Wells Local History Group

The Military Cross and the (dead man’s) Penny - Steve Adcock and the AGM (each c 30 minutes)
2026-05-13 14:30 (Europe/London) | Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-Next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AU
There will be a short AGM (lasting about 30 minutes) and a talk by Steve Adcock (also lasting about 30 minutes). Steve will take us through the story of Valerie Emerson who discovered her grandfather’s Military Cross and a Memorial Plaque amongst his belongings. There were two main two questions: for what action during the Great War of 1914-18 was he awarded the Military Cross, and how did the plaque, known also as the death penny, of a person unknown to the family, come to be in their grandfather’s possession?

Non-members are welcome to attend but cannot vote

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN

Gordon Parker and the company Favor Parker Ltd. – Jim McNeill
2026-05-06 14:30 | Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-Next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AU
Favor Parker is a historic company, not just with deep ties to Stoke Ferry but also to Wells’ iconic granary building, which had been constructed by F. & G. Smith Ltd at the beginning of the 20th century. It is not that long since the granary was a hive of activity as bulk meal and raw materials were discharged by its new residentsWe welcome back, Jim McNeill, chair of the Stoke Ferry & District History Group, to talk about the Favor Parker operations, profiling Gordon Parker, the company’s principle driving force.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Medieval Ship Graffiti: Prayers Made Solid in Stone? – Matt Champion
2026-04-01 14:30 | Norfolk
April 1st @ 2.30pmMedieval Ship Graffiti: Prayers Made Solid in Stone? – Matt ChampionOf all the types of early graffiti to be found in medieval churches, the one that has probably received the most attention is that known as ship graffiti. Across the walls and pillars of churches, cathedrals and chapels images of medieval and later ships sail in a never ending journey across the stonework.Why are they there? What do they signify? Do they commemorate a hazardous sea voyage or represent a real ship; a long since lost vessel that carried simple souls to view the wonders of far off lands?This talk examines the possible reasons behind the creation of these ship graffiti images, using hundreds of examples recorded across the UK – many of which have never previously been seen before. It will showcase some of the finest ship graffiti sites, and some of the best preserved examples of ship graffiti so far discovered in the country.Matthew J. Champion is an award winning freelance archaeologist and historian, and is widely recognised as one of England’s leading experts on historical graffiti inscriptions and applied markings. He has worked extensively with organisations such as English Heritage, the Churches Conservation Trust and the National Trust, and is currently Project Director of the award winning Norfolk and Suffolk Medieval Graffiti Survey, and National Advisor on early inscriptions to a number of heritage organisations. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and his latest full-length work, Medieval Graffiti: the Lost Voices of England’s Churches, was published by Penguin in 2015.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN

Felbrigg Hall – Margaret Younger
2026-03-04 14:30 | Norfolk
Margaret Younger is a member of the National Trust House Team at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk, and has kindly agreed to bring the stories of the Hall to us at Wells. Margaret’s talk will cover the history of house and its parkland, which is located south of the Cromer to Holt road, and includes stories about the more interesting people who lived there.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN

Jem Mace – ‘Norfolk’s Champion of the World 1870’ – Dale Wiseman
2026-02-04 14:30 - 17:00 | Norfolk
February 4th @ 2.30pmJem Mace – ‘Norfolk’s Champion of the World 1870’ – Dale WisemanAuthor and social historian, Dale Wiseman BA, returns to the Maltings to present the life story of Jem Mace, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and his links not just to Norfolk but Wells’ Green Dragon public house, which stood on the High Street, before it was demolished c.1865.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN
