History of the Villages of West Winch and Setchey
Most of us have heard about the oil extraction in Setchey but what about the Palaeolithic hand axe found in a field or the Old Toll House.
Which are the oldest buildings in the villages?
Are you interested in history?
Would you like to meet to discuss what you do know about the villages and ensure this information is recorded and passed down to future generations?
Do you have any old photographs the Parish Council could scan and publish on the website ?
If you are interested then please contact Parish Councillor Barry Thrower on 01553 810001 or bthrowerwestwinchpc@hotmail.com
West Winch Tower Mill
West Winch mill was a tarred red brick 5 storey mill with an iron stage on the second floor.
It was built c.1821 by Francis Plumpton who had bought the land and a house in 1818 from Thomas Begleyon the east side of the road to the north of the village.
By 1861 a bake office was being run on the site...…..
The Pound
A little History of the West Winch "POUND"
The village Pound was a common feature of most English medieval villages
in the 16th century and onwards. West Winch was no exception, as early
maps indicate such a structure was in existence,
situated in Watering Lane.
Village Pounds were usually erected near to Common land where
Communal grazing took place and was also near to a water source. The West
Winch Pound typifies these requirements as it is situated close to the
Common, and on Watering Lane, where a constant water source still
exists to this present day.
The purpose of The Pound was to provide a safe sanctuary for stray
livestock; the strays being impounded by the Penfold (keeper of The
Pound) for security and safekeeping. The Penfold, being appointed by
the Lord of the Manor, or perhaps in certain circumstances, the Common
Reeve.
The Penfold's duties were to impound stray livestock in the village
Pound. There, he fed, watered and generally cared for the stray animals
until claimed by their rightful owner. The owner(s) were required to pay a
fee to the Penfold for his services before the animals could be returned. In
certain circumstances, the Penfold had the power to sell impounded
livestock at the Lynn cattle market, thus recovering costs that he had
incurred due to unpaid boarding fees.
The Pound was also used as an animal resting place when animals were
being driven to Lynn cattle market by the farmer or Cattle Drover. Perhaps
the drivers took their rest and refreshments at the nearby Cock Inn? As
The Cock Inn being another valuable antiquity of this parish. A map of
1700c shows an animal trail, down Watering Lane, over the Common,
along Clerk's Chase (Drove), onward to Saddlebow, then onward to market.
Today, here in the West Winch and Setchey parish, we are extremely
fortunate to have such a Pound. This ancient antiquity has recently been
rebuilt and restored after being partly demolished by a foreign articulated
lorry; its driver scrupulously following instructions from its Sat Nav! The
newly installed bench seat, courtesy of the Plymouth Brethren Church now
provides a resting place for the weary walker.
Following several years of decay, The Pound has now been restored to its
former glory, albeit the frontage wall being left lower in case it gets
Demolished again! The rebuilding was initially instigated by a number of
Parish Councillors, after obtaining the authority from The Common Reeve.
The now past Chairman of the Parish Council, Mr Terry Gi,bson took the bull
by its horns (apologies for the pun) and approached Zurich Assurance
Limited (adjacent landowners) for financial assistance to restore The
Pound. Zurich very kindly obliged and paid for the restoration costs. We
are deeply indebted to Zurich and to Terry for their part in restoring this
rare and historic structure back to its former glory, and also to the
Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (Setchey) for the provision of the
bench seat.
Additional info.
The obelisk stone structure currently located in the centre of The Pound
was part of the original West Winch village sign that was originally sighted
in a lay-by( no longer there) aside of the A10. A new village sign was
installed in its current location in 1977 in celebration of the Queen's Silver
Jubilee. The then Chairlady of the West Winch and Setchey Parish Council,
Miss Marjorie Blick performed this opening ceremony.
Just a little of West Winch & Setchey history, which I hope you have found of
interest.
Produced by David Skerritt with help from Cllr Barry Thrower on behalf of
West Winch & Setchey Parish Council.
West Winch Church and War Memorial
Private Horace Victor Moughton 2756070
Horace Victor Moughton was born to parents Frederick James Moughton and Edith Moughton (nee Hutchinson) on the 14th November 1918 at Shouldham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. He was the 4th child: His siblings being Freda aged 6; Ovelyn aged 4; Frederick James aged 2. Another sister Dora was born 9 years later in 1927. The Moughton family left Shouldham and came to live at West Winch. They resided in the ‘Old Hall’ built in 1638; a large house on the edge of the Common where his parents ran a smallholding.
Horace preferred to be called Vic (his middle name being Victor). Vic attended West Winch school and also attended chapel on a Sunday. After Vic left school, he found it difficult to choose a career and in consequence drifted from job to job as a general labourer. Vic as a young man became restless living in a small village and doing mundane work. He sought adventure and excitement as young people do. At the age of 19 in 1938, Vic chose to join the army to become a professional solder. He enlisted at the Britannia Army barracks in Norwich on the 16th May 1938. He was subsequently assigned to the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) for training. After training and having realised his ambition of becoming a professional soldier, Vic was sent to France early in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).
His battalion was positioned in the Saar Region of France near to the German border. Tragically, Vic was killed with three others of his comrades right at the start of the hostilities on the 9th May 1940 following the phoney war. He was only 21 years of age.
Vic is buried in a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Choloy, France. He was posthumously awarded three medals: France German Star; 1939 – 1945 Star; War medal 1939 – 1945. His headstone is engraved with the words, “Always remembered by those who loved him”.
Vic is remembered with honour and reverence especially at the annual Remembrance Day Service when his name is read out as a member of the ‘fallen’ of the two World Wars. His name is also engraved on the village war memorial which is located in the church yard. ‘His name liveth for evermore’.
West Winch village sign
The coat of arms belongs to the Cholmondeley family, who were landowners after they bought the estate from the Pell family. “Cassis Tutissima Virtus” means Virtue is the Safest Helmet and is the motto of the Cholmondeley family.