, crime, funny events too tragedy. We are not looking for new short stories created by you, but versions of true events or tales that have been passed down the generations.

Wed 17th Nov - Afternoon 2pm, Wayland House, Watton
Event 1. Join in with the research and planning workshop for the ‘Wayland Tales’ story telling event.

Wed 24th Nov - Afternoon 2pm, Wayland House, Watton
Event 2. Workshop with storyteller and researcher of Norfolk Folklore - Theo Fanthorpe.

2nd December - Evening Storytelling Event ‘Wayland Tales’ at The Chequers Inn, Thompson. A winter evening of tales, told by members of the projects workshops and the well known storyteller - Theo Fanthorpe.

Places will be limited to 25, you will need a ticket priority will be given to those who have been researching local tales and/or taking part in the workshops.

The tales will be recorded at the event to form the base for a DVD that will be bound into an illustrated book of the 'Wayland Tales'.

There will be also be 2 Writing Workshops to help with the production of tales for this 2nd book stage, on the evening of Tue 11th Jan and the afternoon of Wed 12th Jan, both at Wayland House, Watton. These workshops will also be useful for those involved in writing their 'Village History' with the project.

If you would like to book a place on the above workshops, and take part in the Wayland Tales, please contact us saying which workshops you would like to attend email: sue@wayland.org.uk, tel; 01953 880216 or pop-in to Wayland House and speak to the Heritage Officer, Sue White.

Evening Talk - Nov 10th 7.30pm Wayland House, Watton 'Getting Started on Your Village History' the next stage of the project

2010-11-04T18:06:00.000Z

Following on from the project Focus Group meeting on 2^nd Nov, we have taken the direction followed by the meeting to set out a framework for the next stage of the project. We are now looking for written submissions from project members for inclusion is a series of publications supported with multimedia DVD or CDs.

The following is the starting point based on the list of suggestions put forward by those attending the Focus Group meeting. We have broken down the suggested topics into manageable chunks:

Produce a written portrait of your village as it is today, e.g. types of houses, population, trades, employment, school, village hall etc
Geology and Prehistory in brief of your parish.
Early settlement pre Domesday
Origin of the village name.
What does the Domesday survey tell you about your village

Bron’s Tyler's evening talk 'Getting Started on Your Village History' on Nov 10^th 7.30pm Wayland House, Watton will provide guidance for those terrified at the prospect. We are here to give help and back up with sources of info etc, just ring or email.

The above sections will need to be written by the end of Jan. There will be two writing workshops to help you on your way and give guidance on the evening of the 11^th Jan 7-9pm and afternoon of the 12^th Jan 2-4pm both at Wayland House, Watton, please email me to book a workshop place.

Hope to see you on the 10^th Nov as we feel this is an important chance to discuss any issues you may have. We are hoping that members of the Focus Group will have their first drafts of the 'Village Portraits' ready for the next meeting on 30th Nov.

Wed, 3rd Nov - 7.30pm Evening talk 'Recording Archaeological Finds in Norfolk'

2010-10-16T19:17:00.002+01:00

Wednesday 3rd Nov 7.30pm at Wayland House, evening talk by Dr Andrew Rogerson on 'Recording Archaeological Finds in Norfolk'.
Andrew runs The Identification and Recording Service at Gressenhall, which exists to record all archaeological finds made by members of the public in Norfolk.

They rely on the public to bring us what they find, to increase everyone’s knowledge of Norfolk’s past.

Thousands objects are taken to them every year, mostly from areas where there has been no archaeological excavation. Many of these objects are brought to the surface by agricultural machinery, which destroys their archaeological context.

They record the objects for posterity on the Norfolk Historic Environment Record, which is also based at Gressenhall. They range from Palaeolithic flint tools (up to half a million years old) to 18th-century lead cloth seals. They record flint, pottery, bricks, tiles and objects made of glass, bone and metal, and the finder receives a copy of all the information that is recorded.

Wayland Earthwork Field Trip - Sat, 30th Oct - Fully Booked

2010-10-16T19:07:00.005+01:00

This field trip is now fully booked all those who applied up till 1pm on 27th Oct have a place. We will be meeting in Gt Cressingham church porch at 10.30am. Please bring your wellies it could be very wet underfoot.

Wayland Earthworks Field Day on Sat 30th Oct, with Brian Cushion surveyor and author of 'Earthworks of Norfolk. The field day will visit sites at Gt Cressingham and Carbrooke. It will start at 10.30 at Gt. Cressingham looking at earthworks relating to the medieval village of Great Cressingham. Medieval fishponds, Moats, tofts, house platforms and hollow ways are all visible as earthworks. Stopping for lunch at the Windmill Inn at 12.30pm then on to earthworks at Carbrooke, a medieval site of the preceptory of the Knights of St John (a military monastic order similar to the Knights Templar). The site is represented by a series of well-preserved earthworks.

Wayland in Image and Sound - A Special Project Event on Sat. 16th Oct, 10am - 5pm at Queens Hall, Watton.

2010-10-11T17:49:00.002+01:00

This special event is a celebration of the Wayland Area in Image and Sound. We have films and videos of the area that will be showing throughout the day. Several filmed are by members of the project produced on a recent film workshop run with the BBC. There will also be photographs taken by the projects photographic group who have been working through the summer on their collections, including images taken from the same spot as early photographs to show how the landscape has changed.

Local History and Archive Groups are also going to be showing there latest work, including the Saham Toney History Group's Illustrated Time-Line. Ashill Archive Group will be showing a range of films and photographs of the village. There will be an exhibition of old photographs of Great Cressingham recently gathered together for the first time. The Scoulton History Group will have a display of images of school life in the village, you may be able to help them name some of the people in their photographs. Other local films include a remarkable film following the history of a medieval brass in Merton Church by Helen Riley, and a film about the Merton Estate shot in the 1970s. From the Griston Archive Group we have a video about the church - clock, bells and repairs to organ. It also includes visits by the American servicemen who were based in Griston and views from the top of the tower. They also have a CD of Ken Godfreys talk about the Americans in the village during war. There will be lots to see and entrance is free.

If any one would like to exhibit on the day it is not to late, please contact Sue White on 01953 880216 or 07526 909714.

Reminder that this Tuesday 12th Oct there is an evening talk 'The Norfolk Rural Schools Project' Wayland House, 7.30pm.

2010-10-11T16:48:00.001+01:00

This Tuesday 12th Oct, 7.30pm an illustrated evening talk by Dr Susanna Wade Martins on the 'Norfolk Rural Schools Project, Wayland House, High Street, Watton. Entrance free. It is a University of East Anglia project to explore and record the surviving Victorian and Edwardian school buildings of rural Norfolk.

9th October Scoulton History Group Exhibition 'Memories of Scoulton School'

2010-10-04T15:01:00.000+01:00

The Village History Day exhibition is being held in Scoulton Village Hall from 10am to 4pm, entrance is free. Former pupils and parents connected with the school, or other organisations who have used the building, are invited to come and share their memories and photographs.

2nd & 3rd Oct - Gt Cressingham is holding a Tribute Weekend with Heritage Display

2010-09-24T10:40:00.002+01:00

On Saturday & Sunday 2nd & 3rd of October,from l0.a.m.to 5.p.m.each day, Gt Cressingham is holding a Tribute Weekend, to celebrate the mapping of the churchyard. The graves have all been plotted on a map,and the tombstones & inscriptions recorded in a book, which is kept in the church. During that weekend, Mrs Sally North will open the former village school, now a Victorian School & Museum. There will be an art exhibition in the village hall,(Saturday only) and in the Parish Church an exhibition of village life & history. Parish records from the Norfolk Records office will be on show,also photographs of village events, village characters, a history of the Methodist church,60 years of the Women’s Institute, and many other interesting aspects of village life. We have also found books about the village and some written by authors who have lived in the village.

Refreshments & car parking are available at the village hall.

On Sunday at 6.p.m. there will be a tribute service to remember all who have been interred in the churchyard during the last 50 years.Their names will be read out and tribute paid to them. We invite you,if you wish to write a tribute to your family (no larger than A4 size please), with a photograph,and fix this to our tribute wall.These will be made into a book as a lasting memorial to these village residents,making these people more than just a name on a tombstone. Please come! There is something to interest everyone.
Yours
Emily Rutterford
STREET FARM GT CRESSINGHAM THETFORD, NORFOLK JP25 6NL TEL
01760 756240 September 2010

Photo Group and History Tour meet at Carbrooke Church 22nd Wed. Sept

2010-09-21T17:23:00.000+01:00

Photo Group and History Tour meet at Carbrooke Church 22nd Sept at 2pm.

The Thompson Bookworm Hunt, Sunday 12th September 12 noon start

2010-09-07T12:51:00.000+01:00

This Sunday 12th Sept is the 5th annual Thompson Village Bookwork Hunt, which is held to raise funds for the community Thompson Millennium Green. You will find over 25 garden displays on the theme of 'Forest Adventures'. In each display there is hidden a bookworm for children to discover, the winner is the one who has found the most bookworms. In addition to the bookworm hunt there are also traditional games, Watton town Band, refreshments and story telling for all ages by Neil Storey with his tails of magic and mystery. It all starts at 12 noon and will broadcast live from the green by Wayland Radio.

The Vanishing Industrial Past,

2010-09-06T10:51:00.001+01:00

Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society in conjunction with the Council for British Archaeology East presents a FREE lecture :-

Saturday 9th October 2.15 at The Forum, Norwich
The Vanishing Industrial Past, by David Alderton

This lecture is being held in conjunction with the East Anglian Branch of the Council for British Archaeology. Entitled The Vanishing Industrial Past, the lecture will focus on Norfolk. It is given by David Alderton, author or the Batsford Guide to East Anglian Industrial Archaeology.

To find out more about the society, go to www.norfolkia.org.uk

Open Day at St Peter's church, Merton, Sunday 5th September 2 - 6 pm

2010-08-26T15:29:00.003+01:00

Open Day at St Peter's church, Merton, Sunday 5th September 2 - 6 pm. Projection show of old photographs of Merton, Thompson and Tottington. Local history display. Exhibition of work by two local artists. Homemade teas.

Photo Group and History Tour meet at Gt Cressingham Church 18th Aug at 2pm

2010-08-16T16:21:00.000+01:00

Photo Group and History Tour meet at Gt Cressingham Church 18th Aug at 2pm.

Find out more about the church on Simon Knott's wonderful web site http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/greatcressingham/greatcressingham.htm

Visit to see Hockham Parish Records at the Norfolk Historic Environment Record and Air photography library at Gressenhall on 23th August 1.45pm

2010-08-06T16:57:00.000+01:00

Visit to the Norfolk Historic Environment Record and Air photography Library at Gressenhall, to look at material from the Parish of Hockham. 8 places available, please book now sue@wayland.org.uk meet at Gressenhall 1.45pm.

The Norfolk Historic Environment Record exists to provide a record of all areas of known archaeological activity, sites, finds, cropmarks, earthworks, industrial remains, defensive structures and historic buildings in the county. The record is held on a computerised, searchable database with integrated digital mapping. Alongside this are further, more detailed, paper records, maps and drawings for many of the sites and finds.

The Norfolk Air Photography Library is housed at the offices of Norfolk Landscape Archaeology and is open to the public by appointment. The library contains over 85000 images of Norfolk, and consists of a number of collections. The largest of these contains over 40000 photographs taken by Derek A. Edwards between 1974 and 2000. These are images taken of archaeological sites throughout the county and provide an excellent record of Norfolk's heritage.

The archives are housed within Norfolk Landscape Archaeology, which shares the same building as the Gressenhall Rural Life Museum. As you go into the courtyard of the museum you go right to the far wing of the building.

Hockham Hall and Church

Photo Group and History Tour meet at Stow Bedon Church 11th Aug at 2pm

2010-08-06T12:55:00.001+01:00

This week the history tour and photo group meet is at Stow Bedon Church at 2pm.
The Parish of Stow Bedon Breckles and Lower Stow Bedon

You can also read about the church at http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/stowbedon/stowbedon.htm

Photo Group and History Tour meet at Thompson Church 4th Aug at 2pm

2010-08-03T15:37:00.000+01:00

This week the history tour and photo group meet is at Thompson Church at 2pm. It is a wonderfully interesting church, full of fine examples of medieval craftmanship. You can read about the church at http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/thompson/thompson.htm Our history guide will be Bron Tyler. Hope to see you there.

Rev. George Crabbe, published a book on the history of Thompson called 'Some materials for a history of the parish of Thompson, in the county of Norfolk' in 1892 it is available to read on line and to down load as a PDF on the following link.

http://www.archive.org/stream/somematerialsfor00crab#page/n7/mode/2up

Photo Group and History Tour meet at Merton, 28thth July, 2pm at Church

2010-07-26T17:56:00.001+01:00

The next photo group meeting will meet at Merton Church Wed 28th July at 2pm. The history guide for the afternoon will be Helen Riley, who has been researching the history of the parish in for several years. It will be a very interesting afternoon. Hope to see several of you there.

View Merton Church in a larger map

Engraving of Merton Church in 1825
and Merton Hall in the 1860s

Carbrooke's Heritage, Open Meeting on Wed. 28th July 7pm

2010-07-26T15:29:00.001+01:00

Meeting at 7pm on Web 28th July at Carbrooke Village Hall, for those living in Carbrooke parish who would like to record and research their heritage. If you can't make the meeting contact Sue White, Wayland Heritage Office an get put on to the contact list, for further events.

Photo Group and History Tour of Saham Toney 14th July 2pm

2010-07-04T19:47:00.000+01:00

The photo group meet and history tour of Saham Toney on the 14th July will start from St Georges Church at 2pm.

Reminder - there is no afternoon Photo Group/History Tour this week 7th July

2010-07-04T19:37:00.000+01:00

Photo Group and History Tour meet at Griston, 30th June, 2pm at Manor Court

2010-06-28T15:44:00.001+01:00

This weeks photo and history tour is of Griston and will be led by Bridget Parks. Meet at Manor Court Car park at 2pm. see Google map below
View Griston, Manor Court in a larger map

Some of the locations in Griston the group will visit are shown above as they once where, the aim will be to visit these sites and photograph them today, and learn about some of the history of the village. Our guide Bridget is one of the members of the Griston Archive Group, that are collecting information on Griston and researching its history. I hope you will come and join us.

Reminder WATTON's HERITAGE, illustrated talk by Julian Horn 7pm this Wed 30th June, Wayland House, Watton, Free Entry

2010-06-28T14:50:00.000+01:00

Photo Group Meet and History Tour 24th June 2pm Houghton-on-the-Hill Church

2010-06-23T13:52:00.002+01:00

The next Wayland Heritage photo meet tour is on Thursday 24th June it will be led by Bob Davey and Rod Rumsby. St Mary's is an exceptionally interesting church with rare12th century wall paintings. It is in a wonderful location and the weather will be lovely, so come and join us.
You can find out more information about the church by visiting their website at http://www.saintmaryschurch.org.uk/

View Hougton-on-the-Hill Church in a larger map

Breckles or Breccles Church 1820s and Photo meet today

2010-06-09T11:27:00.004+01:00

Breckles or Breccles Church 1820s and Photo meet today, 2pm 9th June at the church. originally uploaded by 4wayland.

More information on Breckles at http://www.norfolkheritage.org.uk/breckles/default.asp the site by Joe Harrod who is our guide for the photo group meet and tour this afternoon.

Photo Group Meetings at Ashill and Breckles

2010-06-08T15:13:00.001+01:00

The images above are some of the results from the photo group meet last week at Ashill, they show (top) the village school around 1905 and the same view today. The image below shows the well and pump on the green around 50 years ago and the the capped well today on the right. Sadly the turn-out was very low for such an interesting tour of the village by Jean Skeggs from the Ashill Archive Group, and the lovely weather.

The next photo group meeting will be at Breckles Church tommorow at 2pm. The history guide for the afternoon will be Mr Joe Harrod, who has been resarching the history of the parish in great depth for several years. It will be a very interesting afternoon. The photo of Breckles church was taken in around 1900 is from the collection of Chris Garrod. Hope to see several of you there.

Save as Draft

We had a good time at the Smashing Saxons half-term event at Watton Library

2010-06-04T12:15:00.003+01:00

The Smashing Saxons event yesterday afternoon at Watton Library went very well. The photo top left shows Jayne Winterbone the Community Librarian demonstrating how to make thumb pots, based on the design of Saxon urns. Mums and children made 11 small pots and decorated them in Saxon style. The Capturing our Wayland Heritage Project put on a display and provided hand-outs about some early Saxons pottery and finds found in Watton. We also gave those at the workshop a chance to get hands-on with some real Saxon finds.

At the event I said I would send a photo of one of the young potters to her. If you see this blog could you or you mum please get in touch, as I cannot get through too your email address (also I the spoon for you).

The drawing on the left is part of an early Saxon burial urn discovered in Watton in the 1950s. Discover more about Watton's archaeology at http://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=%27TNF1652%27

12th June 'Saham Through the Ages' Illustrated Talk

2010-06-03T11:04:00.000+01:00

Don't miss this rare chance to hear John Newton talk about his research on the history of Saham Toney. The talk at the Wells Cole Community Centre, Saham Toney will start at 7.30pm, admission free. There will also be displays on the heritage of Saham on view before the talk from 6pm, with refreshments.

Come to the Hockham Horn Fair Sunday 30th May

2010-05-28T10:57:00.000+01:00

The Hockham Horn Fair dates from a charter granted by Henry III in 1272 for a fair to be held each year. The fair starts around midday. There will be local stalls, refreshments and activities going on as well as entertainment including maypole dancing and molly dancing. Come and see the Hockham Horn Dance preformed. You can find out more about this historic fair on Chris Garrod's Great Hockham website.

Come and join the Smashing Saxons - Watton Library Thursday 3rd June 2pm - 3pm

2010-05-27T11:31:00.000+01:00

The Watton Library is running an free event to discover Saxon life in Norfolk and make a clay thumb pot. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please ask branch staff or call Watton Library on 01953 881671 for more details. The 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage' project will also provide a display on Saxon finds from the Wayland area at the event.

'Look Up' in Wayland - Join the hunt for building dates

2010-05-25T03:49:00.000+01:00

We miss a lot of the world around us by not looking up above our normal eye level.

Today we are starting a new Capturing Our Wayland Heritage project called ‘Look Up’ and we would like everyone to look up for a particular reason.

We would like you to join in the hunt for all the buildings in the Wayland area with dates on them. The collection will build up into a valuable resource for the study of local architectural styles in the area.

Dates are often to be found high up on buildings on date stones or marked out in bricks or flints set into in the walls. Sometimes dates can be found inside building too, carved on beams or over fireplaces. All types of buildings can have them houses, barns, schools, village halls, chapels etc.

When a building has been found we would like people to do four things
1. Take a photo of a general view of the building
2. Take a closer detail view of the date
3. Make a note to say where the building is and its date.
4. Then email them to sue@wayland.org.uk or post directly on to the project's Flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/group/wayland-heritage/

The copyright of the photos will remain with the photographer, we would just want your permission to use copies as part of the study resource available to the community.

The photos below are a sample of the kind of images and info we are hoping to collect from around the area.

The Belvoir building, High Street, Watton, genral view above and detail below. The date stone reads 'Labour and Watts 1929'. It will be interesting to find out who 'Labour and Watts' were.

If you would like to do a bit more research on the buildings you identify that would be wonderful and we would be pleased to help.

If you have not got a camera you can still help by making a list of the buildings you find, and someone else can take some photographs, or the project can help you start taking your own photographs.

Contact Sue White – Wayland Heritage Officer

Tel 01953 880216
Email sue@wayland.org.uk
Project blogsite http://wayland-heritage.blogspot.com

Consolidated B-24 Liberator emergency landing near Watton 1943

2010-05-19T00:37:00.005+01:00

Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Originally uploaded by Doug Sheley
The B-24 was called 'Pregnant Peg' from the 577th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group (Wendling) http://www.b24.net/, 8th Air Force.
This is one of the many wonderful images that can be seen on the 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage' online Flickr photo group pages. The group has 38 members and over 700 photographs have been up loaded on to the site. If you take photographs in the Wayland area, or have old images, that you would like to share, why not join Flickr and the group (it is Free)at http://www.flickr.com/groups/wayland-heritage/

‘The Parish of Stow Bedon Breckles and Lower Stow Bedon’ Published on the Web

2010-05-18T23:03:00.002+01:00

The book ‘The Parish of Stow Bedon Breckles and Lower Stow Bedon’ was researched and produced as a local community project in the parishes covered by the book in 2005. It was funded by a grant from ‘Awards for All’ and was given free to parishioners and interested parties. The book is now sadly out of print. Working with Rosemary Macintosh we are pleased to have helped in making it accessible once more to parishioners and researchers. The project is greatful to Gary Pearce for the preparation of the original material for digital publication.
The Parish of Stow Bedon Breckles and Lower Stow Bedon. This document has been temporally removed from the web for updating.

2nd Heritage Photo Group Meet is 19th May 2pm at Scoulton Village Hall

2010-05-17T16:19:00.002+01:00

The first meeting of the Wayland Heritage Photo Group got off to a good start with ten members gathering to setting out plans for future activities, this was followed by a walk around Watton. With thanks to Paul Adcock and Julian Horn the group got to see some highs and lows of Watton that are not normally open to the public. You will see from the photos below that we explored the underground tunnels, which are thought to be around 200 years old, under the Clock Tower.

Then the group went up on to the roof of the building behind the Clock Tower to look at the timber framed core of the building adjoining the tower. Inside part of the building the original exterior wall is still visible with a rare example, for Watton, of decorated plaster.

The next meeting on 19th May will meet at the Scoulton village hall at 2pm. Julia Grover from the Scoulton History Group will show the group some early photographs of the village and then we will take a walking tour of the area. If you are planning on coming or have difficulties with transport please give me a email on sue@wayland.org.uk or phone 01953 880216.

Norfolk's Farming Artifacts - 17th May, BBC One, 7.30pm

2010-05-12T19:42:00.001+01:00

Artefacts showing how Norfolk fed the world are being broadcast on TV for the BBC's A History of the World series.

Coke's Monument at Holkham Hall and the journal of Wymondham farmer Randall Burroughes, held at the Norfolk Record Office, are featured on the programme about the "The agricultural revolution". Susanna Wade-Martins, who gave a wonderful talk to the project before Christmas, talks about the Thomas Coke 1st Earl of Leicester (1754 - 1842), who promoted new farming methods on his Holkham Hall estate, and his Monument, built in 1845. Professor Tom Williamson talks about the 1794 journal of the farmer Randall Burroughes of Burfield Hall, Wymondham.
Ploughs, Cows and Clover is broadcast on 17 May 2010, on BBC One at 7.30pm.
See film clips of the program on http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/norfolk/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8677000/8677036.stm

Come and help us make a visual record of the Wayland area

2010-04-27T02:10:00.002+01:00

A new Wayland heritage photography group will be meeting every Wednesday afternoon during the summer at Wayland House, High St. Watton, from 2 to 4.30pm, starting on 12th May.

Each week the group will go out to different locations in the Wayland area, to explore and record the natural landscape and man-made heritage that make this area unique.

There are no fees, and the group is open to people of all abilities. You can bring your own camera or borrow one from the project. Those with more experience are encouraged to give support to the beginners. Guidance will also be available from guest photographers and the Wayland heritage officer.

As well as taking photographs members can learn some basic editing skills using Photoshop Elements, on equipment available in Wayland House.

The project already has a Flickr online photo group with 36 members, who have posted nearly 700 photographs. These can be seen on http://www.flickr.com/groups/wayland-heritage/. Basic membership of Flick is free, but you do not have to join to just look at the photographs.

If you would like to join the Wednesday photo group please contact Sue White on 01953 880216 or email sue@wayland.org.uk

The 1910 Book 'The Land of Babes in the Wood' by Rev Charles Kent is now freely available on the Web

2010-04-26T14:26:00.007+01:00

The Land of the "Babes in the Woods" or The Breckland of Norfolk

This book was written by Rev. Charles Kent, M.A of Merton in Norfolk and published in 1910,he drew heavily apron the papers and notes of his predecessor Rev. George Crabbe of Merton that had been left at the church and rectory. It is one of the few books that has covered the Wayland area in any depth. You will find a wonderful range of topics such as superstitions, highwaymen and local traditions. There are chapters on Watton, Merton, Thompson, Stow Bedon, Breccles, Tottington, Carbrooke, Caston, Griston and Scoulton.
The 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage' project is working to make out of print reference books, such as this, easily accessible to researchers. The text is searchable and the whole book can be downloaded as a PDF from Google Docs once there click on the file button (top left) and a drop down menu will give the option to download. The book, from Sue White's collection, was scanned, edited and the PDF prepared by Gary Pearce.

Watch a short video on the Psalter Map of 1260, part of the BBC 4 season

2010-04-21T16:31:00.000+01:00

The folksong Babes in the Wood sung by The Copper Family

2010-03-14T02:41:00.002Z

A very old traditional folk song about the 'Babes in the Wood' that has spread around the world with settlers from England. This song and variations on it can be found in America and Australia.

Do You Want to Capture Our Local Oral History? Book Now for the Free BBC Workshop on April 20th

2010-03-12T19:52:00.003Z

The COWH project is very pleased to have five places available on the BBC workshop 'Audio Interview Recording Skills' at the Forum Studios, Norwich on 20th April from 11.00 am - 13.00 pm. Book now for two hours of training by BBC experts in audio interviewing skills, with advice on operating recording equipment. This is your chance to aquire the skills to get out there and start recording the unique memories of local Wayland people, so they will not be lost forever. Email sue@wayland.org.uk to book your place.

Bayeux Tapestry Video

2010-03-12T10:12:00.002Z

I have added this video to the blogsite as a nice example of a different way of interpreting a well known part of our heritage.

The Bayeux Tapestry
Uploaded by dekku. -

Wood Rising Bell

2010-03-09T01:36:00.001Z

Wood Rising Bell
Originally uploaded by suewhite

Short video of the ringing of the Wood Rising Bell on the church open day in 2009.

Wood Rising - Church Barrel Organ

2010-03-08T17:09:00.002Z

The organ was built in 1862 by Flight & Robson; restored 1957; one barrel replaced 1960. Repertoire of 30 "hymns". It was filmed being played at the church open day in 2009.

Evening Sunshine at Merton Park , Wayland, Norfolk

2010-03-05T09:48:00.003Z

A short film shot in the beautiful early evening sunshine at Merton.

Queens Hall - Souvenir Programme 1956

2010-03-03T17:54:00.011Z

Following the Wayland Heritage Discovery Day at Queens Hall last Friday it seemed a good time to start looking at the history of the hall. We are lucky that a copy of the original 1956 souvenir programme has survived in Lesley Cowling's family collection of Wayland documents. The three pages that give a history of what was then called 'Watton Coronation Hall' have been added here. The full programme has been scanned and can now be read online (in the window above) and downloaded from Google Docs, if you click on the small icon top right in the window above you can see it in a larger window, click on File, top right, and you can download it free from there.

If anyone can give some of their time to help scan documents like this please, get in touch with the project heritage officer sue@wayland.org.uk

Heritage Drop-ins on Wednesday Afternoons - dates for March 2010

2010-03-02T10:40:00.001Z

The March 2010 dates for the Wednesday 'Heritage drop-in Afternoons' 2 - 4pm at Wayland House, Watton are 3rd, 10th and 17th March

Pop-in to find out more about the project.

Come in and pick up some tips on how to research your local history on-line. View your village from the air with Google Earth and discover archaeological features from the air.

We need volunteers for scanning and recording historical photos and documents of Watton, Wayland and the Battle Area, could you help us record the past for the future

If you have a topic you would like to research or a local story to tell which you would like to pass on to future generations we would be happy to help.

Thank you to everyone that came to the 'Wayland Heritage Discovery Day'

2010-03-01T16:51:00.001Z

Thank you to everyone that came to the Discovery Day on Friday. As you can see from the photo on the left we had a good time. All the hard work of the local heritage, needlecraft and photographic groups made it a very interesting and enjoyable day.

We were luck to be able to have John Lord demonstration the ancient art of flint working all through the day as part of the 'Wayland Heritage Discovery Day'. The speed and skill with which he works the flint is amazing. Visit his website to find out more about his work and where else you can see him flintknapping www.flintknapping.co.uk

Dr John Davies's talk on 'Boudica's Norfolk' ended the 'Wayland Heritage Discovery Day', with a wonderful fresh look at Iron Age Norfolk. Covering some of the results that new research and discoveries are revealing about our county. The Ashill and Saham Toney within the Wayland area may prove to be of particular importants. Dr Davies has recently published to books on Boudica's Norfolk.

Again many thanks to all of you that attended.

John Lord - Flint Knapping Demonstration - 26th Feb at the Wayland Heritage Discovery Day - Queens Hall, Watton

2010-02-15T10:16:00.001Z

John and Val Lord will be demonstrating their ancient art through out the day. John is a master of the art of flint knapping, and Val is an expert in producing the bindings that would have held the flint tools in place in their wooden mounts. Don't miss this chance to see them at work, if you have found any worked flints John would be interested to see them, and will be able to tell you about how they were made. You could be adding important information to the heritage of the Wayland area.

Wayland Heritage Discovery Day - 26th Feb

2010-02-02T18:38:00.004Z

There will be a major heritage event at the Queens Hall, Watton on Friday February 26. Every one in the Wayland area (and beyond) is welcome to this event. During the day there will be opportunities for visitors to explore all kinds of topics. There will be opportunities to try some online research, local groups will have demonstrations and displays and there will be photograph exhibitions and film shows.

The subjects covered will range from 2 World War photographs, local architecture, parish records, heirloom textiles, traditional crafts, quilting and hands-on have a go at making a rag rug and much more. Local heritage groups will show some of the resent material and activities they have been working on.If any Wayland residents have photographs, postcards, needlework or artefacts of any kind they would like to show or to learn about, we would love to see them too. Everyone can contribute to capturing our wayland heritage for the generations to come. We will have cameras and scanners there on the day so we can record the items that are brought in, so your precious heirlooms will not have to leave your sight. There will be oppotunities to sign-up to take part in workshops and activities during the comming year.

The Discovery Day will run from 10.30am and in the evening at 7pm there will be a special treat when John Davies from the Norfolk Museums and Archaeological Service will speak on ‘Boudica’s Norfolk’. Dr Davies has recently had two books published on the subject, the video clip below shows him talking about one of them. The video was produced by Poppyland Publishing.

2010-01-25T15:26:00.003Z

Feb 8th - Workshop - Creating and Printing Digital Images for Creative Projects

Workshop - Creating and Printing Digital Images for Creative Heritage Projects – This is a free workshop by the ‘Capturing Your Wayland Heritage’ project.

Feb 8th 2010 – Wayland House, Watton – 10.00 to 4.00 The workshop is now full, there are no places left, but if you are interested in a future workshop could you please email me on sue@wayland.org.uk

The workshop aims to give an introduction to creating digital images with cameras and scanners. It will also cover getting the images on to your computer and making the most of them by making simple adjustments with Photoshop and similar free software such as Gimp.
Printing the images on samples of different fabrics and papers will give participants a chance to compare results and see what can be achieved. The workshop will provide the skills to produce images on paper or fabric that can be used to make creative family or village histories etc.

Participants that have a project in mind should bring images to scan, photo cards, images in their cameras etc with them. On going support from the project heritage officer will be available for the heritage-based projects started on the workshop.

If any one has examples of past work, printing on fabric they would like to bring to show the group, and share their experiences that would be very useful.

Laptop computers, cameras, a scanner and an inkjet and laser printer will be available, but if people would like to bring their own familiar equipment to work with that would be fine.

Tutor - Sue White – Wayland Heritage Officer
Please email sue@wayland.org.uk or phone 01953 880216 to book a place.

Heritage Drop-ins on Wednesday Afternoons - dates for February 2010

2010-01-25T15:07:00.009Z

The February 2010 dates for the Wednesday 'Heritage drop-in Afternoons' 2-4pm at Wayland House, Watton are Jan 27th - Feb 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th.

Pop-in to find out more about the project.

Come in and pick up some tips on how to research your local history on-line. View your village from the air with Google Earth and discover archaeological features from the air.

We need volunteers for scanning and recording historical photos and documents of Watton, Wayland and the Battle Area, could you help us record the past for the future?

If you have a topic you would like to research or a local story to tell which you would like to pass on to future generations we would be happy to help.

This view of archaeological features from the air at Scoulton where spotted by Julia and Tony Grover on Google Earth. What can you discover in your parish?

Today is Plough Monday

2010-01-11T16:35:00.002Z

Today is Plough Monday the first Monday after Epiphany, or Twelfth Night. Plough Monday was an important ritual for agricultural workers in the east of England for centuries. In Norfolk the ploughboys performed a dance called molly dancing.

In Hockham the day is still celebrated, after the blessing of the plough on the village green at 7pm, the Hockham Clodhoppers (molly dancers) will be dancing by torchlight outside the pub near the green. Then the merriment will moving on to the village hall, with local musicians including a hurdy gurdy player, here everyone will be encouraged to participate in some Elizabethan dances. Free refreshments will be provided at the end and a collection will be made for charity during the evening.

To read more about the history of Plough Monday visit http://ploughmonday.co.uk/

Heritage, whose heritage?

2010-01-11T15:49:00.001Z

Open University course A180 Heritage, whose heritage? You can acces audio talks free through itunes on several heritage topics by clicking on the following link
Heritage, whose heritage?

2009-12-11T15:55:00.001Z

a novice joining blog. Looking for the evidence of the lost 'castle', court house and post mill in Scoulton.

Heritage Drop-in Afternoons dates for January 2010

2009-12-11T11:01:00.002Z

The January 2010 dates for the Wednesday 'Heritage drop-in Afternoons' 2-4pm at Wayland House, Watton are Jan 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th. Pop-in to discover more about the project and pick up some tips on how to make the most of your digital camera to record your locality, or search the internet for information on your local heritage. If you have a topic you would like to research or a local story to tell which you would like to pass on to future generations we would be happy to help.

First Heritage Drop-in Afternoon Today - Nov 18th - Wayland House 2-4 pm

2009-11-18T10:24:00.002Z

The 'Capturing Our Wayland heritage' project is holding the first of four drop-in afternoons, before Christmas, today from 2-4pm. The other three afternoons are on 25th Nov, 2nd and 9th Dec. Pop-in to discover more about the project and pick up some tips on how to make the most of your digital camera to record your locality, or search the internet for information on your local heritage. If you have a topic you would like to research or a local story to tell which you would like to pass on to future generations we would be happy to help.

Saham Heritage - Annual Exhibition & Craft Fair

2009-11-10T15:29:00.001Z

The Saham Toney Heritage Group are holding the fair at the Wells Cole Community Centre, Saham Toney on Sat Nov 14th, 10am-4pm. There will live demonstrations, a display of regional artifacts, local crafts, film show and refreshments.
The 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage' project Heritage officer will be there with a display.

Wayland Heritage - Two Illustrated Talks at Wayland House, Watton

2009-11-10T14:43:00.005Z

Illustrated Talks at Wayland House,
High Street, Watton.

Nov 26th 7pm
“Researching Our
Farming Heritage”
By Susanna Wade Martins

Dec 3rd 7pm
“Wings Over Norfolk: Early Aviation
& Pioneer Photographers”
&
“Aerial Photography
for Archaeology”
By Derek A. Edwards

The Ashill Village Archive Group's 2010 Calendar "Times Gone By" is Available Now

2009-11-10T10:59:00.000Z

The Ashill Archive Group have produced a A4 calendar with 12 photographs from their extensive village archive, which date from around 1900 to 2008. Proceeds from the £5 sale price of the calendars will support the work of Ashill Village Aid and the Archive Group. If you would like to purchase one, you can either pop into the Drop-in Centre next to the pond on the village green from 10 -12am on Mondays, when the Archive Group Meet each week, or contact Enid Turner on 01760 440419.

Remembrance Day

2009-11-08T15:11:00.006Z

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Fourth stanza of 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon (1869 - 1943)

The British Remembrance Day is always held on the 11 November. This is the day that World War One ended in 1918, when the armistice was signed in Compiègne, Northern France, at 5am. Six hours later at 11am the fighting stopped. The period of silence was first proposed by a Melbourne journalist, Edward George Honey, in a letter published in the London Evening News on 8 May 1919, which subsequently came to the attention of King George V. On 7 November, 1919, the king issued a proclamation which called for a two-minute silence on the 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th Month. The nearest Sunday to the 11th is called Remembrance Sunday.

The photograph above on the left shows an original wooden Flanders cross of 1915 for Lieut. K. G. Ford, which hangs in the church at Ashill. Out of all Norfolk's 700-odd parishes, only one got back all the boys it sent to the War - Ovington, near Watton. In every other parish, memorials remain to remember the dead.

Online Research - Free Access to Ancestry.Com and More

2009-10-29T16:46:00.002Z

Did you know that there are several online subscripitions accessible free from home and library computers, through the Norfolk Online Reference Library? The full list of subscripions available can be seen on http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/Norfolk_Online_Reference_Library/Quick_reference_and_news/NCC038355

For local and family history the highlight is free access to Ancestry.com through computers in Watton or other Norfolk Libraries. It is a genealogy research tool, which gives instant access to a wide range of resources for genealogical and historical research. With more than 7 billion names in over 4,000 databases, ALE includes records from the U.S, Europe, Canada, Australia and the UK and Ireland. It includes UK Census Records from 1841-1901, Military Records, Court, Land, and Probate Records, UK Civil Registration Index (1837 – Present), Directories, Passenger lists, and lots more!

There are several other subscriptions you can also search from your home computer, buy typing in the number next to the barcode on library card, such as:
19th Century British Library Newspapers – contains full runs of 48 mainly regional, but some national newspapers…e.g. Birmingham Daily Post, Ipswich Journal, Manchester Times, Liverpool Mercury. Covers England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Access the database from home by typing in your library card number when asked.

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography - An illustrated collection of 56,000 specially written biographies of the men and women who shaped all aspects of Britain's past, from the fourth century BC to the year 2004. The dictionary does not include any living people. Follow this link to access this database from home by typing in your library card number when asked. Please enter NOR before the number when prompted (with no spaces)

• Times Digital Archive (1785-1985) - The complete digital edition of The Times (London). Use keyword searching and hit-term highlighting to retrieve full facsimile images of either a specific article or a complete page. Access the database from home by typing in your borrower number when asked.
• Who’s Who – directory of UK and worldwide noteworthy ad influential people from all walks of life. Plus “Who was Who”, dating back to 1898. Follow this link to access the database from home. When prompted, please type NOR before your library card number (with no spaces)

• Oxford Reference Online – fast access to information on every subject …from Art to Zoology using over 175 different reference works in one database. Follow this link to access this database from home.
Please enter NOR before your number when prompted (with no spaces)

Digitising the Griston Parish Records

2009-10-26T13:46:00.002Z

On 22^nd Oct. members of the Griston Community Archive Group, and Capturing Our Wayland Heritage project, spent the day at the Norfolk Record Office making a digital photographic record of the Parish Registers. The Griston Parochial Church Council gave their approved for the copying of the documents. On the day assistance on photographic recording techniques was available from the COWH project’s heritage officer. The team of five photographed the seven registers dating back to 1654, as part of a joint agreement with Record Office to make them more accessible to the public. The Record Office waved the normal photographic fee in return for having a copy of the digital record being made by the group. The digitised registers will be made available as PDF files on CD at a reasonable cost to raise money for the Griston Church Fund.

There are plans to have recording days on the Thompson and Merton Parish Records, once permission is granted, and the conservators have checked the documents to make sure they are in a good enough condition to be photographed. If there are any other parish groups in the project area that would like assistance in arranging and coping their records please get in touch with the project officer Sue White.

Video from top of Caston church tower on 5th September 2009

2009-09-28T02:43:00.012+01:00

Click on the picture to run the video.
The view from the top of Caston church on 5th September 2009. The tower was open to raise funds for the church. It was a spur of the moments video so the quality is not to good. I had to walk over the struts that support the weather vain so it is also rather jumpy. It would be good to go up again and do a better job.

To discover more about the history of the church follow this link http://www.watton.info/OurHeritage/TheChurchesofWayland/Caston/tabid/117/Default.aspx From this link you can also listen to a audio guide and download the files to your computer to use on your MP3 player to take with you on a visit to the church.

Photographs of Liberator Graveyard - RAF Watton

2009-09-24T15:13:00.001+01:00

Liberator Graveyard, originally uploaded by Tedder13.

For those of you that may have not seen the resent photographs added to the 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage' photo pool on flickr it is well worth looking at those of RAF Watton taken by S/Sgt Les Corey. They include two wonderful images of a Liberator Graveyard. Visit the site to see more of them and read about the collection by clicking on the link below http://www.flickr.com/photos/tedder13/sets/72157622049225423/.

Babes in the Woods

2009-09-23T16:27:00.005+01:00

We have Bron Tyler to thank for the chance to read this wonderful little booklet written by the Rev. Charles Kent in about 1913. The Rev. Kent looks into the possibly true origins of the tale and includes notes on the history of Thompson church.
You can view the whole book, do a word search of it and download a free copy from HERE in Google Docs once there click on the file button (top left) and a drop down menu will give the option to download.

New Photographic Society Covering the Wayland Area

2009-08-11T16:34:00.000+01:00

Capturing Our Wayland Heritage project is pleased to see the founding of a new photographic society in the form of the 'Watton & District Photographic Society'. They have a very well designed website which shows all the future workshops and events that they have planned, as well as a wonderful gallery of members work. The first meeting is on 8th September, visit their website for more information at http://www.wdpsbreckland.org The project is looking forward to working with them in the coming months to capture our Wayland heritage.

The Wayland Show - The Missing Years

2009-08-10T11:30:00.000+01:00

This year it was the 136th Wayland Show. By searching in Google books I found a copy of the Farmer's Magazine of 1857 which gives an account of the first show of the newly constituted 'Wayland Agricultural Association'. If this was the first show we have 21 missing years, the two world wars may account for some of these, but what about the others, does anyone want to do some research to find more about the history of the show?

The Wayland Show - Watton - 2nd August

2009-07-30T17:44:00.000+01:00

The annual Wayland Show is one of oldest agricultural events in the country having been held for over 150 years, the first show was in 1857. It is still going strong and attracts crowds of more than 5,000 people to see displays of livestock, fur & feathers. The event also features displays of steam engines, classic cars, vintage tractors, gun dogs, falconry, art, crafts and weavers and spinners will be displaying their techniques. There will also be horse and carriage and helicopter rides. The Capturing Our Wayland Heritage’ project will have a stand at the show, with a display of copies of documents dating from the early years of the show.

8.30 Horse Event
10.00 Gun Dogs
10.25 Cyril the Squirrel
10.50 West Norfolk Foxhounds
11.10 Young Farmers Surprise Competition .
11.35 Classic cars
12.00 Household Cavalry display
12.30 Presentation of Young Achievers Award
12.35 Eagle Heights birds of prey
13.00 Vintage Tractors
13.25 Mid Norfolk Gun Dogs
13.50 Cyril the Squirrel
14.15 Martial Arts Display
14.35 West Norfolk Foxhounds
15.00 Norfolk Young Farmers Surprise Competition
15.25 Presentation of cheque to Macmillan Cancer Support
15.30 Household Cavalry display
16.00 Eagle Heights birds of prey
16.30 Livestock and Horses Champions parade
17.00 Presentation of the “Champion of Champions” award

All profits go to local charities. The Wayland Show Website
Entry prices are: Adults £8, Children £3 (under 5s free) and OAPs £6. Car parking is free.

Heirloom Needlework

2009-07-15T23:43:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday I have joined the Hackers, Tackers and Stuffers Quilt & Needlework Group in Watton. The project I will be working on is to finish a large patchwork bedspread my mother started when she was serving in the ATS during the war. It travelled around the country with her from camp to camp. At a time when all material was rationed and 'make do and mend' was a way of life patchwork was a good way of using every scrap of fabric. I remember her still working on it occasionally when I was a child. It was always a pleasure looking at the wonderful range of colours, designs and fabrics it was made up of. It is all hand sewn, so I will follow on in the same way. When it is finished my plan is to embroider the backing cloth with the story of the patchwork and list the camps she was stationed at as a Radar operator, where she would have sat in the camp huts with the rest of the girls, sewing and mending around the little metal coal stove. The hexagonal card templates used for the individual patches where made from cigarette packets, which she got all the chaps to save for her; they are in themselves a record of 1940s graphic design.

Do you have any pieces of heirloom needlework with a local story to tell? If so the 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage' project would like to help you record it, so it can be shared with others for years to come.

Quilting and Needlework Exhibition by the Watton 'Hackers, Tackers & Stuffers Quilt and Needlework Group'

2009-07-14T10:14:00.000+01:00

The Mayor of Watton, Councillor Margaret Holmes, opened the 2009 group exhibition in the Dragonfly Visitor and Exhibition Centre in Watton on 1oth July, and it runs until the 18th July. The opening night preview was very well attended. Their exhibition is a wonderful display of traditional and contemporary needlework skills and creativity, from group members living in the Wayland Area. A new blog site for the group has been set up http://htsqgroup.blogspot.com with the help of the 'Capturing Our Wayland Heritage Project'

Days to Remember

2009-07-01T23:18:00.000+01:00

The project will be having a stand at the 'Days to Remember' event at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum this Friday 3rd July. It is a day especially for the over 55s and entrance is half price for the day for them.