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Coordinates: 52°37′39″N 0°45′13″E / 52.6275°N 0.753611°E / 52.6275; 0.753611
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{{Use British English|date=December 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{infobox UK place
{{infobox UK place
|country = England
|country = England
|coordinates = {{coord|52.6275|0.753611|display=inline,title}}
|latitude= 52.6275
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|official_name =North Pickenham
|longitude=0.753611

⚫
|official_name =[[North Pickenham]]
|static_image =St Andrew, North Pickenham, Norfolk - geograph.org.uk - 309228.jpg
|population = '''495''' [[UK census 2001]]
|static_image_width =240px
|static_image_caption=St Andrew's church
|population = 472
| area_total_km2 = 10.15
| population_ref = [[UK census 2011]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11127074&c=North+Pickenham&d=16&e=62&g=6448299&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1470749011412&enc=1|title=Civil Parish population 2011|access-date=9 August 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics}}</ref>
|shire_district= [[Breckland (district)|Breckland]]
|shire_district= [[Breckland (district)|Breckland]]
|shire_county= [[Norfolk]]
|shire_county= [[Norfolk]]
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|region= East of England
|region= East of England
|constituency_westminster= [[South West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South West Norfolk]]
|constituency_westminster= [[South West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South West Norfolk]]
|post_town= [[Swaffham]]
|post_town= SWAFFHAM
|postcode_district = PE37
|postcode_district = PE37
|postcode_area=PE
|postcode_area=PE
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}}
}}


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'''North Pickenham''' is a village in the [[Breckland (district)|Breckland district]] of mid-[[Norfolk]], [[East Anglia]], England. It lies three miles from the [[Georgian Architecture|Georgian]] [[market town]] of [[Swaffham]].
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'''North Pickenham''' is a village in the [[Breckland (district)|Breckland district]]<ref>[http://www.visitbreckland.com/ Visit Breckland]</ref> of mid-[[Norfolk]], [[East Anglia]], [[England]] in the [[United Kingdom]]. Named after its leader Pinca<ref>[http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/OLD-ENGLISH/2000-04/0954705780 Pinca]</ref>, Pica<ref>[http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/kepn/search.php Institute for Name Studies. Search Pickenham, ignore new map window and click on result]</ref><ref>[http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/kepn/detailpop.php?placeno=9415 INS result]</ref> or maybe Piccea with ham meaning homestead, it became a [[pagan]] [[Anglo Saxon]] settlement in the 5th century [[AD]]. It remained part of a Saxon kingdom until the [[Norman Conquest]] in [[1066]]<ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3zQJAAAAQAAJ&pg=PR5&dq=pickenham&lr=#PPR5,M1 Doomsday Book]</ref> when it became part of the honour of the [[Earl of Richmond]], [[Yorkshire]]. The village sign<ref>[http://www.rowancroft.net/photo.asp?id=76 Village sign]</ref> shows a [[History of Anglo-Saxon England|Saxon]] (left) and a [[Normans|Norman]] (right) warrior (see [[Great Britain in the Middle Ages]]) with [[Richmond Castle]] and the river [[Wissey]] in the background; The sign was designed by Ben Ripper, a local historian, and carved by Steve Eggleton<ref>[http://www.rowancroft.net/about.asp Steve Eggleton]</ref>.


North Pickenham has an area of 1015 [[hectares]] (3.92 [[square miles]]) with an estimated [[population]] of 495 as of [[UK census 2001]]. [[Norfolk]] (pop. 832,400) has about a 30th the [[population density]] of [[Central London]], the tenth lowest density county in the country, with 38% of the county’s population living in the three major built up areas of [[Norwich]] (194,200), [[Great Yarmouth]] (66,400) and [[King's Lynn]] (40,700).<ref>[http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:65bGq6uPxOIJ:www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc041445.doc+norfolk+population+density&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk, Norfolk Government Statistics ] </ref>
At the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]] it had a population of 500 and an area of 1,015 hectares (3.92 square miles)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170211032229/https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc017867.xls Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes]. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001) Retrieved 20 June 2009,</ref> reducing to 472 at the 2011 Census. [[Norfolk]] (pop. 832,400) has about one-thirtieth of the population density of [[Central London]], the tenth lowest density county in the country, with 38% of the county's population living in the three major urban areas of [[Norwich]] (194,200), [[Great Yarmouth]] (66,400) and [[King's Lynn]] (40,700).<ref>[https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc041445.doc Norfolk Government Statistics ]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


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The [[River Wissey]] cuts through the village at Houghton Lane bridge,<ref>[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?rlz=1C1CHMG_en-USGB291GB303&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=52°37'35.18N%200°45'19.63E&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl River Wissey at Houghton Lane 52°37'35.18"N 0°45'19.63"E]</ref> following the course of Meadow Lane, close to the river's source at [[Bradenham, Norfolk|Bradenham]]. Its sister village [[South Pickenham]] is two miles away through pretty, narrow country lanes.
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It has a [[Parish]] [[Council Tax]] (Band D) 1st April 2007 of £38.65.<ref>[http://www.breckland.gov.uk/yearbook_parish_information Breckland Yearbook]</ref>


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North Pickenham has a Parish [[Council Tax]] (Band D).<ref>[http://www.breckland.gov.uk/yearbook_parish_information Breckland Yearbook] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121120311/http://www.breckland.gov.uk/yearbook_parish_information |date=21 November 2008 }}</ref>
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It was once in the [[Hundred (country subdivision)|Hundred]] of South Greenhoe.<ref>[http://www.origins.org.uk/genuki/NFK/norfolk/gaz-and-dir/white1845/hundreds/greenhoe_south.shtml GenUKI]</ref><ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MacMAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA271&lpg=RA1-PA271&dq=Hundred+of+South+Greenhoe&source=web&ots=ylkwa The Beauties of England and Wales]</ref><ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ZS02AAAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA659&lpg=RA2-PA659&dq=pickenham+north&source=web&ots=UIX0fAD6zQ&sig=X1zvA3eglzuLMtkzXEQEaS_RL_Y&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#PRA2-PA659,M1 A General History of the County of Norfolk] </ref>


==History==
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North Pickenham is three miles, as the crow flies, from the [[Georgian Architecture|Georgian]] [[market town]] of [[Swaffham]].
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The village is after its Saxon leader Pinca,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/OLD-ENGLISH/2000-04/0954705780 |title=Pinca |publisher=Archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com |access-date=16 December 2011}}</ref> Pica<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/kepn/search.php |title=Institute for Name Studies. Search Pickenham |publisher=Nottingham.ac.uk |access-date=16 December 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/kepn/detailpop.php?placeno=9415 INS result]</ref> or maybe Piccea with ham meaning homestead, it became a [[pagan]] [[Anglo Saxon]] settlement in the 5th century [[AD]]. It remained part of a Saxon kingdom until the [[Norman Conquest]] in 1066<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3zQJAAAAQAAJ&q=pickenham&pg=PR5 |title=Domesday Book |access-date=16 December 2011|last1=Book |first1=Domesday |year=1862 }}</ref> when it became part of the honour of the [[Earl of Richmond]], Yorkshire. The old village sign showed a [[History of Anglo-Saxon England|Saxon]] (left) and a [[Normans|Norman]] (right) warrior (see [[Great Britain in the Middle Ages]]) with [[Richmond Castle]] and the river [[Wissey]] in the background; The sign was designed by Ben Ripper, a local historian, and carved by Steve Eggleton. A new village statue by Tom Yorke replaced the deteriorating old sign and was unveiled by the incumbent MP George Freeman on 22 October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parish |first=Pickenham |url=http://pickenhamposts.blogspot.com/search?q=village+sign |title=Pickenham Posts |publisher=Pickenhamposts.blogspot.com |date=22 October 2010 |access-date=16 December 2011}}</ref> Due to an insect infestation the statue was removed in 2018 and in 2020 the old village sign was refurbished and re-erected in its place.


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It was once in the [[Hundred (country subdivision)|Hundred]] of South Greenhoe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.origins.org.uk/genuki/NFK/norfolk/gaz-and-dir/white1845/hundreds/greenhoe_south.shtml |title=GenUKI |publisher=Origins.org.uk |access-date=16 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MacMAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA271|title=The Beauties of England and Wales |access-date=16 December 2011|last1=Brayley |first1=Edward Wedlake |year=1810 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZS02AAAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA659|author=John Chambers|author-link=John Chambers (topographer)|title=A General History of the County of Norfolk |year=1829|access-date=16 December 2011}}</ref>
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The [[River Wissey]] cuts through the village at Houghton Lane bridge<ref>[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?rlz=1C1CHMG_en-USGB291GB303&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=52°37'35.18N%200°45'19.63E&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl River Wissey at Houghton Lane 52°37'35.18"N 0°45'19.63"E]</ref>, following the course of Meadow Lane, close to the river's source at [[Bradenham, Norfolk|Bradenham]].


The former [[Royal Air Force]] station, [[RAF North Pickenham]], was located nearby hosting American [[B-24 Liberator]] bombers during [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K6Z9SQEaZDMC&q=pickenham&pg=PA91|title=32 CoPilots|last=Bastien|first=Charles R.|publisher=Trafford Publishing|year=2004|isbn=978-1412017299}}</ref> In the late 1950s and early 1960s three [[PGM-17 Thor]] nuclear missiles were located here<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbTJ0WUEmWI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VbTJ0WUEmWI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=An RAF Thor Missile Station at North Pickenham, Norfolk |publisher=YouTube |access-date=16 December 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> with early cases of [[CND]] acts of [[civil disobedience]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/yoursfaithfullyb0000russ|title=Yours Faithfully, Bertrand Russell: A Lifelong Fight for Peace, Justice, and Truth in Letters to the Editor|last=Russell|first=Bertrand|publisher=Open Court|year=2002|isbn=978-0812694499|editor-last=Perkins|editor-first=Ray|author-link=Bertrand Russell|access-date=16 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QvOpmGDIwocC&q=pickenham&pg=PA131|title=Against the Bomb: The British Peace Movement 1958–1965|last=Taylor|first=Richard K. S.|publisher=Clarendon Press|year=1988|isbn=978-0198275374}}</ref> The airbase is now the site of a turkey farm owned by [[Bernard Matthews Farms|Bernard Matthews]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/208640 |title=Google Earth Community: The world's largest turkey farm |publisher=Bbs.keyhole.com |access-date=16 December 2011}}</ref> a karting circuit and an eight-turbine [[wind farm]] run by North Pickenham Wind Farm LLP.<ref>[http://www.enertraguk.com/projects/north-pickenham/north-pickenham-construction.html Enertrag UK]</ref> A 'stealth blade', which is trying to be invisible to aviation radar, was tested on one of the turbines here in October 2009.<ref>[http://www.wattonandswaffhamtimes.co.uk/content/wstimes/news/story.aspx?brand=WSOnline&category=news&tBrand=WSOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED08%20Oct%202009%2014:37:46:617 'Stealth Blade' Watton and Swaffham Times]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In February 2009 Bernard Matthews detailed plans to put two turbines at the airfield site,<ref>[http://www.bernardmatthewsfarms.com/community/windfarm.pdf Bernard Matthews turbine proposal] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123070628/http://www.bernardmatthewsfarms.com/community/windfarm.pdf |date=23 November 2009 }}</ref> an independent development to the eight turbines already there.
Its sister village [[South Pickenham]] is two miles away through pretty, narrow country lanes.


==Amenities==
North Pickenham has a newly extended school<ref>[http://www.northpickenhamprimary.norfolk.sch.uk/ St Andrew’s C of E Primary School, North Pickenham]</ref> with its own wind turbine. Its namesake, at the centre of the village, is St Andrew's church
[[File:St Mary, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Norfolk - geograph.org.uk - 309241.jpg|thumb|left|180px|St Mary's Church, Houghton on the Hill]]
<ref>[http://www.nectonallsaints.com/npickenham_profile.htm#The_church_building St.Andrew's <!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://www.norwich.anglican.org/person?church_id=1080 Diocese of Norwich]</ref><ref>[http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/northpickenham/northpickenham.htm Norfolk churches]</ref> in the [[Benefice]] of [[Necton]] <ref>[http://www.norwich.anglican.org/church?benefice=229 Necton Benefice]</ref>
North Pickenham has a newly extended school with its own wind turbine. Its namesake, at the centre of the village, is St Andrew's church<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929010116/http://www.nectonallsaints.com/npickenham_profile.htm St.Andrew's ]</ref> in the [[Benefice]] of [[Necton]]


Adjacent to the church is a [[Free house (pub)|freehouse]] [[pub]] called the Blue Lion<ref>[http://www.thebluelionpub.co.uk/ Blue Lion PH]</ref> which, with recent surveys and listed buildings visits, suggest it dates from the late 1700s with documented [[Licensed victualler|licensees]] from the mid 19th century.<ref>[http://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/norfolkn/northpickenham/npicbl.htm Blue Lion history]</ref>.
Adjacent to the church is a [[Free house (pub)|freehouse]] [[pub]] called the Blue Lion which, with recent surveys and listed buildings visits, suggest it dates from the late 18th century with documented [[Licensed victualler|licensees]] from the mid-19th century.


North Pickenham is near to the lost village of Houghton on the Hill with the restored church of St Mary's, with its amazing 11th century wall paintings<ref>[http://www.hoh.org.uk/Find-Us/ Saint Mary's]</ref> <ref>[http://www.hoh.org.uk/Docs/Church-of-St-Mary.pdf Comprehensive St. Mary's .pdf file]</ref>, instigated with tireless devotion by Bob Davey [[MBE]]<ref>[http://www.honours.gov.uk/~/media/assets/www.honours.gov.uk/queens_list%20pdf.ashx Bob Davey MBE]</ref> <ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5jJnoO04Jv8C&pg=PA394&lpg=PA394&dq=mr+davey+versus+the+devil&source=web&ots=foTZ2ChD0G&sig=v8bElxmTF9R61GK7G1qS Mr Davey Versus The Devil]</ref> <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/4758441.stm Heritage Lottery Fund]</ref>,
The lost village of [[Houghton on the Hill, Norfolk|Houghton on the Hill]] is in the civil parish. Houghton includes the restored church of St Mary's, with its outstanding 11th century wall paintings,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoh.org.uk/Docs/Church-of-St-Mary.pdf |title=Comprehensive St. Mary's .pdf file|access-date=16 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216202605/http://www.hoh.org.uk/Docs/Church-of-St-Mary.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2012}}</ref> instigated by Bob Davey [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBE]].<ref>[http://www.honours.gov.uk/~/media/assets/www.honours.gov.uk/queens_list%20pdf.ashx Bob Davey MBE]{{dead link|date=December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5jJnoO04Jv8C&q=mr+davey+versus+the+devil&pg=PA394 |title=Mr Davey Versus The Devil |isbn=9781586170776 |access-date=16 December 2011|last1=Pearce |first1=Joseph |year=2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/4758441.stm|title=Lottery grant preserves paintings|date=11 May 2006|access-date=16 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414115640/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/4758441.stm|archive-date=14 April 2019|url-status=live|work=BBC News}}</ref>


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The 46-mile [[Peddars Way]] footpath runs through the village, 19 miles<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddarsway/uploads/Final%20distance%20chart(1).pdf |title=Peddars Way Distant Chart|access-date=16 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211141838/http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddarsway/uploads/Final%20distance%20chart(1).pdf |archive-date=11 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> from its south eastern start in [[Suffolk]]. The Peddars Way starts at [[Knettishall Heath]] [[Country Park]] and follows the route of a [[Roman road]] to [[Holme-next-the-Sea]] on the Norfolk coast north of [[Hunstanton]]. At Holme the Peddars Way meets the [[Norfolk Coast Path]] as it runs east along the north Norfolk coast, designated as an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]], to the [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] [[seaside resort]] of [[Cromer]].
The former [[Royal Air Force]] base, [[RAF North Pickenham]], was located nearby hosting American [[B-24 Liberator]] bombers during [[World War II]].<ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=K6Z9SQEaZDMC&pg=PA91&dq=pickenham&sig=ACfU3U3jCK-3ha8r5bcH00c5FviZ5f9p4A#PPA91,M1 32 Copilots By Charles R. Bastien]</ref> In the late 1950s and early 1960s three [[PGM-17 Thor]] nuclear missiles were based here<ref>[http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VbTJ0WUEmWI YouTube contemporary missile footage]</ref><ref>[http://www.wattonandswaffhamtimes.co.uk/content/wstimes/news/story.aspx?brand=WSOnline&category=news&tBrand=WSOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED27%20Oct%202008%2014:23:09:857 The day Feltwell stood on nuclear brink]</ref> with early cases of [[CND]] acts of [[civil disobedience]]<ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=EayyTTpXL-QC&pg=PA271&dq=pickenham+russell&lr=&sig=ACfU3U2vP2WxG9GVlePgkqKnsSLYjzCjwg#PPA271,M1 Yours Faithfully, Bertrand Russell By Bertrand Russell, Ray Perkins]</ref><ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=QvOpmGDIwocC&pg=PA131&dq=pickenham&lr=&sig=ACfU3U1Lv0rNWARBIB-uULRLD_YwtOkU_w Against the Bomb By Richard K. S. Taylor]</ref> . The airbase is now the site of a turkey farm owned by [[Bernard Matthews]]<ref>[http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/208640 Google Earth Community: The world's largest turkey farm<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, a karting circuit <ref> [http://www.anglia-karting.co.uk/ Anglia Karting]</ref>and an eight-turbine [[wind farm]] run by Enertrag UK Ltd.<ref>[http://www.enertraguk.com/projects/north-pickenham/north-pickenham-construction.html Enertrag UK]</ref> In February 2009 Bernard Matthews detailed plans to put two turbines at the airfield site<ref>[http://www.bernardmatthewsfarms.com/community/windfarm.pdf Bernard Matthews turbine proposal]</ref>, an independent development to the eight turbines already there.


The annual local village show was reinstated in 2007. It raises funds for the church and highlights the growing and making skills of local residents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/Praise-for-produce-at-North.4504610.jp|title=Praise for produce at North Pickenham|date=16 September 2008|work=[[Lynn News]]|access-date=16 December 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804234734/http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/latest-news/praise-for-produce-at-north-pickenham-1-520803|archive-date=4 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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The 46 mile [[Peddars Way]] footpath runs through the village, 19 miles<ref>[http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddarsway/uploads/Final%20distance%20chart(1).pdf Peddars Way Distant Chart]</ref> from its south eastern start in [[Suffolk]]. The Peddars Way<ref>[http://www.aniboom.com/video/298688/The%20Pedlar%20of%20Swaffham/?ref=/Scoreboard/aniBoom_Awards_2008 Pedlar of Swaffham animation]</ref> starts at [[Knettishall Heath]] [[Country Park]] and follows the route of a [[Roman road]] to [[Holme-next-the-Sea]] on the Norfolk coast north of [[Hunstanton]]. At Holme the Peddars Way meets the [[Norfolk Coast Path]] as it runs east along the north Norfolk coast, designated as an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]], to the [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] [[seaside resort]] of [[Cromer]].


==References==
The annual local village show was reinstated in 2007 with great success. It not only raises funds for the church but highlights the growing and making skills of local residents whilst also being a great community event.<ref>[http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/Praise-for-produce-at-North.4504610.jp Village show report]</ref>
{{commons category|North Pickenham}}
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{{Reflist|30em}}


{{Norfolk}}
Local action group Johnsons Community Action Group is endeavoring to improve the local playing field and surrounding environment. <ref>[http://www.breckland.gov.uk/administrators-pride_in_north_pickenham Johnsons Community Action Group]</ref>
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{{Civil Parishes of Breckland}}


{{Authority control}}
The Pickenhams' Parish Voice is a monthly community magazine servicing the 290 homes of both North and South Pickenham.
parishvoice[at]gmail[dot]com

[[Ordnance Survey]] [[Benchmark (surveying)|Benchmark]] at Manor Farm<ref>[http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm10917 Flush Bracket G1543]</ref>

Circular village walk <ref>[http://www.edp24.co.uk/Content/Leisure/Walks/2004/asp/NorthPickenham.asp EDP walks]</ref> and somewhere to sit on the way round. <ref> [http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/swaffham/North-Pickenham-Rest-and-remember.4178219.jp Lynn News]</ref>

Informative .pdf files of the Breckland area <ref> [http://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/JCA085_tcm2-21187.pdf Breckland] </ref> and central Norfolk. <ref> [http://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/JCA078+084%20-%20Central%20North%20Norfolk%20+%20Mid%20Norfolk_tcm2-21181.pdf Central Norfolk] </ref>

Old postcards of both North and South Pickenham.<ref> [http://www.flickr.com/photos/suewhite/sets/72157608387730313/show/ Old postcards]</ref>

Local topographical photographs.
<ref>[http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF8407 Geograph ]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF8506 Geograph ]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF8507 Geograph ]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF8605 Geograph ]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF8607 Geograph ]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF8705 Geograph ]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF8706 Geograph ]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF8707 Geograph ]</ref>
==Gallery==
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge:
<gallery>
Image:Turbine_sheep.jpg|Turbine at the old airfield
Image:Turbine-sunset1.jpg|Big Norfolk skies
Image:Turbine_misty.jpg|Turbines in the mist
Image:Blue Lion.jpg|The Blue Lion pub
Image:Norfolk sign.jpg|Traditional Norfolk sign
Image:StAndrews.jpg|St. Andrew's church
Image:Village Sign.jpg|Village sign
Image:North Pickenham sign.jpg|Sign on Houghton Lane
Image:Houghton-StMary.jpg|St. Mary's chapel of ease at Houghton on the Hill
Image:East_Anglia.gif|Counties of East Anglia
Image:Pickenhams' Parish Voice cover.jpg|Village magazine cover with Village Show winners
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:NP St Andews rebuild.jpg|New School Extension, Summer 2008 -->
</gallery>
== References and external links ==
Links to related websites:
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{{Reflist}}

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{{Civil Parishes of Breckland}}


[[Category:Villages in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Villages in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Breckland]]
[[Category:Breckland District]]
[[Category:Wind farms in England]]
[[Category:Wind farms in England]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Norfolk]]

Latest revision as of 08:48, 13 December 2023

North Pickenham
St Andrew's church
North Pickenham is located in Norfolk
North Pickenham
North Pickenham
Location within Norfolk
Area10.15 km2 (3.92 sq mi)
Population472 UK census 2011[1]
• Density47/km2 (120/sq mi)
OS grid referenceTF8646606864
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSWAFFHAM
Postcode districtPE37
Dialling code01760
PoliceNorfolk
FireNorfolk
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Norfolk
52°37′39″N 0°45′13″E / 52.6275°N 0.753611°E / 52.6275; 0.753611

North Pickenham is a village in the Breckland district of mid-Norfolk, East Anglia, England. It lies three miles from the Georgian market town of Swaffham.

At the 2001 census it had a population of 500 and an area of 1,015 hectares (3.92 square miles)[2] reducing to 472 at the 2011 Census. Norfolk (pop. 832,400) has about one-thirtieth of the population density of Central London, the tenth lowest density county in the country, with 38% of the county's population living in the three major urban areas of Norwich (194,200), Great Yarmouth (66,400) and King's Lynn (40,700).[3]

The River Wissey cuts through the village at Houghton Lane bridge,[4] following the course of Meadow Lane, close to the river's source at Bradenham. Its sister village South Pickenham is two miles away through pretty, narrow country lanes.

North Pickenham has a Parish Council Tax (Band D).[5]

History

[edit]

The village is after its Saxon leader Pinca,[6] Pica[7][8] or maybe Piccea with ham meaning homestead, it became a pagan Anglo Saxon settlement in the 5th century AD. It remained part of a Saxon kingdom until the Norman Conquest in 1066[9] when it became part of the honour of the Earl of Richmond, Yorkshire. The old village sign showed a Saxon (left) and a Norman (right) warrior (see Great Britain in the Middle Ages) with Richmond Castle and the river Wissey in the background; The sign was designed by Ben Ripper, a local historian, and carved by Steve Eggleton. A new village statue by Tom Yorke replaced the deteriorating old sign and was unveiled by the incumbent MP George Freeman on 22 October 2010.[10] Due to an insect infestation the statue was removed in 2018 and in 2020 the old village sign was refurbished and re-erected in its place.

It was once in the Hundred of South Greenhoe.[11][12][13]

The former Royal Air Force station, RAF North Pickenham, was located nearby hosting American B-24 Liberator bombers during World War II.[14] In the late 1950s and early 1960s three PGM-17 Thor nuclear missiles were located here[15] with early cases of CND acts of civil disobedience.[16][17] The airbase is now the site of a turkey farm owned by Bernard Matthews,[18] a karting circuit and an eight-turbine wind farm run by North Pickenham Wind Farm LLP.[19] A 'stealth blade', which is trying to be invisible to aviation radar, was tested on one of the turbines here in October 2009.[20] In February 2009 Bernard Matthews detailed plans to put two turbines at the airfield site,[21] an independent development to the eight turbines already there.

Amenities

[edit]
St Mary's Church, Houghton on the Hill

North Pickenham has a newly extended school with its own wind turbine. Its namesake, at the centre of the village, is St Andrew's church[22] in the Benefice of Necton

Adjacent to the church is a freehouse pub called the Blue Lion which, with recent surveys and listed buildings visits, suggest it dates from the late 18th century with documented licensees from the mid-19th century.

The lost village of Houghton on the Hill is in the civil parish. Houghton includes the restored church of St Mary's, with its outstanding 11th century wall paintings,[23] instigated by Bob Davey MBE.[24][25][26]

The 46-mile Peddars Way footpath runs through the village, 19 miles[27] from its south eastern start in Suffolk. The Peddars Way starts at Knettishall Heath Country Park and follows the route of a Roman road to Holme-next-the-Sea on the Norfolk coast north of Hunstanton. At Holme the Peddars Way meets the Norfolk Coast Path as it runs east along the north Norfolk coast, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to the Victorian seaside resort of Cromer.

The annual local village show was reinstated in 2007. It raises funds for the church and highlights the growing and making skills of local residents.[28]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to North Pickenham.
  1. ^ "Civil Parish population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  2. ^ Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001) Retrieved 20 June 2009,
  3. ^ Norfolk Government Statistics [permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ River Wissey at Houghton Lane 52°37'35.18"N 0°45'19.63"E
  5. ^ Breckland Yearbook Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Pinca". Archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  7. ^ "Institute for Name Studies. Search Pickenham". Nottingham.ac.uk. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  8. ^ INS result
  9. ^ Book, Domesday (1862). Domesday Book. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  10. ^ Parish, Pickenham (22 October 2010). "Pickenham Posts". Pickenhamposts.blogspot.com. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  11. ^ "GenUKI". Origins.org.uk. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  12. ^ Brayley, Edward Wedlake (1810). The Beauties of England and Wales. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  13. ^ John Chambers (1829). A General History of the County of Norfolk. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  14. ^ Bastien, Charles R. (2004). 32 CoPilots. Trafford Publishing. ISBN 978-1412017299.
  15. ^ "An RAF Thor Missile Station at North Pickenham, Norfolk". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  16. ^ Russell, Bertrand (2002). Perkins, Ray (ed.). Yours Faithfully, Bertrand Russell: A Lifelong Fight for Peace, Justice, and Truth in Letters to the Editor. Open Court. ISBN 978-0812694499. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  17. ^ Taylor, Richard K. S. (1988). Against the Bomb: The British Peace Movement 1958–1965. Clarendon Press. ISBN 978-0198275374.
  18. ^ "Google Earth Community: The world's largest turkey farm". Bbs.keyhole.com. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  19. ^ Enertrag UK
  20. ^ 'Stealth Blade' Watton and Swaffham Times[permanent dead link‍]
  21. ^ Bernard Matthews turbine proposal Archived 23 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ St.Andrew's
  23. ^ "Comprehensive St. Mary's .pdf file" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  24. ^ Bob Davey MBE[dead link‍]
  25. ^ Pearce, Joseph (2005). Mr Davey Versus The Devil. ISBN 9781586170776. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  26. ^ "Lottery grant preserves paintings". BBC News. 11 May 2006. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  27. ^ "Peddars Way Distant Chart" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  28. ^ "Praise for produce at North Pickenham". Lynn News. 16 September 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
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