... ...though to my mind it is really nothing more than a hamlet, composed as it is, of some fifty homes of varying types, from Halls to one bed roomed flats.
Located some seven miles north-west of Norwich, Norfolk, England, U.K. (National Grid Reference: TG1319)
There are none of the following: shop, post office, doctors surgery, public house, village hall, nor any street lights.
There is no mains gas supply to any dwelling. Some properties are not even on the main sewer. (Ours is one of them!)
At the eastern end of the village is a play area, consisting of three swings, a slide, balance beam, two junior goal posts and a square of asphalt with a netball hoop at one end.
At the western end is the 13th century church of St. Margaret, which is in need of some attention. The church also doubles as a village hall.
Dividing the village from north to south isdepending upon the prevailing weather!
A short way to the west of this is the village pump, a thatched structure, (see pic. on home page) which was erected in 1888 in memory of Hastings Parker and his wife, who had in life occupied the Manor House, inside the grounds of which stand a three hundred year old Yew and Box topiary hedge.
Close inspection of the pump shows that it is neglect, rather than age that has caused major deterioration of the fabric of this fine memorial, and urgent attention is needed if it is to survive far into the next century.
There is a bus shelter, a phone box and a post box.
There are two buses a day to and from Norwich City, one of which is currently heavily subsidised and a short term exercise. You need to leave Norwich at around 9 a.m. and Swannington to return, by 3.45 p.m. (In fact, I have just learnt that it is on the cards to withdraw the shoppers service!)
Some quarter of a mile to the south-east of Swannington, is Swannington (Upgate), a collection of some twenty-five or so properties surrounding Upgate Common and pond, the home of probably the largest population of frogs and toads to be found anywhere in the district .
The area is very rural and almost completely devoted to agriculture. It is criss-crossed by a maze of public footpaths, which, I believe are the result of a prehistoric ritual - that of alcoholic practice. Though the true hour and date of the anniversary is uncertain, to this day, the ritual continues to be observed by some, and, whilst alcohol remains freely available, then will continue ad infinitum!
These footpaths are the best feature of Swannington, every step taken on them is different, the daily natural changes ensure this. How can the same be said of travelling on suburban asphalt?
I must depart now, for I have a case of alcoholic beverage to attend to!
