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Coordinates: 52°31′28″N 0°47′31″E / 52.52441°N 0.79189°E / 52.52441; 0.79189
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name=Tottington
| official_name=Tottington
| static_image = [[Image:Tottington Church.jpg|240px]]
| static_image_name = Tottington Church.jpg
| static_image_caption =Saint Andrew Church in Tottington.
| static_image_width =
| static_image_caption =St Andrew's Church in Tottington
| country=England
| country=England
| region=East of England
| region=East of England
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| area_total_km2 = 13.12
| area_total_km2 = 13.12
| os_grid_reference=TL895955
| os_grid_reference=TL895955
| coordinates = {{coord|52.52441|0.79189|display=inline,title}}
| latitude=52.52441
| longitude= 0.79189
| post_town=THETFORD
| post_town=THETFORD
| postcode_area=IP
| postcode_area=IP
| postcode_district=IP24
| postcode_district=IP25
| dial_code=
| dial_code=
| constituency_westminster=[[South West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South West Norfolk]]
| constituency_westminster=[[South West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South West Norfolk]]
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| shire_county=[[Norfolk]]
| shire_county=[[Norfolk]]
}}
}}
'''Tottington''' is a deserted [[village]] and [[civil parish]] in the [[England|English]] [[county]] of [[Norfolk]]. It is situated some {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} north of the town of [[Thetford]] and {{convert|40|km|abbr=on}} south-west of the city of [[Norwich]].{{ref|osexp1}}
'''Tottington''' is a deserted village and [[civil parish]] in the [[England|English]] [[county]] of [[Norfolk]]. It is situated some {{convert|6.2|miles}} north of the town of [[Thetford]] and {{convert|25|miles}} south-west of the city of [[Norwich]].{{ref|osexp1}} Any population at the 2011 Census was included in the civil parish of [[Thompson, Norfolk|Thompson]].

==Name==
==Name==
Tottington means "farm/settlement of Tota's people" or perhaps, "farm/settlement connected with Tota".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Norfolk/Tottington|title=Key to English Place-names}}</ref>
Tottington means "hill of a man called Totta", from the [[Old English language|Old English]] personal name Totta ([[genitive]] ''-n'') + ''dun'' "hill". A record of the name as ''Tutindone'' in 1165 backs up this evidence. The -ington of the place-name is misleading; similar with [[Islington]].

==History==
==History==
Tottington has an entry in the [[Domesday Book]] of [[1085]]<ref>The Domesday Book, Englands Heritage, Then and Now, Editor: Thomas Hinde,Norfolk page 186 ISBN 1858334403</ref>. In the great book Tottington is recorded by the name of totintune. The main land holder being Ralph FitzHelwin. The survey also states there are fifteen mares.
Tottington has an entry in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086.<ref>The Domesday Book, England's Heritage, Then and Now, Editor: Thomas Hinde,Norfolk page 186 {{ISBN|1-85833-440-3}}</ref> In the great book Tottington is recorded by the name of ''Totintuna'', meaning "the town or settlement of Tota's people".<ref>[[Eilert Ekwall]], ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names'', p.478.</ref> The main land holder was Ralph FitzHelwin. The survey also states there are fifteen mares. [[Samson of Tottington]] was [[Abbot of Bury St Edmunds]] from 1182 to 1211, and Thomas of Tottington filled the same role from 1302 to 1311.

===Evacuation===
===Evacuation===
During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the village was taken over by the [[British Army]] when it was incorporated into the [[Stanford Battle Area]]. The military ranges were needed to prepare [[Allied]] [[infantry]] for [[Operation Overlord]], (the Battle of Normandy in 1944). Villagers were said to be happy to give up their homes to help the British War effort.<ref name="norfolkchurches.co.uk">[http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/battlezone/battlezoneintro.htm] Information about the Evacuation</ref>. It was reported that at the public meeting when the evacuation was announced there was cheering.<ref name="norfolkchurches.co.uk"/>
During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the village was taken over by the [[British Army]] when it was incorporated into the [[Stanford Battle Area]]. The military ranges were needed to prepare [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[infantry]] for [[Operation Overlord]], the invasion of [[Normandy]] in 1944. Though some villagers were said to be happy to give up their homes to help the British war effort,<ref name="norfolkchurches.co.uk">[http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/battlezone/battlezoneintro.htm] Information about the Evacuation</ref> the majority were less than enthusiastic with a number of heated village meetings and some refusing to leave the area.<ref name="BBC1">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/62/a3258362.shtml] Breckland exodus - the forced evacuation of the Norfolk Battle Area 1942:Part 1</ref> This was the subject of a book written by Lucilla Reeve, one such person who refused to leave, under the pseudonym 'A Norfolk Woman' called ''Farming, on a Battle Ground''.<ref name="norfolkwoman">[http://apling.freeservers.com/Villages/MissReeve.htm] Lucille Reeve - Eastern Daily Press</ref>
===Legacy===
However at the close of World War II, former villagers were never allowed to return to their homes by the [[War Office]]. This was because most of the inhabitants of Tottington were not landowners. Most of the residences were tied cottages belonging to Walsingham estate. Few of the houses had running water and none of the properties had electricity.


However, after the war, the former villagers were not allowed to return to their homes by the [[War Office]]. Most of the inhabitants of Tottington rented their houses and farmed the land belonging to the Walsingham estates. Though they had been promised that they could return to their homes after the war, the government later reneged on the promise and bought the land, threatening Walsingham with a [[compulsory purchase order]].<ref name="BBC2">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/07/a3258407.shtml] Breckland exodus - the forced evacuation of the Norfolk Battle Area 1942:Part 2</ref> As the majority of the inhabitants were not landowners, they received very little in compensation, were put into [[council housing]] and many lost their livelihoods. They continued to fight for many years to return to their homes and farmland but the beginnings of the [[Cold War]] and the need for dedicated training areas removed all chances of a return.
⚫
Since evacuation, the village and its parish remain within the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]'s Thetford [[infantry]] training area. Access is not allowed without special permission. {{ref|desert}}

⚫
Since the evacuation, the village and its parish remain within the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]'s Stanford Training Area. Access is not permitted without special permission.{{ref|desert}}


==The Parish Church of St Andrew==
==The Parish Church of St Andrew==
The church is situated at the northern end of the village<ref name="norfolkchurches.co.uk"/>. Today the roof of the church is clad in blast proof sheeting which was installed to protect the structure of the church. The original [[pantiles]] are stored inside the church ready to be restored if the village is given back to the public. The outside of the church is surrounded by wire fencing to protect the church from the military manoeuvres .
The church is situated at the northern end of the village.<ref name="norfolkchurches.co.uk"/> The roof of the church is clad in blast-proof sheeting which was installed to protect the structure of the church. The original [[Pantile (roof material)|pantiles]] are stored inside the church ready to be restored if the village is given back to the public. The churchyard is surrounded by wire fencing to protect the church from the military manoeuvres.


In October 2009 a World War II veteran, who had been born in the village, was buried in St Andrew's churchyard after permission for the interment was given by the Ministry of Defence. It was the first burial in the graveyard for more than 50 years.
In October 2009, a World War II veteran who had been born in the village was buried in St Andrew's churchyard after permission for the interment was granted by the Ministry of Defence. It was the first burial in the churchyard for more than fifty years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/8288457.stm|title=Veteran buried in 'ghost village'|publisher=BBC News|date=3 October 2009}}.</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/8288457.stm|title=Veteran buried in 'ghost village'|publisher=BBC|date=2009-10-03}}.</ref>


==Governance==
==Governance==
The civil parish has an area of {{convert|13.12|km2|abbr=on}} and in the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]] had no inhabitants. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the [[Non-metropolitan district|district]] of [[Breckland (district)|Breckland]].{{ref|osnncc}}
The civil parish has an area of {{convert|5.07|mi2}} and in the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]] had no inhabitants. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the [[Non-metropolitan district|district]] of [[Breckland (district)|Breckland]].{{ref|osnncc}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*{{note|osexp1}} [[Ordnance Survey]] (1999). ''OS Explorer Map 229 - Thetford in the Brecks''. ISBN 0-319-21861-9.
*{{note|osexp1}} [[Ordnance Survey]] (1999). ''OS Explorer Map 229 - Thetford in the Brecks''. {{ISBN|0-319-21861-9}}.
*{{note|desert}} Rootsweb.com (1998–2006). ''[http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~gtusa/britain.htm Ghost Towns/Deserted Villages of Great Britain]''. Retrieved 17 February 2006.
*{{note|desert}} Rootsweb.com (1998–2006). ''[http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~gtusa/britain.htm Ghost Towns/Deserted Villages of Great Britain]''. Retrieved 17 February 2006.
*{{note|osnncc}} Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). ''[http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc017867.xls Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes]''. Retrieved 2 December 2005.
*{{note|osnncc}} Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170211032229/http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc017867.xls Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes]''. Retrieved 2 December 2005.


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
{{Commons category|Tottington, Norfolk}}
*[http://www.origins.org.uk/genuki/NFK/places/t/tottington/ Information from Genuki Norfolk] on Tottington.
*[http://www.origins.org.uk/genuki/NFK/places/t/tottington/ Information from Genuki Norfolk] on Tottington.
*[http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/battlezone/battlezoneintro.htm Information from NorfolkChurches.co.uk] on the Stanford Battle Area and its deserted villages and churches.
*[http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/battlezone/battlezoneintro.htm Information from NorfolkChurches.co.uk] on the Stanford Battle Area and its deserted villages and churches.


{{Civil Parishes of Breckland}}
{{Civil Parishes of Breckland}}
{{Lost settlements in the United Kingdom}}


{{authority control}}
⚫
[[Category:Former populated places in England]]

⚫
[[Category:Former populated places in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Villages in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Villages in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Breckland]]
[[Category:Breckland District]]
[[Category:Ghost towns in England]]
[[Category:Ghost towns in England]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Forcibly depopulated communities in the United Kingdom during World War II]]

[[nl:Tottington]]
⚫
[[pl:Tottington (Norfolk)]]

Latest revision as of 21:41, 7 October 2023

Tottington
St Andrew's Church in Tottington
Tottington is located in Norfolk
Tottington
Tottington
Location within Norfolk
Area13.12 km2 (5.07 sq mi)
Population0 (2001 Census)
• Density0/km2 (0/sq mi)
OS grid referenceTL895955
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townTHETFORD
Postcode districtIP25
PoliceNorfolk
FireNorfolk
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Norfolk
52°31′28″N 0°47′31″E / 52.52441°N 0.79189°E / 52.52441; 0.79189

Tottington is a deserted village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated some 6.2 miles (10.0 km) north of the town of Thetford and 25 miles (40 km) south-west of the city of Norwich.[5] Any population at the 2011 Census was included in the civil parish of Thompson.

Name

[edit]

Tottington means "farm/settlement of Tota's people" or perhaps, "farm/settlement connected with Tota".[1]

History

[edit]

Tottington has an entry in the Domesday Book of 1086.[2] In the great book Tottington is recorded by the name of Totintuna, meaning "the town or settlement of Tota's people".[3] The main land holder was Ralph FitzHelwin. The survey also states there are fifteen mares. Samson of Tottington was Abbot of Bury St Edmunds from 1182 to 1211, and Thomas of Tottington filled the same role from 1302 to 1311.

Evacuation

[edit]

During the Second World War, the village was taken over by the British Army when it was incorporated into the Stanford Battle Area. The military ranges were needed to prepare Allied infantry for Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Though some villagers were said to be happy to give up their homes to help the British war effort,[4] the majority were less than enthusiastic with a number of heated village meetings and some refusing to leave the area.[5] This was the subject of a book written by Lucilla Reeve, one such person who refused to leave, under the pseudonym 'A Norfolk Woman' called Farming, on a Battle Ground.[6]

However, after the war, the former villagers were not allowed to return to their homes by the War Office. Most of the inhabitants of Tottington rented their houses and farmed the land belonging to the Walsingham estates. Though they had been promised that they could return to their homes after the war, the government later reneged on the promise and bought the land, threatening Walsingham with a compulsory purchase order.[7] As the majority of the inhabitants were not landowners, they received very little in compensation, were put into council housing and many lost their livelihoods. They continued to fight for many years to return to their homes and farmland but the beginnings of the Cold War and the need for dedicated training areas removed all chances of a return.

Since the evacuation, the village and its parish remain within the Ministry of Defence's Stanford Training Area. Access is not permitted without special permission.[6]

The Parish Church of St Andrew

[edit]

The church is situated at the northern end of the village.[4] The roof of the church is clad in blast-proof sheeting which was installed to protect the structure of the church. The original pantiles are stored inside the church ready to be restored if the village is given back to the public. The churchyard is surrounded by wire fencing to protect the church from the military manoeuvres.

In October 2009, a World War II veteran who had been born in the village was buried in St Andrew's churchyard after permission for the interment was granted by the Ministry of Defence. It was the first burial in the churchyard for more than fifty years.[8]

Governance

[edit]

The civil parish has an area of 5.07 square miles (13.1 km2) and in the 2001 census had no inhabitants. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Breckland.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Key to English Place-names".
  2. ^ The Domesday Book, England's Heritage, Then and Now, Editor: Thomas Hinde,Norfolk page 186 ISBN 1-85833-440-3
  3. ^ Eilert Ekwall, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, p.478.
  4. ^ a b [1] Information about the Evacuation
  5. ^ [2] Breckland exodus - the forced evacuation of the Norfolk Battle Area 1942:Part 1
  6. ^ [3] Lucille Reeve - Eastern Daily Press
  7. ^ [4] Breckland exodus - the forced evacuation of the Norfolk Battle Area 1942:Part 2
  8. ^ "Veteran buried in 'ghost village'". BBC News. 3 October 2009..
[edit]
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