Questions And Answers

As I cycle or walk around the countryside I find all sorts of odd objects, some of which pose questions while others provide answers.


Biking Country

Fenland and much of East Anglia is prime motorbiking country and many bike racers hail from the area. In Littleport there stands this monument to Harley-Davidson motorcycles. William Harley emigrated from the town in 1865, fought in the American Civil War and later fathered several children, one of whom, William Sylvester Harley, co-founded the motorcycle company with Arthur Davidson in 1903. I know what someone's going to ask and the answer is "Yes....

....of course!"


Faithful Servants

In Trumpington churchyard I spotted this interesting old stone. The inscription tells us

I M O

TWO FAITHFUL AND VALUED SERVANTS 

SYLVIA VIGOR 

WHO WAS BURIED FEB 3, 1867 

AND 

HADNEY ANTHONY TOLEMAN 

COMMONLY KNOWN AS JAMES TOLEMAN 

WHO WAS BURIED DEC 31 1872 

BOTH LIVED UPWARDS OF 50 YEARS 

IN THE FAMILY 

OF THE LATE COL. AND MRS. PEMBERTON 

WHOSE DAUGHTER ERECTS THIS 

MEMORIAL

Sylvia Vigor was the housekeeper for the Pemberton family at Trumpington Hall while James Toleman was the butler. It is known that Toleman was given the job of bringing the body of F C J Pemberton back from France when he died in 1849. What is not known (and what all of you who tune in to Downton Abbey want to know) is what the relationship was between Mr Toleman and Miss Vigor during their lifetimes.

Fire Fighters

Before the days of a regular organised fire brigade many towns and villages had their own volunteer fire fighters. In some villages the old brigades are remembered by an old Engine House, like this one in Thaxted. But this time the question is "What sort of fire-engine would they have housed?" In Thaxted the answer can be found in the museum at the old windmill.

Some Unlikely Addresses

How would you like to live here? North American readers should substitute "Moochers Lane" to get the full meaning while those in Australia should consider what it might be like to live in "Bludgers Lane". In other words it's someone who asks for and obtains something to which they are not entitled. But "cadger" originally meant nothing more sinister than "itinerant trader" and this lane is where they set up their stalls. But how about....

This time it just happens to be in Devil's Alley, a street in King's Lynn where it is said the footprint of the devil can be seen on the stone street. Maybe, but I couldn't see it.

And finally some comforting news on this name-plaque....

'Nuff said!


Take care.