LIFE IN DEREHAM IN THE LATER 1800s
At this time Dereham had 5,563 inhabitants and it was a time of considerable change. Gas light had been around since 1833, and now electricity was arriving. Electric light was used in 1881 to attract people to the Church Fete. Mains drainage was being laid (not everyone wanted it), so the town scavenger was out of a job. A Fire Brigade was formed in 1880, and the Friday Market was well established, catering for livestock as well as food and other goods.
The Petty Sessions were held on Fridays in the Assembly Rooms.
Education was becoming fashionable, and there were 500 children attending the three schools run by the School Board, and a further 250 in the National Church School, as well as numerous small private schools.
There was a lot of hardship and unemployment, and state benefits and pensions had not yet been introduced. The Friendly Societies of the time cushioned their members against the worst hardship and the rest were dependent upon charity. As a last resort there was the workhouse.
Contrary to the view of Victorian times, there were women in business. Sarah Banyard, Elizabeth Beales and Mrs Smith all owned farms. Sarah Bone kept the Post Office, and there were confectioners, milliners, shopkeepers and hairdressers as well as teachers. Gangs of women also worked in the fields, and were said to ‘dibble’ better than men, being more obedient and manageable.
Not everyone felt this should be so and there was a debate in the town in 1881 on ‘What position ought women to occupy in Public Affairs'.
1871 had seen the introduction of Bank Holidays, on Easter Monday, Boxing Day and the first Monday of August. At first they were just for banks, but gradually employers started closing their businesses on those days and gave their workers a paid day off. At the same time railways had brought the coast within everyone’s reach and so the great Bank Holiday tradition was born.
For entertainment there were concerts, balls, lectures and travelling players came regularly to the theatre, in Theatre Street, and at the Corn Hall. There were more than 40 public houses.
The weather was a constant subject for comment, and on October 15th 1881, a Friday, there was a violent hurricane which did much damage. At least one person died in the storm.
The Petty Sessions were held on Fridays in the Assembly Rooms.
Education was becoming fashionable, and there were 500 children attending the three schools run by the School Board, and a further 250 in the National Church School, as well as numerous small private schools.
There was a lot of hardship and unemployment, and state benefits and pensions had not yet been introduced. The Friendly Societies of the time cushioned their members against the worst hardship and the rest were dependent upon charity. As a last resort there was the workhouse.
Contrary to the view of Victorian times, there were women in business. Sarah Banyard, Elizabeth Beales and Mrs Smith all owned farms. Sarah Bone kept the Post Office, and there were confectioners, milliners, shopkeepers and hairdressers as well as teachers. Gangs of women also worked in the fields, and were said to ‘dibble’ better than men, being more obedient and manageable.
Not everyone felt this should be so and there was a debate in the town in 1881 on ‘What position ought women to occupy in Public Affairs'.
1871 had seen the introduction of Bank Holidays, on Easter Monday, Boxing Day and the first Monday of August. At first they were just for banks, but gradually employers started closing their businesses on those days and gave their workers a paid day off. At the same time railways had brought the coast within everyone’s reach and so the great Bank Holiday tradition was born.
For entertainment there were concerts, balls, lectures and travelling players came regularly to the theatre, in Theatre Street, and at the Corn Hall. There were more than 40 public houses.
The weather was a constant subject for comment, and on October 15th 1881, a Friday, there was a violent hurricane which did much damage. At least one person died in the storm.
