THE BOOK OF BERGH APTON (A RURAL RIDE IN NORFOLK)http://www.halsgrove.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CHBERGH&cat=42  This book reveals how settled life began and developed in a small rural community in Norfolk. A professional historian’s text is allied to fascinating glimpses, through old and previously unpublished photographs, of local life through the ages. The Book of Bergh Apton was produced to record the old agricultural way of life which has all but vanished. It started as a village millennium project, and was brought to fruition by the Bergh Apton Local History Group whose members have done much of the local spadework needed by its author to write a lucid and valuable record of a unique village. All this, and much more, is detailed in this 160 page book, copiously illustrated throughout with over 300 historic photographs of the places and people who have made up the thriving community of Bergh Apton and its surrounding parish. John Ling writes The Book of Bergh Apton is the story of the village from the earliest traces of habitation right through to the present day and includes 300 photographs and illustrations that bring the story to life. Its sub-title marks the village’s association with William Cobbett, the nineteenth-century political writer who championed the lot of agricultural workers, the likes of whom made up the great majority of Bergh Apton’s population of that time and, indeed, until quite recently.
The Book of Bergh Apton is written by professional historian Geoffrey Kelly, who has strong links with the village. His own research for the book is supported and augmented with contributions from Bergh Apton people and others from all over the world with Bergh Apton ancestors.
Here is just one example. John Madden is a descendant of Bergh Apton’s Rector of the middle nineteenth century who now lives in British Columbia in Canada. His very fine portrait of his Rector ancestor, William Carlyon Madden, is included in the book. Before he joining the church William Madden was a soldier and fought with the Duke of Wellington in Spain. Some of his Peninsular War exploits are included in the book. He is buried in the village churchyard.
Another two other interesting men buried here are the gloriously-named Bretingham Scurl and one Christopher Barlee. Both were well known, but for different reasons. Scurl was the manservant of Parson Woodford of Weston Longville and was frequently mentioned in the churchman’s hugely popular “A Country Parson”. Barlee, on the other hand, was a bare-knuckle fighter of great fame in his time who fought under the pseudonym “The Bergh Apton Boxer”. When he retired from the fight game Barlee became landlord of ‘The Fleece’ in Norwich, sensibly marrying the widow of the previous licensee!
The story also covers Bergh Apton men who transgressed the Law. John Skylan, a Lollard, made penances in Bergh Apton and Loddon churchyards that saved him from the fate of his mentor William White. White was publicly burned at the stake in Norwich in 1428. Much later, Thomas Hase Blake was transported to Australia for stealing a coat. His descendant Sharron Finn of Sidney, NSW is another expatriate with whom we exchange news on a regular basis.
Bergh Apton’s local history group commissioned this book and contributed to its contents. Work contributed by one of its members covers the story of the twenty-five Bergh Apton men killed in the two World Wars.
Linda Davy, chairman of the group, lives in a cottage itself made famous when, in the nineteen sixties, alabaster figures of St Peter and St Paul were discovered in a chimney breast having been secreted there some four hundred years earlier in uncertain times. One, in excellent condition, was acquired for a substantial sum by Norwich Museum where it now resides.
Commenting on the book, Linda Davy said “to feel part of the history of the village through the statues found in my house is in itself a fantastic feeling. But to have been part of the group of village people who have brought its history to light, and who have forged links with people all over the world in doing it, is very special indeed".
"The Book of Bergh Apton - A Rural Ride in Norfolk” is published by Halsgrove and is available through their website http://www.halsgrove.com and follow links to Community History/Bergh Apton. "
John Ling Water Meadows, Bussey Bridge, Bergh Apton, Norwich 01508 480439
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