IN CONCLUSION

Few towns the size of Watton can claim to have such a wide range of fine shops selling almost everything that one could obtain in a city and a leisurely stroll around the town would convince anyone of this. Situated on the main roads between Thetford and Dereham, Attleborough and Swaffham and 35 minutes drive to the fine city of Norwich and the historic town of King's Lynn, with the beauty and charm of the North Norfolk coast and the renowned Norfolk Broads all within 45 to 60 minutes drive. In addition, the enchanting Breckland Heaths with their unique meres are right on our doorstep. Here also are many delightful picnic sites, leading to exhilarating forest walks which are at their glorious best in autumn when the amber of maple, the lemon of popular, the flaming red of beech, together with the golden bracken, create a scene of royal splendour. Little wonder then that many people have discovered Watton the ideal place in which to live.

Besides the organisations already mentioned there are many others in the town, a number of whom have raised large sums of money to provide various amenities for the elderly and disabled etc. They include the Rotary Club, Round Table, Inner Wheel, Ladies Circle, Young Farmers, British Legion, F.E.P.O.W., Chamber of Trade, Guild of Artists, Wayland Players, Army Cadets, to mention just a few.

With good communications providing easy access to the whole country, it is not surprising that Watton has attracted a number of small industrial developments that have become established on the site of the former Railway Station, Griston Road and a small part of the R.A.F. Station at the east of the town. At the opposite end the Threxton Estate on the Brandon Road is proving immensely popular and here more space is now available for development. With plenty of high quality local labour available, it is expected that these sites will soon be taken up. Over the centuries the com­munity spirit and determination of the people of Watton has been much in evidence as will have been noted throughout much of this book and the townspeople can feel justly proud of what they have ac­ complished by voluntary effort.

What is it that has enabled a small town like Watton to achieve so many ambitious programmes over the years while other places three times as large have struggled to carry out far smaller projects? The answer appears to be in the spirit and determination of a comparatively small band of townspeo­ple who's enthusiasm and inspiration has encouraged spontaneous support and active help to be given by many.

Their motto could well be, "Work hard and play hard". A good example of this was provided by Percy Vincent, whose family kept the chemist shop next to the Clock Tower for many years. He was one of the Town's keenest sportsmen of the 1890's, before leaving his native town for London. His enthusiastic work and integrity in the City brought him many honours. Becoming Sir Percy Vincent, Bt., he was appointed a Sheriff in 1926 and Lord Mayor of London in 1935-6.

previous / next