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Potter Heigham

Potter Heigham photos (49 available)

Old photo of Potter Heigham

Potter Heigham maps (2 available)

Old map of Potter Heigham

Potter Heigham books (14 available)

Potter Heigham memories

The Water Otter

Potter Heigham, the Bridge 1934

Just by the road bridge on the Yarmouth side was a pub with a long grass garden which went down to the river, on the bank was a post with a notice on it which read "Don't disturb the water otter" and tied to the post was a rusty chain. Now the road to the bridge was like a grandstand overlooking the garden and people in the garden would encourage a friend to pull the chain and the people on the bridge, who knew about its secret, would cheer the person on to pull the chain VERY slowly so as not to disturb the water otter. Most people in those days dressed up to go to the Pub, slowly this MUDDY ...read more here
Contributed by John Hopthrow

Family Holiday

Potter Heigham, the Bridge 1934

As I read out the memorable words from a guide book about the low bridge in Potter Heigham, and thus to be extra careful, I was greeted with the words "Too late" as we rammed the bridge. Thirty years after this photo and we were still causing havoc!
Contributed by Lorna Cowan

Norfolk memories

The Water Otter

Potter Heigham, the Bridge 1934

Just by the road bridge on the Yarmouth side was a pub with a long grass garden which went down to the river, on the bank was a post with a notice on it which read "Don't disturb the water otter" and tied to the post was a rusty chain. Now the road to the bridge was like a grandstand overlooking the garden and people in the garden would encourage a friend to pull the chain and the people on the bridge, who knew about its secret, would cheer the person on to pull the chain VERY slowly so as not to disturb the water otter. Most people in those days dressed up to go to the Pub, slowly this MUDDY ...read more here
A memory of Potter Heigham contributed by John Hopthrow

Family Holiday

Potter Heigham, the Bridge 1934

As I read out the memorable words from a guide book about the low bridge in Potter Heigham, and thus to be extra careful, I was greeted with the words "Too late" as we rammed the bridge. Thirty years after this photo and we were still causing havoc!
A memory of Potter Heigham contributed by Lorna Cowan

Extracts From Potter Heigham & Norfolk books

Potter Heigham, the Bridge 1934

A pleasure cruiser has lowered its mast to enable it to pass under the stone and brick bridge with its wide central arch and two pointed side arches. It was a matter of pride amongst traditional boatmen - and required immense skill - to approach the bridge at full speed, reef the sail, lower the mast and emerge the other side without losing way.

An extract from from"Norfok Broads Photographic Memorie".

Potter Heigham, the Bridge 1934

The old medieval stone bridge, with one central and two pointed side arches, carries Yarmouth-bound traffic over the Thurne. Its painted warning ‘Caution, proceed slowly’ must not be ignored. Generations ago, even the great trading wherries had to halt and drop their masts to gain passage. Today the village is mainly the province of pleasure craft, who clog the quays in the months of summer.

An extract from from"Norfolk Photographic Memories".

Potter Heigham, the Bridge 1934

The old medieval stone bridge, with one central and two pointed side arches, carries Yarmouth-bound traffic over the Thurne. Its painted warning ‘Caution, proceed slowly’ must not be ignored. Generations ago, even the great trading wherries had to halt and drop their masts to gain passage. Today the village is mainly the province of pleasure craft, who clog the quays in the months of summer.

An extract from from"Norfolk Pocket Album".

Potter Heigham, the River Thurne 1934

Typical sailing cruisers glide majestically along the River Thurne, passing one of the essential wind pumps which drain the fields throughout the Broads area. This type of elegant windmill came into its own during the spring and autumn when the marshes were often full of flood water; during this time it was literally ‘all hands to the pump’ to ensure the safety of the cattle who had been turned out onto the land.

An extract from from"East Anglia".

Potter Heigham, the Broads c1926

Here we see sailing boats and dinghies alongside the River Thurne, with G Applegate’s boatbuilding sheds on the west bank. The Bridge Hotel, which here stands squarely in the background at the end of the footpath, burnt down in 1987 and has not been replaced.

An extract from from"Norfok Broads Photographic Memorie".