FINALLY the combination of snow, a blue sky and a day off. IMHO no coffee table book is complete without a couple of snowy pictures. Hence a short trudge - and a gentle trespass - through the snow to revisit the remains of Costessey Hall.
Maybe it’s because I’ve just finished reading the excellent Wolf Hall, but this building felt a lot more historic amid the snow than when I last got my camera out here some eighteen months ago.
This used to be a truly fairy-tale castle. It ended up being demolished shortly after the First World War. It traces its history back to the days of the Catholic Queen Mary, who had to struggle to secure the throne after the death of her Protestant half-brother Edward VI.
One of the people who helped her was Sir Henry Jernegan. His prize was the manor of Costessey here on the banks of the River Tud.
Elsewhere the photos weren’t so easy to come by. The Wensum behind the houses at Costessey (left) was just about worth the walk, while St Edmund’s Church at Taverham (below) is tricky, whatever the weather.
Who allowed trees to be planted there …and there?
Story-wise I discovered the Taverham Mill Fishery in an elbow of the Wensum south of the village. There are plans afoot there for a proper nature reserve. …Which all sounds like it’s going to need to be reflected in the Taverham chapter.
Finally thanks to the man from Anglian Water who helped dig my car out of a slippery, snowy rut with a combination of grit and a shove. Would a free coffee-table book in a couple of years time be a good enough “thank you”, do you think?
Brought up in Costessey during the 1950s and 60s, I have many memories of exploring the banks of the Tud upriver from Green's farm, Norwich Road, and many days doing the same on the Wensum at Costessey, swimming at the mill and other isolated spots adjacent to the railway line. Even got passing goods trains to squash old pennies as they passed! Used to get a rowing boat out from behind the Dolphin pub in Heigham Street and row up to Hellesdon Mill, pull the boat out and carry on up the Wensum to Costessey. Had my best ever Roach along there! Explored Costessey Hall and the estate around with friends, climbing trees and the like. One of my friends found an old bayonet in the ruin. Happy days!!
ReplyDeleteJohn Lowe