From Ash Close to Lynn Street

The buildings in this street are just as old, if not older, than those on the marketplace but the occupants tended to be less well-known and moved more frequently.

The further away from the town the more likely the residents would be labourers, particularly agricultural labourers.

Before we venture towards Lynn Street we pass an important part of the wider Marketplace – the area which is now known as Pedlar’s carpark.

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The first Pedlar town sign, the one depicted on the image on the right, was first erected here in about 1923 and arose from a national newspaper competition design.

The craftsman used the mediaeval Pedlar carvings in the church as his inspiration.

He did not win but it caught the imagination of the town. It was remade by Harry Carter and unveiled in 1936 but without the seat.

Over the years it has been restored several times.

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The Bagge memorial.

This domed water fountain was erected in 1883 in memory of Sir William Bagge of Stradsett Hall who had been MP for West Norfolk between 1837 and 1880 and who had died that year.

The memorial became the responsibility of the Urban District Council in 1934 and was recognised as needing attention at that time.

In 1840 the Council decided to demolish the fountain but keep the bust which is now in Swaffham Heritage Museum.

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There is much speculation and no evidence for the origins of the settlement stone near the Sorting Office.

Was this glacial boulder a boundary marker for a Saxon settlement here and linked with the Saxon cemetery discovered on Cley Road in 1970?

Has it always been at this location? Or was it brought here by Norfolk Yeomanry soldiers to be used as a mounting block but never removed?

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