The
village stone- this
stone, made from calcareous sandstone, was found in a pit on the “High Field”, between
the Shropham and Harling Roads. It was found on land owned at the time by
Walter Kerridge of North Farm.
It was dragged three quarters of a mile to Hockham Green, (where it still sits) by John Pinner in about 1880.It was first turned in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’ Golden Jubilee. The last turning took place on 3rd June 2002, to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The turning of the stone in 1977 (Queen Elizabeth’s silver Jubilee) was filmed by Anglia TV. The next scheduled turning is likely to be on the coronation of a new monarch.
The Hockham
stone being turned to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.
Hockham Horn Fair- This dates from a charter granted by Henry III in 1257 for a fair to be held each year. Anyone visiting the village had to undergo the custom of “doshing” or “dossing” as it is also referred, before they were allowed to the fair. This custom consisted of strangers removing their hats and butting the hairy pad between the ox or ram's horns. There was a penalty for dodging the doss, of either the forfeit of a farthing or the purchase of some free ale for the locals. As with many traditional stories there are several versions of exactly what took place. The Hornfair has been resurrected and takes place in May each year on the village green. It takes place next on May 19th 2007
Hockham Horns
Major Christopher Bush Alias Michael Home- Born in the village in 1885, he wrote detective novels under his own name but was perhaps best known for the novels he wrote, under the pseudonym of Michael Home.
His Breckland novels give an insight into what life was like in the village at the turn of the 19th century. Books not to be missed are “Spring Sowing”, “Autumn Fields” and “Winter Harvest”. His novel “God and the Rabbit” was also very popular in the USA. He died in 1973 having had over 70 books published.
Tinker Joe- best known by his nickname, Joseph Ashton was buried in Hockham churchyard, having reached the somewhat debatable age of 112 years (some say 116). His gravestone is clearly visible on the left of the path leading to the church.
Holy Trinity Church- Dating from the 13th century, when it could boast a tower (it fell down in the 18th century), the church is set away from the village close to the Hall. The registers date from 1563, but the wall paintings inside are the church’s beat feature, having been re-discovered by a workman repairing the roof. The earliest of these paintings dates from 1350. The current bell tower dates from 1854 having replaced a previous wooden one. The church needs to help conserve its fabulous wall paintings so if anyone has any spare cash then this would be a very good idea to spend it on.
Millennium Garden- On the site of the former Reading Room, a garden was
created by some of the members of the village, to mark the millennium. It is
now beginning to flourish and is a great place to sit and take in the
village atmosphere.
Wildlife- The history and present use of the parish lands,
makes Hockham one of the most interesting areas of the county for natural history.
There are well over 400 species of plant, some of them nationally rare, such as
the Royal Fern and Cranberry. In the forest, Red, Roe and Muntjac deer can
often been seen if you walk quietly and its possible to also spot fox, Rabbit
,Stoat and Grey Squirrel. In summer the specialty birds of Breckland, Nightjar
and Woodlark, breed in the forest as well as three species of Woodpecker and Nuthatch.
The Pingoes attract waterfowl and occasionally a Heron or Kingfisher. Insect
life also abounds and there are around twenty five species of butterfly which can
be seen, including the rare White Admiral and the Purple Hairstreak.
Thetford Forest- The largest lowland forest in Britain is right on the village doorstep. From the Forest picnic site there are many signed walks for all to enjoy. On the village western edge is the Peddars Way, an ancient Roman track way that leads northwards to the coast at Holme. Here it joins the North Norfolk coastal path. Travelling South of the village the Peddars Way reaches its start point at Knettishall Heath where it joins the Icknield Way.
The
Great Eastern Pingo Trail-This is an 8 mile walk that begins in Stow
Bedon on the site of the former railway station and links the disused railway
line (formerly the Swaffham branch of the Gt Eastern Railway) that goes from
Stow Bedon to Great Hockham. At Hockham it joins the Peddars Way and returns to
Stow Bedon via the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust reserve at Thompson Water and
Thompson Common. The walk is rich in wildlife and well worth the effort. It is
reasonably easy walking.