Wensum Fakenham Lynn News column: Domesday Book, mayor George Acheson, Cromwell Cottage, UEA
Wensum Fakenham area column by Jim Harding, July 4
What is known about the early history of Fakenham? Not much, actually.
The place was reckoned to have ‘5 Villeines, 20 Bordars and 4 Serfs’ at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. As my old dad might have said: “Try picking the bones out of that.”
By the time of the next population survey in the 18th century, our numbers had increased to around a thousand. How much have we grown since then? Well, the most recent census in 2021 put Fakenham’s population just above 8,000. So, considering all the centuries in between, not a major increase.
You will not be surprised that the oldest building here is the church of St.Peter and St. Paul. Saxon remnants have been found in one corner so it’s reasonable to suggest people have worshipped here for at least a thousand years.
Like most medieval churches, ours has undergone plenty of building changes. One of the most significant was the addition of the tower in the 15th century. This dominates the town centre at 115ft. I have no head for heights but once climbed all the steps up to the top in company with a photographer.
Holding on to my hat and my nerves I was prepared to admit that the views from up there across the surrounding countryside were ‘fabulous’. The Victorians carried out a lot of internal refurbishment, very evident today. We can trace the attractive nave roof and chancel to this period along with the pine pews.
When George Acheson served as mayor of Fakenham a few years back he decided that a permanent legacy of his commitment to the town would be the creation of a Heritage Trail which would identify and highlight some of the historical landmarks of the community in which he had lived and served for so long.
This is now in place, distinguished by some 32 blue plaques which remind residents of particular sites, some now long gone. This trail may be followed with interest as I’ve discovered for myself. The demise of the age of the train is evidenced by plaques close to where the former Fakenham East and Fakenham West railway stations used to be.
With my history studies at UEA in mind, my personal plaque favourite is the one attached to Cromwell Cottage on Tunn Street. This is labelled: “It is thought to be the oldest house in town and regularly housed Cromwell’s troops.”
Another favourite is attached to the war memorial in the market place, on which these words may be distinguished: “Fakenham was granted a Charter market in 1250. There has been a weekly market in the town ever since.”
I love this sort of stuff and revel knowing about Fakenham’s past, however limited, and how it has survived the highs and lows and somehow thrived down the centuries.
