20.—Died at Hampstead, the Ven. Philip Jennings, Archdeacon of Norfolk, aged 66. He was presented to his office in 1847 by Bishop Stanley.
27.—A severe gale from the N.N.W., a heavy fall of snow, and a high tide prevented railway communication with Yarmouth. The line was under water for a considerable distance. The trains on the lines to London were delayed by deep snowdrifts. An omnibus was run between Norwich and Yarmouth for the conveyance of passengers. “The people on the road stared with wonderment on seeing the six-in-hand drawing the ponderous vehicle through the snow.”
1850.
JANUARY.
3.—Mr. Sims Reeves took part in a performance of “the Messiah” at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. The other vocalists included Miss Poole, Miss Kenneth, Herr Formes, and Master Mann.
10.—A sculling match from Bramerton to Whitlingham, for £10 a side, between R. Buttle, of Norwich, and Aldred, one of the crew of the “Young Company,” Yarmouth, was won easily by the former.
16.—Aylsham was for the first time lighted with gas, an event celebrated by the ringing of the church bells, by the distribution of beer, and by a dinner and ball at the Black Boys Hotel. A display of fireworks ended the festivities.
18.—Acts of disorder were committed by the female factory hands in Norwich, owing to an alteration being made in the working hours. They broke with snowballs the windows in the house of Mr. Douglas, one of the manufacturers, and waylaid him on St. Martin-at-Palace Plain. To save himself from being stripped naked, he took refuge in a neighbouring office.
20.—Died at Ranworth, the Rev. T. B. Greaves, for forty years vicar of South Lynn, and thirty-six years vicar of Wiggenhall St. Giles. He was the author of a volume of poems entitled, “Greaves’ Wilderness.”
28.—A meeting, convened by the High Sheriff (Col. Mason), on the requisition of 3,000 signatories, was held at Swaffham, “for the purpose of adopting means to secure the return of a Protective policy.” The railway companies ran special trains for the convenience of persons desirous of attending the meeting. The High Sheriff was supported by Lord Orford, Lord Sondes, and the members for the division. A resolution was adopted to the effect that the depression under which the agricultural, commercial, and industrial classes laboured was owing principally to legislative enactments, and nothing but a return to a protective policy could restore the permanent prosperity of agriculture, trade, and commerce. It was decided to present to the Queen and to Parliament a petition embodying these views.