North Walsham
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North Walsham is a large market town situated in north east Norfolk -
approximately five miles from the coast.
St. Nicholas Church
In Lavengro (1851) George Borrow records a boxing
match which takes place in North Walsham on 17th July
1820. Borrow's father was a pugilist.
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'I think I now see them upon the bowling-green, the men
of renown, amidst hundreds of people with no renown at
all, who gaze upon them with timid wonder. Fame, after
all, is a glorious thing, though it lasts only for a
day. There's Cribb, the champion of England, and perhaps
the best man in England; there he is, with his huge,
massive figure, and face wonderfully like that of a
lion. There is Belcher, the younger, not the mighty one,
who is gone to his place, but the Teucer Belcher, the
most scientific pugilist that ever entered a ring, only
wanting strength to be, I won't say what. He appears to
walk before me now, as he did that evening, with his
white hat, white greatcoat, thin, genteel figure,
springy step, and keen determined eye.' |
The town is also home to The Paston (Grammar) School - which was
founded in 1606 by Sir William Paston. Distinguished
'Old Pastonians' include Lord Nelson (and his brother), Stephen Fry, Allan Smethurst - The
Singing Postman and Keith Skipper. Today, it is still an educational
establishment - namely Paston College.
Paston School Gate
Sir William
Paston - a descendant of the letter-writing Pastons -
has a magnificent tomb inside St. Nicholas' Church.
Sir William Paston, St. Nicholas Church
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Links:
Paston College
St. Nicholas' Church
Read a Paston
Letter |
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by Norfolk Tourism