West Dereham
West Dereham photos (10 available)
West Dereham maps (2 available)
Map of Norfolk
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
West Dereham books (14 available)
West Dereham memories
Read and share memories of West Dereham and Norfolk inspired by Frith photos
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Norfolk memories
Mason family
My great great grandfather, Fred Mason was born in Outwell, Norfolk around 1859, he had a brother, john Thomas. It is believed that the family ran/owned a laundrette business. In 1880 he married Jane Ann Yates from Rostherne Village, Altrincham, cheshire. Why he and his brother moved to cheshire is unknown. still looking for any information.
geoff mason
A memory of Outwell contributed by geoff mason
An old man's memories
I was born in 1922 in the village of Mundford. My Father was the village policeman. The village was then a self-contained society and provided all the necessities of life, including a doctor, blacksmith, carpenter and general store. When other needs arose we hired a taxi or cycled the ten miles or so to Brandon, where there was then a train station that enabled us to get to Norwich or Kings Lynn. My Father policed the area for which he was responsible on foot or on his bicycle.
The social life was so much superior to that today and in many respects I believe we were much happier. There was no TV and radio was still in its infancy; citizens ...read more here
A memory of Mundford contributed by Ralph Woodgate
Boyhood
I was born in 1922 in Mundford where my Father was the village policeman. We had no motor car, indeed in those days there were not many people who could afford this luxury. The village was small, however it was self-contained and provided all the necessities of life, including a village doctor, blacksmith, carpenter and general store. When other needs arose we hired a taxi or cycled to Brandon where there was a train station that would enable us to get to Norwich or Kings Lynn. My Father policed the area for which he was responsible on foot or on his bicycle.
The social life was superior to that found in the suburbs today and in many respects I believe ...read more here
A memory of Mundford contributed by Ralph Woodgate
school holidays in Swaffham
I used to spend all my school holidays with my grandmother Mrs.May Symonds who lived on Queen street last house close to the playing field, I have very fond memories of playing in the field, walking what was called "the cinder path" and shopping at a store called Hanents this store if I remember correctly from my childhood memories was beside a closed in stone ally way, I loved the smells in this store and the old wood floors that creaked they also had a cash lady sitting in a booth high above counter or so it seems to my mind and there were lines running from each counter to this cashier who made all the money transactions. a ...read more here
A memory of Swaffham contributed by First name Last name
Extracts From West Dereham & Norfolk books
This is one of the largest keeps in the country, richly decorated inside with a well-preserved medieval kitchen.
The castle is built on a massive defensive earthwork, giving unrivalled views across the land and out to sea.
An extract from from"King's Lynn Photographic Memories".
This entrance lodge to
the house and gardens
was private until the
area was opened to the
public for the first time
in 1908. All moneys
from admission charges
go to a huge list of
charities, and garden
produce is given to
local hospitals.
An extract from from"King's Lynn Photographic Memories".
The owners of Gayton Flour Mill built all these properties to house their workers.
The mill had a bakery supplying bread for the whole village, which was displayed in
baskets and delivered by horse and cart. Depending on the strength of the wind,
the employees were called out day or night to work the mill.
An extract from from"King's Lynn Photographic Memories".
This narrow gateway, constructed of cobbled flint and brickwork, was built in the 13th century to defend the
northern entrance of this well-preserved town, which was also fortified by earthworks connected to
the west side of the castle. The shop premises and house on the left-hand side of the picture have been
demolished. The cottages on the right-hand side are constructed from building materials taken from the castle
ruins, as is the case with many other properties in the town.
An extract from from"King's Lynn Photographic Memories".
In the grounds of Greyfriars are the Bank Lane arches. Previously, this part of Greyfriars had been used to house
cattle and other farm animals awaiting market. The 14th-century arches were re-sited from Bank Lane near Ferry
Street, an area demolished in 1910.
An extract from from"King's Lynn Photographic Memories".