NORFOLK AND NORWICH Archæological Society. REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 1896. READ AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN THE GUILDHALL, It is with pleasure that the Committee make their Annual Report to the Members, concerning the work of the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society during the year 1896. Never, it is believed, has greater interest been evinced in Norfolk, in the subject of archæology, than at the present time; and this, no doubt, is attributable, in a great measure, to the work of the Society and to the excellent articles now appearing so frequently in our local Press. It is, moreover, very gratifying to be able to report, from year to year, a large and steady increase in the number of members of the Society. At the last annual meeting, held in the Guildhall, on the 18th March, 1896, after the formal business had been concluded, several interesting articles were exhibited for the inspection of the members, including an enamelled candlestick, probably of the thirteenth century, found some twelve or fourteen years since, on the site of the Premonstratensian Abbey of Wendling; a piece of a preReformation cope from Great Bircham Church; and two oil paintings, on panel, from St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich, which had been recently cleaned. After the close of the meeting, several members visited the Castle Museum, to inspect the sculptured stone then recently removed from a house on the site of the Church of St. Vedast, Norwich, a description of which (by the Rev. W. Hudson) has appeared in the Society's Original Papers. On the 20th and 21st May a two days' excursion was held at Bury St. Edmund's and the two neighbouring towns of Long Melford and Lavenham. In thus paying a visit to the sister county of Suffolk, the Society made a departure from its usual course, although such visits were not infrequent in the earlier years of the Society's existence. On reaching Bury, on the morning of the 20th, the members visited the beautiful churches of St. James and St. Mary and the Norman tower; while in the afternoon a visit was paid to the ruins of the Abbey, Moyses' Hall, etc. Unfortunately the weather was most unpropitious, and the programme for the afternoon was therefore somewhat curtailed. After dinner had been served at the Angel Hotel, the members adjourned to the Athenæum, where the Mayor (J. G. Oliver, Esq.) most hospitably received them. The corporation plate, charters, and other objects of interest were exhibited; while Dr. Montague James, Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, read a most admirable and exhaustive paper on the Abbey of St. Edmund at Bury. Early the following morning, under a cloudless sky, the members drove to Long Melford. After a brief inspection of Kentwell Hall, the party visited the interesting church of Long Melford, and then proceeded to Melford Hall, where they were received by treasures. the Rev. Sir William Hyde Parker, Bart., and Lady Hyde Parker, who kindly conducted them over their beautiful old house, and pointed out some of their many After luncheon at the Bull Hotel (a building of some archæological interest), the members drove to Lavenham, where the many features of interest in the magnificent church were described by the Rector, the Rev. Canon Scott. After a ramble round the quaint streets of Lavenham and an inspection of the picturesque Guildhall, the party were entertained at tea in the garden of the Hall, before returning to Bury in time to catch the last train home. On the 30th September an autumn excursion was held in the neighbourhood of Reepham. The party assembled at Attlebridge Station at 10 a.m., and after a short drive reached Swanington Church, which was described in an excellent paper from the pen of Mr. T. D. Atkinson, Secretary of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, who, at the last moment, was unfortunately unable to be present. After a short visit to an old moated manor house, the party drove past Great Witchingham Hall to the church, where a short paper was read by Mr. L. G. Bolingbroke. At Reepham luncheon was served at the King's Arms Hotel, and after visiting Reepham and Hackford Churches the party proceeded to Booton Church, which is in course of being rebuilt at the cost and under the supervision of the Rector, the Rev. Whitwell Elwin. In striking contrast to the rich but modern work at Booton was the decaying grandeur of Cawston and Sall churches, which were next visited. The members were most kindly entertained at afternoon tea by Major White of Sall Hall, whence they were driven back to Reepham in time to catch their trains. It was a most enjoyable excursion, and the weather was brilliantly fine throughout. |