Photographs, Negatives, Slides and Plates of Norfolk

A north-westerly view of the beach at Walcott-on-Sea where the recently-constructed sea wall was placed to protect further erosion of the coastline. The sea defences between Bacton and Ostend were constructed in 1954. Ten years later this was supplemented by a timber revetment to the west of Bacton. The sea wall enabled the realignment of the coastal road which provided the impetus for visitors by car.

A lovely image of the bakery van of Thomas Burrell whilst making a delivery to the shop operated by Frederick Abigail at Bacton. The shop closed many moons ago but the building still stands on an old stub of Walcott Road. I assume that is Thomas Burrell stood next to his horse, though the master baker did employ a couple of men in the business based in the village. Born at nearby Southrepps, he had earlier worked for the baker and confectioner John Drury. He and his wife Ethel settled in Bacton where they successfully operated the bakery at Keswick. Their sons joined the firm in later years.

This late Edwardian photograph shows the post-office at Overstrand. Located on the corner of High Street and Harbord Road, the building still stands and in recent years has been known as Secret Sands, offering holiday apartments. Here, it was a warm sunny day and a woman is holding up a parasol for protection from the sun. At this time the post-office was run by George Beckett who was also a grocer and house agent. He was assisted by his son Gilbert. His name is included on the war memorial at Overstrand. Serving in the Royal Air Force, he died in February 1919. By the time of the Second World War, the premises on the corner of Harbord Road had been converted into Engadine Guest House run by Hilda Rackham and Charles Bullimore. They were married at North Walsham in October 1941. Born in 1893 in Norwich, Hilda Rackham was in service to the Collis family at Chingford in her early years. She started in the guest house business during the 1920s. At Overstrand she combined the Engadine Guest House with the Singing Kettle café which became well-known in the area for her high quality cream teas. An energetic woman, she started work at 5am every morning to bake her home-made cakes. When she retired she bought a cottage in Heacham, the village in which she spent much of her childhood.