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West Norfolk
The Borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is one of
seven district councils in Norfolk created by local
government reorganisation in 1974. It incorporates the
western part of Norfolk from the Burnham's in the north
to the county boundary in the Fens to the south west of
Downham Market.
Although West Norfolk is a predominantly rural area and
much of the countryside is farmland, the primary
occupation is in the service industries. There is a wide
variety of light industry in the region and a port at
King’s Lynn.
 Tourism
is a major source of revenue during the summer months.
West Norfolk enjoys a bracing climate which is generally
drier than most parts of the UK. It provides an
exceptional range of interests. Wide, sandy beaches on
the north coast, the seaside resort of Hunstanton, bird
reserves along the Wash, craft centres, fine country
houses and the Royal Estate at Sandringham attract
visitors from far and wide.
The region enjoys a regular rail service from King’s
Lynn to London King’s Cross. There is no direct rail
link to Norwich (services are routed via Ely), but road
connections are good and the journey takes little over
an hour. The nearest airport is Norwich, but London
Stansted can be reached by road in under 2 hours or by
train via Cambridge. West Norfolk is free of traffic
congestion with the exception of roads to the coast from
the Midlands and South which are busy at weekends in the
summer months.
King's Lynn
King’s Lynn, lying at the mouth of the River Ouse as it
enters the Wash, has a population of 40,000. Though
inappropriately developed during the 1960s, the old town
has retained much of the character of its medieval past.
It is served by two markets in historic parts of the
town where traders have plied their wares since the 13th
century. St Margaret’s Church, St Nicholas Chapel, two
medieval guildhalls (one of which is now a theatre and
the other the town hall), together with the 17th century
Custom House, are just a few of the historic features
which give character to the town. The former Corn
Exchange has been converted into a first class theatre
and concert hall and the town holds a notable Arts and
Music Festival for a fortnight in July.
Although there is low unemployment, the local economy
depends heavily on service industries. The docks have
limited capacity and have lost their link to the
railway, but there is still an active fishing fleet.
Food processing and farming based industries have
declined in recent years, but there is much low wage
seasonal employment, particularly of Eastern European,
Portuguese and Chinese migrant workers at fruit picking
time in the summer and autumn.
Looking to the future, a current rebuild of the town
centre and the redevelopment of a former industrial area
in South Lynn over the next few years are expected to
stimulate a major improvement in the local economy.
The
Benefice of North and South Wootton
 The
United Benefice of North and South Wootton consists of
two parishes which originated from a scatter of
farmsteads following the Norman Conquest. By the 13th
century the pattern of settlement had emerged in a form
that remained substantially unaltered until the advent
of the railway in the 19th century and the motor car in
the 20th. Both villages remained essentially farming
communities until 70 years ago. During the 1930s South
Wootton outgrew its neighbour, while the rapid growth of
both parishes since the 1960s has led to a combined
population of over 6500 today. This development
continues, particularly in South Wootton where a new
estate of 149 houses is being built. The Woottons are
dominated by owner-occupied households and are seen as a
desirable environment to live in.
Despite much new housing, both villages retain separate
and distinct identities. The small
green that attracted mediaeval settlement in North
Wootton gives it considerable character, and there is
still a strong farming tradition on the reclaimed marsh
between the village and the sea. In South Wootton the
green with its pond, post office and pub remains a focal
point, whereas the southern end of the parish adjoins
the northern outskirts of King’s Lynn.
Wootton Park, a large area of public space between the
two villages, is jointly administered by the two Parish
Councils. It is a popular amenity and the home of The
Woottons Football Club.
There have been schools in both parishes since the
middle of the 19th century. Today there is a primary
school in North Wootton, while in South Wootton there is
a first school and also a junior school with foundation
status. The three schools have over 700 children. Most
students of secondary school age attend King Edward VII
School or Springwood High School in King’s Lynn, which
specialise in sport and the expressive arts
respectively.
Both North and South Wootton have village halls which
are well used. Since neither church has a hall, our
indoor social and fundraising events are mainly held in
South Wootton Village Hall, the more modern of the two
buildings, with a sizeable car park opposite St Mary’s
Church.
The churchyards at All Saints’ and St Mary’s are closed.
South Wootton Parish Council, on which several church
members serve, maintains St Mary’s churchyard, the
nearby parish cemetery and parish allotments. North
Wootton Parish Council has not yet found a site for a
cemetery since the closure of the churchyard 3 years
ago. Most funerals take place at Mintlyn Crematorium, 3
miles east of King’s Lynn.
Local needs are met by a village store in North Wootton
and a post office opposite the green in South Wootton.
There is a small shopping precinct between the two
villages, while a supermarket and petrol station lie on
the edge of South Wootton. Medical needs in the area are
served by a surgery in North Wootton and accommodation
is available at the Red Cat Hotel. |
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