Beeston Regis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Village of Beeston Regis | ||
|---|---|---|
| In North Norfolk | ||
 Shown within Norfolk | ||
| In the United Kingdom | ||
| Geography | ||
| Status: | Village | |
| Government Region: | East of England | |
| Administrative County: | Norfolk | |
| Local Administration: | North Norfolk District Council | |
| Admin. HQ: | NNDC Cromer | |
| Grid reference: | TG 17 43 | |
| ONS code: | 33UF010 | |
| N.C.C. Code: | 1010 | |
| Area (Hectares): | 289 | |
| Demographics | ||
| Population: | 1091(2001 census) | |
| Ethnicity: | No Figures | |
| Politics | ||
| MP elected in the UK general election, 2005: | Norman Lamb | |
| Party: | Libaral Democrate | |
| Post Office and Telephone | ||
| Postcode: | NR 26 | |
| Dialling Code: | 01263 | |
| Communications | ||
| Railway: | Bittern line, stations at Sheringham and West Runton | |
| Bus: | Sanders, First. | |
| Road: | Situated on the A149 Coast road | |
Beeston Regis is a village and civil parish in the North Norfolk district of Norfolk, England. It is about a mile (2 km) east of Sheringham, Norfolk and near the coast. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,091.Beeston Regis is fortunate in having good public transport with a frequent bus service on the coast road A149 and a rail service from the nearby stations of Sheringham to the west and West Runton to the east, were the Bittern Line runs a frequent service between Norwich, Cromer and Sheringham. The North Sea, is the northern boundary of the Parish and the wooded Beeston Heath which raises up from the Parish and forms the southern boundary.
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[edit] History
Evidence of early antiquity in Beeston Regis are Few. However evidence of roman habitation were found on Beeston Regis Heath in 1859 when a complete set of Quern-stones were found dating from roman times. Quern-stones were used to grind materials, the most important of which was usually grain to make flour for bread-making. Up on Beeston Regis Heath there can be found circular pits called 'Hills and Holes'(from the 1st edition of the Ordanance Survey map of the area). they are thought to date from phehistoric times. During the Saxon-Norman to Medieval periods these pits were dug to obtain iron ore which was then smelted in a furnace to produce iron. Beeston Regis is mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086 and within this survey it is called Besetune. Beeston Regis was once known as Beeston-next-the-Sea, but from the year 1399 when Henry Bolingbroke, Earl of Lancaster became King Henry IV, the name became Beeston Regis. Regis (Regius) means owned or appointed by the Crown and the Living and Manor of Beeston became part of the Crown and the Lancaster Inheritance.
| Population from 1801 to 2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beeston Regis | ||
| Census year | Beeston Regis Civil Parish | Ecclesiastical Parish |
| 1801 | 167 | Same |
| 1821 | 238 | |
| 1831 | 246 | Same |
| 1841 | 265 | Same |
| 1851 | 236 | Same |
| 1861 | 196 | Same |
| 1871 | 206 | Same |
| 1881 | 193 | Same |
| 1891 | 183 | Same |
| 1901 | 338 | Same |
| 1901 after adjustment | 69 | Same |
| 1911 | 85 | Same |
| 1921 | 120 | 1293 |
| 1931 | 178 | 974 |
| 1931 after adjustment | 151 | Same |
| 1951 | 353 | 1281 |
| 1951 after adjustment | 401 | 1281 |
| 1961 | 472 | 1365 |
| 1971 | 827 | Unknown |
| 1981 | 842 | Unknown |
| 1991 | 1087 | Unknown |
| 2001 | 1091 | Unknown |
[edit] The ruins of St Mary's Priory and Beeston Common
Beeston Regis has the remains of an Augustinian priory known as Beeston Regis Priory(St. Mary's) Founded in 1216, it had only a Prior and four cannons, who served as parish priests for nearby churches.The Priory had 40 acres of land with rights to wrecks and flotsam and jetsum.Within the monastic precinct there were agricultural buildings and probably a smithy, a brewery, a guest-house, a wash-house, latrines and other buildings necessary for the running of the busy local community. The Priory lasted until 1538 when King Henry VIII banned the Catholic religion and ordered the dissolution of the monasteries and priories. The ruins indicate that the church nave was about 75’ long having a chancel later added. Beeston Priory was independent unlike many small houses of the Augustinian Order.a tunnel is said to run to the Dunstable Arms Inn From the ruins of the priory But if it ever existed it whereabouts is a long forgotten secret.
[edit] The Ruins Today
The cloister, to the south of the nave of the priory church, is now part of the Priory Farm garden. To the east of the cloisters, still standing are part of the walls of the chapter house, And also some traces of the dormitory. The refectory and other domestic buildings probable are beneath or have been incorporated in to the Eighteenth century “Priory Farmhouse”, which in its self was probable built from materials provided by the demolition of the early buildings. Of the main priory church, much remains. The nave, from the west wall to the transept is 75 feet long and 23 feet wide. The north wall still stands to practically to the roof level, although the divisions between the windows have long gone. The belfry tower has gone although the first steps can be seen in a doorway in the south wall. The south wall is only as high as the window sill level. The west wall is standing almost in tact to gable height although the lining of the original door has been replaced by modern brickwork. The north transept is 24 feet long and 24 feet wide the east wall of the transept is entirely gone, except for traces of its junction with the north wall. At the south end of this wall once stood a pillar the opposite pillar, west of the south door is almost complete and in a good state of preservation. Also in the transept there is a door way which leads to what is thought to be a sacristy, and is the only doorway remaining in its original form. The architrave is almost complete. West of the transept there is a small chapel 23 feet long and 12 feet wide. In the chapel, most of its widow mouldings survive The chancel at the eastern end of the ruin, remains to roof height on the north and south side, the original eastern wall as all been demolished but a flint wall has been built up to window sill level. in the north east corner still has most of its widow mouldings. Also in the transept
[edit] Priors Of Saint Mary's Beeston Regis
Roger, occurs 1267
Thomas, occurs 1297
William de Beston, elected 1314
Geoffrey de Hoton, elected 1325
Simon de Calthorpe, elected 1390
Laurence de Beeston, elected 1409
Geoffrey de Runton, elected 1416 & 1435
John Catteson, 1461
John Wykmer, 1468
John Poty, 1444
Simon Robyns, 1531
Richard Hudson, 1532
[edit] The Priory Maze
Near to the Priory you will find the Priory Maze. A popular tourist attraction that includes a cafe/restaurant and a garden center.Because of the unique microclimate in this part of Norfolk ,the weather has enables the owners to grow a collection of rare and exotic plants throughout the gardens, many of which are offered for sale in garden centre, along with any advice that you may need.See the website from the links at the bottom of the page.
[edit] The Common
Also near-by is Beeston common, The Commons consist of 24.7 hectares/61 acres of grassland, heath, marsh, fen and secondary woodland. The common was made a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest/SA6 in the year 2000 and is habitat for a wide range of mammals, birds, and insects. There are some forty species of rare flowering plants and fourteen species of British orchids have been recorded on the common due to its special soil conditions.With such a variety of flowers the site is attractive to butterflies and 26 species have been regularly recorded including green hairstreak, brown argus and Essex skipper. Kingfisher and heron are also visitors to the pond, and no fewer than 19 species of dragonfly/damselfly have been observed.The birdlife of the common includes varieties such as chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, common whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, reed warbler and occasionally sedge and grasshopper warblers. Nightjars are occasionally heard. Foxes and [muntjac]] deer along with smaller mammals such as, water shrew, field vole and harvest mouse. [Adders]], slow-worm and common lizard can also be found on the common.
[edit] All Saints Church and other Features
Other features of the village are the cliff top Parish Church of All Saints, dating from the latter part of the 11 th century or early in the 12th. The tower arch opening into the nave is 13th century as are much of the chancel and nave walls. Probably towards the end of the 13th century or early 14th century the Church was reconstructed. The existing arcades were inserted into the nave walls onto the aisles, which were constructed at this time, and the nave walls raised to provide for the clerestory, the window arches of which are decorated on the outside with squared flints. The inventory of 1552 makes it clear that there were three bells in the tower, a forth being added in 1610. The latter is the only one remaining the others being sold to defray the cost of repairs in 1765[edit] The strange story of Farmer Renolds' Stone
Within the churchyard is a large stone being used to cover a grave. It's approximately 4 feet long x 2 feet x 18 inches high, being a rectangular block of granite, with circular depressions on the uppermost surface. On each side is inscribed the names of the grave's occupants. This is originally one of a pair which stood at either side of a pathway in the yard of the farmhouse, in the grounds of the ruined Beeston Priory. The path itself led to what is now known as the Abbot's Freshwater Spring Pond. A local tale says that about 1938-41, when both boulders were in situation, the farmer (whose name was James Reynolds) often drove his horse and cart along this pathway. Several times, A hooded grey ghost would hide behind two boulders and would leap out from behind one of the stones at sunset, and try to grab the horse's reins before vanishing. This, although terrifying the animals, seems not to have perturbed the man unduly. However, he ordered that the stone in question be laid upon his grave after his death, in an attempt at 'laying' the apparition. James Reynolds died in 1941, and in accordance with his wishes, the boulder now lies atop his grave, his wife Ann Elizabeth also being interred there in 1967. There is no record as to whether or not the 'exorcism' was successful, and indeed, a local woman who knew the Reynolds could not confirm the story. The other stone of the pair, can now been seen lying against the north wall of the Church yard.When and who moved the second stone is unknown.[edit] BEESTON HALL SCHOOL
Also within the parish is Beeston Hall School, which is the largest boarding Preparatory School in East Anglia. Beeston Regis Hall was once one of the family homes of the Wyndham Ketton-Cremers on the Beeston Regis Estate, part of the much larger Felbrigg Estate, the family seat. In 1940 a German Bomb hit the school causing slight damage. The Hall was leased to Mr Thomas Tapping and his wife Bessie, who opened the private Beeston Hall School in 1948. In 1967 the school became an Incorporated Trust and in 1970, following the death of Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer, the last Squire of Felbrigg, the school acquired the freehold and approximately 14 acres of land. The school has an excellent reputation and attracts pupils throughout Norfolk and beyond. Over the the years the school has prospered and expanded and is the biggest employer in the Parish and has occupied a seat on the Parish Council. It has also acquired other surrounding land including Beeston Hall Common, which it purchased from the Parish of Beeston Regis.
[edit] BEESTON BUMP
| Beeston Bump
<tr><td style="border-top:1px solid #999966; text-align: center;" colspan=2>Image:Beeston Bump.JPG | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 63 meters above sea level |
| Location | Norfolk, England
<tr><td style="border-top: 1px solid #999966; border-right: 1px solid #999966; background: #e7dcc3; width: 85px">Topo map</td><td style="border-top: 1px solid #999966; width: 220px">OS Explorer 25</td></tr><tr><td style="border-top: 1px solid #999966; border-right: 1px solid #999966; background: #e7dcc3; width: 85px">Type</td><td style="border-top: 1px solid #999966; width: 220px">Promenant Hill</td></tr><tr><td style="border-top: 1px solid #999966; border-right: 1px solid #999966; background: #e7dcc3; width: 85px">Easiest route</td><td style="border-top: 1px solid #999966; width: 220px">North Norfolk Coast Path</td></tr><tr><td style="border-top: 1px solid #999966; border-right: 1px solid #999966; background: #e7dcc3; width: 85px">OS grid reference</td><td style="border-top: 1px solid #999966; width: 220px">TG168434</td></tr> |
Beeston Bump a cliff-top hill which overlooks the sea and the village and is 63 meters high,The Bump is the dominating feature of the parish and local folklore tell of the southern slopes of the ’Bump’ being festooned with grapevines tended to by the monks of the priory. The Bump can be climbed using the ‘Peddars Way and North Norfolk Coastal Path’ from either the East or West and is well worth the climb. From the top wonderful views of the surrounding land and sea can be seen. Each Easter the combined churches in the area make a pilgrimage carrying a Cross to the top of Beeston Bump and an open air service is performed.
[edit] SEE ALSO
[edit] LINKS
- Beeston Regis Church
- Sheringham & Beeston Regis Common
- GENUKI UK Beeston Regis
- Priory Maze, Beeston Regis
- The Bittern Line
- Beeston Regis Caravan Park
- Beeston Hall School
- Hilltop Outdoor Center
- 1891 Census for Beeston Regis
Stavros1 00:23, 20 November 2006 (UTC)
