Yarmouth
Yarmouth, mentioned in Domesday Book as Ermud, was known in quite early days as a town; strangely enough, in more recent times it was classed as a village, having a Parish Council, not a Town Council. It received its first Charter from Baldwin de Redvers, Lord of the Isle, in 1115, and its privileges were confirmed by James I, only the Castle being outside the jurisdiction of the Corporation. As a Borough, the town returned two Members of Parliament, including at one time the Speaker; and it still has its Town Hall and the Town Mace, which was formerly the hand sceptre of Charles II. Since the re-organisation of the Counties, Yarmouth has opted to be a town.
The Castle, built in the reign of Henry VIII after the French had sacked and burnt the town, seems to have been more than just a fort, having a handsome entrance in the east face, with the Royal Arms over it. In 1597-8 a "howse" was built on the platform, and details of repairs include a description of a pumping-engine used to keep the ditches clear of water. When in 1609 the sea undermined the walls, "two buttresses to stay up the walls" were erected.
In 1629 the population seem to have feared the worst, and petitioned to be allowed to "cut ye nick of land between ye two seas", in order to make a "place of retrayte" for the Islanders should the need arise.
In 1664 the Yarmouth marshes were embanked, and at that time the town had a drawbridge.
The Town Hall, a square red-brick building, facing the High Street, was re-built in 1763 by Thomas, Lord Holmes. Regular meetings are held there still by the Town Trust and other bodies, while the ground floor is available for other activities. The room has rather a bygone air, with whitewashed walls and a flagstone floor, having been used in the past as a butter market and cattle market.
Yarmouth has two places of worship, St. James' Church and the Wesleyan Chapel, both well cared for. In early days the Church lost its bells to the French during one of their attacks, and, though often sought for, they have never been found. In the Church is a statue of Sir Robert Holmes, a much-respected resident and benefactor.
An interesting building is the Old Mill, perched on the south bank of the river; it is now a private house. This was a tidal mill, and when it was in use the grain was brought to it by sailing ships.
For a long time smuggling was rife in the locality, and Yarmouth is said to have possessed some notable cellars! The Coastguards ran into trouble here in 1836, when, at a Court of Enquiry held in the George Hotel, the Chief Officer, Lt. Josiah Dornford, R.N., and some of his crew, were accused of collusion with the smugglers and of taking bribes – happily they were found Not Guilty.
In 1876 the Pier was opened. All passengers and goods, including livestock, were transported to and from the mainland by tug and towboats. The tug Jumsey operated for many years.
Yarmouth has its own Lifeboat, the Earl and Countess Howe, launched in 1964, and manned by local men. It can be seen, always in a state of readiness, in the harbour. For minor emergencies there is an Inshore Rescue boat. These two vessels seem to be needed chiefly during the summer months to deal with sailing mishaps.
Nowadays we rely on posters and advertising for news of future events, but in bygone days the Town Crier gave all the news, and it would be pleasant to have him back. One wonders what became of the bell that made everyone prick up their ears for the announcement of the next "Jumbo" sale, which he once "cried". It was possibly the thought of the White Elephant stall that caused this slip of the tongue.
