Wimbotsham
| Wimbotsham | |
| Norfolk | |
|---|---|
 St Mary's, Wimbotsham | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TF622049 |
| Location: | 52°37’4"N, -0°23’40"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 664 (2011) |
| Post town: | King's Lynn |
| Postcode: | PE34 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | King's Lynn and West Norfolk |
Wimbotsham is a village in Norfolk. It is situated close to the River Great Ouse, a mile north of the town of Downham Market, eleven miles south of the town of King's Lynn, and 37 miles west of the city of Norwich.
The 2011 census recorded a population of 664 in Wimbotsham and Bexwell.
The villages name means 'Winebaud's homestead/village' or 'Winebaud's hemmed-in land'.[1]
The village has a primary school, a local shop and a public house called "The Chequers". It has two churches: the Church of St Mary and the Wimbotsham Methodist Church.
Church of St Mary
The Church of England parish church, St Mary's, is a Grade II* listed building.[2] The parish is part of the West Norfolk Priory Group.[3]
The church is believed to have been built in 1175, with some late 13th century work, and both north and south doors are believed Norman, dating from the 12th century. A mediæval wall painting of St Christopher is recorded in the nave. In 1853/4 the roof of the nave was altered from thatch to slate with the walls raised to suit. The original chancel was rebuilt complete with an apse over what was thought to be a prior structure. The church's bench ends, although in the Suffolk style of the 15th century, are actually the work of James Rattee in the 19th century.[4] It has three bells.[5]
On 4 September 2019, the church was severely damaged by a large fire.[6][7] The roof of the nave collapsed and wooden fittings inside the building including carvings by Rattee were destroyed.[8] The bells, which had cracked in the fire, were taken down from the tower in August 2020.[9]
Plans for a full restoration were approved in May 2024.[10]
Methodist Church
As well as the Church of England St Mary's, there is also Wimbotsham Methodist Church. The chapel was opened in 1894 with additions being made in 1896 in the form of a Sunday School. Further alterations were made in 1950 and 1970.[11] The Minister is Reverend Maurice Stafford.[12]
Fenman Classic Bike Show
Since 1990, Wimbotsham has been the location of the Fenman Classic Bike Show, an annual bike show held on the last Monday of every August, to coincide with a United Kingdom bank holiday. The logo depicts a farm-hand with smock and floppy hat, holding a mug of ale and standing in front of a bike's silhouette. Overall the Fenman Classic Bike Show offers 27 prizes, including the "Best Bike in Show" prize.[13]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Wimbotsham) |
References
- ↑ Place-Names
- ↑ National Heritage List 1205605: Church of St Mary, Wimbotsham (Grade II* listing)
- ↑ "Wimbotsham, St Mary's". https://www.westnorfolkpriorygroup.co.uk/Groups/381574/Wimbotsham.aspx.
- ↑ "St-Mary's-Church-Wimbotsham - Norfolk Heritage Explorer". http://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?MNF2468-St-Mary%27s-Church-Wimbotsham&Index=2254&RecordCount=57339&SessionID=5b7a64c4-d13a-4ec2-81e0-94a3c59e4d2f.
- ↑ "Wisbech District of the Ely DA - Wimbotsham details". https://sites.google.com/site/wisbechdistrictbells/towers/wimbotsham-details.
- ↑ "Firefighters on scene of blaze at historic Wimbotsham church" (in en). Lynn News. 4 September 2019. https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/firefighters-on-scene-of-blaze-at-historic-wimbotsham-church-9081815/.
- ↑ "Mediæval Norfolk church gutted by fire". BBC News. 4 September 2019. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-49577041.
- ↑ Bishop, Chris (11 September 2019). "Revealed: Ornate interior of church before it was consumed by fire". Eastern Daily Press. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/inside-wimbotsham-church-before-the-fire-1-6252475.
- ↑ "Abseilers remove bells from fire-ravaged Norfolk church". BBC News. 9 August 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-53667463.
- ↑ "Mediæval church gutted by fire to be restored". BBC News. 9 May 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n1yx5nv3go.
- ↑ "Wimbotsham Primitive Methodist chapel | W - Z | My Primitive Methodists". http://www.myprimitivemethodists.org.uk/page/wimbotsham_primitive_methodist_chapel.
- ↑ "Wimbotsham Methodist Church". http://eangliamethodist.org.uk/wimbotsham.
- ↑ "Fenman Classic Bike Show - Home". http://www.fenmanclassic.co.uk/.