Before Soddenham, there was an unspoken and unacknowledged awareness of people who lived ‘in the wilds’; a rough triangle that sits between Swaffham, Dereham and Thetford. According to most accounts of the time, these were wretched people who had chosen to live outside society and operated furtively within those lands that others considered unproductive, unhealthy … More The Witch Trials and the beginning of Soddenham
WITH ALWYN GAZE It has often been commented upon that I spend a lot of my time walking in and around the village over the years, without route nor destination, and that I must know every inch of every mile! That well may be, but as I walk amongst our lanes and through our pastures I am … More Around Soddenham
It’s that time again! For every 3 years[1] Soddenam goes loopy for Lichen! Yes, it’s very nearly Lichen Day again! All over the village there will be fun, games and activities that celebrate the crop of our once proud local industry! There are special events by the children at the school, including a short play … More Lichen Day
It is with deep sadness that I announce that from May 1st 2018, Smeckler’s Chippy will no longer be serving its famous Krill Fritters™. Owing to the continued decline in sales and the more recent reports about krill fishing at unsustainable levels, Alan Smeckler has decided to withdraw this once highly popular and tasty item … More The End of an Era
As we had already established in Part 1, after an unreconcilable falling out in 1783, George Murrow worked tirelessly and serrupticiously to purchase as much of the land owned by his former friend Earnest Mulgrew. In this task he was very successful, as were his successors, who continued the practice as if it were part … More The Wars of the Lichens (Part 2)
Due to the recent inclement weather the village of Soddenham will be closed. People are being asked not to bother coming here. If you get stuck out here we won’t come out and help you. You have been warned.
To keep looking your best in Soddenham, you’ll need to drop by the launderette sometime! The Soddenham Laundrette was opened in 1967 on Main Street amidst a fanfare from the Soddenham and District Brass Band (now defunct) and a visit from the Lord Mayor of Swaffham Francis Bilgewater, whose wife Daphne brought a large bag … More Soddenham Launderette
It has been established on numerous occasions on this website that Soddenham is bestowed with a rich and varied folklore that touches on most areas of village life, the land, its history and misfortune. The trees shown here are all part of a natural boundary that runs down Murrows Drift from School Lane and almost … More Back in the saddle
It is well noted that Soddenham is subject to its own unique micro-climate. Indeed, it is the characteristic dampness of the area that gave rise to the proliferation of the lichen industry so that our glorious coastline should be garlanded in luxurious spume. However, the weather can also be a fickle and cruel mistress for … More Weasels
by Jessie Blunt Onion skins very thin, Mild Winter coming in; Onion skins thick and tough, Coming Winter cold and rough. There’s plenty of country folklore to be found in Soddenham, just as there is all over the world, some based on received wisdom and observations by those who are in contact and in tune … More Nature Notes October 2017
This is Soddenham 