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Published by , 2018-10-26 06:33:16

Escapades flipbook

Escapades flipbook

by Lynda Turbet and Susan Williams published by The Holt Society illustrated by Andy Ward

1st May 1708 changed the face of Holt forever. A fire broke out and quickly swept
through the town destroying buildings, the fish market stalls and even the church. The
beautiful Georgian facade you see today took over a hundred years to develop after

funds were raised to rebuild the town following the devastating fire.

The trail works in a loop and each stage has a number allocated to it.
See the map on pages 4 and 5.

Enjoy all that Holt has to offer, discover its labyrinth of yards and alleyways, interesting
shops and galleries and plentiful cafes. Seats are scattered around the town and provide

a useful rest stop to sit and absorb the atmosphere of this pretty Georgian town.

The main trail can be covered on foot and will take approximately an hour to complete.
To walk to and around Spout Hills allow another hour and a further hour if going to Holt Country
Park, although there is a car park for those wishing to drive. If you wish to visit Holt Station then
this will take approximately an hour to walk there and back or you can take the bus or drive.

There is a Museum, railway cottage and shop as well as the
steam locomotives and working platforms to see.

c 2018 Lynda Turbet - poetry
c)2018 Andy Ward - illustration and design - www.andyward.com

Published by The Holt Society - www.theholtsociety.org







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1 They crept upon her stealthily
and threw a net around,
stuffed her in a potato sack
and took her to the pound.

They left her in a wire pen, The brass plaque on the wooden Holt
securely closed the gate, sign which tells of the Holt Owl legend.
thought they’d claim a big reward,

went off to celebrate.

Winnie looked about her-
was she really in a trap?
Her big round eyes searched everywhere to

find a little gap.

Then suddenly she realised 
she could see the moon and stars -

her prison had no roof to it,
though all four sides were bars.

So up she flew and straight off home,
hooting with delight.

She bragged about her bold escape -
though she’d had a nasty fright.

Next day the foolish boys came back
bringing half the town

and didn’t they feel silly
when they saw the empty pound!

Winnie kept on gossiping
and hooting through the night,
but always stopped and went to sleep

as soon as it was light.

Leave the sign, walk down the hill
our target’s “plain” to see:
a pineapple on an obelisk
like the trunk of an old tree.

Read the names and numbers,
carved around the base -

there’s something very odd here
when you think about each place:

The secret is the obelisk

2 was once part of a gate
the entrance to the driveway
of a very rich estate.

The miles between each country house
are what we see today.

How cool is that, to have your private
road sign on display!..

Three grotesques adorn the gable end of Owl Cottage at
the end of Loynes Yard, opposite.

If you are going down to Spout Hills please
be careful crossing the main road...

Take care and cross the busy road
follow the pointing sign.

Pass cottages, walk up the rise
to a favourite place of mine.

We owls like wooded places
where we can hunt and hide
well-camouflaged in shadows
with ears and eyes our guide.

We hear each squeak and scuttle
each rustle in the grass.

Each field mouse, stoat and tiny shrew
trembles as we pass.

At night we are the rulers
in our kingdom of Spout Hills.
On silent feathered wings we glide
then swoop to make our kill.  

When morning comes we rest and sleep
creatures are safe by day.
Just dog-walkers and joggers here
and children who’ve come to play.

In spring when hedges start to green

3 and trees begin to bud
look for catkins, daffodils,
and small frogs in the mud!

In summer, take a picnic
and play beside the stream.

Make a dam and paddle
or lie in the sun and dream.
For elderberries, hips and haws,
Autumn’s the perfect time.
Fill your bags with blackberries
for crumbles, jam - and wine!
When snow lies thick in winter,
this is the place to come;
for sledging, building snowmen 
and snowball fights for fun.

So spend a little time here
- everything is free!

You might just spot me hiding
perched in an old oak tree!

Make your way up to Obelisk Plain...

Why call him Sam? And why’s he blind?  
How did he get that name?

He used to stand near the market place
‘til down the hill he came.
So now he sleeps in darkness;
his lantern’s never bright,

a poor old man is our Blind Sam -
I wish he had his sight!

4

Look over to a pale pink house
that curves along the bend.
It sits on cellars down below
that stretch from end to end.

Rumours say that was where
smugglers hid their booty - 
tobacco, brandy, French red wine -

avoiding customs duty.

Nearby there’s an animal
you don’t expect to see
snoozing in a Norfolk town -
he’d like a shady tree!

How did a lion come to Holt
in this stiff and solemn pose?
He’s too small to be scary -
you can even pat his nose!

The lion was once perched high up on the building A cheeky yellow parrot
to the left but safety necessitated him used to perch beside the door
and squawk as customers came in:
being grounded. Can you see the small lion heads on
the gate posts? “Shop!” he’d loudly caw.

Now cross the road, walk up the High Street
and turn right into Appleyard...

Visit our lovely bookshop - 
hundreds of books to choose!

Perfect for a rainy day,
when you want to be amused.

Follow me round the corner,
imagine an orchard there:
blossom like snow on every tree,
bees buzzing everywhere.

A solitary tree is left
in the centre of modern shops;
no more crates of apples now,

for a sweet, delicious crop.

5

It seems quite sad and lonely
its knobbly branches grey;
neglected and unnoticed 
by those who pass that way.

But come back here at Christmas 
and you’ll see a different tree -
threaded with twinkling fairy lights

shining for all to see.

Turn around and make your way back to
the High Street...

Weary travellers rested here, So many animals packed in pens -
refreshed with food and ale; imagine the squeals and moos!
or stayed to watch the market
with cows and pigs for sale. Imagine the noise from the tethered beasts -
and the pong of all their poos!

Once, Vulcan, a big black bull broke out,
and trampled down his pen.

He pawed the ground and snorted,
surrounded by six bold men.

6

They tried to hook his nose-ring The Feathers Hotel was built on the original
to lead him safely back. site of an old cattle market in the 1650 ’s.

They lunged, and missed, and tried again - A market continued to be held in yards behind
they didn’t have the knack. the hotel on a Friday into the 1960 ’s.

Vulcan was having none of it,
and set off at a pace.

The men pursued him, running,
and others joined the chase.

He lumbered into Bull Street
shaking his huge horned head
then stopped in front of a hanging sign
painted in black, white and red.

It pictured his Grandad Hercules
over the old pub door.

Vulcan stopped for a closer look
and let out a joyful roar!

A second’s hesitation -
the men closed in and caught him;
they drove him back to Feathers Yard
where a Salthouse farmer bought him!

Cross over the road carefully and head towards the bus shelter.
You can catch a bus here or walk to make a visit to the Poppy Line at Holt Station.

Alternatively go on to Number 8 and turn right into Church Street...

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7

Some days, a big red London bus Way back in time, the legend goes,
will take you for a ride. a young girl found a baby,

Jump aboard and choose your seat - new-born, abandoned in a field.
on top or down inside. What could the baby’s name be?

Walking from the station - A tiny chirruping grasshopper 
you can’t miss Gresham’s School, had led her to the child.
with playing fields, a theatre,
and a full-sized swimming pool. She picked him up and cuddled him;
he looked at her and smiled.
 
She named the baby Gresham,
Look for a giant grasshopper, reminding her of “grass”. 
painted in gleaming gold:
the emblem of the family, And one of his rich descendants 
seen on shields of old. founded the school you’ll pass.

Chuffer’s keen on grasshoppers -
always a favourite munch;

but one the size of Greshams’ 
would give fifty owls their lunch!

Gresham’s School was
founded in 1555 by
Sir John Gresham.

Head up to the library
a building with a story
it used to be a stables

run by Mr Olley.

When soldiers fought on horseback,
before bombs, planes and tanks,
he charged out with the Light Brigade,
and broke through Russian ranks.

His horse was shot from under him
and threw him to the ground.

He quickly staggered to his feet
another horse he found.

Five times James was wounded,
till his strength began to give.
They took him to the hospital,
fearing he wouldn’t live.

But live he did and came back home

8 a hero bathed in glory,
his picture’s in the library
with more about his story.

James Olley fought in the Charge of the Light
Brigade during the Crimean War,

was wounded five times and nursed by
Florence Nightingale.

On his return to Holt he kept horses in
the stables which now form part of the library.

Walk up the street into the grounds of the church...

Up we go to the churchyard gate Great-uncle Oscar once got trapped 
follow the cobbled path diving to catch a sparrow.

between the rows of gravestones He hooted, thrashed and scrabbled
with flowers and neat trimmed grass. but the water-spout was narrow.
If you’re quiet and keep your eyes open
He gave a heave, and then a push,
different birds will come: wriggled and breathed in tight.
blackbirds, thrushes, starlings -
all make this place their home. He popped out like a champagne cork
into the starry night
9
Now turn and view the parish church
look upwards to the clock.

There’s something missing from its face -
a tick without a tock?

The Great Fire of 1708 spread
to the Church and destroyed the

thatched chancel and steeple.

The builders had to move some graves
(I watched, with other birds.)
I saw three skeletons lying there
peaceful and undisturbed.

One was Rebecca Blyford -
a rich widow of the town.
She’d drive out in her carriage
in a silk and velvet gown.

When they moved her skeleton,
amongst her finger bones,

they found an engraved golden ring,
buried in earth and stones.

10 Jimmy the Jackdaw saw it first,
gave an excited croak - 

he knew it must be valuable,
before the experts spoke.

They read the words inside the ring
which first were quite a mystery.
To find out what the markings meant

they’d  need to study history!

Rebecca wore this antique ring
in memory of her father,
a rich and famous admiral,

who served King Charles, his master.

Commanding fierce sea-battles,
he bravely fought in wars,
chasing off attackers
from British ships and shores.

He also was a privateer
((that’s a PIRATE to you and me),)

robbing Spanish ships of gold
on the blue Caribbean Sea.

Rebecca owned houses, stables, shops,
emeralds, pearls and gold.

We wonder, was it pirate wealth?
Each time her story’s told.

In her will Rebecca describes Head back down Church Street and be careful
‘my mourning ring which I had at S. Christopher Myngs Buryal.’ crossing the road into Star Plain/Fish Hill...

The whiff that came up from Fish Hill
would make you hold your nose

fresh mackerel, plaice and twitching crabs
in baskets laid in rows.

The traders called out what they sold.
The townsfolk stopped to buy.
Children played at hide and seek
and tried to steal a pie!

11

But suddenly the cry went up Can you see a bunch of
“FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!” grapes? This building
was once a public house.
The wind was strong, it caught the blaze
the hungry flames leaped higher. The irregular building
line on Fish Hill is said to
The market burned, the houses too, follow the layout of the
taverns, church and shops. original stalls before the
fire..... The rebuilding of
The town became a smouldering pile
the people dazed and shocked. Holt cost £11,258!

“We must rebuild,” they bravely said,
“We’ll make Holt live once more.

This time we’ll use bricks, tiles and flint
much stronger than before.”

They set to work to raise the funds
- it took a lot of cash -

and built a proud new town again
on top of the old town’s ash.

Turn left out from Star Plain and walk along Bull Street. No 11 –
Lees Yard will be on your right. Turn in by the greengrocers shop...

A colourful greengrocer’s shop
at the corner of an alley
leads you to an open yard

an artists’ shop and gallery.

There used to be a warehouse
storing brandy, port and wine
with other kinds of boozy drinks

expensive, rare and fine.

Two owls from Scotland lived in there
called William and Rory.

How come they were so far from home?
Let me tell their story.

They tried to hunt one winter night
desperate for some food

the rain lashed down, the gale blew fierce
they knew it was no good.

Exhausted, wet and freezing cold
they looked about for shelter

they saw a big green lorry parked
made for it, helter-skelter.

12

They found a corner had worked loose, Alfred Lee built his wine and spirit
crept under the tarpaulin, business here in 1896. Can you see the
stone plaques engraved with initials?
snuggled up on a whisky cask -
and soon the pair were snoring. At Hogmanay the other birds
would hear them making merry
They woke up when the engine revved
and tried to find their gap. slurping up the whisky spills
and sampling the sherry.
But the man had checked his precious load
and tightened up the strap. They’d sing and strut along the beams
making bagpipe noises.
The Owls were trapped; they had no choice
Scotland was left behind The Owls all loved their Scottish friends
despite their raucous voices!
it was such a big adventure
that they didn’t really mind!

At last the lorry shuddered
as they reached their final stop.
Out they flew with noisy flaps
when they heard the tailgate drop.

They liked to roost in the warehouse roof
when the men had done their tasks
lulled to sleep by the whisky fumes
that came from the piled-up casks.

As you come back out of Lees Yard on to Bull Street you will be at Shirehall Plain. Once home to a giant water tower holding
150,000 gallons of water pumped up from Spout Hills. The Byfords building, opposite, is believed to be the oldest house in Holt

and is known to have survived the Great Fire.

13 Hop along to Hopper’s Yard 
stop at The Old Paul Pry.

Look and find a skinny man
set in the wall up high.

He’s tall and thin with a black top hat,
an umbrella and pointed nose.
He pokes and pries and pesters
and listens outside doors.

My Cousin Queenie’s just like that
we call her ‘Sticky Beak’.

We know she’s misbehaving 
when she says, “I’ll take a peek!”

Paul Pry was the main character
in a play written by John Poole
in 1825. It was based on a very

curious fellow who leaves his
umbrella everywhere he goes

in order to have an excuse
to return and eavesdrop.
His watchwords were
“I hope I don’t intrude.”

Keep on hopping to the top Turn right
there’ll be a big surprise - out of Hopper’s
Yard and walk
a lovely secret garden
opens up before your eyes. along Albert
Street towards
Mr Hopper tended it - Chapel Yard...
it was his pride and pleasure;
now it’s a sheltered sunny spot
to have tea at your leisure!

Inside the edge of licking flames
you’ll spot the little people,

houses, church and market stalls
all in perfect detail.
 

Turn around and look to see
the smallest house in town;
it’s just right for a Hobbit -
who needn’t bend right down!

Another owl adorns a shop -
spot him if you can.

He called himself Sir Hector
and his wife was Lady Anne.

This Hector was a vain old bird
who liked to preen and pose,
smoothing down his feathers

as if they were his clothes!

14

He didn’t have a mirror I think I am a clever owl
no kind of looking glass (handsome and modest too.)
so checked himself in puddles But when it comes to these old words
and windows that he’d pass.
I haven’t got a clue!
Cross to the Methodist Garden
Holt’s Domesday Slate is there.
It lists the people, sheep and farms,

and ploughs for all to share.

Walk across to the Memorial Garden and find a seat. We are now at the Trails end for the Town Centre but there is still so
much more to see. Discover over the next few pages tales of bug hunts and totem poles in Holt Country Park or further

afield favourite owl haunts at Pensthorpe, Blicking and Cley to name but a few...

A mile along the Norwich road -
cycle or go by car -

the Country Park is waiting.
Walk - it’s not too far!

Follow the way-marked routes around,
explore the secret tracks;

build a den, play hide and seek -
but remember the right way back!
Grey squirrels leap from branch to branch,

making a noisy chatter. 
Muntjac deer in the undergrowth 

run off with a rustling clatter.

15

Bug-hunts, bird calls, rubbing bark;
pond-dipping, fungal forays -
come along and join the team

on their special Ranger fun days.

Owls like the woodland, dense and wild,
the heathland of The Lowes.

We gather there to pass on news
enjoying the darkness hours.

In Spring, bluebells are everywhere 
a lovely pale blue sea.

In Autumn, gather conkers,
and seeds from the sycamore tree.

These look like small propellers,
joined to make a pair.

Watch how they can twist and twirl
when you throw them in the air.

In Summer, adders are about -
known by their zig-zag skin.
Be careful where you put your feet -
look what you’re stepping in!

Each year they raise their owlets The huge adventure playground 
and hope they will survive, is guaranteed to please;

hunting food both day and night exciting climbs and look-out points
to keep those chicks alive. built high amongst the trees.

Pensthorpe lakes are heaven  Felbrigg Hall and Blickling Hall,
for water birds galore. an easy drive away,

They all fly in at feeding time are grand impressive houses
each afternoon at four. where the gentry used to stay.

There are shady picnic tables,
and things to do and see.

The grown-ups can relax and chat
enjoying cakes and tea.

16

At Felbrigg there are Little Owls, Curlews, tern and avocets,
with their cute and funny walk; disguised among the stones;

if I meet them in the woods oystercatchers, lapwings,
we always stop to talk. Canada geese and swans.

But owls are not the only birds - The bird centre at pretty Cley
although they are the best! will show you what to see.
Go down to the saltmarshes  Binoculars and telescopes
where many others nest. are there to use for free.

There’s so much more to tell you
about my Norfolk home;

one visit isn’t long enough -
Goodbye, but come back soon!

Without our sponsors and partners we would not have been able
to make this book possible, so to those below we would
like to say a special.....

Gresham’s School
Parker & Gillam Opticians
The Holt Chamber of Trade

The Tannery
The Owl Tea Rooms

CT Baker Ltd
Pam & Keith Barwick
Phil & Polly Barrett
Steve & Peta Benson
Keith & Teresa Brown
Catherine & Stephen Hume
Iain & Alison Mawson

Roger Davis
Doddy West

Lindsay Furniss for the idea
Matt Reeve for his inspiration
The Members of the Holt Society for their support
and all those who wish to remain anonymous...

You will have seen plaques like this as you made your way around the
town of Holt. THE HOLT OWL TRAIL has an appeal for all age groups and was

initially designed as a light-hearted introduction to the town centre
encapsulating all the main thoroughfares with additional links to reveal

some of Holt’s hidden locations.

Its concept is to highlight Holt’s rich heritage through the provision of
historical references, architectural information and interesting anecdotes.

Pick up a booklet at the Tourist Office or visit
www.holtowltrail.co.uk

HOLT, a market town in Norfolk
is a very special place with a distinctive historic

character. Join mascot Olly for a fascinating
insight into the town through his
‘Escapades in Holt.’

ISBN 978-1-5272-2728-6 U.K. £4.99

Printed by Barnwell Print Limited - www.barnwellprint.co.uk


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