Walking. Gossip. Travel.

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Fakenham – St Peter and St Paul’s Church

[I originally posted this in August 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

Fakenham’s parish church is centrally located in the town and there has been a religious building here since Saxon times. The main structure of the church dates to the fourteenth century, with the tower having been added in the fifteenth century.

The doorway.

The bright and open nave. The local newspaper in November 1863 wrote about the church’s extensive restoration and commented that the two aisles were formerly two chapels, the one on the south was dedicated to St. Mary and the one on the north was dedicated to St. Thomas.

The paper added that “the church has a noble appearance externally and it is to be deeply regretted that such a fine edifice well situated on high ground should be hidden by high buildings which stand between it and the public market place, from which it would be so noble a spectacle.

The grand wooden roof which dates from the Victorian restoration.

One of the sculptures within the wooden roof.

The fourteenth century chancel.

The font dates to the fifteenth century, although one of its panels has been removed and it’s thought that this happened at the time of the Reformation.

Some rather colourful kneelers on the Victorian pews.

A memorial to Private William Daniel Blomfield, a local resident who died on active service. He died of illness at Bloemfontein in South Africa during the Boer Wars.

August 31, 2025
Fakenham – Edward VII Coronation Lamp-post

[I originally posted this in August 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

This lamp-post, which was funded by public subscription, was erected in 1902 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII as the country’s new Monarch.

The coronation date for the King was originally set to be held on 26 June 1902, but King Edward got an abscess and it had to be delayed. I can imagine the irritation that this caused to the people of Fakenham, who then had to go and buy a second plaque. All was well though for the second date, and the Coronation went ahead on 9 August 1902.

This panel notes the creation of the Royal Manor of Fakenham, linking the town to the Royal Family.

August 28, 2025
Fakenham – War Memorial

[I originally posted this in August 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

The town’s war memorial was unveiled in August 1921 to mark those who had died during the First World War.

There are 96 names of those who died during the First World War, 27 names for the Second World War, 2 names of those who died during the Korean War and 1 name from the Iraq War in 1954. There’s a full list of those who died at http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Fakenham.html with five names having been added later (two from World War Two and those who died during the Korean and Iraq conflicts). Details of these five men are listed at http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/the-heroic-tales-behind-the-new-names-on-fakenham-war-memorial-1-2963865.

It’s a nicely presented war memorial and it’s centrally located in Fakenham.

August 28, 2025
Lodz – Three Creators Statue

[I originally posted this in August 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image link]

Known in Polish as Twórcy Łodzi Przemysłowej, this is the statue of the three creators of industrial Lodz. The men represented are Izrael Poznański, Karol Scheibler and Henryk Grohman, who were all involved with the cotton industry and who collectively brought great wealth to Lodz.

As an artwork, I think it’s brave to have created such a large sculpture, and the intention was that the public can be seated at the table with this manufacturing titans.

August 19, 2025
Lodz – Szpulka

[I originally posted this in August 2018 about a visit in February 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix some broken image links and I’m pleased that the restaurant is still trading]

I visited this restaurant in Lodz’s Manufaktura retail park in February 2018 as it was well reviewed for its traditional Polish food. Many of the food options at Maufaktura serve international cuisine, and I had worked my way around most of them during the time I was in the city.

Although I hadn’t realised before I got to the restaurant, there was a fixed price lunch menu available, which was an interesting option. I arrived at 11:50, and the staff member said that I could either order breakfast or wait ten minutes for the lunch menu to start, so I went with the latter. It all felt rather friendly, although the downstairs area is relatively small, so it was fortunate to get a seat in a convenient place.

The fixed lunch menu cost 25zl (about £5) and included a drink, a starter and a main course. There wasn’t a choice of dishes, as they were specially made, but the staff member was keen to explain what the dishes were and the ingredients which were being used.

The starter was a soup, which had a pleasant flavour and the croutons added some texture to the dish.

The main course was similar to wiener schnitzel, which I think in Poland is known as Kotlet schabowy. It’s battered pork in breadcrumbs and in this case it was served with vegetables and on a bed of mash potatoes. It’s not something I’d normally order, but the meat was tender and the vegetables had a depth of flavour to them.

I decided against having a dessert, although a drink seemed a very good idea.

Overall, I felt that this was a friendly and welcoming restaurant. I liked how they had a set lunch menu where there weren’t any options, as that meant I didn’t really have to think about anything. The entire meal, including food and drink, came to under £7, which I thought was perfectly good value.

August 19, 2025
Lodz – Szmigiel

[I originally posted this piffle in August 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image link]

Just as an aside, this is a Polish company that deals with road works and road safety. But I couldn’t help thinking of an episode of Friday Night Dinner and the gift of the schmoigle…..

August 19, 2025
Brandon – Brandon Station

[I originally published this in August 2018 and have reposted it to fix the broken image links. A lot has happened since then, I was one of the people who complained heavily when Greater Anglia tried to demolish the station and it’s now in one hell of a state since a bit of it fell off]

It was too hot in Cambridge, so I felt a visit to Brandon was in order.

This rather attractive little railway station was opened in 1845 and was part of the Norwich & Brandon Railway. The railway station services the town of Brandon and there is an interesting quirk that the station is in Norfolk whilst the main part of the town is in Suffolk.

Brandon railway station in 1845.

Brandon railway station in 2018. Sadly entirely boarded up, it has been staffless since the 1970s.

A view towards Cambridge.

It’s sad to see the buildings all boarded up, but at least they’ve tried to brighten it up a little.

The frontage of the railway station, just used as a car park now.

The railway station has been adopted, so at least there are some people taking care of it. The Brandon Heritage Centre mentions on their web-site that the group who adopted the station tried to take over and protect the buildings, but the landowners refused. Perhaps one day it’ll be able to re-open in some form….

August 19, 2025
Ely – Ely Stones

[I originally posted this in July 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

I thought that this was an interesting idea, they’re stones placed into the brickwork of the market which reflect various parts of the town’s history and heritage. Some of the stones were under the market stalls when I visited, but the above sign names the 12 different stones.

The stones are:

(i) City of Ely Crest

(ii) Ribe Crest

(iii) East Cambridgeshire District Council Crest

(iv) Ely Cathedral

(v) Cambridgeshire Regiment

(vi) Showman’s Guild of Great Britain

(vii) Princess of Wales Royal Air Force Hospital

(viii) HMS Walpole

(ix) Barrell and Grapes

(x) Eels and Basket

(xi) Windmill

(xii) Wheatsheaf

The Ely Cathedral stone.

The Showman’s Guild of Great Britain stone.

August 18, 2025
Ely – Oliver Cromwell’s House

[I originally posted this in July 2018 relating to a visit from 2016. I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links]

This property was the former residence of Oliver Cromwell, the only former residence of the Lord Protector which still exists, with the exception of his brief time at Hampton Court. The property has had numerous uses over the years, having been turned into a pub by the nineteenth century. The property was also used as a vicarage for the adjoining St. Mary’s Church and is now used as a museum and tourist information office.

Cromwell inherited this property in 1636 and also took on the responsibility of being the collector of tithes for Ely Cathedral. The timing was fortune for Cromwell who had fallen on hard times and had to sell his properties in Huntingdon (for which he was the MP from 1628 until 1629). His restored wealth and importance was of a benefit to him when he became the MP for Cambridge in 1640.

This plaque reads “the home of Oliver Cromwell and his family. Cromwell rose to power during the English Civil Wars, to become ‘Lord Protector of the Commonwealth’ during England’s brief period as a republic in the mid-17th century. The Cromwell family lived in Ely for some ten years from 1636 until 1646”.

The entrance to Cromwell’s bedroom.

I didn’t see a ghost…..

A wooden statue of Cromwell.

A fireplace in the family’s kitchen.

Displays of food that might have been eaten at the time that Cromwell’s family lived here.

A period recreation of Oliver Cromwell working in one of the rooms, of which there are eight in the museum. There are also numerous inter-active exhibits and displays to hold the attention of children.

The museum uses its displays to tell the story of Cromwell and for visitors to make their own decision on whether he was a good man or a bad man. As usual, these things aren’t black and white, but the displays are thoughtfully put together.

There are displays which tell the history of the building, as well as the story of how Oliver Cromwell came to prominence. There’s also an explanation of the English Civil War and Cromwell’s importance in that.

There’s an admission charge of £5 for adults and £3.50 for children, with a visit lasting for around an hour. [As of 2025 it’s now £8 for adults and £5.50 for children].

August 18, 2025
Ely – Hereward Pub

[I originally posted this in July 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

This is another Stonegate pub in Ely and although it seems to be suffering from some poor reviews at the moment, I thought it only fair to try it for myself.

The bar was tidy and organised, and a staff member came over to serve me when she saw I was waiting. All very efficient and the staff member was friendly and engaging, so it felt a welcoming pub.

An offer that has limited availability during the week, but that’s a good ideal when the offer is on.

Unfortunately, there was just one real ale which was actually available, which was the Jenning’s Cumberland beer. It’s a golden ale which is middle of the road, but it was keenly priced and tasted well-kept.

The lunch offer was better advertised than in the Minister Tavern that I had visited just before, which is also Stonegate. Again, fairly priced and the real ale I had was discounted because of my CAMRA membership.

The interior is functional and clean, although there’s little of historic merit. I actually thought that this pub was better than some of the reviews suggested. I visited on a quiet Friday afternoon, but I got the impression that this was a much livelier venue in the evenings, which might explain some of the more negative reviews.

The service was warm and friendly, the tables were cleared down regularly and the atmosphere was welcoming and comfortable. The selection of real ales, down to just one, wasn’t great, but the staff member apologised for that so I assume there’s normally a wider choice. But, it’s a perfectly acceptable pub and worth visiting.

August 18, 2025