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.
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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!.
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!
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.
