PICTURES: JOHN WARHAM
Local Life
Help also came from further afield. “Graham Dennis, who used to live in Johnson’s Row, sent me his photos of the village in the 1980s,” says John, "as did the May family, who’d left Thornham in the late 19th century together with other ‘Thornhamites’ for the North East in search of work in the coal and steel industries. They still trace their roots to Thornham!” One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is its depiction of continuity and change in a 21st century Norfolk village. “People come to Thornham looking for stability in a modern world,” explains John, “while the reality is that change goes on apace even in a small rural village such as this. I was amazed at how many photos I had to go back and re-take because they had changed so much since People and Places was published – and that was only five years ago!” John is particularly pleased the book is a true ‘Made in Norfolk’ project, having been designed by Dick Malt, who lives in Hoe (“it’s probably even smaller than Thornham!” says John) – and is printed by Swallowtail Print in Norwich. With such a feast of images to choose from, does John have his own particular favourite? “It’s very difficult to single out one above all the others,” he says, “but perhaps it would be the old photograph of the Jessie Mary tied up alongside the Coal Barn and the modern photo of the building at high tide. Both feature the iconic barn, which is possibly Thornham’s best known feature – and it’s amazing to think that a century separates the two images.”
THORNHAM: THEN & NOW (£25) will be launched appropriately enough in Thornham Village Hall during next month’s Heritage Weekend of Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February. It will also be available from Thornham Deli, Jarrold of Norwich, and other bookshops along the coast. Copies can also be obtained by post directly from John – you can contact him at johnwarham@hotmail.com for more details.
PICTURES: John Warham’s new book (below) presents a fascinating look at Thornham’s past and present with locations such as the village’s Lifeboat Inn (above) and personalities such as ex-submariner George Hines (left).
THORNHAM HERITAGE WEEKEND will feature several other historical books, photos and artifacts reflecting village life over the years. It takes place in the village hall (admission is free) on February 20th-21st and full details can be found on the village website at www.thornhamvillagehall.co.uk
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KLmagazine January 2015