Aclass Barbers

House, now 2 shops. Early C17,
altered late C19. Grade II listed

In 1841 Susanna Balders lived next door to the King’s Arms.

She was the widow of William Balders, cabinet maker in the town.

She was joined in 1851 by her son Edward who was manager both of the Swaffham Savings Bank until its closure in 1888 and of the Gasworks, working with W.H.Plowright. He also filled offices in the Waterworks Company and the Town Estate trustees.

His mother was a proprietor of houses until her death in 1863. He died in 1888.

Ellen Palmer, originally from London and living on her own means, replaced the Balders by 1891 until around 1901.

The next occupant was Frederick Sheldrick, baker and confectioner, who took over the business before 1901.

However, he retired in 1916 through ill-health but by 1921 had become a stable livery proprietor living in Crown House at the back of The Crown Inn. He died in 1938.

In the 1980s the businesses here were Hedley Mitchell Insurance and Dove’s Boutique.

House, now 2 shops. Early C17, altered late C19. Grade II listed

Walter Naunton, a confectioner and baker, and his family occupied this house from 1840 until 1871. He was declared bankrupt in 1853 but continued in business, first at this address and then by 1871 in Church Lane. He died in 1873 at which time his son continued the business in Great Yarmouth.

The business was taken over by John Blades by 1871 who moved from Downham Market. By 1881 he described himself as a baker and corn factor but he left for Wendling before 1891.

The baking business continued under Thomas Fayers but by 1901 he had moved to London Street, although he retained the business on Lynn Street until at least 1909, and described himself as a retired baker, although he was only 57. He then disappears from extant records.

Arthur Bayes took on the bakery by 1921 and continued beyond 1939. He died in Leicestershire in 1956.