Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 92

13.-The officers of the 1st King's Dragoon Guards gave an amateur dramatic performance of "The Area Belle" and Burnand's burlesque, "Black-eyed Susan," at Norwich Theatre, in aid of the Soldiers' Widows Fund. The performance was repeated on the 14th and 15th.

21.-A gale of great violence occurred and lasted throughout the 22nd.

Much damage was done in the county to farm buildings and other premises.

At Brundall the river Yare overflowed its banks and flooded the railway; at Mundesley the tide was higher than was ever before known, and at Yarmouth the low-lying parts of the town were submerged, and the water entered many granaries and stores. Another high tide and gale were recorded at Yarmouth on the 29th. "The barometric fall accompanying the gale was most remarkable, the mercury having descended 1.26 inches in twenty-four hours."

26.-"The Midsummer Night's Dream" was produced upon a magnificent scale as the Christmas attraction at Norwich Theatre, by Mr. Ben Greet's company.

29.-Died at Torquay, Colonel d.i.c.kson, who was Conservative candidate for Norwich with the Marquis of Douro in 1852. Colonel d.i.c.kson was in his 89th year.

1895.

JANUARY.

1.-Severe weather was experienced throughout the county. The snowfall was heavy, and deep drifts everywhere impeded traffic, especially in West Norfolk. On the 23rd the Yare overflowed its banks, and during a fearful storm at Yarmouth the water rose to an alarming height. Elaborate precautions were taken to prevent a recurrence of the catastrophe of the previous mouth, and although the Hall Quay was flooded the water was kept out of the dwellings sad store-houses. The Beach Gardens narrowly escaped destruction. On the same day Eccles tower, which had been a landmark for generations, fell through the force of wind and waves. In the last week of the month the frost was more intense than it had been at any time during the winter, and in Norwich pedestrian and vehicular traffic was rendered difficult by the snow. Observations taken at Blofield on February 6th showed that the thermometer in screen, four feet above ground, fell to four degrees Fahrenheit, and the exposed thermometer on the gra.s.s to three and a half degrees below zero. This was said to have been three degrees colder than on any night during the severe frost of 189091, and it was the coldest night since January 26th, 1881. On the 9th the frost was more severe in certain districts than had hitherto been recorded in the century, and remarkably low readings were received from various parts of the county. Skating was everywhere general. At Diss an ice carnival held on the Mere was attended by between 2,000 and 3,000 people attired in fancy costumes, and similar displays of a minor character took place in other localities. On the 17th the frost showed unmistakable signs of breaking up. For twenty-eight successive nights, from January 20th to February 17th, the mercury had fallen below freezing point, a longer period of continuous frost in the opening months of the year than had probably been recorded for half a century.

8.-Avenue Road Board School, Norwich, built at the cost of nearly 12,000, was opened by an inaugural meeting held under the presidency of the Mayor (Col. Bignold), at which addresses were delivered by the Lord Bishop and Sir G. W. Kekewich, K.C.B., Secretary to the Education Department.

19.-A meeting of the owners of marshes lying near the Yare and Bure was held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, to consider the advisability of adopting a plan for the protection of the level from high tides by a commission who would have the power of maintaining the river walls. The question was adjourned for further consideration, and on March 30th the proposed scheme was rejected.

31.-M. Paderewski gave a pianoforte recital at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

FEBRUARY.

1.-The Sandringham s.h.i.+re horses, the property of the Prince of Wales, were sold by auction at Wolferton by Mr. A. Beck. The total amount realised was 5,231 gs., and the average per animal 119 3s. 8d.

-Died at Stoke Holy Cross, Mr. Henry Birkbeck. He was the only son of Mr. Henry Birkbeck, of Keswick, and was born on February 10th, 1821. His mother was the eldest daughter of Mr. Joseph Gurney, who left to his grandson his share in the great Norwich bank of Messrs. Gurneys and Co.

Mr. Birkbeck began his training in the bank on January 1st, 1839, and became a partner in the concern on his coming of age. He married in October, 1849, the eldest daughter of Mr. Anthony Hamond, of Westacre.

She died in 1862, and 1871 he married Miss ffolkes, only sister of Sir W.

H. B. ffolkes, of Hillington. In 1853 Mr. Birkbeck served the office of Sheriff of Norwich, and in 1860 was High Sheriff of Norfolk. For several years he represented the old Fourth Ward as a member of the Norwich Town Council. He was a most generous supporter of local charities and benevolent inst.i.tutions, was honorary treasurer of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and chairman of the executive bodies of the Great Hospital and the Bethel.

18.-By invitation of Mr. Thomas Crammer, Lindahl, the renowned Scandinavian skater, visited East Dereham for the purpose of meeting "Fish" Smart in a skating contest. Upwards of 2,000 persons a.s.sembled on the ice. The first race of one and a half miles was won by Smart in 5 minutes 48 4.5ths seconds; Lindahl won the second race over the same course. Owing to the bad condition of the ice the compet.i.tors were unable to establish a record.

MARCH.

4.-Died at St. Faith's House, Norwich, Mr. John Hotblack, aged 74. He was a justice of the peace for the city and for the county, and for several years represented the old First Ward in the Town Council. In November, 1884, Mr. Hotblack was elected Mayor of Norwich.

7.-Died at Soham Vicarage, the residence of his son, the Rev. Cyprian T.

Rust, LL.B. For twenty-two years he was a clergyman in Norwich, and held successively the livings of St. Michael-at-Thorn and Heigham; in 1875 he was presented to the living of Westerfield, near Ipswich. Mr. Rust was born of Baptist parents, and after serving as a clerk in a London counting-house became a Baptist minister at Colchester, where he worked from 1838 to 1841. Thence he went to Queen's College, Cambridge, and took his LL.B. degree in 1852, in which year he was ordained deacon by Bishop Hinds, and in 1853 priest by the Bishop of Ely. Mr. Rust did much literary work in the form of magazine articles, and was in many ways very successful as an essayist. He was the author of "Higher Criticism: Some Account of its Labours upon Primitive History," published in 1889; "Essays and Reviews"; "The Break of Day in the 18th Century: a History and a Specimen of the first book of English Song" &c.

11.-A meeting of Norwich traders was held at the Guildhall, at which it was resolved to re-establish a Chamber of Commerce in the city.

15.-Died at Bracondale, Mr. Henry Colman, last surviving son of Mr.

Robert Colman, of Rockland St. Andrew's, in his 82nd year. He was one of the eleven brothers Colman who const.i.tuted the famous cricket team. Mr.

Colman for several years represented the old Sixth Ward as a member of the Norwich Town Council.

19.-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council the City Engineer (Mr. A. E.

Collins) presented a report which stated that a further sum of 200,000 ought to be expended upon the Norwich sewerage works. The Council adopted a scheme involving the expenditure of 72,000 beyond the sum of 80,000 authorised by the Norwich Corporation Act. (_See_ January 22nd, 1896.)

21.-Brigadier-General Bulwer presented the long-service medal to past and present members of Volunteer battalions in Norfolk. The presentations were made at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

24.-A hurricane such as had never been known in living memory occurred on this day (Sunday). It swept over city and county, and its effects were experienced in the greater portion of the south-eastern district. Houses were unroofed and partially demolished, great chimney stacks destroyed, strong walls levelled, and solid masonry overthrown. There was not a park in the county which was not despoiled, and many thousands of trees were torn from the soil. Fortunately the storm happened upon a day when people were able to keep to their houses, otherwise the loss of life must have been serious. Only one casualty was admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The storm was of short duration. At dawn a bl.u.s.tering March wind prevailed, as the day advanced the weather became squally, then the wind blew from W.S.W. and attained cyclonic intensity, at 4.30 p.m. the hurricane subsided. On the 25th Norfolk presented a vast scene of devastation.

30.-Died at his residence, the Abbey, Westacre, Mr. Anthony Hamond, in his 61st year. The eldest son of Mr. Anthony Hamond, he was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, and entered upon the duties and pursuits of a country gentleman. He became very popular as master of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, and on his retirement from the masters.h.i.+p was presented with his portrait. In the dark days of agricultural depression the tenantry on the estate experienced the practical sympathy of Mr.

Hamond, who was a most kind and generous landlord. In the breeding of cattle and horses he took great interest. His shorthorns obtained wide celebrity, and his s.h.i.+res were equally well known. Mr. Hamond first conceived the idea of a stud-book for the Norfolk hackney; he was one of the founders of the Hackney Horse Society, was elected first president in June, 1883, and held office until June, 1885. He consistently supported the policy of the moderate Liberals, but when the great disruption came he unhesitatingly threw in his lot with the Unionists. On the death of Sir William Bagge in 1880 Mr. Hamond was approached by the Liberal electors of West Norfolk with the view of obtaining his consent to his nomination in opposition to Mr. Tyssen Amherst, but he declined, and the Conservative candidate was returned without a contest. A General Election took place a month afterwards, when Mr. Hamond was induced to stand against Mr. Amherst and Mr. Bentinck, and was defeated. He was much interested in the administrative work of the county, was a member of the County Council, and chairman of the Small Holdings and Allotments Committee. Mr. Hamond, who was a magistrate and a Deputy-Lieutenant for the county, married the only daughter of Sir Thomas Hare, of Stow.

APRIL.

2.-The lectures on ecclesiastical history were resumed at Norwich Cathedral by Archdeacon Sinclair, of London, who gave an address on "The Life and Times of Cyprian." On the 17th the Rev. J. T. Kingsmill, D.D., vicar of Hockering, lectured on "The Life and Times of St. Chrysostom."

Another series commenced on November 21st with a lecture by the Rev.

Professor Gwatkin, of Cambridge, on "The Life and Times of Eusebius"; followed on November 28th by the Rev. Professor Ince, D.D., of Oxford, on "The Life and Times of Athanasius"; and on December 5th, by the Rev. A.

E. Brooke, M.A., of King's College, Cambridge, on "The Life and Times of Origen." (_See_ February 5th, 1896.)

2.-Mr. Clement Higgins, Q.C., M.P., for Mid Norfolk, applied for the stewards.h.i.+p of the Chiltern Hundreds, and on the 4th the Unionist party in the const.i.tuency opened the election campaign, and at a large meeting at Wymondham Mr. R. T. Gurdon was unanimously adopted a candidate in opposition to Mr. F. W. Wilson. The writ was issued by the House of Commons on the 8th, and the nomination took place at East Dereham on the 16th. Great activity was displayed by both parties up to the day of polling on the 23rd. The result was declared at Dereham on the 24th as follows:-Gurdon, 4,112; Wilson, 3,904.

4.-Died at his residence, the Woodlands, Norwich, Mr. Robert Fitch, in his 93rd year. Mr. Fitch, who was a native of Ipswich, was a partner in the firm of Fitch and Chambers, chemists and druggists, Norwich. In 1858 he was appointed upon the commission of the peace, and in 1867 became Sheriff of Norwich. He was connected with the directorate of several public companies, and for more than thirty years was an honorary secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society. Among his literary contributions to the society's proceedings was an admirable description of "The Gates of Norwich." Mr. Fitch was widely known as a collector, and possessed one of the finest private collections in the kingdom, which some years before his death he handed over to the trustees of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.

29.-Died at Letheringsett Hall, Mr. William Hardy Cozens-Hardy, aged 88.

A son of Jeremiah and Mary Ann Cozens, of Sprowston, he a.s.sumed the name of Cozens-Hardy in 1842. In 1830 he married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Theobald; on July 21st, 1880, he celebrated his "golden" wedding, and in 1890 his "diamond" wedding. Mrs. Cozens-Hardy died in 1891. In his early life he was articled to Messrs. Foster and Unthank, solicitors.

Mr. Cozens-Hardy was a regular attendant at Quarter Sessions, and was for many years chairman of the Holt bench of magistrates. A Liberal in politics he conferred many benefits upon his immediate neighbourhood. In 1851 he built the British school at Holt; he was the promoter of the Holt Literary Society, and the founder of the Reepham Provident Society, one of the most important organizations of the kind in the Eastern Counties.

For fifty years he was connected with the Erpingham Union, and it was mainly due to him that the workhouse was erected at West Beckham in 1851.

MAY.

18.-A severe gale wrought much havoc on the Norfolk coast. The Short Blue fis.h.i.+ng fleet suffered severely, the Yarmouth smack Royal Standard was lost, many other casualties occurred, and remarkable escapes were recorded.

19.-Died at his residence, Harford Lodge, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Bignold, Mayor of Norwich. Col. Bignold, whose age was 64, was fourth son of Sir Samuel Bignold, some time Member of Parliament for the city. In his boyhood he became a.s.sociated with his father in the official direction of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society; from 1858 until the death of Sir Samuel in 1875, he was his a.s.sistant; and after that date he filled the office of secretary of the society. In 1852 he joined the West Norfolk Militia as lieutenant, and ultimately attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He married in 1856, Cecilia, third daughter of Mr. J. F. Graver Browne, of Morley Hall, Wymondham. On five occasions Col. Bignold was elected to the Norwich Town Council as representative of the old Fifth Ward; in 1889 he sustained his only electoral defeat, and was thereupon elected to an aldermanic seat. A staunch and earnest Churchman and Conservative he was for many years president of the old Eldon Club, and shortly before the death of his father was elected leader of the Conservative party in Norwich, and enjoyed until the close of his life the loyal and enthusiastic adherence of the rank and file of the party. Col. Bignold was a Deputy-Lieutenant and magistrate for the county of Norfolk, and a justice of the peace for the city, and one of the original members of the Norfolk County Club.

["It is nearly a century and a quarter since any Mayor of Norwich died in his official year. The last event of the kind occurred in 1774-Mr. John Langley Watts."] Upon the death of Col. Bignold votes of sympathy and condolence were pa.s.sed by various public bodies, and on the 26th the Bishop of Exeter preached the funeral sermon at the church of St. Mark, Lakenham.

21.-The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 22nd attended a ball given at the Royal a.s.sembly Rooms by the officers of the Norfolk Artillery Militia. On the 23rd his Royal Highness, as hon. colonel, inspected the regiment, and on the 24th left by special train for Norwich.

24.-The Prince of Wales visited Norwich for the purpose of unveiling the Pelham memorial throne at the Cathedral. His Royal Highness was received at Thorpe railway-station by the Dean, the Deputy-Mayor (Sir Peter Eade), and the Sheriff (Mr. S. G. Hill), and escorted by a detachment of the 1st King's Dragoon Guards was driven to the Cathedral. The Bishop and the Cathedral body met his Royal Highness at the great west door, whence a procession was formed to the choir, where a vast congregation had a.s.sembled to witness the ceremony. The Prince having unveiled the throne, was thanked for his gracious presence by Mr. Samuel h.o.a.re, M.P., on behalf of the diocese. His Royal Highness afterwards inspected various points of interest in the Cathedral, and was entertained to luncheon at the Deanery by the Dean and Mrs. Lefroy. At 3.10 p.m. he proceeded to town by ordinary train. The memorial throne was designed by Mr. John L. Pearson, R.A., and with the exception of the sculptured figures, which were carved by Mr. N. Hitch, of London, the work was executed by Messrs. Cornish and Gaymer, of North Walsham.

28.-At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Sir Peter Eade was elected to fill the casual vacancy of Mayor, occasioned by the death of Col. Bignold. The Mayor-elect nominated Mr. C. R. Gilman as his deputy.

JUNE.