A role where an actress plays the part of a man

IMAGINE THIS ON TODAY’S A11 ROAD

By Chris Weston

Anyone involved in research will know through experience that while enquiring about a pre-planned topic, other “possibilities” can unexpectedly appear in reference material, leaving the researcher with a longer list than at outset. This short tale is an example: -

While working on a recent National Trust Commission one morning, I suddenly found mention of a most unusual if not unlikely pub activity, albeit now 250 years ago!! My early life was spent in and around Cringleford, so pub names like the Red Lion and the Cellar House in Eaton were and still are familiar. But my attention had been drawn to the now former Lamb, also in Eaton during 1772. The pub was located at 18 Eaton Street, Church Lane, Eaton, Norwich and one well known event was then, the Annual Ass & Pig Race! The ultimate winning criteria was based on the ‘Best of three

Heats, from the Lamb to Mile

End and back’. It seems unclear how long the race lasted, but the winner would receive a grand Morocco Saddle and then Second Best, a Pelham Bridle. Pre-event advertising posters also included in the details ‘Before the race a Soap'd Pig will be hunted’. There will also be a good Ordinary exactly at Two o'clock and in the Evening a Ball for the Ladies'. By 1873, the Lamb which had opened in 1760 with James Forster as Licensee had been renamed as the LAMB ROAD HOUSE. It finally closed on 29th January 1910, with Robert Kett at the helm. And as you can see in the image below, the property still has a pub-like appearance. I’ve often heard of or read details of numerous other pub sports and pastimes, so has anyone got other offerings??

© Chris Weston, December 2022

THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK