31.—The Dereham troop, which left Yarmouth on the 30th, arrived at Dereham, and was welcomed by a great concourse of the inhabitants. The church bells were rung, and the officers and many members of the troop dined in the evening at the King’s Arms Inn.
The twenty-two troops of Yeomanry Cavalry in the county were this month formed into three regiments. The Marquis Townshend was appointed colonel of the Western Regiment; Major-General Money, colonel of the Eastern Regiment; and Col. (afterwards Brigadier-General) Bulwer, colonel of the Midland (or Mid Norfolk) Regiment.
31.—Polito’s wild beasts were exhibited in the yard at the Duke’s Palace, Norwich.
1804.
JANUARY.
3.—The Old Buckenham Volunteers marched into Norwich from Yarmouth, and next day proceeded to their homes. The corps numbered 5 officers and 125 non-commissioned officers and privates.
—Capt. Dickens, of the Shropshire Militia, “undertook for a considerable wager to walk from the Angel at Yarmouth to the Angel at Norwich and back again (47 miles) in twelve hours, which he performed with apparent ease in eleven hours and a half.”
7.—Died, at Colchester, aged 65, Sir William Gordon, Bart., captain in the West Norfolk Militia, and for many years a resident in Norwich.
12.—A meeting was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, as to the depressed state of the corn trade. It was resolved to petition Parliament on the subject. (The prices quoted at this date were:—Wheat, 14s. to 26s.; barley, 9s. 6d. to 10s.; oats, 9s. 6d. to 10s. 6d. per coomb.)
13.—The Wymondham troop of Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by Capt. the Hon. Wm. Wodehouse, attended at Kimberley and “thanked Lady Wodehouse for the colours lately presented by her ladyship, when they had the honour of dining with the family.”