West Beckham

Infobox UK place
official_name= West Beckham
country= England
region= East of England
shire_district= North Norfolk
shire_county= Norfolk
civil_parish= West Beckham
static_

static_image_caption = The Village sign
population= 222 (parish, 2001 census)
population_density=
os_grid_reference= TG130390
latitude= 52.91
longitude= 1.17
post_town= SHERINGHAM
postcode_area= NR
postcode_district= NR25
dial_code= 01263
constituency_westminster= North Norfolk
london_distance= 131

West Beckham is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk ["OS Explorer Map 252 - Norfolk Coast East". ISBN 978 0 319 23815 8.] The village is 6.1 miles west south west of Cromer, 25.3 miles north north west of Norwich and 131 miles north north east of London. The village lies 4.1 miles East of the town of Holt. The village is 2.4 miles inland from the North Norfolk Coast to the north. The village is 0.8 miles to the south of the A148 King’s Lynn to Cromer road. The nearest railway station is at Sheringham for the Bittern Line which runs between Sheringham, Cromer and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport.

History

West Beckham has an entry in the Domesday Book of 1085 [The Domesday Book, Englands Heritage, Then and Now, Editor: Thomas Hinde,Norfolk page 196 ISBN 1858334403] . In the great book West Beckham is recorded by the name ‘’Becham’’. The main Tennant being Walter Giffard.

The Parish Church of St Helen and all saint’s

The Parish Church of St Helen and All Saint’s was built during the second half of the 19th century to replace a medieval church [Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East, By Nikolaus Pevsner and Bill Wilson, West Beckham entry. ISBN 0-300-09607-0 ] . The church’s construction is unusual in that it is not only shingled on the outside, it is shingled on the inside as well. The shingle of the interior walls are banded with red brick in the Puginesque style. On the upper banding of brickwork there is fading evangelical text. Much of the building material was re-cycled from to early churches that stood in the village. At the western end of the church there is a clear rose window. Below the window can be found the font reminiscent of a wedding cake.

Village Amenities

The one village pub is called "The Wheatsheaf" and was formerly the 'Old Manor Farmhouse', a building with lots of history, which was converted into the pub in 1983. the pub serves a wide range of food and real ale. It also has monthly quizzes and occasional karaoke nights, in aid of charity. In the summer months entertainment is often in the Garden.

Bodham and Beckham Village Hall

Bodham and Beckham Village Hall is a modern hall, less than 20 years old, and is fully heated. It is regularly used by Bodham Bingo Club, yoga classes, church events and Bodham and Beckham Youth Club. Regular quiz night fundraisers are held during the winter months.

References