Trouble at the Mill: The Remains of the Briggate Mill

The charred ruins of the former Briggate Mill, to be found between Worstead and North Walsham. There seems to be a degree of uncertainty as to the mill's exact age, but it is suggested that a mill has been on this site for at least two centuries. Finally closed in the late 1960s, Briggate Mill has since had a somewhat notorious history as it was set alight as part of an arson insurance scam.

The mill was located on the 8+ mile North Walsham and Dilham Canal, Norfolk's only (long-disued) official canal.

'Much Obscured by Vegetation:' The Ruins of St Michaels Church, Sco Ruston

Between Coltishall and North Walsham lie the ruins of the medieval church of St Michael, in the tiny parish of Sco Ruston. Not far from a fairly well-used road, the ruins are nevertheless well hidden beneath a great deal of ivy: it's quite difficult to even get a sense of the shape of the exterior because of this. Yet the interior, despite the lack of a roof and the trees growing up through the floors, feels oddly spacious and preserved, in a forgotten kind of way. Midday winter light streaming through the doors gave a genuine sense of warmth.

The ruins are Grade II listed. The English heritage report includes the observation, "Much obscured by vegetation."

On the Sands

"I could see no reason why used tram tickets, bits of driftwood, buttons and old junk from attics and rubbish heaps should not serve well as materials for paintings; they suited the purpose just as well as factory-made paints... It is possible to cry out using bits of old rubbish, and that's what I did, gluing and nailing them together." - Kurt Schwitters

A lovely hunk o' driftwood on the sands between Winterton-on-Sea and Hemsby.

Big Man: The Grave of Robert Hales, The Norfolk Giant

The church of St Mary in the village of West Somerton, north of Great Yarmouth, and the final resting place of the 19th century celebrity Robert Hales - more commonly known as 'The Norfolk Giant.' Born in the village in 1820, Hales - who would ulimately reach a height of seven feet eight inches and a weight of thirty two stone - was a successful circus performer, meeting Queen Victoria and travelling to America to work with the infamous P.T. Barnum. Whilst in America Hales married the eight foot tall Elizabeth Simpson.

Hales died in 1863. Himself one of nine children, other members of his family are also buried in the churchyard. His sister Mary also grew to a height of seven foot two inches.