Photos and the Archives
The late Michael Ryder gathered together an archive of information and photographs of the countryside, village life and the people of Holme-next-the-Sea.
The casual visitor will find much of interest here and you may well linger for some time amongst these pages!
To enter Michael's world of memories just click the button...
If you have any interesting photos of the village or village events and would like to share them please contact The Webmaster.
Snow scenes
During the late evening of Saturday 4th February 2012, and for a while overnight, Holme-next-the-Sea (as well as many other parts of the country)
saw a steady fall of snow and, with the aid of a stiff breeze, there was considerable drifting in places. This picture is taken from the top
of St. Mary's church tower looking west with the Village Hall on the right.
The snow also found its way in through the louvres of the belfry of the church tower. The bells and fittings have taken on a rather
Christmassy appearance - however when the largest bell was first rung for Sunday service there was an accompanying flurry of snow down
in the ringing room!
Egyptian Geese on the roof of St. Mary's church
During January, 2012 two Egyptian Geese have become regular visitors to St. Mary's church! This goose is in the Shelduck subspecies of
the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae and is a largely terrestrial species readily perching on trees and buildings. This pair seem to enjoy
loafing around on the ridge of the church's main roof. (Village artist Wendy Long kindly provided this picture.)
Whale washed up at Old Hunstanton
On Christmas Eve, 2011 a 55ft Sperm Whale was washed up dead on the beach at Old Hunstanton close to the Life Boat Station. It is believed
that the mammal died at sea from injuries sustained to the stomach.
Large crowds gathered over the Christmas holiday period to see the whale and sadly the animal's teeth were soon being removed by souvenir
collectors. Initial reports declared that the whale would be left on the beach to be swept away by the tide but later there was news that
it would be removed by a local haulage company.
Tree felling in St. Mary's churchyard
During the summer of 2011 a heavy bough broke away from the large beech tree in the churchyard of St. Mary's.
Fortunately it fell away from Church Cottages and into the churchyard without causing damage. The P.C.C. arranged for a 'tree surgeon' to inspect the beech and his verdict was that severe rot had set in where the three main trunks met and that further collapse was possible in the future. So a decision was made to cut the tree down to a safe size - work started on the 4th July, 2011 and was completed soon after that. (Many thanks for the photos taken by Peter Fynn, a regular visitor to Holme-next-the-Sea for the last 20 years or so.)
Himalayan Balsam
The River Hun flows west to east through the parish bordering Broadwater Road for part of its journey down to the sea. In about 2009 a pretty pink flower appeared
along its banks, especially around the area of the Norfolk Ornithologists' Association's hide on Redwell Marsh.
Pretty it may be but it is a non-native species Impatiens Glandulifera known by a variety of common names - Policeman's Helmet, Bobby Tops, Copper Tops, Gnome's Hatstand
and Kiss-me-on-the-mountain but by far the most popular name is Himalayan Balsam - and it is very invasive!
It typically grows to 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.5 ft) high, with a soft green or red-tinged stem, and lanceolate leaves 5 to 23 cm (2 to 9 in) long. The crushed foliage has a strong
musty smell. The flowers are pink, with a hooded shape, 3 to 4 cm (1¼ to 1½ in) tall and 2 cm (¾ in) broad; the flower shape has been compared to a policeman's
helmet, giving rise to the alternative common name Policeman's Helmet. Although it does not range all over India and is by no means the only Impatiens native to that country,
it is also known as Indian Balsam in countries where it is introduced.
After flowering between June and October, the plant forms seed pods 2 to 3 cm (¾ to 1¼ in) long and 8 mm broad (¼ in), which explode when disturbed, scattering
the seeds up to 7 meters (23 ft). Impatiens, meaning "impatient", refers to this method of dispersal.
Himalayan Balsam is sometimes cultivated for its flowers. It is now widely established in other parts of the world (such as the British Isles and the United States), in some
cases becoming an invasive species weed. The aggressive seed dispersal, coupled with high nectar production which attracts pollinators, often allows the Himalayan Balsam to
outcompete native plants. In the UK the plant was first introduced in 1839 at the same time as Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed. These plants were all promoted at the time
as having the virtues of "herculean proportions" and "splendid invasiveness" which meant that ordinary people could buy them for the cost of a packet of seeds to rival the
expensive orchids grown in the greenhouses of the rich. Within ten years, however, Himalayan Balsam had esaped from the confines of cultivation and began to spread along the
river systems of England. Today it has spread across most of the UK and some local wildlife trusts organise "balsam bashing" events to help control the plant.
(Thanks to Wikipedia for some of the technical info...)
Peggotty's Cottage
In either 1986 or 1988 (depending on which source you use) a film adaptation of "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens saw the erection of Peggotty's Cottage on the beach at Holme-next-the-Sea.
We understand that there was also a temporary aluminium surfaced road laid down to the beach for the film equipment - but information is sketchy.
Wendy Long, a resident of the village, took these pictures...
Water Vole
"Ratty" in Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows was, of course, a water vole (Arvicola amphibius) and not a rat. During the early part of June, 2011 at least
three water voles were seen in the River Hun just north of Redwell Marsh at Holme-next-the-Sea. One of the animals was seen carrying a young water vole in its mouth.
Water voles have rounder noses than rats, deep brown fur, chubby faces and short fuzzy ears; unlike rats their tails, paws and ears are covered with hair. They mainly eat grass and
plants near the water. At times, they will also consume fruits, bulbs, twigs, buds, and roots.
The mating period lasts from March into late autumn. The female vole's pregnancy lasts for approximately 21 days. Up to 8 baby voles can be born, each weighing around 10 grams
(0.4 oz). The young voles open their eyes three days after their birth. They are half the size of a full grown water vole by the time they are weaned.
Water voles are expert swimmers and divers. They do not usually live in large groups and in the wild, they survive for 2 years on average; most do not survive a second winter.
Click on these thumbnails to see larger pictures...
A resident Little Owl
This picture of a Little Owl was taken by village resident Gill Morley who has been observing the bird for several weeks
during the Spring of 2011.
This rather small owl was introduced to the UK in the 19th century. Favoured locations are hedges, copses, parks, orchards and lowland farmland. Unlike some owls
it is often seen in daylight usually perched on a tree branch - just like this one! When alarmed the bird bobs its head up and down. It flies with rapid wingbeats
on long, rounded wings and with a slight undulation. This species of owl tends to hunt at night and dawn eating small birds and mammals, worms and beetles.
Konik ponies
You may be lucky enough to spot some ponies roaming the marshland between village of Holme-next-the-Sea and the sea. Norfolk Wildlife Trust has introduced a
small herd (about a dozen at the last count) of Konik ponies, a primitive Polish breed. They are ideally suited to wetland conditions and help control the growth
of scrub by grazing and this will lead to improvements in the habitat for breeding birds.
If you do get close to the ponies please do not feed them and do respect their personal space. They live in the wild and require no additional food treats!
Wendy Long, a resident artist in the village, has been busy with her camera and took these photos of some of the herd individuals.
In a garden on Westgate a pair of Blackbirds are cutting down like the rest of us in the current economic downturn. They have re-used their nest for a
second brood. Here are the four chicks, all doing well, after Mum and Dad's second go at raising a family this year! The first time around at least three
birds fledged so fingers crossed they will be successful again. (Happy to report that, a week or so later all the young fledged successfully!)
Rogation Sunday
From left to right: Jill Bowett, Roger Davey, Hilary Davey, Tony Foster, David Bowett
The fifth Sunday after Easter is called Rogation Sunday, the start of Rogationtide which ends on Ascension Day, the final appearance of Christ. "Beating the Bounds"
is a custom originating from Anglo-Saxon times when parishioners walked the entire boundary of the parish. One of the main reasons for this yearly perambulation was
for the clergy representatives to ask for (rogare = beseech) the divine blessing upon the parish lands for the ensuing harvest. The walk also ensured that evidence
of the boundaries of the parish might be reaffirmed and preserved. These days, surveyors with their theodolites help keep everything in order. Nevertheless, many
parishes still use Rogation Sunday as an excuse for a jolly good walk whilst enjoying the companionship of others in the community and not least to make some mark
in the history of the parish that says, "We were here and the parish was here too!" A bonus for us in Holme-next-the-Sea are the fantastic views of the church and the
North Sea beyond from the high point above Ringstead and also the final leg along the North Coast Path National Trail as the Beaters of Bounds complete the circuit.
This year, 2010, Hilary organised the walk which took place on May 9th and afterwards Roger and Hilary very kindly invited the walkers back to The Spinney for tea and cake -
an excellent way to finish a most enjoyable walk!.
James Ellender
Mr. James Ellender, an almost legendary character, lived at Beach House, Beach Road, Holme-next-the-Sea until 1941. His death was reported in
the Lynn Advertiser and we are fortunate to have obtained a clipping detailing his story. Click on the headline to read all about it!
Flower arrangements in St. Mary's Church
Click on the flower arrangement for lots of pictures of the Flower Displays throughout the year in St. Mary's Church.
Four views of a sunset taken from Westgate on 8th January, 2010
(Photos by Roger Davey).
The Crabapple tree on the village green looking rather splendid against a backdrop of snow - December 2009...
...and as the seasons change we see the same tree, now full of blossom, on a beautiful Spring day in May, 2010.
Amazing how just one tree can lift the spirits!
Village carol singers raising money for The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House.
Here they have just come to the end of the evening's walk around the village
and are singing for their supper at the last house!
Muntjac Deer, also known as "barking deer", are sometimes seen around the village. This female was snapped looking very much at home in a garden on Westgate.
Sunrise from Westgate - 19th November, 2009
Hay bales stored for the winter watch the world go by...
Mr. Roy Speirs, a regular visitor to the village, has written the following poem...
CHAPEL COTTAGES
Holme from home, it is for me,
That is, Holme-next-the-Sea,
In a cottage small with stable door,
Large square tiles compliment the floor,
Full timbered beams the ceiling shows,
While warm air upstairs freely flows
To spacious bedroom extremely neat,
A perfect, ideal holiday retreat.
And a hooting owl is faintly heard,
Through open window somewhat blurred,
While the ever present murmuring sea,
Provides the background melody.
The winding stairs how well they blend,
With helpful handrail to ascend,
To bathroom large enough for two,
For aching limbs to sink into.
Relax and think of the White Horse pub,
With splendid ale, and home-cooked grub.
Full open fire, fit for a king,
Plus cheerful welcome from all within.
No need for a holiday abroad,
For here's a place you can't be bored.
It's quaint old English village street,
Has no pavement for your walking feet.
And stone-built cottages with pantile roof,
All justify the planners' proof.
This unspoilt village built to last,
Modern, yet conveys the past.
While birds sing out from every tree,
Yes, Holme from home is the place to be.
About the author...
Roy William Speirs, born lst April, 1932 in Buwell, Nottingham, is an amateur naturalist, match angler, eel fisherman, birdwatcher, sportsman, retired fireman,
admirer of natural beauty in all its forms and a lover of the English countryside. He's a member of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds, Nottinghamshire Wild
Life Trust, Nottingham Anglers' Association and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. He was urged by friends to put his collection of poems into print. Most
were written after retirement from the Nottingham City Brigade. This book is the result. First published in 2008 when the author was aged 76.
Copies of this book are available from R W Speirs, 2 Langdown Close, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8JE. Price £6, plus £1.50 postage and packaging (UK only). If required
abroad, the cost of postage and packaging is £3.50. Copies will be signed by the author if requested.
Many folk have mourned the passing of the King's Lynn to Hunstanton railway line. Here are two trips down memory lane, courtesy of YouTube to whom
we extend thanks for these links.
The first is a real gem with a narration by the late Sir John Betjeman who died in 1984 and who was the Poet Laureate .
The second clip compares some of these memories with more modern times and looks at Heacham station as well as Hunstanton.
