ROBERT ATKINSON GORRELL (1804 – 1904)

by Chris Weston

here, cotton, silk and worstead yarn were supplied directly to the textile trade. Outside work, he firstly lived in Unthank Road, subsequently serving as both a city Councillor and Magistrate, apart from mixing widely in leading social circles. His shrewd commercial judgement and seemingly endless energy also brought Robert prosperity. On 4th August 1835, he married Elinor Cooper, in Bradford.

Every day, dozens if not hundreds of motorists travelling through Coltishall on the B1150 may have no idea that at one point, they pass a former hospital site. The building still stands today, but now accommodates a different type of residents. But where was it and who provided it? More on this in the next issue, but for now, we consider the life of its founder, whose generosity to the villagers extended way beyond any expectations.

The Coltishall Cottage Hospital was on the same side of the road as today’s local Pharmacy (which was once a branch of Roys). The property stands back from the road.

Robert Atkinson Gorrell was born in Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria and was duly christened there on 1st January 1806. Before starting work at age 15, with a Bradford firm of Worstead cloth spinners. he was educated at his local grammar school.

The cloth spinners also had at that time, a branch in Duke Street, Norwich and in 1841, Robert moved to Norwich to take charge of it. From

Robert gradually created a lengthening list of generosities to the local community. Not only did he become the richest man ever to live in Coltishall but was also its first centenarian. His lifetime donations included a Cottage Hospital, a Church Vestry and throughout the village, its first iron lampposts, forming part of the street lighting network. Strangely perhaps, he didn’t reside in the main village, but at the Old Hall in nearby St. James, listed in various Directories as a hamlet of Coltishall. In local circles Robert Gorrell was additionally a Landowner; Magistrate; Rector’s Churchwarden; Parish Guardian and a School Governor.

During 1877, Robert Gorrell presented to the village a clock costing £173. To enable everyone to see it, the decision was made to install the clock in the church tower, which geographically, was also considered central to the locality. In 1980, the clock was overhauled – as a further gift – at a cost of £445, from Mrs. Beevor, a local parishioner. Also in 1877, a Vestry was added to the parish church at the joint expense of Robert and the then Rector, Joseph Thackeray.

In 1879, Robert became Coltishall’s First commuter, when the new branch railway line between Aylsham (North) and Norwich via Coltishall and Wroxham opened on 8th July that year. And for several years he travelled daily to and from Norwich. The line survived in its original form until 15th September 1952 when it closed to passengers. Freight trains then rumbled on until the station’s final standard gauge closure on 19th April 1965. But it was reborn on 10th July 1990 as the narrow-gauge Bure Valley Railway which still operates passenger trains today, over the original Hoveton & Wroxham to Aylsham route.

Meanwhile in 1880, Robert Gorrell gained a seat on the Norwich Union Board of Directors, hence his daily visits to the city.

He died in Coltishall, on Monday 24th October 1904.

In the next issue, I’ll tell you of my unscheduled visit to the former Hospital but not for medical reasons. So ‘Watch this space‘ as they say in certain circles !!

© Chris Weston, February 2023

WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK

Message from WAC Book Publisher Tracey:

I’d like to take the opportunity to publicly thank Chris Weston for his regular contributions to this publication.

Shortly after our magazine launch in 2006, Hoveton-based local Historian Chris stepped forward and has been a key provider of local content ever since. For that, my partner Stuart and myself would like to say a big “Thank you!”

Chris is a wonderful character too!

Wroxham And Hoveton Lions Club

After the cold snap last month, now the clocks have changed we can really feel Spring is here.

Our first CRAFT FAIR of the year was held on 12th March at the Broadland Youth and Community Centre Stalham Road Hoveton and this was a great success. Further fairs are scheduled at the same venue for 21st May, 8th October and 19th November, from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free and refreshments are available.

Our charity shop continues to be busy and we still need your donations of good, clean items, especially bric-a-brac., so If you are having a sort out, or down-sizing, please bear us in mind. You can drop items in at the shop, or alternatively ring them on 01603 783737 or myself on 07850 091570 and we can arrange collection.

We would respectfully ask anyone donating clothing to our charity shop, to please make sure that they are clean and in a saleable condition.

Planning is well underway for our annual summer CHARITY VILLAGE FETE which is being held on AUGUST 6th at Hoveton Village Hall and Playing Field.10am to 4pm. In addition to the usual stalls and classic cars we are hoping to have a Jaguar Cockpit, climbing wall, mini donkeys, a dog agility team and an enlarged display by the Norwich Internal Combustion Engine Society. Bookings for all pitches as well as Classic vehicles, are now being taken. Unfortunately, all inside Craft Stall Pitches have now been allocated. All booking forms can be downloaded by going to our website www.wroxhamandhovetonlions.org and clicking on the link “Fundraising Events” or alternatively, by telephoning Lion Mike Clipston on 07767 810027

We always welcome new members, so if you have any spare time and feel you would like to put it to good use and give something back into your community, why not think about joining us. If you are interested, please give me a call 07850091570 or contact our membership chairperson, Lion Lydia Spight, via our “Learn More” link on web site www.wroxhamandhovetonlions.org

Lion Terry Vout President.

Wroxham Bure Valley Rotary Club

A lot is happening over the next few weeks, so lots of dates for your diaries.

Firstly following a three year gap, we are delighted to be resuming our Technology Tournament. This involves teams from local schools coming together to compete to solve a technology problem and build a working solution. It takes place at Broadland Academy on May 10th and at least 15 teams of 4 from local schools are expected to take part across three age/ability levels.

This is quickly followed by a “Meet the Farmer” day at Wroxham Barns on May 14th, where we will be helping and supporting Wroxham Barns on the day. Two weeks later we will be manning the entrance gates at the Strumpshaw Steam Fair on 27th-29th May.

Once again we will be sponsoring a local youngster to attend the week long Rotary Young Leader Course at Graffham Water in August, and meanwhile members continue to help man the local warm hub at the Hub in Wroxham and to help with immigrant refugees around Norwich.

Last but by no means least we are expecting our Classic Car Show to continue to grow and be even bigger and better than 2022. This takes place on September 10th at Wroxham Barns.

As promised (shown) is a photograph taken last month of one of our displays of purple crocuses around the villages, this one in Wroxham.

Meanwhile our weekly meetings at Wroxham Barns continue with a range of fascinating speakers over the coming weeks. You can support us and the many local and international charities we donate to, through the Broadland Council Lottery Scheme – simply go on line www.communityatheartlottery.com and sign up, selecting Wroxham Bure Valley Rotary Club as your chosen cause. You can also support us directly by visiting our page on the www.totalgiving.co.uk web site. Meantime remember, in the true Rotary spirit of “Service above Self” we have members ready and willing to help out in the local community wherever the need arises. If you fancy joining us for a vibrant, sociable, active, and fun club experience, please contact our president, Robin Baines, on 01603 782920/ 07721 465647.

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Welcome… to the latest edition of THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK

Hooray, British Summer Time is here! I don’t know about you, but those around me seem to gently adjust to the increased daylight; even our little dog has wanted to eat an hour earlier than usual throughout March!

My partner Stuart is often up at silly-o-clock to go running anyway, so maybe that triggers the dog? Three of our sons have flown the nest, so the atmosphere in the house is generally pretty calm these days. Our youngest son has recently opted to take an Apprenticeship route into the workplace; an unexpected offer came in and it was such a good fit (CAD Design / Structural Engineering) - something he has enjoyed and excelled at since the age of three. He’ll be joining his eldest brother, so hopefully he will also do well there.

As usual, inside this magazine you’ll find lots of puzzles and quizzes as well as thriving local services. There are regular features too; our celebrity in this edition is one of my personal favourites, Monty Don. Enjoy April & May!...

This magazine is one of 8,000 copies delivered to residents & businesses in: Wroxham, Hoveton, Horning, Badersfield, Coltishall, Horstead, Stalham, Stalham Green, Sutton, Tunstead, Frettenham, Scottow, Belaugh, Sco Ruston, Ashmanhaugh, Smallburgh, Sloley & Buxton.