Scarning
| Scarning | |
|---|---|
 St Peter and St Paul Church |
|
 Scarning
|
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| Scarning shown within Norfolk | |
| Area | 14.13 km2 (5.46 sq mi) |
| Population | 2,906 (2011) |
| • Density | 206/km2 (530/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TF954122 |
| • London | Approx. 100 miles |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DEREHAM |
| Postcode district | NR19 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Scarning is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It covers an area of 14.13 km2 (5.46 sq mi) and had a population of 2,932 in 1,092 households at the 2001 census, falling at the 2011 Census to a population of 2,906 in 1,092 households. For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of Breckland. The village of Scarning is situated two miles west of Dereham and seventeen miles west of the city of Norwich, on the old turnpike road between Dereham and Swaffham.
Scarning divides into two parts; Old Scarning and New Scarning. Old Scarning is the original hamlet-like village and New Scarning a more recent estate built in the 1990s. The latter consists of a web of lanes all named after species of flowers. The old village has existed for over 900 years. It was known as Scerninga in the Domesday book, Scerninges in 1199 and Skerning in 1253.
The parish church of St Peter and St Paul has occupied its prominent position since the 12th century. It is known to have had a rector since 1299. The whole building, which is mainly in the Perpendicular style, was extensively restored in 1869, when the gable of the chancel roof was raised to its original pitch for £1000. In 1894 the tower was restored, the nave buttresses were entirely rebuilt and new churchyard gates were fitted – all at the expense of Dr Augustus Jessopp.
The single gate was replaced in the 1950s by the Scarning Mothers' Union and refurbished in 2007 in memory of Fred and Lilian Hoskins. The churchyard was levelled and re-seeded in 1970. Scarning Parish Council contributes to its upkeep. The church and vestry were re-roofed in 1979. The double gates were replaced by the PCC in the 1980s.
The work of caring for the building continues. Recent improvements include a PA system with loop induction and a ramp to help with access. Switch gear and heating were replaced in 2007 with the help of a grant from Awards for All.
In 1604 a local farmer William Seckar left his house and land to his wife Alice for so long as she should survive, but stipulating that upon her death the income from the estate should be used for "maintenance of one free school, to be kept for ever in the said house, while the world endure, in Scarning."
Following William's death on 1 November 1604, Alice married again on 3 December 1604. Alas this second husband succumbed on 6 December 1608. Alice duly married for the third time on 7 January 1609. This husband died in 1622 and Alice did not find another. She died in 1638 but there were delays and litigation over the construction of the school. It was eventually opened in 1645 to general rejoicing.
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Wikipedia