Two ManorsWatton's Evening Women's Institute was formed in 1948 and Miss Cracknell was its President and Mrs J. Farrall the Secretary for 17 years. In November 1950 their Choir won first place for advanced Women's Choirs at The King's Lynn Musical Festival. The wooden seat outside the Post Office was presented to the town by the Institute in March 1960. An afternoon Institute was also founded in the town in December 1976 . In August 1974 Watton became one of the first towns in Norfolk to start a W.I. Market which still continues to thrive. Watton and District Silver Thread Club was formed in March 1951 by the Red Cross and St. John's with 17 members enrolling. Now there are nearly a hun dred members. When Watton's new shopping precinct in the High Street was opened in September 1984 a lead-lined time capsule was buried under the flagstones containing a glimpse of the town's past and present. A copy of the "Thetford and Watton Times" was placed in the oak casket by the editor, Mr. Barry Hartley. Also included were leaflets on the town, its council, rotary Club, Girl Guides and a Charles and Diana Crown Coin. When I was a boy there were 13 public houses in the Town, but the Railway Tavern, Live and Let Live, Red Lion, Green Man, Chequers, Black Horse, Jolly Farmers, Carpenter's Arms and Dog and Partridge have all gone. In the last few years two new ones have opened, one at "Ye Olde Willow House" and the other at West House which was built in 1805 and was formerly the home of Mr. Blomfield, the veterinary surgeon. Rodney and Brenda Hewitt had it converted into a spacious public house and named it the "Hare and Barrell", the title being taken from the town's emblem. It was of ficially opened on 4th July 1977 when Mr. Roy Rudling, the town Mayor, pulled the first pint.
The Doomsday Book mentions That Watton had two Manors, one of which was held in 1065 by a woman named Aldreda. In 1237 Rokeles Manor was granted to Richard de Rupella, or Rokele, and in 1249 his son William had the court here. When he died issueless, his brother John succeeded him and he granted a messuage to Richard de Wadeton, this was the rise of Watton's free tenement, which was afterwards joined to the manor of Curzon’s. Richard de Wadeton was one of the Barons who stood up for Their liberties against Henry III, but ultimately took the side of the King and was made Sherriff of Norfolk, and in 1266, Governor of Norwich Castle. The original Rokeles Hall appears to have been built during the 1200's and it was rebuilt in 1653 and this date is still to be seen on the north gable, but most of the present building was erected in 1888.
The Manor House, in the centre of the town, has been the home of solicitors from at least 1791 un til the death of Mr. Charles Robinson. During the same period the adjoining property, which is now Peter Watt's audio and video shop, was the solicitors office. From 1949 to 1952 the Manor House was occupied by Mr. G, M. Dupont and then it once again became the home of a solicitor until Mr. Smith moved into the Manor Cottage which he had built in the same grounds- Since then the Manor House has become the solicitors’ offices. In 1845 W. H. Hicks Esq., was Lord of Watton Hall Manor and John Land Esq., was Lord of the Manor of Rokeles. |
