Local Lynx No. 150 - June/July 2023

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continued from page 15 A MESSAGE FROM THE SECOND LYNX EDITOR Bob Brandt It's amazing, and a real tribute to all those who have been involved over the years, that the Local Lynx has not only continued but has thrived as a form of communication between our villages. Frankly, I did not in the least want to become involved in trying to save the original paper because my wife, Helen, and I had spent many years helping to publish a similar community newspaper in the Bristol suburb of Shirehampton where we were living while our family was growing up. But Helen was a keen writer and editor and we were cornered by the then rector, John Penny, until we had agreed to take it over. He assured us that he would persuade the villages involved to pledge sufficient sums to make sure that we did not find ourselves in debt as a result of ‘volunteering'. In those early days, the content for each issue (the 'copy') was hand-typed by Helen then passed to a local resident who produced duplicated copies for stapling together. When that task became too much of a burden, we were lucky enough to find Century Printing in Stalham, who took over the printing for a modest charge, and the rest, as they say, is history. My lingering contribution to the paper - having now retired from producing Christmas crosswords - lives on in the small, decorative 'spacers' which appear in each issue, and the occasional appearance of the lynx whose image hides in some issues to encourage younger readers. The name Local Lynx, by the way, was coined by a daughter of the original editor. We live through changing times, when the nature of our villages has changed greatly since the paper's early days. Fewer 'local characters' can afford to buy houses here now and have been replaced by holiday-makers and a few homeworkers who have been driven into 'the country' by Covid and the chance to enjoy our lovely bit of North Norfolk. All are welcome, but it is relatively rare now to hear locals speak in their original tongue and tell of the days when farming was the main source of employment. But if we can continue to keep in touch with each other and welcome new friends, our communities will survive. In its small way, the Lynx encourages that possibility. Thanks again to all those involved with it. Bob CORONATION 1937 May 6th 2023 we witnessed the Coronation of King Charles III and the various celebrations around it. The following photos were taken from a book that was written by John Butcher and is now in the possession of Edward Allen, that chronicles the events that took place in Langham on the 12th May 1937 for the Coronation of King George IV and Queen Elizabeth. The programme of events started at 8am with a church service, a carnival at 1.45pm followed by an afternoon of sports and in the evening a “Social”. I will transcribe the activities that took place for the evening social though I’m not too sure we will be recreating them. The Social - The room for the social was crowded. Every available bench, chair, and window was filled. Very many egg-boxes, stools etc were brought in. There was a very varied programme with nice prizes for competitions. An evening of songs, choruses, round games, cock-fighting and all kinds of competitions was much enjoyed from 7pm to 12pm. At 9pm all, who wished for it, had a bottle of beer. There were refreshments and lemonade throughout the evening and all there said it was one of the nicest socials they had ever had. THANK YOU ERIC The PCC are very grateful to Eric on Holt Road who has kindly donated a St. Georges flag to fly on the church tower on special occasions. It is very much appreciated as the current one you might have seen has a football sized hole in it. 18
MORSTON Contact: Martin Cardoe 07973 885665 mcardoe@msn.com SAD SAGA OF OUR RECTOR IN 1796 Lynx 76 Feb/Mar 2011 A strange and peculiar tragedy ended the public careers of two of the sons of the 1st Marquess Townshend of Raynham (who died in 1807): (the 3rd son) the 29-year-old Reverend Lord Frederick Townshend (1767-1836) in his fourth year as Rector of Stiffkey with Morston (1792-1836) and (the 4th son) Lord Charles Townshend, MP for Yarmouth. One day in May 1796 the two brothers set out from Raynham for London via Yarmouth. When their coach reached Oxford Street, it was discovered that Lord Charles was fatally wounded, apparently having been shot on the journey by his brother. Lord Frederick was found to be insane and was committed to the care of a doctor. According to Palmer’s Perlustration of Yarmouth what had happened was this. “…The sitting member (for Yarmouth), Mr Charles Townshend, having been promised a peerage, which was soon after conferred upon him, retired in favour of his relative, Lord Charles Townshend, 4th son of George 1st Marquess Townshend. In 1796 this young man was duly elected; and on the following evening he and his brother, Lord Frederick, posted to London in a carriage and four, travelling all night. At six o’clock in the morning the postillions pulled up in Oxford Street to enquire where the Bishop of Bristol lived, to whose house they had orders to drive. Lord Frederick, Morston & Stiffkey’s vicar, jumped out of the carriage, struck one of the post boys, and offered to fight with the persons attracted to the spot; but being unable to provoke a contest he walked away towards Hanover Square. Upon looking into the carriage, the lifeless body of the newly elected member was found shot through the head. Lord Frederick was immediately pursued and taken into custody. From the evidence of the postillions it was proved that when within about seven miles of London they heard a report, and Lord Frederick was seen to throw a pistol out of the window. Lord Frederick declared that this brother had shot himself and that he had endeavoured to do the same but failed. A second pistol which appeared to have been recently discharged, was found in the carriage. It appears that the conduct of these young men at Yarmouth had been so extraordinary that Sir Edmund Lacon followed them to town, fearing some accident would happen. Nothing further could be elicited, and the coroner’s jury found “that the deceased had been killed by a pistol-ball but from whose hand unknown”. This tragic event explains the rumour passed down at Morston, that Lord Frederick Townshend – who died without issue – never preached a sermon at Morston. The Rev Lord Frederick was a great grandson of Charles (“Turnip”) Townshend, the 2nd Viscount Townshend. (With thanks to Joc Wingfield.) MORSTON PARISH COUNCIL Election Results Following local elections held on Thursday May 4th 2023 the undermentioned candidates were elected to become Parish Councillors for Morston: Carole Bean, Roberta Hamond, Matthew Harrison, Richard Reynolds, James (Jim) Temple, Jill Tibbetts, Charles (Charlie) Ward. FRIENDS OF MORSTON CHURCH AGM The Friends of Morston Church Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 8th July at Morston village hall, Quay Lane, starting at 6:30pm. We look forward to greeting our members there. MERSTONA (quiz answers on p.30) 1. Norwich City Football club’s song is the oldest football chant still being sung in the UK today. What is it called? (a) ‘Give Us a Goal’ (b) ‘On the Ball City’ (c) ‘Why Why Why, Delia’ 2. The Theatre Pavilion on Cromer Pier, hosts the world’s last what? 3. What is the North Norfolk Railway Heritage Line, which runs from Sheringham to Holt, also fondly known as? (a) The Bluebell Line (b) The Samphire Line (c) The Poppy Line. 4. One of Norfolk’s many seaside towns has the unique distinction of being the only east coast resort that actually faces west. Which is it? 5. The Norfolk Broads is not a natural phenomenon, but the result of what? (a) Roman canal building (b) Flooded peat workings (c) Victorian sewage channels 6. In 1989, which famous 3-piece American band 19
Page 1 and 2: ISSUE 150 June - July 2023 with spe
Page 3 and 4: Church Services for Bale and Stiffk
Page 5 and 6: Refreshments will be available at T
Page 7 and 8: SURVEYOR’S ALLOTMENT An Update Th
Page 9 and 10: BINHAM PRIORY CONCERTS 10 th June a
Page 11 and 12: certainly welcome to join us for an
Page 13 and 14: the village, as well as for many ot
Page 15 and 16: corona bottle wrapped in a sock whi
Page 17: editing, advertising sales, distrib
Page 21 and 22: him in very good stead for looking
Page 23 and 24: SHARRINGTON Contact: Claire Dubbins
Page 25 and 26: SHARRINGTON LIVE MUSIC We recently
Page 27 and 28: TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK Firstly, a
Page 29 and 30: Allen’s studios in Glandford, whi
Page 31 and 32: LANGHAM VILLAGE SCHOOL NEWS It is n

Local Lynx No. 150 - June/July 2023

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