FROM THE CONQUEST TO THE BLACK DEATH
On Friday 19 May a packed Village Hall travelled back in time to Medieval Forncett when Marilyn Tolhurst gave us a taste of what life was like 1000 years ago. Marilyn had once lived in Forncett and has a deep interest and knowledge of its history. Mike Merrick of the Forncett History Group organised the event with proceeds going to Friends of St Peter’s.
Whilst the evening was about Forncett, it also took in America and France! The American connection comes through Frances Gardiner Davenport, an American historian. She came to England in the late 19th century to research life in a medieval village and was quickly drawn to Forncett because of its rich history. Her work ‘The Economic Development of a Norfolk Manor, 1086–1565’ tells the dry facts of Forncett, but Marilyn engagingly brought these to life by telling us what day-to-day life would have been like. And the French connection comes through Roger Bigod whose family had come to England with the Norman invasion in 1066 and who had been granted substantial land in Norfolk including Forncett.
Agricultural life in the Middle Ages. Lutteral Psalter.Marilyn’s fascinating talk covered the Norman invasion, the Black Death, the Forncett Hoard, the location of Roger Bigod’s Manor house and even the evolution of French names to British ones. The Black Death had a devastating effect – it’s likely that about half of the people in Forncett died. The Forncett Hoard, found in 1997 near the crossroads on Cheney’s Lane comprised 336 silver coins, some dating back to the period 128-42BC. It was probably buried by a Roman soldier following the Iceni rebellion when Roman activity in Norfolk increased significantly.
There has been a lot of speculation about the location of Roger Bigod’s Forncett Manor house and perceived wisdom was that it was just north of, and close to, St Mary’s Church. Marilyn had studied aerial photos from 1944 which suggest that it may have been located elsewhere on Low Road.
And it’s fascinating to think that the names of the ancestors of the Hulots who came from France in 1066 gradually evolved into Hewletts and the name Bolytout evolved to Bullitowt.
It was lovely to meet with friends and to hear the history of where we live. Many thanks to Mike Merrick and Marilyn Tolhurst for putting on such a wonderful evening which also raised over £180 for Friends of St Peter’s.
If you'd like to find out more about the history of the Forncetts Forncett History Group has a wealth of information.
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- Written by: Peter Schimdt-Hansen
St Peter's is one of the finest examples of a round tower church in the country. Join us for a fascinating talk by Stuart Bowell, Chair of the Round Tower Churches Society, to find out a whole lot more about these intriguing structures, some of which, including St Peter's, date back to the Anglo-Saxon period.
The talk is free and a glass of wine and nibbles will be available.
Donations towards the campaign to Save St Peter's are welcome. Find out more about the problems facing the building here
Copies of the Round Tower Churches Golden Jubilee Guide Book will be on sale at £5, featuring St Peter's on the cover. Profits of sales in the church to the Save St Peter's campaign through the generosity of the Round Tower Churches Society - Thank You!
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Let St Peter’s inspire your creativity on Sunday 22 August!
This drop-in art workshop is for everyone, whatever your experience or creative interests. Come and have a go...sketch. paint, or just enjoy a creative atmosphere.
Stay with us as long as you’d like. The day begins at 10 am and will finish at 4 pm. You can come for 20 minutes or bring a packed lunch and stay with us for the whole day.
Please feel free to bring your own materials, maybe you have a sketchbook or pens, pencils and paint, however there will be plenty available to get you started. Remember, you don’t need to have any experience, Ana and Gill will be there to guide you.
If you have one – please bring a folding chair / stool, it will mean you will have more flexibility as to where you will sit and sketch – plus you can enjoy the sketching opportunities in the churchyard too, but don’t worry if you don’t have one.
People under 16 please - bring an adult with you. (it’s an insurance thing!!! – we’d love to have you)
Tea, coffee, soft drinks and cake provided; please bring lunch if you are staying all day. Covid precautions in place.
Free. Donations welcome!
This will be a perfect opportunity to escape for the day. A time for you to relax in the tranquillity of this beautiful historic church. Pass the word, bring your friends and family.
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- Written by: Gill Starkie
Very sadly the church has had to be closed to vistors and services for the time being. The serious problem with the chancel roof, identified during detailed investigations in October, has led to a recommendation to provide temporary propping until a full repair can be undertaken. Until this can be installed the church is likely to remain closed.
We are very sorry not to be able to welcome you to this wonderful building. The situation highlights the precarious condition of the church and the critical need for repairs. If you are able to help donations can be made using the Donate button on this page.
The churchyard is open and we hope you will enjoy it's peace and tranquillity.
Pedestrian access is down the drive through the small side gate attached to the main gates, or you are welcome to stroll up through the churchyard.
We are sorry that disabled access is so limited at the moment - it is on our 'To Do' list!
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- Written by: Ally Rae
A lively talk on the history of the church by Dr Ana Moskvina. Ana is amazingly knowledgeable about our church and is the Historic Building Support Officer for the Diocese of Norwich. This should be a really interesting talk and an opportunity for us all to learn more about this wonderful Grade 1 listed building with its roots firmly planted in the Anglo-Saxon period. It's round tower is considered by many to be the best example in the country.
The talk will be followed by Pimms and nibbles.
Tickets for this event are £5 from Gilly Barnes:
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Transformed! That is what has happened to our dreary hoarding protecting essential scaffolding in the Chancel. Thanks to local artist and volunteer Gill Starkie it has taken on a new life and far from being an eyesore it is now another reason to pop in.
The completed Mural. Photo: Gill StarkieHere's what Gill says: "I was asked to paint the ugly wooden screens which separate the church from the scaffolding. As you sit in the pews, it is one of the joys to look around and take in the beauty of the architecture and the fine details, so it seemed right to create a backdrop that didn’t distract, but complemented – in colour and content. Creating a sky and introducing a little flavour of the renaissance seemed fitting, an opportunity to imagine life 1000 years ago when the church was built. The central sewn textile piece (which masks the contractors’ door) represents the nature and wildlife that is all around the church. The cross and the rainbow are symbols of forgiveness, inclusivity and acceptance.
Before painting began. Photo: Gilly BarnesSpending a few freezing days in the church, painting and creating, I got to appreciate how life must have been way back when this beautiful church was built – from the planning, design and conception, the building, the decoration and window fitting, the many years of labour and the varied lives of those who frequented the building – both as a place of worship and as a place to find sanctuary and social entertainment. There was no heating then – just the right clothes!
Our church is going through a ‘renaissance’ – embracing the new ideas, the new plans, new attitudes and restoring a church that is surrounded, supported and held tight within this village of stories.”
Self Portraits from Forncett Primary School pupils. Photo: Gill StarkieThe work was finished with wonderful panels of self portraits done by every child at Formcett Primary School. “The screens tell a village story and the children’s textile work means that the school will be marked within this space, ” says Gill.
Come and take a look. The church is open every day 10am – 4pm – please drop in.
We are so grateful to Gill for her creativity and time which is resulting in such a transformation and to the children and teachers at Forncett Primary School who have made such a special contribution. The hoarding is likely to be in place for 2 years until the church undergoes a major restoration to stabilize the structure so that it can be removed from the Heritage at Risk Register and can develop as the active place of worship and respite it has always been and the community heritage hub it will become. A major fund-raising campaign is underway – find out more here. If you are able to help please use the DONATE button. Every little helps.
The artist at work - Gill Starkie Photo: Martin Starkie
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Photo: A RaeSaturday 19 June 2021
10.00-13.00
Forncett Village Hall
Low Road, Forncett St Mary’s, NR16 1JG
A wonderful array of all sorts of Bric-a-Brac, Preserves, Cakes, Plants
Refreshments
Free Entry & Parking
Covid security measures will be in place, please follow the direction of the stewards
All profits to Save St Peter’s Fund
At last an opportunity to get out and find that bargain and to support St Peter's
Any questions please contact April Carlin:
A huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who supported the Bric-a-Brac Sale last weekend. We raised £406, which really helps to move things forward. It was also wonderful to see friends and supporters - a lovely sociable morning, and the rain held off!
So many people helped with donations, getting things ready on the day, selling and buying as well as making teas and coffees and clearing up afterwards. Thank you all.
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Ready to go - cycle, walk or drive for St Peter's. Photo: P Schmidt-Hansen.
A huge ‘Thank You!’ to everyone who raised funds for St Peter’s by taking part in the Norfolk Churches Trust annual tour of churches in September 2020. Cycling, walking or driving to as many churches as they could in a day was fun and effective! The results are now out - a magnificent £1,295.56 was raised through sponsorship by people taking part on behalf of St Peter’s and will be split equally between St Peter’s and other Norfolk churches in need. That’s £647.78 towards our target. NCT has already given us a £1,000 grant for emergency repairs in 2019 so it’s great to be able to help other churches too.
Help to Save St Peter’s Church, Forncett,
Saturday 12 September 2020, 9am-5pm.
Make use of all that lockdown exercise by joining the annual sponsored bike ride – you can also walk, drive, ride a horse – be creative!
How many churches you can visit during the day?
It’s fun with family and friends - make a day of it. Arrangements are Covid 19 safe and you can record your visit at all churches even if they have to stay closed. Sadly it won't be possible to offer refreshments, but please bring your own to enjoy in the tranquility of the churchyards. Take photos.
Have a great day in lovely countryside
Half of the sponsorship money you raise will go to your nominated church – please choose St Peter’s which needs £750,000 for essential work.
The other half goes to help other ancient Norfolk churches in need.
Get your Sponsorship Form:
Gilly Barnes Tel – 01508 813055 email:
More information about the Bike Ride is avaiable here: NCT Annual Sponsored Bike Ride
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Great News! St Peter's is now open again for services and visitors. With the chancel roof supported by a forest of scaffolding and closed to the public with a large hoarding, the rest of the church is now up and running. It will be open every day from 10am to 4pm thanks to our wonderful band of volunters. The lovely Victorian stained glass, carved pew ends and other historic features are there for you to discover. The scaffolding itself - an outward sign of the extensive structural problems facing the building - is quite a sight.
The chancel full of essential scaffolding. Photo: G BarnesSt Peter's also has a special atmosphere of peace and tanquillity, a respite from the turmoil of everyday life, a place to sit at ease. Everyone is welcome.
You will find information about services here
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Three creative designs from Foncett Art Group members. Photo A Carlin
Why not support us by buying a pack of these beautiful Christmas cards? All designed and painted by people from the Forncett community who belong to the vibrant local art group. They are original, showing the church from different viewpoints, and are very attractive, being beautifully drawn and painted. Every penny from every pack sold will go towards our appeal. There are 3 designs, each sold in packs of 6 for £5 a pack or 5 packs for £20. Great value.
You can place your order with: April Carlin
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- Written by: Claire Jordan