Facts of the Village

A comprehensive alphabetical list of all family surnames recorded in the village of Holme in 1951, documenting the diverse range of families living in the community:

Alexander, Arnold, Artheton, Arthurs, Atkins, Baker, Bateson, Batterbee, Beastall, Bellars, Bond, Boyes, Burrows, Burton, Bustin, Callaby, Chadwich, Clarke, Collins, Coxon, Craske, Crowe, Dawson, Death, Dennis, Denny, Dunhill, Dunkerly, Ellender, Emerson, Finbow, Finn, Firth, Frohawk, Fuller, Gilbert, Glove, Good, Grant, Ground, Guest, Hackett, Hall, Harris, Hart, Hawkers, Hayter, Heggarty, Hills, Hopper, Jewell, Johnson, Kitley, Konig, Lee, Love, Matsell, Matthews, Maufe, Melton, Middleton, Morris, Mowton, Neal, Neeve, Nelson, Newall, Newman, Nicholls, Nodes, Palmer, Parker, Plume, Potter, Proctor, Proudfoot, Purslow, Pymer, Rason, Raven, Reed, Remon, Renaut, Richardson, Ringwood, Riviere, Rix, Robinson, Rogers, Rose, Rumbellow, Sheldrake, Shepherd, Shingles, Simms Reeve, Smith, Stanner, Starling, Stimson, Tipple, Tyrell, Ulyat, Vincent, Wakeling, Walden, Wales, Walker, Ward, Watson, Wheeler, Whiddington, Whisson, Whitton, Whitworth, Wilkins, Williamson, Winn, Wright.

A comparison list showing prominent family names from fifty years earlier, in 1901:

Blyth, Bloomfield, Bond, Browne, Bussey, Crowe, Docker, Emms, Frohawk, Fuller, Grange, Green, Johnson, Knight, Nelson, Peake, Potter, Renaut, Robinson, Seapy, Taylor, Wales, Wallace, Wilkins.

This list demonstrates both continuity and change in the village population over the half-century between 1901 and 1951, with some families remaining throughout this period while others departed or arrived.

The five bells in St. Mary's Church tower bear the following inscriptions, documenting their ages and makers:

1. Eddv. Toolce made me 1677. (2 cwt.)
2. Joseph Mallows fecit 1754. (2 cwt.)
3. Tho. Newman fecit 1720. Tho Renaut C.W. (3 cwt).
4. I. Honey and T. Thurlow C.W. 1740. T. Newman made me (4 cwt).
5. J. Taylor and Co. Founders, Loughborough. 1868. (7cwts. 3qrs. 2lbs.)

These bells represent over 270 years of continuous use in calling the villagers to worship and marking important events in the community's life.

The following table shows the crop rotation practiced on various fields in Holme between 1947 and 1950, demonstrating the careful agricultural planning necessary for successful farming:

Church Close: Barley (1947), Barley (1948), Wheat (1949), Clover (1950)

Burnmill: Beet/Barley (1947), Barley (1948), Beet (1949), Wheat (1950)

Crowley: Oats (1947), Wheat (1948), Beet (1949), Clover (1950)

Five Acres: Barley (1947), Barley (1948), Wheat (1949), Clover (1950)

Bank Piece: Wheat (1947), Beet (1948), Barley (1949), Beet (1950)

Bungalow Field: Wheat (1947), Peas (1948), Wheat (1949), Barley (1950)

Barn Place (1): Beet (1947), Wheat/Barley (1948), Barley (1949), Clover (1950)

Hunstanton Cross: Barley (1947), Oats (1948), Barley (1949), Wheat (1950)

Walesfield: Wheat (1947), Barley/Beet (1948), Clover (1949), Clover (1950)

Barn Piece 2: Clover (1947), Swedes (1948), Wheat (1949), Barley (1950)

Greatclose: Clover (1947), Clover (1948), Wheat (1949), Barley (1950)

Pond piece: Beet (1947), Barley (1948), Clover (1949), Wheat (1950)

A comparison of food prices across three periods: 1860, 1914, and 1951, showing the dramatic changes in the cost of living over ninety years:

Bread (1 loaf): 3d (1860), 3d (1914), 6d (1951)

Meat (1 lb.): 6½d (1860), 8½d (1914), 1s/8d (1951)

Bacon (1 lb.): 10d (1860), 1s/-d (1914), 2s/8d (1951)

Suet (1 lb.): 6d (1860), 7d (1914), 2s/3d (1951)

Butter (1 lb.): 10½d (1860), 1s/2½d (1914), 2s/6d (1951)

Margarine (1 lb.): - (1860), 6d (1914), 1s/2d (1951)

Cheese (1 lb.): 8d (1860), 9d (1914), 1s/2d (1951)

Milk (1 pint): 1½d (1860), 1½d (1914), 5d (1951)

Rice (1 lb.): 2d (1860), 2d (1914), 1s/-d (1951)

Tea (4 lb.): 1s/- (1860), 4½d (1914), 1s/-d (1951)

Sugar (1lb): 5d (1860), 2½d (1914), 5d (1951)

These prices must be understood in context with wages: in 1860, a farm labourer earned 10/- to 14/- a week.

In 1951, six years after the end of World War II, rationing was still in effect in Britain. The following items were rationed per person per week:

• Butter: 4oz per person per week
• Margarine: 4oz per person per week
• Lard: 2oz per person per week
• Cheese: 2oz per person per week
• Sugar: 10oz per person per week
• Bacon: 4oz per person per week
• Tea: 2oz per person per week

These restrictions were a continued reminder of the war years and the ongoing economic recovery of post-war Britain.

President: W. Renaut

Vice-Presidents: C. Benion, F.J. Bond, C. Greenwood, J.L. Morris, Mrs. S.C. Reed, J. Renaut, P.L. Rivere, G.C. Simms-Reeve, Prof. R. Whiddington, O.B.E., F.R.S., Major C.P. Whitaker, M.B.E.

Captain & Hon. Treasurer: D.G. Renaut

Hon. Secretary: D.E. Plume

Committee: A. Nudds, R. Rumbellow, N. Stimson, plus Secretary and Treasurer

Players 1950 season: D.G. Renaut (Captain), C. Rix (Vice-Captain), A. Nudds, G.W. Raven, B. Rumbellow, D,E. Plume, P. Smith, R. Rumbellow, N. Stimson, T. Stimson, L. Walden, S. Frohawk, A. Fuller

Holme next Sea Adult Library

Committee: Miss M. Ellender, Mrs. J. Middleton, Rev. E.S. Ulyat, Mrs. S.C. Reed, Mrs. E. S. Ulyat, Mrs. E.V. Whisson

Hon Librarian: Mrs. R. Whiddington

Members: 115

Librarians: Yvonne Plume, Beryl Neeve

Members: 43

Committee: Mrs. Arnold, Mrs. Reed, Mrs.B. Smith, Mrs. Bateson, Mrs. Renaut, Mrs. Wales

Treasurer: Mrs. Beastall

Secretary: Mrs. Richardson

Formed in 1948, with forty members aged 12 to 21 from Holme and surrounding parishes.

Club Leader: Mr. J. E. Kett

Secretary: Miss Nina Walker

Asst. Sec: Mr. N. Stimson

Scribe: Miss Rene Hammond

Committee: Miss Molly Peacock, Mr. I. Stimson, Miss Valerie Richardson, Mr. J. Finbow

President: Mrs. Simms Reeve

The Green was originally a Tennis Court at the Manor, it was allowed to be laid down for a bowling green by Mrs. Simms Reeve in 1949. It is kept in condition by the members, who paired themselves and work by roster. A challenge cup, given by Lord Fermay, is played for each season, the present holder being Mr. George Parker, our Treasurer.

Chairman: Mr. William Potter

Captain: Mr. Harry Dawson

Treasurer: Mr. George Parker

Secretary: Mr. Tom Hart

Other members: Mr. Harry Frohawk, Mr. Albert Wales (both in their 80's), Mr. Bert Smith, R. Smith, A. Hayter, Senr., A. Hayter Jun., R. Burton Jun., H. Burton, K. Burton, S. Dawson, H. Death, G. Church, G. Raven, W.Hills, J. Matsell, C. Stanner, G. Wheeler, K. Craske, F. Smith, D. Stimson, J. Neeve P.Smith, D. Renaut, G. Himes, A. Buxton, F. English, C. Potter, and visiting Holme for summer holidays and members of the club, Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Simmons.

(Here, by special request, are the words of Holme School Song. "Old boys" will notice a few changes.)

Holme-next-the-Sea is where we all love to be And so of Holme-next-the-Sea we sing our song. Long, long ago, in distant days, Our forbears walked those sandy ways, Holme-next-the-Sea, where all roads lead to the sea: And Peddars Way still runs through Holme-next-the-Sea.

The Wild North Sea, it rolls close by. Across the foam the sea-birds cry. Holme-next-the-Sea: The sea-shore calls you and me! And well those old sailors knew Holme-next-the-Sea.

(and the Inevitable "handkerchief verse":)

When we leave school, and go away Where'er we are, we'll always say: "Holme-next-the-Sea: We love our home by the sea, And we shall never forget Holme-next-the-Sea"