Dereham

Dereham
Area	21.51 km2 (8.31 sq mi)
Population	15,659 (2001 census)
• Density	728/km2 (1,890/sq mi)
OS grid reference	TF988132
District	Breckland
Shire county	Norfolk
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DEREHAM
Postcode district	NR19, NR20
Dialling code	01362
Police	Norfolk
Fire	Norfolk
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Mid Norfolk
Website	http://derehamtc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/

Dereham, also known historically as East Dereham, is a town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated on the A47 road, some 15 miles (25 km) west of the city of Norwich and 25 miles (40 km) east of King's Lynn. The civil parish has an area of 21.51 km² (8.31 sq mi) and in the 2001 census had a population of 15,659 in 6,941 households. For the purposes of local government, Dereham falls within, and is the centre of administration for, the district of Breckland.

Since 1983 Dereham has been twinned with the town of Rüthen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is also twinned with Caudebec-lès-Elbeuf - France

History

A map of Dereham from 1946

Early history

It is believed that Dereham's name derives from a deer park that existed in the area, although it is known that the town pre-dates the Saxon era. Saint Withburga the youngest daughter of Anna, King of the East Angles, founded a monastery there in the Seventh century after seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary.

Many of the town's ancient buildings were destroyed in the serious fires that took place in 1581 and 1659. Notable buildings that survived the fire include the Church of Saint Nicholas' and the nearby Bishop Bonner's cottage.

Railways

The railway at Dereham

The railway arrived in Dereham when a single track line to Wymondham opened in 1847. In 1848 a second line, to King's Lynn was opened. In 1849 a line from Dereham to Fakenham was opened, this line being extended to the coastal town of Wells-On-Sea by 1857. In 1862 the town's railways became part of the Great Eastern Railway. The town had its own railway depot and a large complex of sidings, serving local industry. In 1882 the line between Dereham and Wymondham was doubled, to allow for the increasing levels of traffic.

In 1964 passenger services between Dereham and Wells were withdrawn, and the track between Fakenham and Wells was lifted soon after. In 1965 the line from Dereham to Wymondham was returned to single track, with a passing loop at Hardingham. The line to King's Lynn was closed in 1968, and the last passenger train on the Dereham to Wymondham line ran in 1969 although the railway remained open for freight until 1989.

Dereham labels itself "The Heart of Norfolk" due to its central location in the county, the Tesco car park being cited as the exact centre . In the spring of 1978, the "Heart" was given the seven-mile £5m part-dual-carriageway A47 bypass. A section of this road, between Scarning and Wendling was built along the former railway line towards Swaffham and King's Lynn. This section of railway had been used as a location for the filming of Dad's Army, where Captain Mainwaring is left dangling from a railway bridge after a flight on a barrage balloon.

The railway between Dereham and Wymondham has been preserved, and is now operated as a tourist line by the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust. This charitable company also owns the line north towards County School railway station and aims to eventually relay the line to Fakenham. The town should not be confused with the Norfolk village of West Dereham, which lies about 25 miles (40 km) away.

Dereham has the second highest population of people called Dave in europe and is home to the largest underwater cafe is the free world. The town is rich in tradition and every February 3rd (Farthing's day) the townsfolk dance through the streets of Dereham chanting "Danielle is our hero, she's the best. Oooooh by golly we think she's swell".

Famous people from Dereham

File:Derehamcowpersundayschool.jpg

Cowper Church Sunday School, Dereham.

Famous people from the town include novelist Brian Aldiss, author George Borrow, footballer Harry Cripps, the antiquarian Sir John Fenn, Lady Ellenor Fenn, electronic musician Paul Madsen, Beth Orton and William Hyde Wollaston. It is also known as the place where William Cowper, the poet, died. Cowper is buried in St. Nicholas Church, where there is a commemorative stained glass window.

Saint Withburga

The town lies on the site of a monastery founded by Saint Withburga in the seventh century. A holy well in the town supposedly began to flow when her body was stolen from the town by monks from Ely, who took the remains back to their town.

In the 18th century an attempt was made to turn Dereham into a new Buxton or Bath by building a bath house over Withburga's Well. It was described at the time as a hideous building of brick and plaster and was never popular. In 1880 the local vicar, Reverend Benjamin Armstrong obtained permission to pull the building down. The spring was then protected by iron railings, but fell out of use and became choked with weeds. Since 1950, however, it has been kept clear of weeds—although the railings still prevent access to the waters.

Close examination of the Withburga story will cast doubt on Dereham being the location of the Saint's abode and resting place. The legend states that monks from Ely came 'up the river' at night and stole her body, taking it back to Ely to rest with her sisters, who were already considered saints. A look at a map will prove this to be an impossibility as there is no river connecting Ely with Dereham, although it is possible to navigate a river from Ely to West Dereham.

Until proved otherwise, Dereham continues to be considered the site of Withburga's home and violated grave.

Industry and employment

One of several Malting in the area, also looking at the Railway line which closed in 1989 to freight (now MNR)

Dereham was the home to the "Jentique" Furniture Factory which made boxes for both instruments and bombs during the 2nd world war. Dereham was also the home to the "Metamec" clock factory. "Hobbies of Dereham" produced wooden fretwork models and toys which were popular in the days before moulded plastic. The Fruehauf trailer company was a major employer in the town for many decades. The town also boasted several large maltings. Almost all this large scale industry has drifted away since the 1980s.

Youth and community provision

Schools

Nursery & Pre-School

• Toftwood Nursery Pre-School[1]

Infant & Junior Schools

• Scarning Primary school [www.scarning.norfolk.sch.uk]
• Grove House Nursery and Infant Community School [2]
• Dereham CE VA Infant School & Nursery [3]
• Dereham St. Nicholas Junior School [4]
• King's Park Infant School [5]
• Toftwood Infant School [6]

Secondary Schools

• Neatherd High School [7]
• Northgate High School [8]

Sixth Form College

• Dereham Sixth Form College [9]

Scouts

Dereham has two active Scout Groups, both of which are part of The Scout Association. 1st Dereham is notable as one of the earliest Groups set up in Norfolk. In the past there was also a 3rd Dereham Scout Group.

Air Training Corps.

The town is the home of 1249 Squadron, Air Training Corps, who parade at the Cadet Centre on Norwich Road.

Army Cadet Force

The Army Cadets also parade at the Cadet Centre on Norwich Road.

Attractions

East Dereham Windmill

Notable buildings in the town include the pargetted Bishop Bonners Cottage, built in 1502, the Norman parish church, a windmill and a large mushroom-shaped water tower. The Gressenhall Museum of Rural Life is nearby. The town also hosts the headquarters of the Mid-Norfolk Railway, which runs trains over an 11.5 mile railway to Wymondham, as well as owning the line 6 miles north to North Elmham and County School Station.

External links

• Information from Genuki Norfolk on Dereham.
• St. Nicholas Church, Dereham
• Dereham windmills from the Norfolkmills website
• [10] Dereham Sixth Form College
• [11] Dereham & District Round Table No.175
• [12] The Dereham News - Online Community Newspaper
• Dereham Operatic Society Dereham's Amateur Musical Theatre Company.